Vol. 3 (1983), No. 2

s

s BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S.E . • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

VOLU1VJE III

MRS NEWSLE~TTER

MAliC B lViEET ING

FRIDAY, l"larch 4, 1983 7 :00 PJvl Hoom 225, Smith Hall

University of J'vIinnesota

'" N1JlvffiER 2

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Jvlarch meeting will be our Annual Meeting. Please note that it will be held on a FRIDAY, rather than our usual Thursday. Elections will be held, and the program will be "Your Favorite Critter"! Do you have a favorite in your collection? Or maybe you only have one critter total! In either case, bring it to the meeting and share it with the rest of us. IJ}his is everyone I s chance to really participate and help IvmS. Don't let us down! Also, please bring a suitable display container and a label!


The April meeting will be a trip to the Science Museum of }\1innesota in st. Paul to see the new orrmi theater film "Darwin on the Galapagos ll • 'l'his meeting will also be held on FRIDAY so that families can attend. The date will be April 8. The cost will be ~~4.50 for adults and ~p3.50 for children 12 and under. We will have a short meeting at 7:30, with the omni show starting at 9:00. ]lran Frisch will be available in the lobby of the Science Museum from 5:30 to 7:30 to take your check or exact chan&e. Please let Fran or one of the other Board flJ.embers know if yeu plan to attend so we can make plans.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXJ~XXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We are making tentative plans for a spring (please hurry) field trip. This would be a combination photo safari and collecting trip. We are also planning on doing the herp booth at the state fair this year! Does anyone have any good spots for a field trip? It doesn I t have to be in ~/linnesota, just so it I S close. And do any of you have an interest in the state fair exhibit? Please let us know on both items.


POISON CONTROL CENTER 405-271-5454


The }i1ebruary meeting, as presented by Carrol Henderson, Non-Game Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was of real interest to us all. While not many herps were discussed, we C.id learn much about how our Nongame Wildlife Checkoff money is being used. In short, super well! Carrol pointed out how some prime wildlife habitat had been purchased by ~NR recently that would not have been possible without the checkoff. Did you checkoff for this worthwhile cause? Surveys on herps that arE' being done now are Five-IJined Skink (complete), Cricket Frog, and Pickerel Frog .. As time goes by, more of these will be done. If you didn't checkoff, you may send your donation directly to:

Department of Natural ·rtesources Section of YJildlife Box 7 Centennial Building 658 Cedar Street st'!l Paul, Iv'll\J 55155

Something that may be in the future of TillIS is a closer working relationship with DNR .. This might be in the form of surveys, field work, etc .. , ;as well as the State }'air herp booth.. Does anyone out there have any ideas?


The IICritter of the f10nth" at the February meeting was land turtles and tortoises .. '11he animals brought were:

Red-Footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) Eastern Box 'rurtle (Terrapene c. carolina) Three-Toed Box Turtle (~~errapene carolina triunguis)

These were brought by: J.i'red Bosman Jim Gerholdt Kip Hanson Larry Yank

Thanks from }vIHS!


The IvIES "Help A Hapless Herp" program rolls along .. At the Pebruary meeting we adopted out a Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix) that was a holdover from the January meeting.. As of now, we have nothing available for the March meeting .. Hopefully, this will change by meeting time .. It usually does!


The IVIHS membership foles held steady at 106 memberships this month .. Attendance at the January meeting was 41 ..


This month's artwork is of a young .funazon Side-Neck Turtle (Podocnemis erythrocephala).It Perry feels that this is his best work yet, and I agree .. If you liked the earlier ones, youtll flip over this one .. The Giant Sungazer (Cordylus giganteus) brought JViIlS $26 .. 00, and was won by Ann Porwoll., The 3 sweaterboxes were won by Ann, Kip Hanson, and Del Jones .. The Pacific Tree }ilrog (Hyla regilla) at the TIecember meeting was won by Pam C&rholdt .. So far the raffles have brought a total of $76<!50 to MHS.A special thanks to Perry IJaBelle from NBS!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXY~xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2

We are almost at that special time of year that all herpers dream about - SPRING! Soon all the creepie crawlers will be out and about and we can all go collecting. But is that little critter legal? With all the new laws and regulations, who can tell? Last year the 1'111S Newsletter ran protected lists from the surrounding states .. This year you will find a list of all the state agencies in the United States. If you are planning a trip, check things out before you go! And remember, no collecting is allowed in any state or nationa1 park without a permit!!'

