1992 VOLUME XII NUMBER 4

BELL :MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH ST. S.E. rvlINNEAPOLIS, ~iN 55455-0104

May_ 24-29, 1992: Second International Symposium on Environmental Studies of Tropical Rainforests Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

August 2-6, 1992 Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles University of Texas-El Paso.

October, 1992 Midwest Herpetological Symposium Milwaukee, WI

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II The purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is: to further the education of the !I II membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphi- Ii II bians; to edUcate the membership and the general public iIi the ecoiogical10re of leptiles 11

II and amphibians; and to pronlote the ~;tudy and conservation of reptiles and arnphibians. Ii II "

Ii II II iI

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II 11

II II II II II II II II II II II II II

MHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY RECORDING SECRETARY TREASURER NEWSLEITER EDITOR MEMBER-A T-LA RGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE IMMEDIATE PAST PRES.

Glen Jacobsen Bill Moss Connie Delles Miche1eStillinger Marilyn Brooks Julie Cherveny Randy Blasus Dennis Daly NancyHaig Greg Kvanbek John Meltzer

i; 'I

II II

(612) 757 -8268 Ii (612) 488-1383 II

II (612) 374-5422 ii

(612) 588-4613 II (612) 939-0276 ii (612) 774-6786 II (612) 688-7709 II (612) 633-8370 \1

(612) 789-4637 II (612) 533-7723 II (612) 263-7880 II

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© Copyright Minnesota Herpelological Society. The contents of this newsletter nlay be reproduced for inclusion in the newsletters of other herpetological societies provided tl1at the material is reproduced without change and proper credits are given to the MHS Newsletter citing voluulC number and date.

Next Meeting

Date: Friday, May 1, 1992 Time: 7:00 PM

Place: 335 Borlaug Hall st. Paul Campus U of M

Program: Worldwide Turtle and Tortoise Conservation Efforts by the Turtle Recovery Program

Speaker: Dr. Michael Klemens

Michael Klemens has been involved with turtles and tortoises for most of his life. He was active in tortoise breeding in the 1970's and turtle research since the late 1970's. Michael has been the director of the IUCN tortoise and freshwater turtle recovery program for the last three years. The program is currently involved in over 80 projects worldwide. Twenty-eight of the projects are currently funding and operational. The remainder are in various stages of planning.

Michael's presentation will cover the activities of the Turtle Recovery Program. Several projects that will be highlighted are Plowshare Tortoises in Madagascar, Pancake Tortoises in Tanzania, and Bog Turtles in the Eastern United States.

Critter of the Month: Turtle and Tortoises

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

MAY 1

1

1vlHS Newsietter, Foi. ){II, lVO. 4 1

April Meeting Summary

The Aril 3rd meeting was called to order at 7:10p.m. with our new president Glen Jacobsen presiding. 104 people attended. Vice President, Bill Moss, gave a Hands On Update of the programs scheduled for this spring. We still need more volunteers, if anyone is interested contact Bill.

April's speaker was Aaron Hampton, reptile keeper at the St. Louis Zoo. Aaron gave a wonderful presentation and slide show, taking us through the Herpetarium Building and its collection. The animals are housed in beautiful, spacious terrariums with natural settings, live plants, and even filtered running water. The building has several large storage rooms for housing extra or breeding animals. Ther are even some large climate controlled rooms for unusual species, such as New Zealand's Tuatara. The zoo has been successful in breeding a variety of animals like Dumerils Boas. and several species of Dendrobatidae- Poison Arrow Frogs. The total collection consists of approximately 576 different 'specimens.

Aaron also had some interesting slides of the famous Marlin Perkins (from Mutual of Omaha) who was once a curator.

For those of you who are attending the International Symposium this June, be sure to take advantage of the free tour at the zoo. Aaron promises it to be a very interesting tour and from his presentation, it should be.

Rat Sales Are Back! !

MHS will now provide the convenience of rat sales at the monthly general meetings. Orders will be taken by Terry Scheiber only and must be made at least one week before the meeting. Phone: (612) 440-7482.

Mice

Pinkies----$6.00 doz. Fuzzies----$6.00 doz. Adults-----$9.00 doz.

Prices

Rats

Pups------$10.00 doz. Adults----$12.00 for six

$24.00 doz.

Mice and rats must be purchased by the dozen, except for adult rats, which can be purchased in allotments of six. Rat pinkies are unavailable at this time.

