Vol. 3 (1983), No. 3

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

VOLUfv~ III

APRIL MEETING

FRIDAY, !pril 8, 1983 7 :30 PJVl

Sc ience l"iUseum of Minne sota

NTJ~mr:n 3

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx .

On Friday, April 8, at 7:30, the NBS will hold their monthly meeting at the Science IVJuseum of Minnesota, 10th and Wabasha Street, in downtown st" Paul. Tickets for the JVh1seum and the movie "Darwin on the Galapagos" will be sold in the main lobby, Wabasha and Exchange, by Fran }llrisch. Again, the meeting starts at 7:30 in the ]'1'11iseum and the movie starts at 9:00 PlVl in the Omnitheater"

'l'icket s prices are: Juniors 12 and under are ~!~3" 50 each and Adults are $4 .. 50" This is a $1,,00 savings from the regular Museum prices. rrickets will be sold starting at 5:30 for people who would like to enjoy the Museum's displays .. Remember, this is a group night so bring your family (no school the next day) and enjoy the Science IVluseum of ]V[innesota in downtown st .. paul ..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Because of the location of the April meeting, there will be NO refreshments, NG Tshirts sales, NO adoption animals, NO "Critter of the }\~onthtt-,-NO MIJS LibrarY!AIl checked out boOks are suspended foran extra month with no fine: Books overdue from last month will not have an extra ~f,1 .. 00 added on. We will have a raffle! IJ:1his will be the only regular meeting feature! Again .. please do~ bring books to the meeting" On a special arrangement, food animals will be available .. If they are called in by 7:00 on \~ednesday April 6, they can be picked up at ~[win Cities Reptiles on Thursday April 7 CJNIJY! This is a one-shot deal",The meetinE is being held on April 8 instead of AprillSo as not to conflict with Good Friday .. (Also so as not to conflict "'Jith all the April Yools out there!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXL~XY~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

POISON COWrROIJ C:h~~TER 405-271-5454

XL~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PRESIDENT~S CORNER

I wou 1 d 1 ike to thard< the member'sh i p tha t tur'ned ou t for· the Annual Meeting on the behalf of the newly elected officers and myself. When an election night can pull one of our largest attendances yet, it says good things about the membership interest. My pledge is to continue the growth of MHS and to have your officers work towards an ever better society.

The participation in the "Your Favorite Critter" theme at the meeting was particularly satisfying to see; lots of new participants and many interesting critters to see. Keep up the involvement in the soci'ety; that is what will make it go!

Just as an example of how well MHS is presently doing, I would 1 ike to pass along a letter we recently received from the Toledo Herpetological Society. It points out some of the benefits MHS has deve loped in its short existence (less than two year'::.) • As I have said before, the news 1 e t tel" i:. ver'y good and improving all the time, thanKs to a dedicated newsletter editor and some MHS members who are starting to submit articles for publ ication. The Tshirt design has proven to be very impressive. (Have you seen the new ones in" Bud Gran t Grey" yet ?) The

TO HERPET

SO CO

:I1:1"L

'---~-----.----------.---------- .. <-

f ina 1 item I wou 1 d 1 ike to boa:.t abou t i:· the net,,1 t"'1HS fv1ember'sh i p D ire c t or y jus t pub 1 ish e d . Tho s e 0 f y' 0 u a t the 1 as t me e tin 9 k n O~·J what I'm talking about. It is a real class production! The MHS members that worKed on its production are to be congratulated.

In closing, Keep those herps, letters and articles coming; we/re on our way to a banner year!

