Board of Directors President Bill Moss 651,486.1383

mngatorguy@qwest,nel

Vice President Tony Gamble 763.424.2803

tgamble@mediaone.nel

Recording Secretary Julie Beauvais 612.321.0958

beav001@tc,umn,edu

Membership Secretary Nancy Haig 763.434.8684

nanchiag@cililink.com

Treasurer Marilyn Blasus 952.925.4237

mblasus@arbilrade.com

Newsletter Editor Heather Malson 651.647.3444

geckoloco@qwesl.nel

Members at Large Jodi l. Aherns 612.588,9329 Nancy Hakomaki 651.631.1380

mngatorgal@qwest.net John Hogston 952.891.4371

dragonnews@yahoo.com Melissa Nordos 612.812.6146

Crow248@msn.com Keith Tucker 612.321.0958

Tucke022@tc.umn.edu

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard 612.232.4152

ReaISarah@aol.com

Education Jan Larson 507.263.4391

jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

Northern Minnesota Jeff Korbel 218.586.2588

library Beth Girard 763.691.1650

Amphibians Greg Kvanbek John Meltzer John Moriarty

Chameleons

bgirard@worldnet.atl.net

Herp Assistance

Vern & Laurie Grassel

Crocodilians Jeff Lang Bill Moss

lizards Nancy Haig Heather Matson

large Boas, Pythons TIna Cisewski

Other Snakes Jeff Leclere John Meltzer

Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash John Levell

Terreslial Turtles Fred Bosman John Levell

651.388.0305 763.263.7880 651.462.6109

612.426.6109

701.772.0227 651.466.1363

763.434.8684 612.554.6446

612.856.2865

651.488.6388 763.263.7880

763.753.0218 507.467.3076

763.476.0306 507.467.3076

BeU Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street South Eas~ Minneapolis Minnesota 55455-0104

The S

Minnesota • o C 1

Herpetological e t y

Voice Mail: 612.62,1. 7065

http://www.onramplnc.nel/mhs/

April 2001 Volume 21 Number 4

The Purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to:

• Further the education of the membership and the general Public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians;

• Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians;

• Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members with information concerning the society's activities and a media for exchanging informa­tion, opinions and resources.

General Meetings are held at Borlaug Hall, Room 335 on the SI. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, on the first Friday of each month (unless there is a holiday conflict). The meeting starts at 7:00pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voice mail for changes in schedules or cancellations.

Submissions to the Newsletter Ads or Notices must be submitted no later than the night of the General Meeting to be included in the next issue. Longer articles will be printed as time and space allows. All business cards are run for $5/month. Items may be sent to:

The Minnesota Herpetological Society Attn: Newsletter Editor Bell museum of Natural History 10 Church S1. SE. Minneapolis, MN 55455.0104

Snake Bite Emergency Hennepin Regional Poison Center 800,764,7661

Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society 2001. Contents may be reproduced for non-profit use provided that all material is reproduced without change and proper credit is given author and the MHS Newsletter citing:

volume, number and date.

l\linncsOla Herpetological Society Newsletter April 2001 Volume 21 Number·1

News, Notes & Announcements

Help a Hapless Herp

Still Available:

2 Iguanas 4 Caimens 2 Alligators 1 Turtle 2 Burmese

Python

If you are interesting in adopting any of these animals please contact Sarah Richard at 612.781.9544

Raffle Donors Heather & Brain Ingbretson

Leopard Gecko Book Burmese Python Gift

Becky Helgesen

Jodi Aherns

Paul Meyers

13 Reptiles Magazines Iguana Beanie Baby

Croc, Video, Pictures

Gecko Calender Global Gecko Association

Gekko Journals Tony Gamble

Gekko Papers Scott & Virginia Larson

Frog Peeler & Gator Pasta Server

Special Raffle Item Donated by: Heather Matson

Framed Gecko Photo

All the Raffle earnings were donated to the Global Gecko Association. About $163.00 went to the GGA which will cover the next newsletter. Thank you for everyone who donated and all of you who bought raffle tickets.

MHS Turns 201!!! Prepare to eat cake. If you were one of the several volunteers mentioned in the last nevvslEltter prepare to

receive your annual snake bag of thanx from MHS to you. Also the new T-shirts will be available for sale so gett'em while their holl Again congrat­ulations Richard Bonk for the fabulous Grey Tree Frog Design.

Critter of the Month

Mark Isaac Red foot Tortoise Geoche/one carbonaria

Bill Moss Dwarf Camens P. palpebrosus P. trigonotus

Mark Your Calenders! The MHS Field trip for 2001 is to take place in Lake Maria State Park, near Maple Lake, 45 minutes west of the Twin cities. It is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday June 9 and 10. A group campsite is being arranged for those who wish to stay overnight. Further information will be provided as it becomes available - next months newsletter will contain maps, information, rules, etc. Come and join you friends out-standing in the field for a herpin" good time. Anyone who would like to volunteer as a field group leader, please contact me. Any questions or comments should be directed to Randy Blasus at 952-925-4237 or rcblasailusa.net.

3

lvlillllcsota I1cIVl'loloh~cal Society 1'vlol1l11l), Newsletter April 2001 Volume 21 Number 4

Happy Birthday MHS by Jim Gerholdt

I find it hard to believe that the Minnesota Herpetological Society is 20 years old. It seems like only yesterday that I learned of a symposium that was being held at the Bald Eagle Outdoor Learning Center in Cass Lake. The title of this symposium was "Ecology of Reptiles and Amphibians in Minnesota". The dates were March 13-15, 1981.

I made plans to attend. I was a recent immigrant from California, and had come to believe that only garter snakes inhabited this barren wasteland. The Organizing Committee was made up of some names that I'm sure are familiar to many of us - David Chittenden, Adela (Laddie) Elwell, Carrol Henderson, Daryl Karns, Lee Pfannmuller, and Douglas Wells. The keynote speaker was to be Dr. Carl

Gans of the

the new society. There were 16 people in attendance, and many of them are still active members.

Things were moving along and Del was like a proud new poppal One of the early breaks for the new group was per­mission to use the Bell Museum as our mailing address. This gave us some validity when we needed it the most. We were also given permission to use a room in Smith Hall (Chemistry) for our meetings. And we could also store our supplies there. This included our soon to be library. Since then we have met in several university locations and moved

to our present loca- . tion

. --~-----.-- --.

University of Michigan. Among the in Borlaug Hall in 1986. many speakers was a gentleman The first meeting of the fledgling soci-named Delvin Jones of Minnetonka. He etywas held on May 1,1981. There was to speak on "WANTED - A were approximately 35 people there, Minnesota Herpetological Society" He and 25 of them joined that night. We had recently moved to Minnesota from were off and running I The first 2 issues Massachusetts where he had ben of the newsletter were put out by Del, active in their herpetological society. and I took over after that. It was a lot of

What he had to say made a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. I finally sense, and he had even prepared a stepped down in 1987. One thing that handout outlining some of the goals really helped me with the newsletter and advantages of such an organiza- was the never ending stream of original lion. He received replies from 14 peo- cartoons from Fran Frisch. I will always pie, and in April an organizational meet- be grateful to him. Some of these car­ing was held at the Bell Museum of toons still show up in our newsletters to Natural History in Minneapolis to plan this day.

4

From our humble beginning we have grown every year. The February meet­ing of this year had an all lime record attendance - 204. This is the first time we have broken the 200 mark. Our memberships also continue to grow, and are now at 400+. Not too bad from 35 at the first meeting, and not many members.

MHS has benefited from excellent leadership through the years. Not only have we had a long line of great Presidents, but all of the members of the Board of Directors have worked hard to ensure our success. Not only is the newsletter published every month, but there is also the "Occasional

Papers of the Minnesota Herpetological Society"

series. This is a forum for member to publish

lengthier articles and research reports. Yes, MHS funds research too.

In 1984 and 1985 MHS con-ducted survey work for the

Nongame Section of the Minnesota Department of

Natural Resources. In 1984 3 trips were taken to the southwest­

ern part of the state. In 1985 3 trips were taken to the southeastern part of the state. The highlight of the 1985 work was the confirmation of the Five-lined Skink (then classified as Minnesota Endangered) in that part of Minnesota. One specimen was collected as a voucher, a juvenile. Imagine all the photographers trying to take pictures of it at the same time. The little lizard required a macro lens, but a shot of the assemblage required a mega-wide angle lens.

A major society highlight was the first Midwest Herpetological Symposium held in October of 1985 at the Bell

~'1inIlcsota HCI1Jctological Society rvfonthly Newsletter Aplil2001 Volume 21 Numher .. t

Museum. The keynote speaker was Dr. Peter Pritchard. Since then, this sympo­sium has really taken off, and is rotated around the upper midwest. MHS also hosted the 6th Midwest in 1990, and the 13th in 1997. The 13th is still the one to beat! It was held at the Best Western Canterbury Inn in Shakopee, and the keynote speaker was again Dr. Peter Pritchard. Total registrations were 292, and 140 attended the banquet. The auction after the banquet took in an astounding $3300.001 It apparently helps to supply free beer? We are up again in 2005. Watch the newsletter for information so we can top 1997.

Another important MHS function is the live reptile display at the DNR Building at the Minnesota State Fair. The reptiles are all supplied by the membership. A highlight was "Minnesota Fats", a record Common Snapping Turtle displayed in 1986. This is the one listed as the record size in the Eastern Field Guide.

Our adoption program has been another long running, and very suc­cessful part of our meetings. Over the years, many reptiles and amphibians have found good homes through this program. Without it, who knows where they might have ended up. Although iguanas and Burmese Pythons contin­ue to be difficult to place, most of the adoption animals have several applica­tions, the Adoption Committee often has to make a decision based on a questionnaire turned in by the interest­ed parties.

MHS has been fortunate to have many involved members throughout its history. Many have moved on to profes­sional positions in the field of herpetol­ogy, while others continue to do field research here in Minnesota. And some, like Jeff, have grown up in the society! I like to tell people that we are a family organization, with members in diapers all the way up to PhD. Most of us fall somewhere in between. As we continue to grow, who knows what the next 20 years will bring?

In closing, I'd like to say thanks to Del

for what he started. I'm sure he had no idea of what MHS would become. When he moved to New Mexico some years ago, he was awarded the only Honorary Lifetime Membership ever bestowed by MHS. It only seems fitting.

Climate Change May be Deadly for

Amphibians

Thursday, April 5, 200 By United Press International

Researchers report finding a link between man-made climate changes and the alarming disappearance of amphibians.

Global warming leads to changes in rainfall patterns, which in turn stress moisture-loving amphibians, leaving them vulnerable to deadly diseases the scientists said. The report, which will appear Thursday in the British journal Nature, could hold clues to the extinc­tion of 20 amphibian species and the decimation of many others just in the past 10 years, investigators said. Drier winters caused by the EI Nino effect, the periodic warming of the Southern Pacific Ocean, have severely decreased water depth in small nursery ponds in Oregon's Cascade Mountains, said lead study author Joseph Kiesecker of the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University.

This has exposed developing embryos of the western toad > -> sci­entifically called Bufo boreas > -> to harmful ultraviolet-B radiation from the sun, making them vulnerable to the lethal fungus Saprolgenia ferax, he told United Press International. "This chain of events establishes a link between cli­mate change and an alarmingly high mortality in amphibians," J. Alan Pounds of Monteverde Cloud Fprest Preserve and Tropical Science Center in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, who wrote

an accompanying News and Views arti­cle, said in an interview. "Over the past 30 years, globally averaged air and sea-surface temperatures have risen hardly, and there is growing certainty that human activities are largely responsible." The revelation of the sum­mer climate-spring disease connection may enable conservationists to control the fungus or shield ponds from ultravi­olet light, the study authors said. "This study shows that if we want to under­stand the complex ecology of the world around us, we must start looking at the big picture, and there may not be sim­ple or easy answers," said co-author Andrew Blaustein of Oregon State University.

The researchers paint a bleak picture of hundreds of thousands of jet-black embryos floating lifelessly in the crystal clear lakes and ponds that dot the pic­turesque Cascade range of western North America. "Are the patterns a warning of environmental chanoes that may have increasingly unfavorable consequences for plant and animal communities, and for humankind?" Pounds said.

While previous studies have pointed to ozone depletion as a possible culprit, "the new study reveals that unusual weather, not ozone depletion, is the principal agent that increases exposure to UV-B," Pounds said.

In water shallower than 20 centime­ters (8 inches), the fungus kills some 80 percent of the embryos, compared to 12 percent at depths of 50 cm or more, he noted.

To gather their data over the past 10 years, Kiesecker and company have been backpacking as far as 10 miles to some of the remote sites at 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level where the toads lay as many a million eggs or more each year in a bedroom-sized area near the pond's edge. Working in tents, the scientists build their experi­mental devices that include boxes designed to anchor the toad eggs at dif­ferent distances below the water sur-face.

5

Minllesota I ICI1)Cloiw.>1ea1 Society Monthl}' Newsletter April 2001 Volume 21 Number 4

"We have found that water levels are shallower during years when there is less snow. which exposes the eggs to more ultraviolet light and makes them susceptible to disease outbreaks." Kiesecker said. The debates of the 1990s over the severity of the animal declines and a connection between cli­mate change and greenhouse gas emissions appear over. scientists said.

"Today. there is little doubt that both phenomena amphibian declines and global warming are real." Pounds said. "If there is indeed a link between the two. as the work of Kiesecker suggests. there is clearly a need for a rapid tran­sition to cleaner energy sources if we are to avoid staggering losses of biodi­versity."

Copyright International

2001. United Press All Rights reservered.

Submitted by Becky He/geston

Adventures with Alligators

By Tanith Tyrr

Reprinted with permission Submitted by Bill Moss

"If you can't laugh at yourself. everyone else will be glad to help you." - Ancient Oriental Proverb invented a few min­utes ago.

Photographing alligators can be a lot of fun. keeping two assumptions in mind. The first assumption is that the photographer doesn't do anything fool­ish. and the second assumption is that nothing really unexpected happens. When neither assumption holds true. the situation can still be a lot of fun. albeit much more so for the observer than the photographer.

I had carefully positioned my tripod on the bank of the St. John's river in a very

. promising spot where I had seen plenty of bright reptilian eyes reflecting in the beam of my flashlight on the previous

6

night. Setting myself up on what I thought was secure ground. I proceed­ed to offer free amusement to any crea­ture in the vicinity. I slapped the mud vigorously in front of me while uttering a series of loud. squeaky grunts and lip­smacks. This was' at least theoretically supposed to be an imitation of the dis­tress calls of a baby alligator. with a few feeding and breeding noises thrown in for good measure. Anyhow it was loud and enthusiastic and it did the trick.

Alligators have better taste than peo­ple in some respects at least. since they obviously regarded my virtuoso slap­ping and grunting performance as the very height of winning charm and socia­bility. A human observer would no doubt have expressed another opinion. but fortunately for my reputation as a sane woman fit to manage my own affairs. this was a quiet and solitary piece of swamp with no discernable human pop­ulation.

The gators were being very obliging that evening. and they were swarming up closer in very good numbers just as I stepped into an unexpected mUdhole. This was a California girl's first up-close and personal acquaintance with Florida mud. and it was a rude and hasty intro­duction. albeit a thorough one.

Several things happened in rapid suc­cession. A truly bilious belch of reeking swamp gas rose up around me. per­fuming my clothes and hair. I sank down to one thigh in this oozy. feculent stuff. tilting me and my tripod at a rather alarming angle. Suddenly I was as solidly planted as a flag in enemy terri­tory. and as obviously sticking out. Still perfectly willing to be obliging. a dozen­odd alligators were closing in curiously. I was alone on a long stretch of river. and it was just starting to get dark. I could not move my leg.

Intrepid adventurer that I am. I natu­rally responded with great alacrity. That is to say. I immediately started making funny noises that didn't sound like gator

what I should do. I managed to get myself out of the

mudhole by the rapid but unpleasant expedient of laying my entire body down on the surface of the odiferous gunk and levering my leg out. I extricat­ed myself more or less successfully. minus one boot which I had to dig for with my bare hands while balancing tri­pod and camera. It was a ticklish busi­ness keeping the solid expensive object between me and the gators with one end of it above water. There are proba­bly more exciting and athletic things to do while in Florida. but I haven't man­aged to find out about any of them yet.

Two dozen vaguely curious reptilian eyeballs stared at me languidly throughout this operation. No doubt they were wondering what in the world this crazy human was doing. and what "Oh Sh ... " and all those other interest­ing human noises meant. I don't know what kind of gator-language comments they were making to one another in the meantime. and I don·t really want to know. but I think there must have been some really eloquent nudges and winks out amongst the lily-pads when they thought I wasn·t watching.

My clothes were destroyed. my hair was unspeakable. one boot was com­pletely filled with evil smelling swamp mud and the pictures weren't all that great anyways. The gators were really quite well mannered about the incident. however. None of them so much as laughed. But you know. come to think of it. I suspect all of them were smiling.

calls at all. They sounded more like • .....-o::;;..I\.

"Oh. Sh ... ". which is the distress call of ~::::;::::::::: another species entirely. Then I shut my mouth altogether and considered

VOLUME I

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGiCAL SOCIETY

NEHSlETTER

JUNE MEET! NG Friday, June 5th, 1981

8:00 PM Room 225, Smith Hall University of Minnesota

NUMBER 1

The program this month will be presented by larry Probst on Rhinocerous Iquanas. larry will be talking about the care, breeding, and ecology of these interesting reptiles. larry, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, has studied reptiles for 20 years maintaining a live collection and having extensive field experience, He, also, maintains and breeds several species of parrots.

WATCH each monthly newsletter for future program announcements!

The May meeting was successful in ratifying the proposed Constitution and Bylaws with the election of officers who will serve till the annual March meeting. The featured program for the evening ~/as a presentation by Terry Odegaard on several types of North American Milksnakes. The talk covered variations in color patterns, sizes, food, and habitats. The evening ended with an open discussion.

A",r-.;llAL MEETING 'I'll(' ~~lb :\nJlllal :>.keling of THE SOCIETY FOR THE STl!DY OF Ar-IPIIIIHANS

AND REPTILES :\:\1)

TIl!' :2fJth AnJlllal ~l("'lillg of THE HEHPETOLOGISTS'

LEAGUE "'ill he hosl<'d hy

~!EMPHIS STA TE UNl\'ERSITY

:>'I"llIphis, T<'IIIH'SSe(' \J-l~ A1lgllst HJSI

FEATURED SYMPOSIUM: R[-proOuCllye B10iogy 01 Repl,le~

PAOGRAM sUMMARY:

S\U,(l:IV. fI AugUSt nr'rjl',lr."lOn ~!',Ar;1101H(I 01 DII('';lOr~ Mt·('I1n9. III GcalO 01 Trus!C·es ME'el' 'ng. F ,III'; Annui\1 SSAA R('glonill H(,IDt<IOICl{::ICllr

StICH'IIP!' Ccn1pft>nc(,

Monoay. 10 Augus: .. , Hl D1SIII'l';hJlshed ,HelP£,' 101('91$:$ Ll'ClUre b}' eft"" e!-I WIII1t1ms. Con'"(I\IIf'v Pap"fS. P('~II" 5(.':;$1011, Svmpas.um an Rerte,· d~C!rv!? 6rology of RePllie-s SSAR Hl Llh,!onCamm,!· l,,{· Ml'c'\JnQ Herp An E~tllbr!. Com~lf!fCIIIIE _tu[>-1101S' OrSDla)'; SOCIal

TueSday, 11 AuguSI ..... Conillbute-O Pi'jpels. Pos­t(!r S(!u,on. 5)'mpOSlLlm on ReproducllVe 810109,­ofReptr1es' He-rpAn E_hrb-­it L I've Hi'tp E1<ololl: Com­merCial E,h,orlors' D,s, pJay,SSAR el/stnes~ Meel· lng. BarCtcue al Schittl Belle

Wedna&day. 1;l August Conlributed Papers. POI­lc/ S(lsSlon; SympOSIum on ReptOduclrve BIology ofAHpUles:herpAn ElIhrb­

'11. lIve "alp Exhlbil; Hl BUSlneu Meellng. River. boal OmnlH CUIISt

T hUIsoay. 13 AuQust .. Contrrbuted Parers: Pos­h·, ~esslon.HerpA'" E_hl!>­II. L IV\' Hntp E ~ hrbll

Ftlday, 1<1 August. ..... lil/e Help ElIhlbll. Tour 01 Mf'mprll5 Zoo And AQua', rum

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Pu .• regillr.llon torm •• Including Ine call lOt PI:Oe'~ ano Olhf'f mlcrrnallon , ... II:>e m(l"IO.:! 10 memoers c: lOe twO SO('leties m Mart:h 198' COllies ollne m,.cl· ,n'"' ,"Iermailon v,·,11 bl' ~enl on It><lt:esll~ .nlel~\!('d p;"sons T hE- aeadhn~ lor 1t'C'e(ct.:;1 aOsltillC!SWI'( bf' S June 1951. A repuliH pr('·1f'9"UII.11on h>l: 01 525. c'~ a Sluoemlep 01 Sl~. WIll be ~u{· IIOh1/PI than! Jun,. 196'.1 hlJ rCQuliH 1£';.9:51I;1110n IN' allh(> mct'11n9wl!l be 530, wilh a Sluoent lee ol ~:'J

Housing in ' .... I all-condltloncd OOlnl1lclty ..... 111 bf

<1valtablc 81 S10.20 per p(>lson ret dily lor OOlltlle occupancy Il shallnp tIIIlll! S Hi SO per penon flN dllY lor SlnQIe- OCCupllncy 12 sh,ltln9 ba\hl. 0' S24 PCI da\' liJt a 1",1"1"( tonly) SUl!r> COn$ISI'''9 01 1 ..... 0

fooms {-4 bt'l:l$i wllt'lll connC!C11t19 I)alh .

Transportillon: itlclviouals plilnr:tng 10 't''''lO[ br AIr

Should mar..c lesCIVaHOns Into Mem"t"~ Inlrrna· honai AHrotl. A Slluille to Cilmpus WIll be Plol/lOtd CampIon I"Clllll8,S III~ Iw~'lill)l(' 10 Ihe Mrmprll5

Illea

Special Acllylilec 500u$(> And 1~f'llfv IlIp$IO llCcr­!yland Amus-emenl Park.. Chucahs5iJ Indlitn Museum Mrmphls Pm ... PailleI"' 1I.1t.1~I'Unl BrOOkS Mf'ml)"l'! Atl Gilile/y. 01 Mf·nlflIH!i flnlallle.11 naICI""!<o u.,ty ,.,.

olp"Iuzed depending on 1I11l'resl O"v1lmc ("nlld c.te Ii\ClhlltS mi\)' be- a ... i\llable II Inelt 1$ sulllClen!

demand

LOCAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN:

Jllme~ S JacOb Ecclo~lcal Resealch C(>llle r Oeoalimen: 01 810109)' Mf'mphl$ 51"'" Uflll/('151!V Memrhl~ TN 3S:S? 1901 J 4~.:·:?588 or "~JI\

7

MHS Members,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who were at the initial meeting of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. The thirty peop 1 e present can take pri de i n\knowi ng they are charter members of a new and growing society. \

A special note of thanks should go to the people who worked on the organ­izing committees that layed the ground work for our society. These people gave generously their time and energy to draft the constitution, to get the word out about ~he meeting, to organize a program and to find people willing to take on the responsibility of serving as officers of the society.

Dr Tordoff and Dr. Regal of the Bell Museum, also, deserve our thanks and appreciation for their assistance in forming the society and offering the association with the Bell Museum. This provides the society with a Bell Museum mailing address and allows us to use the university facilities for our meetings. This will be a distinct advantage for us as we grow.

I want to encourage all members, whether officers or not, to take an active part in the functioning of the society. Now is when you can have the greatest impact on the direction and emphasis of YOUR society.

If you have ideas or suggestions for society programs or activities be sure to make them known. The names and phone numbers of the officers are included elsewhere in the newsletter for your convenience.

'/) If - () ~~2;1~

Delvin Jones Pres i'dent

**LOGO NEEDED**

The society needs a logo! The Board of Directors is looking for ideas from the membership. Put on your Creative Hats and come up with the Minnesota Herpetological Society logo! Submit your ideas to the SOCiety officer.

8

REPTILE HUSBANDRY SYMPOSIUM

FlU", Annual ~eDllle ~~':'l'"'~'='S'\'''''' ~ ... Ca:·· In'£' P:c;:.aaaHC'n D~O i-Oa!;t;.ar:Ct,' :C t'lE' "'E'-::' Frloa:. tr,r~ Sunday JUf'li- ~2 '3 arle U~r '9E'~ Jii 1~,e Okla~(;!"'l& C'1, zco.O~·F.~·O""iI PapE't~ Bri: shll Df:.r.; aCC~D:~:! t.~ O· '~~iI::.:-­J Ros-enClf-!o. Case ','vestt.rr: Pi:sf'(",e- 'JI"'\'f:r·

S['y. 810lCl9Y Department, Cle.eiar.= O~1C' 4'106. TOIS year $ S)'mOO!lUm CC'''oro,f'·alcr 15 T"ornas HuH. Olr~c~cr. Rl'tnile e'f'E'ClI"'Q Foun:alICr.. P 0 SN. 1.i:;C ~,cl:::n O"tar,c CanaCl3 KOK ~TO.Ir.formal;::>n Vo'III"I rega!c Iv eccorr>f?'c~a!l:ms snoulc D~ acoressec 1(1 Da'€'~' Plcil.ermg O",ia~ol"l'\a Cd)' 20(.0 2'01 N.E :~:" Okiai'Oma C!~y O,.·a"'·c:~o :-~~~.

RICHARD A, HAHN PUDIIC'Ij' (.:ha.rrna'l. 5!n AttnUn! Rept.lE: SJ';':~:;s,u"" Zoolc:;.cal CcmSC'r1ium Inc ~3GHi Catoctin F"rp-,ace:;~ T t,vrmont. M~ 2 ~ {' ae

**WANTED**

People to fill the remaining offices of the Newsletter Editor and Members­at-large (3).

The Newsletter Editor will be responsible for publishing the monthly MHS Newsletter. Arrangements have been made to have the printing done once the Newsletter is assem­bled; also help os available to assist in the writing of the Newsletter. The Editor will be responsible for seeing that the Newsletter is written, typed, printed, and mailed out on time.

The Members-at-1arge are expected to attend the month'y Board of Directors meetings and participate in the formulation of policy and governing of the society.

Those interested in serving in either of these positions should submit their name to any society officer at the June meeting.