AllIS .zvewsletler, \/01. XII, No. 4 2

Raffle Results

Thanks to Candy Ashbach, RJ Reptiles, TCR, as well as several anonymous donors of raffle items. The winners and their prizes are listed below.

Sarah Richard - hot rock Megan Hurle - hot block Hans Paulson - hot block Ben Ness - book Brian Grussing - critter log Deane Brackman - book Zach - book Ted Meissner - book Lewis Johnson - crochet snake

Megan Strand - snake(?) Bill Moss - pool Cliff Lindberg - pool Deane Brackman - log Todd Cherveny Jr. - book Michael Hunter - book Hans Paulson - book Zach - book Todd Cherveny Jr. - book

Thanks to all that purchased tickets.

Critter of the Month

The critter of the month was "Amphibians". The critters and

Joe Matzke - Grey Tree Frog Michele Stillinger - Argentined Horned Frog Drew Newman - White's Treefrog & Fire-bellied Frog John Meltzer - Great Plains Toad & Canadian Toad Bill Ness - Cranwells Horned Frog

Refreshments

At last month's meeting Sue Blackman brought four different kinds of cookies, Toni Jesmer brought cookies and apples and Cheryl Keyler brought homemade cookies. Thank You Sue, Toni and Cheryl. If you'd like to help provide treats for a meeting, please contact either Candy Ashbach or Nanette Jimerson at the meeting to find out about what's needed.

Help a Hapless Herp

Animals that found homes at last month's meeting were an African Clawed Frog, that went to the Strand family and a Red Eared Slider, that was taken home by Sandy Smith.

Anyone with animals to go up for adoption should contact Glen Jacobsen at (612) 757-8268 prior to the meeting.

lvIHS Newsletter, Vol. XII, No. 4

Board Meeting Minutes

The MHS Board met on April 4th, at the home of Glen. Jacobsen. The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm. Present were Randy Blasus, Julie and Todd Cherveny, Dennis Daly, Connie Delles, Nancy Haig, Glen and Donna Jacobsen, Vence and Nanette Jimerson, Greg Kvanbek, John Levell, John Meltzer, Bill Moss, and Michele Stillinger. Marilyn Brooks was absent.

President's Report: Approximately 104 people attended the April general meeting. Current membership report was not given.

The secretary's report was read and accepted. There was no Treasurer's report given this month due to Marilyns absence.

Vice~President's Report: Michael Clemens is our speaker for May. June ?? July: IHS rapup. August: John Kramer- Paleontologist.

Old Business: Rat sales were confirmed and prices were agreed upon. Nancy Haig will be taking over the cage building committee. Any interested carpenters can contact her. Two additions to the MHS care sheets were added; Aquatic Frogs and Treefrogs and Toads.

New Business: Some concern was brought up regarding making contact with new and prospective members. In the future we will try to make the Board members -more conspicuous during meetings and seek out new faces. We want everyone to feel comfortable and more involved. Remember, the club is for the benefit of all members and there is a wealth of unheard information floating around out there. If you have been a member for awhile and see a new face, introduce yourself! MHS may have a lead on a personal computer from NSP. Any other grant or donation information or ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated. MHS has an excessive supply of notecards. We will now be selling them at meetings for the Price Buster low low price of $2.00 a box! ----MHS will begin newsletter exchanges with two societies, Oklahoma Herp society and the San Joaquin society.

AfHS Nc\.v's!eiter, For ~\lL No. 4 4

Board Meeting Minutes cont.

Roundtable: Denny mentioned the supply and treat box needs repair. Bill mentioned a need for member input and ideas on speakers and other activities for the next year. We will try to make up a quick survey, to be handed out at the next meeting or to be put in the newsletter. Please take a few moments to fill it out. We appreciate your comments. Greg made a motion for no display ads for the current newsletter, given the difficulty, now that it is typewritten. Motion was passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm and refreshments were served.

June 5: ?? July IHS rapup

Upcoming Meetings

August: John Kramer - Paleontologist

Repulsive to s

An Article from Black Powder Hunting Mag. Spring 1992

Two scientists working together 1500 miles apart have found out why a rattlesnake flees for its life when a kingsnake is in the area. Dr. William H. Gutzke, an associate professor of biology at Memphis State University, and Dr. Robert Mason, an assistant professor of zoology at Oregon State University, teamed up to discover how a rattlesnake is able to detect the presence of a kingsnake. The nonpoisonous kingsnake is immune to snake venom and often preys on poisonous rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths.

