MINNESOTA·

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER VOL. 17 NO.1

January 1997

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1 December 1997

Contents

News, Notes & Announcements................................................................................. 1 Lizards of Minnesota by Jeff LeClere.. ....... .......................... ....... ........ ........... ....... ..... 5 MRS Adoption Policy................................................................................................. 7 Classified Advertisements... ........ ......... ............... ... ........ ....... .... .................. ........ ... .... 8 Calendar of Events...................................................................................................... 9 MRS Business............................................................................................................. 9

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

lames Ford Bell Mllsellm of Natllral History University of Minnesota

MUS Statement of Purpose: to further the education of the 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 John Levell Bill Moss Donna Gaunt Nancy Haig Mark Schmidtke Barbara Radanke

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY Hennepin Co. Regional Poison Center (612) 347-3141 Minnesota Poisoll Control System Local: (612) 221-2113 OutofState: (800) 222-1222

MHS VOICE MAIL:(612) 624-7065 E-mail: mnherpsoc@aol.com

President: Gloria Anton (612) 420-6158 Vice President: Michael Gaunt (612) 754-8241 ~ernbershipSecretary:

George Richard (612) 623-7620

~HS SPECIAL CO~ITTEES

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

Editor: John P. Levell (507) 467-3076

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

© Copyright Minnesota Herpetological 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; voitmle, number. and date.

MRS Newsleller Volume 17 Number I

News, Notes & Announcements Upcomin2 Meetin2 Highlights Tne Vice-President's Report By Michael D. Gaunt

February Program: White Snake Sale

All I can say is bring your check book and a good eye for spotting bargains, because you can be sure there will be a lot of great stuff at this year's White Snake Sale.

For those of you who are new to the MHS, the White Snake Sale is one of biggest money raising events for the society. The sale has been bringing in over $1000 for the society in each ofthe past few years. This money helps us bring in out-of-town speakers, as well as helping to pay the operating costs of the society.

Because the sale is so extensive, there will be little of the regular meeting events. There is no speaker, no raffle (why give stuff away when you can sell it?), and no "Critter of the Month." It is, however, a great opportunity to meet other members in the MHS during the event.

I would like to thank Dr. David Hoppe for his presen­tation on abnonnal frogs at the January meeting. With all the talk of the frog defonnities that has come up in the last year, it was great to hear from an academic point of view about what is going on, rather than another frenzied media report. MDG

Location: Room 335 Borlaug Hall U of M St. Paul Campus Date and Time: February 7, 19977:00 pm. (see map on inside back cover)

It's Annual Meeting Time

Traits essential to a good board

* Independence, willingness to challenge management assumptions.

* Financial acumen, members know their way around a balance sheet.

* Familiarity with - or a willingness to learn about - the company and its industry.

* Successful business experience. High level of Integrity

* Diligence, cotrunitment to spend the time necessary for effective oversight.

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* Trust and mutual respect among board members and between board and management.

• Cohesiveness, board members must be able to work well together.

* Accountability to shareholders and other stakeholders.

* Strong sense of strategy and vision.

* High perfonnance standards for themselves and others.

* Good judgment and common sense.

* A mix of business generalists and specialists.

The list above appeared in the Business section of the Star Tribune, 5 Jan. 1997. While it was created for business companies, it is also appropriate for any Board of Directors. One Chief Executive is quoted as saying" Priorities for a good board are that it's independent, that it's deeply involved in strategic planning and in monitoring the company's progress and that the CEO and other executives are under the authority of the board. Diversity also is crucial."

The Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Herpetologi­cal Society is March 7, 1997 during which the general election for the Board of Directors is held. Time cOIfunitments for a member of the board include: attendance at general meetings, board meetings (the Saturday night following the general meeting) and whatever extra time is needed to fulfill the specific duties of the position. If you are interested in getting further involved in the policy decisions and future planning of our society or feel a certain member would be a good candidate please contact Michelle Stephan at (612) 935-5845 or another member of the nominating conunittee.

Ifbeing a member of the board doesn't appeal to you, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved. The society needs volunteers to help with special conunittees and activities. It also needs input and opinions from the member­ship. Contact a board member or write an article for the newsletter and express your interests or concerns. Attend the annual meeting and make your vote count. With our hosting of the 13th Annual Midwest Conference in October, 1997 will be a challenging time for the MHS. Become an active part of the membership and join in the fun. Nancy Haig.

