Vol 31 (2011), No. 06

the newsletter of the

June 2011

Minnesota Herpetological Society

Volume 31

Number 6

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jennifer Hensley Starbrst72@msn.com

Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455-0104

Vice President Sonja Koolmo 763.755.1630 sonjak121@comcast.net Recording Secretary Ellen Heck MnHerpSoc.RecSec@gmail.com

THE MINNESOTA

763.862.8966

763.593.5414

Membership Secretary Heather Clayton 612.886.7175 clayton.heather@comcast.net

HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Voice Mail: 612.326.6516 • MHS WEBPAGE: http://www.mnherpsoc.org MHS YAHOO GROUP: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherpsoc

June 2011

763.434.8684

Newsletter Editor Christopher Rueber mn.mhseditor@gmail.com

952.594.0101

Members at Large Jeff LeClere Reptilia74@aol.com

651.488.6388

Chris Smith Chris.Smith.MHS@gmail.com

651.315.7760

Matt Carter mcarterlgk@gmail.com

651.329.2290

Jacob Mee hz.jmee@yahoo.com

Number 6

THE PURPOSE OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS TO • • •

Treasurer Nancy Haig nanchaig@citilink.com

Volume 31

Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members with information concerning the society’s activities and a media for exchanging information, opinions and resources.

General Meetings are held at Borlaug Hall, Room 335 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, on the first Friday of each month (unless there is a holiday conflict). The meeting starts at 7:00pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voice mail for changes in schedules or cancellations.

SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER Ads or Notices must be submitted no later than the night of the General Meeting to be included in the next issue. Longer articles will be printed as time and space allows and should be in elec- tronic file format if possible.

See inside back cover for ad rates. Submissions may be sent to: The Minnesota Herpetological Society -or- mn.mhseditor@gmail.com Attn: Newsletter Editor Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

C om m itte e s Adoption Sarah Richard RealSarah@aol.com

612.781.9544

Education Jan Larson jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

507.263.4391

SNAKE BITE EMERGENCY

Library Nancy Haig 763.434.8684 nanchaig@citilink.com

HENNEPIN REGIONAL POISON CENTER 800-222-1222 © Copyright 2011, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for non-profit, non-commercial use only. All material must be reproduced without change.

Proper credit will be given including the author/photographer and the Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

June 2011

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Number 6

June Meeting - Friday, June 3rd - Starting at 7 P.M. University of MN - St. Paul Campus, Borlaug Hall, Room 335

Saint Louis Zoo’s Efforts to Save a Rapidly Decline Species:

The Armenian Viper Our June speaker will be Matt Edgar from the St. Louis Zoo. Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. He currently works at the Saint Louis Zoo in the Herpetarium where he is mainly responsible for the venomous snakes.

Outside of work at the zoo, Matt enjoys keeping several species in his private collection, including representatives from the genera Morelia,Corallus, Python, Liasis, Boa, and a few other nonvenomous odds and ends.

Matt began working at the Saint Louis Zoo in 2000 and has since had the privilege in assisting with the Zoo’s WildCare Institute’s Center for Conservation of Near East Mountain Vipers. Twice, he has been fortunate enough to assist with in situ work with the Armenian viper (Montivipera raddei) and he is the main keeper in the Zoo’s propagation efforts for the genus Montivipera. Matt also holds the position of Studbook keeper for the Ocellate Mountain Viper (Monitvipera wagneri) for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

Upcoming Speakers July: Dr. Richard: Vote on the Conservation and Ecology of Amazonian River Turtles August: Dan Krull: When Animal Shows Attack - The Impact of Animal TV Shows

Upcoming Events October 21-23, 2011 27th Midwest Herpetological Symposium

Credit: Matt Edgar / Saint Louis Zoo

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In case you missed the May speaker....

Mamabas, Malaria and Militias

By Ellen Heck The speaker for May was Eli Greenbaum, an assistant professor of evolutionary genetics at the University of Texas – El Paso, talking about the adventures and issues he has run into doing field research in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Formerly known as Zaire, it is the third largest country in Africa and should not be confused with the Republic of Congo, its smaller neighbor to the west. Its official language is French but the eastern part primarily speaks Swahili. Swahili has an Arabic component to it due to centuries of slave trading by the Arabs, the first of many to exploit the resources and people of the country.

rather than spend it on the country. As a result, the infrastructure decayed. The country was renamed Zaire in 1971.