Alabama ])epartment of Conservation ,and Natural Hesources '])ivision of Game and F'ish 64 North Union Street I'1ontgomery, Alabama 36104

Alaska Department of Fish and , Game Subport Building Juneau, Alaska 99801

Ariz,ona Game and Fish Department 2222 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023

Arkansas Game and ll'ish Commiss~on 2 Capitol :f\1all Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

California }iiish and Game Commission 1416 Ninth street Sacramento, California 95814

Colorado Department of Natural Resources Divis ion of Vvd:ldlife 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216

Connecticut Board of Fisheries and Game State Office Building Hartford, Connecticut 06115

Delaware Department of 'Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Fish and Wildlife Tatnall Building Dover, Delaware 19901

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Farris Bryant Burilding 620 South Meridian street Tallahasee, F'lorida 32304

Georgia Department of Natura} Hesources Game and Fish Division 711 Trinity-Washington Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334

4

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Fish and Game 1179 Punchbowl street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Idaho Fish and Game Department Enforcement Division P.O. Box 25 600 South Walnut street Boise, Idaho: 83707

Illinois 'Department of Conservation Division of Fisheries 102 State Office Building 400 South Spring Street SprdmgfieJ.d, Illinois 62706

Indiana Depa~t~ent of Natural Resources Division of Fi~h and Wildlife 607 state Office Building Indianapolis,' In<iiana 46204

Iowa State Conservation Commission 300 ]'ourth Street Des Moines, Iqwa 50319

Kansas Fore stry, Ii'ish and Ganle Commission P.O. Box 1028 Pratt, Kansas 67124

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Division of F'isheries state Office Building Annes Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Louisiana Wildlife and ]i1isherties Commission Wildlife and Fisheries Building 400 Royal street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Naine Department of Inland :F'isheries and Game' state House Augusta, Naine 04330

Haryland DelJartmenL of Natural Resources Wildlife Administration '11awes state Office Building Annapolis" IVlaryland 21401

Massachusetts Division of Fisher.ies and Garne Leverett Sal t.install Building" Government Center 100 Cambridge Gtreet l~oston, IVJassachusetts 02202

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Stevens '11. Ivlason Building Lansing, Michigan 48926

M,innesota Department of Natural Hesources Division of Game and J?ish 390 Centennial Buildj.ng st. Paul, Mirme sota 55101

Mississippi' Game and ]Iish Commission Director or Conservation P.O. Box 451 Jackson, IVlississippi 39205

IV[issouri Department of Conservation P .. O. :Box 180 Jefferson City, IVJissouri 65101

lVIontana De'partment of Fish and Game IYJi tchell Building Helena, )Vlontana 59601

Nebraska ('.ame and Parks Commission P.O. Box 30370 2200 North 33rd street IJincoln, Nebraska 68503

Nevada Department of Jl'ish and Game P.O. Box 1067E3 Reno, Nevada 89510

New Hampshire Pish and Game Department 34 Bridge Street Concord, New Hampshiru 03301

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish, Game and Shell ]'isheries P.Ci. Box 1809 Trenton, New Jersey 08625

New Hexico Department of Game and Fish State Ca-pitol Santa 1ile, Ne\<J Ivlexic 0 8750-1

5

New York Department of ~;nvironmentaJ Conservation Bureau of Wildlife Alabany, New York 12201

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Conunission P.O. Box 2919 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611

North Dakota Game and ':Blish Department Bismark, North Dakota 58501

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Fountain Square Columbus, Ohio 43224

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 1801 North Lincoln P.O. Box 53465 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

Oregon ~~me Commission P.O. Box 3503

,1634 s. W. Alder Street Portland, Oregon 97208.

Pennsy1vania I)ivision of F'isheries R.. D. 3, Box 70 Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823

Rhode Island JJepartment of Natural Resources Division of Pish and Wildlife 83 Park street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

South Carolina Wildlife Resources Department Di.vision of Game and Fresh vJater 1?isheries P .. O. Box 167 Columbia, South Carolina 29~02

south Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Pierre, South Dakota 57501

Tennessee Game and Flish Commission P .. O .. Box 40747 Nashville, Tennessee 37220

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Services John HI' Beagan Building Austin, rrexas 78701

utah Division of \t/ildlife Resources 1596 West North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

Vermont .Agency of T,:nvironmentGl Conservation Department of Ji'ish and Game Il.lontpelier, Vermont 602

Virginia Commission of G3Jjj8 and .. :lnIC:,..t,nd. Fisheries P.O. Box 11104 l?ichrnond, . Virginia 23230

Washington Department of Game Division of Game Management 600 North Capitol Way Olympia, Washington 98504

West Virginia Department of Na~ural Resources state Office Building 3 Charleston, West Virginia 25305

Wisconsin Department of Natural :Resources P .. 0 .. r30X 450 JVJadison, \tJiscon sin 5370'1

·\lJyoming Game and :B'ish Commission P.O. Box 1589 . Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

References: state Regulations for Collecting Reptiles and Amphibians by Ad.rian li' .. Czajka and Max A .. Nickerson .. Milwaukee Public lVIuseum Special Publications in Rio16e;y and Geology, Number 1, lviay, 1974.