January "Critter of the Month"

Robyn Hill

Bill Moss

Corn Snake Elaphe guttata Afro-Americana Crocodile Collection

MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

In Withered Frog Legs, a Threat to Man? * Scientists are trying to find out what's causing frog deformities in Minnesota

DULUTH, MN. -- On Aug. 8, 1995, teacher Cindy Reinitz took a group of her middle-school pupils on a field trip to a fann in Henderson in south-central Minnesota.

As they walked along, the children started chasing frogs. Jeff Fish, ared-haired,freckle-faced 13-year-old, caught the first one that didn't look right.

"When I picked him up, I saw that he was missing his right hind leg, "said Fish. "My firstinstinct was that a predator had bitten it off."

"But I looked him over for sores or scars, and I didn't see any ~ so I showed him to my teacher."

As Reinitz examined the amphibian, a girl brought over another frog, this one with a withered hind leg. Then another. The class caught 22 frogs, II of which had deformed hind legs.

"I think the kids got kind of scared," said Reinitz. "They immediately started asking me what the cancer rate was in the area."

Shaken, Reinitz alerted a local wildlife biologist, and the frogs eventually were reported to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It would be the first of many such reports the agency would receive in the coming months.

Defonned frogs have now been found at more than 100 sites in 54 of Minnesota's 87 counties, and researchers here believe there everywhere in the state. Defonned frogs have also turned up across Wisconsin and in the St. Lawrence River Valley in Quebec.

Val Beasley, a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois, told the group of more than 60 research­ers what they all already seemed to be thinking.

"Are we concerned about the animals as a monitor of conditions that would cause us concern for humansT Beasley asked. "Or are we worried about the animals in and of themselves?"

"I think the answer is that we're worried about both." Joe Tietge, the EPA research biologist who organized

the conference, said he was unsure how to label the problem. "It's certainly safe to say it's an environmental prob­

lem," he said. "it's just not normal to see defonned animals." Noris it pleasant. Scientists at the conference were

appalled at the graphic evidence presented to them ~ most notably photographs shown by David Hoppe, a herpetologist at the University of Minnesota.

Hoppe is a mcmber of a research team from tile university and pollution control agency that receivcd an emer­gency grant of $123,000 from the Minnesota Legislature to study the frog problem this past swnmer. .

The team, which could scarcely keep up WIth the reports pouring in from all over the state, found frogs with missing legs, extra legs, misshapen legs, paralyzed legs that stuck out from the body at odd places, legs that were webbed together with extra skin, legs that were fused to the body, legs split in two halfway down.

They also found frogs with missing eyes. One memo-

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rable specimen was a one-eyed frog that turned out to have the second eye growing inside its throat.

Hoppe's most important find was at a site in Crow Wing County, in the heart of Minnesota's most popular lake vacation district.

In a small, seemingly pristine lake, Hoppe found abnormalities in five species of frogs and one toad. The Mink Frog, the species with the highest incidence of deformity, around 50 percent of the total, is the species that spends the most time in the water. American Toads and Wood Frogs, which were the least aquatic species, had rates of defonnity under 5 percent.

"Mink Frogs are rarely more than ajump away from the water," said Hoppe, "and as tadpoles they don't metamor­phose until their second year. What I found at this site was a really gross-looking batch of Mink Frogs." Hoppe concedes that nobody knows what to tell people in Minnesota who want to know what all this might mean to them.

At the conference of scientists in Duluth, the possi­bilities raised to explain the frogs' deformities appear almost limitless.

Early evidence points to something in the water where the frogs spend every stage of life. Their skin is Highly permeable: What gets in the water can get into the frogs.

Two theories, which may ultimately become one, are receiving the most scrutiny.

One is that the frogs have become infested with natural parasites. Stan Sessions, a biologist from Hartwick College in New York, has demonstrated an apparent cause­and-effect relationship between a common parasite called a trematode and the development of extra limbs in frogs that were found in ponds in Northern California a few years ago.

In Session's explanation, cysts form around the para­site after it enters a tadpole. The cysts in turn disrupts the development of emerging limbs, causing two to sprout where one should. "I came here convinced that parasites were the cause of the deformed frogs," Sessions said. "But what I've heard here is causing me to think that environmental degrada­tion is somehow contributing."

Other researchers believe that the most probable cause of that degradation is some kind of chemical pollutant.

One study from Canada has established a relation­ship between deformities and the local use of farm pesti­cides.

Also on the table as possible causes are viral or bacterial disease, the presence of various heavy metals known to cause birth defects, acidification of the water and even increasing ultraviolet radiation as the Earth's ozone layer is depleted. . .

Tietge says the EPA will almost certamly get 10-

volved in the research ~ which he said is likely to take several years. "Part of it is that you can only study the frogs for a limited amount of time each summer," said Tietge.

"But wbat will really take time in establishing a cause is the complexity of the problem. You need trend data ~ and that takes a while."

Editor's Note: The preceding article, written by William Soulder and attributed to the Washington Post, was submit­ted for publication here by Paul Gritis ofBcthlehem, PA. This article provides a fairly respectable overview of several as­pects of Dr. Hoppe's recent program and demonstrates just how wide spread the saga of The Freaky Frogs of Minnesota has become. JPL

"Tis the Season" Once again the Holiday Banquet was a success!

Seventy-five people were in attendance to hear John Murphy present a travelogue of "Tropical Continental Islands." This year Laurie Grassel generously donated her time to produce not one, but two pieces of original art! One was a color pencil drawing of a pair of True Chameleons and the other a sculpture of a Kingsnake. Laurie's husband helped with the project by custom making the frame for the drawing. The winners were Bill Moss who chose the sculpture and the Chameleon drawing found a new home in GeorgeandSarah Richard's house. There was plenty of food, drink and great conversation to go around. As this was our seventh successful year where we held this function at the St. Paul Student Center, I want to thank all those who helped with setting up and cleaning the room. Especially Sean Hewitt who came extra early and help haul all the material to the Student Center.

Due to the ever tightening restraints that are placed on us by the University a new site may need to be found in the future, so if any member knows of a location that may be suitable please contact me. For those of you who did not come this year, please plan on keeping this date open on your calendar for next year (Dec. 6, 1997) as this is one of the best times and places to meet the other members of our club and to make new friends in a relaxing social atmosphere.

See you next year, Marilyn Blasus.

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MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

January's Raffle Donors John Levell Michael Howard

Assorted Reptile Magazines Turtle and Tortoise Book

A portion of the proceeds from the monthly MHS raffle sales are allocated to the MHS Conservation Fund. Due in large part to the exceptional merchandisedonated and to the avid participation of MHS members, 1996 has been the best raffle year ever. Due to a minor clerical error, the balance for the MHS Conservation Fund listed on the business page of this newsletter is currently incorrect, as two or three months worth of raffle proceeds have failed to be added to the total amount available. This problem will be corrected on next month's balance sheet. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who donated items and/or purchased raffle tickets.

Audit Committee Needed

Once again it is time to perform the MHS's annual audit. The treasurer needs two people in February to verify our books. The total time commitment will be about three hours and the meeting will be scheduled as the participants free time allows. If you are interestyed in helping with this project, please contact Marilyn Brooks Blasus at (612) 925-4237.

MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

The President's Corner IT'S ELECTION TIME AGAIN: Volunteering for a board position in an organization is always an interesting, and many times challenging, prospect. It gives one opportunities to make decisions, to effect changes, to be heard, hopefully to make a difference. It's a corrunibnent, but one that passes quickly (I can't believe a year has gone by already), and it has been quite a learning experience.

This year's election promises to be different. Due to those "little" life changes - marriages, job changes, moves, etc. - many of our board positions will be open. Others will be open due to our 2 year limit. At the time of this writing, the positions for President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary, and at least one Member at Large will be vacant. At this time, each board member is required to host one board meeting during the year; you are allowed to miss three meetings. So you can have an idea of what you'd be getting into, here is a brief description of the duties of these offices.

President -presides over the membership and board meetings; provides and directs agenda for both; currently picks up and distributes mail from the Bell Museum. Talk to Gloria Anton for more details.

Vice-President - coordinates speakers for monthly meetings; introduces speaker, critter of the month at meetings; presides over any meeting in president's absence' assists president as neces­sary. Talk to Mike Gaunt for more details.

Recording Secretary - records membership and board meet­ing minutes; heads nomination committee. Talk to Michelle Hewitt for more details.

Membership Secretary - **THIS JOB WILL REQUIRE A COMPUTER *. maintains current membership list; responds to inquiries about membership by phone or mail; sends out new member packets, renewal cards; provides mailing labels for newsletter folding; prints name badges; provides board with monthly membership reports; sends out white pages question­naires; catalog winning bids, generate receipts for White Snake Sale. Talk to George Richard and Delvin Jones for more details.

Member at Large - fills various job functions as necessary, including but not limited to Sergeant at Anns, meeting room setup/cleanup, helps with sales,raffle, white snake sale; assists in board work as necessary. Talk to Donna Gaunt, Barb Radanke, Mark Schmidtke, or Nancy Haig for more details.

Although the Treasurer and Newsletter Editorpositions are not being vacated, they can still be run against. Contact Marilyn Blasus andJ ohn Levell, respectively, for more details on these positions.

Please call Michelle Hewitt at 935-5845 if you are interested in running or would like to nominate someone else. Nominations can be taken over the phone, by mail or at the February and March meetings.

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WHITE SNAKE SALE: The White Snake Sale has always been a wonderful source of income for the organization. Last year we raised $1600.00 from your recyclable items and gener-0us donations from stores and manufacturers. Here are the rules and procedures:

Rules: * This is a silent auction - you must be an ACTIVE MHS

member to bid. * Bid increments must be $.25 or more; you must bid

higher than the previous bid. * At the end of the sale, invoices will be printed and your

name called; please go to the Treasurer and pay for your purchases.

* Sale committee members will collect and hand out all items purchased.

Procedures: * Bring your donations to the back of the room to Sale

Corrunittee members. They will be wearing arm bands to help you identify them. "NOTE: This year you may also contact Marilyn and Randy Blasus if you would like to bring your items to their house in advance - this will shorten the

time needed at the beginning of the meeting to catalog all of the donations.

* Take care of membership dues and returning library books after dropping off donations. The library will not be open, but a box for returned books will be out.

* Please do not sit in the center section - this area is reserved for item set-up.

* Pick up your name tag - you will need your membership number to bid; if you don't have one, see the membership secretary for your number - if you have "expired", you will need to renew before you can bid.

* Please give generously - this is our biggest fund raising event! Gloria Anton

Spend Those "Herp Bucks" Now! Or Forever Use Them as Cage Liners? Anyone who still has their Herp Bucks from the last Photo Contest must use them by the February 1997 general meeting. The Herp Bucks can be used to purchase any MHS merchandise or can be redeemed for items purchased at the White Snake Sale. Marilyn Blasl/s

At Least Seven "Orphaned" Gre e n Iguanas are as yet unadapted and are in

need of good homes. An African Rock Python and one BurmesePython are also still available. These animals are of various sizes, dispositions, and physical condition, and may be adopted by anyone including out-of-state individuals. Ship­ping charges may apply. If you are willing and able to provide good care for a homeless animal please contact Glen Jacobsen at (612) 757-8268 ASAP. Glen "Jake" Jacobsen

MHS Newsletler Volume 17 Number 1

Lizards of Minnesota Northern Prairie Skink (Eumeces septentrionalis) by Jeff LeClere Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidop!torus sexlineatus)

Descriptions: The Prairie Skink, Eumeces seprellrriollalis, reaches lengths of 5 114 to 83/4 inches, total length (Conant and Collins 1991). The body scales are smooth and uniform giving the lizard a shiny appearance. Adults are tan or brown on the back, becoming darker on the sides. There are two very thin white stripes on the sides. The back may be unmarkedexceptfor two very thin, interrupted black stripes or two large black stripes that are as wide as the spaces between them. The head is unmarked. The males develop a bright orange coloration on the labial scales during the breeding sea­son. Young have bright blue tails that fade as they become adults.

The Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fascialus, reaches lengths of 5 - 8 112 inches total length (Conant and Collins 1991). Scalation same as in Prairie skink. Adults are unifonnly tan, brown or black with no pronounced color change on the sides, with five light narrow stripes down the back and sides. These stripes are always thinner than the spaces between them. The head is marked with a light V that stems from the mid dorsal stripe. Old males may become a uniform gold brown or olive color with only faint traces of striping. Like the Prairie Skink, both striped and unifonnly colored males develop orange lips during the breeding season. Young have bright blue tails that fade in males, but fe­males' tails may retain a blue-gray coloration.

The Six-lined Racerunner, Cllemidoplzorus sexlilleatus, is Minnesota's largest lizard reaching a length of 9 1I2 inches (Conant and Collins, 1991). A colorful lizard that will not be as difficult to distinguish as the other two Minnesota species. The scales are rougher than skinks' but small on the dorsum becoming larger and more reclangular on the belly. There is a patch of enlarged scales on both foreanns and the scalation on the tail is larger and ridged giving the tail a rougher feeling instead of smooth as in both skinks.ln males, the ground color may be green with blue on the head and belly. Females and young are usually brown. Both sexes have six narrow light stripes down the back and sides. The snout is more pointed and the legs are longer than in both skinks.

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Subspecies: The subspecies of Prairie Skink in Minnesota is the Northern Prairie Skink, Eumeces sepfellfrionalis septellJriollalis, (Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994).

There.are currently no recognized subspecies of the Five-lined Skink, Eumecesfasciatus. Although this species is reportedly listed as endangered in Minnesota by Oldfield and Moriarty (1994), it has recently been down listed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and is no longer protected.

The subspecies of Six­lined Racerunner in Minnesota is the Prairie Racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlilleatus viridis, (Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994). Range: The Prairie Skink has the largest Minnesota range of all three lizard species. The only ar­eas lacking records are the north­eastern and southeastern counties. Five-lined Skinks are known from the following counties: Chisago, Yellow Medicine, Renville, Red­wood, Houston, Fillmore, and a sighting from Winona. Racerunners are found in a band of six counties bordering theMis­sissippi River in southeastern Min­nesota.

Habitat: Prairie Skinks and Racerunners both come from sandy prairie areas, open grass­lands with loose soils and open rocky areas. Five-lined Skinks are from wooded areas with granite or limestone rock outcroppings.

Habits The two skinks emerge from their winter dormancy in late April, while Racerunners may wait

J1Justration from "Minnesota's until May to begin their seasonal Endangered Flora and Fauua" activity period. All three species

bask atop rocks or logs and ac­tively forage for their food. They are diurnal, but they often take refuge under rocks or logs during the hottest parts of the day in mid-summer. All three species are accomplished bur­rowers, and the Prairie Skinks and Racerunners especially, may construct burrows with entrances that form shallow 'dugouts' under rocks or similar cover.

MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

Breeding occurs in spring. In all three species of lizards the male grasps the skin of the female's neck during copulation. All are oviparous with the Skinks laying about 10 eggs sometime in June in small excavations under fonns of cover such as rocks logs or boards. I have observed a few Prairie Skink nests under railroad ties in Minnesota and Iowa. One nest inLeSueur Co., MN contained 7 eggs under a railroad tie. In the two Skink specie, females guard the clutch and eat eggs that have spoiled (Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994). The eggs hatch in August. I have observed E. fascia/us hatching on August 21, in Jackson Co., IA. There were three nests buried in excavations under one sheet of tar paper with three adult females tending their own nests. The young were jet black with five thin, yellow lines down the back and had bright blue tails. They were a little over 2 inches at hatching.

Prairie Racerunners lay about a half dozen eggs in shallow burrows in the sand. The female does not stay with the eggs. The young are about I 1/4 inches at hatching.

All of Minnesota's lizards are quick and rely on speed to escape when they are out and about. The Skinks look like small snakes slithering through the brush as they move their bodies in a very serpentine way when they run. One must use caution when trying to capture Skinks. Often one will end up with nothing but a wriggling tail as the lizard scoots off to safety. Skinks may break their tails off by themselves by pushing it against a solid structure. The tail will regenerate, but it will have no pattern, will have slightly different scalation, and wiII never be as long as the original one.

Prairie Racerunners have been clocked at speeds of 18 miles per hour (Vogt, 1981). They, too, can readily detach their tails regenerating a new one, but it is a bit more difficult to induce them to drop their tails than the Skinks. These lizards live in small colonies in suitable habitat.

Minnesota's lizards hibernate underground in bur­rows they dig, and Five-lined Skinks hibernate in rock crevices and tunnels. They usually begin hibernating in September.

Food: All three species of Minnesota's lizards eat small invertebrates such as crickets, grasshoppers, beeties, spiders, caterpillars, which they chase down and catch. They mash their food up with their strong jaws before swallowing it.

Care: The lizards of Minnesota are small and rather fragile when compared to other larger native herps. They are best not kept as pets, especially if a handlable animal is desired. For those who simply want to observe them in a terrarium, they make satisfactory captives. The following information per­tains directly to Minnesota's Skinks. There are notes on Cnemidopizorus at the end of the section.

Depending on the number of lizards kept, a ten or twenty gallon long aquarium is the best enclosure for two animals. Allhough these lizards are filled with claws on their feet and should not be able to climb the glass, it would be a good idea to place a screen cover over the cage. There are a few choices available for substrates. Newspaper is generally not recolfunended, but indoor/outdoor carpet may provide some success. The best substrate is soil with a 1112 in. layer of gravel at the bottom. Several inches of soil may be well used. Adding mulch or a layer of mediwn grade orchid bark on the soil may be helpful (especially for E. fasciallls). Live plants can be attractive, but this is usually not needed for Prairie Skinks. Place flat rocks or bark atop the soil for hiding and thennoregu-

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lating. Ventral heat is not recommended, but a powerful dome light placed at one side of the top of the enclosure is necessary. The hot spot temperature may reach the nineties and the ambient temperature should be in the eighties during the day, The temperature may drop at night using no supplemental heat. A little water may be added to the bottom gravel occasionally, but do not overdo it (once a week is usually more than sufficient), or misting the enclosure lightly every other day may be helpful. This is especially good for Five-line Skinks as they prefer a slightly more humid environment than the Prairie Skink which should be kept more dry and less humid. Misting should never be done in place of a water bowl! They should have a bowl of fresh water available to them at all times and it should be placed away from the heat larnp.

Feeding is not a problem. They require live food for the most part (there are exceptions, but it may be more time consuming to feed them with forceps). Place crickets in a bag with a vitamin and calcium powder (once or twice a week may be all that is needed) shake it up and dump them in the cage. The Skinks wiII eat them when they want them. Waxworms, mealworms, and other types of live foods will provide good variety in their diets. These may be placed in a shallow bowl sunk into the substrate.

Breeding has been loosely recorded by hobbyists, but their secretive nature prevents close observations. Most times breeding is not witnessed, gravid females are not detected, and the female lays the eggs in a burrow that will never be found until the eggs hatch. If you want to breed them you may not have to do anything at all or you can cycle them like colubrids, but keep them in their normal enclosure.

Cnemidophorus can be kept as above, but they must be kept hot and dry (use a water bowl, of course) and have plenty of room. However, they are quite nervous and usually languish in captivity, Itis bestto observe this species in the wild and not attempt to keep it.

Better choices can be made for captives than Minnesota's lizard species. They are not captive bred and this is important because they therefore must come from wild populations. It would not hurt Minnesota's herpetofauna to be left alone so if one of our native species generally makes agood captive, it should be sought out through a breeder who pro­duces them. This helps to keep our own native populations intact.

Once in the terrarium, these lizards disappear, dig­ging their own burrows and keeping out of sight. They are not nasty, but they can bite (especially Skinks). Even though the bite is painless, handling them without breaking their tails or preventing their escape is difficult. It probably places them under a lot of stress as well. As strictly terrarium animals Prairie Skinks do well and can live for years in captivity.

Literature Cited:

Conant, Roger and Collins, Joseph T. 1991. A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastem and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, Co. Boston, MA.

Oldfield, B. L. and J. J. Moriarty. 1994. Amphibians and Reptiles Native to Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN.

Vog~ Richard Carl. 1981. Natural History of the Amphib­ians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI.

MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

MRS ADOPTION POLICY

The purpose of the MHS Adoption Committee is to provide adequate housing and care for an animal which would otherwise be given away, sold or inhumanely destroyed.

1.0 Receipt of Animals 1.1 A statement of surrender must be completed by everyone placing an animal with MHS for adoption.

Exceptions are Humane Societies, Animal Control and similar re-placement agencies. 1.2 Placement of an Iguana or Burmese python requires a $25 placement fee. Exceptions as above noted. 1.3 All individuals placing an animal are to be notified of possible euthanasia. 1.4 Animals should not be brought to a meeting for adoption without prior permission of the adoption

chair.

2.0 Placement of Animals 2.1 Guidelines for the adoption of animals:

.1 To have and provide adequate food and housing for the animal,

.2 To have experience with the species up for adoption or a related species,

.3 To have the same species of the opposite sex,

.4 To have previously bred this species or a related species. 2.2 Policies of Adoptions:

.1 Consider the best interest of the animal.

.2 All adoptions are at the sole discretion of the adoption committee .

. 3 Only current MHS members are eligible to adopt animals. Exceptions may be established by the Board, currently Iguanas and Burmese pythons are excepted .

.4 Adopted animals remain the property of MHS for one (1) year. Animals may not be sold or otherwise disposed of during this time without the permission of the adoption committee .

. 5 Adopters leaving the MHS within one year of adopting an animal must offer to return the animal to MHS for re-adoption .

. 6 If an animal dies within the one year period. the adoption committee must be notified. The committee may request the return of the animal or a necropsy.

2.3 Adoption Procedures .1 Adoption request forms should be filled out as completely as possible, including name and

membership number. A parent must sign for a member under 18 years . .2 Adoption committee members must abstain from the decision regarding an animal that they

or their family member has applied for. .3 A $5 donation is requested for each animal adopted. Exceptions may be made by the com

mittee . .4 Animals available for adoption will be on display at the rear of the room. DO NOT

REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR CAGES. Tum in adoption request forms as soon as possible to an adoption committee member .

. 5 Unplaced animals will be listed in the newsletter and will return the next month. The board will make euthanasia decisions for healthy animals only after three (3) months of placement attempts.

3.0 Unhealthy animals Any unhealthy animals received for adoption may be dealt with at the discretion of the adoption committee chair with approval from the presiding or highest ranking officer available.

Approved - January 4, 1997

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MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

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: Giant Day Geckos, Pilelsuma madagascarensis grandis c.b. 5/ 22/96, $40. Call Craig at (612) 934-7239

Captive bred adult maleNamib Desert Geckos, CllOlldrodactylus angulijer, $80.00. Call Matt (612) 781-5871

0.1.0 Blue Tongued Skink, Tiliquia gigas, $150.00, preferably to a breeder. 1.1 c.b. Peacock Day Geckos $80.00, also preferably to a breeder who has time. Please call Jayde, with any questions (612) 731-9350.

0.1 yearling Northern Blue-tongued Skink, 1.1 adult Argentine Snakeneck Turtles or trade for snakes. Also 36" and 24" used Neodesha cages. Call Mark (3200 202-9871.

2.1 Adult Leopard Tortoises $650. Also 1.1 Adult Redfoot Tortoises $250. All healthy, long teon 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 or boa. Also cage 18" x 18" x 5 ft. $100. Contact Emily or Tyler (612)466-2439

0.1.0, c.b. Adult Green Iguana, approx. 3112 ft. Including many extras: large kennel, heat rock and heat lights, $150 o.b.o. Contact Lisa (612) 545-8669 or (512) 342-5553.

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.

1.0 Dumeril's Boa, Acrantopilis 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.

C.b. Eastern or Western Hognose (Heterodoll platirllinosor H. nasicus), Milk Snake(Lampropeitis triangulum), and native turtles. Prefer 94-95 hatchlings. Call Michelle or Chris at (612) 578-9003

8

Herp related news clippings, original articles, artwork, car­toons, etc. for publication in theMHS Newsletter. Authorsand artists will receive compensation in the form of volunteer hrs, good towards one "priceless"MHS coffee mug. Send submis­sions to: MN Herp. Soc.! Editor, c/o 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: (I) 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 turtiemerchandise, for a free catalog write: Sea Turtle Survival League, P.O. Box 2866, Gainesville, FL 32602-2866 or call (800) 678-7853.

MHS Rodent Sales Mice

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

Rats

Small Pups $10.00 dozen Large Pups $15.00 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. Leok 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 permits.

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

MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

M.H.S.Business Due to Newsletter Deadline Constraints, No

Board Meeting Highlights Are Available This Month. Sorry JPL

NT'S TALE

ERIC THISS (612) 470-5008

FAX (612) 470-5013

464 Second Street • Excelsior, MN 55331

~

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

&

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

December 1996 Treasurer's Report Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Blasus

Beginning Checkbook Balance:

Income: Memhership Raffle Sales Donation Fines Other

Total Income:

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

Total Expense:

Net IncomelLoss: Ending Che<:kbook Balance:

615.00 89.00

132.04 221.75

3.00 112.50

183.70 5.93

418.97 0.00 0.00 0.00

39.84

Funds Allocated to Unpaid Expenses: Funds Available:

Conservation Fund Balance:

3,959.39

1,173.64

648.44

525.20 4,484.59

50.00 4,434.59

200.00

Calendar of Events

Feb,7, 1997 MHS ANNUAL "WHITE SNAKE SALE" SILENT AUCTION and photo contest. Borlaug Hall, U ofM SI. Paul Campus. 7 pm. For more info or to donate items Contact Marilyn BIasus (612) 925-4237.

Mar.7,1997 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TIM TYTLE. Topic: BREEDING GECKOS. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm.

Mar. 21-23, 1997 2nd Annual Midwest Exotic Pet Seminars. Hyatt Regency Woodfield. Scbaumherg, IL. For more info Contact: MEPS c/oJ.B. BruederJe, DVM. Burnham Park Animal Hospital, Cbicago, IL. 60605, (312) 663-9200.

Apr, 4, 1997 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm.

June 25·July 2, 1997 77th Annual Meeting of the American Society oflcthhyologists and Herpetologists. University of Washington, Seattle, W A. For more info Contact: Robert E. Espinosa, Dept. of Bio1.l3 14, University of Neveda, Reno, NV 89557-0015, (702) 784·4565, Fax (702) 784-1369, E-mail espin _r@unr.edu.

Aug, 2-10, 1997 3rd World Congress on Herpetology. Prague, ZbynekRocek, Dept. of Paleontology, Acad. of Sciences, Rozvojova 135, 16500 Prague 6 -Suchdol, Czech Republic. Phone 422-24311421, Fax 422·24311578, E-mail rocek@gILcascz.

9

MHS Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1

Minnesota Herpetological Society Treasurer's Report for the Y car Ending December 31, 1996

INCOME: Membership: Library Fines: Donations: Raffle: T-shirt Revenue: Small Items Revenue: Book Revenue: Rodent Revenue: AdoptionJIguana Placement: White Snake Sale: Photo Sales: Holiday Banquet: Miscellaneous:

TOTAL INCOME:

EXPENSES: Newsletter Printing: Newsletter Postage: Other Printing & Postage: Program: Library Books: Supplies: Refreshments: Adoption: Conservation: Insurance: Neodesba Cages: Midwest Hotel Deposit: Mug Purchase: Bulk Mail Pennit Holiday Banquet: Voice Mail Line: Pet Fair/Hands-on Supplies: Miscellaneous:

TOTAL EXPENSES:

4,195.00 32.00

2,127.52 804.25 108.00 70.00

254.48 1,078.00

365.00 1,626.00 1,094.00

423.00 15.85

3,405.15 690.00 358.78

1,231.81 205.91 545.48 209.98 94.65 50.00

820.44 218.00 350.00 61.57 85.00

374.15 189.66 744.14 45.34

12,193.40

9,680.06

NET INCOME: 2,513.34

Minnesota Herpetological Society Statement of Changes in Fiscal Position for Year 1996

Beginning Balance, January 1, 1996

Add: Income: Subtract: Expense

12,193.40 9,680.06

Net Increase (Decrease):

Ending Balance, December 31,1996

4,521.25

2,513.34

7,034.59

Minnesota Herpetological Society Placement of Cash Holdings for Year 1996

Cash Holdings: Cash on Hand: 50.00 Checking Account: 4,484.59 Savings Account: Certificate of Deposit: 2,500.00

Total: 7,034.59

10

English Spot Dutch

Polish

Jim's Rabbit Shack Where Spots Are Tops

JtM DALUGE 8700 Jaber Ave. N.E. Monticello. MN 55362

(612) 295·2818

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, JIRDS, MOUSE LEMURS, BRUSH-TAILED KANGAROOS. AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! - U.S.D.A LICENSED

"""~"'" _ BloomIngton Veterinary >Yl'~~ Hosp/tal, P.A.

8830 Lyndale Avenue South. Bloomington, MN 55420

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

!'leas" A.lk h". Dr. Weh"r

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

Advertising Rates and Instructions

Classified Ads: Are run free of charge to paid members. Non-member rates are ten cents per word, per month. Ads may nm three (3) consecutive months, after which time they may he fe-submitted. Business Cards: Institutional members may nm one standard sized business card free of charge, Non-memberrate for standard sized business cards is $5,00 per month. Display and Expanded Size Ad Rates: Ad Size Month 3+ Months 1/4 Page SI0.00 S7.50 1/2 Page $20.00 SI5.00 Page $40.00 825.00 (All prices are per month)

6+ Months $5.00 $10.00 $15.00

Submissions: Alladvertiscmcnts should be submitted to the; MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis. MN 55455. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society. MHS Ad Policy: The MHS asslUlles NO RESPONSIBILITY regarding the legality or health of any animal, or the quality or legality of any product or service advertised in the MHS Newsletter. Any ad may be rejected at 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 be reasonable about the time of day and how frequently you call.

Amphibians & Reptiles in Minnesota Greg Kvanbeck (612) 533-7723 John Moriarty (612) 482-8109

Large Boas & Pythons Karl Hennann (612) 730-6265 Glcn Jacobsen (612) 757-8268 Terrestrial Turtles John Levell (507) 467-3076 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268 Amphibians Greg Kvanbeck (612)533-7723 John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 Crocodilians Jeff Lang (701) 772-0227

1094

'~~n'"'" Av.

Other Snakes John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 Jeff LeClere (612) 488-6388 Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash (612) 753-0218 John Levell (507) 467-3076 Lizards Nancy Haig (612) 434-868 Bill Moss (612) 488-1383

36

194

BorJaut!

Hnl1 ~

.... : .. ::.~ .. .. , ..

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

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

ADDRESS CXJARECllON REQUESTED

., \..,

+

+ POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL

+

+

Non-Profit Rate U. S. Postage

PAID Mpls.MN

Penni! No. 2275