In 1996, the fallout from the Rwandan civil war started spilling over into Zaire. The Hutu military forces, forced out by the Tutsi government, started using refugee camps in eastern Zaire as bases to launch attacks against the Tutsi. Under the cover of ousting these militias, the Rwandan and Ugandan armies invaded Zaire and ousted Mobutu. He died of cancer in 1997.

The DRC is one of 17 “mega-diverse” countries.

These countries contain 80% of all biological speEuropean exploration of the country was undertaken in cies. However, given its past, it is largely unexthe 19th century. King Leopold of Belgium decided to plored. There are parks in the east, but little has claim the county as a colony and convinced other Eubeen documented in other areas. Large areas are ropean to give it to him on humanitarian grounds. Al- unexplored, and even those areas that have been though he named it the Congo Free State, it was more examined were done before more modern methor less his personal property. Far from improving the ods, such as DNA analysis, were developed. And lives of the indigenous population, they were instead unfortunately, there is a bit of a time crunch to brutally exploited, first for ivory and then for rubber. getting the area documented. The population has Although no records exist, it is estimated that half the exploded, due in part to the introduction of modpopulation died during this period, either murdered or ern medicine. Eli mentioned one man he works from disease. with who has 17 children. Having a large family has been common practice in the past, when there Eventually in 1908, bowing to international pressure, was a low survival rate for children. the Belgian government took over the management of the colony and it was known as the Belgian Congo.

The DRC has the second largest rainforest in the Although they improved the infrastructure during this world, but it is estimated that by 2030, 80% of the period, the native population was treated as secondforests will be gone. Madagascar has already lost class citizens and not allowed to walk on the roads they 95% of its forest. In the Congo, 30% of the logging themselves had built. rights have been sold already. The effect on the amphibian population in particular is devastating.

In 1960, Patrice Lumumba became the country’s first Approximately one-third of amphibian species native Prime Minister. However, the move from Euro- have become extinct; in Haiti this number is 92%. pean colony to independent nation came too quickly for a stable transfer of power. Lumumba was deposed Another impact on the world-wide amphibian from office and assassinated in 1961. Leadership was population is chytridiomycosis. It is estimated taken over by Joseph Mobutu. Unfortunately he was a that 100 species are extinct or crashing from this dictator and kept the global financial aid he was given fungus. It infects the skin and/or keratin of the 4

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society animals. Frogs are mainly affected although some salamanders have been as well. The animals lose the ability respirate. In tadpoles, it affects the keratin in the mouth so that they can’t eat. There is a possibility that the disease originated in Africa, as some frogs populations have been found to have it, but seem able to live with it, while other species in Central and South America have gone extinct because of it. In some animals it does not show up, so it may be that some have an alkaloid in their skin that kills it.

Disease is another aspect to working in the Congo. Eli has had malaria 7 times. Victims get a fever of 102 DegF and, since the hospital hasn’t been re-done since it was built in the 1950’s, the facilities are a bit out of date. There is no diagnostic equipment any fever is pronounced to be malaria and the patient is given quinine. The variety of malaria carried by the mosquitoes in the Congo is plasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for 90% of malaria deaths world-wide.

Giardia is a water-borne disease. It prevents the body from breaking down fat, which then rots in the gi tract. Typhoid fever is common and has a fatality rate up to 30% if untreated. When traveling, if you want protein you will need to eat local. There is a small local antelope called a blue dyker. Hunters scare them into nets, kill and smoke them,

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then walk for a week to sell it at the local market.

It tastes as good as it looks (be glad there is no picture here). In 2009 Eli tried this and is convinced it is how he got typhoid.

More rare but more horrific is river blindness or onchoceriasis. It is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bite of the blackfly and can destroy the optic nerve. Then there is the tsetse fly, whose bite can cause sleeping sickness. Ebola was first identified in Zaire in the 1970s. And these are just the known diseases.

