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MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER VOL. 16 NO.9 September 1996 Frontal View of the Head of the Sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes. Illustration from Chris Mattison's Rattlerl (1996) For more on Rattlesnakes see the article by Whit Gibbons on page 5 & Holly Reed's article on page 7.

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Page 1: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER VOL. 16 NO.9

September 1996

Frontal View of the Head of the

Sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes. Illustration from Chris Mattison's Rattlerl (1996)

For more on Rattlesnakes see the article by Whit Gibbons on page 5

& Holly Reed's article on page 7.

Page 2: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER VOL. 16 NO.9

September 1996

Contents

News, Notes & Announcements................................................................................. 1 General Meeting Review by Michelle Stephan........................ ........................ ........... 4 Ecoviews: Happy Birthday! Here's Your Rattlesnake by Whit Gibbons................... 5 The Usumbara Mountain Gecko in Captivity by Tony Gamble................................ 6 Review of Rattlesnake Exploitation Needed by Holly Reed..................................... 7 Field Notes: Variations by Randy Blasus................................................................... 10 MHS Business.. ....... ...... .................... ...... ......... ........................ ............. ........... ........... 11 Calendar of Events. ............................ ............. ........................... .......... ....................... 11 Classified Advertisements....................................................... ................................... 12

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a nonprotIt organization associated with the:

Jarres Ford Bell Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota

MHS Statement of Purpose: to further the education of tlle membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; to educate the membership and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; and to promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

MRS Board of Directors President Vice President Membership Secretary Recording Secretary Treasurer Editor Immediate Past President Member at Large Member at Large Member at Large Member at Large

Gloria Anton Michael Gaunt George Richard Michelle Stephan Marilyn Blasus J 01111 Levell Bill Moss Donna Gaunt Nancy Haig Mark Schmidtke Bamara Radanke

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY Hennepin Co. Regional Poison Center

(612) 347-3141 Minnesota Poison Control System Local: (612) 221-2113 Out of State: (800) 222·1222

MHS VOICEMAIL:(612) 624-7065 E-mai!: [email protected]

President: Gloria Anton (612) 420-6158 Vice President: Michael Gaunt (612) 754-8241 Membership Secretary: George Richard (612) 623-7620

MHS SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Education Chair: Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845 Adoption Chair: Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268

Editor: John P. Levell (612) 374·5422

Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monUlly by the Minnesota Herpetological Society. Manu­scripts and advertisements may be submitted in any fOIDlat, 3 112 inch IBM or Macintosh compatible disks preferred. The publication deadline for ads is always the weekend of the MRS general meeting. Submissions should be sent to: MHS Editor, rio The Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minn.apolis, MN 55455-0104.

© Copyright MinnesotaHerpetological Society 1996. Con­tents may be reproduced provided that all material is repro­duced without change and proper credit is given authors and the MHS Newsletter citing; volume. number, and date.

Page 3: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

News, Notes & Announcements Upcoming Meeting Highlights The Vice - President's Report

October Program: Road Trippin' & Herp . Huntin' in the Southwest U.S.

Guest Speaker: Dav Kaufman

It's always nice to know that we can convince people to join our rather, uh ... unique, society. It's even better when we can convince our guest speakers to join that same night. Thanks to Sehoya Harris for a wonderful presentation of her work in Ecuador, and welcome to the society! By the way, weapons (Le. machetes) are most definitely NOT allowed at any of our meetings.

The October meeting will feature our very own Dav Kaufman speaking on a recent trip through the Southwest U.S. and the animals he encountered. For those of you who don't know Dav, he's been with the society for 3 years now and until recently acted as Education Director. Dav is famous for his road trips and has been out hunting herps in 18 states in the last· 2 years alone. Those of us that do know Dav will recall several articles he has contributed to this newsletter in the past related to trips he has taken around the country.

Although Dav's primary focus is on the reptiles and amphibians he encounters, he is quick to point out that there are., . other types of animals that play equally important roles in the make-up of the habitats. Dav will talk about what these roles are and how they relate to the desert habitats of the reptiles, as well asageneral overview of what every good herp hunting trip should include.

And now for the part of my article that always talks about Critter of the Month. You know, I just can't think anymore, so I'll just say see you at the next meeting. Bye ... Michael D. Gaunt

Location: Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus Date and Time: 4 October 1996 - 7:00 p.m. (See map on the inside back cover)

Please Help!! The following animals remain unadapted and are still

in need of good homes: Iguanas (always and forever!), two BurmesePythons, oneReticulated Python, and a Nile Monitor. If you are willing and able to provide good homes for any of these animals please contact the Minnesota Herpetological Society's Adoption Committee at (612)757-8268. Your help will be most sincerely appreciated.

Glen "Jake" Jacobsen - MHS Adoption Committee Chair,

1

FUNKY FENOLOGICAL FINDS

On 5 September 1996, I was driving on East Calhoun Parkway in Minneapolis when I almost ran over a 24+ incb Iguana. It took a second for what I saw to sink in , since it was the first time I bave ever seen a wild Minnesota Iguana. I quickly stopped the car and got out, but the Iguana had already started up the wooded embankment. It was 850 F at the time and the lizard was very quick. By the time I got up the hillside the Iguana was 15 feet up a tree. I said "see ya" and left. Hopefully rhe Iguana did not end up a DOR, but I realized if I didcatcb itI would probably bave to pay $25.00 to put it up for adoption (just kidding), John J. Moriarty

Fact Really is Stranger than Fiction.

Potentially Venomous Pet Cobra Missing from Stoneham Yard.

A snake' believed to be poisonous is on the loose in Stoneham, police said yesterday, The snake, a cobra, disap­peared from the front yard of its owner, Anthony Ferrari of Rodgers Road, according to Offtcer Dan Reinold. "The animal, which is 6 months to a year old. was apparently

. sunning.itselfintheJront yard," Reinold said, "It slipped down a hole and hasn't been seen since." Residents have received flyers warning them of the "missing pet."

