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TRANSCRIPT
THE MONITOR
Volume 29 Number 8 August 2018
The Hoosier Herpetological Society is proud to welcome back Mike Pingleton as our guest
speaker for August. Mike has been involved with herpetoculture and field herping for nearly
forty years. His field adventures have taken him to many places throughout the world, and MIke
documents his field trips in his web journals at www.pingleton.com. Over the years Mike has
raised and bred many species of reptiles and amphibians. He is the author of a book on Redfoot
Tortoises, a children's book about snakes, and has just finished a book on field herping that is
now being printed. Our veteran herp members have seen many of his adventures and know that
his presentations are always entertaining and informative. Be sure to plan on attending this
special meeting!
Midwest Herpetological Symposium – September 28-30
www.hoosierherpsoc.org
NEWSLETTER OF THE HOOSIER
HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY
A non-profit organization dedicated to the education of its membership
and the conservation of all amphibians and reptiles.
President’s message
Jim Horton
The Midwest Herpetological Symposium is coming up fast and its right here in Indianapolis (September 28-
30). The stage is set with our guest speaker lineup but we still have work to do.
We’re counting on our members to be a part of attending this event. You’ll love it!
Register early (before Sept. 5th
) to save $10.00 All proceeds from the symposium benefit the HHS.
This is a weekend-filled event for amphibian/reptilian enthusiasts with great guest speakers and things to do and
see.
Auction items are still needed. If you have any unique herp-related items you’d like to donate, please contact
any board member. We can always use a few extra hands for this event. If you’re interested in being a part of
this awesome event, please contact me or any board member.
Mike Pingleton will be our guest speaker this month. He’s one of the best presenters. Don’t miss this one!
HAND HELD HERPS (ARIZONA) Story and photos by Roger Carter
Photo by Jim Horton
The Texas Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, measures “5 inches” (according to the “Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona”) and “up to 7.1 inches” (according to the “Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico”), is flat and wide and can be yellow or tan sometimes matching the substrate where it is found. The middle of the back has a white mid-dorsal stripe. There are long horn like scales at the back of the head with two of these being longer than the others. This lizard is sometimes called the “horned toad” or the “horny toad” and can squirt blood from its eyes as a defensive behavior. The horned lizards mostly eat ants, and, because of this, they don’t do well in captivity. The Arizona field guide shows the range of the Texas Horned Lizard in the far southeast corner of the state and the New Mexico field guide shows their range in the southwest corner and the eastern part of the state. We had to hustle a little bit to get to the conference center for the International Herpetological Symposium near Rodeo, New Mexico. We arrived in time for a banquet and to catch up with many of our old friends that we only get to see at different conferences and symposiums once or twice a year. After eating, we discovered that some of the teenagers had caught a Texas Horned Lizard behind the conference center. While they were all “Ohhhing” and “Ahhhing” over this lizard and getting pictures of it, the adults were all “Ohhhing” and “Ahhhing” over a small Mojave Rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus, (there won’t be any Hand Held Herps for this snake) that someone found under some scrap sheet metal behind another building.
Snake Fest 2018!
By Heather White, Vice President
This Year’s Snake Fest was well
supported by HHS members,
including Roger and Holly Carter,
Dale Schoentrup, Robert Tyler,
Rex Morrell, Abbie Watson,
Giuseppe and Barb Filtri, and
Heather White (and family).
The event took place outside the
Brown County State Park nature
center under a shelter and we were
glad to have cover due to scattered
rain showers. It was well attended
by the public despite the rain and
the public flow remained steady.
There were other groups that
participated in putting this event
on, including BCSP park staff, two
rescue groups: Scaly Tailz and
Wildcare, and the Indiana Snake
Buffet.
A presentation was given by Barb
Filtri on the importance of
researching any species of herp
you might consider keeping. She
presented a form to take home with
a checklist of questions and
showed the audience why a large
tortoise or large lizard can be
challenging when fully grown.
They can be acquired as babies but
these animals end up requiring a
very large space at lease the size of
a small bedroom and an equivalent
amount of outdoor space during
the warm seasons. She also
highlighted the best type of
aquarium lids for keeping snakes
from escaping. They should have
be a side slide lid with locks,
especially for larger snakes.
In summary, this was a fun and
educational event that was a little
damp, but there was a good turnout
and some great opportunities to
educate and interact with the
public.
RENEWALS Garret Kazmierski
Jim Horton
Jet Kaiser
Carl Schwartz
NEW Brianna Ryver
Name – Heather White, RVT, HHS Vice President (RVT= Registered Veterinary Technician)
Town or city – Lafayette, IN, working in Indianapolis
Age you found interest in herpetology? I have loved reptiles since high school and while working at a pet
store, but was introduced to herpetology about 3 years ago.
What got you interested in herpetology? Snakes and lizards have always interested me because they are so
different from traditional pets. They are elusive in the wild so it’s fun to seek them out.
What amphibians/reptiles do you like? I like any type of lizard and snake the most, but I also like
salamanders, frogs, turtles, and tortoises.
What amphibians/reptiles do you keep? I have a blue tongue skink, corn snake, sand boa, and crested gecko.
Working on adopting a Chinese water dragon.
How long have you been a member of the HHS? 3 years
Do you exhibit your animals at HHS shows? Yes, at as many as I can.
What do you like most about the HHS? I have found a group of people who are just as crazy about herps as I
am! I love finding new herping spots and educating the public as well.
Do you field herp? If so, where have you been? Absolutely! I have been to nearly every Indiana State Park in
Indiana. I have also herped Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio.
Where do you get your herps? I get mine from reputable breeders or I adopt from good keepers. I do not
recommend buying from pet stores as it is very difficult to know where the animal came from or their health
status.
Have you ever bred any herp species? Not yet.
Other hobbies? Loving on my two Chihuahuas, napping, and eating wonderful bakery goods!
Anything else you would like to ad? Please join us at the Midwest Herpetological Symposium this September!
HHS member
Heather White
September 28-30, 2018
Confirmed Guest
Speakers: Robert Applegate
(Keynote)
Applegate Reptiles Captive breeding of Colubrid snakes
with an emphasis on Kingsnakes.
Michael Price Executive Director at Eaton Hill Nature
Center and Owner at Wild About Texas
Todd Pierson University of Georgia
Dan Dourson Biologist, Naturalist, Author, Illustrator
Dave Fogel Owner of The Herp House
Nate Engbrecht Indiana State Herpetologist
Yatin Kalki Illinois Natural History survey
David Mifsud Herpetological Resource and
Management LLC
Ethan Kessler Illinois Natural History Survey
Friday night
Ice Breaker and presentations
Hospitality area (food/drinks)
Saturday
Guest Speakers
(throughout the day)
Saturday Night
Banquet
Keynote speaker
Auction – live and silent
Hospitality area (food/drinks)
Sunday
Free Behinds the scenes tour of the Indianapolis Zoo
Free admission to the Midwest Reptile Show
Other Features
Book Sales / book signing
Artists/sales
Live Native Indiana Amphibian/Reptile exhibit
New this year!
Young Herpetologist Award
LA QUINTA INN &
SUITES 5120 Victory Dr. Indianapolis
IN 46203
Online registration and detailed
information can be found on the
HHS website:
www.hoosierherpsoc.org
INDIANA AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Photos - Jim Horton Photos - Jim Horton
2018 HERPETOLOGICAL EVENTS August 15, 2018 – HHS meeting, 7:00PM, Holliday Park Nature Center. Guest speaker: Mike Pingleton,
Topic – “Herping the Yucatan Peninsula”. The raffle will follow the presentation.
August 26, 2018 - Midwest Reptile Show, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Southwest Pavilion, Indiana State
Fairgrounds, Indianapolis. $5.00 admission, reptiles, amphibians, books, cages, feeder animals, and other
supplies. Sell your herps and dry goods free of charge at our H.H.S. information booth (HHS members only)
www.midwestreptile.com Other dates: September 30, Nov. 4
September 28-30, 2018 – Midwest Herpetological Symposium, Indianapolis, IN, LaQuinta Inn, 5120 Victory
Drive, Indpls, IN. Please check the HHS facebook page and website for information and updates.
More about the 34th Midwest Herpetological Symposium
The MHS is next month and we’re gearing up for a fun-filled, educational weekend! This event is held by a regional herp society annually. This year the HHS will host.
We have a great line up of top-notch speakers on both Friday and Saturday. Several are
authors and they’ll have books available for purchase and signing.
We will have two book vendors as well. If you need any herp-related books, this will be one of the best selections in the Midwest!
Friday evening starts out with an ice-breaker. We’ll have food/drink available free of charge.
Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
This species is found in wooded ravines beneath logs
and stones. They burrow deep into the soil for food
and shelter. They’re known for releasing a milky
slime that deters predators. This fluid is difficult to
remove from the skin (even with soap).
Northern Ringneck (Diadophis punctatus)
Ringneck snakes are a secretive, woodland species.
These small snakes reach 10-14 inches in length. The
belly is yellow and a yellow ring surrounds the neck
behind the head. Ringnecks feed on slugs, worms, small
snakes, lizards, and frogs.
A live native Indiana herp display will also be available for photographs. Our friends from O’Bannon Woods State Park are bringing their large collection of Indiana snakes (including
the venomous species!) Then the presentations will start.
Saturday is filled with presentations with breaks and lunch. The live native Indiana herp display will be open on Saturday as well. The banquet is Saturday evening followed by our
Keynote Speaker, Robert Applegate.
Next is a silent and live auction with Indiana’s own, Rupert Boneham from the Survivor show. You’ll find fantastic deals on a huge array of tanks, books, jewelry, supplies, art, and a
whole lot more! After the festivities, stop by our hospitality area for food, drink, and conversation to close out
the night.
Sunday includes free admission to the Midwest Reptile Show. You’ll also get a free behind the scenes tour of the Indianapolis Zoo reptile displays.
Hope to see you there!
HHS Board of Directors - 2018
PRESIDENT Jim Horton (317) 443-4845 [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT Heather White (765-404-2860 [email protected]
SECRETARY Holly Carter (317) 873-6561 [email protected]
TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP Roger Carter (317) 873-6561 [email protected] SERGEANT AT ARMS Neill Jones (317) 385-9763 [email protected]
Appointees for 2018
EDITOR Jim Horton (317) 443-4845 [email protected]
PROGRAM DIRECTOR Ed Ferrer (317) 787-7448 [email protected]
WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR Angela Thomas (317) 882-5266 [email protected]
WEBSITE COORDINATOR Barbara Filtri [email protected] PUBLICIST/MEDIA DIRECTOR Abbie Watson [email protected]
MEMBERS AT LARGE Pat Hammond (317) 656-9496 [email protected]
Rick Marrs [email protected]
Dale Schoentrup [email protected] Will Brown (765)278-1480 [email protected]
Mary Hylton (317) 966-4591 [email protected]
Rex Morrell [email protected]
The Hoosier Herpetological Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education of its membership and the conservation of all reptiles
and amphibians. General monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Holliday Park Nature Center.
Membership is open to all interested individuals. No venomous animals are allowed at the General Meetings.