Travel in the Congo is difficult due to the decayed infrastructure. Many buildings, roads and bridges have not been repaired since the country was a Belgian colony. Crossing rivers can be chaotic, dangerous and expensive. In one case cars are driven onto wooden ferries and pulled by hand across the river by whoever happens to be on them. Most roads have never been paved. During rains, large trucks using the roads leave equally large ruts, which tend to be disguised by the grasses and plants. Unwary smaller vehicles can get stuck for 5-7 hours each day in the mud and Eli has the pictures to prove it.

Upcoming Hands-on Event Schedule

Thurs. June 9 3–7 pm MN Native Plant Market City hall parking lot 14600 Minnetonka Blvd.

Minnetonka, MN Fri. July 15 5–7 pm Sat. July 16 TBA River Town Days Hastings, MN

Contact: Jan Larson

Looking to meet other MHS members? Help assist the society achieve it’s goals of educating the public? Or just have a good time showing off your herps? Here’s the perfect opportunity!

Here’s the deal- Bring your herp(s) to one of the shows listed above, and talk about them. That’s it! You don’t have to be an expert, you’re not giving speeches. Most of the time you will find that people are more than open to hearing about our misrepresented critters.

Sound fun? Great! There are just a few requirements: Bring only healthy animals. Make sure you know the basics about your animal; What they eat, how long they live, adult size, cage needs. There is no size limits as long as the handler can comfortably keep control. We do not let viewers pat them on the head and do not allow them to directly hold the animal.

If the animals are very young, display in a cage is recommended. Children may participate as long as they have adult supervision.

507-263-4391

jan.skunkhollow@juno.com 5

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society There are 25 species of deadly snakes in the eastern DRC in a semi arid corridor. Eli will at times tell the locals that he would like to see whatever animals they can bring in. While this is effective, it can result in unexpected surprises. Like the cobra someone brought in.

They thought it might be a spitting cobra and after getting it under control, found that it was. And made the unpleasant discovery that spitting cobras can still spit, even when thoroughly constrained. One of the group was hit in the eye. Rinsing his eyes with water was not enough. However, milk can be used to reduce the effect.

So the others searched the village and found several women who had children still breast-feeding.

So there is not much competition for herping there.

However, many species have been lost. In 2010 worldwide research was funded in 21 countries to find “lost species”; that is, animals that hadn’t been seen for 20 years or more. Despite intense search, only 15 were found. However, in 2009, they found phtynobatrachus asper, a species described in 1949 but never photographed. In 2011, they found 4 more species. This leads Eli to believe that there are still many species to be

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discovered.

The trick to discovering new species is to first go to areas that have been poorly explored. Carefully study what you find - is the animal different from other member of the genus? Collect specimens and DNA, and record ecological data – habitat, temperature, etc. Take photos. In the lab, measure and examine the specimens minutely. Sequence the DNA and compare it to other members of the genus.

The upside to discovering a new species is that you get to name it. Eli plans to name one after Asukulu M’Mema, a member of his expedition who was next in line to be chief of his village. He will be publishing a book in 2013 about his experiences – the Emerald Labyrinth.

Minnesota Herpetological Society Previous Board Minutes for March 5, 2011 Board Present: Jennifer Hensley, Sonja Koolmo, Ellen Heck, Nancy Haig, Heather Clayton, Matt Carter, Jacob Mee, Chris Smith Absent: Jeff LeClere The meeting was called to order at 6:15pm in Room 110 at the Student Union.

There were 95 people counted at the general meeting with Harrison Jones signing.

Ellen read the minutes were, one correction was made.

Motion to accept the minutes as corrected: Matt; 2nd Chris. Motion passed.

Vice President’s Report April is the White Snake Sale and photo contest. Eli Greenbaum is set for May. Jeff Lemm has cancelled and is not available in 2011. Blake Bauer made a few suggestions and Jeff and Chris will continue to work on

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July. Jamie from the RAD Zoo is another possibility.

Treasurer’s Report See attached report. The audit is almost complete; Fred and Liz Bosman are helping. The grants have been paid. There is a problem getting access to the Paypal account to change the setup of it and get rid of the $30 fee.

Membership Report See attached report. Heather is almost out of occasional papers to put into the new member packets.