The cobra was reported missing Saturday, but the owner has not seen it for about a week, police said. The snake is described as black and white and 18-20 inches long. Reinold said police are not quite sure how to handle the situation. "We're not even sure if it' s legal to own a poisonous snake like that," he said "And if we do locate it, we're not sure how to go about catching it. We'd be better off if it was something like a tiger on the loose, at least we would know how to catcb it, with a tranquilizer or something. But with a snake we're not sure," Reinold said. Reinold said the Rogers Road area is residential, and Ferrari lives across rhe street from a school. "There's a lot of kids on that street, and this guy lives right across the street from a playground," Reinold said "We want people to be informed. Ijust thank God it's summer and school is not in session."

Ferrari could not be reached, Police advise residents to call them if they see the snake, but not to approach it. They think the snake may surface in a sunny area. Reinold said Stoneham police intend to call animal control officials today and ask them what to do.

Editor's Note: The preceding article, author unknown, origi­nally appeared in the Aug. 12, 1996 edition of the Boston Globe. For more on this story see the following article. JPL

Page 4: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

Cobra on the Loose II Neighborhood Watch: Cobra Keeps Parents on Alert

S:oneham - The missing "Tut" - the same type of cobra that killed Cleopatra - was only the latest in a series of dangerous pet snakes raised by its owner, and it could survive in the neighborhood well past the time a nearby elementary school reopens next month, it was disclosed yesterday. Tut disap­peared more than a week ago, slithering down a hole between the lawn and sidewalk where owner Anthony Ferrari had taken it to sunbathe. Yesterday, the neighborhood remained on high alert for the deadly banded Egyptian cobra, described as 18-20 inches long. Police distributed "Beware Missing Pet Snake" ruers door-to-door on Rodgers Road, where Ferrari lives, and knots of nervous parents kept watch as their children played. No charges have been filed against Ferrari, a model and tennis instructor in his 20s who kept the baby cobra as a pet in a padlocked terrarium. Unknown to neighbors, he had kept boa constrictors and pythons before acquiring Tut from a source he would not identify. .

"I like living on the edge," said Ferrari, who boasted that he used to handle Tut without gloves. "They got that predatortypeoflook. People are sCMed ofthem, but they don't faze me," He indulged his pet by letting itout to sunbathe. "He was always a lot meaner in his cage, but if you put him outside, he was the happiest thing in the world," Ferrari said yesterday.

POIsonous snakes are legal in MA if their owners have pennits. Ferrari lacked a permit and now may face a $50 fine or a maximum ono days in jail, police said. Ferrari said he lost the snake when he left it to sunbathe in the front yard. Then, assuming it was dead, he waited a week to alert authorities. Police, however, say Tut could survive on local mice and other rodents until the first frost - unless a hawk or car gets it first.

State environmental police plan to search the area around Ferrari' s house in thenext day or two. But they say little can be done until the snake is spotted. Yesterday they dusted leaves from sewer grates, looking into the murky sludge for sl~ns of life. "Typically, it's very fast, and it's active," Sgt. LmdaM. Thompson of the environmental police said. "people s?ould be concerned, aware, and alert." False reports of cobra slghtmgs continue to come in, ranging from a wooden stick on a driveway to a rubber snake hanging from an outdoor flower basket. Stoneham Police Officer Richard Duonolo was taken in by the rubber snake and tried to dislodge it with a hook. "the tail wiggled and 1 thought it was alive," said Duonolo. "You'd better believe 1 was scared." Spreading his hands from his chest, he added, "My heart came out to here, like a cartoon."

Named for distinctive neck rings that resemble a headdress, the banded Egyptian cobra can deliver a fatal bite. The snake rarely attacks unless provoked, specialists said, and prefers to sunbathe in the early morning and twilight hours. Stoneham residents. have been warned to watch their step. They were notified yesterday that antivenin is available at New England Medical Center in Boston, should anyone be bitten. But that announcement was small comfort to Maryanne Reinhold, a 38-year old mother of 4. Her 5-year old son Patrick, is having nighnuares. One teen-age daughter was s~

2

frightened that she had to sleep in her sister's bed. Thechildren know to stay away from backyard bushes. "At first 1 panicked, then it was fear of the unknown," Reinhold said. "Then I found out it can Iiveindefmitely, and when 1 heard about the venom 1 got nervous." '

Even with the antidote on hand, the situation is serious. A course of antivenin treatment for cobra bite would put a pers?n in the hospital for a month and cost up to $10,000, said Leshe Morrison of the New England Herpetological Society. "Never, ever, would you want to put this sort of animal in a position where it could escape," she said. "It only takes one bozo who lets his snake sun itselfin the yard to make us all look bad."

In the meantime, parents worry that Tut will live until next month's reopening of Robin Hood School, across the street from Ferrari's house. A handmade pastel sign at the school crosswalk reads "Snake Crossing," with a picture of a cobra drawn in yellow felt pen by local school children. As she cleaned her classroom, 5th grade teacher Ruby Saltmarsh said she is prepared to show her class photos of cobras and teach them about snake safety. 'We'll have to do something," she said. "All the kids go to recess." Still, some children are enjoying the snake search. "It's boring here. There's no action," Danny Gallitano, 11, said as he watched Ferrari retrace his steps with police. "This is like the highlight of my summer vacation."

Editor's Note: The preceding article, written by Pamela Ferdinand, was originally published in the Aug. 13, 1996 edition of the Boston Globe. While I'd love to comment, I can only add; Total Freakin Idiots I - Herpetologists O. JPL.

September "Critter of the Month"

Gloria Anton

Michael Howard

Michael Gaunt

BruceHaig

Jeff LeClere

John Levell

Amazonian Treefrogs Hyla punctata Hyla triangulum Hyla sp. Savannah Monitor Varanus exanthematicus Savannah Monitor Varanus exantlzematicus Blanding's Turtle Emydoidea blandingi Painted Turtle Chrysemys pieta Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum Striped Frog Kassina maculala Squirrel Treefrog Hy/a squirella Cuban Treefrog Osteopelius septentrionalis Green Treefrog Hyla cinerea Western Hognose Snake Heterodon nasicus Japanese Wood Turtle Mauremysjaponica

Page 5: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

The Minnesota State Fair was held from August 22 to September 2, 1996. The "Snakes Alive" exhibit was once again in the DNR Building after a two year absence. The Minnesota Herpetological Society provided all the animals and care of the exhibit. Over one million people attended the fair with approximately 100,000 fair goers visiting the DNR Building.

