THE NEWSLETTER OF THE

s o c I T y

November/December 2002 Volume 22 Numbers 11/12

Board of Directors President JodI LAhems 612.588.9329

groundgeckofreak@yahoo.com

Vice President Tony Gamble

tgamble@altbl.com

Recording Secretary Becky Girard

aveskpr@holmall.com

Membership Secretary

763.424.2803

763.691.1650

Nancy Haig 763.434.8684

Treasurer

Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis Minnesota 55455-0104

The S

Minnesota

o c • 1

Herpetological

e t y

MHS Webpage: httpd/www.bellmuseum.org/herpetology/Main.html

MHS Group Email: http://www.grouos.yahoo.com/group/mnherosoc.

Voice Mail: 612.624.7065 Marilyn Blasus 952.925.4237 ... __ .. _ ............ __ ............................... __ ............ _

bfasus@msn.com

Newsletter Editor Bill Moss 651.488.1383

mngalorguy@msn.com

Members at Large Nancy Hakomaki 651.631.1380

Brian Ingbretson 763.572.0487

Jody Holmstrom 651.224.7212 jodyalso@yahoo.com

Barb Buzlcky 612-916-7575 zzzbuzzl@aol.com

Heather Jngbretson 763.572.0487

Adoption Sarah Richard

Education

h_lngbretson@yahoo.com

Committees

612.781.9544 RealSarah@aoLcom

Jan Larson 507.263.4391 jan.skunkhol!ow@juno.com

Northern Minnesota Jeff Korbel

library Beth Girard

Webmaster Anke Reinders

Amphibians Greg Kvanbek John Meltzer John Moriarty

Chameleons

bglrard@worldnet.atl.net

anke@umn.edu

Herp Assistance

Vern & laurie Grassel

Crocodilians Jeff lang 8H1 Moss

lizards Nancy Haig Heather Matson

Large Boas, Pythons Tina Cisewski

Other Snakes Jeff ledere John Meltzer

Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash John Levert

Terrestrial Turtles Fred Bosman John levell

218.586.2588

763.691.1650

651.388.0305 763.263.7880 651.482.8109

763-428-4625

701.772.0227 651.488.1383

763.434.8684 612.554.8446

612.856.2865

651.488.6388 763.263.7880

763.753.0218 507.467.3076

763.476.0306 507.467.3076

December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12 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, tax-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 information 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 7:00pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voice mail 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 and should be in electronic file format if possible. The business card rate is $5/month. Submissions may be sent to:

The Minnesota Herpetological Society Attn: Newsletter Editor Bell museum of Natural History 10 Church St. SE. Minneapolis, MN 55455.0104

-or-Bill Moss 75 Geranium Ave East Saint Paul, MN 55117 -or­mngatorguy@msn.com

Copyright2002, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for non­profit, non·commercial use only. All material must be reproduced without change. Proper credit \'-Jit! be given

including the author/photographer and the MHS Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

1'Iinnesola HCllJCloiogicai Society ~lonthly Newslettcr December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

The Vice-President's Report

Text and artwork by Tony Gamble

December General Meeting Friday, Dec. 6th, 2002, 7:00 PM

Guest speaker: Bill Love Program: Splendid Exploring Madagascar's Herpetofaunal Diversity

December's speaker, Bill Love, is well known in the herp community. He is a success­ful entrepreneur, author, and photographer. Many folks know Bill from his long association with Glades Herp, a business he and his wife Kathy started in 1985. While at Glades, Bill made some trips to Madagascar to learn more about-~ the animals they \ were importing from the island. These trips quickly took on a life of their own as Bill started taking others with him. In 1996 Bill left Glades to con­centrate all his effort on his tour business, Blue Chameleon Ventures. As owner and operator, Bill leads tours to herp-filled locales around the world with a focus on Madagascar.

Bill is also a well known author and photographer. His pictures have appeared in hun­dreds of books, magazines, and

other periodicals. His work in the animal business, as well as his extensive traveling, has allowed him to photograph thousands of herps. His publications include co­authoring and contributing photo­graphically to The World's Most Spectacular Reptiles & Amphibians with Bill Lamar, and The Corn Snake Manual with his wife Kathy. Bill also writes the "Herpetological Queries" and "Bits and Pieces" columns in Reptiles magazine.

Bill's talk at the December general :--' __ -. meeting will focus on the

unique wildlife of Madagascar and will

~ feature photos taken VJ exclusively in the

last few years. ..... ..,;::",;;While the talk's

focus will be the Malagasy her-petofauna, he will also cover plen­ty of lemurs, insects, plants, fruits,

and landscapes to make the presentation appealing for

anyone interested in nature.

On Saturday, December 7th, Bill will be the featured guest at the MHS Holiday Banquet.

His talk will be "New Caledonia's Gecko Grandeur". This talk covers a three week expedition to New Caledonia's southern islands in 1997. Accompanied by Philippe & Gigi de Vosjoli and Frank Fast, Bill collected and photographed herps where no such survey had ever been done before. They visited at least nine small islands, mostly uninhabited by humans. Well over 100 Rhacodactylus geckos were seen and / or collected, and

their capture sites, habitat, and other biological aspects recorded on film. Details of this trip were

published in The Vivarium maga­zine several years ago.

Bill is an engaging speaker and his talks are filled with great photos and entertaining stories. This is a must-see! Please note that Friday's general meeting will be well attended so try to arrive early.

Upcoming Meetings:

Saturday, December 7th, 2002 (MHS Holiday Banquet) Bill Love: New Caledonia's Gecko Grandeur

If you have not signed up for the Holiday Banquet and wish to attend, see a Board member at the next meeting.

Friday, January 3rd, 2003 Ron Tremper: Photo Tour of the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Propagation and Developing Leopard Gecko Morphs.

Page 3

TIle NewsleUcr of the Minnesot.'l. HCl]letologi('al Sodety NOYcmber!Dc('cmher 2002 Volume 22 Number 11/12

News, Notes & Announcements

USPS Announces Reptile and Amphibian Stamps For 2003.

The release date was not dis­closed.

Page 4

November Raffle Donors

Thanks to the following for their generous donations to the raffle

Marilyn and Randy Blasus

Alex Schmoll Aquarium and cage accessories

November Critter of the Month

Those listed below brought ani­mals to show us.

Michael Howard African Bullfrog

Jeff Leclere Side-neck turtle

Heather Ingebretson Bearded Dragon (baby)

Heather Clayton Patternless albino Burmese python

November Report

Adoption

Thanks again to all of you who pro­vided new homes for needy critters. Because of you, the following ani­mals found permanent (or tempo­rary) homes:

1 Boa, 3 Iguana's, 5 Sulcattas, 2 frogs, 2 Red Eared Sliders, a Ball Python and a Central American Wood Turtle.

Two Caimans and two 2 Alligators were placed in Iowa thereby getting them off my foster list.

We are still looking for homes for 8 Iguanas. If you know of anyone looking for one of these you can contact Liz Redmond.

Sarah Richard Adoption Chair Minnesota Herpetological Society 612-781-9544

What's Going On With The Date Of The Newsletter?

In an effort to synchronize the date of the MHS Newsletter with the month that you receive it, I am adjusting the date and issue number. Now, instead of being a month behind, the issue will be current - the date and issue will now match the content of the newsletter. We are now on the same timetable as any other publication.

You will not miss an issue of the newsletter but for those of you who maintain a col/ection, you will have only 11 issues dated volume 22, 2002.

Thank you for your understanding.

Editor

The Newslettcr of the :Minncsota HCI])ctological Society Decembcr 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

General Meeting Minutes November 2002

by Becky Girard

Dr. Pan Burrill "Dystocia In A Snake"

Dr. Jim Rasmussen throat and pull out the toy. Not a "Retrieval Of A Gastric Foreign safe task when you're talking about Body From An Adult Komodo animal that kill~ its prey by ~iting Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)" them,. and leaving t~e~ to die of

infections from bactena In the drag­The Minnesota Zoo is famous for ons mouth. To protect himself, Dr.

many reasons .... the most recent Rasmussen wrapped his a~m in being the appetite of their 8.5' long duct tape, and used a small pipe to male komodo dragon. On January protect the animals teeth. He was 19, 2002, a visitor dropped a able to retrieve the stuffed ani-

Dr. Burrill, of Cedar Pet Clinic, sweater in to the dragon pen. The mal...slimy, but wholel gave an interesting talk focused ~n male, whom had recenlly been fed, a case she worked on. Dystocia unraveled the sweater and found This presentation was ended with refers to having difficulty giv~n~ several small stuffed animals inside. the viewing of a very entertaining, birth. I~ this i.nstance, it was a dlffl- He ate one, picked up a second, and amusing, video of the entire culty with laYln~ an ~gg. A snake and dropped it. Apparenlly the first retrieval process. The tille, "Enter had an egg retained In her body for didn't taste too greall The Dragon"! about six months, after laying the rest of the clutch. Because of the The Veterinary and Keeper staff length of time the egg had been in immediately began monitoring his her body, it was decided that she health. They gave horse meat and Bob Duerr would have to undergo ~urgery. mineral oil to help pass the toy "Snakes and flowers" Two we.eks after the operallon, she through his system more quickly. was dOing well, and after another Although the dragon was acting nor- We viewed a video created by Bob two weeks, her sutures were mal the first few days, the Vet's Duerr in the 1970's. After Duerr removed. thought a radio-graph was in order. asked the Board of Directors at the

. They had trouble viewing the small Science Museum of Minnesota, It IS suggested that you co~tact stuffed animal on the x-ray, and "can I make a movie about snakes

your vet if your snake has r~talned returned the dragon to his pen. being cute?", he was given.a grant an egg for 48 hours after laYing the Another couple of days passed, and for just that purpose. The Idea for rest of the clutch. There are sever- the Keepers began to note that the the video struck Duer~ ~hen o.n~ of al rea~ons that a snake m~y show dragon was acting slighlly lethargic. his you~g students said ~he tiniest dystocia, such as her ph~slcal con- After several blood samples, new x- sound IS a flower blooming, or a ditio.~, an improper .nes~ site, or mal- rays were taken. The stuffed animal snake talking to itself'. nutntlon. Dr. Burnll discussed the was found sitting against the back of several treatments available, which the dragons stomach. include manual palpation, hormonal

This video focused on the life of

stimulation, percutaneous ovocen­tesis, and surgery.

Dr. Burrill's presentation was very interesting, and the topic is some­thing that any snake breeder may someday have to deal with.

snakes in Minnesota, and featured a The next morning the dragon was bullsnake, black ratsnake, fox

anesthetized for an endoscopic pro- snake, ring-neck snake, western cedure. After viewing the stuffed and eastern hog noses, a timber rat­animal, the Veterinarians attempted tlesnake, and a massasauga, to to dislodge and remove it from the name a few! stomach for about an hour. With This video is now available to be this process failing, they had to borrowed from the MHS Library .. come up with a new plan. It was decided that Dr. Rasmussen would § put his arm down the dragon's

Page 5

By Joe Dogget Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle

"

aesar appeared to be , .. dead. No movement. " =:;( Nothing.

I reached inside the chicken-wire cage and fearfully grabbed the limp coils. The glossy blue and black scales were icy. The 5-foot-long indigo snake must have frozen during the long, cold December night.

"Oh, no!" I cried, The loss of the beautiful indigo was devas­tating to a 12-year-old Houston herpetologist. It was by far the most impressive reptile in the rag-tag collection of wooden crates on the duplex back porch.

Caesar hung lifeless from my trembling hands, then the forked tongue lolled and flickered,

"Oh - you're alive!" I gathered the snake in my arms and rushed through the kitchen door,

My mother looked up from the breakfast stove and stepped back. "You know you're not supposed to bring snakes inside the house. That was one of the rules."

"I've got to. He's almost dead from cold."

Mom smiled. 'Well, in that case."

Page 6

December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

It was two days before Christmas. The apartment was filled with the scent of the fir tree and the deli­cious smells of the kitchen. I hud­dled by the heater in the living room and allowed the stunned snake to bask in the warmth. It was an eastern indigo ("Drymarchon Gorais Goupi," as I proudly told any­one who would listen) bought via railway express from Ross Allen, the famous snake collector and alligator wrestler in Silver Springs, Fla.

months during the summer to pur­chase the snake. Most kids would save for a Wilson baseball glove or maybe a Schwinn bike, but I want­ed an eastern indigo snake - the longest and most impressive non­venomous snake in North America,

It was supposed to be a 6-footer,

but apparently even the great Ross Allen could not always deliver an exact indigo on demand. Even at 5 1/2 feet, I was thrilled when the gorgeous snake tumbled from the muslin sack and flowed like oil through my hands. The smooth scales were lustrous black with prism-blue undercurrents glowing in the light. The indigo was docile and made no attempt to bite. It

raised its gleaming head with the sharp, almost intelli­

gent, eyes and the scarlet throat patch,

and at that moment it was the most beautiful creature on earth.

Besides, I reasoned, if he's only 5 112 feet

that's gotta mean he's younger and he'll live longer

and 1'/1 have him longer. They grow to almost 9 feet!

The indigo elevated my neigh­borhood reptile collection into

the elite status. The slider tur-tles and softshell turtles and box

tortoises and water snakes and hog nose snakes and ribbon snakes were kid stuff - Brays Bayou stuff. Even John Werler, the reptile expert at the Houston Zoo, would do a double-take over an eastern indigo.

The cold-blooded snake slowly warmed into life as I sat by the heater near the glow of the Christmas tree. The straining coils began treadmilling through my

The Newsletter of thc Minnesota HCI])ctological Socicty Dcccmber 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

hands, and Caesar appeared none the worse for the ordeal.

Dad walked in. He was an English professor, a compassionate man with indoor interests who had some difficulty understanding why his only child was so fascinated by the out­doors. Reptiles were within reach but only one aspect of this mysteri­ous pull. Fishing rods, BB guns, fal­conry books and tattered stacks of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life told the rest.

Dad sat on the sofa and cupped his blackened pipe. It was an unlikely tableau, the sandy-haired son holding a great, glossy snake, and the dark-haired father wearing an old tweed jacket.

"I thought 01' Caesar had croaked," I said. "I figured to bring him back to life we'd need a sturgeon."

"A Surgeon. Son, I don't know much about these things, but in the wild I suspect that snakes like your indigo can burrow deep to escape a freeze. They know how to protect themselves. Your cage doesn't give him much of a chance to look after himself, now does it."

"No, I guess it don't."

to your mother. But, I'll make you a "Aw, he's an old grouch all the time, deal. Release the local ones back to anyway. But, I won't." the bayou and keep the indigo. When a bad freeze comes you can Fred was our duplex neighbor. He put him in a sack and keep him was from Europe, thin and quiet, overnight in your closet. The back of painfully proper. The only things that your closet." Dad winked over the seemed to appall hirn more than pipe. 'We just won't tell your mother kids with BB guns were kids with about this little arrangement." snakes.

The bright morning was warming rapidly behind the norther and I returned the

indigo to the back porch. The cage was a wood­en orange crate with a 114-inch chicken-wire top and a wooden hinged door - crude but effective, the best I knew how to construct.

Following breakfast, I grabbed my Daisy Model 25 and prepared to

Fred was, indeed, working in the garage. He enjoyed carpentry and cabinetmaking and was finishing an odd-looking wooden cabinet. It con­sisted of a pyramid of three sepa­

rate box-like partitions on a flat base supported by four legs.

"Hi-ya, Fred. Whatcha mak­ing?"

He turned, startled. "Watch where you point that thing. This?

This is a record rack; I have quiet a collection of classic records and this cabinet is a convenient way to store and segregate them."

"Cool," I said, already bored with Fred and his stuffy records. It was a safe bet that Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were nowhere in the collection.

walk to the vacant lot next door to I thought no more about Fred's proj­hunt rhinos with Robert Ruark, or ect until early Christmas morning. maybe cape buffalos with Jack There, under our tree, stood the O'Connor. Or maybe even defend "record cabinet." the Alamo with Fess Parker. I felt

"Doesn't. Wouldn't it be better to good about the arrangement; It gleamed of dark stained varnish. turn the local ones loose and maybe Caesar was safe and new bayou The front of each of the three parti­donate the indigo to the zoo?" snakes would be easy enough to tions was fitted with a sliding glass

catch in the spring. plate on a trim aluminum runner. "Oh, I can't! I want him too muchl" The interior of each partition was

Dad saw me waggling the BB gun. painted in clean white lacquer and Dad smiled. "I thought you would "Fred's down working in the garage, illuminated by a small electric bulb. feel that way. Well, you remember so don't do any shooting around A master switch on the flat base the discussion we had about no there." controlled the lights. snake pets in the house. It's not fair

Page 7

December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

I stared.

Dad walked to me and smiled. "It's a

November Board Meeting Review

snake cage. That's your special by Becky Girard present. Fred and I built it. It was my idea and I helped paint it, but he did Board Members present: most of the work." Jodi Aherns, Marilyn Blasus, Tony

He put his hand on my shoulder. "Your mother and I have agreed that you can put the cage in your room and keep three snakes - the indigo and two others. Harmless ones, of course. As long as you take care of them, you can keep them inside as long as you wish."

Gamble, Becky Girard, Nancy Haig, Nancy Hakomaki, Jody Holmstrom, Brian Ingbretson, Heather Ingbretson, Bill Moss

Non-Board Members present: Randy Blasus, Jeff LeClere, Marier, Philip Woutat

Kati

It was more than a snake cage. It Below are some of the topics dis­was support and approval of the cussed at t~e November 2, 2002, direction my life was heading. It ~o~rd meetmg. All memb.ers are was, in many ways, my most mem- InVited to attend these meetmgs.

orable Christmas gift. § The MHS informational brochures are being updated and reprinted.

A banner advertisement will be placed on www.kingsnake.com. pro­moting our December presentation with Bill Love.

The October meeting minutes, Treasurers and Membership Secretary's reports were all reviewed and approved. §

2003 MHS Board of Directors

President: Randy Blasus

Vice-President: Tony Gamble

Treasurer: Marilyn Brooks Blasus

Recording Secretary: Barb Buzicky

Membership Secretary: Nancy Hakomaki

The election results for the 2003 Board of Directors were reviewed and approved. Newsletter Editor:

Bill Moss

From the Board Members of the MHS

Have a safe and happy Holiday season

Page 8

The MHS will soon buy a digital camera to produce photos for our website and newsletter.

A grant request from Dan Meinhardt was reviewed and funds granted. Dan will be studying the burnsi color morph of Rana Pipiens.

A grant request from Brian Crnobrna was reviewed and funds granted. Brian will be studying microhabitat use by herpetofauna in lowland Amazon rainforests.

Members At Large: Heather Clayton Brian Ingbretson Heather Ingbretson Philip Woutat

Thanks to all who ran for offices, please try again next year. §

The Minnesota Herpetological Society's Annual

To BE HELD DURING THE WHITE SNAKE SALE AT

THE MARCH 7. 2003 MEETING.

Categories: Photography

Art

Herps in a Natural Setting Herps with People Herps Miscellaneous (includes digital effects)

Any Medium except photography.

Kids (under 16) Any Medium (including the photography)

Rules: General:

All entrants must be members of MHS Combined entries in all categories not to exceed (5).

Photography: Image will not exceed 8" x 10"; Mat will not exceed 11" x 14" All photos must be mounted with name and category on back Original work only

Art: Original work only - Name in appropriate place to be hidden from view Kids: Original work only - Name on back

All entries to be submitted at the February meeting unless other special arrangements are made.

Contacts: Nancy Hakomaki 651.631.1380 or Bill Moss 651.341.2093

Page 9

December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

71lu..!J!J la..H..d by John P. Levell

"Karl Schmidt's Last often spectacularly colored ani- leagues at the museum. The fol­lowing description of the incident was provided by fellow Field Museum herpetologist Clifford Hillhouse Pope in the journal Copeia in 1958.

Herpetological Contribution" mals.

The premature death of her­petologist Karl Patterson Schmidt of Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History due to the bite of a Boomslang, Dispho/idus typus, in the early autumn of 1957 is undoubtedly one of the most well known venomous snakebite incidents in the history of her­petology. Born in Lake Forest, Illinois in 1890, the charismatic Schmidt had become the first curator of the Field Museum's then newly established Department of Herpetology in 1922.

A prolific writer as well, Schmidt produced a wide assortment of technical and popular publications on her­petology and other natural his­tory topics including major sci­entific monographs on the her­petofauna of Puerto Rico and the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Perhaps his most widely known work is the popu­lar title Living Reptiles of the World (co-authored with Field Museum colleague Robert

An active field researcher as well as a "laboratory herpetologist," Schmidt traveled widely and com­piled extensive herpetological col­lections for the Field Museum dur-ing the course of his long career and there can be little doubt that he handled hundreds, perhaps even

"No one can explain why Dr. Schmidt grasped the snake just behind the part of the neck being safely held by Curator Robert F.

Inger, instead of maneuver­ing to exchange grips, as expected. Evidently the movement was made absent-mindedly. Even if the snake had been obviously harmless, it is questionable whether Dr. Schmidt would have consciously given it opportunity to bite. Every herpetologist knows that if he wants to be bitten deeply, he has only to grip a snake a short distance behind the head."

Native to Africa, the opisthoglyphic or rear­fanged Boomslang possess­es an excessively virulent hemotoxic venom; a fact, which contrary to widely held popular belief, had already been well established at the time of Schmidt's bite

Inger), which ironically was Photo and autograph Schmidt courtesy of Dr. (Grasset and Schaafsma released in 1957 just prior to Schmidt's fatal accident. Schmidt also had a career-long interest in venomous reptiles, particularly New World Coral Snakes, and some of his most important and enduring work focuses on the tax­onomy and distribution of these Page 10

thousands of living snakes in his lifetime. Nevertheless, on September 25, 1957 at approxi­mately 1 :15 in the afternoon, Schmidt was bitten once on his left

1940). Indeed, the research of Grasset and Schaafsma conclu­sively demonstrated the extremely dangerous nature of Boomslang venom with toxicity levels exceed­ing that of most African vipers,

thumb while examining a captive cobras and even mambas. That Boomslang along with some col- the Grasset and Schaafsma paper

Iviinnesota HCll)clological Society :Monthly Newsletter December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

as well as the potential danger of Boomslang venom was well known to Pope at least is plainly evident in

Micrurus spixi from Schmidt's "The Amazonian Coral Snake"

his 1958 review of Schmidt's fatal bite.

Despite the potential for disas­ter and perhaps encouraged by the small size of the Boomslang in question, Schmidt declined seek­ing any medical attention following this bite and simply sucked the puncture wounds "vigorously" prior to proceeding to his suburban home by train. After a somewhat nauseous trip, Schmidt spent the remainder of a restless and uncomfortable night experiencing periods of intermittent fever, abdominal pain, cramping and vomiting, as well as slight, but con­tinual bleeding from the mouth, gums, bowels and urinary tract.

By the next morning (Sept. 26), mistakenly believing his condition to be much improved, Schmidt felt well enough to inform his col­leagues by telephone that he expected to return to work at the

museum the following day. Shortly after noon, however, Schmidt began to experience difficulty in breathing and from that point onward his condition deteriorated rapidly. Emergency medical assis­tance was subsequently sum­moned but attempts at resuscita­tion were unsuccessful, with Schmidt being transported to a nearby hospital where he was pro­nounced dead on arrival at about 3:00 PM, just slight more than 24 hours after his envenomation.

An autopsy performed the fol­lowing day revealed extensive internal bleeding in numerous areas of Dr. Schmidt's body, including his small intestine, colon and brain, and the corresponding coroner's report records "Cerebral hemorrhage. POisoning from venom from snake-bite" as the offi­cial cause of death. In his review of the incident, however, Clifford Pope considered the actual cause of death to more likely be attributa­ble to "respiratory failure due to coagulation in the lungs."

Whatever the actual cause of Schmidt's death may have been, it is impossible to know whether even prompt medical attention would have saved the life of this prominent herpetologist, especially considering the extreme toxicity and unusual nature of Boomslang venom. This particular toxin has the dual, and conflicting, properties of severely hampering the blood's ability to clot while at the same time producing clots in the victim's bloodstream. Complicating mat­ters further, is the fact that the only effective counteracting agent for the bite of a Boomslang is Boomslang specific antivenin, a

product that would have been extremely rare or non-existent in the United States at the time Schmidt was bitten. There can be little doubt, however, that the total lack of professional medical assis­tance, possibly due to an overly optimistic attitude, was a contribut­ing factor to the death of Karl Patterson Schmidt..

A true scientist to the end, Schmidt faithfully recorded his reactions to the snake's venom to within a couple of hours of his final collapse. Recorded in the purely analytical style of an outside observer, these handwritten notes are reproduced in Pope's account of Schmidt's bite and provide a graphic "first hand" account of the

Crocodylus cataphractus Skull from Schmidt's Contributions to the Herpetology of the Belgian Congo Part I.

effects of Boomslang venom on the human body. Sadly, they also represent the last contribution of

Page 11

December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

this true giant in the annuals of Islands Volume X Part 1: 1-160. American herpetology.

Literature Cited:

Baugher, Albert H. (Attending Coroner's Physician). 1957. Coroner's Report for Karl Patterson Schmidt, Sept. 27, 1957. Cook County, Illinois.

Grasset, E. and Schaafsma, A. W. 1940. Studies on the Venom of the "Boomslang" (Dispho/idus typus). South African Medical Journal 14:236-241.

Pope, Clifford H. 1958. Fatal Bite of Captive African Rear-Fanged Snake (Dispholidus). Copeia 1958(4): 280-282.

Schmidt, Karl P. 1919. Contributions to the Herpetology of the Belgian Congo Based on the Collection of the American Museum Congo Expedition, 1909 - 1915. Part I. - Turtles, Crocodilians, Lizards, and Chameleons. Bulletin American Museum of Natural History Vol. XXXIX Art. II: 385-624.

Schmidt, Karl P. 1923. Contributions to the Herpetology of the Belgian Congo Based on the Collection of the American Museum Congo Expedition, 1909 - 1915. Part II. - Snakes. Bulletin American Museum of Natural History Vol. XLIX Art. I: 1-146.

Schmidt, Karl P. 1928. Amphibians and Land Reptiles of Porto Rico, with a List of Those Reported from the Virgin Islands. New York Academy of Sciences Scientific Survey of Porto Rico and the Virgin

Page 12

Schmidt, Karl P. and Inger, Robert F. 1957. Living Reptiles of the World. Doubleday & Company, Inc. Garden City, New York.

Schmidt, Karl P. 1953. The Amazonian Coral Snake Micrurus spixi. Chicago Natural History Museum Fieldiana Zoology 34(14): 171-180. §

National Geographic Channel's Dr. Brady Barr Visits the Twin Cities by Bill Moss

Brady Barr, National Geographics Field SpeCialist and Herpetologist as well as star of "Reptile Wild" (Sundays at 9 and 9:30 pm) was in town Nov. 7 and 8 to promote the traveling "Super Croc" display that was at the Mall of America Nov 6 through 24th. Super Croc (Sarcosuchus imperator) is a true crocodile that lived about 110 million years ago in what is now the Sahara Desert. At that time this area was tropical jungle with

many winding rivers cutting through it.

Dr. Paul Sereno discovered the most intact skeletal remains ever found of this animal includ­ing a head that measured over 6 feet long. Using modern croc­odilians as a model to use for establishing body mass calcula­tions and size ratios, it was determined that Sarcosuchus was probably 30 years old, 40 feet long and weighed in at about 10 tons.

The bite force of this animal is estimated to be approximately eighteen thousand pounds per square inch, enough to bring down and consume dinosaurs!

While Brady was here, he did a number of media events as well as programs for two groups of school children. Aiding him in his talks and promotions was Smiley, MHS member Bill Moss's 7' American alligator. §

Brady Barr poses wilh Smiley in fronl of 40 fool long "Super Croe"

l'vIinnesota Herpetological Society "Monthly Newsletter December 2002 Volume 22 Number 12

English Spot Dutch

Jim's Rabbit Shack "VV1lere Spots Are Tops"

JIM DALUGE (763) 295--2818

8700 Ja~r Ave. NE Monticello, MN 55362

. -" "

Only $5 Per Month ...... $60 Per Year

Minnesota Herpetological Society Treasurer's Report Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Bias us, Treasurer

For the Month Ending: October 31, 2002

Income: Membership Sales (Net) Donations Raffle Mise

Total Income:

Expenses: Newsletter Printing & Postage Other Printing & Postage Program Conservation/Donation Supplies & Refreshments Mise

Total Expense: Net Gain/(Loss):

295,00 276,82

1,614,95 71,00

1310,00 3567.77

405,00 3,83

317,39 0,00

30,90 918,67

1676,29 1891.48

• Repllles' Amphibians tlnvertebrales' Small Mammals' Fish· Complete Line 01 Cages, Food, Books & Supplies for ALL Animals

Hours: Mon •• Fri. 10.8

Sat. 10-6 Sun. 12-5

~lN ell: 1. les The LARGEST,

REPTILES

BEST Selection in the Twin Cities

Since 1979

2363 University Ave. W, St. Paul, (1/2 Blk E, of Raymond)

(651) 647·4479 www.twlncitiesreptiles.com

GiT! THE FACTS ... NOT THE H'lRE -- ----------------

Page 13

Classified ads are free to the membership. Deadline Is the night of the general meeting for inclusion In the next newsletter. 1.0.0"" male, 0.1.0 "" female, 0.0.1 "" unsexed, cb "" captive bred, abo::o or best offer, + = tfmes run ( ads are run 3 times unless specifically requested to continue).

For Sale 2003 Turtle Calendars - Two different for­mats (Sea Turtle or Plowshare Tortoise cov­ers) $12 each. Can be delivered to the December MHS meeting and/or Holiday Banquet or mailed for $2.50 postage and handling. $1.00 of each calendar sold will be donated to the World Chelonian Trust. John Levell, NorthStar Herpetological Associates, P.O. Box 389, Lanesboro, MN 55949, 507467-3076 emys@turtlebookshop.com. + Frozen Rabbits - all sizes. Prices very reasonable - pinkies to adults. Jim Daluge 763.295.2818

Flightless Fruitflies - Excellent food for dart frogs, mantellas, hatchling geckos, baby chameleons, spiderlings, and other small herps. Two species available: Drosophila melanogaster (small) and Drosophila hyde! (large). $5/culture or $25/6 cultures. Each culture contains 30 to 50 adult flies and has potential to produce several hundred young. Also, Mealworms, two sizes available - regular and mini. $5/1000. Can be delivered to MHS meet­ings. Call Tony Gamble 612-747-6682 or email tgamble@attbi.com +

FOR SALE: 0.0.6 Black Ratsnakes (E.o.obsoleta), $10.00 each. Contact D.K.Compton, 612.872.7266 or compto01 @tc.edu.mn

FOR SALE: 2.0 Chinese Leopard Geckos (Goniursaurus araneus) $10 ea; 0.0.10 Viper Gecko $40 ea; 1.0 Belize Banded Gecko (Coleonyx eleganus) $100; 1.2 Albino Leopard Gecko - Rainwater strain $300/trio; 1.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Bell strain $300/pair. Call Jodi L. Aherns 612.588.9329 or email to groundgeckofreak@yahoo.com

Page 14

FOR SALE: 5 almost new melamine enclosures. 3 are 24"w x 36"h x 12"d. 2 are 24"w x 48"h x 12"d. Were used for small arboreal lizards. $45 each or all 5 for $150. New Guinea artifacts collected from areas along the Sepik river:story­boards,figures, masks,etc .... add some Original New Guinean tribal art to your homel Contact John Hogston. 952-891-4371. john@goannaland.com +++

Wanted

<91;,0/ ~ 6u 6eItor IIli6 ~ JCQJMt

IIutn. fI ,;# o/..4f9(!EpJinw ~UdI!;; wrIm!J ?

tlJu,y lIzem jtr IIze 1fI~ f/nn4; - IfIfflt IIzey 6u JUtyJJiMd ?

Mice Pinkies $7/dz Rats Pinkies $9/dz

Fuzzies $7/dz Fuzzies $15/dz

HORRers $8/dz QillMl!!t $18/dz

Adults $10/dz MedMl!!t $24/dz

wMl!!t $30/dz

Jumbo $36/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 Jody Holmstrom at 651.224.7212 or jodyalso@yahoo.com

•

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!P!A\ ® [§ !A\[Q)o

$11 ® 1P~1Fl 1I\1I@1M1J'1f(] $1111 ® 1P~1Fl WMIFl"

'12th month is free on a one year commitment

MHSAD RATES Business card

1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page

$5/Month $55Near* $10/Month $110Near* $20/Month $220Near* $40/Month $440Near*

• Note: 12th month Is free on a one year commitment

•

•

> • vi!!J

Advertising Policies

MHS Ad Policy: The MHS assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY regardIng the health or legality of any animal, or the quality Of legality of any product or servlce advertised In the MHS Newsletter. Any ad may be rejected at the discreUon 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 ran three consecutive months, after which time they may be resubmitted. Corresponding members are allowed a complimentary business card advertIsement monthly as space permits. Due to federal restrictions on Non·profit mail­Ing permils~ we are not allowed to run ads for travel, credit or Insurance agencies.

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 Meeling for inc/usion In the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Soc/ety.

r-----------------------------------------------, New

Name

Renewal Address

Membership# City, State, Zip,

Type Phone Email List in MHS Directory? Yes

Check # Herp related interests

. . . . Minnesota. HerpetologI.cal SOCIety Membership Applicatton

Active Memberships: Sustaining ($60/year) Contributing ($30/year) Basic ($15/year)

Corresponding Memberships: Basic Commercial ($25/year 2 Bus Cards) Silver ($75/year 2 1/2 pg Ads)

Required check info. Drivers Lie #

Bronze ($50/year 2 1/4 pg ads) Gold ($1 ~O/year 2 Full pg Ads)

State DOB

No

L _______________________________________________ ~

Non-Profit Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Mpls, MN

Permit No. 2275

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER BY DECEMBER 3

Next Meeting: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA- ST. PAUL CAMPUS

~ 10 ro.y36

~I LARPENrEUR to Snelfing---.:;,..

Friday, December 6, 2002 7:00PM Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M Sl. Paul Campus

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MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

MHS Web Page: www.bellmuseum.org/herpetology/main.html