Delvin .Jones

\;Je had a really super attendance of 45 at our Annual IVleeting this year, and 22 of these people brought their favorite tlcritters" with them .. 'rhe "critters" and their owners were:

Dill Allen-Common Boa Constrictor (Boa Co constrictor) Fred Bosman-Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) Iliz Bosman-Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) Sarina Brewer-Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) Matt Cutler-Intergrade python (python m. molurus x P. m. bivittatus) John Dee-Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus deserticola) Connie Delles-Sonoran Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus nigritus) Bruce Delles-Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) Gabe"Gerholdt-Western Fox Snake (Elaphe v. vulpina) Jim (~rholdt-California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae) Matt Gerholdt-Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus catenifer) Pam Gerholdt-Three-Toed Box ~lrtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) Wenonah Gurnoe-Common Boa Constrictor (Boa c. constrictor) Diane Hanson-Green Iguana (Iguana i. iguana) Kip Hanson-Burmese Python (python molurus bivittatus) Karl Hermann-Columbian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchris maurus) Joanie Invon-Eastern Kingsnake (Lamprop~ltis g. getulus) Dave Norman-Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta belli) Ann Patterson-Grey Tree Frog (Hyla sp .. ) and Green Tree Jilrog (Byla cinerea) Ann Forwoll-Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta) steve Rivard-Guyanan Red-Tail Boa (Boa constrictor ssp .. ) normal and aberrant Brint Spencer-Eastern Indigo (Drymarchon corais couperi)

Thanks to all from }vIHS!


Our memberships are still creeping up! We are now up to 108 memberships total!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXY~XXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The bookcase for the ever expanding rilES library is almost finished, and will be in operation for the Nay meeting~ ,:['his will be a double bookcase with hinges so it can be simply opened and closed as necessary. No more madly grabbing the books out of the trunk and tossing them on the table! We have also purchased a used 2 drawer file cabinet for the MRS files. A slide projector will be our next major purchase, and a discount source has been founde

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXZ.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXyxxxxxxxx

As most of you know the white (actually yellow) pages are done, and really turned out great. ':Phey "Jill be distributed to active paying members only! 'llhere were a lot of people involved in the project; Kip and Diane Ranson collected and sorted out the information from the questionaires; Cathy Gilchrist did the typing (a specia~ thanks to Cathy, she's not even a member); Fran Frisch did the design work; Fred and IJiz Bosman t'ook care of the printing and stapling. Thanks to all of you from MRS!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Our new T-shirt order is in! They are tlBud Grant" grey this time ..


3

rPhe "Herp Tlints" segment of the Harch meeting produced some interesting i terns" Sarina :Brewer had an American 1'oad (Imfo americanus) with what was generally agreed was an abcess .. It was felt that the abcess should be removed and the wound treated with an antibiotic ointment" c' Sarina reports the toad is doing fine! Bill Allen had a Common Boa (J30a c" constrictor) with a tongue problem .. Some time ago, it had become nOD

funetional for no apparent reason .. The Boa seems to be doing fine.

Larry Yank reported that his Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis) with the egg problem as reported in last month's Newsletter is doing fine. He surgically removed the egg on February 14, without anesthesia .. The snake has shed once since. Hore on this later ..


~lhanks to the work of lViliS President Del Jones, l'lHS will soon be using bulk mailing for the Newsletter .. 11flis will save us quite a bit, and will also eliminate the awkward 1 oz :: 12 pages and 2 oz :: 24 pages mailing figure"we have had to ]:±ve witho

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;'{

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX~f.XXXXXx

4

IN SEARCH OF THF: SCI:BJ-TCE JVfUSEtnvr by

Fran ]'risch

To find the Science J'Iluseum of }Tinne sota take 94 East to St" Paul and take the 1 Otll street exit. Follow the brown SM of 1'1 signs to st. Peter Street (first stoplight after exit) turn left 'for one block (st .. Peter is oneway) then turn left onto Exchange street (a two way street). \vi thin 100 feet is ,the entrance to the 8M of lVI parking' ramp (another left).. This parking ramp is under the ~1useum and has a.n elevator to J'Iluseum Square not far from the malin lobby.

If you choose not to park in the parking ramp there is much street parking armmd the Nuseum. Parking is free after 6:00 at the meters. Good luck and if you have any questions please call me at 488-7619. Also, remember tickets will be sold from 5:30 on.