MHS members providing animals included Randy Blasus, Jim Gerhold!, John and Connie Levell, Gordon Merck, John Moriarty, Eastman Nature Center, and Springbrook Nature Center. The Animals were checked every nightat9 pm by Bill Baker, Marilyn and Randy Blasus, Nancy and Bruce Haig, MaryJane and Howard Hommes, Nanette Jimerson, Del Jones, Connie and John Levell, and John Moriarty.

There was a lot of interest from the DNR about having the "Snakes Alive" exhibit again next year. We will be working with them earlier in the year to allow for improve-ments in the exhibit. John J. Moriarty.

Riddle Me This, Frogman!

Question: What did one Frog say to the the other?

Answer: Times fun when you're having flies.

Adopt-a-Highway The autumn MHS Adopt-a-Higbway will be held on

October 12, 1996 starting at 9:00 am. Our clean-up site is located on Interstate 35E at the Hugo, MN exit. This is a great way to participate in cleaning up our environment and a lot of fun. For more information contact Jody and Roger Statz at (612) 424-8816. Thanks. James Rea.

September's Raffle Donors Twin Cities Reptiles

Ginny Larson Mark Schmidtke Jon Schraer Becky Helgesen

Heat Limbs, Vitamins, Cage Liners, Video, License Plates & Magazines Snake-maker MN DNR Coffee Mugs WI Herp Soc Newsletters Snake Slammer & Snake T-shirt.

A portion of the proceeds from MHS raffle sales are allocated to the MHS Conservation Fund. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who donated items and/or purchased raffle tickets.

3

MHS News/eller Volume 16 Number 9

Ney Frog Project The Deformed Frogs of LeSueur County: In August 1995, a large population of deformed Northern Leopard Frogs was discovered by students from the Minnesota New Country School in LeSueur-Henderson. This event was a catalyst for "A Thousand Friends of Frogs" in hopes of involving all Minnesota children.

The Ney Frog Project became not only a learning experience but a topic of national attention. Researchers from the MinnesotaPollution Control Agency and the University of Minnesota launched a major investigation into the students' discovery. The Minnesota Legislature funded the research in hopes of determining what led to this troubling phenomenon.

Research continues as scientists Dr. Judy Helgen, Mark Gernes, Dr. Bob McKinnell, and Dr. Dave Hoppe, along with researchers from around the country continue to seek answers to the "mystery of the deformed leopard frogs of LeSueur County." Some of the possible causes being investi­gated are pesticides and chemicals in the watershed, heavy metals in the soil, parasites, and genetic problems.

The most important result of the students' discovery was the environmental awareness raised by the deformed frogs. Prior to their discovery, the problem of amphibian decline was of concern to scientists. The Ney Frog Project has launched awareness of amphibian decline to everyone.

Editor's Note: The preceding article, author unknown, has been reprinted from the inaugural issue of A Thousand Friends of Frogs a newsletter published by Hamline University's Center for Global Education. The "Thousand Friends of Frogs" program is a project designed to involve people of all ages in the conservation of amphibians and to increase aware­ness of environmental protection worldwide. For more infor­mation on this worthwhile program call (612) 641-2812 or (800) 888-2182. JPL.

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GET A DISTRIBUTION RECORD

I recently received a letter from Dr. David Etnier, an Ichthyologist at the University of Tennessee, in regards to a Ringneck Snake, Diadophis PW!ctatus, record from the Gunflint Trail in Cook County, Minnesota. It seems that Dr. Etnier was vacationing at Poplar Lake in August and found a DOR mink along the Gunflint Trial. Being a good zoologist, and a father who has a son that likes animal skeletons, he fleshed the mink out to get the skeleton. While skinning the mink he found that it had eaten a Ringneck. There was the head and several other chunks. Unfortunately, he did not save the pieces.

This find has two interesting facts besides just the distribution record. One, it adds to to known predators of Ringneck Snakes. Two is shows that when a fish guy messes

with mammals anything is likely to happen. John Moriarty

Page 6: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

General Meeting Review By Michelle Stephan, Recording Secretary

Our speaker for September was Sehoya Harris, a Graduate student from our very own University of Minnesota. Her talk was on "The Effects of Oil Production on Amphibian Communities in the Neotropics." Due to this long and slightly complicated title, I had been expecting an older, rough looking man talking in a heavy Russian accent while spouting off thousands of complicated ecological theories that were sup­posed to be over everyone's heads. I was very wrong. Instead, Sehoya was an energetic, young red headed woman that spoke of her work along an oil road in Ecuador. She used a lot of Latin, but she also had plenty of funny anecdotes about her "adventures" in the Yasuni National Park, especially the disap­pearing socks. I understand why she took them back, but yuck!

She started her talk discussing the ftrst place she had gone to do a fteld study: Bilsa, a cloud forest on the northern tip of South America. She was there for only a short period of time, and was supposed to do a survey of the herpetofauna in the area. She did not ftnd much, mostly due to her inexperi­ence, as well as the fact that there is not a very diverse population of animals there anyway.

Sehoya then went on to her major work in Yasuni. The natives there had been almost completely secluded from western civilization until a road was built that allowed for easy access into the forest to get at the oil that had been discovered. It was basically this road that allowed for the western culture to seep into this "wild" country. Coca-Cola, jeans, and other modern products have been permanently integrated into the Orami society, for better or for worse.

Due to the effects this road had on the native people in the area, Sehoya set out to see how this road impacted the herpetological populations along the road as well. There were many factors that could influence how much the animals were effected. Oneofthesefactorswas theageoftheroaditself. The beginning ofthe road in the north was 2 years older than the end of the road in the south due to difftcult construction in the dense forest. This meant that the northern populations of animals were effected much longer than the southern animals. She also took into account the seasons effects, as well as various distances from the road to see how these factors impacted the animals as well.

There were largedisturbedareasalong the sides of the road where trees had been cleared out and big machinery had been moved in for a while. This produced a perfect "breeding site" for amphibians. 24 of these sites were monitored during her study. These areas did not seem to be highly influenced by the road other than being a by-product ofit. The area they were located in seemed to be more influential.

