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

VOLUME II

MHS NEWSLETTER

Thursday, September 2, 1982 7:00 PM Room 225, Smith Hall

University of Minnesota

NUMBER 8

*********************************************************************************

The September meeting will deal with one of the unique eco-habitats in Minnesota@ Darl Karns of the Bell Museum staff will speak on IIEcology of the Herpetofauna of the Boreal Peatlands of Minnesota l

'. This program will be illustrated with slides, and is highly recommended. It was presented at the Symposium at Bemidji and is the result of extensive field work in the area Be sure to attend!

*********************************************************************************

Some future programs to look forward to include IIEcology of West African Lizards", "Rattlesnakes and Their Husbandry", a slide presentation on various far western herps, and a program on snakebite presented by a local toxicologiste

*********************************************************************************

The IICritter of the Monthll for the September meeting will be large boas and pythons .. The b'igger and fatter the better! We know there are some real biggies out there, and we hope to see them at the meetingG However, MHS will not be held responsible for consumed members!

*********************************************************************************

MHS has lost yet another Board member Karl Hermann, one of our original Members­at-Large, has submitted his resignation MHS is indeed sorry to lose Karl and his input, but we wish him well in his new venturee Nominations for this vacancy will be accepted at the September meeting

*********************************************************************************

POISON CONTROL CENTER 405-271-5454

Despite earlier appeals to.the membership, a problem still exists with other than scheduled animals being brought to the meetings. PLEASE respect the MHS's policy on this. Check with Del Jones or Bruce prior to the meeting if you have a reason for bringing an animal. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated!

*********************************************************************************

The MHS Library is growing at an almost alarming rate! Recent purthases with MHS funds include:

Reptiles of the World by Raymond Ditmars Biomedical and Surgical Aspects of Captive Reptile~Husbandry by Frederic Frye Encyclopedia of Turtles by Peter Pritchard

These 3 books were supplied to MHS at cost through the courtesy of Bruce and Connie Delles. Thanks from MHS!

Another book has been donated to the Library by our master cartoonist, Fran Frisch.

Venomous Reptiles by Sherman and Madge Minton

Thanks to Fran from MHS!

*********************************************************************************

. *********************************************************************************

2

Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida: Part One: The Snakes by Ray E. Ashton Jr@ and Patricia Sawyer Ashton 19810 Windward Publishing Inca, 105 NE 25th St., PoO o Box 371005, Miami Florida 33137. 176 pages, soft cover$ Price: $9.95 ..

This book is the first of a three volume series that will cover the reptiles and amphibians of Florida. The book is designed as a field guide to the 65 species and subspecies of snakes recognized in Florida.

The introductory section, 56 pages, covers conservation, herpetology and the law, terminology and classification, Florida environment, Florida habitats, collecting, snake bites, natural history, a checklist of Florida snakes, and a brief discuss­ion of the families of snakes represented in Florida@ The discussion of Florida habitats is especially well done. Each habitat, some 21 types in all, is described with its distinguishing characteristics and characteristic plant communitiese A brief comment is included on the herp fauna found in each habitato The excellent color photos included of each habitat type are what makes this section extremely useful to the amateur herper; you don't have to know what a Pinus or Quercus

(Pine or Oak) is, or the differences between mesic and xeriC; the photos make it immediately obvious Recognition of habitats that lave seen in past Florida field trips confirms the usefulness of this feature" The other very_useful part of the introductory section is the check list that shows the relative abundance of each snake in the 21 habitats described in the book. This allows the reader to determine at a glance what species of snakes can be expected to be found in a particular habitat.

Each species account consists of approximately one page of narrative covering descriptions~ similar species and natural historyo A large ( 5 x 705 inches) range map is included with each account@ Each county where the species has been collected is identified~ Also included on the range map is a small US map showing the general US distribution of the speciesG Each description is accompanied by one or more uniformly excellent color photographs of the species being describede The photographs are taken in natural settings and usually include sufficient background material to allow the reader to get a feeling of the relative size of the snakes An impressive extra feature is the inclusion of color photos of the different color phases and color variants of the various species. For those species that are difficult to differentiate (eg Crowned Snakes), large, well executedline drawings are also included as an aid to identification~

The book closes out with a useful glossary, a bibliography, and a good index~ The bibliography identifies those references that are particularly recommended for amateur herpers

Negative comments are fe~~ Some of the color variants shown have, until quite recently, been listed as subspecies A reference to these previous classifi­cations would have proved useful when this field guide is used in conjunction with older publications9

An error exists on page 40 in the discussion of snake locomotion. A drawing labeled serpentine motion actually shows the concertina type motion which is not even mentioned in the text@ The drawing of serpentine motion is not labeled. This appears_to be an error that crept in at the-printers, but is obvious enough to have been caught before going to press e

Over all the book is excellent and a great bargain at the price~ I hope that the high standards can be maintained in the remaining two volumes of the series

Delvin Jones

IS YOUR MHS MEMBERSHIP CURRENT? PLEASE CHECI< YOUR ADDRESS LABEL TO BE SURE!

********************************************************************************

The IIHerp Hints" segment of the August meeting was one of the best yet. Bruce Delles passed on some ideas on feeding young snakes that he had picked up at the Symposium in Washington~ Using adult mouse parts rather than pinkies can be a better way to rear young. There is some thought that IIwiggly" pinkies can some­times intimidate the young snake and deter the feeding response .. IISl ap feeding", where the food item is used to literally slap the snake in the face and make it respond can sometimes be used when all else fails. If the snake you are trying to feed tries to run away, using a plastic shoe box with no substrate or paper can be helpful .. Another idea (not from Bruce or the Symposium) might be to place a heavy rock on the tail of the snakes This has several disadvantages, one of which is the fact that all your snakes would look like sea snakes in short order6 (Editoris Note: This idea should only be used by professionals with years of training and experience!) A point to always be aware of is the fact that even though the adult animal might be a rodent eater, its young might naturally rear on lizards or even frogso

********************************************************************************

(A further Editor's note) Please do not take the rock on the tail idea seriously! If you do, your membership privileges will be terminated, and your snake will probably die!

********************************************************************************

~--------

D . N' " (( I knew a'rwzn. zce guy.

******************************************************************************

4

BREEDING NOTES

Bruce and Connie Delles Pacific Island Spiny Tail Iguana {Ctenosaura sp.)-26 eggs laid on April 16, 1982. 20 were incubated on moist vermiculite at approximately 80 degrees. 9 hatched on July 27, 1982.

Del Jones Rosy Rat Snake-l0 eggs laid on June 3, 1982 .. 3 were "pills"" 6 hatched from August 11 to August 15 .. San Diego Gopher Snake-5 eggs laid on June 17, 1982 .. Breeding had been noted on April 2 or 3 .. 3 hatched on July 28, 1982.

Larry Yank Butler's Garter Snake-5 young plus 1 "pill il born on July 25, 1982" Eastern Garter Snake-27 young born on July 23, 1982.

**********************************************************************************

Breedings from August AAZPA Newsletter

San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium 2 African Fat Tailed Gecko 3 Taylor's Cantil

Tampa-Busch Gardens 2 Nile Crocodile

Houston Zoological Gardens 2 Yucatan Banded Gecko 3 Tokay Gecko 2 Leopard Gecko

13 TaylorDs Cantil 5 Great Basin Rattlesnake

National Zoological Park 3 Green Crested Basilisk

St. Louis Zoological Park 19 Maximilian Viper

Cincinnati Zoo 6 Green and Black Poison Arrow Frog

17 Eastern Hognose Snake 6 Russells Viper

Detroit Zoological Park 17 Yellow Anaconda

Los Angeles Zoo .12 Red Spitting Cobra

4 Jalisco Milk Snake

Rio Grande Zoological Park 6 Leopard Gecko

Toledo Zoo 4 Red Footed Tortoise 1 Elongated Tortoise 1 Northern Pine Snake 1 Jones' Girdle Tailed Lizard 9 Leopard Gecko 3 Tokay Gecko

11 Chinese Water Dragon 1 Eastern Garter Snake

Oa 11 as Zoo 5 Honduran Kingsnake 4 Pope's Pit Viper

10 Yucatan Neotropical Rattlesnake 10 Neotropical Rattlesnake 8 Panamint Rattlesnake 5 Pueblan Kingsnake 8 Baird1s Rat Snake

Philadelphia Zoological Garden 2 Prehensile Tailed Slink 8 Madagascan Hognose Snake

*********************************************************************************

5

Both of the Burmese Pythons were adopted at the August meeting0 As this issue of the Newsletter goes to press, we have no animals lined up for the September meeting This may change by meeting time MHS thanks all who have been involved with the prigram so far, making it a great success!

*********************************************************************************

MHS OFFICERS

Delvin Jones President 938-8555

Bruce Del1es Vice-President 938-6197

Connie Delles Secretary-Treasurer 938-6197

,lim Gerholdt Newsletter Editor 507-652-2996 I

Fred Bosman Member-at-Large 476-0306

Fran Frisch Member-at-Large 488-7619

Ann Porwoll Member-at-Large 489-7853

1 Member-at-Large ?

********************************************************************************* PI' 0 b s t h8.8 23 ha t

If you are at me

g plee.s C:

g"

need hOlYlES&

or see him

ANNOUNCING the

INVENTORY OF LIVE REPTILES ANn AMPHIBIANS

IN CAPTIVITY CURRENT JANUARY 1, 1982

by Frank L. Slavens

Published by the author, P.O. Box 30744, Seattle, Washington, 98103. 1982. 212 pp. $25.00 ($20.00 paper). AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER ONLY).

This i~ :1 priV:ltely compiled and published inventory (w~th breeding s t a ti s { l. !,~ S I 0 f r ep til e 5 and amp h i b i an s in 1 7 6 ( 6 9 pub 1 i c an d 107 private) collections from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The information covers 382 genera, with 952 species, and 1,352 forms. The section on reproduction contains information on 314 species reported as bred during 1981.

A few copies of the 1981 edition are also available. These are the same-price as the 1982 edition. To order either the 1981 or 1982 edition please fill out the form below and return it to the address shown.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ORDER FORM +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

InventoTY of Live Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivity, 198·2

Hardbound $25.00 (Including handling) $

# Softbound $20,00 (Including handling) $

Inventory of Live Reptiles In North American Collections, 1981

# Hardbound $2.5,00 (Including handling) $

# S 0 f -c b 0 U 11 -.l $ 2 0 , 0 0 ( Inc 1 u din g han d 1 i n g ) $ ~---------------

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED

Order from:

Frank L. Slavens P.O. Box' 30744 Seattle, Washington

98103

7

$

Date

Name

Address

City State Zip

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 HERPEfOLOGY

HELP BUILD YOUR MHS LIBRARY

*********************************************************************************

Oh, I'm being eaten By a boa constrictor, A boa constrictor 8

boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don't like bit. Well, what do you know? It's nibblin' my Oh, It's up to my knee. Ohmyo It's up to my thigh. Oh, fiddle, It's up to my middle. Oh, heck, It's Oh, "-4,L'VIdLI.A.

Ifs upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff ...

MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10-6

612-929·6730

PET CETERA BIRDS 0 RODENTS 0 SUPPLIES IilI ADVICE

WE SPECIALIZE IN REPTILES

4315 UPTON AVE. SO. MPLS.55410

JUST IMAGINE - I'LL DO THE REST

GARY BAECHER

DESIGNING 8< CREATING

FINE JEWELRY

CAl.L FOR APPOINTMENT

10 A.M. TO 7 P.M.

612/920-4049

******************************************************************************

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DELICATESSEN

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

FRESH FROZEN MICE-$3mOO per dozen

FRESH FROZEN RATS-JUMBO SIZE-$1.50

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

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

Jim Gerholdt P 0" Box 86 Webster, MN 55088

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

******************************************************************************

s

1833 Hampshire Ave. So. Sf. Louis Park, MN 554.26

Phone: (612) 544-6406 -----

LARGEST SELECTION OF REPTILES IN MINNESOTA

AND A FULL LINE OF PET SUPPLIES FOR ALL ANIMALS

TWIN CITIES REPTILES PET SHOP

MON. - FFlI. 10;00· 8;00

SAT 10.00· 6:00

SUN. 1:2 00 - 5:00

15 8TH AVENUE NORTH

'HOPKINS, MINNESOlf, 55343

(612) 938-0660

******************************************************************************

If you would like to receive a price list from Twin Cities Reptiles, send $2000 ($4000 outside U S and Canada)" The price list is published bimonthly This is for a 1 year subscription Also, TCR is always interested in trading animals for herp books and articles.

******************************************************************************

9

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

BEll. Ml1SEllM OF NATIlRAL HISTORY 10 CHI 'RCH STI~EET S.E .. MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA ')')4')')-0104

NAME ____________________ . ____________________________________________________________ __

------______________________________ STATE ____________ ZIP~ ________________________ __

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

o FAIvHLY ............................. $10.00

Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings.

o IND IVID UAL ......................... $7.s0

o St ~BSCRIBIN~ ........................ $5.00 For out.of-(~~ot.members unable to attend -monthly meetings.

OFFICIAL MIlS T-SHIRT

Yellow shirt with blue screening.

S 0 MOL 0 XL 0

$7.00 each, $1.00 postage/handling.

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPUCAll0N. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO MINNESOTA HElRPETOWGICAL SOCIETY. MEMBERSHIP IS FOR. 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF JOINING. YOU WIll RECEIVE YOUR. MEMBERSHIP CARD BY RETURN MAIL. A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT om Y UPON REQUEST.