If any of you out there in herp land catch any errors or updates in this list, please let MllS kno,,! so we can correct it. Also, if any of you have prohlems getting info from any of these a.gencies, let lvlES know ..

XXXXXXXXXXXx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx..xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ROLAND MICHAUD

HIt's your divine right to bite!"


6

o

o

o

0

0

·0 o

()

o .

o

0

0

0

0

o

0 (j 0

0 0

0

0 b ("

0 0

o 0

cJ

o

o

o

D

o

o o

~ o

to\d em -they coulJ k-ffip If nOO9{\me C. hec ott arc1 ~ toU' me r could win r

D\Jer S alA\1w\ · \\ S \ ,

At the "Herp Hints" segment of the January meeting Larry Yank showed an adult female Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis ) that had a single I-nJGE egg visible inside her body. Various ways of removing ege;s from an eggbound sn~were discussed. These included surgery, lubrication, and palpation. Larry will report back on this case ..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx")_xxxxxxxxx:x.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.1.xxxxxxxxxx

}llran I;lrisch reported at the February Board JVIeeting that the NIlS White Pages are close to being done, and hopefully will be availa,ble at the March meeting .. }TIIS thanks }'ran for his efforts on this project:, And of course Fran continues to provide tbe NewslQtter with his super cartoons! ~


In the last Newsletter '.Je bad wnew cartoon contributor, IvJelinda Jones! Her idea of snake housing was certainly unique .. l'1HS thanks Melinda! This month we have yet another nevi contributor, Sarina Brewer! lVJJIS thanks Sarina!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.x.x

SPECIAL I TRODUCTORY SUBSCRIPTION OFFER CATALOGUE OF AMERICAN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

The Society for the Study of Amph~bians and Reptiles is extending, f9r a limited period, a special offer to new subscribers to the Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Individuals who subscribe before 30 June 1983 may.purchase their one-year subscription (25 accounts), a complete set of accounts (numbers 1-320), two imprinted post binders, and a set of index tabs for $95. For individuals this represents a savings of $24.50. Institutions who subscribe before 30 Ju 1te 1983 may obtain the same offeri,ng for $139.50 (a savings of $36.00). This includes postage within the U.S.A. - overseas orders m~st be assessed an additional charge of $5.00.

The Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles is a series of loose-leaf accounts treating species and higher taxa of New World amphibians and reptiles. Each account is prepared by an expert on that taxon and occupies, 2-4 pages (8~ x 11 inches), It provides a wealth of information, including common and scientific names (with a synonymy), a definition and description, information on fossil occurrence, a detailed map of geographic distribution, and a comprehensive introduction to the literature.

The Catalogue is an essential reference for all biologists who use amphibians or reptiles in their research. The loose-leaf format allows individual additions and updating, and provides the option of arranging the accounts in serial, alphabetic, geographic, or taxonomic order.

Individuals wishing to take advantage of thisspeciaJ offer should fill out the form below and send it to:

Dr. Douglas H. Taylor Publica tions Secretary,

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Department of Zoology

Miami University Oxford, Ohio' 45056, U.S.A.

Checks should be made out to "Cat. Amer. Amphib. Rept." or /ISSAR", Payment must be in U.S. funds; receipt on request only,'

ORDER FORM INTRODUCTOR Y SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

CATALOGUE OF AMERICAN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES NAME ____________________________________ ~ ______________________________________ __

ADDRESS ________________________________ ~~ ______________________________________ --

----______________________________________ ~----______________ --_______ ZIP :~\ __ ~-----


i.i .

9

BREEDING NOTES

Breedings from 'the :F'ebrua:ry AAZrA Newsletter

Toledo ;',00

2 Tokay Gecko 9 Guban Th~arf Boa

,~)edg"'icl~ County Zoo (~\/ichita) '6 Sinaloan Milk Snake

Hempllis Zoo and Aquarium 1 Seychelle Isle Gecko

~urich Zoological Garden 14 Marginated Tortoise 1 IJeopard Ceck 0

Columbus Zoo 1 Maculate Gecko 1 }:reJ~ican Nud f]lurtle 5 Sidewinder Rattlesnake 5 Adamson's Hud Turtle

Metro Toronto Zoo 1 Green and -Slack j\r:rmv Poison Frog

utica Zoo 4 Eastern Copperhead

New York ~'~oological Park 11 Red Spitting Cobra

Houston ~/oological Gardens 3 Tokay Gecko

Philadelphia Zoological Garden 7 Brazilian Hainbow Boa

TIanTOH' f3 ,fjO':eE: This, page is also for use by JvJHS members! If you have breedings in your collection, let us know!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxJtxxxxxxxxxx

'.[1he proposed a.mendments to the MIlS By-Laws are:

Art~icle V ..;.. Officers and Committees - Section 501

From: "Officers may serve only two terms consecutively." To: 11 Officers, 'excepting Newsletter Editor, may serve only two terms consecutively." Heason: frhe purpose of limiting duration in office j,s to prevent the e'stablishrnent of a power clique. However, the Newsletter Editor requi.res a speqial combination of talents a.nd the office benefits from extended periods of continuity. Therefore, the Board of Directors recommend.s not linliting the term of office for the Newsletter Editor.. '

Article VI - Heetings - Section 601

},lrom: "'11here shall be an Annual IVleeting of MHS on the first Jh'idajr in the month of Harch, at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors .. " '110: "There shall be an Annual Meeting of J'l1HS in the month of IVlarch, at a time and place to be determi.ned by the Board of Directors." Heason: This will allow the Board of Directors to schedule the Annual J"Ieeting on a normal meeting night .. The present situation (meetings on Thursday nights and j\nnual Tleeting on Friday night) came about when the membership changed the meeting nlLght. The pro,posed amendment will allow the Board of Directors to accomodate that change and any future changes without waiting for the next Annual Meeting. A notice of the Annual Meeting is mailed to all members at least 30 days prior to the meeting as required by the By-Laws.

10

H'f.:J\P BHEEDIN(~ IN NOnrrn AMERICA - 1981

by

Paul Jjollander

I have discussed the '1980 overview of herp breeding in North America that was given by Frank L. Slavens in Inventory of Live Reptiles and Amphibians in North American Collections, Current January 1, 1W..--cHollander, 1981. Herp Breeding in North America. IRS Newsletter 5 (1). Slavens has updated the work in Inventor.l of Live Heptiles and Amphibians in Captivity Current .Tanuary ,l, 1982. Comparing the data in the two volmnes has been very interesting.

The Inventory .... January 1, 1981 contains 929 species and 1244 forms, from 70 public and 90 private collections. But only 263 forms (species, subspecies, or hybrids) from 204 species of herps were cap .. tive bred .. rPhe Inventory .... January 1, 1982 contains 1352 forms of 952 species, a slight increase, from 69 public and 107 private collection~3. Of these, 301 forms of 223 species were bred in capt.ivity" A few other species and subspecies also have information on wild breedings and on noteworthy captive breedings that took place before 1982.

The latest Inventory showed an absolute 16ss of- one public' collection and an absolute gain of 17 private collections" I assumed that most of the contributors were the same in both Inventories. ~l'his was true for t:he public collections; there was a 10S:3 of 14 old contributors and a gain t)f 13 new contributors. 11he private contributors had a much larger turnover; only 33 were in both Inventories. In spite of the turnover, the private sector's share of the forms bred has increased, not decreased. This supports my belief that there is a large, unreported group of l?riva te herp breeders" I also believe that there would have been more reports if there had been no Snakescarn.

There are several impressive entries in the breeding section. Roger Roy, of Ontario, Canada, reported hatching Bog Turtles (Clemmys muhlenbergi), which are endangered, and the release of 81 captive bred yearlings, to date. Ron rrremper, of Fresno, California, hatched 347 Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Dr. lVlichael Miller, of Chicago, Illinois, bred 24 different species of Geckos, and only eight of these species were bred by anyone else. The Dallas Zoo has received AAZPA first captive breed-ing certificates for 11 species of snakes over the last few years. They had repeat breedings for many of those species and a number of other species of h~rps in 1981.

In 1981 the following herps were the most commonly bred. rl.1he Green and Black Poison Dart It'rog (Dendrobates auratus) had five breeders; however, Bell's Horned Prog (Ceratophrys ornata), with three breeders, had the most young. The. Red-Footed 'rortoise (G€ochelone carbonaria) had seven breeders. The Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis maculariUs) had 22 breeders 1. isted, and the Tokay G€cko (Gekko gecko) had ten. li;J.even responders bred some form of the Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor), and the Bl.1rrneSe Python (Python molurus bivittatus) had seven breeders. rrhe Corn Snake (Elaphe g. glittata) had 37 breeders, more than any other species 'Of herp. The Gray Bc'1nded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana alterna) and the Sinaloan Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae) were tied for second place in the snakes with ten breeders each.-K

As a whole, the Hat Snakes (Elaphe) and the Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis) made up the bulk of the snakes being bred. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) had seven breeders, most of whom were breeding for albinos.

Table 1 has the 1980 breakdown on the rtumber of forms with a given- number of contributors. Ta,ble II shows the relative contrcLbuti.ons of the public and private sectors. T3blcs 111 and IV have the same breakdovm.s for the 1981 breeding season.