In her distance studies, Sehoya found there was some

4

correlation between amphibian distribution and diversity at varying distances of 20m, 100m, 400m, 1000m, and 4000m from the road. Overall, it seemed though that the date of the surveys, distance from the road, and age of road all contribute to the overall species composition and changes.

One thing I found particularly interesting, was how Sehoya took samples for DNA testing to see if anything was happening on the molecular level over time with the species. Instead of sacriftcing the whole animal for just one blood test, she cutoffthe left inside toe and froze it foranalysis. When she found these animals later, they seemed ftne.

In the future, she hopes to return to the area to compare the degrees of isolation over time between different groups of isolated populations of frogs.

Sehoya, thank you for the wonderful speech, wel­come to theMHS, and remember: those machetes can be very sharp, so watch your step next time. Just kidding. I hope you can continue your wonderful studies, I sure wish I had chosen a different degree right now. Imagine, getting paid to go trampling through the jungle looking for herps. What a life!

STALE

ERIC THISS (612) 470-5008

FAX (612) 470-5013

464 Second Street. Excelsior, MN 55331

, •. ~ •• - ~ '!liE ~ OF MR. ~ $I/iV A.6.II.W? file ... HOW ~. ~T! .

~ ..

'l'a...,. "::" ••• , ~.

Page 7: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter VolLUne 16 Number 9

ECOVIEWS By Whit Gibbons HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HERE'S YOUR RATTLESNAKE

Happy Birthday, here's your rattlesnake. Actually here are your 28 rattlesnakes, plus a handful of other kinds of snakes for good luck. Sound like a good time or what? Well, that's what we gave our son, Mike, for his twenty-third birthday. An ecology field trip. The present was really my idea, and I got to deliver it. His mother actually had in mind the kind of gifts you wrap up in paper and ribbon.

The presentation day was a Sunday in October at a National Wildlife Refuge, not an exotic pet store, near Or­lando,Florida. Terry Farrell and Peter May of Stetson Univer­sity let us go with them to their pygmy rattlesnake study site. These two ecologists have one of the most impressive snake studies in the country. They have collected more pygmy rattlesnakes than any other two people anywhere. Upon being invited to join them on a sampling day Ihadasked if Mike could come along.

Now Mike grew up like most other boys, enjoying the outdoors and always wanting to catch something. And so, because I did a lot offield work, he often went with me. Farone of his birthdays we visited Laura Brandt in the Everglades during her study of American crocodiles. On another we went to a tropical forest in Veracruz, Mexico, where he caught his fIfstboa constrictor. He also had birthdays in Arizona collect­ing snakes, and others in Michigan and on the Potomac River capturing turtles. On some birthdays we just went to the local woods, river, or swamp to see what we could find.

For the pygmy rattlesnake hunt we met the others at a gravel parking lot alongside a swamp. As we drove up, one of the female students was taking measurements on a pygmy rattlesnake that had been crawling across the parking lot as she got out of the car. I wondered what it would be like when we got to the study site.

We walked down a dike separating two lakes toward a hanunock where most of the snakes are found. A hammock is a wooded area surrounded by open wetlands and with palmettos, cypress, and bay magnolia trees. A variety of wildlife find refuge in hammocks.

As we walked along, Terry found a baby pygmy rattler coiled on the dike. Mike found another, coiled in the grass a few feet away. I relaxed. At least Mike had found a snake. He would not be disappointed. The pygmy rattlers are so well camouflaged that many people do not find one on their first trip. On a previous trip with Peter and Terry, I watched Tony Mills stare at the ground while someone pointed to a pygmy rattlesnake that neither of us could see at fIfst. It blended perfectly with the ground cover of dead twigs and pine cones.

These smallest of venomous snakes in North America are shy and retiring when it comes to humans. They prefer not to be seen or heard. They do have a tiny set of rattles that sound like an insect buzzing if they get mad and you get close enough. And their venom is potent, drop for drop. But because of their

5

small size (seldom over 18 inches) they are not as dangerous as cottonmouths or diamondback rattlers.

Mike was in tune with his environment that day and spotted an adult pygmy rattler on the dike. I began to wonder how many I had stepped on. Then carne the really fun part, entering the hammock where most of the snakes lived. A walking trail leads through the hammock, but central Florida had recently been favored with tremendous rains. The trail was a foot deep in water, which was overtwo feet deep in the woods themselves.

Some snakes seek refuge on higher ground or vegeta­tion during floods. And the little rattlers were on exposed areas of dry ground as well as on palmetto fronds and in low-lying bushes. Mike found one more than six feet above the water in a wax myrtle tree. This gave me a new regard for pushing vegetation aside while charging through the woods off the trail.

We stayed approximately three hours and found 28 pygmy rattlesnakes. I say "we" found them because I was there. Mike found five, Peter found six, Terry found seven, the students found the rest, and I found none. But I did catch a green snake no one else saw. We also found two garter snakes, four ribbon snakes, a water snake, and four box turtles.

Ecology field trips make for fun and memorable birthday presents. You can do the same for someone in your family, although you may prefer not to look for rattlesnakes.

Editor's Note: Dr. J. Whitfield Gibbons is professor of ecology at the University of Georgia and is the division head at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. In addition to his numerous articles in scientific journals, Whit is probably best known for his many books including; Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Rep­tiles and Amphibians and The Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle among others. Dr. Gibbons also writes a weekly ecology column for various newspapers (including the New York Times) and he has kindly provided the preceding article for publication in the MRS Newsletter. Other short stories on ecology by Whit Gibbons may be found in another of his books, Keepingall the Pieces, a title which is amustread for everyone interested in natural history. JPL

• Reptiles. Amphibians' Invertebrates' Small Mammals' Fish' Birds' Complete Line of Cages, Food, Books & Supplies for ALL Animals

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2363 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 647-4479

Page 8: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MRS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

The Usumbara Mountain Gecko (Cnemaspis africanus) in Captivity ByTony Gamble

Description: Cllemaspis africanus is a small, gracile gecko

I 1/2-2" in total length. They are chocolate brown in color with

a light belly and a light, interrupted vertebral line. There are

very light chevron shaped markings on the underside of the

throat. Interestingly, Cnemaspis sp. do not have traditional

gecko toes, they are very thin with no evidence of pads.

