M ESOT R E OLO I CAL

SOCI

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

SEPI'EMBER MEErING Friday, SEJ?T.EMBER 9, 1988

7:00 :EM R<m 335, BORIAUG HALL St. Paul Canpus, Uni. versity of Minnesota

VOLUME VIII NUMBER 8

*** NOI'E MEETING DATE! *** NarE MEE:TI:NG DATE! *** NOm MEETING DATE 1 ***

Due to the Laoor Day Weekend and the Minnesota State Fair ,our Septenber meeting will be held the SECOND Friday of the rronth. Please note this· on your calendar so you can plan to attend. Our Sept.ember rronthly speaker wi.ll be David ~viener. Davids topic will be on the Care & Housing of Frogs and Teeds. David has kept frogs for the past 20 years and currently has a variety of native and exotic frogs and toads in his collection. David has developed a number of teChniques for adapting, as well as repairing, plastic shoe ooxes and aquaria for frog and toad housing uni ts. This infonnation will be useful for toth anphibian and reptile keepers. David will also provide us with other care techniques he has developed. His program will be illustrated with some of his animals and slides.

September I S cri tter of the nonth will be FROGS & TOADS. Remember to take any necessary steps to keep your animal cool (or wann?) • For those members who attended the August meet.ing, this would be a good time to t.ry one of Terry I s ideas (See Last Month Speaker article on pg. 2).

UPCOMING M .H. S. PROGRAMS

The following is a list of planned speakers for future M.H.S. meetings: Oct. 7 - Aaron Harrpton; Husbandry and breeding of snakes Nov. 4 - Bill AlIeni The Sea Turtles of Tortuguero

Please nark your calendar for these meetings. Any changes to the date or speaker wil be announced at the nonthly meeting or in future newsletters.

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY Minnesota Poison Control System 221-2113 (outstate) 1-800-222-1222

Hennepin Regional Poison Center (612) 347-3141

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S,E. • MINNEApOLIS j MJNNESOTA 554S5·0104

AUGUsr SPEAKER OF THE MONTH

Our August meeting had 87 members attend for Terry Odegaard's World of Reptiles presentation. Terry's topic/J alA Talk on Talks II , was done by giving the attending

members one of his public program presentations with inserted 'triCks of the trade' hints, and followed by an exchange of member ideas e Terry used a Star Tortoise, Blue Tongue SkiM, Green Iguana, African Fat-tail GeCko, and Gila Monster in his presentation 0 TerI".l explained the animals protection devices, food needs u habitat requirements u and interesting stories arout each of the herps as he flowed from one herp to the next. Terry noted that when giving a talk, it is irrportant to keep the talk rroving e Walking around the room so everyone can see the herp being talked arout is a good method. Use of large and colorful herps as well as different species help to hold the interest of an audience.

Terry shared hints like the need to know your audience - their locale, age group, interest. ASk your audience to hold any questions until the end of your presentation.. Use crib notes if you feel nore comfortable. Stay relaxed through your talk.. Have animals claws trimned so you can keep from having bloody arms during your talk. Defecation problems are a "high point 18 for disrupting talks i nove quickly & quietly to clean up the mess and nove right int.o the next animal e

If the group is small, consider a IItouch & feel" session after your talk e Try to maintain 75 degrees for your herps for better handling reasons. Dog or cat air­transport boxes (animal carryons) work well for carrying your display animals" Plastic shoe and sweater roxes fit neatly into them with room for ample supplies of paper towels ..

Terry travels around Minnesota and nost of the U. S. giving his presentations. He explained the need to pre-heat or cool down your vehicle before putting your herps in for transport 0 There are i terns on the market to purchase that will help regulate temperature in the boxes, but Terry gave some household i terns you can use for the same purpose" Soaking a bath towel in cold water (wringing out excess) and draping it over the carryon boxes the herps are in, will help keep the herps cool while the car is noving with the windows open do to the evaporation of the water. Small mineral water bottles filled wi th hot or cold water (depending on need), placed in carryon poxes D are good terrperature regulators.

Thanks Terry for a great presentation! It was filled with useful information that I am sure everyone at the August meeting learned something from.

NarE: Terry does not. use the Gila Monster at all of his presentations. When shawing this animal, he explained the need for special precautions and special handling techniques. Terry has had this animal for several years and has handled it extensively.

M.B.S. OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Ann Porwoll (612) 489-7853 VICE-PRESIDENT John Moriarty (612) 647-1334 SECRETARY Kate Anderson (612) 222-3500 TREASURER Del Jones (612) 938-8555 NEWSLE:'ITER EDITOR Tom Schmitz (612) 488-7619 MEMBER-AT-LARGE Bruce Delles (612) 374-5422 MEMBER-AT-LARGE Bruce Haig (612) 789-4637 MEMBER-AT-IARGE Aaron Hanpton (715) 425-7565 MEMBER-AT-LARGE John Meltzer (612) 780-8561

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NarES FROM THE I PRESIDENT

M. H. S a will be charged $56 per month starting with the month of August for the use of the University of Minnesota cla.ssroom we use for our nonthly meetings. The 87 members who attended the August meeting voted on using a voluntary donation system to raise the ,funds needed to c.'Over this cost. Each rronth there will be containers by the doors for each family group or rrember to donate a dollar ( $1.(0) . We hope this system will cover us.

Sane of the other ideas put forward to raise funds for this cost were: raise memberships, raise rodent costs, charge non-members to attend, delete existing programs that are a cost to MaH.S., a nandatory payment at the door, a special quarterly raffle to raise money, change meeting night to a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, find a new meeting roanl location and/or write letters to state representatives to change the U. of M. policies.

The M.H. S. Board and myself hope that we will not need to resort to any of the alternative ideas, so please donate at the door.

Another note - M.H.S. needs to know how nany of our rnembers are stUdents at the University of Minnesota-either under a fanily membership, or individual membership. This infornation could help M.H.S. change our statis with the University. Anyone who is a stUdent should contact myself at 489-7853 or Tom S~tz at 488-7619. Thank you for your help.

REFRESHMENTS

A correction to last months REFRESHMENTS article - The Cords and Therese Kelly supplied the July refreshments. The August refreshments were Liz Bosnan's frozen treats fram Yoplait and codkies from BeCky Helgesen. There were plenty of coOkies and frozen desserts for everyone and the assorted flavors were great. '!HANK YOO Liz and Becky!

The Refreshment Connnttee wishes to tharik everyone for their efforts of volunteering to bring refreshIrents. If you would like to help with setting up the t.able before the meeting, or putting things away at the end of the meeting, please see Ruth Mel tzer (Refreshnent Chairperson) before or at the end of our monthly meeting.

HELP A HAPLESS HERP

A male Three Toed Box turtle and a female Eastern Box turtle found good harnes at the August meeting thanks to the M.H.S. Adoption Ccmnittee. At this writting we will have a male Western Coachwhip, a snaIl Connon Boa, and a fenale-(?) False Map Turtle up for adoption at the Septenber meeting.

RAFFLE

The August. raffle brought in $47.00. Thanks to the members who supply us wi.th the i t.ems and those who purchase the tiCkets. Our Treasurer also thariks you! Here is a list of winners and their prizes: Connie Delles - reptile ruler; Bob Duerr - an aquarium background; Jim Ellis - rnR p::>sters; Mark Kelly - aquarium light; Dan Kyler - herp 1:xx:ik; Barney Oldfield - DNR posters; Megan Strand - T-shirt: Lisa Van Dyke - DNR p::>sters.

The August "critter of the nonth" was your least favorite herp. We didn It see anyones "freezer" herps, but some of the animals brought in had some interesting stories. Thanks to the following members who brought their herps:

Fred Bozvay Bruce Baig Sue King Greg Kvanbek Cliff Lindberg

Daniel Lindemeier John Meltzer Bill Ness Ann Porwoll

The following is a list of herps shawn: Cuban Treefrog Osteopilus septentrionalis; Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina; Red Footed Tortoise Geochelone carbonaria; Elongated Tortoise Geochelone elongata; Western Glass Lizard 9fhisaurus attenuatus; Green Iguana Iguana iguana; Mangrove Snake Boiga dendrophila; Scarlet Kingsnake !::. triangulum elapsoides; Camon Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis.

Thanks to everyone who brought an animal.

NEW SHIPMENT OF M .. H .. S. T-SHIRI'S

THE SHIPMENT I S NEIi\T, BUT THE PRICE IS STILL ONLY $7.00. Put a Ii ttle color into our nnnthly meeting room and buy one of the new colors of M.B.S. t-shirts. Take note of the avai.lable colors in your size and check the added selection of sizes: Children • s size 4-6 in green or light blue; Children I s size 10-12 in gray; Adult Small in gray; Adult Med.. in light pink, blue or gray; Adult Large in red or teal; Adult XL in green or light blue; Adult }Q(L in gray. Purchase your t-shirt in the size and color you ~nt before the shipment is sold out.

HELPING aM> ZOO AT THE RENAISSANCE

Do you like doing hands-on demonstrations? Do you enjey showing your reptiles and educating the public about reptiles? Do you enjoy getting into costume-Renaissance specifically? Sue Blackburn - President of Como Zoo docents - has

invited M.B.S. inerribers to help at the Renaissance Festival through the Sept. 25th weekend. The Festival is held each weekend through September. If you are interested in helping, please call Sue one week before the weekend you wish to attend" She will set -up free admittance for you at the gate. You need to be at the Festi val by 8: 00 am, in period costume, and be able to work a 4 hour shift during that day. The Conn Zoo But is new this year. I t is fenced in to restrict public access. No cages will be available, so bring herps that can be handled. Sue will fill you in wi t.h nore detail when you call her at 636-0240. Best to call her before 9:00 am or between 5:00-9:00 pm.

BOB DUERR AT grATE FAIR

The Minnesota State Fair runs from August 25 thru September 5, 1988. Two stops you should try to rrnke this year is Bob Duerr I s Snake Bouse, located by the "All the milk you can drink" booth - Den I t forget to bring Bob your unwanted snake shed skins - and the M.B.S. display of Minnesota Berps in the DNR building. Both stops are educational and who knows who you might burrp into there. Den I t forget to wear your M. B. S. T-shirt so we can spot you in the crowd.

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PUBLIC PROGRAMS PRESENTED BY MEMBERS OF M .. H .. S ..

This is a listing of those members Who have responded to our request for details on our rrenbers I programs. Included here is the most pertinent infonnation. Please call the people listed for more details.

Bob Duerr 2800 Hillsboro Ave N #208

New Hope, MN 55427 (612) 541-9417

"HON to Catch a Wolf - Moose - or Bear", "Snakes and Other Reptiles", "A Billion Years", "Confessions of ~ Caro Zookeeper" I "Mrica Kenya Safari ". All these prograns are lecture derronstrations, using zoo and museum artifacts. Fees are $60 per program, $100 for two. Anywhere, anytime.

Eastmm Nature Center 13351 Elm Creek Road

Osseo, MN 55369 (612) 420-4300

Topics: Compare reptile and amphibian Characteristics, natural history of various herps, life cycles, herp puppets, "Frogs of Minnesota" mR slide showe We have a small collection of native reptiles and amphibians that can be taken off-site for presentations. Fees are $30/2 hour presentation, weekdays 9-5. Northern Hennepin County I western Anoka County area.

Jim Gerholdt Box 86

Webster, m 55088 (612) 652-2996

"The Renarkable Reptiles", "Snakes of Minnesota II , custom programs by request. Each program lasts about an hour and includes hands-on and a question and answer period. Fees are $75 per program, mileage Charge over 100 miles.

Toni M.. & John Jesmer Jr. 3550 Grimes Ave N

Robbinsdale, m 55422 (612) 522-5351

"Snakes as Pets II I field observation/collection, conservation techniques, husbandry of Minnesota and Wisconsin snakes, Kingsnakes I and Camon Boas. Fees are $1 per person/per program, Non-smcking only.

Terry Odegaard 5701 Goodrich Ave

St. Louis Park, m 55416 (612) 920-4665

"Terry Odegaard I s World of Reptiles II errphasizes the importance of retiles in the balance of nature. Assortment of live anirrals, sane hands-on. Fee varies according to type and size of group (high school, cub scout group, birthday party). Minnesota and rrost of United States.

Jeff Summerfield 1512 W Minnehaha

St. Paul, m 55104 (612) 645-9546

Topics: Reptiles in general or almost any specific type, insects, birds, mamrrals, invertebrates (snails, slugs, leeches, etc.). Fees are $25 per program in metro area, more for out state, less for special classes, handicapped or disabled.

We know there are rrore of you out there who are doing public programs. Let I shear from you!

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DISTRIBtJrICN MAP UPDATE JUNE 1987 TO JUNE 1988

The following is a Distibution Map Update fran JOM J. Moriarty. All counties are additions unless noted.

TIGER SPJ.N/Jll.NDER: St. Louis

r4JDPUPFY: Polk

REDBACKFD SAIAMANDER: Chippewa

AMERICAN 'roAD: Lyon

COPE I S GRAY TREEFRCG: Pine

CQlvM)N GRAY TREEFROG: Roseau Clay

PICKEREL FROG: Goodhue

WOOD FRCG: Clay

SNAPPING TURTLE: Clay Wilkin

PAINTED TURTLE: Lac Qui Par Ie Clay Wilkin Traverse

WOOD TURTLE: Carlton

BLANDING I S TURTLE: Stearns Isanti Delete-Nicolett

MAP WRTLE: Dakota Leseur Blue Earth Sherburne

BLUE RACER: Delete-Dakota

RINGNECKED SNAKE: Houston Wabasha

EASTERN HOGNOSE: tv1orrison

WEsrERN HOGNOSE: Delete-Pine

MILKSNAKE: Sibley

SMJO'IH GREEN SNAKE: Nornan

BULLSNAKE: Leseur

BRO'VN SNAKE: Hubbard

RED BELLIED SNAKE: Lac Que Pa.rle Norrran

HOGNOSE SNAKES

\A/ESTERN EASTERN .

FOURrH ANNUAL MIrMEsrERN HERP CONFERENCE

The Chicago Herpetological Society is hosting the Fourth Annual Midwestern Herpetological Conference on October 21 and October 22, 1988. The conference will be held at the Chicago Midway Airport Inn, 5400 So. Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638, 1-800-621-0127. When you rrake reservations, you must nention you are with the Midwestern Herpetological Conference to receive the special roam rate of $39 per night for 1-4 persons per roam. The Inn is next to Chicago Midway Airport and convenient to Hiway 55.

There will be a Friday night ice breaker and talks will run all day Saturday followed by a banquet and auction. '!Wo speakers already lined up are Dr. Bechtel and Dr. Dale Bertram.. Advance registration fee for the t\lVO days is $20 and a $15 Banquet fee is also needed. This $35 should be paid to C.H.S. and sent to Chicago Herpetological Society, 2001 No. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614. If you wish to donate any items to the auction, plea.se inform C.H.S. when you sent them your $35 CheCk. Anyone interested in attending should send their CheCk and make roam reservations as soon as possible. Any furthur infonnation on this conference will be in next months newsletter.

'IHANKS SALLY BREWER!

The signs on the front doors of the meeting roam were nade by Sally Brewer. These signs ask members to please use the rear exit in the meeting roam once the front doors have been closed.. \'ve ask that you please heed these signs at the following M.H .. S. meetings.

BREEDING NarES

The following was submitted by Glen Lewis:

NORTHERN PINE SNAKES: Female #1 - C.H. in 1983, 6 ft. Previous breeding 1986 & 1987. Eight eggs averaging 3 11 x 2" laid 5/11. Incubated on rroist venniculite at 78-86 degrees. All 8 eggs hatched 7/11-7/13/88. Incubation period of 62-64 days. Young were 1811 -20" at hatching.

Female #2 - C.H. in 1986, 5 ft. No previous breedings atterrpted. COpulation observed 4/22/88. Seven eggs averaging 3" x 2" laid 5/25. Incubated on rroist venniculite at 78-86 degrees. All 7 young energed on 7/26-7/28/88. Incubation period of 63-65 days. Young were 18"-19" at hatching.

C>

DNR INFORMATION (612) 296-6157

STATE Of

~©iJ~ T E F L ES ES

500 LAFAYETTE ROAD • ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA • 55155-40, __ _

Ka te j'l~nderson, Secretary Minnesota Herpetological Society Bell lYIuseum 10 Church street S.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0104

Dear Kate:

July 15, 1988

Thank you very much for your generous donation for turtle conservation V\Ork" The turtle sign project has been a very worthwhile effort eo I understand that about 140 new Blanding' s turtJ e reports :have been turned in to us this year - mostly in the netro area ..

CH:lmr

8

Best wishes,

Ii-, I -~/j /'1 i't,C\ I "-....tft- v '-.

Carrol Henderson l\bngame Supervisor Section of Wildlife

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EDITOR'SNOrE: PLEASE SEND ALL NEWSLEITER ARTICLES AND CI.ASSIFIED ADS TO: Tan Sdmritz, 85f.J W.. Minnehaha, St.. Paul, me 55l04, Attn: ms Editor.. DO Nor send articles or ads to the MRS address e The deadline for all Newsletter i terns is the 15th of the nonth! All Classified ads are run in the MHS Newslet.ter as a free service to the rrernbership. No paid ads are accepted fran non-members. No ads will be run for vencm::>us species. While MRS will not run ads for known sick or illegal animals, we accept no responsibility for the health or legality of any animal advertised here. Please LIMIT SIZE of ad to approx. four (4) lines. Business cards make acceptable ads.

ms DELI

Remember: order frozen rats and rat pups no later than 7 ~ 2J0pm the IDNDAY before the meeting. Call Bruce or Connie at 593-0298 to place your order.

FRESH FROZEN RATS - JUMBO SIZE - $2.00 EArn FRESH FROZEN RAT PUPS - $5 .. 00 PER DOZEN

3 DOZEN PUPS or 6 ADULT RATS LIMIT 1

Largest Selection of Reptiles 8& Amphibians in Minnesota High Quality - Reasonable Prices - Personal Setvk:e

Cages, Books, Feed 8& Supplies

CITIES

540 Winnetka Ave. No. Owners: Bruce & Connie DelIe8 Golden Valley, Mn 55427 (612) 593-0298

"Lower level" Open 7 Days a Week

Ron Huffaker Owen Maercks Mary Huffaker

East Bay Vivarium (415) 465-5400

Largest selection of reptiles in the West

M-F 11·7 2857 Cypress 8t. S & 8u 11·6 Oakland, CA 94608

CD snakes • lizards .. turtles • frogs .. tarantulas to

.. information .. reptile supplies •

FOR SALE: Exceptional No.. Pine Snakes, C.H. 7/88, 30". Bred for contrast .. Unrelated pairs at $150. Unpaired males at $50. Photos and references available. Contact Glenn Lewis, 2635 Larch Lane, Plyrrouth, MN' 55441, or call (612) 559-2334.

FOR SALE: 3 foot male Rhinoceros Iquana. Approx. 12 years old. Contact Fred Bosman (612) 476-0306.

FOR SALE: FOXSNAKES! 0.0.30 Elaphe vulpina, captive hatched 8/8/881 $12.50 each. Will bring your order to Sept. meeting if you contact Toni Vangen (at NEW ADDRESS) 3550 Grimes Ave N., Robbinsdale, MN 55422-2838. Call ( 612 ) 522-5351 and leave message on recorder if 11m not home.

FOR SALE: Frozen adult mice ($5/dz), adult rats ($2/ea), & med. size short hair guinea pigs ($1.50/ea). Call Vence or Nanette at (612) 825-8035 evenings.

FOR SALE: Large selection of reptiles & anphibians. Call or wri te to get a complimentary price list - R. J. Reptiles, 3221 93rd Drive NE, Blaine, MN 55434. (612) 78£0-8561

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MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

IWJ. MUSEUM OF NA11lRA1. HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET s.f: • MlNNEAPOUS, MINNESOTA 55455-1014

.J i m t"le .:t.d 211 Cl ar·k Str'ee t Mankato, MN 56001

'~''::' 0 2 .... ···E:9 C

APPLICATI N AND T-SHIRT I

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S.E. • MINNEAPOUS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

ERFORM

NAME(S), ________________________________________________________________________ ___

ADDRESS, __________________________________________________ _

CITY, ________________________ STAT~ ___ ZIP ___________ _

PHONE INTEREST~S ___________________________________ _

DO YOU WISH THE ABOVE INFORMATION LISTED IN THE MHS DIRECTORY DYES DNO

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP o NEW 0 RENEW o SUSTAINING .................... ' ......... $50.00 o CONTRIBUTING ........................... $25.00 o FAMILY ................................... $12.50

Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings o INDIVIDUAL .......... , ................... $10.00

OFFICIAL MHS T-SHIRT SO MO LO XLO $7.00 each includes postage

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MAKE CHEC~ PA YABLE TO MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. MEMBER~rtI IS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF JOINING. YOU WILL RE<;EIVl YOUR MEMBERSIDP CARD BY RETURN MAIL. A RECEIPT WILL IJE SEI ONLY UPON REQUEST. ''''';:_,

:'.,'