Gutzke and Mason have found that a powerful scent in the kingsnake's skin warns other snakes of the predator's presence. Gutzke said he and Mason suspected that the warning mechanism somehow involved chemical communication, similar to the way, insects signal each other using pheromones. Both researchers have strong backgrounds in ecology, but Mason has considerable experience in natural chemistry and Gutzke is a behavioral biologist. They say their research may soon lead to a repellent to protect campers, hikers, and hunters who frequent snake country.

J111IS NCT,vsietter, v'or XIL 1\'0. 4 5

Wordfind Puzzle by Drew Newman

A R S Q MOW B I R Z D U T SOW P B R F DOC M R B M DES U B C A U D A L S T R FIG 0 M L C G D Q N R LIP D M S V A T D A 0 B M R J L E F L C R M B W R F NUT LSI P H E L SUM A P N J L B U L L G KIN G RAT U A MUG G URI SKI NOD FLU U I T J M 0 R ELI ATE A B S LEA R B 0 REA L T N A I V SAG ART D R B N A KEG E R H D K R B T N M I F S R MEL A N I N R N S MHO T ROC K D A G V 0 C A URN P L U A S BON P I H Y SPA M K S W N T R G V T V I PEN 0 T B A 0 DIN G D LEN M o D BIN ENE 0 NAT E S L K BEG A MEL A 0 A REO C K LIN P HEM N P D E 0 BUS A W DOH X T R A K E L DON G LOT B S I HOT E ALE R T T

, S MOE V B L M Y C G G SUM V T X A K L A RAY 0 D A GTE D I A I FRO G L A R I A ITO P 0 0 P H C M N SAM R T R 0 P H E L TAL T CAN T P L D A CAD D I B SIB H E BAS R B MBA SKU TIE B N F S C LIM 0 A R L D RNA B A 0 V L G E 0 TTL E U R F C A U N T P CON ANT N MET I SLY A E P Y M U 0 L S C E D L A 8 K T U F N F 0 J TIM L T TEE 0 N D I C S A E I 0 E U A R ARB R Q E 0 U 0 L L U ROD DEW N M G C S R T DUO U W I P R U R o SOB G B U L S N M V U 0 TAT TOO H LOA I T C SAL V I V A R I U M M G L R W 0 M Y A R D Y T I P 0 S T ERE POL Y A LOS A A N E 0 D I F M E S TAN 0 C M N H R L S N C K 0 E COD T, V GIL R I C 0 A L A E T ETA R T S BUS U M A X ILL A I L E H K C E G M D U P E FEU H H T Y R T V A 0 S T L DEN D ROT L 0 C X I D NET ART S 0 I D P L U

Puzzle Clues

1. Madagascar Day Geckos 2. Wrote python breeding manual

15. What turtles do on logs 16. Ground covering

3. Enlarged scales under tail 4. Banded snake

17. Looks like lizard, but is not 18. Reptile cage

5. Frog disease 6. Full spectrum light

19. Losing of tail 20. Heat source

7. Injecting of venom 8. Wrote field guides

21. Dark colored skin pigment 22. Upper jaw of snake

9. Babies 23. Yellow coloration 10. Carpet and Diamond Pythons 11. Folds on Iguana's neck

24. Living in trees 25. Cornsnake

12. Big Minnesota colubrid 13. Snake bugs 14. Big mean snake

26. Popular Treefrog food 27. Snake house 28. Impersonating other snakes

MHS lVews1ettel', \/01. AlL No.4 6

Wordfind Puzzle by Drew Newman

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P 0 S T ERE \P 0 L Y A LOS AIffiE 0 D I F M E S

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Answers

I. Phelsuma 15. Bask 2. Ross 16. Substrate 3. Subcaudals 17. Tuatara 4. Milksnake -18. Vivarium 5& Red leg 19· Autonomy 60 Vitalite 20. Hot Rock 7. Envenomation 21. Melanin 8~ Conant 22. Maxilla 9. Neonates 23. Leucistic

10 Morelia 24. Arboreal 11. Dewlap 25. Elaphe 12. Bullsnake 26. Crickets 13. Mites 27. Hidebox 14. Reticulated Python 28. Mimicry

JIHS New8Jette~ \/01. ,\11, No, 4 7

CC;IL£~&~mIfITmIW £IW~

1.0.0 = male; 0.1.0 = female; 0.0.1 = unknown

FOR SALE: 40 gallon Breeder tank, 36x18x16, glass top, flor. light, gravel. call 588-4613

FOR SALE: Water Monitors (Varanus salvator) 18 in. to 2~ ft., docile, deparasitized, $175-225, will consider trades. Call (612) 489-5104.