Range and Habitat: Cnemaspis ajricanlls occurs in forest

areas up to altitudes of 5000' and range from central Kenya

southward to northern Tanzania. Loveridge reports them to be

primarily arboreal but they occasionally venture onto the

ground and may even take to the water! Temperatures occur­

ring at the higher elevations in their range can be much cooler

than the wruID temperatures often associated with equatorial

Africa. The Cnemaspis african"s I maintain originated in the

Usumbara mountains in northeastern Tanzania.

Captive Requirements: I have found these little geckos to

be extremely hardy in captivity. Temperatures should range

from 75-80° F during the day to 65-70° F at night. Cllemaspis

ajricallllS overheat very easily and I had two animals succumb

after only two days at traditional gecko-type temperatures (Le.

85° F). The cage should be spacious with plenty of areas to

hide. I maintain 1.1 animals in a 15 gallon aquarium with

pothos and sanseveria plants and several pieces of cork bark.

Gravel is used as a substrate and is washed and disinfected

every two weeks. Water is provided in a shallow dish. Light is

supplied by one 18" florescent bulb.

Feeding: Loveridge states the diet in the wild as, "Cock­

roaches, small beetles and an ant." I opted for the traditional

cricketlmealwonn diet for my captive animals and it has

worked very well. Theinsectsare supplemented with Reptivite®

one feeding per week and Repcal® on a second feeding per

week. They receive an additional two unsupplemented feedings

each week.

Breeding: Loveridge reports finding eggs and gravid fe-

6

males in the wild from April 22 through December 21. I have

yet to achieve successful reproduction with my animals but did

have a single infertile egg laid stuck toa piece of wood. The egg

was similar in appearance to infertile Tokay gecko (GekkO

gecko) eggs I have seen.

Summary: I have found Cl1emaspis africanus to be hardy,

interesting lizards tomaintain.1t must be kept in mind that their

vivarium temperatures must not exceed 80° F but aside from

that fact their care is similar to that of other small gecko species.

References! Further Reading:

De Vosjoli, Philippe. 1994. The Lizard Keeper's Handbook.

Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside, CA. 175 pp.

Henkel, Friedrich-Wilheim and Wolfgang Schmidt. 1995.

Geckoes: Biology, Husbandry, and Reproduetion. Kreiger

Publishing Company, Malabar, FL. 237 pp.

Kluge, Arnold G .. 1993._Gekkonoid Lizard Taxonomy.

International Gecko Society, San Diego, CA. 245 pp.

Loveridge, Arthur. 1947.Revision ofthe African Lizards of

the Family Gekkonide. Bulletin ofthe Museum of Compara­

tive Zoology. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. 469 pp.

Page 9: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

Review of Rattlesnake Exploitation Needed By Holly Reed

New Report Documents Trade alone, as compared with $21 for the entire animal.

Often thought of as a malevolent symbol of the Old

West, 15 species of rattlesnakes are actually found coast to

coast in U.S. forests and deserts. Although rattlesnakes are

considered by many to be better dead than alive, tbey are

economically valuable species that are exploited to supply a

domestic and international trade in skins, meat, gall bladders,

leather products, and curios. A recent TRAFFIC report docu­

ments that four

Rattlesnake trade is linked 10 "rattlesnake roundups,"

unique evenls thaI are economically and socially important to

Ihe lowns in which Ibey're held and Ibe people involved in the

rattlesnake trade. In recent years, conservationists bave be­

come increasingly concerned over tbe growth of rattlesnake

roundups and tbe corresponding rise in commercialization of

rattlesnake products in tbe southwestern and soutbeastern

United States. Tbe collection of wild rattlesnakes, with few

species of the

genus Crotalus

are hunted in at

least eight states

in the U.S.: the

Western Dia­

mondback

Rattlesnake

(Crotalus atrox)

in New Mexico.

Oklaboma and

Texas; tbe East­

ern Diamond­

back Rattlesnake

(C. adamanteus)

. in Alabama and

Georgia; the

Prairie RattIe­

snake(C. viridis)

TABLE 1:

1994 WHOLESALE VALUE OF SOME DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE PRODUCTS

Product

Raw Skin Frozen Meat Gall Bladders Heads Rattles Baby Rattlesnakes Fat For Snake Oil Entrails for Manufacture of Catfish Bait

Approximate Wholesale Value

$4-5 Per Linear Foot $7 Per Pound $1 Each $.50-$1.00 Each $.50 Each $1-$10 Each Unknown Unknown

exceptions)

occurs with­

out any con­

sistent, es-tablisbed,

state or fed­

eral regula­

tions gov­erning the

trade or the

manage­

ment of

populations.

In addition,

tbe subsid­

iary trade in

rattlesnake

curios and

manufac­

turedleather

in Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas; and the Timber products independent of the roundup collection appears to

Rattlesnake (C. /wrridus) in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. have increased witbout any measure of official control as well.

The US. trade is difficult to quantify because it is largely In addition to the1ack of state control over the take of

unregulated, but it is likely that up to l25,000rattlesnakes have rattlesnakes, ecologically destructive collection methods are

been traded annually since 1990. Altbough the market demand used by some collectors and in some states. For example, in

for skins probably drives the magnitude ofthe trade, additional northern Texas and Oklahoma, it is conunon among collectors

profit is made from parts, especially the meat. The wholesale to spray vaporized gasoline deep into rattlesnake dens to force

value of a one-pound Western Diamondback rattlesnake, ap- tbe snakes to emerge.

proximately three feet in length, is about $12 for the raw skin Upon capture, rattlesnakes are often subject to inhu-

7

Page 10: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

mane keeping practices as well. Packed tightly into containers for transport and display at roundups, many are crushed to

death, dehydrated, or starved. Snakes are publicly butchered at roundups by decapitation, and because of their slow metabo­lism the heads can remain alive for over an hour afterward.

TRAFFIC USA's report, A Critical Evaluation of Rattlesnake Commercialization: Roundups and the Rattle­snake Trade by herpetologists Lee A. Fitzgerald and Charles

W. Painter, documents the harvest and trade of rattlesnakes in different parts of the United States. It includes documentation and data on six rattlesnake roundups in New Mexico, Pennsyl­vania, and Texas as well as general information on the collec­tion and trade of rattlesnakes. TRAFFIC solicited the work to provide an objective and scientific overview of the commer­

cialization and marketing of U.S. rattlesnakes. The report also reviews the complex ethic;!1 and humane issues involved in rattlesnake roundups, such as the use of gasoline as a hunting

method; capture, holding, and transport methods; and the

public butchering of snakes. Rattlesnake roundups might be classified into three

categories: 1) roundups organized by nonprofit civic groups whose objectives are to raise money for charity and promote the cmrununity; 2) roundups organized by individual entrepre­neurs who are motivated by profits from admission and con­cession fees and the sale of rattlesnakes; and 3) snake hunts organized by local reptile or snake hunting clubs.

The report's authors make the following recorrunen­dations with respect to rattlesnake conservation and manage­ment:

Licensing - Collection of rattlesnakes for commercial gain should be permitted only under licenses issued by state wildlife agencies that would a) establish minimum size and bag limits;

b) require hunters to report the number, species, and location of rattlesnakes collected; and c) regulate the handling, trans­port, and humane treatment of rattlesnakes.

Hunting Methods - The practice of spraying gasoline into rattlesnake dens to drive snakes from their underground shel­

ters should be banned and violators pursued and prosecuted.

Research - A quantitative investigation into the magnitude of

the rattlesnake trade in the southeastern United States should

be undertaken, and the impacts of cOlmnercial collection on

popUlations of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake should

be assessed.

8

Public Education - Professional naturalists, local herpeto­logical societies, and wildlife management agencies should provide snake clubs and roundup promoters with accurate natural history information about rattlesnakes for public edu­cation purposes at roundups.

In addition, the authors highlighted the following ethical and humane treatruent issues:

Rattlesnakes should be processed quickly and killed by methods other than decapitation. Ap­propriate killing methods should be researched and put into practice at roundups.

Precautions should be taken to avoid crushing or suffocating rattlesnakes during collection and transport. The treatment of rattlesnakes at most roundups and snake shows should be improved.

The authors and TRAFFIC hope to convene a work­shop to discuss issues surrounding the conservation of com­mercially exploited rattlesnakes in North America. Partici­pants should include hunters, roundup promoters and organiz­ers, snake hunting clubs, skin traders, research biologists, state and federal agencies, veterinarians, conservationists, and soci­ologists.

Editor's Note: The following article has been reprinted in its entirety from the April 1996 edition of TRAFFIC USA. JPL

English Spot Dutch

Jim's Rabbit Shack

PoliSh

Where Spots Are Tops

JIM DALUGE 8700 Jaber Ave. N.E. Monticello, MN 55362

(612) 295-2818

.o,~,-".., Bloomington Veterinary "Vl!~.~ Hospital, P.A.

8830 Lyndall! Avenue South. Btoomington, MN 55420

TEL: 884-3228 • FAX: 884-7357 I.A. Sweeney DVM W.H. Sweetley DVM

Hospital Hours M-T-W-T 8;00 AM TO 9:00 PM FRIDAY 8;00 AM TO 6;00 PM SATURDAY 8;00 AM TO 1:00 PM

Please Ask For nr. Weber

Page 11: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS News/eller Volume 16 Number 9

ANNOUNCING A NEW PUBLICATION of the Wisconsin Herpetological Atlas Project

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTIONS

OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

OF WISCONSIN

by Gary S. Casper

· This softcover guide provides new distribution maps for all species of amphibians and reptiles in Wisconsin. It updates published ranges with over 450 new distribution records collected by the Wisconsin Herpetological Atlas Project, a scientific program of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc.

All proceeds from the sale of this book go towards · funding the Herp Atlas Project, which continues to

collect data on the biogeography of Wisconsin am­phibians and reptiles. Future publications, including a new hardcover field guide, are planned.

Price: $10.00

:l.n Imuilil RI1l<1ttu( til<: W.i~~m":la frNp"(oh~\i<>,.:! MJA~ l'll}j,.-n

Ordering: Available from the Museum Shop at the Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233. Phone orders can be taken at (414)278-2795.

MAIL ORDER FORM: send to Museum Shop at the Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Please send ___ copies of: GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF WISCONSIN

TO: ______________________________________________________ _

· Enclosed find my check or money order for: $10.00 X _____ copies

Wisconsin residents add tax 5.56% ex .0556)

shipping & handling ($3.00 for 1 book, $4.00 for 2 or more)

TOTAL

9

Page 12: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 9

Field Notes: VARIATIONS by Randy Blasus

Species are differentiated from each other by mor­phological and genetic differences. However, there is a range

of variation within a species as well. No other reptile in this state more typifies variability than the Common Garter Snake, Thmnlwphis sirwlis. Widely known for their adaptability,

animals ofthis genus range overInost ofthe continental United

States. One member, the Red-sided Garter, Tlzamnophis sinalis parietalis, ranges the furthest north of any species of snake in North America (Conant and Collins, 1991). Garter Snakes are subject to wide variation, while still maintaining

their basic structure. Colors and patterns vary, as well as do

diets and sizes. Regarding the comment on variation, an interesting

example has been noted locally. While on expedition in the

Cannon Falls area; an MHS member, Jeff LeClere, caught one juvenile Eastern Garter Snake, Than-mophis sirfalis siltalis.

This animal exhibited a faint red stripe centered on its ventral scales covering most of its length.

Such striping is not unheard of as it has been reported in A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern

and Central North America by Conant and Collins (1991) and in Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles of

Wisconsin by Vogt (1981), as occurring in Northern Water

Snakes, Nerodia sipedon sipedon. Additionally, Conant and Collins also mention a total lack of ventral coloration except for gray stippling and a mid ventral stripe. In Amphibians and

Reptiles Native to Minnesota, the authors (Oldfield and

Moriarty, 1994)mention that occasionally an animal will have a plain belly with only small black specks instead of the usual half moon markings. Recently, the author and fellow Herp

society member, Jeff LeClere, found a specimen in Northern

Iowa that was patterned as described by Oldfield and Moriarty. Jeff also mentioned that he has observed ventral mutations on

Northern Water Snakes in Iowa and Kansas but that it is not

present in all populations.