Symposium Report There was no meeting held in February, but arrangements will be made to set up regular meetings, possibly to be held at the U of M as a central location. The theme needs to be finalized.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society Website Report Various pages were discussed. A meeting to review the forums will be held at Jenn’s house on Saturday March 19th at 5:30pm. Board members should prepare a list of sites to be linked to that contain good information about the animals they keep.

Old Business Sign Language – We have signers booked through August 5th.

Mail – There is no new information on the bulk mail office closing. The bulk mail permit will be renewed as usual Archiving – Matt scanned 3 years in about 10 minutes, so he thinks he can get it done without extra help. The old newsletters that have been disassembled may end up being recycled.

IRS – Bruce wasn’t able to make headway, as he is not a board member and they wouldn’t talk to him.

Nancy has been in communication with Michael Burns. They are satisfied there was a mistake but it will take awhile for them to get it taken care of, as they are currently preoccupied with income taxes.

He did say they never received the check, but Jenn provided a signed receipt, as she had sent it certified mail.

Student Organization – Chris has a possible candidate in mind to take this over. He will report next month.

Online Newsletter– As the cost of producing the newsletter has dropped significantly with OfficeMax, membership rates will not need to be changed to cover the costs. The bylaws state only that a monthly newsletter will be produced, not that it is required to be printed and mailed. The option to receive an online newsletter can be tracked in the membership database.

Newsletter Editor – Melissa was sent the warning email but did not respond. It was conveyed through an MHS member that she had decided to back out of the position but not inform the board of her decision.

Chris Reuber agreed to accept the position but was out of town and unable to attend the meeting. Mo-

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A Night in the Life of the Adoption Chair Sarah shares a recent story about events that conspired in early May: “At 8AM I received a call from a woman who had got my number from the Maplewood police department. She said “there’s a weird animal running around the neighborhood. It looks like an Iguana or something. I am afraid I am going to go out and mow my lawn and have a heart attack.

Wait, somebody says it’s a possum.”

“I won’t tell you what I said when I got off the phone. That was actually pretty funny, thinking about the neighbors all standing in the yards pointing and waving.”

“That’s not as bad as the the time the BPPD gave my number to a guy who had a snake in his apartment at 3AM. After they woke me up and I told them how to handle it (because they were on site looking at the corn snake) and I specifically told them not to give him my number. At 5:30AM I finally went out and picked up the snake as he kept calling and I was already awake.

The snake was just leaving the apartment through the 2 inch gap under the door, which answered how it got there in the first place.” tion to accept the appointment of Chris Rueber to the newsletter editor position: Heather; 2nd: Matt. Motion passed. He will try to get to the newsletter folding.

New Business 30th Anniversary - Jenn solicited ideas at the general meeting and had gotten a response. Colleen had several suggestions, including having board and founding members submit baby pictures. People will guess who the pictures are to win a prize. The founding members could sign a t-shirt, which would be auctioned off. There could also be a slideshow of pictures taken over the last 30 years. Some food could be provided, but we would most likely not be allowed to have a full potluck in that room. Any and all mess would need to be cleaned up afterwards.

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Inventory – Nancy will send out a list of items that people have. The list should be updated and sent back to her.

electronic copy of the current member list for distribution to Matt for rodent sales, Sarah for adoptions and anyone else who needs to have it.

Communication – Jenn reminded everyone to respond in a timely and professional manner to emails.

RAD Zoo – Jamie has requested more pamphlets and possibly some photos of group activities, to be displayed. Chris will get more details.

Reptile Show – Jason has apparently been trying to get in touch with Jenn. He is willing to give MHS a table at the show. 6 volunteers will be allowed this time. Jenn will attempt to get in contact with Jason. Sonja has written up some fliers to be handed out at the show.

Motion to adjourn: Heather; 2nd: Chris.

Meeting adjourned at 9:43pm.

Adoption Table – There is no longer a table at the back of the room for adoptions and the only one in the room is chained in place. Motion to spend up to $50 for a folding table: Heather; 2nd: Matt. Motion passed. Ellen will purchase a table before the next meeting.

