vol. 4 (1984), no. 6

V 01 UJvili IV

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

JUlU.: JVJIS HEWSLETTEB

'llHURSDAY, July 5, 1984 7:00PM Room 225, Smith Hall

University of Minnesota

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NOTICE

Please note that the meetings for July, August and September will be held on the first Thursday of the month, rather than our usual first :Friday" We will go back to ]!'riday meetings in October ..

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The July meeting will be a slide presentation by John )\1oriarty on "Reptiles and Amphibians of Kentucky"" This should be an interesting program as it will cover a part of the country that we haven't dealt with too much .. The "Critter of the lVlonth" will be any herp that is native to the Southeastern United States .. As long as the species occurs down there, it doesn't matter where the animal itself is actually from. Let's see how many we can corne up wi.th!


The August meeting will be a panel discussion on IIBasic Herp Care"" The panel will be made up o£ Bruce Delles (lizards), Ann Porwoll (turtles-what else?), Brint Spencer (snakes), and someone (any volunteers?) on amphibians .. The "Critter of the Hanth" will be your oldest animal, the one you have had the longes.t .. So start figuring up those longevities!

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The June meeting was another good one! The program was presented by Dan Keyler, Clinical ~Po.ocicologist for the Hennepin Pois0n Center on snakebite.. The talk was excellent, the slides gross, and it really gave us a lot tothink about!

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POISCN CONTROL CENTER 405-271-5454

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"Random T;~.il s by the V .. P .. "

Snake surprise, come on steven, give us E.l break .. *~·"\.Jelcome" to the Delaware Herp Society to the ranks of a chosen few .. ***Look for notes from these Board members" ***Ann (ll-urtle Lady) porwoll on an MHS picnic in st" Paul sometime in August .. -*"*-*Brint Spencer an a fall fJjZC (Minnesota Zoological Garden) tour .. *** Sorr.e Board members will do anything to get out of a Board meeting, like Bill Allen YJho is going to South America for one month .. Good luck, Bill, and don It eat anything you can't pick up .. ***" Basic Reptile Care", August 2 meeting, 4 guest speakers but maybe I'll talk on storing your herps in the freezer.*** FebEuary '85 meeting f1HS is having a "Whi te Snake Sale" (KTCA eat your heart out) so while taking the summer in look for useful or not so useful items to donate to this fund raiser~sale .. Just remember, you must keep the items in your house until the February meeting .. ***Ideas***Here's some" .... cracked tanks, herp art (good/bad), things to use as water dishes or hide boxes, curios, books and pillow cases for herp bags .. ~·**"In turtles we trust .. "***Is all life dead in Seattle or did I say something wrong .. I could use some mail .. ***(l'hings to remember .. *-x'*Journalism contest***Photo contest 'e4**~·State Fa.ir dj.sIJlay at the DNR J3uildine7<--x'-*Coinc on C't long trip? rrry this game .. 10 points for mud or pond turtles, ~~) points for endangered or threatened species, and 50 points if you run the critter over if it is laying its eggs .. ***Just kidding***Don't forget to feed those snakes for good summer growth, winter cool down, and 1985 breeding .. *** i1 new reason for money (I love . it) .. Jl1BS is starting a fund for the 11ZG for their new reptile display (more on this Later) .. ***Now thQ,t warmer weather is upon us keep a check on cage temps .. Hemember, no direct sunlight.***Rernember when :'Irou kept one of your first frogs or toads in a real cardboard shoebox, ick.**"*-What about Dr. Dan and snakebite slides, just add a dumb plot, cheap music, a few retired actors, get an "R" rating, and Dan could make a million .. ***1 would like to thank all the Grand Old Days volunteers" You all make it a grand day" Thanks for all your hard work .. ***Here's wishing everyone a great and sa:fe Fourth of July .. ***Until next time, ma.y the herps be with you ..

Fran


Fresident Vice-?resident Secretary TreasQY'er Newsletter Editor )\/lember-at-Large Nember-at-Large Jilember-a t-Large I'!;,ember-at-IJarge

M}]S Officers

Bruce Delles J?ran Frisch Ann porwoll Sally Brewer Jim Gerholdt Bill Allen Liz Bosman Del Jones Brin t Spencer

374-5422 488-7619 489-7853 647-0661 507-652-2996 920-4283 476-0306 938-8555 823-7099

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?

The weekend of June 2 and 3 was a busy one for the members of rilliS .. Please see John Nolt'iarty's article'about the field trdl.p down to SW Minnesota .. We had 16 people and 4 cars .. The trip was really well organized and the food was super \'Je all owe John a special thanks for all his work on this .. ' And then on Slmday 1

.Tune 3, HHS was again at Grand Old D~ys in st.. Paul .. -\'/e had a super turnout for this this year .. MHS was represented by Bill Allen, Fran Frisch, Sally Brewer, Sarina Brewer, John Jesmer, Mike IVJ.alasnik, Ann }'orwoll, Ted Schave, Helen Schave, Tom Schmitz, and Toni Vangen .. Animals included Burmese Pythons, Cornmon Boas, \{estern IIognose Snakes, Bull snake , Corn Snake, California Kingsnake (banded and al bino), Northern Pine Snake,' Sinaloan I"1ilk Snake, Savannah Iv~oni tor Lizard, Leopard Gecko, Common Snapper, 3-~f.1oed Box r:purtie" Yellow l']arginated Box Turtle, and African Burrowing Bullfrog. Quite an assortment! The public really seemed to enjoy,J.t, and. many had their pictures taken with some of the herps .. A special thanks to all who were involved with Grand Old Days this year .. Next up will be the State J:'air I"linnesota herp display at the DNE building., \ve' 11 keep you up to date on this as we learn more ..

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I I I I

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3

I

SUMMARY OF 2-3 JUNE MISSOURI RIVER DRAINAGE SURVEY

A group of 17 converged on Gerholdt's early Saturday morning. After a game of car roulette we traveled to Blue Mounds State Park in Rock County. Within 5 minutes a DOR fox snake (Po Duerr & I). Schave), a red sided garter (P. Gerholdt), a fox snake (P. Spencer) and prairie skink (J. Schave & P. Duerr) had been collected. Unfortunately the collecting did not remain so fruitful. By Sunday afternoon 9 species had been seen or collected. All collected specimens have been turned over to the Bell Museum, with the exception of 2 tiger salamander larvae which will be raised to determine subspecies then deposited at the Museum.

PARTICIPANTS

Bruce & Matt Cutler

Bob & Peter Duerr

Jim, Pam, Matt, Gabe & Ben Gerholdt

Del Jones

John ~1e 1 tzer

John & JoAnne Moriarty

Barney & Casey Oldfield

Jim Schave

Paul Spencer

SPECIES FOUND

northern leopard frog

American toads (probably)

chorus frogs

tiger salamanders

painted turtle

snapping turtle

prairie skinks

red sided garters

plains garters

The next trip will be the 7 & 8 of July. Anyone interested in going should

contact John Moriarty (612-781-6732) before 24th of June.

John ]V]oriarty


'J'he refreshments at the June meeting were supplied by Toni 'fangen .. A special thanks to ~loni from HHS!


"He1p A Hapl:ess Herp"

Homes were found for three hapless herps at the June meeting. We adopted out two returned intergrade pythons, a male and a female t aDd a nice young Black Hat Snake from Illinois. As the male inte~g~~de python was a specified non-breeder, beth pythons went to separate homes. v.[e have a 6~-' female Burmese for July!


There will be no spring outing for MRS this year. The field survey work on the herps in Southwest l'1innesota will fill this need this year .. The spring outing wi11 be pushed to next year .. In the meantime, if you find a neat spot this year, let us know .. And remember, the outing is mainly for data and photography. It is ££! intended for personal collecting!

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There will be a Social spring outing (actually a summer one)! It will be held on Sunday, Au~st 19, in Como Park in st .. paul. MRS will supply corn, charcoal, watennelon, butter, salt, and lighter fluid .. Beverages will be your own responsibili ty! \ve will have more on this later!


As the Jl'linnesota Zoological garden is setting up some new herp displays for the South East A~ian species, MHS is setting up a fund to help with this project .. If you are interested in making a contribution to this, please let us knowo We will have more on this later!

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5

*Journalism ContE:.st Upda te*

is the deadline for the First Annual MBS Journalism Contest .. See last month's Newsletter for details and rules 1'he judges are Gary Casper, Pam Gerholdt and Sue Jones$ Now let's give them something to judge!

Pri~es are clS follo\lJs: :First place and honorable ment ion in each category wi] 1 receive a handsome vJall ,plaque with the JVlBS logo. In addition each of the two first place \..finners will have their article .illustra ted by Frarl Frisch! :F':['cln vlill werk with each winning author and they will come up wi th one each [~ x 11 pen and ink drawing. Also, each of the four wirming entries will be published in the ]l/iHS Newslet ter ., illustrations and all.

Good Luck to everyone and don't forget the deadline - August 3, 1984!

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A spec ial tbanks goe s to Dan Keyler from JVIHS! Not only did he give us an excellent program, but he also donated his speaker's fee back to us .. Super! The attendance at the meeting was 59!

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Herp Hints

We had a lively and interesting tJerp Hints at the June meeting .. John Jesmer had a Bullsnake that he provided with a pan of sand and he said how much he (the snake) liked to dig and burrow in it.. He was careful not to feed on the sElnd! Jim Gerholdt related how his 19 year plus captive California Kingsnake had eggbound with one egg. Efforts to oil rund palpate the egg loose failed, and surgery had been performed to remove the egg .. Jim did the surgery himself and it was a success!As of this writing "Clyde" is doing fine after 11 days .. Fingers remain crossed! dohn IYforiarty related how the male Bullsnake of a group of 1 .. 2 at the nature center that he works with had laid eggs. 1'1'18 point here is be sure of the sexes of your snakes or be ready for surprises! Jim Cummings finally rnIDved his female Burmese Python into another cage, and it was only then that she quit "twitchingH,. Apparently the smell of her eggs was what had kept her brooding. }ran Frisch mentioned that you should always set up a nesting box for gravid females .. Use damp moss or something of the like so they have a place to lay .. r:I'his way the eggs won't dry out before you find them (hmpefully) co Bruce Delles spoke of "bonus" eggs he had gotten from a young pair that as far as he had kno~m had never bred .. stay alert and expect the unexpected is the point here! Bob and Pete Duerr mentioned that while on a canoe trip north of Anoka they had seen some 30 big Softshell Turtles laying on one sandbar .. ~uite a sight! Larry Yank told us about a phone call he had gotten from a lady who said she had a snake in a tree that was ea tine; baby birds.. He checked it-out and it turned out to be a large Fox Snake! It was a real windy day and Larry said how he thought snakes were not active on real"windy days .. After a lot of discussion it was decided that sometimes they are and sometimes they are not!

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IS YClr-{ Im~; hEJ·1BEHSHIP CURRENT? PLEAS:D: CIIECK YOLri1 ADDRESS STICKER TO BE SURE!


"u

REPTIL.ES OFI ]\UNNESOTA

by

Jim Gerholdt

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Description - The Timber Rattlesnake is a large, heavy bodied snake. The adult size ranges from 3611 to 54", with the record size being 74" .. The young average 8 t1 to 12n at birth. It has a yellowish to brown ground color with dark brown or black crossbars .. frhe tail is black and tipped with a rattle .. The scales are keeled and the anal plate is single .. The young are marked like the adul ts .. 'rhe facial pits are located in front of and below the eyes .. 'rhey and the rattle are diagnostic ..

Range - In IVlinnesota the Timber Hattlesnake is known only from the counties of Houston,Flillmore, Winema, Olmsted, Wabasha, Goodhue, Dakota and Washington .. The range coincides with the Mississippi River Valley north to where the st .. Croix. and ]\1ississippi join.

Habitat - steep bluffs and rock ledges along the Mississippi River and irlland. In the summer they move down into the valleys and may be found in forest or cropland.

Habi ts - ~be 'llimber Rattlesnake is not a VlClOUS snake. In fact, it is normally quite docile and may not rattle or strike even if disturbed. They are basically terrestrial but may be found in low shrubs .. They may swim, and will hIDld the rattle out of the water when doing so.

Food - The Timber Rattlesnake feeds mainly on small mammals. Deer mice, voles, chiprmmks and squirrels are commonly preyed upon • .A bat has also been recorded.

Breeding - The Timber Rattlesnake is a live bearer (ovoviparous) and breeds on a biennial cycle. The young number 6 to 15 and are born in late August or early September ..

status - Special Concern - More informatipn is needed on this species in the state of Minnesota .. In the meantime, collecting should be limited. lVlost important, the archaic bounty system needs to be scrapped! This barbarism has no place in modern management!

Notes - Although the Timber Rattlesnake is dangerously venomous and may cause fatalities (see ]\jHS Newsletter Vol .. III, No .. 8, page 2) bites are rare" 'llhe best thing to do if you find one is to leave it be. Admire it, but leave it be!

References: Breckenr idge, \v. J ..

1944. Reptiles and Amphibians of .f'I1innesota .. Conant, Hoger

1975. A Jilield Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central NA Lang, Jeffrey \v ..

1983. 'me Heptiles and. Amphibians of Minnesota ... ilistribution Maps, etc .. Vogt, Hichard Co

1981 .. Natural Bistory of Amphibians and Heptilss in Wisconsin ..

Endangered and Threatened Amphibians and Reptiles of the Southeast United States

J"J. Moriarty

The southeastern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, ~Jorth Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) tend to be conservative in their endangered species legislation. Only three states (AL, FL, MS) have developed state lists. South Carolina hffi included species that are under federal review, though presently not officially listed. The remaining states abide by the federal list. Most of the states acknowledge that nongame species are protected under their state laws, but the collecting of the species is not regulated.

If a trip south is in your plans I would recommend consulting with the state wildlife department at your destination e The taking of listed species in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi is prohibited by law.

SPECIES AL FL GA LA

AmbY-6t.oma unguta:tUJY/ E ArU.edv.:, anelL6 C~ypt.ob~anQhlL6 allegarU.en-6i-6 T Vv.:,mognat.hlL6 aenelL6 S Vv.:,mognat.hlL6 oQ~OphaeU6 S EunyQea aquatiQa S EunyQea luubuga Gy~nophitU6 palleuQLL-6 S Gy~nophitlL6 po~phy~QU6 H~deo~on wallaQei Hyfu andeMorU. LhnnaoedU6 OQ~ S Nec:twr.1.L6 ,-,p. ((')v.:,t Sip,-, ey Fo~k) S Phaeognat.hl.L6 hub~QhJ..J.. E Plethodon un~eU6 S P.te:thodon web/.):t~ P /.) eudo bMnQhl.L6 /.).:tJU.a;t1.L6 lU6~Qoll.L6 Rana ~eoR..a:ta T Rana hedu Qh~ S Rana /.) ylvat.J..Qa S S~en fuQ~na S

AlUgat.OfL mi-6/.)i-6/.)ippie.n-6-L6 CafLetia QafLetta Chelonia mydM C~oQodyll.L6 aQu:t1.L6 C~o:talU6 adaman:tel.L6 V~oQhely/.) QofLiaQea ViadophJ..-6 pun~ a~QU6 V~ymafLQhon QO~ Efuphe gu:tta:ta (Key,!) only) EfLetmOQhely,-, imb~Qata EumeQv.:, an:thAaunl.L6 EumeQv.:, egfLegiU6 eg~egiLL-6 EumeQe-6 eg~egiU6 lividLL-6 F~nQia ~y:tfLog~amma

T E E

S T

E

E

S

S S

S S

S T E E

E T T S E

T T

8

S

E

E

T

E

T T T

E

E

MS

E

E

E

E E E

E

E

E

E

NC

E T T

E

E

SC VA

E

L L..

T T T

E

E

E T

E

E

E

GOph~U6 po£yphemU6 Gnaptemy~ b~bo~ Gnaptemy~ 6£avimaQutata G~aptemy~ nigninada G~aptemy~ OQuti6~ Het~odon ~imU6 K~no~t~non bauni ba~ La.mp~o p~ :tJL,Lang u£.um tJU.ang u£.um La.mp~ope£;tL.o vuangu£.um ~y~pila Lep~doQhely~ kemp~ Ma~odemmy~ temm~nQu Neo~ep~ ~eyno£~ N~odM Qydop~n 6£onidana N~odia 6M~ata taeniata P~op~ me£anO£eUQU6 £o~ng~ Pltuop~ me£anO£eUQU6 mugltU6 P f.:) e:.ude:mlj~ afubame~i.J.l P~eu.demy~ Qonunna ~UWanMe~~ Rha~naea 6fuvUata Sem~natnix pygaea pygaea St~noth~U6 dep~~~U6 Stito~oma extenuatum Sto~~ dekay~ (Key~ only) TantLtta oO~Qa Thamnop~ ~a~ Tnionyx 6~ox Tnionyx ~p~ni6~M

E = endangered T = threatened S = special concern

~aQkeM (Key~

T S E S S

T E T E

S S S E E E E E E E E

S T

S E

E E E S T

S S S T

T T T

only) T S S

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films will sponsor a field trip to the fvlinnesota Zoological Garden on Saturday, September 15 .. This will be a behind the scenes tour, and give you a chance to see vlha t some of the new herp displays (t:ba t hopefully you will be hel ping to sponsor) that are in the works.. There w ill be a second t our in the spring' of 1985 (likely IVlay) to see what has been accomplished .. Let us know if you are interested in this tour!


Itlhe rClfflelat the June meeting brought us a total of $10 .. 25 .. rrhe prizes were (Phe \</or1 d of Amphibians and Reptile s by }Vlichael W.. Dempsey (won by Toni Vane:; en ) , a IIstuffed li Caiman (won by Peter Duer), and Reptiles and Amphibians by HUlbert Mathewson (won Sarina Brewer) .. The ~~ books were dona ted by J irn Gerhold t, and the Caiman by? .. rlihe JUJLLor raffle W,'J.8 won by Gabe GerhoJdt, with the lJrize being

!\ftcr Heptiles and Amphibians by }Jelen Haywood e

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n ./

"Critter of the IVlonth"

We had some real interesting animals at the June meeting. Mimics was the theme. The "Critters" brought were:

Fan Belt Snake (J?annus bel tus) The most insidious mimic of them all! This mimic has been known to rob strIDng men of their humor and sense of balance, leaving them reduced to babbling relics by the side of the road. Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon n. nasicus) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Sinaloan IVJilk Snake ~IJamprOpel tis triangulum sinaloae) Honduran Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) Tropical Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangylum polyzona) Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) Eastern Garter Sna.~e ('I1harrmophis s. sirtalis) melanistic

These were brought by: Bruce Delles Fran Prisch Jim Gerholdt John Jesmer Larry Yank

Bruce Cutler brought an article from "Science" on mlmlCS for us to look over, and Ji"'ran }'risch brought a "mimic" poster that illustrated "Red and yellow kill a fellow, red and black won't hurt jack".

Thanks to all of the above from MHS!

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Phantasti0 Phenological Phinds

Barney Oldfield May 8, 1984~Township #113, Range #15, Section #16, Goodhue Co.

Grey Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) May 10, 1984-Township #111, Range #15, Section .friO, Goodhue Co.

Spring Peeper (}~la crucmfer) May 11, 1984-Township #113, Range #15, Section lt25 , Goodhue Co ..

western Fox Snake (Elaphe v. vulpina) May 12, 1984-Township #113, Range #15, Section #16, Goodhue Co.

Western Fox Snake (Elaphe v .. vulpina) May 12, 1984-'I10wnship #112, Range 1/13, Section #13 , Goodhue Co ..

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) 29" length. May 12, 1984-'I10wnship 11112, Hange -#15, Sections if12 and 13 \I Goodhue Co ..

Spring Peeper (ltrla cyucifer) May 18, 1984-Township #112, Range #13, Section #16, Goodhue Coo

western Pox Snake (Elaphe v. vulpina) May 22, 1984-Township #113, Range #15, Section #5, Goodhue COo

Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) 44" length .. ]-'irst Goodhue Co .. record! May 23, 1984-Township #112, Range #14, Section #18, Goodhue Co ..

Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer) JvIay 23, 1984-Township 11112, Range #14, Section #18, Goodhue Co.

Grey Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)

Bruce, J.Jucy, lYIatt and IVIelissa Cutler JVlay 11, 1984-Anoka Co., Cedar Creek Natural History Area \I T34N, R23 W, s. 33, SE

~ .. Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) D O .. R"

11

IVlay 11, 1984-lmoka Co"' Cedar Creek Natural History Area, T34N, R231tJ" S .. 27, NW Blue Spotted (.0,lamander (Al1lbystoma laterale) under pine log in AceI'

'Ilil ia - Pinus fore st; Chorus };rogs (Pseudacris tri ser ia ta) call ing, road~dit~-

Hay 11, 1984-Anoka Co .. , I;inwood Township ~_133N, H22W, S .. 10, County Road 75, \'Jestern painted rPurtle (Chrysemys picta belli) female, injured on l'0ad ..

}I'Jay 11, 1984-Chisago Co .. , Lent 'I1ownship Sunrise Addition of Carlos Avery Wildlife Hefuge, ~133N, H21W, S .. 27, Chorus Frogs (Fseudacris triseriata) calling, b 0e: remnant ..

IvJay 11, 1984-Washington Co .. \I Stillwater rrownship, '1'3 ON , H20W, S .. 2, NE ~-, Chorus Frogs (pseudacris triseriata) calling, pon(L. Tiger Salamander (Ambystorna tigrinum); Northern Prairie Skink (E'umeces so . septentrionalis) 2 males, 1 female, 1 irrrrnature; Red Bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata); all under debris along railroad right of way ..

John Dee and Ann Forwoll JVlay 26 and 27, 1984-Chippewa River bottoms, Buffalo COe, Wisconsin ..

1 Western painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta belli) 1 \tJestern Pox Snake (Elaphe v .. vulpina) 1 Blanding's r.IUrtle (Ernydoidea blandingi) D .. O .. H" if T~ap 'Iilltles (Graptemys sp .. ) observed 1 Eastern Hognoss" Snake (Heterodon pIa tyrhinos) 1 Grey 'I1reefrog (Hyla spo) 4. Northern 'vIa ter Snake (Nerodia s.. sipedon) ~ Central Newt (:tifotophthalmus viridescens louisianensis) 3 Northern Leopard Ijlrog (Rana pipiens) # ~~stern Garter Snake (Thamnophis s~ sirtalis) 2 Spiny Soft shell 'Iurtle (rl1rionyx spiniferus) 2 &'"1stern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus)

I'i~ay 26 and 27, 1984-bluffs in Pierce Co .. , Wisconsin. 3 7imber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) 1 Lastern Hognose Snake (Beterodon pla tyrhinos) 2 E/-lstern lililksnake (Lampropel tis triangulum) 1 Hed 15c;,cked Salamander (Plethodon c inereus ) 1 Bullsnake (Pituophis melanroleucus sayi)

Wow! I'm glad all this is finally typed up. 'I'hanks to Bc'l.rney, the Cutlers, and John and Ann fpr their many phinds Please note the EXACT localities on Barney's and the Cutlers' phinds .. These maps are available you are interested .. Check with John Moriarty if you are ..

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12

1

Of William T. Davis and Hyla andersoni

William T. Davis was a legendary naturalist in the

New York City area. He lived from the time of the Civil

War until World War II, and was active for most of that

time. Professionally he was the foremost student of

cicadas, but published on many other biological,

geological and historical subjects also. The following

excerpts are taken from the biography, The Life of William

!. Davie by Mabel Abbott, Cornell University Press,

Ithaca, 321 pp., 1949 •

. Sometimes good things came to him without his seeking-an experience familiar to most students of nature in the field. In September, 1904, when he was at Lakehurst \vith Joutel, beating for insects, something heavier than an insect fell into his inverted umbrella from a lo\v oak bush. He noted in his journal: "The most valuable object that I found on this occasion ,vas the tree frog flyla (lndersollii (Baird.). Prof. E. D. Cope in The Batrachia of North Arnerica, U. S. Nat. l\luseum, Bull. 34, 1899, says: 'This beautiful species is of mtH.:h rarity, but two ~pecimens having thus .far com":. .11I"Ader the eyes of naturalists .... '"

It ,vas a rediscovery of interest. The little green creature 'was photographed in color by the late Mary C. Di\2kerson of Providence, Rhode Island (later Curator of Herpetology of the American 1\1 useum of Natural History and editor of its J ollrnal). It can be seen in several poses in her "Frog Book." According to that book it had corne under observation five times before Davis captured his specimen.

fIe was at Lakehurst again in l\1ay, 1905, to\vard dusk on a Sunday afternoon and heard in a swamp a "squeak, squeak, squeak"

13

In the

the

on 3 oc

find

2

LIFE OF DAVIS

which he

selected one of the singers and made him. The song bsts but a short time and is a considerable period of rest. The song would commence in some part of the swamp, or in some neighboring be taken the various individ-

until the one that had selected could no longer contain himself and must needs sing also. Then I would make :J. few steps in his ciin~ction. this manner and in the course of about half an hour I made

way to a high bush huckleberry, from which the sound seemed to emanatt!, and after watching a \vhile I was pleased to see in the top branch the bubble rise and fall in the throat of a male H y la andersonii as he uttered duck-like quacking song .... Hyla andersonii "the rare" is truly not a scarce frog at all at Lakehurst, but unlike our Hyla versicolor it keeps to the moist ground. year that I have been at Lakehurst, commencing \vith June, 1898, I have heard the song of this batrachian in l\fay and

1907 and 191 I, he captured several n10re specimens for museums and students.

ear 1960's, I used to col ct spiders in

of New y p barrens and

peated the experience of Davis in

i inse t c ct , by

taking them swe p net In Minnesota I have taken

Tree ogs the same fashions

om

eping t m the

b or the mans

3

The followin~ forms a fitting conclusion

to this article. Davis was over 80 years old at

the time of the incident, and the quintessential

image of a bug collector, being short and slight of

build, and wearing wire-rimmed glasses.

"Not only \vas he still going afield, though \vithin much narrower limits, but he was still capable, at need, of a sudden flare of energy, such as on one occasion probably served him well. \Vith full equipment-bag, butterfly net, and all-he was wandering slowly along the Old 1\1ill Road, a lonely lane at the foot of the hilJ at Richmond. Three youths were coming to\vard him from the opposite direction. He jogged on unsu.spe~tingly, and, as the? came abreast, one of them suddenly. poked a gun against his stomach .. There had been an epidemic of holdups by young roughs on the Island at that particular time, and this apparently was to have been another. But the youths never had time to say whether it was or not, for Davis charged them with the butterfly net. It had a stout handle, and he wielded it so hard and so fast that they fell back and then ran, Davis following for a few steps, still hammering at them 'with the stick .

. He told the story to this \vriter on the same day. He had recovered from the shock and \vas beginning to think it rather funny.

"You took an a\vful chance in doing that," it ,vas suggested. His face grew grave.

"Yes," he admitted, "I thought of that afterward. I might have hUIt them seriously."

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Fran ID::isch Blotched Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus goini) Copulation observed for about one week from Apri1 19 to April 25 .. Pre egg shed Hay 31" June 7 11 pill eggs (small, soft, waxie and dead). Captive raised snakes almost 3 years old ..

'I10m Schmitz Leopard Gecko (~ublepharis macularius) .. , 2 eggs laid April 6. Hatched on 45th and 46th day. Average temperature 84 degrees ..

Breedings from June AAZPA Newsletter

Toledo Zoo 3 Common Basilisk

Rio Grande Zoo (Albuquerque) 4 Cape Cobra

JV!innesota Zoological Garden 3 Elongated Tortoise

National Zoo 2 Red Footed Tortoise

1-3ronx Zoo 1 rpravancore Tortoise 1 Siamese Crocodile

37 Russell's Viper

Tulsa Zoo 2 Koch's Day Gecko

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Raising ies - the easy rless meth

(Excerpt from Watch Bird - Monthly publication from the Amerlcan Federation of Aviarists - no date)

Flies have always been a favorite food of many reptiles and amphibians. But breeding them (except for fruit flies) has never been that simple as cultures usually needed rotting meat, cleaning, and complicated net cages.

According to Dr. Paul C. Engan, Fullerton, California, a simple method exists of attracting flies using dry dog food moistened with powdered milk, Rrewer's yeast and hot water. Here's the simple recipe:

MIX 1 part powdered mil k 1 part Brewer's yeast

20 parts hot water Place dry dog food in cut down plastic cups (5 oz. size) and pour mixed liquid over dog food and let sit until thoroughly moistened. Place outside in the shade on a warm day. A small piece of raw liver can be placed on top to speed egg laying (optional). After 12 to 24 hours smaTTIWhite masses of eggs should be present. Water may have to be added periodically to dog food to keep it moist. The cup with eggs should be sunk to the rim in a bowl of sand ~ to 1" deep. The eggs should hatch within 24 hours if kept at 80°F. The larvae will eat the dog food raridly. The temperature should be raised to 85-90oF to speed up growth. The larvae (maggots) can be fed to your pets at this stage or the larvae will crawl out of the cup and into the sand to pupate. To remove the pupating larvae simply place the sand in a kitchen sieve and sift them out. They can be stored in the refrigerator in bran (like mealworms) for a few jays or place the bowl of sand in a warm cage and flies will emerge in about a week.

---- Cheryle Oewitt

Free Testing Ser~ ice for Re.pt ile Plr~sites Now AVlil8bl e Wil d-caught (and even some capti ve-bred) herps are often l~fected wlth pa~as1tes, which can cause serious illness or even death if present in sufficient numbers. Treatment 1S u:ually posslble. but detection of the problem is commonly difficult for the average hobbyist •

. Now~ ~ fr:e test1ng a~d i~entification service is available for both external and internal parasites. These will be ldentlfled.1f the orgamsm ltself ?r fecal material is preserved in either 70% ethanol or isopropanol; the latter (same as rubblng alcohol) can be obtalned at any drugstore. For further instructions and/or information write or call: Sue Barnard, Senior Keeper, Department of Herpetology. Atlanta Zoological Park, 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30315; (404) 658-7063.

rphanks to the San Diego Herp .. Society Newsletter 6(3) for the above i terns!

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16

CLASSIFIEDS

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f1INNESO'l'A BERPE':[10LOGICAIJ soc I:E:TY

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

:FRESH :FROZEN MICE-$3 .. 00 per dozen.

FRESH ]"ROZ}ilN RAT PUPS-$3.00 per dozen.

Remember, if you want rats or mice, they are available by reservation only. You MUST place your order with Bruce or Connie at 938-0680 no later than 7:00 P]\1 on wedilesday the day before the meeting. Logistics dictate thus policy, so please cooperate with us. If you do try and order after the deadline, you will have to wait until the following month. Donlt miss out!

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v.Ie need raffle items! Used cages, books, herp curios, etc. Can you help us?


If you would like a lecture or demonstration with a variety of live reptiles for your school, scout group, birthday party, etc .. , give Jim Gerholdt a call at 507-652-2996 •. All programs can be tailored to meet your needs!

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FOH SlU,E: }vJfS STI8KERS .. SPECIAL PRICE! 75¢ each. These have not been movi.ng too well, and so have been marked down. 1J.1hey look grea.t on binders, rear windows, etc ..

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.FOR SALE: Captive born hatchlings available this summer; red albino Corn Snakes, albino California Kingsnakes, Mexican Black Kingsnakes, and others. Contact Verle Castle, 1309 Cadwell Drive, Bloomington, Illinois 61701. 309-663-4673 ..

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vUiNTED: Refreshments for the monthly meetings. If you would like to help us with this, give Connie a call at 938-0680.

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WANTED: Books and journals in the field of Berpctology .. Help build your 1'IlH~) Library .. Is there a book you would like to see in the Library? Please let us know! We are always looking for good used books as well as new titles.

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17

CLA~)SIFIEDS

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~:iA:J~l.LD: If you are or will be euthanizing snakes in the fcllowing families and genera, and do not want the specimens, please notify me before they will be euthanized. S:=:ecimens are needed for a study of pigment cells associatied wi th venom glands. 11[.,'/ specimens in the families Crotalidae or Viperidae, the following genera in thE Elapidae: Dendroaspis and Fseudechis; the following genera in the Colubridae: l~haetulla, Dryophis, Leptophis, Cxybelis and Coniophanes. Cnly interested if specimens are in the ~in Cities area. Contact Bruce Cutler at 646-8318.

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1::C yeD I-L~VE yctTL~. FRS rr'-SEIRT? \vE NC\-/ EA-VE Till]v;, IN CHEEK, GREY, YEllCitJ :\ND BllJE!

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FOR S:.:'Z (TEALE?): 1.0 Eurmese x Indian intergrakie Fythen.(Fython m. bivittatus x P. E. melurus). Very tame, good feeder, fine pet. $60.00. Contact Bruce or ~att Cutler at 612-646-8318.

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FROGTC\4N GREETINGS

Herpetological art and cartoons! For samples see assorted items in this issue of the Newsletter. ?ran Frisch, 850 W. }\!innehaha, st. Paul, r/lN 55104.

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I SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY JUNE 2J, 24 & 25

YEP, WE'RE MOVING AGAIN! OUR NEW ADDRESS AS OF JULY 1ST WILL BE:

NEW & USED WATER DISHES

NEVI & USED CAGES

540 WINNETKA AVENUE N. GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55427

NEW PHONE: (612)593-0298

MANY NEW & USED ITEMS AT LOW, LOW PRICES!!

HUGE DISCOUNTS ON MANY ANIMALS

FOOD ANIMALS FROZEN

USED AQ UARIUMS /HOODS

/LIGHTS I..

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8

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY The University of Kansa;,

ANNOUNCES

A new book of major importance to ECOLOGISTS. SYSTEMATISTS. HERPETOLOGISTS ICHTHYOLOGISTS. MAMMALOGISTS CONSERVATIONISTS. UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS

VERTEBRATE ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS ... A TRIBUTE TO HENRY S. FITCl-I Special Publication No. 10

Edited by RICHARD A. SEIGEL, LAWRENCE E. HUNT, JAMES L. KNIGHT, LUIS MALARET and NANCY L. ZUSCHLAG T\.\;enty-four international authorities provide a comprehensive tribute to the natural historian whose outstanding studies have provided the foundation for much of modern ecology. About 200 pages, with 75 figures, 89 tables and 2 appendices plus index. ISBN 0-89338-019-0. 7 x 10 inches, paperbound.

-CONTENTS-

• PART I. Introduction

DUELLMAN Henry S. Fitch in perspective. V. FITCH A bibliography of Henry S. Fitch.

• Part U. Reproductive Biology and Population Dynamics

BROWN & PARKER Growth, reproduction and demography of the racer, Coltlber constrictor mormon, in northern Utah.

PLATT Growth 9f bullsnakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) . on a sand prairie in south central Kansas.

GREGOR Y Communal denning in snakes. SEIGEL Parameters of two populations of diamond

back terrapins Ovlalaclemys terrapin) on the Atlantic Coast of Florida.

BU RKETT An ecological study of the cricket frog, Acris crepitans.

PLUMMER Female reproduction inan Arkansas population of rough green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus).

RAND Clutch size iT) Iguana iguana in central Panama. HALL & MULHERN Are anuran amphibians heavy

metal collectors?

• Part HI. Feeding and Behavior

ANDREWS Energetics of sit-and-wait and widelysearching lizard predators.

GREENE Feeding behavior and diet of the eastern coral snake, Micrurusfulvius.

VON ACHEN & RAKESTRAW The role of chemoreception in the prey selection of neonate reptiles.

SHINE Ecology of small fossorial Australian snakes of the genera Neelaps and Simoselaps (Serpentes, Elapidae).

HENDERSON Scaphiodontophis (Serpentes: Colubridae): A natural history and a test of a mimicry-related hypothesis.

CARPENTER Dominance in snakes . J. FITCH An experimental study of the variation in

habitat selection and occurrence of the deermouse, Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis.

• Part IV. Systetrlatics and Biogeography

WEBB Herpdogeography in the Malatlan-Durango region of the "Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico.

EeB ELLE et al. Systematic review of ~he petcid fish, Etheostoma lepidum.

WILLIAMS & DUELLMAN A nolisfilChi, a new species of the Anolis aequatorialis group from Ecuador and Colombia.

• INDEX _ .................... ~, __ ."'I!t~ .. cr-="?CCl .. __ ., ....... _IIIIiIIIII!I._ .... __ ...... _II/I .. _ ...... _ .. __ ...... "" .. ..... ___ .... _ ...... _ ....... ___ ,.,. ____ .. __ .......... ____ ....... Il0l __ ............................................................ _____ ...... ___ ,.. __ .. __ ... ___ ........... ___ ..... 0

TO ORDER:

__ copies SP 10 (prepublication until 15 March 1984)@$18.50percopy .................... $-----

__ -",copies SP to (postpublication after 15 March 1984)@$30.00percopy ................... $ ____ _

Make checks payaple to: Publications, Museum of Natural History. Please add 10% for handling and shipping. Kansas residents add 3.5% sales tax.

ORDER FROM:

Publications Secretary Museum of N~tural History The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045

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Address _______________ _

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PI.EA..'iE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAl, SOCIETY. MIIM]IJEI:t;'ilUP .FROM THE DATE OF JOINING. VOl I Will. RECEIVE VOl T~ MfIMIJEF~SliJLY?·('~!M> RJ<:n TRN MAIL A RECEIPT WIU. BE SENT

vol. 4 (1984), no. 6

Documents

board meeting

meeting f1hs

herp bags

iibasic herp

herp art goodbad

delaware herp society

e board members

ann porwoll turtles