11

It is gratifying to note the increased n1JJIlber of forms that were bred in 1981. Numbers increased in every category except the Crocodilians, the Cobras, and the Boas and Pythons. As Crocodilians are large and Cobras are venomous, neither is suitable for the average herper to try to breed. 1J:here are so few breeders that some yearly var1ation is not surprising. But Boas and Pythons are not venomous, and their space requirements are relatively modest, particularly for the smaller forms .. Their slight drop was caused by the absence of two breeders who contrri.buted heavily to t}Je 1980 list.

The latest Inventory continues to reflect a general preoccupation with the exotic. and impressive herps. rrhere are more Black JVIambas in the inventDry section than there are Southern Water Snakes,& In the earlier Inventory, the Fox Snake, Red-Sided Garter Snake and Slender Glass Lizard, to name a few Iowa herps, were not mentioned in the" breeding section. In the most recent Inventory,. both the Fox Snake and the Slender Glass Lizard had records of wild breedings, both from IIJS members. There was st.i.l1 no mention of the Red-Sided Garter Snake ..

~lhe Inventories are. interesting and enlightening. They are encouraging in showing that the reported numbers of herps being bred are increasing, along with the number of breeders. Hopefully, that reported increase reflects an actual increase. But we must not become complacent. Only one breeder reported for a full 65% of the forms being bred. These people have shown that it is possible to breed many kinds of herps in captivity. Increased knowl~.dge of the role of light and temperature cycles in reproduction have made breeding more predictable .. It is not a snap, and some species are more difficult than others. But tbe odds for success are reasonably good if one is willing to put a few years and some effort· into the project •

. '1980 rrABIJE I TABLE II

. number of contributors per form number of forms bred 1 ,')

.l -.L ...2± total privately vrivately+zoos zoos L

Amphibians 10 0 1 0 12 0 0 12

Turtles 29 8 1 1 40 ~ 35

Crocodilians 10 0 0 12 f') 0 10 c:..

Lizards 4~ 13 0 4 62 15 13 34

Snakes Boidae '15 6 4 3 29 7 7 1S

Colubridae26 14 4 2 5 51 11 11 29

Elapidae 8 1 0 0 10 1 0 9

Viperidae ..lL _3_ 2 .2L 0 2 -2L Total 174 47 1:1. . ) 9 12 255 40 3~ 1b1

12

1981 T ,l\}~1:F IIJ ~IABTJE, TV ,

number of contributors per form number of forms bred 2 -L + total J2rivatell Erivatel~+zoos ' zoos

Amphibians: Caecilians 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

Frogs 6 1 1 0 1 9 0 1 F' ,)

Salamanders 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 ~

'lurtles 39 7 3 2 2 53 9, 8 3C~

Crocodilians 7 0 0 0 8 0 0 p,

Lizards 60 12 2 1 5 80 29 b 43

Snakes: Boidae 17 6 ') 2 28 11 B 16

Colubridae 32 15 8 6 6 67 20 19 2e

Elapidae 5 3 0 0 0 8 6

Viperidae 24 12 -L 0 2 ~ _3_ l .-lL Total 195 57 21 10 18 301 66 48 1B7

(Note .. Viperidae includes both pit vipers and true vipers in the Inventories.)

* Correction. rrhe second most commonly bred Colubrid snake was the California Kingsnake (Larnpropel tis getulus californiae ) with eleven breeders. '1'he Gray Banded Kingsnake and the Sina,loan JCingsnake were tied for third place.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The preceding article was reprinted from The Iowa Herpetological NO\IS

letter, Volume 6, l-;umber 4, January, 1983 .. Paul 'Hollander is Newsletter F:ditor of Il!0. MHS tbanks Paul and IHS for this courtesy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXLX

The slate of nominees for IVIES officers are as follows:

President Del Jones 938-8555 Vice~President Bruce Delles 938-1679 Secretary Cormie Delles 938-1679 Treasurer Diane Hanson 448-7526 Newsletter Editor Jim Gerholdt 507-652-2996 lllember-at-Large Fred Bosman 476-0306 JVJember-at-Large Fran l~risc:h 488-7619, J'1ember-a t-Ijarge Kip Hanson 448-7526 }Iember-a t-Lar ge Ann Porwoll 489-7853

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

13

ever~~ne) Qet your tDiis o~t h-ere I \TS . inventory 11rY1€ aqaJrl!

14

/

)

~ SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES A Special Publication on the Occasion of the Society's Silver Anniversary

by Peter C. Pritchard and watercolors by Giorgio Voltolina

(about 350 pages, 8-1/2 by 11 inches, 34 maps and 48 full-page color plates)

• ident for Science and Research of the Florida Audubon Society. He is one of the world's leading authorities on turtles and is .particulady well known for his two previous books, Living Turtles of the World (1967) and Encyclopedia of Turtles (1979), and over 75 scientific papers, many of them on the ecology and conservation of sea turtles. Dr. Pritchard is intimately involved in conservation, having served the World Wildlife Fund as Executive Officer for its Marine Turtle Specialist Group from 1969 to 1973. Forhis research he has travelled world-wide, with major field programs in Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Central and South America, the West Indies, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia.