Easi Building

Second Floor

>


The raffle of the Amazon Side-Neck 'rurtle (Podocnemis erythrocephala) brought jViES a total of ~~32 .. 00, which is the most yet. This month's artwork is of a King Cobra (Cphiophagus hannah), and again is super .. r:L'his drawing, along with the 4 previous ones, will be on display at the JvIinnesota Zoological Garden staff art show that runs Ul1til April 21.--1f you haven't seen all of them "in the color", tbis is your chance .. The King Cobra will be brought to the meeting and then returned to the art show, after which it will be given to the lucky winner. Also, check out the 8 x 10 of the Hococo C:Poad (Bufo paracnemis) .. This black and white photo will be donated to lVIBEJ after the show!


5

IJOCALITY RECORDS OF }vlINNESOTA HERPS WANTED!

}\1innesota locality records of all species of amphibians and reptiles in the state are sought' to update distribution maps as part of a non-game I)roject sponsored by the TvJN DNR. Records from regional or private collections, likely to be otllerwise overlooked, are of particular interest! For more information and a checklist of the species occurring in Minnesota, please contact Jeffrey Lang, Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand :F'orks, ND 58202. 701-777-4564 or 7'72-0227.

EDITOR'S NOIrE: This is a real opportunity for IVlllS to get involved and make a real contribution to the future of herps in Minnesota .. Let's all pitch in on this one!


Here's a note of interest sent on by Bruce Cutler! 1wo recent articles in Scientific American on herptiles came out. The first is in the November 1982 issue, pages 158-171, titled "The Ecological Physiology of a. Garter Snake" by David Crews anrl \·Jilliam R .. Garstka. 1'his deals with the remarkable spring emergence mating of the H.ed-Sided GaTter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in }VIani toba .. The second is in the JTebruary 1983 issue, pages 120-133, titled "Dart-Poison :Blrogs" by Charles W. r1yers and John W .. Daly .. This article discusses the Dendrobatidae, particularly the poisonous members, and is a comprehensive survey of everything from biochemistry to etbnozool-0 67. MHS thanks Bruce for this information!


Once again we are having problems finding members to contTibute refreshments for the meetings. It seems the same people take turns providing the goodies. If this trend continues, we may be forced to forgo refreshments .. Do we have any volunteers out in JVlHS land? Recent providers have been:

December-Sally Brewer January-Diane Hanson and Pam Gerholdt :B1e bruary-rrroy J olms on and Larry Yank J'Vlarch-Pam Gerholdt

Thanks to all of them from NES!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxY~XX

'1'he "Belp A Hapless Herp" program rolls on! At the JJlarch meeting we placed a 10'. male ThiTme se . Python that was a return from last year.. :B'OI.' the l"lAY meet ing we already have a really nice 5'~ year old 44" captive hatched. \vestern Fox Snake, and some other very nice critters are in the works. Check next month's Newsletter for details!

XXXXXXXL~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

In order to keep }'IHS's adoption records straight, please let us knovJ if an ado];.tee dies. Also, please don't throw out the carcass until you check with us .. rr'he Bell IVluselm] may want it!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As stated in the last Newsletter, the "Critter" at the :Bleb. meeting was land turtles and Torti .. Overlooked (for which I apologize) was the "fJ.urtle IJady of r~HS", lmn Porwoll and her 'l'hree-Toed Box Turtle (Terraperl-e carolina trilmguis)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PHAN~:lASTIC PlJENOLOGICAIJ PHINDS

Once ag-ain its tha.t. time of the year when all heartR turll to Pheno]ogy (the mO':rp phantastic the better) co Kee-p your e:v'r:'3 and ears open and 8'2no jn your nbtnd2.! lIer~" ~~ the first of the year:

March 4-American Toads (Bufo americanus) calling from a small marsh at Bong State Recreation Area in Racine Co., Wisconsin ..

Thanks to Gary Casper for this from ]\1HS!


Notes on the Omnitheater by

Fran F'risch

\vhen you enter the William LID McNight - 31'1 Omni.theater, you '11 be surrounded by a floor to floor screen covering 7,300 square feet .. The world's largest film projector, the Ornnimax (with take-up reels four feet in diameter) uses a single fish-eye lens to project 70 mm film onto the tilted dome. To insure sound as brilliant as the picture, the theater uses a sophisticated six-track audio system capable of producting 5,000 watts of power. Add it all together and you will have the most vivid movie-going experience of your lifet


For the Nay MHS meeting we will get off the "reptile kick" and have a little something for the amphibians lovers. The program will be the Minnesota D1ffi slide/tape presentation of Minnesota Frogs and '11oads. This program includes color slides of all the species as well as their calls. In keeping w.ith this theme, the IICritter of, the 1\1onth" will be amphibians.


At the last MRS Board meeting, it was decided that the best place for an IV1HS spring outing would be the Chippewa river bottoms in \visconsin. Here is ,,,here we would most likely find the greatest number of species .. Collecting will be discourage, and on the spot seminars on each species found will be the idea. Also, photography will be encouraged, and we hope to have an NBS photo contest later this year .. Keep this in mind. '11he best time for this outing would be la.te Mayor early June ... Any ideas?


The rfJHS display at the 1983 state :Blair has a lot of interest, and Sally Brewer has volunteered to head a committe. She is in contact with DNR and will have more for us later" Of interest is the fact that all of the volunteers for this are non-board members! This is t-he kind of participation we need!


At the }Vms Annual Neeting, all of the nominees were elected to a one year term of. office, and both amendments to the By-Laws passed. ~_lhe list of JVlBS officers a.ppears further on in the Newsletter"


8

BREEDING NOTES

Breedings from the March AAZPA Newsletter

Sedgwick County Zoo (Wichita) 4 Double-Crested Basilisk 1 Sunberg Day Gecko

Dallas Zoo 10 Green Tree Python

1 Godman's Viper

National Zoological Park 8 Smokey Jungle J?rog 6 Asian Water Dragon

13 Green Crested Basilisk

Tulsa Zoological Park 2 Columbian Horned Frog

Los Angeles Zoo 12 Blue-Tongued Skink

2 Uracoan Rattlesnake 7 Aruba Island Rattlesnake

Atlanta Zoological Park 2 Leopard Gecko 3 Red-Eared Slider 6 Amazon Tree Boa

19 JVlorelet t s Crocodile 3 Diamondback rrerrapin

New York Zoological Park -19 Common Anaconda

.Frankfurt Zoological Gardens (Germany) 1 Black-Signed Salamander

Metro Toronto Zoo 1 Green and Black Arrow Poison Frog



T'l1IS OFFICERS

President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Newsletter Editor Member-at-Large Tilem be r-a t-Large ~1em ber-a t-Large Hember-at-Large

Del Jones Bruce Delles Connie Delles Diane Banson tJim Gerholdt Fred Bosman Fran Frisch Kip Hanson Ann Porwoll

938-8555 938-1679 938-1679 448-7526 507-652-2996 476-0306 488-7619 448-7526 489-7853


9

CLASSIFIEDS


WANTED: Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis m. melaliloleucus) from states other than New Jersey. Also need Bullsnakes (P. m. sayi) from TJIinnesota, North Dakota, YJyoming, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Missouri, Coahuilla, Nuevo IJeon, and 'l'amaulipas. Also, information on Bullsnakes in Polk County, Minnesota and/or specimens from Polk County. Contact: Bart Bruno, 903 Birdseye Street, Stratford, CT 06497. 203-378-8634.


Reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals .. Trading, buying, and selling .. National and International catalogs, dealers, societies. Send ~t2.00 to: BIO RESEARCH C~NTER, PeO. Box 855, San Anselmo, CA 94970.


IOWA HERPETOLOGICAlJ CHECKLIST. Lists all species by common and scientific names .. Gives habitat, prevalence, and distribution .. Send self addressed stamped envelope (blisiness size) and $1.00 for first list (50¢ for each additional) to: non Perschau, Iowa Herpetological. Society, 1116 16th Street, \!Jest Des Moines, Iowa 50265.


THE REIVJARKABLE REPT ILES

SCHOOL LECTURES AND nEMONSTRATIONS

JAMES E.. GJ1"'RHOLDT

P .. O .. BOX 86

WTijBSTER, I'IJN 55088 507-652-2996

WANTED: BOOKS AND JOURNALS

IN 'llBE FIELD OF HERPETOIJOGY

HELP BUII,D YOUR ]vlHS LIBRARY!


If you would like to receive Twin Cities Reptiles' price list, send $3.00 ($,5 .. 00 outside U.S. and Canada). The list is published bi-monthly. For a free list, send a self addressed stamped business size envelope! If you have herp books to trade, TCR would like to hear from you!


IS YOUR flfHS TVlEI1!3ERSHIP CURRENT? PLEASFi C}]ECK YOUR ADDRESS LABEL TO BE SURE!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

This space could be for you! All ]vIBS members are reminded that classified ads in the Newsletter are free! If you have something to sell or even swap, this is the IJlace to advertise it! Also, if you have a particular want, such as a specific sex animal for a breeding program, this is also the place for you.


1 10

CLASSTF'IEDS

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx XXX XX xxx:x XXXXXXJlX

ucational

Exhibits

ms

Lectures 1833 Hampshire Ave. So. St. Louis Park, MN 55428

PI'IOne: (612) 544·t54OfJ

LARGEST SELECTIONS Of REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS IN MINNESOTA

"I( NOWLEDGEAIBLE STAFF" flED. SUPPLIU fOR DOOS, tATS, IIRDS, • SilALL ANIMALS,

fISH • RODENTS· TEfiAARIUhI ANIMALS .IAIT • REPTILE SUPPLIES, FOOD' CAOU • AOGESSORIU

938 .. 0680 511 Excelsior Av ~ .~

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXL~XL~XXXXXX

l'fINNESOTA HEHPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DELICATESSEN

REMEMBER-After each meeting we will have available our featured take-out items.

FRESH FROZEN MICE-$3.00 per dozen

FRESH FROZEN RATS-JUMBO SIZE-$1.50

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

The deaaline for submitting ads, etc., is the 15th of the month. Please send to me:

Jim Gerholdt P.O .. Box 86 Webster, MN 55088

Remember, if you want rats or mice, they are available by reservation only. You r/JUs~:1

let Bruce or Connie know your needs a few days in advance.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

MONDJlWTO lJATUftDAY 10 •• 812·flag·8730

PET CETERA BIRDS • RODENTS • SUPPLIES I!Il ADVICE

WE SPECIALIZE IN REPTILES

43115 UPTON AVE. SO. MPI.8. 1515410

JUST IMAGINE - I'LL DO THE REST

GARY BAECHER

DESIGNING 8< CREATING

FINE JEWELRY

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

10 A.M. TO 7 P.M.

612/920-4049

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

All MRS members are reminded that NO reservations will be taken for food animals any later than 7:00 PM on Wednesday th;-day before the meeting. Logistics dictate this policy, so please cooperate with us. If you do try and order after the deadline, you will have to wait until the following month. Don't miss out! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXYJXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

11

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S E Ell MINNEAPOLIS. 'vtINNf:SOTA 55<155 0104

BEll MLTSEtIM OF NATIJRAL HISTORY 10 CfHlRCH STREET S.E .• MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

NAME __________________________________________________________________________________ _

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________ __

CITY ____________________________________ STATE ____________ ZIE __________________________ __

PHONE __________________________ INTERESTS _____________________________________________ _

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

o FAMILY ............................. $10.00

Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings.

o INDIVIDUAL ......................... $7.50

o CORRESPONDING .................... $5.00 For out-of-state members unable to attend monthly meetings.

OFFICIAL MHS T-SHIRT

Yellow shirt with blue screening.

S 0 MOL 0 XL 0

$7.00 each, $1.00 postage/handling.

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MAKE GlECKS PAYABLE TO MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. MEMBERSIDP IS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF JOINING. YOU Will RECEIVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD BY RETURN MAIL. A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT ONLY UPON REQUEST.

Vol. 3 (1983), No. 3

Documents

Transcript of Vol. 3 (1983), No. 3