VOLUME II

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

JUNE MEETING

Thursday, June 3, 1982 7:00 PM Room 225, Smith Hall

University of Minnesota

NUMBER 5

The June meeting promises to be a really super one! Please don't miss this one. Jeff Lang of the Biology Department of the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks will present the program. Jeff has done field work in New Guinea, along with other parts of the world. Part of the program will be movies taken during his field work in New Guinea on the Salt Water Crocodile. These films show social behavior, as well as nest opening and natching of the young. These are pure dyn­amite! Jeff will also show "Crocodile Thrills". This is the famous film that was shown at the Symposium at Bemidji last year. This is a film that you really must see to believe. Please do! Jeff will also discuss the subcommitteels work on the status of Minnesota herps.

The "Hapless Herp Needs a Happy Home" program is off to a Y-?oaring start. At the May meeting we adopted out the following animals:

1 female Burmese Python, approximately 10' 1 female Common Boa Constrictor, approximately 31

2 Southern Alligator Lizards, adults 1 female Anaconda, 10 1 911

The Alligator Lizards and the Anaconda were very genero~sly donated to MHS by the Minnesota Zoological Garden for placement. MHS thanks MZG for this show of faith in our adoption programo

For the June meeting we already have the following animals available: 1 female Common Boa Constrictor~ 70 11

• This is one of the nicest Boas I have ever seen.

2 Red Eared Sliders, adults There mayor may not be more by the time of the meetinge The program is off to a super start, and should get even better as we go along. Remember, you must be present at the meeting to adopt an animal! Donat miss out!

The May meeting program was presented by Daryle Karns of the Bell Museum staff. Daryl has done field work in West Africa and is presently wor~ing towards his PhD on the Herpetofauna of Boreal Peat Lands in Northern Minnesota. The program was on preservation techniques of herptiles, and was very well presented. He took a reallly dry (or maybe wet) subject, and made it interesting. He also touched on the importance of collecting data if an animal is ever to be in­cluded in a sciehtific collectione Without data, an animal is only useful in a teaching collection For further information on preservation techniques, see "A Guide to Preservation Techniques For Amphibians and Reptiles" by George R. Pisani. This is SSAR's Herpetological Circular #1.

As MHS passes it renewa 1. I n an renewal dates

* The expi corner

IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP CURRENT? *

annivers a new phenomenon is occurring - membership to i paying members of MHS to be aware of their

following clues are offerredo

ion d your membership is printed on the upper right the mailing label of your newsletter

* The month ior the expi ion date a reminder will be printed on the mailing 1 1

* The month of the expirat on date. a notice that this is your last newsl will be on the ling label

, * The month

The' trauma of the 15th of eluded in each

ion d

2 clues can be avoided by getting your renewal in by As undoubtedly are aware, a membership form is in-

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[Jue 'SO btlsiness cornm'lttments, Terry Odegaard, MHS Vice-President, and John Dee, MHS Member-at-Large, have tendered their resignations to the MHS Board of Dir-ectors, These resignations have accepted with regrets, and MHS is SOY'ry to lose them~ They will both continue as members, and their input to MHS will be preserved@ Both Terry and John were instrumental in getting MHS off the ground and off to the super start we had~

In order to fill the vacancies caused by this, the following names have been placed in nomination:

Vice-President

~!m:lbCi" ·at-Lar~Je

Bruce Delles Larry Probst

Fran Frisch Ann Porwo 1'1 Brint Spencer

We will vote on this at the June meeting. Please give this matter serious con­sideration.

MORE PHANTASTIC PHENOLOGICAL PHINOS!

May 1-Eastern Garter Snake, Chippewa River,bottom, W;scQns;n May 1-Blue Spotted Salamander, Chippewal Rive~(bottom, Wisconsin May 1-Eastern Massasauga, Chippewa River bottom Wisconsin May 2-American Toads calling Minnetonka May 4-Western Painted Turtles sunning~ Minnetonka

These were all submitted by Del Jones Thanks from MHS!

The MHS Library continues to with 1 donations"

Tim and Carmen Moen. Eau C1 re Wisconsin Snakes as Pets by Hob M Smith All About Boas and Other Snakes by Mervin F. Roberts

We have also added: The Dilemma of the Gopher Tortoi Richard Franz and Rhoda J Bryant Bulletin of the Chi Herpetol

Is There A Solution? by

ieal Va 1 0 17. No. 1

We are now receiving a lot change basis@ These will

ion soci ies' newsletters on an eXe

The MHS T-shirts will be available lion yellow ll with dark blue pr ing (shoulder) and a map of Mi with included in this newsl sold 2

. now $7.00 per shirt!

3

society and available to check Qut.

i ng @ They wi,11 be II dande­have our logo on the front on the backe This drawing is

May meeting! The price is

4

5

The "Critters" brought to the May meeting were: Burmese Python Corn Snake Grey Banded Kingsnake Trans Pecos Rat Snake Western Milk Snake Prairie Kingsnake Garden Tree Boa Green Iguana

These were brought by: Peter Corcoran Bruce and Connie Delles Fran Frisch

Thanks from MHS!

The "Critter ll for the June meeting will be any and all species and subspecies of Bull, Pine, and Gopher Snake (Pituophis)o If you have any ideas for future IICritters", please 'let us know"

MHS memberships now stand at 82, with 32 attending the May meeting.

Hereis another list of protected animals, this time from South Dakota. These are all totally protected!

ENDANGERED none

THREATENED E1anding 1s Turtle False Map Turtle Spiny Softshell Turtle Eastern Hognose Snake Lined Snake Brown Snake Northern Red Bellied Snake

There are no amphibians on South Dakota 11

Delvin Jones

Connie Delles Jim Gerholdt Fred Bosman Bruce Delles Karl Hermann

MHS DIRECTORY

President V"i i dent Secretary-Treasurer Newsletter Editor Member-at-Large Member-at-Large Member~ arge Member~at~Large

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938-8555

938-1679 507-652-2996 476-0306 938-1679 225-6784

POISON CONTROL CENTER F"' _

405~271-5454

This phone number will appear on the front page of the MHS Newsletter starting next month. In the ,event of a bite by a venomous snake, this number will give you information on the nearest antivenin and people who can help in identifi cation of the snake. Keep it handy and use it if you need it!

The MHS picnic is scheduled for high noon on June 13. The site will be Lake Anne Park in Chanhassen. There is a $2.00 per car fee to enter the park, so a car pool will come in handy. MHS will provide a volleyball and net, and some pop. Bring your own food and beverage, as well as any recreational equipment you might want. Lake Anne Park is on Cae Road #5. We will try and have a map at the June meeting.

II

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BREEDING NOTE2.

Breedings from May AAZPA Newsletter

New York Zoological Park 6 Black Lipped Cobra

Memphis Zoo and Aquarium 1 Giant Day Gecko

St. Catherine's Survival Center (South Carolina) 2 Radiated Tortoise

St. Louis Zoological Park 1 Tokay Gecko

Cincinnati Zoo 13 Texas Blind Salamander 39 Horned Frog

Rio Grande Zoological Park 7 Common Snapping Turtle

National Zoological Park 2 Oriental Fire Bellied Toad 2 Water Dragon

By Joseph T. Collins, Roger Conant, James E. Huheey, James L. Knight, M. Rundquist and Hobart M. Smith

Dallas Zoo 4 Lance Headed Rattlesnake

Philadelphia Zoological Garden 1 Prehensile Tailed Skink

17 Poison Dart Frog

Houston Zoological Gardens 1 Turkistan Plate Tailed Gecko

1000 African Walking Frog

Available in summer 1982. The first edition of this reference, issued in 1978 as SSAR Herpetological Circular No.7, quickly became a standard reference for herpetologists, biologists, zoos, museums, conservation organizations, wildlife societies, book publishers, and Federal and state wildlife agencies. This second, revised edition is an up-date listing over 1300 common and scientific names for species and subspecies of North American (north of Mexico) salamanders, frogs and toads, crocodilians, turtles, lizards, and snakes. New features in this edition (not in the 1978 version) are an appendix of Hawaiian amphibians and reptiles, the inclusion of the names of describers for all genera, species and subspecies, and the addition of a table comparing the number of currently recognized subspecies with those listed in earlier publications. The SSAR Committee on Common and Scientific Names (shown above) considered over 50 proposed changes for this edition, the majority of which were adopted.

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S D DR. DOUGLAS H. TAYLOR, DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, OHIO 45056 USA. Make checks payable to "SSAR;" receipt on request. A pricelist of other Society publications can be obtained on request from Dr. Taylor, including the Journal of Herpetology, Herpetological Review, Contributions to Herpetology, other Herpetological Circulars, Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles, and the Facsimile Reprints in Herpetology series.

"Herpetological Circulars are no longer distributed free to SSAR members; individuals desiring copies of this and future numbers should place their orders as per the above Instructions.

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CLASSIFIEDS

ANIMALS FOR SALE - all specimens captive born -

18 Reticulated Pythons (Python reticulatus), 3-5 feet, from a rare captive breeding---------------$50.0o each

3 Kenya Sand Boas (Eryx colubrinus loveridgii), exceptional orange color, born Aug., '81----------$65.00 each

3 Gulf Hammock Rat Snakes (Elaphe obsoleta williamsii), hatched Aug., '81---------~------------$20.00 each

5 Midget Faded Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis concolor), born fall. 181----------------------$85.00 each

2 Ball Pythons (Python regius), good color, hatched Oct., t81, ' feeding on mice----------------$50.00 each

15 Western Gaboon Vipers (B~tis gabonica), 4-6 week old captive born beauties-----------------$135.00 each

14 Rhinocerous Vipers (Bitis nasicornis), 3-4 weeks old, , exceptional color-------------$135.00 each

Venomous snakes not sold to persons under 18 years of age or where local laws prohibit.

CONT.ACT: Pete Casper - 1857 Third Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 612-429-7662

THE REMARKABLE REPTILES

UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCES

JAMES E. GERHOLDT

P.O. BOX 86 WEBSTER, MN 55088

507-652 ... 2996

WANTED: BOOKS AND JOURNALS

IN THE FIELD OF HERPETOLOGY

HELP BUILD YOUR MHS LIBRARY

REPTILE SHOP FOR SALE - mid 20's plus inventory, or best offer. Call 612~827-6711 after 6 P"M.

Terry Odegoard's World of Reptil es

Educational Programs

Exhibits lectures 1833 Hampshire Ave. So. Sf. Louis Park. MN 55426

Phone: (612) 544·6406 ----

9

I 1

\

LARGEST SELECTION OF REPTILES IN MINNESOTA

AND A FULL LINE OF PET SUPPLIES FOR ALL ANIMALS

TWIN CITIES REPTILES PET SHOP

MON .• FRI. 10:00 • 8:00

SAT. 10:00·6:00

SUN. 12:00· 5:00

15 8TH AVE:NUE NOATH

HOPKINS. MINNESOTA 55343

(6 t 21 938·0600

CLASS'lFIEDS

MONDAY TO SATUADAV '0-8 e 1 2-929-8730

JUST IMAGINE - I'lL 00 THe REST

PET CETERA DESIGNING a. Ca-ttA'rING

FINE JEWI!;LRV

BIROS. RODENTS • SUPPLIES Ell ADYICE

WE SPECIALIZE IN REPTILES CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. '

4315 UPTON Aye: so. MII>LS.S5410

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DELICATESSEN

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

FRESH FROZEN MICE-$3.00 per dozen

FRESH FROZEN RATS-JUMBO SIZE-$1 .. 50

GARY BAECHER

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

612/920·4049

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

WANTED: 1 juvenile female Eastern Hognose Snake 1 adult fe~ale Califor~ia Kingsnake

CONTACT: Fran Frisch - 612-488-7619

*IC 0212 AMPHIBIANS AND REPTilES: AN INTRODUCTION TO HERPETOl .. OGY. No credit (2.2 CEUs available), $17 plus $21 course fee. Total $38. Provides an infroduction to the identification, behavior, and ecology of reptiles and amphibi­ans. lectures, slides, and m.ms illustrate the worldwide diversity of these fascinating animals. Topics include poisonous amphibians and reptiles, the social behavior of crocodiles, and the ~urrent controversy concerning warm-blooded dinosaurs. Breeding calls of resident frogs and toads will be learned, and identification of Minnesota species will be taught in the lab and field. A variety of herpetological field techniques will be presented during' two Saturday afternoon-evening field trips. (Offered in cooperation with the Be" Museum of Natural, History. limited to 25)

Spec Term Sec 2 Th-7-9, June 17-July 15 (5 evening meetings plus field trips) Bel/Mus 175 (use southwest entrance facing Nolte Center), Daryl Karns

No late fee through June 10 (Daryl Karns ;s an advanced graduate student in the Department of Ecology and Behavioral Biology. He has done research on the ecology and systematics of amphibians and reptiles in the central United States and West Africa)

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The Center ~r Environmt!Htaf EdUtatio"/s.e((~rt,le, " , Re~ue Fund tmnounces tift publication olt1tl~'" "',

'worldwide map 0/ sea turtle f1~ting beaches. '~:"i~(:~,]: \\~:,

"[hI! w~~J:!e;':I}i;\;"'4: Se~~~:~ !,"~,~!\:,J~!

" '~\f''P''~

The worldwide Distribution of,: Sea Thrtle Nesting Beaches .

retail price $6.95

"To protect sea turtles we need to know w~ere they are, yet no detailed worldwide :

. distribution map of turtle nesting grounds has ever been produced.!' ; " .

Peter Pritchard Vice-President Florida Audubon ,Sodety World renowned sea turtle biologist

Such a work now exists.

The CEE compilation of sea turtle nesting. beaches throughout the world is the first up-to-date inventory of its kind.

Consisting of six fold-out maps that indicat~, major and minor nesting sites covering the ,',' ' seven species of sea turtles, the work provides,,:'" descriptions of the nesting area, and gives ,:, -, estimates of the number of nesting females. References are provided for every nesting beach and a detailed bibliography is included 'for more specific information. '

The Worldwide Distribution of Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches is available for $6.95 plus $1.00 postage and handling. Send your name, address and check or money order to:

Educational Materials Center for Environmental Education 1925 K Street NW Suite 206 Washington. DC 20006 (202) 466-4996

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MELBOURNE HERPETOLOGICAL,

SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS

This volume summarizing the 1980 sympo~ sium. is now available. The meeting. held at the Royal Melbourne Zoological' Garoens, attracted 110 persons; 35 papers were pre­sented. The volume's 199 pages are peculiarly broken into 9 macrodivisions which show' more than a little overlap and hence are of questionable value. Hence, one finds a paper on farm management of Chelonia mydas under TURTLES AND TORTOISES rather than MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION, ~nd several other inconsistencies. But, ignor­Ing that. the volume is a fine treatise on the Australian herpetofauna as a whole and a valuable reference for anyone involved with captive propagation of reptiles. The addi­tional papers on biogeography, physiOlogy, taxonomy and natural history make this a well balanced volume suitable for use as a readings-in-herpetology text with an empha­sis on Australia. For information on availabil­ity of the volume, write:

Chris Banks The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens P.O. Box 74 Parkville Victoria 3052 AUSTRALIA

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a group that is interested in reptiles and amphibians. We are seeking new members. As a member you will receive monthly informative newsletters and can attend monthly meetings which are highlighted with guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects important to all herpers.

Membership categories are: Individual Member-$7.50. Residents of Minnesota. Corresponding Member-$S.OO. Out of state members. Family Membership-$lO.OO. Covers all members of a househ6-ld.

So if you'd like to exchange information and ideas with others who share your interest, please send your membership fee to:

Minnesota Herpetological Society Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church 'Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0104

Name _____________ Any specific interest in Herpetology?

Address ----------------------

Home Phone # ------------------Make all checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society