The Garter Snake variation has not been reported elsewhere (to the best of this author's knowledge) and the Water Snake ventral stripe has not been reported locally.

Search bias is probably a factor in observations with these particular species (ic. people don·t observe closely because of

the GartersfWater Snakes defense system). The significance of these variations is uncertain as most animals would never even see the snake's belly. However. if anyone else has noted a

similar occurrence please pass the infonnation along.

10

Literature Cited:

Conant, Roger and Collins, Joseph T. 1991. Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central

North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston. MA.

Oldfield, Barney and Moriarty, John J. 1994. Amphibians

and Reptiles Native to Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN.

Vogt, Richard C. 1981. Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. MilwaukeePublicMuseum. Milwau­kee, WI.

This column's purpose is to present interesting obser­vations, other findings and reports of amphibians and reptiles from fellow MHS members. The timing and content of this column will depend on the number of contributions received and on personal experiences. Anyone interested in submitting material to Field Notes please contact Randy Blasus at (612) 9254237.

SECORD'S EXOTIC ANIMAL HOUSE BILLY SECORD - (612)920-1987

LARGEST PRODUCER OR SMALl, EXOTIC MAMMALS IN MINNESOTA!

HEDGEHOGS, DUPRASIS, ZEBRA MICE, PYGMY MICE, GIANT AFRICAN POUCHED RATS, JlRDS, MOUSE LEMURS, BRUSH·TAtLED KANGAROOS, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! - U.S.D.A LICENSED

For Sale or Petting Zoos Parties or Promotions

ANIMALS OF WALTON'S HOLLOW Exotic & Farm Animals

Bill & Jean Walton 5425 Peterson Road

White Bear Lake, MN 55127-6713

(612)426-8163

Page 13: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newsletter Voillme 16 NlImber 9

M.H.S.Business September Board Meeting Highlights By Michelle Hewitt, Recording Secretary

The monthly meeting oftheMHS Board of Directors was conducted on Sept. 8th at The Minnesota Renaissance Festival. A Quorum was present. The hoard took the following actions:

There has been a small drop in memberships over the last few months. There is a need for volunteers to help advertise for the society to gain memberships. They will also look into why people are not renewing memberships.

The vote at the general meeting on the constitutional change was: 62 YES, 23 NO. The amendment passed.

There will be a vote for the general membership on new membership categories in December.

There is a need for a good computer to keep track of accounting programs for the society. If anyone has any 386's or better available, taIk to anyone on the hoard.

Hoppers will be available for sale at $7.50 per dozen. There has been an over abundance of iguanas these

past few months. None have been adopted. Anyone may adopt them whether they are members or not. If anyone can help house these animals even for a month, please let anyone on the adoption committee or hoard know.

A double full moon was present at 7:04 pm. Presented and accepted: Treasurer's report, Member­

ship report, and Board Minutes.

August 1996 Treasurer's Report Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Blasus

Beginning Checkbook Balance:

Income: Membership Raffle Sales Donation Fines Other

Total Income:

Expense: Newsletter Misc. PrintinglPostage Program Library Books Supplies Refreshments Other

Total Expense:

Net IncomelLoss: Ending Checkbook Balance:

340.00 71.25

152.66 129.48

5.00

431.30 29.82

200.00 0.00

30.54 21.67

406.66

Funds Allocated to Unpaid Expenses: Funds Available:

Conservation Fund Balance:

2,561.21

698.14

1,119.99

(421.85) 2,139.36

0.00 2,139.36

188.86

Calendar of Events

Sept. 28·29, 1996 Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Shakopee, MN. Contact: Gloria Anton (612) 420·6158. Oct. 4, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Guest Speaker: DA V' KAUFMAN Program: HERPS OF THE SOUTHWEST

DESERT. Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus. 7 pm Oct. 12, 1996 MHS Adopt-a-Highway Clean up. Interstate 35E at Hugo, MN. 9:00 am. For more info Contact: Jody or

Roger Statz (612) 424·8816. Oct. 18.20, 1996 12th Annual Midwest Herpetological Symposium. Holiday Inn· Airport North; 4545 N. Lindbergh

Blvd.; St. Louis. MO 63044. Registration fee S50( $55 after 9/25/1996), Banquet fee $23 per person. For more info Contact: Chris Himstedt c/o S.L.H.S.; P.O. Box 410346; St.Louis, M063141-0346; (314) 677·6652. Hotel Room Reservations must be made through the Holiday Inn at (314) 731·2100 or (800) SlL-6202.

Nov. 1, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus. 7 pm. Dec. 6, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm. Dec. 7, 1996 MHS ANNUAL HOLIDAY "POTLUCK" BANQUET. U ofM St. Paul Campus Student Union. Formore

info Contact Marilyn Blasus (612) 925·4237. Jan. 3, 1997 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm. Feb. 7, 1997 MHS ANNUAL "WHITE SNAKE SALE" SILENT AUCTION. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus.

7 pm. For more info or to donate items Contact Marilyn Blasus (612) 925·4237.

11

Page 14: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MHS Newslerrer Volume 16 Number 9

Classified Advertisments 1.0.0 = male, 0.1.0 = female, 0.0.1 = unsexed, c.b. = captive bred, o.b.o. = or best offer

For Sale: 2.1 Adult Leopard Tortoises S650. Also 1.1 Adult Redfoot Tortoises $250. All healthy, long tenn captives. Call Mark (612) 822-7996.

0.1 Varanus albigularis (White-throated Monitor, Approx. 3 ft. $150 o.b.o. Will consider trade for python orboa. Also cage 18" x 18" x 5 ft. S\OO. Contact Emily or Tyler (612) 466-2439

4.0 Bullsnakes c.b. 7/21/96. All have shed and accept frozen! thawed pinkies. $10 @. Call Randy (612) 925-4237.

1.1 Malaysian Blood Pythons. Male 4+ ft and Female 5+ ft. Both good red, female spectacular. $600.00 for the pair. Contact Sally at (612) 647-0661.