Pedro Trebbau is now Director of the Caricuao Zoological Park in Venezuela. Trained in Germany as a veterinarian, his work has been largely in zoo administration and he is well known in Venezuela for his natural history television programs. His research and conservation activities have dealt largely with mammals, but he is known to herpetologists for his films on Orinoco turtles and his taxonomic work, with Janis Roze, on coral snakes.

THE BOOK. This outstanding new book will be the first in-depth treatment of a major South American turtle fauna. It covers all turtles known from Venezuela including the mata mata and other side-necks (11 species), tortoises, pond and land turtles (6 species) and the sea turtles (5 species), together comprising fully half of the turtle species described from the South American continent and all species recorded from Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana. The monograph is based on a study of existing museum specimens, an in-depth review of the relevant literature and, most important, the results of intensive field study by both authors in all parts of Venezuela. They made many original observations and discovered two new forms, described here for the first time. Following a discussion of the zoogeography of South American turtles there is an illustrated key to species (in both English and Spanish). Each species account consists of a synonymy followed by a diagnosis; a detailed description (including shell, soft parts, color and sexual dimorphism); and sections on size and growth; distribution and geographic variation; habitat; feeding; reproduction; economic importance; vernacular names; and additional notes where appropriate. There is also a comprehensive bibliography and list of locality records.

The book is beautifully illustrated. There are 48 full-page plates in color, 26 of which are original watercolors and the remainder a collection of 160 photographs of both turtles and their habitats. Samples of both are reproduced on the following pages. In addition, there are two distribution maps for each species: a spot map showing the detailed Venezuelan distribution and a map showing the continent-wide range.

t THE ARTIST. Giorgio Voltolina, an Italian, was trained at the Liceo Artistico in Venice ,; and, after emigrating to Venezuela in 1955, . ~

THE AUTHORS. Peter C. H. Pritchard, an Englishman trained at Belfast and Oxford and later, as a student of Archie Carr, at the University of Florida, is currently Vice-Pres-

15

worked as artist and taxidermist for several natural history and academic institutions. His illustrations have appeared regularly in scientific publications and in high school· and' university textbooks, and include all vertebrate groups. Voltolina's drawing of the jaguar, giant armadillo and cock-of-the-rock were chosen for reproduction in a series of gold and silver medals commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund. His magnificent and lifelike watercolors of Venezuelan turtles will, we beJieve, set a new standard for comparison.

PRICES. Following the sample plates.

}-l '"'1.

Two editions will be published in early summer 1983. The format is quarto (8-1/2 by 11 inches or 21.5 by 28 em). Color illustrations are reproduced by a leading printer of faithful facsimiles and of art subjects demanding the very best in color reproduction.

REGULAR EDITION (ISBN 0-916984-11-7), clothbound with gold stamps ............................ price, $45 PATRON'S EDITION (ISBN 0-916984-12-5), two Ieatherbound volumes in slipcase (described below) .. price, $300

The deluxe patron's edition, for the collector and connoisseur, is strictly limited to 300 copies, of which 250 are for sale .

. .. Patron's copies will be exquisitely hand bound using the finest imported materials, including red morocco leather spines with raised bands, genuine hand-marbled covers with vellum tips, 24-karat gold top edges, headbands and gold ornamentation .

.. Patrons will receive a separate set of the 25 watercolor plates, -individually printed on a heavy acid-free stock suitable for framing. These are held as loose sheets in a portfolio bound in leather to match the book. Both volumes will be placed in a custom-mad~protective slipcase (see photograph) .

.. Each patron's·copy will be signed by the authors and individually numbered. Patron's copies will be reserved on a first-come, firstserved basis.-,

TO ORDER. Orders may be placed with your own bookseller or directly with the Society by writing Dr. Douglas H. Taylor, Department of Zoology, Miami University, O>\ford, Ohio 45056, U.S.A. A price-list of other books, pamphlets and journals published by the Society together with information on membership can be obtained from Dr. Taylor.

The Society publishes Journal of Herpetology, Herpetological Review, Fa~simile Reprints in Herpetology, Herpetological Circulars, Contributions to Herpetology and Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Currently, dues for individuals are $15 for students, $18 for regular members plus a $5 postal surcharge for members outside the United States.