FOR SALE: 2.1 Bimini Boas (Epricrates striatus fosteri), long term captives, $700 for the group. Call Greg at 533-7723 or 560-2718.

WANTED: Fund-raising ideas for the Herp society. I'd also like to hear any other ideas you might have to make the Herp .society better. Give me your ideas and I'll submit them to the board. You can remain. anonymous if you want. Call Greg at 533-7723 or 560-2718.

FAUNA CLASSIFIEDS. Monthly classified publication: for reptiles, amphibians, food items & supplies, literature and more. Excellent lnformation source and worldwide circulation. Subscription $14.00 a year. Free sample & info. Write: FAUNA, 2379 Maggio Circle Unit C, Lodi, CA 95240.

1992 HERPETOLOGICAL DIRECTORY. A valuable information source containing private and commercial breeders, foreign exporters, U.S. and foreign herp societies, wholesalers, sources for rodent & other foods items,' supplies & equipment, and publications. Send $15.00 to FAUNA, 2379 maggio Circle Unit C, Lodi, CA 95240.

INSTRUCTIONS: Ads are run as a free service to paid members. Ads for venomous species, illegal species, or sick animals will not be run. MRS takes no responsibility for legality or health of any animal advertised here. Ads may be run for three consecutive months at which time ads may be re-su bmitted. The editor reserves the right to omit ads when space is limited so as to allow all members a chance to advertise. Size of ads is limited to 4 typed lines or 1 standard size business card. Deadline for all newsletter items is the date of the general meeting. Send all newsletter items to : A TIN: Newsletter Editor, Minnesota Herpetological Society, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church st. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104.

A1HS .lVewsletter, \/01. .,\11, lVO. 4 8

~--------------·===:;··HERP ASSISTANCE ·PEOPLE .~

II . II Ii Do you ever have a question about one of your herps and wonder who might be able to provide an II II answer? Most people who keep pets of any kind have been in this situation at one time or another. II II A group of MHS members has volunteered to provide assistance. listed below are the people and II II their specialties. Please be reasonable about the time of day and how frequently you call. II II II II pythons II II Glen (Jake) Jacobsen 757-8268 Del Jones 938-8555 II II Vence Jimerson 869-8547 John Meltzer 263-7880 II II II II II II Amphibians II II Nancy Haig 789-4637 John Meltzer 263-7880 II II Bill Moss 488-1383 Greg Kvanbek 533-7723 II 1\ II II II Ii Aquatic II II John Moriarty 647-1334 Michele Stillinger 588-4613 II II Ann Porwoll 489-7853 Dennis Daly 633-8370 II II II Ii II II Hcrps II II Greg Kvanbek 533-7723 II

~-·~··-···-·H·- ..... _.-._- ........... -.-- ... -~-.~ ... ·--John.Moriarty.M1~133.~ ........ ~....... . __ . __ ..[ .. . II II L ~

NAME(S)

ADDRESS

CITY __ _ STATE __ _ ZIP CODE _____ _

PHONE _______________________ __ LIST IN MHS DIRECTORY? YES__ NO __

HERP-RELATED INTERESTS

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP? NEW__ RENEWEL __ U of MN STUDENT __ (check if yes)

__ SUSTAINING .. __ .... $60.00 __ INSTITUTION ...... $.25.00

__ CONTRIBUTING ..... $30.00 __ BASIC ......... __ .... $15.00

OFFICIAL (ORIGINAL) MHS T-SHIRT - $1.00 includes postage (indicate how many of each)

Adult: sman __ medium__ large__ x·large __ Kids: 6-8__ 10- 12 __

Please enclose payment. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Sodety. Membership is for 12 months from date of joining. A membership card will be sent by return mail. A receipt will be sent only on request. Allow 6-8 weeks for processing. MAIL TO; Minnesota Helpetological Society, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, fv1N 55455-0104

HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET S.E. ~ MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

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+ +

uRate U.S. Postage

Mpls. MN Permit No.227 5

RECYCLED PAPER ~OUrR~