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

VCLUNE IV

CCTOBER l"lHS NEWSLETTER

N GVEIVJBER I"'l1;]£'r ING

Friday, November 2, 1984 7:00 PM Hoom 225, Smith Hall

Uni versi ty of JVlirmesota

NUJVIBER 10

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The November meeting wi11 feature a special out of town guest speaker .. Bob Hader will talk on the care and breeding of White's 1'ree }'rog eLi toria caerulea) .. 1'hese are one of the neatest anurans there are, and it should be an interesting program. fJ:he "Critter of the J'tIonth" will be frogs and toads .. See you there!

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CCCASIONAL PAPERS OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLCGICAL SOCIETY

The Occasional Papers series is being initiated to allow for longer papers to be published by MRS .. The papers can cover any aspect of herpetology. Papers will be issued singularly or in groups depending on the number of qualified papers re~ ceived All authors submitting manuscripts should send two copies to the attention of the edi tor ". ]','januscripts should be typed, double spaced, and on one side of the paper with 1.5 inch marg:ins .. General format should follow the Journal of Herpe­tology

Editor: John J Moriarty 401:35 ll'oss Hoad st .. Anthony, J"lN 55421

Asst .. Editor: Barney Oldfield

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The Cctober meeting turned' out really well .. rl'he panel discussion on captive breed­ing hopefully answered a lot of questions .. The panel consisted of Bruce Delles, }i'ran Frisch, Jim Gerholdt, a.nd Del Jones .. Ea.ch speaker gave a short introduction, mentioning what taxa they had breeding experience with. The panel was then opened for questions and discussion" Attendance was 66!

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-1985 calendar is finished and at the printer and I hope to have some at the NHS November meeting***Herp Christmas cards also***I do not believe how fast time goes between meetings, cartoon(s), random tails, Newsletter deadline, next thing I know it is meeting time again***I do know sometimes how hard it is to make that weekend of the meeting open for IVlHS so I want to thank everyone who comes to the monthly meeting .. We- count on you and miss you when you are gone***rPhis month (Oc­tober) has my favorite holiday in it, Halloween! So I would like to wish every­one a scary and safe 11alloween, trick or treat***Here comes winter***I know it is not 'r-shirt time but they make great Christmas gifts and mail very well .. r:[1he first of the year all herp T-shirts will go up one dollar to ~~7 .. 00 each .. Be­cause of the c-older wea thercoming I will have a limited amount of crew and hooded sweatshirts, a warm Yay to get the message across***Cn the "White Snake Sale" corning up we need herp related items donated to JVJHS and MRS gets to sell them back to you .. We need books, novelties, water dishes, hide boxes, snake (or turtle or lizard) bags, photos, posters, substrate, knick nacks, or anything you can find that might make money for MlIS***So far two rolls of film with no photos for the contest" I do hope I can get something developed before the deadline*** Short tails this month, so until next month may the herps be with you ..

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As most of you may have heard, the City of Imluth has passed a non-domestic ordi­nance.. rrhis was caused and brought on by the mauling of a child by a cougar and as always, the herpers pay for someone else's stupidity .. In general, it is fair­ly well written, which is itself unusual! It provides for a ~t25eOO permit to keep non-domestic animals .. This permit is for premises and not for individual- ani­mals .. 11he permits will be granted by an inspection committe headed by the Direct­or of the Duluth Zoo .. Just what the Duluth Zoo Director knows about herps is not clear! In fact, the ordinance is not written very well at all in application to herps A non-domestic animal is defined as: all felines (other than domestic house cats), non-human primates, bears, wolves, coyotes, foxes (apparently other wild canids are exempt), venomous reptiles, boa constrictors (but not other boas apparently), pythons, alligators, crocodiles (are gavials and caiman exempt?), bats, wolverines, skunks, and weasels (but not other mustelids?) .. The ordinance also calls for the carrying of a $300,000 .. 00 liability insurance policy as IE·rt of the permit .. Also interesting are the exclusions from permits .. They include public or private schools and universities, vet hospitals (so should you just board your "non-domestic"?), and last but surely not least, circuses, carnivals, and similar transient shows or exhibitions .. Would this include the "tiger on a chain" at the shopping center? With some more work, this new ordinance could be a real model .. As it stands, it does need a lot more work! If you are affected by it, please let ~lHS know of any problems you run into .. One final question? How many problems have herps and herpers caused the city of Duluth in the past that they should have to suffer for the stupidity of someone else? A permit to keep a boa constrictor?

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2

The DNR Volunteer patches were handed out at the October meeting .. If you have one coming let John T1'j©riarty know" Remember, anyone who worked on the state .Fair ex­hibit or went on any of the 3 field trips is entitled to one ..

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Orson Wh'\tes "Tree froCj SQys.,"

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~MEM]EH THE; PHOTO CGNTEST DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 2! DON'T BE LA'llE AND MISS OUT!

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3

S"W .. Ninnesota Herp Survey

21 - 23 September 1984

Participants (* participated in all 3 field trips): steve Argue lVlatt Cutler Jim Gerholdt Matt Gerholdt * Del Jones * JoAnne J/loriarty John lVloriarty * Barney Oldfield Casey Oldfield Jim Schave Ted Schave Paul Spencer * Wes Thomas

Animals found: Le<ppard Frogs (Rana pipiJens) Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) AIDer ican 'I1oads (Buf 0 americanus) Chorus Frogs (pseudacris triseriata) :b1ox Snake (Elaphe vulpina) Red Sided Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) Plains Garter Snakes (Thamnophis radix) Red Bellied Snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata) Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Prairie Skink (E~meces septentrionalis)

A summary of the entire survey will appear in the next Newsletter ..

A special thanks to the Gerholdt clan who allowed us to use their Webster estate as a staging and vellicle storage area for all of the trips ..

John Moriarty

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EDITCR'S NClPE: The MBS Board of Directors would like to extend a special thanks to John for all of his work in securing the grant money from DNR and coordinating the three trips .. The latest Herp. Review (Vol. 15, No.3 .. Sept .. 1984) has a note on page 64 about this grant. Also, a special thanks to the three MRS members, who, along with John, made all three trips. They are Matt Gerholdt, Del Jones and Paul Spencer.

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Now is the time for all of us to start thinking about field projects for 1985. Do you have any ideas on this? If so, please let John know .. The sooner we begin to plan things out, the sooner we can get things going ..

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l\J'J:J AlTD R:~PTILBS NATIVE TO r1INNES OTA by Barney Oldfield

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra'serpentina)

The "snapper" has a massive head and powerful jaws with the e reaching 8 12~ II in length (record 18~~"). The average weight

s turtle is 10 - 35 lbs., although fattened captives may weigh considerably more rl1he carapace is tan to dark brown wi th jagged mar­ginals at the rear edge& The plastron is small, yellow to tan and cross­shaped The tail may be as long as the carapace with a sawtooth along the upper edge$ The neck of the snapper is covered with tubercles, and the male's tail is longer and thicker than the female's. Hatchlings are 1+" long with 3 well defined keels along the carapace. They are black in color with a few white flecks on the plastron.

Habitat: The snapping turtle prefers soft mud bottoms with abundant c vegetation$ It is found in small creeks, temporary ponds, road­

side ditches, farm ponds, marshes, and rivers.

Habits: This highly aquatic turtle ,is rarely seen basking out of the water, thus the carapace is often algae covered. The turtle will often lay buried in the mud with eyes and nose exposed, waiting for unsuspecting prey. It may also actively pursue food by crawling along the bottom. It is active both day and night from mid-April to October. When removed from the water, the snapper lives up to its name by making many lunging and biting attempts at its intruder e A large turtle is capable of in­flicting a painful injury. Snapping turtles often congregate in numbers to hibernate in muskrat tunnels and under banks. During this time they are vulnerable to human predation. They have been seen slowly swimming under the ice during winter.

Snapping turtles eat invertebrates, carrion, aquatic vegetation, birds, small mammals and, occasionally, smaller snapperse Crayfish

seem to be a commonly utilized food source.

Breeding: The snapper becomes sexually mature at 5-7 years and mating can take place anytime from April - October, although most activity occurs during the spring. It is usually during the month of June that the female will walk up to 1~ miles to find a suitable nesting site with good sun exposure There she will excavate a flask .... shaped cavit and lay 25-50 spherical eggs$ The incubation period ranges from 9-1 weeks, depending on the weather Hatchlings may overwinter in the nest.

State S Special Concern. The snapper is commonly used as food. The harvest is substantial and unregulated with many females taken during the laying season. Areas can be easily overhunted since popula­tions are slow to recover.

Note: High levels of toxic Pee.B.s are found in Mississippi River turtles. The bigger the turtle the higher the level.