I

I

I I t

,

CALL FOR PAPERS

All herpetologists are invited to submit for con,siderat1on the titles of papers they wish to present 'at the 7th Reptile Symposium on Captive Propagation and Husbandry to be held at Dallas, Texas. Paper lengths may range from 15 to 40 minutes.' A preliminary program will be established by May, 1983, so a 100-150 word abstract 'of a presentation should be submitted by contributors prior to

, 1 May 83. Ti..:tlu.6hould be .6ubm-Ltted a..6 .600n 46 pO.6.6.ibte.. Final manuscripts' should be submitted prior to 1 June 83. Subm1~ 1 program inf~rmation to: Dr~ Peter J. Tolson,Prog,ram Chairman, Tal og1 Soc1 t 2700 Broadway, Toledo" OH 43609; 419/385 .... 5721., Symposium Director is: Richar~ A .. Hahn, Zool,ogical Consortium, Inc., 1301,9 Catoctin Furnace Road~ Thurmont, MD 21788; 301/662-0328. Symposium Coordinator is: Mi Goode, Columbus Zoo, 9990 Riverside Drive, Powell, OH 430'65.614/889 ... 9412.889-9475. Host Co ... Chairmen are: William,

E. lamoreaux.and David G. III Department of Herpetology!> Dallas Zoo, 621 E. Clarendon Drive,'Dallas, TX 75203; 214/ . European Liaison is: Quentin' Bioxam, Curator of Reptiles, Jersey Wildl; Preservation Trust, Channel Islands,

Sri n; 0534 61949;

18

The British Herpetological Society was founded in 1947 with the broad aim of catering for all aspects of interest in reptiles and amphibians. Initiated by a small number of enthusiastic and well-known naturalists, including the first president and author of the standard textbook on British herpetofauna, Dr. Malcolm Smith, the Society expanded rapidly and today enjoys national status with many international connections.

Activities of members range over a number of interrelated fields. In many cases the prime interest is· in maintaining, breeding and observing various species in captivity and the Society acts as a forum for the interchange of experiences in this area. Others are concerned with the observation of animals in the wild state. There are active sub-committees which help to cater for these various tastes: the Captive Breeding Committee and the Conservation Committee. The former encourages the development of effective breeding techniques for captive specimens, thus providing animals for observation and study in vivaria, while simultaneously reducing the need to take fresh stock from wild and possibly declining populations. The Conservation Committee is actively engaged in field study, conservation management and political lobbying with a view to improving the status and future prospects for our native British species. It is the accepted authority on the conservation of reptiles and amphibians in the U.K. and has an advisory role to the Nature Conservancy Council (the statutory government b~dy). . Meetin;s

AboQt ten meetings covering a broad sphere of interests are held each year. Publi~ations .

British Journal of Herpetology, published twice yearly, each June and December, contains papers of original researctr in herpetology.· .. ..

Briti~h Herpetologi~al Society Bulletin, also published each June and December, contains notices, news items. articles and original papers on all aspects of herpetology.

The Care and Breeding of Captive Reptiles, a book containing a collection of papers on recent developments in breeding reptiles in captivity. This publication is not included in members' subscriptions, but is available to members at a price of £3.00. Purchase orders should be sent to the Chairman of the Captive Breeding Committee.

Information sheets are produced on the care of reptiles and amphibians in captivity. These are continuously added to and updated. Library , A reference library of books and journals is maintained for the use of members. The Society conducts exchanges

of journals and bulletins with numerous foreign societies and institutions and in this way makes available to members a wide variety of current research, news, and general information. -Junior Section

This section, organised by the Society'S Education Officer, caters for members of the ages 9 .. 17. Junior members a reduced subscription and receive the Bulletin and a Junior Newsletter which is produced three times a year. Junior Section also has an S.A.E. advisory service for its members in order to provide expert advice on any

specific problems. Subscriptions Ordinary members £10.00 Junior members £3.00 Institution and Library rate £17.00 AU SUbscriptions become due o,n the first day of January each year .

. ', APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 10m interested in the objects of the above Society and wish to become a member. I agree to abide by the rules of the Society.

Date . II ••• II • II ••••••••• II ••• 0 0 .............. • Signature ..... 0' •••• II .............. II • ,. ~ ••• II • 0" .• II ••••••••••• ~ ..... • .. .

Name .. II ••••••••••••••••••••• II ••••••••••••••••••••• 0 ••••• II ...................... II ••••••••••••••• II •••••••••

(BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE)

Address ..... a ••••••••••••••••••••• a 0 ••••••••••••• o .• 0 0 0 ............. ~ •••••••••• 0 •••••••• • • • • • .. • • • • .. • • • .. • •••• • ,.

I enclose the sum of £ .•..•..•••...............•.•....••

Branch of interest in Herpetology:

Any Remarks:

19

The completed application form should be sent to:

The Secretary THE BRITISH HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

«=/0 Zoological Society or London . Regent's Park, London NWI 4RY.