ED ITORS CORNER

The newsletter is looking for rna teri a 1 that ·i s appropri ate for inclusion in the newsletter. Items of interest would be short articles of herping activities, recent breeding successes, sight­ings of emerging herps, humerous items from other publications, etc.

All material to be included in the next months newsletter should be submitted by the 15th of the month. Send to the societies rna il i ng add·ress.

AITENTION! !

THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DELICATESSEN will hold its. GRAND OPENING, June 5th after the monthly meeting. The featured take-out item will be fresh frozen mice straight from ~lHS I sown excu 1 s i ve supplier. Twenty-five dozen of these delectable tidbits will be available to tickle the palates of your collection. The management has priced these food items at our inflation fighting price of only $3.00 per dozen.

This is planned to be a regular feature after each meeting so besure to bring your money and stock up!

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MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL 11USEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455

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~ "" , . MI~NESOr~' HERPETOLOGICAL SOpETY DIRECTORY

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OFFICERS

Delvin Jones

Terry Odegaard

Connie Delles

President

Vice-President

Secretary-Treasurer

938-8555

544-6406

938-1679

tvlinnesota Herpetological Sociely Monthly Newsletter ApI;1 2001 Volume 21 Number ,i

A Tribute to Fran Frisch Thank you for all the wonderful cartoons. They have filled the MHS newsletler from the beginning and they will always .

. " .......... , • :t ;/v1~ 1981

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Minnesota Herpetological Society Monthly Newsletter April 2001 Volume 21 Number <I

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'1011t 1ICtlN1~, /1'5 NUf m &frTItJ&UP!'

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Minnesota Herpetological Society Monthly Newsletter April 2001 Volume 21 NUlllber ,t

Hands - on in the Future

May 5 - Chanhassen 12 - 3 May 5 - Wanamingo 10 - 12

May 19 Lake Nokomis 12:30 - 3:30

If you'd like to volunteer please contact Jan at:

jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

Helpful Hints for Hands -on I'm glad to see so many people coming to our events. Here are a few things to remember:

1) Know the following about your animal. a) What kind it is. b) What it eats c) Where it lives in the wild d) Life expectancy

2) Never allow anyone other than yourself to hold your animal. 3) Try to be polite - even answering really dumb questionsl 4) Come often - Thanks!

Jan Larsen

Minnesota Herpetological Society Treasurer's Report Prepared by

Marilyn Brooks Blasus, Treasurer iW. For the Month Ending: March 31, 2001 ~£;"'~!~

~"'~' Income: " Membership 170.00 Sales (Net) 44.00 Donations 160.00 Raffle Mise

Totallneome:

Expenses: Newsletter Printing

1,170.00 1,544.00

& Postage 525.05 Other Printing & Postage 32.54 Program 100.00 Conservation/Donation -Supplies & Refreshmnt 124.64 Mise 988.61

Total Expense: 1,670.84

Net Gain/(Loss): (126.84)

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Minnesota HClvclOlogical Society Newsletter April 2001 Volume 21 Number"

Classified Advertisements Classified ads are free to the member ship. Deadline Is the night of the general meeting to be InclUded In the next newsletter. 1.0.0 = male, 0.1.0 "" female, 0.0.1 = unsexed, cb = captive bred, obo = or best offer, + = Urnes runt ads are run only 3x unless requested to continue).

English Spot Dutch

Jim's Rabbit Shack 'Where Spots Are Tops·

1.1 Ball Pythons, adults feeding on frozen rals $50 each. 1.0 Bearded' Dragon adult $50. 40gal breeder cage with cabnet stand and lights $100. Cage 40"x28"x3711 wlbuilt in fluores~ cent and incandescent lighting $150. 29gal & 20L tanks w/hoods, lights & slands. Other

Wanted Wanted Adult Female Leucistic Leopard Gecko, ready or almost ready to be breed. Contact Chris at (507)-359-9444 or at tex_2001@hotmail.com

JIM DALUGE (763) 295·2818

8700 Jaber Ave. NE supplies, lighls, heaters,etc. All Monticello, MN 55362 abo. Call Chad or Julie

Eastman Nature Center is looking for a Milk snake, Fox snake, or a Black Rat snake. Snake will be used for school group and family classes and must handle well. Please call Kim at 763/420-4300.

All the shed snake skins in the world . Needed for giveaways at educational pro­grams. Contact Bob Duerr 612.541.0362

.... _____________ ~==d@763.767.8304 or e-mail harteOll@tc.umn.edu For Sale

Need Home: 1.1 adult common boa con­strictors 7'.5" each. Accustomed to han­dling & people, used in live animal pro­grams. Interested parties must be over 18, experienced in handling large snakes. References. Contact: Long Lake Conservation Center (Palisade MN),

800.450.5522, or IIcc@mlecmn.net

Neodesha cages, used, $25 each. Contact Mark Hauge 320.202.9871 Or email Whitneywee@home.com +++

1.2 Patternless Leopard Geckos $300. 1.1 Standings Day Geckos $250. 612.554.8446+

Viper Geckos CB 2000 babies $40 each. T. roboraw.kif CB 4.7.00 stub tailed $50. T. roborow.ki/ CB 6.28.00 $50 Jodi L Aherns 612.588.9329+

Frozen Rabbits - all sizes. reasonable - pinkies to adults. 763.295.2818

Prices very Jim Daluge

Flightless FruitFlies - Excellent food for dart frogs, mantellas, hatchling geckos, baby chameleons, spiderlings, and other small herps. Two species available -Drosophila (small) and D. hydei (large). $5/culture or $25/6 cultures. Each culture contains 30 to 50 adult flies and has the potentail to produce to several hundred young. Also, Mealworms - Two sizes available - regular and mini. $5/1000. Can be delivered to MHS meetings. Cal Tony Gamble 612.818.6861 or email tgamble@mediaone.net

1.1 adult queensland carpet pythons $300/pr 1.1 adult timor monitors $250/pr 1.1 adult argentine boas $400/pr 2.2 longlcauda (sp?) boas $800/pr Neodesha cages also available. Call Chelsea & Tyler: 651-776-5216 pager: 952-909-2736 email: dearmond@bethel.edu

Wanted: Pair of Green Tree Pythons, would consider adults or sub adults. Also wanted Uromastyx and select female Amazon Tree Boas. Mark Hauge 320.202.9871 or email whitneywee@home.com

Female Gulf Coast Box Turtle. Looking for a girl to keep my fella company. Or a pair for breeding. Contact Heather Matson 612.871.7334 or geckoloco@qwesl.net

MRS Rodent Sales Mice Pinkies $7/dz. Rats Sm Pups

Fuzzies $7/dz. Lg Pups Hoppers $8/dz. Juvn Rats Adults $10/dz Adults

For pick up at monthly meetings only. Orders Must be placed at least one week in advance of date of meeting at which the frozen rodents are to be delivered. Place orders with Tina Cisewski at 612.856.2865

or

All Proceeds go toward the operating costs of the society.

$12/dz. $18/dz. $24/dz.

6@$15 $30/dz.

The MHS is a completely volunteer run, non-profit organization.

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You could Advertise Here for just $10 per Month or

$120 per year.

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Advertising Policies

MHS Ad Policy: The MHS assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY regarding the health or legality 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.

Classified Ads: AI! acJive members are allowed a classified ad, run free of charge as space permits. Ads may be ran three consecutive months, after which time they may be resubmit­ted. Corresponding members are allowed a complimentary business card advertisement monthly as space permits. Due to federal restrictions on Non-profit mailing permits. we are not allowed to run ads for travel, credit or insurance agencies.

Business card advertisements may be purchased at $5/ad, per month. For other rates please inquire.

Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church SI. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Deadline is the night of the General Meeling for inclusion in the next newsletter Make checks payable to· Minnesota Herpetological Society.

r-----------------------------------------------, Minnesota Herpetological Society Membership Application

New Name

Renewal Address

Membership# City, State, Zip,

Type Phone Email list in MHS Directory? Yes No

Check # Herp related interests

Active Memberships: Sustaining ($60/yr) Contributing ($30/yr) Basic ($15/yr)

Corresponding Memberships: Basic Commercial ($25/yr 2 Bus Cards) Bronze ($50/yr 2 1/4 pg ads) Silver ($75/yr 21/2 pg Ads) Gold ($100/yr 2 Full pg Ads)

Required check info. Drivers lic # State DOS Please enclose the proper payment with your application. Make Checks Payable To: Minnesota Herpetological Society. Membership is for 12 months from the date of approval, a receipt will be sent only upon request. Mail to: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Sell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church st. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Please allow 6·8 weeks for processing. L _______________________________________________ ~

UNIVERSITY OF MINNE;SOTA- ST. PAUL CAMPUS

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Next Meeting: May 4, 20() I

Room 335 Boriaug Hall, U or il'J Sl. Paul Campus

@ 7pm

MHS Voice mail: 612.6H7065

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I\HNNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SE MINNEAPOLIS, MN S.HSS-OH)<!

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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