vol. 2 (1982), no. 10

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

VOLIDVIE II

MRS NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER MEETING

Thursday, Nbvember 4, 1982 7: 00 PM Room 225, Smith Hall

Uni vers i ty of 111inne s ota

NUMBER 10

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The November meeting will be a repeat of an earlier program. Jim Gerholdt will speak on "Rattlesnakes, Their Natural History and Care In Captivity': Jim has kept rattlers for many years and brings with him a wealth of information on the subject. Live specimens will be displayed, and handling techniques will be demonstrated. This promises to be another interesting meeting, so don't miss it!


The election for the Member-at-Large was held at the October meeting, and the new }\1ember-at-Large is Kip Hanson. MRS congratulates Kip and welcomes him to the Board of TIirectors!

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The IICritter of the Month" for the November meeting will be any of the 23 subspecies of the American Milk Snake. Let's see how many of these we can come up with!


The attendance at the October meeting was 44. MRS is now up to a total of 92 memberships, with a total of 107 members! We are still growing, and hopefully will continue to do so. Spread the word and help us reach the magic number of 100 memberships soon!


POISON CONTROL CENTER 405-271-5454

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of real interest to all herpers. Dan Keyler , ToxiPoison Control Center, spoke on snakebite and

talk was illustrated with color slides, many of whlich were .. Various stages of several case histories were

one of which suIted in the loss of the bitten hand .. This was a case where treatment had been unavailable for some time (72 hours), and the victim was fortunate to survive .. Dan stated that HCFCC had treated only 3 bites all of last year .. He also out that proper treatment of a bite depends to a

extent on the of treatment@ By this he meant that first aid may be uncalled for if treatment is readily available .. But if treatment is some time off then first aid can make the difference .. He emphasized the following points if a bite~occurs:

1 the snake (or bring it along for identification) .. 2 Check for marks 3 Immobilize the bitten area. 4. Apply a tourniquet lightly above the bite or on the bite. An Ace Bandage

is ideal for this 5 .. Clean the wound 6. Ice ied intermittently may be advisable.

All in all, it was an extremely interesting presentation, and one that gave all of us considerable food for thought .. If you do get bit, seek medical help at once If you keep exotic "hot" herps, have antivenin available .. MRS thanks Dan for his knowledge with us!


The IvlHS "Help A Hapless Herp~' program continues to move along .. At the October meeting we adopted out 2 Colombian Rainbow Boas, a' Burmese Python, and a Green Tree Frog As of right now, we have no animals for the November meeting. But as you know, this may change by meeting time .. Following is a list of the ~ we have placed since the program began at the June meeting:

4 Burmese P.ythons (includes intergrades) 1 Anaconda 4 Common Boa Constrictors 2 Columbian Rainbow Boas 2 Bullsnakes '1 Gopher Snake 1 Western :F'ax Snake 2 Southern Alligator Lizards 1 Red Eared Slider 1 Striped IJlud Turtle 1 Green Tree

These animals were out to the membership in only 5 meetings .. What the future may hold is hard to say@ Watch the Newsletter for announcements, and don't miss out by not attending the meetings

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The more astute of our membership may notice a change in type for this issue of the MRS Newsletter MRS has purchased its own typewriter, primarily for the newsletter@ It is a Royal Aristocrat portable electric with the features necessary for its use .. This will save a lot of hassle in getting the Newsletter out, and the Editor in thanks MRS ..


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As you can see, the MRS Newsletter continues to be graced with the cartoon wizardry of Fran Frisch. MRS thanks Fran for this contribution to MRS. Beginning with the next Newsletter we will have another artist contributing to us as welle Berry LaBelle of St. Paul has agreed to furnish us on a monthly basis an original line and water color 11" x 1 of a herp .. His work is really super! The drawing will be reduced in black and white, and run in the Newsletter. The original will then be raffled off at the next meeting, with the proceeds going to the MRS treasury. Chances will be 25¢ each, with no limit on the number you can buy. Watch the next Newsletter for the first one!

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:During the "Herp Hint " segment of the October meeting the subject of "belly rot" came up. This is caused when a snake is kept in too damp of an environmente If it is not noticed in time, it can result in the death of the snake. Milk and other Kingsnakes seem to be especially susceptable to it. Treat-ment consists of draining the blisters and moving the snake to a dry cage. This ailment can sometimes be brought on by mites, in that the snake soaks to rid itself of the mites and in so doing stays too wet. In a case like this, the first thing to do is get rid of the mites, to prevent the snake from continually soaking. Once the cause of the soaking is removed, the snake will usually clear up in a short time.

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Another subject that came up at the October meeting was "stargazing" in snakes. This is a malady, likely caused by a virus, that affects boas and pythons. The reason it came up was that a Burmese Python we had for adoption was showing the symptoms. A decision was made to euthanize the animal rather than adopt it out and possibly spread the disease.


The following is taken from "More on 'stargazing'" by Don Cameron that appeared in the July 20, 1982 issue of "Notes From NOA.B" <I> MRS thanks NOA..q for this!

"For those who have been fortunate enough not to experience a disease with the "stargazing" symptom, allow me to relate a couple of dreadful incidents with a Python reticulatus and a Python regius. The former animal started raising and twisting its head toward the sky or "stargazing" and as time passed these seizures occurred with greater frequency and severity. No food was accepted, although during the early infection water was consumed. In the last hours the snake responded to every little outside stimulus by having a seizure. With mouth completely agape it would scrape the interior portion across the substrate, sides of the cage, and a heating rock. Many times, near the end, it would savagely bi he itself and, not being able to easily withdraw its teeth, would rip them free. This snake was purchased with the ailment. I never knew for sure what organism was responsible for these neurological symptoms or the snake's demise. I later learned that a whole batch of animals, of which my animal was a part, had perished. A very dramatic and traumatic experience!

The Ball Python was housed with two Boas for some time. It accepted no food. The "stargazing" was a primary symptom. Unlike the retic, this snake manifested none of the" mania, and within 7-10 days just wasted away. In recalling the Ball Python incident, it failed to shed the skin from the head and eyes and chin. I very quickly submerged the head in water, then set a wrung-out cloth on head, eyes, and chin. The water was from a PG&E ditch and not fit for human consumption".Perhaps the organism mentioned above is responsible, in this case."

These two paragraphs were reproduced here in order to give a good description of the "stargazingll problem. If any of you out there have any ideas on this, please share them with us. A similar problem has shown itself in captive vipers.

At this time, to the best of my knowledge, no cure is known for this malady. It is obviously a serious problem, especially for anyone with a large collection.

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IS YOUR NEMBERSHIP CURRENT? PLEASE CHECK YOUR ADDRESS LABEL TO BE SURE!

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Due to a lack of space, the "critters" brought to the September meeting were not listed in the October Newsletter. They were:

Burmese Python Reticulated Python Red Tailed Boa Constrictor

These were brought by: Fred and Liz Bosman Bruce and Connie Delles Mike Schwartz

Thanks from MHS!

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The "Critter of the .fvlonthlt at the October meeting was our best response yet. The animals brought were:

Eastern Garter Snake Thef. Larson Butler's Garter Snake Sonoran Gopher Snake Plains Hognase Snake Southern Hognose Snake Mexican Milk Snake Sonoran Black Kingsnake Western Fox Snake Black Rat Snake Grey Rat Snake Gulf Hammock Rat Snake Red Rat Snake Rosey Rat Snake Yellow Rat Snake Haitian Galliwasp Slender Glass Snake False Map Turtle Common Snapping Turtle Wood Turtle

These were brought by: Matt Cutler Bruce and Connie Delles Del Jones Anne Porwoll Larry Yank

Thanks from MRS!

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Following a discussion of the Classified Ads policy at the October MRS Board of Directors meeting, the following criteria will apply to all Classifieds in the future; Classifieds will be free to members only. No ads will be accepted from non-members. Ads will be limited to 5 items and/or species per newsletter. The Newsletter Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions, and MRS reserves the right to refuse any ads felt not to be in the best interest of MRS. This ad service is free, so why not take advantage of it?

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The MHS Library continues to grow! Do you have a book you would like to see in our library? Or better yet, do you have a book you would like to donate to our library? The use of the library is starting to pick up, and since maybe you don't know what all we have, here is a list:

Handbook of Salamanders by Sherman C. Bishop The World of Reptiles and Amphibians by ~aurice Burton Handbook of Turtles by Archie Carr The Turtle: A Natural History of Sea Turtles by Archie Carr (originally titled "So Excellent a Fishe") Feeding Habits and Weight-Length Relationships in Spiny Softshell Turtles From Selec.ted Areas of Pools 5, 5A, and 6 of the Upper Mississippi River by Philip A. Cochran Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia by Harold G. Cogger Reptiles of the World by Raymond L. Ditmars Reptilian Disease: Recognition and Treatment by J. S. Dobbs Taxonomic Keys to the Common Animals of the North Central states, Exclusive of the Parasitic Worms, Terrestrial Insects, and Birds by Samuel Eddy and A. C. Hodson Boas and Other Non-Venomous Snakes by Werner F1rank The Dilemma of the Gopher Tortoise .... -Is There a Solution? by Richard Pranz and Rhoda J. Bryant Biomedical and Surgical Aspects of Captive Reptile Husbandry by Frederic L. Flrye Snakes and Snake Hunting by Carl Kauffeld Snakes: The Keeper and the Kept by Carl Kauffeld Fascination by Verlag Fl. Kundert Venomous Reptiles by Sherman and Madge Minton A Brief Outline of Suggested Treatments for Diseases of Captive Reptiles by James B. Murphy Pennsylvania Reptiles and Amphibians by Pennsylvania Flish Commission The Snake Book by Roy Pinney The Reptile World by Clifford H. Pope Encyclopedia of Turtles by Peter C. H. Pritchard Your Terrarium by Mervin F. Roberts All About Boas and Other Snakes .by Mervin F. Roberts All About Iguanas by Mervin F. and Martha D. Roberts Easy Identification Guide to North American Snakes by Hilda Simon Handbook of Lizards by Hobart M. Smith Snakes as Pets by Hobart M. Smith The Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois by Philip W. Smith Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin by. Richard C. Vogt Common Indian Snakes. A Field Guide by Romulus Whitaker Handbook of ]'rogs and Toads of the United States and Canada by Albert Hazen and Anna Allen Wright Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada by Albert Hazen and Anna Allen Wright Tropical Frogs by Helmut Zimmerman

We also have the following Bulletins from regional societies: Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 1982. Volume 17, Nos. 1 and 2 Bulletin of ·the }'faryland Herpetological Society 1982. Volume 18, No.2 Bulletin of the Philadelphia Herpetological Society 1960. Volume 8, Nos. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, and 6 1961. Volume 9, Nos. 1, 2, 3,4,5, and 6

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Bulletin of the Philadelphia Herpetological Society (cont.) 1962. Volume 10, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and 4 1963. Volume 11, Nos. 1 and 2 1980. Volume 28

2 late additions from the VIassachusetts Herpetological Society are: Lizard Care (2 copies) Snake Care (2 copies)


~rns is also exchanging newsletters with a large number of other regional societies. Reprint privileges are a part of this exchange. Check out the list, and if you know of a society that is not on it, but might like to bet ,contact Connie Delles at the MRS address. Here's the list:

Arizona Herpetological Society Bay Area Turtle and Tortoise Society California r:I:'urtle and Tortoise Club .... Foothill Chapter California Turtle and Tortoise Club-Fountain Valley Chapter, Chicago Herpetological Society The Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society Connecticut Herpetological Society Dallas Herpetological Society Gopher Tortoise Council Greater Dayton Herpetological Society Iowa Herpetological Society Kansas Herpetological Society f1assachusetts Herpetological Society Nebraska Herpetological Society New Mexico Herpetological Society North Carolina Herpetological Society Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists (NOAH) Oklahoma Herpetological Society Palm Beach County Herpetological Society Philadelphia Herpetological Society Rocky Nountain Herpetological Society San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society San Diego Herpetological Society Toledo Herpetological Society Turtle and Tortoise Adoption IvTedia (TEAM) Turtle Trust Virginia Herpetological Society Wisconsin Herpetological Society

The newsletters from most of these societies are available in the MRS Library. They are grouped in envelopes and are to be checked out by the membership.

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The NES Board has been discussing the feasibility of publishing an MRS "white pages", listing the members and their special interests in herpetology. Does anyone have anv thoughts on this? If so, please let Kip Hanson know them.

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REMElYffiER, MBS T-SHIRTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE" THEY MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!

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BREEDING

Breedings from October AAZPA Newsletter

Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange, N.J.) 4 Spotted Turtle

Rio Grande Zoological Bark (Albuquerque) 12 Cantil

2 Florida Cooter 10 Snake Necked Turtle 13 Western Helmeted Turtle 24 Wood Turtle

Houston Zoological Gardens 1 Tokay Gecko

12 Tropical Milk Snake

22 West African Gaboon Viper 18 Leopard ~cko

1 Red Rat Snake

st. Louis Zoological Park 5 Red Rat Snake 1 Florida Soft Shelled Turtle

17 Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (11 albino)

National Zoological Park 8 Green Crested Basilisk 5 Le opard Gecko 5 Baird v s Rat Snake

Atlanta Zoological Park 23 Snapping Turtle 7 Diamondback Terrapin 1 Bog Turtle

1 9) Le opard Gecko 2 Fat Tailed Gecko 1 Black Racer 5 Yellow Rat Snake 5 Florida Pine Snake

10 l\'iexican Bush Viper

Cincinnati Zoo 4 Red Milk Snake 8 Northern Copperhead

Dallas Zoo 3 Baird's Rat Snake 1 Wood Turtle 1 Central American Milk Snake 3 Pueblan ¥ilk Snake 9 Urutu 4 Thayer's Kingsnake 6 Gray Banded Kingsnake

John Ball Zoological Gardens (Grand Rapids, Michigan) 9 Red Rat Snake

Gladys Porter Zoo (Brownsville) 4 Taylor's Cantil 2 Mexican Milk Snake 8 Coahuilan Box Turtle

San Antonio Zool~ical Gardens and Aquarium 2 Honduran Milk Snake 2 Red Rat Snake (albino) 8 Palestine Viper

I-1emphis Zoo and Aquarium 1 Sand Boa 2 Leopard Gecko

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Delvin Jones Bruce Delles Connie Delles Jim Gerholdt Fred Bosman Fran Frisch Kip Hanson Ann Porwoll

MRS Officers

President Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer Newsletter Editor Member-at-Large Member .... at .... Large Member-at-Large Member .... at ..... Large

938-8555 938-1679 938 .... 1679 507-652 .... 2996 476 .. 0306 488-7619 448-7526 489-7853


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CLASSIF'IEDS

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PET CETERA

MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10-6 61 2-929-6730

BIRDS· RODENTS· SUPPLIES 8l ADVICE

WE SPECIALIZE IN REPTILES

4315 UPTON AVE. SO.

MPLS.55410

JUST IMAGINE I'LL DO THE REST

GARY BAECHER

GAR¥GON'G DESIGNING Be CREATING

FINE JEWELRY

CALL FOR ApPOINTMENT

10 A.M. TO 7 PM

612/920-4049

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MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DELICATESSEN

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

FRESE FROZEN MICE-$3.00 per dozen

FRESH FROZEN RATS-JUMBO SIZE-$1.50

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

The deadline for submitting ads, etc., is the 15th of the month. Please send to me:

Jim Gerholdt P.O. Box 86 Webster, MN 55088

Remember, if you want rats or mice, they are available by reservation only. Please let Bruce or Connie Delles know your needs a few days in advance.

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Terry Odegaard's World of Reptiles

ucational Programs

its Lectures 1833 Hampshire Ave. So. st. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: (612) 544·6406

LARGES r SELECTION OF REPTILES IN MINNESOTA

AND A FULL LINE OF PET SUPPLIES FOR ALL ANIMALS

TWIN CITIES REPTILES PET SHOP

MON. - FR!. 10:00 - 8:00

SAT. 10:00 - 6:00

SUN. 12:00 - 5·00

15 8TH AVENUE NORTH

HOPKINS. MINNESOTA 55343

(612) 938-0680

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If you would like to receive a price list from Twin Cities Reptiles, send $2.00 ($4.00 outside U.S. and Canada). The list is published bi-monthly. This is for a 1 year subscription. Also, TCR is always interested in trading animals for books.

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CLASSIPIEDS

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T}~ R~~ABLE REPTILES

SCHOOL LECTURES .. AND DEIVIONSTRATIONS

J AJV'LES E.. GERHOLDT

P .. O .. BOX 86 WEBSTER, MN 55088

507 ..... 652-2996

WANTED: BOOKS AND JOURNALS

IN 'l'HE FIELD OF HERPEr:L'OLOGY

HELP BUILD YOUR MRS LIBRARY


POR SALE Intergrade Python .. Captive born, 3~'-4·. Good feeder, very tame, nice colors .. $30.00 .. Caiman sclerops. Very good eater, nice colors, hot tempered .. 33"" $30 .. 00.

Contact: Jeff Beltz at 374-2647 (home) or 484-8555 (work)

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I JUST LOVE MY MHS 'T SHIRT

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MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL fJlSTOHY

10 CHIIH( '1/ STHEfT S L "MINNEAPOLIS "lINNL'>U I A :,S'L~'-) () 104

MINNESOTA JlLJIL.lliL.dJlL'lUl SOCIElY BELL MI ISElIM OF NATI lHAL J HSTOHY

]() CIII 'HeH ~THEET SF • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 'i'i'l'i'i ()I(}j

NAME ______________________________________________________________________________ ___

N)DRESS ______________________________________________________________________________ ___

----__________________________________ STATE ____________ ZIP __________________________ ___

PHONE __________________________ INTERESTS _____________________________________________ _

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP OFFICIAL MUS T-SHIRT

o FAMILy ............................. $10.00

Admits all memhers of a family to monthly meetings.

o INDI\1D{lAL ......................... $7.'50

o CORRESPONDING .................... $'5.00 For out-of-state members unable to attend monthly meetings.

Yellow shirt with blue screening.

S 0 MOL 0 XL 0

$7.00 each, $1.00 postage/handling.

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

vol. 2 (1982), no. 10

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