CLASSIFIEDS

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~xxxxxx

IOWA HERPETOLOGICAL CHECKLIST. Lists all~ecies by common and scientific names .. Gives habitat, prevalence, and distrri.bution. Send self address'ed stamped envelope (business size) and $1.00 for first list (50¢ for each additional) to : Don Perschau, Iowa Herpetological Society, 1116 16th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXY~XXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxx

WANTED: Northern Pine' Snakes (Pituophis m .. melanoleucus) from states other than New Jersey .. Locality data essentiall Also need Southern Pine Snakes (P .. m .. mugitus) .. I'1ust be captive hatched. Contact Bart Bruno, 903 Birdseye st., Stratford, CT 06497. 203-378-8634.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

FOUND: Eric ':Phiss! Eric informs JVJHS that his new address is 6401 Dahlonega Road, Bethesda, MJ) 20816.301-229-0021 .. If you wish'to trade for herps 'native to Virginia and Maryland, contact him.


WANTED: Kevin Vacura, 302 2nd Ave. N.W., Dodge Center, :MN is looking for a ma.tE! for his 6 1/2 foot Common Boa (sex unspecified). Zip is 55927.


IS YOUFt NBS MEMBERSHIP C1JRRENT? PLEASE CflECK YOUR MAIIJING LABEL TO BE STJRE!


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 selfaddressed stamped business size envelope! If you have herp books to trade, TCR would like to hear from you.


E'OR SALE:, 5' female Burmese Python. ~p70.00. Call Scott Weinberg at 612-571-1229.


THE REMARKA13LE HEPI1ILES

SCHOOL LE;CTlJRE;S AND DEJVTONSTRNJ:1IONS

J Af'1ES E" GE;RHOLJYP

P .. o .. BOX 86'

\vEBSTli~H, IVlN 55088 507-652-2996

WANTED: BOOKS AND .JOURNALS

IN TBE FIELD OF HERPETCLOGY

HELP BUILD YO't'JR MHS LIBRAHY


20

CLASSIFIEDS


Terry OdegQard's World of Reptiles

ucational Programs

Exhibits Lectures 1833 Hampshire Ave. So. st. Louis Park, MN 55426 ~: (612) 544·6406

LARGEST SELECTION OF REPTILES IN MINNESOTA

AND A I"ULL LINE OF PET SUPPLIES FOR ALL ANIMALS

TWIN CITIES REPTILES PET SHOP

MON. - FRI. 10:00 - 9,00

SAT. 10:00 - 15:00

SUN. 12:00 - 15:00

511 Excelsior Ave. ~e

HOPKINS. MINNESOTA 515343

(612) 938-0680

XXXXXXXY~Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

NTNNESOTA IDI:RPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DEL Ie NIlE S SEN

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

FRESH FROZEN MICE-$3.00 per dozen

FRESH FROZEN RATS-JUJvfBO SIZE-~~1.50

NEWSLETTER DEADLINli.:

The deadline for submitting a.ds, etc et 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 ava~lable by reservation only. You ~ffiST

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PET CETERA

MONDAV to SATUftDAV 10·e 81 2·929·8730

BIRDS· RODENTS· SUPPLIES 8t ADVICE WE SPECIALIZE IN REPTILES

43 t 15 UPTON AVE. so. MP ..... 155410

JUST IMAGINE - I'LL DO THE REST

GARY BAECHER

DESIGNING a. CREATING

FINE JEWELRY

CALL FOR ApPOINTMENT

10 AM. TO 7 P.M.

612/920-4049


All }VIHS members are remindedth.'1t NO reservations will be taken for food ardrn:.t.ls un.y later than 8:00 PJYJ on Wednesday theday before the meeting .. Logistics dictate this policy, so :please cooperate with us. If you do try a.nd order after the deadline, you will h:tve to wait untjl the following month. Don't miss out!

21

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

BELL MUSEUM OF NA TURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S E ., MINNEAPOLIS. !11INNESOTA 554550104

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BEll. MUSEUM OF NAnJRAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S.E .• MINNEAPOIlS, MINNESOTA 5545';·0104

NAME ______________________________________________ ~ __________________________ __

ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________________ __

----------___________________________ STATE ____________ ZIP. __________________________ __

PHONE __________________________ ~RES1S __________________________________________ __

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

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

Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings.

o INDMDUAL ......................... $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.

SO MO LO XLO

$7.00 each, $1.00 postage/handling.

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO MINNESOTA HERPETOWGICAL SOCIETY. MEMBERSIDP IS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM 11m DATE OF JOINING. YOU Will RECEIVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD BY RETURN MAIL. A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT ONLY UPON REQUEST.

Documents

Vol. 3 (1983), No. 2