References: Behler and King, Breckenridge, 0onant, IJang, and Vogt e

5

"Critter of the Month"

Wow! The "critter" for the October meeting was neonates of 1984, and apparently 1984 was a very good year 'J1he "cri tters li were:

Common Boa (Boa c@ constrictor) Snake (Boiga dendrophila)

Smooth Sided Toad (Bufo guttata) Horned }TOg (Ceratophrys sp,,)

IIJa ta lVIa ta (ehe 1 us f im br ia ta ) Common Snapping ~rurtle (Chelydra s,. serpentina) We stern Pain ted Tur tIe (Chrysemys pic ta bell i) ----- .. 'Hv-vvvvVy\l ,

Corn Snake (Elaphe g0 guttata) normal, amelanistic, heterozygous Yellow Hat S~(lake (Elaphe obsoleta quadrivi ttata) \v'estern }i'ox onake (Elaphe v .. vulpina) Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae) normal, albino, heterozygous Ilorida Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus floridana) Black Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus nigrita) Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus splendida) Intergrade Common Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getulus X ssp .. ) Gray Banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana alterna) Eastern lVIilk Snake (Lampropeltis t .. triangulum) Wh~i te ' s Tree J?rog (IJi toria caerulea) Plains Hognose Snake (Be terodon n <II nasicus) European Glass IJizard (Ophisaurus apodus) Day Gecko (Phelsuma sp ) Sonoran Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus affinis) albino Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) Ball Python (Python regius) Red Bellied Snakff (Storeria occipitomaculata) Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c .. carolina) Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major) Checkered Garter Snake (Thamnophis marcianus) Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis) melanistic

These were brought by: Sarina Brewer Sue Bunn D" K Compton Bruce Delles Pat Encinosa Fran Frisch Jim Gerholdt Aaron Hampt on Jorill Jesmer, Jr .. Andrea Leader John and Denise r,1el tzer Sherilyn Oldfield Ann Porwoll Brint Spencer Toni Vangen Larry Yank

Thanks to all of the above from MRS! This is our best tlcritter" showing yet!

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Herp Hints

1)" K mentioned a snake that had escaped from its cage in the touch and see room at the Bell Museum on the 3rd floor .. It has apparently made its way to the basemento The janitors are not too happy! Ann Forwoll, speaking from personal

, cautioned one and all about the hazards of working on your herps if you are tired This is when accidents (and escapes) happen .. This is especially good advice if you are keeping hot herps! Del Jones related a call he had gotten from Stillwater concerning a snake .. It was described as 1'-18", and red with a black head It was likely a Red Belly, but sometimes the descriptions are sure vivid! Fran }i'risch praised the new DNR book "Woodworking for Wildlife" and fel t it might make a super gift for someone .. (See MHS Newsletter Vol .. IV, No .. 9, page 3) John I'-1criarty then brought up a 2 volume work on ~1innesota t s listed animals tha t should be ready SOODe \~a tch for this!

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'~Help A Hapless Herp"

We had 3 prospective adoptees at the Cctober meeting, only 1 of which found a happy home .. A real nice return 3-3~' Green Iguana was adopted out while a 2' Spectacled Caiman was not \I/e need a home for this one! Also, a 7' male Burmese rython with a terrible temperament and some very bad scars was euthanized after the meeting .. r:phis was a decision of the IVIHS Board of JJirectors (unanimously) after discussing the matter at some length .. We should have a nice big Common Boa and at least 1 Burmese Python for the November meeting .. Are you interested?

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7

INCUBATION of REPTILIAN EGGS

Once the blessed event has happened and you have been presented l .... 1 i t hac 1 ute h 0 f eo 9 g s, the que ,:. t ion qui c k 1 )., bee om e s II t",1 hat dol d CI tJ,1 i t h the m n Clll . .! '? II "

A widely used (and usually quite successful) technique is to use dampened IJerm i cu 1 i te 1 as the i ncuba t i on sUbstrate. l)er'm i cu lite is commonly used as pourable ihsulation or in potting soil mix­tures. It is made from mica that has been expanded by high heat. The v e r m j cuI i t e i <E. i nor g ani can d the r' e for' e doe s not <E. up P 0 r tan y

ungal or mold growth. This makes it a nearly ideal medium for i ncuba t i ng egg,: ..

The f i rs·t dClcumen ted us·e of I·}erm i cu 1 i te that I"'m al/,lare of I.o\'a':· by T r' >' 0 n:2 • Her e c omm end edt hat the v e r m i c u lit e be m 0 i :. ten e d v,, i t h a equal weight of water. I have used this ratio with good success on both s.n~.ke and 1 i zard eggs.. I f you don'" t hal,}e eas.y acces·s to a reasonably accurate scale, a 10:1 ratio by volume of vermicu-1 i te to water will work. Another method of moistening the vermi-c u 1 i t e i s· t 0 add lJ,' ate r' u n til the v e r m i c u 1 i t e i scam p 1 e tel >' sat u -rated. The mixture is then compressed by hand and the excess water is allowed to drain off. Any of the above methods should resul t in a properly moistened substrate.

The substrate should be spread evenly over the bottom of a flat topped waterproof container to a depth of 2 - 3 inches. A p 1 a':;· tic s· hoe 0 r' SV,I eat e r box v,, 0 r' k s· gr' eat for' t h i <,:. • The ide a behind the flat top is to allow the condensation on the 1 id to drip evenly over the substrate and maintain uniform moisture throughout the incubator. Another factor in maintaining uniform mo i stu rei:. the e ',) e n ap p 1 i cat i on of he at. He a t ap p 1 i edt 0 on e side or only to the bottom will result in dry areas in the substrate. The ideal method of temperature control is to have the incubator surrounded by still air of uniform temperature.

The eggs should be buried at least half way in the substrate. An e a :.~.... me t h od is. to bu r y the egg:. an d the n br u :.h the ve rm i c u 1 i t e away until just the surface of the egg is exposed. There has been some discussion as to whether turtle eggs need to be completely covered. Once turtle eggs have been set, the egg should not be rotated so a different side is up. A pencil mark on the egg vJ ill aid in i de n t i fin 9 the "t op " i f the egg:· ar e r'emoved for i nspec t i on or' candl i ng.

The temperature should be maintained between 26 0 C and 30 0 C (B0 0 F and 85 0 F). Temperatures above 320 C tend to cause death or deformi ties in the embryos.

1) l) e r' m i c u 1 i teo: A I.) d. i 1 d. b 1 e o. t 1 u m b e r' ::r" d. r' d·::. 0 r' 9 r eo e n h 0 u =. e <E. i n 3 cubic foot bags.

2) Tr' yc,n , E: • 1 975 "Hol.\1 to inc u ba t e r' e p til e eo 00-:· : a. p r' 0'·) e n t e c h n i que . 11 8 u 1 1 e tin 0 f the N e lJ,1 \( 0 r· I< H ~ r' pet 0 log i cal (;SSOC i at i on .

Del Jones

Nike Deidrich 2445 Como Ave .. st 0 Paul, MN 55108 612-646-2493 New member

Thomas Jay lVlurphy 3446 No Service Drive Hed wing, J'.1N 55066 612-388-2229 New member

Duane Meier 151 Kapahulu Ave .. Honolulu 20 Honolulu, HI 96815 New member

Brenda Bell 539 40th Ave" NE /11 Col umbia Heights, JVll'iJ 55421 6-12~781-2881

New I'/lember

rrim and Diane Keefe 3459 France Ave .. N I'~inneapolis, MN 55422 612-588-2317 New members

lv'laur ice and Joyce Holahan 911 N W. 28th street Roche ster t lVIN 55901 507-282-6649 New members

Joe Matzke Rt .. 112 Box 257 Delano, J/IN 55328 612-972-3751 New member

Greg Kranbek 2518 Hwy 100 S .. #711

new ch

st .. Louis Park, IylN 55416 612-925-9898 New member

Gregory Kovalchuk 10940 32nd street N Lake Elmo, MN 55402 New member

Terry Howe 656 Santa Coleta Court Sunnyvale, CA 94086 New member

Narilyn Tarasar 2326 Lexington Ave .. Ne Roseville, MN 55113 New member

Baibi Vegners 1900 E 86th street #324 Bloomington, MN 55420 New member

Bill Tefft 1900 E Camp Street Ely" JvlN 55731 New member

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}vIichigan Society of Herpetologists 600 South }rancis street Lansing 1"11 48912

Gary Simonson 1906 3rd Ave," S .. l"linneapolis, JV1-J Change

if21 55404

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Phantastic Phenological Phinds

John Jesmer Jr September 4, 1984-Bunker IJake P"drk, Anoka Co., JVlinnesota ..

1 I'lains Hognose Snake (Heterodon n to nasicus).. 18" male .. September 14~ 1984-Eden }rairie, f'linnesota .. In culvert ..

1 Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) .. 15" female ..

rl~elissa Vangen September 16, 1984-Louisville Swamp, IVJinnesota ..

9 Plains Garter Snake (1l1amnophis radix) ..

Toni Vangen September 16, 1984-Louisville Swamp, Minnesota ..

j Red Sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). 2 Texas Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi texana) ..

Larry Yank September 29, 1984-Becker, Sherburne Co., Minnesota.

4 .Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon n .. nasicus)" Adul ts. 6 Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) .. Hatchlings .. /! £;astern Garter Snake ('rhamnophis s _ sirtalis) @

~)eptember 30, 1984-Becker, Sherburne Co .. , Minnesota .. 4 l';lains Hognose Snake (Heterodon n .. nasicus). Adults and 1 hatchling .. 3 Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi). Adult and 2 hatchlings. 2 Red Bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) .. Ii l:';astern Garter Snake (11hamnophis s.. sirtalis) .. 1 ned Sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) ..

Gctober j, 1984-Becker, Sherburne Co. t }'Jlinnesota" 4 Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon n. nasicus)" 3 adul ts and 1 hatchling .. 4 Bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi)" Adult male and female and 2 hatchlings .. 1 Hed Bellied Snake (Storeria occipi tomaculata)" Hatchling .. Ii l~astern Garter Snake (frhamnophis s. sirtalis) ..

John IVlel tzer and Gary Simonson October 6, 1984-55 to 65 degrees, partly cloudy. South Washington Co. Park, I'f;innesota ..

il Northern IJeopard :F'rog (Rana pipiens) .. D .. O"R .. October 6 1984-55 to 65 degrees, partly cloudy. Along Mississippi River near Frontenac, Goodhue Co , Minnesota ..

1 \v'estern Painted rl'urtle (Chrysemys picta belli) .. if Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens). D .. O"R .. if American 'lload (Buio americanus).

Gctober G, 1984-55 to 65 degrees, partly cloudy .. Kellogg, Wabasha Co .. , Minnesota" 1 Common Snapping rPurtle (Chelydra s .. serpentina) .. DeO.R. -II Northern lieopard }TOg (Rana pipiens) .. DEI O .. R ..

C)ctober 6, 1984-55 to 65 degrees, partly cloudy .. Iv,lcCarthy \1ildlife Management Area \-y'abasha Co"' Hinnesota"

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3 Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis). 1 D"O"H .. 1 \vestern Painted rl1urtle (Chrysemys picta belli) .. D .. O"R.

Cctober 6 1984-55 to 65 degrees, partly cloudy .. Highway 61, Winona Co .. , Minnesota. 1 Cornmon Snapping Turtle (Chelydra s" serpentina) .. # ','Jestern painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta belli) .. D .. OoR .. 1 Eastern Garter Snake (~Phamnophis s .. sirtalis) .. D"G .. R ..

Cctober 6 "1984-55 to 65 degrees, partly cloudy .. La Crescent JVlarsh, Houston Co .. , JV:inne sota

2 Green Frog (Hana clamitans melanota) .. Ii Northern Leopard Frog (Hana pipiens). 1 l';astern Garter "Dake (1'harnnophis s. sirtalis) ..

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Hefreshments

The refreshments at the last 3 meetings have been supplied by: Dan and Cheryl Keyler (September), D .. K .. Compton (August), and Helen Schave (October) .. A big thanks from rllBS to all of the above.. Sorry it took so long to thank you.

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11

Notes

Bart Bruno Northern Fine Snake (Pituophis m. melanoleucus)-parents 1979 captive hatched, Burlington Co .. , New Jersey" Copulation observed 4-28 .. Flemale deposited 4 fertile eggs on 6-10e All hatched August 8-10 .. Total incubation period; 59-61 days .. Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pi tiophis melanoleucus deserticola)-Ckanagen :Falls, British Columbia .. Copulation observed 4-8. Female deposited 4 eggs on 6-11, two of which were fertile" Both hatched 8-50 'rotal incubation period of 55 days <II

Both clutches were hatched at 80-83 degrees F' in vermiculite mixed wi th water, with excess drained offe

D.. K" Compton Eastern Box 'llurtle ('llerrapene c .. carolina )-:Flemale captured 6-24-84 in southern Ghio~ 2 eggs were laid 7-22, 1 egg 7-24, 1 egg 7-28 (broken) .. Incubated in closed plastic box on damp paper towels at room temperature .. The eggs laid on 7-22 hatched on 9-17 and 9-20 .. 'llhe egg laid on 7-24 hatched on 9-21 .. The hatchling of 9-17 has a deformed plastron in that the femoral and anal laminae are not fused ..

Joel Bidbo M.exican Rosy Boa (Lichanura t.. tri virga ta )-Na ted in May of 1984 .. JVlale is 27" and female is 24" .. Female stopped eating by late August, was dark 8-31, and shed 9-11 .. 3 babies were born on 9-28 .. 2 were deformed with kinks in spine .. 1 died and 1 was destroyed .. The 3rd was fine, 12" long - very large .. Kept at 74-86 degrees with a hot spot at 90 degrees P .. Female would congregate over this spot .. She resumed eating on 9-28 .. Gestation was roughly 125-130 days .. Pair was kept together" Yellow Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata)-Wild caught 4" female laid 16 eggs. All were damaged in shipping from Florida and 13 went bad (all 16 were fertile) .. 3 hatched 10-2 .. Babies gray, 12" long and healthy .. Exact date of laying not known ..

Jim and __ Pam-~Gerhold t Corn Snake (Elaphe g.guttata)-Breeding not observed .. Female laid 16 eggs on 7-22 and 7-23 .. 1 egg was overlooked and 15 were set in moist vermiculite at 84 degrees Fl" 3 eggs were infertile. 11 hatched on 9-17- 1 slit and died, 1 slit and got stuck in too small a slit and died. 'llhe last egg was opened manually and is fine .. Incubation was 55 or 56 days compared to last year's 65-70 days ..

Breedings from October AAZPA Newsletter

Institute for I~rpetological Research 14 'dater Python

8 D I ill bert's Python

Nemphis Zoo and Aquarium 1 Giant Day Gecko

15 Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Houston Zoo 7 Children's Python 1 Yucatan BClnded Gecko 1 'I1okay Gecko

18 Kenya Sa.nd Boa 1 African Fat Tailed G~cko

Living Desert Reserve (Palm Springs) 3 Desert Tortoise

Detroit Zoo 7 Scarlet Kingsnake

San Antonio Zoo 6 Amazon Tree Boa 6 Dumeril's Ground Boa 2 Honduran JIlilk Snake 6 Palestine Viper

National Zoo 15 Oriental :F'ire Bell ied Toad

7 Cuban Crocodile

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Gl.::ld'y~3 Porter /,(lO (Brown~;v.i 1 Ie') 1 ~ladag·{U:)ciJ.r IW,dl;l.ll~d 'I'OJ' to i Ut'

'14 'l'exa~:; Coral ~;nakc

4 C()[ttJlJiJ an JXJX 'l'urt.l (: t) 'J'ayJ(>r"r; C'lnL.U (, 11'111(1111';111 llil i Iii : :11: 1 k I'

:) l;nt,Y Bandedl<ill(:,)makc

Oklahoma Ci ty Zoo 5 Australian Snake Necked 'llurtle

st.. IJouis Zoo 2 Mexican Milk Snake

Phoenix 2roo 3 Desert Spiny Lizard 1 C'xOpher Snake (al bina) 2 Red Footed Tortoise 5 California Kingsnake

'110] ('d (l :',ot'

II l :011U lleudt~d L-i,z(tl'd

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 7 Copher ~X1ake

') CPr! ',ra I l'lllllll; 1'111 I k :;l\ulu'

Bronx Zoo 11 Black Lipped Cobra 4 Chinese Alligator

Cincinnati Zoo 17 Loggerhead Sea turtle

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~ ",--~_ ... , i j .' ~~~7

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Raffle

We had 3 raffle items at the Cctober meeting. A copy of liThe Care of Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivi tyll by Christopher I'1attison donated by John Jesmer, Jr., was won by il'les Thomas .. A large snake cage was won by Barney Cldfield, and a "The Re­markable neptiles ll IJ.'-shirt donated by Jim Gerholdt was won by Ann Porwoll (she sure wins a lot) .. Total proceeds from the raffle were $23.25 ..

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Library

The IVlHS Library is still growing! Recently purchased with .ft1HS funds were: ~ystematics and Natural History of the American Milk Snake 1ampropeltis tr­angulum by Kenneth 1 .. Williams (replaces a damaged copy) The Snake s of Texas by Alan 'I1ennan t Inventory of Reptiles and .funphibians in Captivity, 1984 by Frank Slavens

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President Vice-President Secretary 'I1reasurer Newsletter Editor r-lember-at-Large Member-a t-IJarge Mernber-at-Large IVlember-a t-IJarge

MRS Officers

Bruce Delles :Fran It'risch Ann Porwoll Sally Brewer Jim Gerholdt Bill Allen Liz Bosman Del Jones Brint t)pencer

374-5422 488-7619 489-7853 747-0661 507-652-2996 920-4283 476-0306 938-8555 823-7099

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CLASSIF'IEDS

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MINNESUI'A HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

DELICATESSEN

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

}i'RESH FHCZEN MI Cl~-$3 co 00 per dozen"

FRESH }i'ROZEN RATS-JUMBO SIZE-$1 .. 50"

F'BESH }I'ROZEN RAT PUP8-$3" 00 per dozen ..

Remember, if you want rats or mice, they are available by reservation only .. You MUS'll place your order wi th Bruce or Connie at 593-0298 no later than 7: 00 PM on Thursday the day before the meeting .. Logistics dictate this policy, so please cooperate with us" If you do try and order after the deadline, you will have to wait until the following month. Don't miss out!

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:B'C'H SALE: 0 .. 1 New l'1exico JVlilk Snake (l,ampropeltis triangulum celaenops)" Adult .. Very similar to photo #613 in the Audubon }i'ield Guide. Contact Verle Castle, 1309 Cadwell Dr., Bloomington, Illinois. 309-663-4673.

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FOR SALE: 1.0 Corn Snake (Elaphe g .. guttata)" Black albino .. 3'" $75 .. aO/trade .. Also pinkies 15¢ .. Fuzzies 20¢" Pinky rats 25¢ .. Please call Joel Eidbo at 612-378-255ge WANTED: 0" 1 Honduran Milk Snake (IJampropel tis triangulum hondurensis) .. Yearling .. Also interested in larger L .. t .. greeri"

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WANTED: Books and journals in the field of Herpetology .. Help build your JVlHS Li­brary! please let us know if there is a book you would like to see in the library"

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EDITOR'S NOTICE: All members of MRS are reminded that the deadline for submission of ads, articles, etc .. , is now 1 WEEK after the monthly meeting .. Any items ~­ceived after this deadline will be held over for the following month's Newsletter" Please send all items to me: Jim Gerholdt, P,O .. BoX 86, Webster,}'JN 55088 and not the }\'JHS address"

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Fon SALE: }'viliS S'I1ICKEHS! SPECIAL PHICE! 75 ¢ each! 'llhese look great on binders and book covers, rear windows, etc. Advertise MRS wherever you go! Now that school has started again, you will need some!

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WIU~TED: If you are or will be euthanizing snakes in the following families and genera and do not want the specimens, please notify me before they will be euth­anized@ Specimens are needed for a study of pigment cells associated with venom glands Any specimens in the families Crotalidae or Viperidae; the following gen­era in the Elapidae: Dendrosas~ and Pse~dechis; the following genera in the Colubridae Ahaetulla Dryophis, LeptoEhis, Oxybe.lis and Coniophanes .. Unly inter-ested if spec are in the 1win Cities area. Contact Bruce Cutler at 612-646-8318"

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FOR SALE: "1985 Herp Cartoon Calendar", signed and numbered. $5.00 each .. Herp Christmas cards, 12 for ~,5"OU" Herp 11-shirts $,6.00. Please add $1.00 postage for each Item ..

Custom Herp Cartoons, Art, and T-Shirt

Stock T-Shirts at Retail or Wholesale Prices

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WAN11ED: Hefreshments for the monthly meetings" If you can help on this, give Connie a call at 593-0298

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Selection of Reptiles & Amphibians in Minnesota Quality • Reasonable Prices • Personal Service

Cages, Books, Feed & Supplies

PET SHOP

Owners: Bruce & Connla Dalles 593·0298

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DC yeU HAVE YCUH IVJBS 11-SHIR'r? WE NOW HAVE rrlllilV] IN GREEN, GREY \I YELLOW AND BIJUE! rllI-3}~Y HAKE GRENr STOCK ING S'llUl-<FERS AND CRHI ST}\~AS GIFTS! GET YOURS NOW!

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NGW AVAILABIJE: "The Hemarkable Reptiles" rJ.1-shirts! Original art by Perry LaBelle .. Dark brown print on a tan shirtco) $6 00 at the meetings or $7 00 postpaid .. Contact Jim Gerholdt at 2-~2996 or P"C Box 86, Webster, l\'IN 55088 ..

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If you would like a lecture or demonstration with a variety of live reptiles for your school, scout group, birthday party, etc., give Jim Gerholdt a call at 507-652-2996. All programs can be tailored to suit your needs!

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IS Y(;UR MRS IVlEMBERSHIr CllRHEWr? Fl,EASE CmGK YGUR ADDRESS I!ABEL rm BE SURE!

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a

I I

1nI' .. ·.-/C\\r~ to subrnit titles of n'!l'Odl".o.I"'\f".o. on the Captive Propagation and

from 30 to minutes. A brief manuscripts the

A New Reprint

by John Anderson

with an extensive introduction by Alan E. Leviton and Michele L Adrich including a new checklist of Arabian amphibians and reptiles

In 1896 John Anderson published the book A Contribution to the Herpetology of Arabia, with a Preliminary List of the Reptiles and Batrachians of Egypt, a pioneering effort to summarize the herpetology of those regions and, to this day, the only herpetology of the Arabian Peninsula. The original book is exceedingly rare, probably published in an edition of no more than 100 copies, and is much less known than

-Anderson's major work on amphibians and reptiles in the Zoology of Egypt series: The Arabian book includes a description of the physical features, a review of the amphibians and reptiles of the Arabian Peninsula including Yemen, an exhaustive bibliography of the herpetology of Arabia, and a checklist of species both of Arabia and of Egypt including the Sinai. This reprint includes a new introduction with a biography and portrait of Anderson, a list of his publications and an up-to-date checklist of the herpetofauna of Arabia, with map. The book is 160 pages, 6 x 9 inches (IS.S x 23 em), and bound in buckram; there is one plate in full color.

SSAR members, if ordered before 30 November 1984 ........... US $18 Institutions; Non-members; All orders after 30 November ....... US $24

SSAR members must place their orders now to take advantage of the special pre-publication price. The book will be published in December 1984. Send orders to Dr. Douglas H. Taylor, Department of Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA. Please make checks payable to "SSAR". All USA orders are postpaid; s~ipments outside the USA will be charged only the additional shipping costs in excess of domestic rates. Overseas customers must pay in USA funds or by International Money Order, or may charge to MasterCard or VISA (give account number and expiration date). A complete list of Society publications and membership information can be obtained from Dr. Taylor. The Society publishes Journal of Herpetology, Facsimile Reprints in Herpetology, Herpetological Review, Herpetological Circulars, Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles, Contributions to Herpetology, and Recent Herpetological Literature.

SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

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Please give this sheet to someone you would like to recommend for membership in SSAR.

SSAR is a non-profit international organization devoted to the advancement of herpe­tology. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. An annual meeting is held in August at a university or field station in the United States. Members have voting privileges in the Society. Each year members receive the Journal of Herpetology (4 issues per year), Herpetological Review (4 issues per year), and occasional pamphlet-length Facsimile Reprints in Herpetology. SSAR members also receive substan­tial discounts on book-length Facsimile Reprints, Herpetological Circulars and Contribu­tions to Herpetology. The Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles is also pub­lished by SSAR. Those persons electing higher membership categories (sustaining and contributing) receive the same publications and services, but provide additional financial support which allows the Society to expand and improve its programs more rapidly than would otherwise be possible.

Please mark the box opposite the category you wish to subscribe to or order:

INDIVIDUALS (per calendar year): Student member (U.S.A.) .... . ................................ .

")\/1

Student member (with foreign postage) ... . .................... . Regular member (U.S.A.) ........................................................... . Regular member (with foreign postage) .................... . Sustaining member ..... . .............................. . Contributing member .. ._ ................................ .

SSAR Catalogue of Am. Amphibians and Reptiles .. SSAR Membership Directory .. Contribution to Grants-in-Herpetology ._.

INSTITUTIONAL (Libraries, Schools & Organizations per calendar year): Publications Set: Journal of Herpetology, Herpetological Review, and

pamphlet-length Facsimile Reprints (U.S.A.) Publications Set (With Foreign Postage) . SSAR Catalogue of Am. Amphibians and Reptiles ..

TOTAL (CHECKS Payable to SSAR in U.S. funds only) A receipt will be sent only upon request. Payment in U.S. funds only. Non-U.S. members please remit in U.S. dollars only by International Money Order or by a draft on a U.S. banle

CHECK THIS BOX if you would like to receive a complete list of SSAR publications. . ............................ .

$17.00 0 22.00 0 22.00 0 27.00 0 35.00 0 50.00 0

10.00 0 4.00 0

0

40.00 0 45.00 0 15.00 0

$

o

Your name and address: _______________ . _________ .

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Dr. Henri C. Seibert Department of Zoology Ohio University Athens, Ohio 45701, USA

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MINNESOTA

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S E ,. MINNEAPOLIS, ."1/NNESOTA 55455,0104

BED, MUSElJM OF NATIJRAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET S,E, • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

NAME ____________________________________________________________________________ __

___________________________________ STATE ____________

ZIP.~

________________________ _

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

o FAMILy ............................. $10.00

Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings.

o INDMDUAL ......................... $7.50

o CORRESPONDING .............. , ..... $'5.00 For out-of-state members'

OFFICIAL MRS T-SHIRT

Yellow shirt with blue screening. SO MO LO XL 0

$7.00 each, $1.00 postage/handling.

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MAKE CHE<XS PAYABLE TO MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. MEMBERSIDP IS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF JOINING. YOU WIll RECEIVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD BY r'lETURN YdAlL. A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT ONLY UPON REQUEST.