Baby Boas, Boa constrictorc.b. 4/30/96, fed & shed $50-$75. Will deliver to MHS meetings. Call Sarah at (612) 223-0407.

Hog Island Boas, c.b. 5/96 $200-$275 @, Yearling "Keeper Select Holdbacks" $325 @. Brazilian RainbolV Boas c.b.4/96 from Orange Red adults, $225 females only. Columbian Rainbow Boas c.b. 4/96, males $65, females $85. Albino Speckled Kings c.b. 7/96 $40. Albino and Hetero Corns $20. Hetero for albino Bulls S40. Will deliver to Twin Cities. Call Mark Wendling (319) 857-4787 (Iowa).

1.0 Dumeril's Boa, Acralllopilis dumerili, c.b. babies 10/95. Feeding well on small mice. $250 Call Connie or John (612) 374-5422

Rabbits -Fryer size, current listed market price. Discounts for orders of 6 or more. Rat size $1.50 ea. or 6 for $7.50. Adults $2 ea when available. All sizes currently available. Call Jim Daluge (612) 295-2818.

Wanted: ALL THE SHED SNAKE SKINS IN THE WORLD, Always, to use at hands-on programs to give to kids. Bob Duerr (612) 541-0362.

Wanted: 1.0.0 Nonnal, hetero, or albino Prairie Kingsnake for breeding project. Prefer young adult c.b. specimen. Call Randy at (612) 925-4237.

C.b. Eastern or Western Hognose (Heterodol/ platirilinos or H. nasiclls), Milk Snake(Lampropeltis trial/gulum), and native turtles. Prefer 94-95 hatchlings. Call Michelle or Chris at (612) 578-9003

Herp related news clippings, original articles, artwork, car­toons, etc. for publication in theMHS Newsletter. Authorsand artists will receive compensation in the fonn of volunteer hrs, good towards one "priceless"MHS coffee mug. Send submis­sions to: MN Herp. Soc.! Editor, clo Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104.

Miscellaneous: BREEDING INVENTORY SURVEY: Everyone keeping live reptiles and amphibians is asked to contribute to this annual report. Please submit the following info current Jan. 1st of each year: (1) Inventory of collection, list numbers and sex, (2) list of all species bred during the previous year, (3) any longevity records, (4) please print clearly; your name, address and telephone number as you want them listed, (5) please do respond. Send info to: Frank Slavens, P.O. Box 30744, Seattle, WA 98103. Fax: (206) 546-2912.

SEA TURTLE SURVIVAL LEAGUE, announces its' line of eco-promoting sea turtle merchandise, for a free catalog write: Sea Turtle Survival League, P.O. Box 2866, Gainesville, FL 32602-2866 or call (800) 678-7853.

12

MHS Rodent Sales Mice

Pinkies $6.00 dozen Fuzzies $6.00 dozen Hoppers $7.50 dozen Adults $9.00 dozen

Rats

Pups $10.00 dozen Adults $12.00 six

$24.00 dozen

For pickup at monthly meetings only. Orders must be placed at least one week in advance of date of meeting at which frozen rodents are to be delivered. Place orders with Tina Cisewski at (612) 856-2865.

MHS Merchandise: In addition to rodents, the MHS offers an assortment of herp related sales items including; books, magazines, posters, t-shirts, notecards, buttons, stick­ers, decals, and patches. Look for the merchandise sales area at the far right side of the meeting room. Transactions can be handled before the meeting, during the break, or after the meeting as time pennits.

All proceeds from MHS rodent and merchandise sales go toward the operating costs of the society such as: speaker fees, lihrary purchases, charitable donations, etc. The MHS is 8 completely volunteer run, non-profit organiza­tion.

Page 15: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

Advertising Rates and Instructions

Classified Ads: Are nlll free of cbarge to paid members. Non-member rates arc tell cents per word. per month. Ads may TIm three (3) consecutive months, after which time they may be re-submitted. Business Cards: Institutional members may TIm one standard sized business card free of charge. Non-member rate for standard sized business cards is $5.00 per month. Display and Expanded Size Ad Rates: Ad Size Montil 3+ Months 1/4 Page SIO.oo $7.50 1/2 Page S20.oo $15.00 Page $40.00 S25.00 (All prices are per month)

6+ Months S5.00 SI0.00 SI5.00

Submissions: An advertisements should be submitted to the; MfIS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE. Minneapolis, MN 55455. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society. MRS Ad Policy: The MRS assumes NO RESPONSIBIl.lTY regarding the legality or health of any animal, or the quality or legality of any product or service advertised in the"MHS Newsletter. Any admayberejectedat the discretion of the Newsletter Editor. Due to space limitations Unpaid and Complimentary advertisements are subject to occasional omission.

Location of MRS Monthly Meetings

Amphibian & Reptile Information

Specific questions concerning amphibians and reptiles are best answered by contacting the following individuals at the numbers provided. Please remember to bc reasonable about the time of day and how frequently you call.

Amphibians & Reptiles in Miunesota Greg Kvanbeek (612) 533-7723 John Moriarty (612) 647-1334

Large Boas & Pythons Karl Hennann (612) 730-6265 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268 Terrestrial Turtles John Moriarty (612) 482-8109 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268 Amphibians Greg Kvanbeck (612)533-7723 John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 Crocodilians Jeff Lang (701) 772-0227

1694

BlIiimJ

Other Snakes John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 Jeff LeClere (612) 488-6388 Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash (612) 753-0218 John Levell (612) 374-5422 Li11lrds Nancy Haig (612) 434-868 Bill Moss (612) 488-1383

36

194

Page 16: Vol. 16 (1996), No. 9

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S. E. MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

ADDRESS CORRECllON REQUESTED

+

+

Jim Mead

211 Clark

E. Pieasant Street

l'-Jankato, MN 56001

66 02/97 B

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL

I' 'II"

+

+

Non-Profit Rate U. S. Postage

PAID Mpls.MN

Permit No. 2275