Current Member List – Heather will arrange to get an

The Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo (RAD Zoo) is preparing to open the first phase of a new section of our Zoo called “The Danger Zone”. These exhibits will focus on some of the more dangerous, or thought to be dangerous reptiles and amphibians. The first phase will feature Nile crocodiles as well as a few species of caimans. We will be moving our reticulated pythons into a new larger exhibit in this section as well, to accommodate their future growth.

Other new animals will include a banded bamboo shark and poison dart frogs. Later this year we hope to open the second phase of this exhibit featuring around a dozen species of North and Central American pit-vipers. For those of you unfamiliar with the RAD Zoo we are located in Owatonna, MN about an hour’s drive south of the cities. We currently exhibit more than 100 species of reptiles and amphibians as well as a few birds, fish, and invertebrates. We also have daily animal shows. As a thank you to the members of the MHS for sponsoring our educational amphitheatre for our zoo opening back in 2009, we would like to invite you to a free after–hours viewing of our new exhibit. On Friday June 24th starting at 6:00 when our zoo closes current MHS members are welcome to come out for an informal tour of the zoo.

You will be welcome to stay as late as 9:00, and then those interested may gather at one of the local bar& grills. Feel free to arrive later than 6:00, we’ll give a second later tour as well.

You can learn more about us at www.theradzoo.com, or like the radzoo on facebook. You can reach us at 1-507-455-1465 with any questions.

Jamie Pastika Director – RAD Zoo 8

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Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Minutes for April 16, 2011 Board Present: Jennifer Hensley, Sonja Koolmo, Ellen Heck, Nancy Haig, Chris Rueber, Heather Clayton, Jeff LeClere, Jacob Mee, Chris Smith Absent: Matt Carter The meeting was called to order at 6:10pm at the Student Union.

There were 110 people counted at the general meeting.

Old Business WSS – The sale brought in roughly $1550. Having 2 rounds seemed to work better than 3, although this is dependent on the quantity of donations.

Mail – The permit has been renewed. The Minneapolis facility is set to close at the end of May.

New Business President Position – Jenn will be moving to Florida in May and is stepping down as president. Her duties will be split amongst the board until a replacement is appointed or the general election in November.

RAD Zoo - Jamie wants to have a MHS evening, either after hours or near end of day, in the middle of May. Chris S will get more information.

Volunteer Opportunities – Once contact information has been received, the information can be posted.

Motion to adjourn Sonja, 2nd Chris S Meeting adjourned 9:34pm

July Meeting – Dr Vogt will speak but a larger meeting room may be required. Chris S will look into options.

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Treasurer’s Report for May 2011 Prepared by Nancy Haig

Beginning Balance

$14,896.72

Income: Membership

Ads

Adoption

Rodent sales

Donations Misc Donations HandsOn White Snake Sale

$320.00 $25.00 $185.00 $359.00 $438.00 $29.60 $1,113.50

Total Income $2,470.10 Expense: Newsletter

Newsletter Postage Bulk Mailing Permit Adoption/Vet Program

Hands-On Supplies Supplies

Equipment

May Adoption Report 22 Animals came in and I managed to leave with only one. Not bad considering how many of the usual suspects we had to deal with. I do have a Boa in hospice with severe mouth rot. If anyone else would like to babysit it for a few months give me a call.

A home is needed for a 5 foot Gator. Please contact the adoption chair for details.

Herps Placed in May: A Snapping Turtle, 3 Red Eared Sliders and 2 Painted Turtles 2 Iguanas, a Bearded Dragon and a Leopard Gecko 2 Ball Pythons, 3 Boas, 5 Corn Snakes, a King Snake and a Honduran Milk Snake.

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$322.01 $150.00 $185.00 $60.00 $99.11 $19.00 $3.97 $34.88

Total Expense $873.97 Cash Increase/Decrease

+$1,596.13

Ending Balance

$16,492.85

Placement of cash holdings

Checking Account TCF/Paypal

Paypal

Cash on hand

$16,492.85 $233.42 $268.91 $175.00

Total $17,170.18

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SE MINNNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Next Meeting: Friday - May 6th - 7:00 pm Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

MHS Voice Mail: 612.326.6516 MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper