MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

NEWSLE11ER Vol. 19 No.3 MARCH 1999

Board of Directors

President Bill Moss (651) 488-1383

Vice President John Levell (507) 467-3076

Recording Secretary

Membership Secretary Mark Schmidtke (612) 481-m27

Treasurer Marilyn Blasus (612) 9254237

Newsletter Editor NancyHaig (612) 434-;3684

Past President Grorge Richard (651) 639-6368

Members at large JodiAhems (612) 588-9329 Nancy Hakomaki (612) 631-1380 Gordon Merck (612) 566-2001 JaneUOsbom (612) 455-6540

Committees

Adoption Sarah Richard (612) 639-6326

Education Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845

Northern Minnesota Jeff Korbel (218) 5B6-2588

Occasional Papers John Moriarty (651) 482..'!109

Rodent Sales Tina Cisewski (612) 856-2865

He~ Assistance

Amphibians Greg Kvanbek (612) 388-0305 John Meltzer (612) 236-7880 John Moriarty (651) 482-S109

Chameleons Ve:m& Laurie Grassel (612) 428-4625

Crocodilians Jeff Lang (701) 722-1J127

lizards NancyHaig (612) 434-;l684

Big lizards, Monitors Bill Moss (612) 488-1383

Large boas, Pythons Tina Cisewski (612) 856-2865

Other snakes Jeff LeOere (612) 488-63B8 John Meltzer (612) 263-7880

Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash (612) 753-0218 John l.€vell (507) 467-3076

Terrestrial Turtles Fred Bosman (612) 476-0306 John Levell (507) 467-3076

The Minnesota Herpetological Society

Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church Street, SE,

Minneapolis Minnesota, 55455-0104

Voice Mail: (612) 624-7065 Email: MinnHerps@aol.com

Internet http://www.onrampinc. netj mhs j

MARCH 1999 Volume 19, Number 3

The purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to

• Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians;

• Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians;

• Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a non-profit lax-exempt organization. Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members with infonnation concerning the society's activities and a media for exchanging information, opinions and resources.

General Meetings are held at Borlaug Hall, Room 335 on the St Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, on the first Friday of each month (unless there is a holiday conflict). The meeting starts at 7:00 pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voicemail for changes in schedules or cancellations.

Submissions to the Newsletter Ads or Notices must be submitted no later than the night of the General Meeting to be included in the next issue. Longer articles will be printed as time and space allows. All active members are allowed a classified ad, run free of charge as space permits. Business cards are run for $5.00 per month. Items may be sent to:

The Minnesota Herpetological Society Attn: Newsletter Editor Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church S~ SE Minneapolis, MN. 55455-0104

or Ernalled to: bruchaig@dtilink .com

Snakebite Emergency Hennepin Co, Regional Poison Center

(612) 347-3141 Minnesota Poison Control System

Local (612) 221-2113 Out of State: (BOO) 222-1222

Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society 1999. Contents may be reproduced for non-profit use provided that all material is reproduced without change and proper credit is given authors and the MHS Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

March 1999 Newsletter

Upcoming Meeting Highlights

April Program: "The Wonderful World of Geckos" Speaker: Tony Gamble

Occurring on every continent except Antarctica, and possessing an incredibly long geologic history, Gekkonid lizards are easily among most the successful reptiles on the planet. Indeed of all lizard families, the Geckos with somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 surviving species distributed among 90 different genera are second only to the equally cosmopolitan skinks (family: Scincidae) in terms of overall numerical diversity. Not surprisingly, these 900 species include some of the most beautiful, as well as some of the most bizarre lizards in existence today.

Luckily, April's special guest speaker, long time MHS member Tony Gamble, has spent the greater part of his adult life working with and studying these truly remarkable lizards. The author of the 50 page book, A Bibliography of the Genus Eublepharis (Gray, 1827) (Eublepharidae, Sauria), Tony has successfully reared and propagated a wide variety of Gekkonids including the spectacularly colored Day Gecko", Phelsuma sp., the truly bizarre Leaf-tailed Geckos, Uroplatus sp., African Fat-tailed, Hemitheconyx

THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

caudicinctus, and Pricky Geckos, Homonota horrida, and the very popular Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularius. Naturally, Tony's program will provide a wealth of information on how to malntain and breed these species in captivity.

In addition, Tony has promised to provide an overview of the taxonomy, geographic distribution and natural history of Geckos in general, all completely illustrated with an extensive assortment of slides and including photographs of many species most of us have probably never seen before. The undisputed "Gecko King of Minnesota," Tony Gamble is undoubtedly one of the most knowledgeable lizard experts in the entire Midwest and his program is guaranteed to be both exciting and highly informative. At the same time, Tony's presentation is certainly a great way for me to kick off my second run as your MHS Vice-President. See you there

- JPL

Notice: Because of the Holiday, the MRS April Meeting is one week later than usual!

Date: April 9, 1999

Time: 7:00 PM. Location: Bodaug Hall, Room 335, U of M St. Paul Campus

Volume 19 Number 3

"Election Results"

President Bill Moss

Vice-President John Levell

Recording Sec .

Membership Sec Mark Schmidtke

Treasurer Marilyn Blasus

Newsletter Ed Nancy Haig

Past President George Richard

Members at Large Jodi Aherns Nancy Hakomaki Gordon Merck Janell Osborn

To all outgoing Members of the 1998 MHS Board of Directors -Thanks for a great year!

Frog and Toad Survey

Minnesota Frog Watch will be starting the 1999 surveys soon. If you would like to participate contact

MN Frog Watch/ Thousand Friends of Frogs

1536 Hewitt Ave, Hamline University Graduate

School, MS-A1760, St PauL MN 55104-1284

Or Call (651) 523-2812

A tralning session will be held on April 5th , from 1 pm to 5pm.

MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

News, Notes &Announcements

Ex-Presidential Pabulum

Well here's my last colwnn as president of the MHS. I formally turned over the Helm to Bill Moss at the joint board meeting on Saturday, I'm sure he and the rest of the incoming board will do a great job. The main reason for this colwnn is that last month we had an electronic mishap and this colwnn was omitted from the Newsletter. Since it is probably the most important one I get to write and the only one most of the membership reads I pulled some strings (Nancy needed filler). This is the volunteer appreciation colwnn. I'd like to extend an official "Thank You" to each and every volunteer listed here. The first group below missed the award cut-off but they certainly deserve recognition for their contributions. The second group all qualified for a nifty herp-bag award. To all of you, Thanks!!

Martin Teeters, Brittany Strobeen, Danielle Strobeen, Patricia Stephan, Darryl Sheldon, Bethany Roberts, Travis Roberts, Sam Richard, Craig Rewier, Ann Porwell, Julie Peterson, Lynn Paiter, David Norman, Evan Muriss, John Meltzer, Duane McDermott, Surah Mayim, Shelly LeTendre, Alex Larson, Jeff Lang, Alan Kwong, Neal Kwong, Laura Kwong, Sara Knez, Dan KeyIer, Delvin Jones, Cody Jarson, Maryjane Hommes, Jim Gerholt, Jessica Fortney, Bryn Forstner, Hedi Davenport, Kaleb Crosby, Jeff Cisewski, Gary Casper, Mark Burge, Sally Brewer, Dietrich Bohn, Alyssa Boelter, Ashley Bergsten, Hailey Bergsten, Shelly Baker, Jim Baker, Gary Ash, Jan Andresen, Noah Anderson, Chris Anderson.

Qualifying for the award: Amanda Wold, Mark Webber,

Doris Wahl, Domonique mveness, Dereck mveness, Keith Tucker, Tara Sullivan, Kris Strobeen, Zach Strand, Megan Strand, Jody Statz, Roger Statz, Devon Staats, Mark Schmidtke, Tom Sasse, Cheri Sasse, Aaron Sasse, Bill Sandberg, Anna Roedler, Sarah Richard, George Richard, Karin Rea, James Rea, Shauna Peterson, Amy Peterson, Katie Osborne, Janell Osborne, Joy Norquist, Bill Moss, John Moriarty, Gordon Merck, Sean Menke, Alannah Lovegren, John Levell, Jeff LeClere, Beau Larson, Virginia Larson, Scott Larson, Miles Larson, Merle Larson, Jan Larson, Dalton Larson, Greg K vanbek, Lisa Johnson, Jake Jacobsen, Michael Howard, Jim Hoffman, Tony Hoffman, Michelle Hewitt, Sean Hewitt, Ellen Heck, Nancy Hakomaki, Nancy Halg, Bruce Halg, Christopher Green, Janna Grassel, Vern GrasseL Laurie Grassel, Donna Gaunt, Michael Gaunt, Franke Forstner, Stephanie Forstner, Amy Forslund, Mindy Elmer, Ingrid Edstrom, Bryan Edmonstrom, Dennis Daly, Chris Cisewski, Tina Cisewski, Nicole Cisewski, Cory Cisewski, Donna Calander, Barb Buzicky, Andrea Braucks, Fred Bosman, Liz Bosman, Kathy Boron, Tom Bliese, Marilyn B1asus, Randy B1asus, Julie Beauvais, Justin Baker, Jeff Anderson.

These 129 volunteers contributed a total of 4134 hours to the MHS in 1998. These volunteer hours can be broken down into several categories including Renfest (2171 hrs.) Education (737 hrs) Newsletter & State Fair (354 hrs), Misc. (498 hrs).

The remaining hours are spent as Board/Chair hours, a total of 374

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just over 9%, in other words, the total amount of reported time spent in "management" is under 10% of the total, 90% is spent having fun. I'll take that ratio any day especially when you consider that the 9% "work" isn't really all that bad either.

Consider the amount accomplished last year, the board and committee chairs co-ordinated the volunteer actions and tried to represent the interests of almost 400 members. They officiated at 12 monthly meetings, a picnic and a holiday party in addition to overseeing the publishing and distribution of almost 4200 newsletters and 1000 occasional papers. The MHS also distributed $7900.00 in grants to herpetological concerns and wrote, passed and managed a $15,000.00 budget.

My point is simple, without volunteers, none of it can happen. It's been great serving as your President and I really appreciate all the support, kind words and help you've given me in the last 2 years. Thanks Again!

George W. Richard

Critter Of The Month

Thanks to: Laurie Grassel Leopard Tortoise

Geochelone parda/is

John Levell Herp postcard Collection

Herpus stickinmailis

Raffle Donors

Roger & Jady Statz donated an aquarium, several T-shirts, and a frog plaque. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold a raffle at the March meeting. Look for these and other items at the April meeting.

MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

GENERAL MEETING REVIEW Where does all that Money Go? Speakers: 1998 Grant Recipients

The March meeting was dedicated to a review of the results of projects for which grants were distributed in 1998. It started out with an introduction by Randy Blasus, the grants committee chairperson, listing the grants distributed during 1998 and describing the plans for 1999. individual projects and their results were then presented by the grant recipients or from synopsis prepared by the recipients. Barb Buzicky, the vice-president presented the synopsis.

The MHS distributed $7,600 in grants in 1998. This large amount was made possible by proceeds from the successful Midwest Herpetological Seminar hosted by the MHS in 1997. The MHS will probably distribute about $3,000 during 1999 and Randy hopes we will be able to distribute $1,000 each year in the future. If anyone knows of people working in herpetologically related projects that need funding, they should ask them to submit a request to the MHS by December 31 of this year.

Dan Keyler received a grant of $1,500 to study the genetics of the timber rattlesnakes of Minnesota. The money was used for analysis of the DNA from blood samples for comparison with the DNA profiles of timber rattlesnakes from other regions of the U.S. The federal government is in the process of developing a Timber Rattlesnake Conservation Action Plan that will be the first document of its kind dealing with the protection of a venomous species at the federal level. The DNA data of Minnesota animals has never been collected before and will provide valuable information to show that the population here is genetically congruous with the eastern and southern populations.

Two related grants were made regarding Blanding's turtles in Minnesota; $2,250 was given to the Nature Conservancy for land acquisition at the Weaver Dunes Preserve and $1,000 was used to co­sponsor a Blanding's turtle workshop in May of last year. John Moriarity described how these grants were related and what the results were.

65 researchers from the U.S. and Canada met at the Bell Museum for the first-ever international Blanding's turtle workshop. They visited Camp Ripley and Weaver Dunes to get a first hand look at some Minnesota populations and presented several papers that will be published in the Chelonian Newsletter in the near future. A representative of the Busch Foundation accompanied them on the trip to Weaver Dunes and was sufficiently impressed with the need to protect this unique site that she convinced the foundation to donate $200,000 towards the purchase of an important parcel of land.

Jolm also mentioned that a bill is currently being considered by the Minnesota House of Representatives to name the Blanding's turtle as the state reptile and "undeformed leopard frogs" as the state amphibian. The bill is House file # 737 and anyone supporting it should contact their representative. The MHS donated $100 toward this effort in 1998.

$900 was donated for the research of the movement and habitat use of juvenile Blanding's turtles in southern Wisconsin. This project, headed by Gary Casper, was not as successful as hoped due to the failure of several of the radio transmitters used to track the juvenile turtles. Gary was able to determine, however, that the juveniles favored the microhabitat

By Bruce Haig Recording Secretary

of dense stands of narrow-leafed emergent vegetation in warm, shallow water. No juveniles were detected in the available open shallow water zones nor in the areas dominated by broad-leaved water plantain. Gary hopes to continue this project with new transmitters in 1999.

The $250 grant to John Levell for a herpetological survey of Filmore County was matched by a grant from the Chicago Herpetological Society. John presented an excellent slide show of the animals that he observed and hopes to observe as part of this survey. Filmore county has not been studied as much as the surrounding counties and many species found in neighboring counties have not been documented in Filmore. John showed slides of spring peepers, American toads, gray tree frogs, common snapping turtles, painted turtles, spiny soft-shelled turtles, garter snakes, water snakes, ring necked snakes, and timber rattlesnakes that he has documented within the county. He has also observed red-bellied snakes, milk snakes, fox snakes, and bull snakes. He is still looking for pickerel frogs, five-lined race runners, hog-nosed snakes (both eastern and western are possibilities), blue racers, and wood turtles. Anyone with potential site information should let John know so he can include them in the 1999 survey.

John and Connie Levell founders and managers of the Lanesboro Living Museum of Natural History, provide an opportunity for the Lanesboro residents and tourists to learn about the local natural history and environment. The MHS donated $500 in 1998 towards a filtration system for the turtle exhibit.

MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

News, Notes &Announcements

Help a Hapless Herp

Finding homes this month were:

1 Red Eared Slider 1 Leopard Gecko 1 Common Boa 3 Green Iguanas!II

15th Annual Midwest Herpetological Symposium

October 15-17, 1999

Still needing homes:

2 Ratsnakes 1 Cornsnake 1 Argentine Boa 2 Ball Pythons

The Iowa Herpetological Society will be hosting the next Midwest Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa. They are accepting partial registrations to help with the upfront costs of preparing for the event. Any amount will be accepted.

1 Albino Kingsnake 1 Milksnake 1 White Throat Monitor 1 Tegu Monitor 4 Green Iguanas 3 Burmese Pythons 1 Ornate Box Turtle 1 Common Boa

Most of these animals came from a private collection whose owner is critically ill. Please help us find homes for these hapless herps.

Friends of the Trust

The fobWlg ~ BOO "1J'IlisaIioos are. by oo;,g ~, sustmng, or iIe membets d tho T orroise T n.ot USA. making a posiive <ifI'mrore in tho ooroaIV8tion d II1ma1heoed spades of chelonia and tho undeBtalldi>J d tho ca¢Ie "-"OOldl'/o! lhasa fa!<inslIIg..-. We, tho boaid rneot>eB of tho IT USA. ... gmilhi I:r '" oonIideno> placed in us, and WoI do 00f _ to .... up to !hat respoosiJiIly.

o Patti Walton o Glenna E. Rosenthal·Babst o Minnesola Herpetological Society o Glen Jacobsen o Darrell Senneke o Richelle Parker o CITC, Inland Empire Chapter

Costs are: $52.00 Early registration $62.00 Late registration

$25.00 Banquet

Mail to : Iowa Herpetological Society Connie Van Duseldorp

4

4421 61 sl St. Urbandale, IA 50322

Pe;.rd \)..1; 5'

( h 0-.("\(, I(.o()

MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

I POSTAL ISSUES by James Rea I

I will comment on two topics that are actually unrelated. The first regards new stamp issues, and the second addresses how the postal rate increase affects our newsletter.

Available April 7, 1999 are three new 33-cent issues depicting herps, part of a souvenir sheet of ten stamps illustrating the S<moran Desert The stamps are self­adhesive, and are not sold individually. The artist is John Dawson of Hawaii. This is the first in a series about native biotic conununities called the "Nature of· America Series." The species are as follows: Gopizerus agassizi, Desert tortoise Heloderma suspeclum, Gila monster Crotalus scululalus, Mojave rattlesnake.

c -'-', , ! ) 1:;- 1 ) t

J\ '-'; i ,

l ! ,

A fourth species appears in the scene but is not the subject of a stamp: Coleonyx variegalus, Western banded gecko.

While the first-class rate increase was only a penny, the increase for non-profit bulk mailings was about twenty percent. I commend our editor, Nancy Haig, for taking the countermeasure of changing the size of the newsletter to qualify for the lower, letter rate. Our cost for the January mailing at the flat-size rate was $65. By going to the letter­size rate in February, the cost dropped to $47, a savings of $18, or 28 %. Now our newsletter is back to the original format started when Jim Gerholdt was editor.

5

Please thank the following volunteers for helping with newsletter folding on a regular basis: Marilyn and Randy Blasus, Liz and Fred Bosman, Sally Brewer, Nancy and Bruce Haig, Alan Kwong, Jan and Merle Larson, Karin Rea, and Sarah and George Richard. I also thank those who show up whenever they can make it.

Further Reading:

Biopizilately, "Herpetology)' Saul Friess, VoL 47(4) p. 223.

USA Philatelic, Vol. 4(1) p. 7

MHS Newsletter Volume 19Number 3

VITA-MORTEM REPORT AMedicaVEducationReport by Dr. Janell Osborn

Please note: Articles in this MHS feature, unless referenced, are based on experience. Feedback is always welcome.

In working with reptiles and amphibians, the question/ debate of how much to handle them occasionally comes up. These are not domesticated animals. The com snakes, the iguanas, and the breaded dragons may be the closest creatures we have to being domestic, but they still carry a variable amount of wild genes. Technically, it takes 20 generations of captive reproduction for a wild creature to be considered domestic. A wolf hybrid cannot, genetically, be placed into a determined split of wild and domestic; neither can our reptiles. Besides the genetics, is the method of rearing. Even though the iguanas and most alligators are raised on production farms, it makes them no more domestic, ie. amendable to human affection, than the chickens we raise for meat. On the other hand, many reptiles are adaptable - this is what has kept them on earth longer than most other living creatures. Some reptile pets will always hate to be handled, others will actually look for human interaction. Boas, com snakes, iguanas and bearded dragons tend to become very comfortable with human handling as time goes on. Some of the more exotic species of reptiles never seem to adapt well. However, the time may come when they need to be treated for an illness or injury. If the reptile has never been handled, it will greatly increase the stress of treatment on top of the stress already created by the illness or injury. Some minor procedures (routine deworming. or minor maladies) can sometimes be accomplished in cage. So the question becomes, how much can

If should I handle my reptile/ amphibian before it is too stressed out? Should some be handled at all?

All babies should be handled minimally - that is, let them use their energy to eat and grow. Under the correct environmental conditions, you have plenty of time to hold them as they mature. Wait until they have at least shed twice and ate/ fed once; then start with 5 minute intervals of handling during the time they are usually awake (most geckos, and some snakes will wait until late evening before they are awake enough not to spend some extra energy being awakened.) A classic example is the anxious owner who holds their new "pet" 3-10 times daily. This is often the baby boa or the baby dragon that ends up dead one morning within a week of purchase.

For aquatic amphibians- hands off. Most treatments are given the same as for fish - in the water. If they need something surgical, they are anesthetized in the water before being taken out. For terrestrial amphibians, handle only with latex gloves that have been rinsed in clean water. There should always be a thin layer of water between your frog/ salamander and your hand. Handle them at most once per month (every 2 months is better) for a current weight. Inexpensive scales can be found in the kitchen area of your local hardware or discount store. Having a current weight on hand can shorten the physical exam time for veterinary care and will allow your amphibian to stress for five

6

minutes when he/ she is healthy so it is not so much of a jolt when he/ she is sick. Even though some frogs are almost too cute to resist, their skin is very permeable to anything. This will include the detergent perfumes on your clothes, the normal household bacteria/fungus on your floor (as he - oops! - jumps off your shoulder), the nicotine or mammal skin fauna on your fingers, etc.

The same can be said for other non-touchable reptiles- weigh them or take them out to clean the cages (with clean hands and leather gloves for teeth and nails) every couple of months for 5-15 minutes. Many physical exams can be accomplished within 10-15 minutes. Then put them back in their cage and leave them alone.

For more handling-amendable types such as your iguana (who has the mentality of a human 2 years old for life), they should be handled with increasing frequency after they have a month of being in a new environment. As they grow or if you acquired them sub­adult/ adult size, and as they get used to you (and you to them) -practice petting; then holding their feet, gently slide your hand down the tail, hold them vertically for belly inspection. As this becomes comfortable for the both of you, practice opening the mouth - for iguanas this is a GENTLE pull of the rostral (closest to the front) dewlap. For the snakes, this is a GENTLE squeeze at the commissure of the mouth (where top jaw and bottom jaw meet). Again, leather gloves are a recommended accessory.

VITA-MORTEM REPORT

For turtles and tortoises, get them used to their heads and legs being touched. Work your way to the neck (we're talking months here, not days or weeks). Let them know touch is not invasive. Practice holding their tail tip for short periods (most blood is taken from the tail of all species).

Especially with the iguanas ans alligators, as they start to get bigger than your out stretched hand in body length (not including the tail), practice restraint for 1-3 minutes at a time. These are/ can be dominant creatures to their owners if you allow them to. Here welder's gloves are a good investment.

Veterinary medicine used on wild anirna1s (such as you see on Animal Planet or the old Wild Kingdom) is not practical for

house bound reptiles and pets. For every reptile in captivity, we are overtly or covertly domesticating them. Chemical restraint is a good thing but not without risks. TV won't show you the animals that died.

Most reptiles will live for 12 -100 years (even the White's Treefrog has a life span of 15 years). Chances are they will get sick sometime in that time period and even though early caught maladies can often be overcome with therapeutic changes in environment or non-invasive techniques, some cannot; and severe illness/injury usually cannot.

When I was learning bone wiring techniques, my professor said twist it one twist short of breaking the wire. Often times this

"WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE NEWSLETTER?"

MHS Newsletter Volume 19Number 3

by Dr. Janell Osborn

is the same judgement call when working with wild reptiles where any high stress can lead to cardiac arrest. If the animal has been handled at least a couple of times before, this may make the wire a little bit stronger; if the malady is caught earlier, it may strengthen the bone - so to speak. The other part of the situation may mean frequent visits with your veterinarian so that the treatments can be made in small bits. People tend to want a quick fix. It took time to get to the condition your pet is in, expect the same amount of time to reverse things. The closer to a wild reptile you have, the more bits the treatment may be broken into. A little extra time and expense spend at the beginning can make a big difference in the end result.

-DJO.

There was an obvious difference between the 1999 January and February issues of the Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletters. No, not the lack of a heavy weight cover, or the change to a folded letter size mailer. The real difference was the lack of contributions from the membership to make the February issue a real newsletter.

Volume 19 Number 2 fulfilled the requirements of our bylaws by being published monthly and informing the membership of the slate of nominations for the annual election of the Board of Directors.

The style of future newsletters will depend on the quantity of articles we receive. If you liked this issue, thank Janell Osborn and James Rea for the articles.

As long as there are enough items of interest to support the larger format we will publish it. If however we run into a lean month, it makes sense to save money and mail out a lighter version of the newsletter. If you would like to contribute to the newsletter check out the want ad on page 11 for ideas. You can mail an article in care of the Bell Museum ( see inside front cover) or hand it in at the General meeting.

The MHS has always been an excellent organization for volunteerism, and our newsletter is no exception. We need your input to create a viable publication. If you can't write a full page article, consider a few paragraphs to simply share an idea or experience, can't write at all? Ask someone you feel is knowledgeable about Herps to contribute an article. Original items are best, we cannot reprint articles unless the author and publication source is identified.

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MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

1999 Grant Recipients

The joint meeting of the MHS Board of Directors reviewed 17 different requests for funding. Although it would have been nice if we could have given everyone what they asked for, the boards decided to limit the funding to around $3,000.

After listening to a review of each project and how they would spend the funds, the board rated the projects and those that received the majority of points were selected for funding.

$1000.00 -Research.

DNA Study of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus Jwrridus) in the Upper Mississippi River Valley of Minnesota.

Last years' study produced samples from Houston and Winona counties. This year, they will concentrate on Filmore county. (Dr. Dan Keyler and Kimberly Fuller.)

$500.00- Research.

Initial Study 6f Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) movements at Weaver Dunes for all life stages to develop a management plan. (Jeff Lang in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.)

$500.00-Public Education

Lanesboro' Living Museum of Natural History. General supplies, caging, signage and lighting to aid in public education of the life history, habits and value of native species and their role in the local ecosystem. (John and Connie Levell.)

$363.00-Research.

Study of the thermal ecology of the Gopher Tortoise (GopJwus polyphemus). The goal is to find correlation between canopy coverage (i.e. pine plantation vs. natural forests) and the effects on species, to form conservation guidelines. (Mississippi- Noah Anderson, Graduate student)

$275.00-Public Education.

Preserving and mounting a dead specimen, Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) for use in an educational display. (Madeline Linck, Hennepin Parks.)

$200.00-Research.

Herpetological Survey, Filmore County.

Continuation of the survey of Filmore County which was started last year. (John and Connie Levell, Northstar Herpetological Associates.

Volunteers needed:

Volunteers may be needed to help perform surveys and other functions for Minnesota Reptiles and Amphibians this year helping the DNR We'll keep you posted as we find out the details. (Denise Boudreau, MNDNR)

Although not selected as a grant recipient, an appeal has been made to the MHS on behalf of the Marine Turtle Research Center run by Douglas Robinson in Costa Rica. Dav Kaufman spoke at the March meeting concerning the destruction of the facility and their need for tools and money to rebuild the center.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Research Center, or how to donate tools or money can contact Dav at 544-5823.

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MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

Membership Survey

During the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Herpetological Society we conducted the 1999 Membership Survey. The response was tremendous. Most of the people attending turned in their surveys.

The new board will be reviewing your comments over the next few months and a copy of the completed survey comments will be placed in the Members Handbook in the library if you would like to see it first hand.

For those who could not attend the meeting, I am enclosing a mail in version for you to copy and send with your comments to the MHS mailing address.

1999 promises to be an interesting year both for the society and the new board. We have many new avenues to explore. The voice of the membership plays an important role in deciding which way we should go. Let us know what you want and then be prepared to work for it

Check out the newsletter want ad on page 11. If you see an area where you can help out let a board member know. If you think something is missing, fill out the survey and let us know what it is.

-NH

Membership Survey March 1999

Type of membership: Individual family corresponding other

Length of membership: Joined 98-99, 2 - 5 years over 5 years

How many meetings did you attend in 1998?

Which meeting did you like best? _____________ _

Do you have any suggestions for future meeting topics?

What activities would you like to see in the future?

What do you expect from your MHS membership?

What do you want in the MHS newsletter?

Other suggestions:

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MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

M.H.S. BUSINESS March Board of Directors Meeting By Bruce Haig, Recording Secretary

Treasurer's Report of February 1999 Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Blasus

The MHS Double Board of Directors met March 6, at George and Sarah Richard's house. A quorum was present.

There were 96 people at the March general meeting for the annual elections and a presentation of the results of the grants distributed by the MHS in 1998.

The board confirmed the 1999 elections. The new officers are listed inside the front cover of this issue. No one was elected as recording secretary and Bill Moss, the new president, will decide how the position should be filled.

It was decided to give $2,838 to applicants for various grants this year. These are summarized elsewhere in this newsletter.

The text of the proposed new member information packet was distributed for review and proofreading by the new board members. It will by finalized at the April board meeting. The packets will cost about $1.00 each to produce and $100.00 was allocated for the first printing.

The snake bags distributed as 1998 MHS volunteer appreciation gifts cost slightly less than the amounts budgeted and seem to have been well received. They served double duty at the hands-on in Maple Grove on Saturday as animal containers and small banners for the demonstration table.

Presented and accepted: Membership Report, Recording Secretary Report and Treasurers Report.

Beginning checkbook balance:

lncome: Membership: 240.00 Raffle 0.00 Sales 0.00 Rodent Sales 223.00 Donations 5.00 Adoption! placement 0.00 White Snake Sale 1,208.50 Misc. (hoi banq.) 28.00

Total income:

Expense: Newsletter Misc. prl.! post. Program Library Supplies Refreshments Sales costs Misc. (bk mail) Misc. (rt check) Misc. (lib repairs) Misc. (vol awards) Misc. (hoi banquet)

Total Expense: Net income!(Ioss)

Ending checkbook balance:

241.70 15.44

128.13 0.00 0.00 0.00

329.60 158.30 19.00 53.93

231.41 286.90

Funds allocated to unpaid expenses (phone & vol awards)

Funds available

MRS Coming Events

14,373.28

1,704.50

1,464.90 240.09

14,613.37 439.%

14,173.41

April 9, 1999 Annual Minnesota Herpetological Society Meeting & General Election 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M, St. Paul Campus, 7:00p.m

April 10, 1999 MHS Board of Directors. Student Union, U of M, St Paul Campus, 7:00p.m.

Hands-On April 11, 1999, University of Minnesota Veterinary Open House. The BIG one for spring. They asked us back again. Same time and place. Same fun atmosphere. Maps will be provided. Sunday, llam-5pm.

Contact Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845 for further information of Hands- On events.

10

MHS Newsleller Volume 19 Number 3

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Oassified ads are free to the membership. Deadline is the night of the general meeting to be included in the next newsletter. Mail to; MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St., SE, Minneapolis, t-.1N,55455 1.0.0c male, 0.1.0 = female, 0.0.1:: unsexed, cb = captive bred, abo "" or best offer, += times run, ( ads are run only 3x tmless requested to continue.)

For Sale: 1.0.0 adult Ball Python, normal pattern $65. with/ 20' x27 x 33"h cage including bottom heat and overhead lights $100. 1.0.0 adult Mali uromastyx (spiny tail lizard) $125., 55 gallon aquarium with/ black wooden top (partially screened) including vita-light and heat lights on timers $75. Free black metal stand. Gerbils pets $2. each, breeders or young, many unique colors. Medium to adult feeders $15/ dz frozen, limited supply. 10 gallon aquariums with/ screen tops, wheels, water bottles, food dishes, $20. Each set. Call Kathy (612) 753- 4509 +

0.2 Leopard Tortoises 13" & 13 'h " Big, Beautiful, Healthy. $425.00 each. Call Mark at (612) 822-7996 +

Geckos from G.G.F. Hi-yellow patternless Leopard Gecko $50. Normal patternless Leopard Gecko $25. Jungles $15. Hi-yellow Jungles $25. and up African Fat-Tailed Geckos: 1 striped ch '97 $100., 1 normal ch '98 $50., 2 striped ch '98 $40. each, or $200 for all 4 Fat-tails. Call Jodi L. Aherns (612) 588-9329+

Sandfire Bearded Dragon Hatchlings $60. Each; Veiled Chameleons babys $40. each, adults $75. Each; Complete Chameleon Set-ups (24"w x 18" d x 36"h screen cage, heat lamps, Repti-sun 5.0 Fluorescent lamps & BiD-vines) $125.00 each. Call or email Vern (612) 428-4625. grassel@gowebway.com +

Due in June: Third generation Bob Sear's strain Hog Island Boas. Selectively bred for light, clean backgrounds with muted saddles and bright orange tails. None better at any price, $125. Brazilian rainbow boas from bright, iridescent orange adults, $125. Jungle carpet pythons from 4 '12 foot bright gold and black adults, $200. Contact Mark Wendling, (319) 857-4787. Kwendling@msn.com +

Leopard Tortoises, 10" male 5 yrs old $125. Small female $50. Contact Fred (612) 476-0306 +

Pueblan Milksnakes, cb 98, $40.00 each Call Ann Porwoll (651) 489-7853 ++

5 year old pair of breeding bullsnakes. Sherburne County stock. Both in top condition. $100. for pair, includes $30 (2 doz) of MHS large ratpups. Call Alan Kwong (651) 642-1702 or a1ankwong@juno.com +++

Frozen Rabbits - all sizes. Prices very reasonable- pinkies to adults. Jim Daluge (612) 295-2818

Wanted: All the shed snake skins in the world. Needed for giveaways at educational programs contact Bob Duerr 541-0362

II

Wanted:

Items for the Newsletter-

More articles about Herps

Lists of upcoming events/symposiums/ national events

More want ads

Husbandry tips and Breeding notes

How to stuff-building cages, raising food items, safe heating systems

Stories from members

Places to herp and what to see

Listing of breeders

Upcoming legistlation/ current events

Cartoons

Centerfold

Member spotlight

Herp websites

Photographs

A Question and answer column

More articles on local animals

More articles on Geckos

Herp time tables

Summary of previous meeting

More articles on turtles and tortoises

Articles submitted to the newsletter earn volunteer hours see inside front cover for submission details.

MHS Newsletter Volume 19 Number 3

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Dr. Janell Osborn, DVM "Herpetocu/turaJ Housecal/s"

(612) 599-5476

Veterinary Medicine for Reptiles and Amphibians

JODI I.. AHfRNS Ground Gecko freak

A/rican Fat-Tailed Gecko Leucistic Leopard Gecko 5 Other Morphs of Leopards H011l0nola Horrida

Proud Member MH.S. 2946 Thomas A ~'e. N.

G.G.A. Mpls .• MN 55411 I.G.S. 612-588-9329

I I ,

I

12

English Spot Dutch

dim's Rabbit Shack Where Spots Are Tops

Polish

..... -~ ..::..~..::::

JIM DALUGE 8700 Jaber Ave_ N.E. Monticello, MN 55362

(612) 295-2818

~~~lfm'M IT PAYS T9 COMPARE

ARK INSURANCE ARK INSURANCE 434-4374 MARKBAHR OUTSTANDING RATES FOR

l.j(.. GOOD DRIVERS AND

it 3SJ3 FAMILIES WITH YOUNG DRIVERS

Advertising Policies MHS Ad Policy: The MHS assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY regarding the health or legality of any animal, or the quality or legality of any product or service advertised in the MHS Newsletter. Any ad may be rejected at the discretion of the Newsletter Editor. Due to space limitations, unpaid and complimentary advertisements are subject to occasional omission.

Classified Ads: All active members are allowed a classified ad, run free of charge as space permits. Ads may be run (3) consecutive months, after which time they may be resubmitted. Corresponding members are allowed a complimentary business card advertisement monthly as space permits.

Display Ad Rates: Ad Size per Month % page $10.00 liz page $20.00

full page $40.00 Business card advertisements may be purchased at $5.00 per ad, per month.

Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Deadline is the night of the General Meeting for inclusion in the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society

MHS Rodent Sales

Mice Pinkies Fuzzies Hoppers Adults

Rats Sm. Pups LgPups Juvn Rats. Adults

$7.00 dozen $7.00 dozen $8.00 dozen $10.00 dozen

$12.00 dz. $18.00 dz. $24.00 dz. $15.00 six $30.00 dz.

For pick up at monthly meetings only. Orders must be placed at least one week in advance of date of meeting at which the frozen rodents are to be delivered. Place orders with Tina (Rat Girl) Cisewski at (612) 856-2865.

All proceeds go toward the operating costs of the society. The MHS is a completely volunteer run, non-profit organization.

Minnesota Herpetolo ical Socie Membershi lication

New Renewal Membershi # T Check #

Name ____________________________________________________________________________ __

Addr~ ______________________________________________________________________ __

City __________________________________________ State Zip __________ __

Phone __________________________ email List in MHS Directory? ___ yes ___ No

Herp related interests __________________________________________________________________ _

Active Memberships: ____ Sustaining ($60Iyr) __ Contributing ($30Iyr) __ Basic ($15Iyr)

Corresponding Memberships: _____ Gold Commercial ($100Iyr2 full pg. ads) _____ Silver Commercial ($75/yr 2 1/2 pg.

ads) _____ Bronze Commercial ($50Iyr 2 1/4pg ads) _____ Basic Commercial ($25Iyr 2 Bus cards)

Required check info Drivers Lie # State DOB Please enclose the proper payment with your application. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: MINNESOTA ----­HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Membership is for 12 months from the date of approval, a receipt will be sent only upon request. MAIL TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for processing.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA- ST. PAUL CAMPUS

~ to Hwy36

--.JI LARPENTEUR to Snelling~

+= !r===:::::::::FOL~WELL~ I ~ I ~~

BORLAUG HALL

.... N

MINNESOTA HERPEfOLOGICAL SOCIEfY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HlSI'ORY 10 CHURCH STREEf SE MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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+

Next Meeting:

April 9, 1999

Rm. 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

Start time: 7:00 p.m.

MHS Voicemail: (612) 624 - 7065

Intemet: http://www.onrampinc.net/mhs/

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+

Non-Profit Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Mpls. MN

Pennit No. 2275

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL