NEWSLETTER OF THE

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

MARCH 1993 VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SOUTH EAST MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

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Do you ever have a question about one of your herps and wonder who might be able to provide an answer? Most people who keep pets of any kind have been is this situation at one time or another. A group of MRS members has volunteered to provide assistance. Listed below are the people and their specialties. Please be reasonable about the time of day and how frequently you call.

Large pythons and constrictors Glen (Jake) Jacobsen 757-8268 Vence Jimerson 869-8547

Lizards Nancy Haig 789-4637 Bill Moss 488-1383 Drew Newman (Iguana) 776-2116

Terrestrial turtles and tortoises John Moriarty 647-1334 Ann Porwoll 489-7853

Other Snakes John Meltzer John Levell Connie Delles

Amphibians John Meltzer Greg K vanbek Drew Newman

Aquatic Turtles Michele Stillinger Dennis Daly

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY

HENNEPIN REGIONAL POISON CENTER (612) 347-3141

MINNESOTA POISON CONTROL SYSTEM

LOCAL (612) 221-2113

OUT OF STATE (800)222-1222

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: APRIL 2,1993

263-7880 374-5422 374-5422

263-7880 533-7723 776-2116

588-4613 633-8370

Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society. The contents of this newsletter may be reproduced for inclusion in the newsletters of other herpetological societies provided that the material is reproduced without change and proper credits are given to the MRS Newsletter, citing, volume, number, and date.

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MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Letter from the editor,

Just a quick and unofficial letter to say hello and that 1 'm very excited to be the new newsletter editor for MHS. Special thanks to all who have contributed to the newsletter In the past and 1 hope you continue to do so In the future. I will graciously accept all articles, clippings, Ideas, comments, and suggestions. I'll even try to accept criticisms!!

Unfortunately, I have to start off by apologizing for the unfinished newsletter. The previous editor was unable to finish the newsletter this month so this Is sort of a rush job. My apologies now for any Incorrect or missing Items. 1 hope you all received It In time for the April meeting, in sounds like it's going to be very Interesting. Hope to see you there!

MHS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Glen Jacobsen V I CE PRES IDENT John Leve 11 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Connie Delles RECORDING SECRETARY Drew Newman TREASURER Marilyn Brooks NEWSLETTER EDITOR Michele Stillinger MEMBERS AT LARGE Jeff LeClere Bill Moss Hans Paulson Sarah Richard

MHS PURPOSE

(612) 757-8268

(612) 374-5422

(612) 374-5422

(612) 774-6008

(612) 939-0276

(612) 377-8637

(612) 467-3715 (612) 488-1383 (715) 425-7959 (612) 623-7620

The purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society Is: To further the education of the membership and the general public on the care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians' to educate the membership and the general public on the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; and to promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. [editor's note: and to have fun and meet other people Interested In these great creatures!)

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGEl

From the President or the Minnesota Herpetological Society.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank al I or you who have contributed so much time and love to make this society what It is.

We have done our best to compile a list Or those who have contributed Or themselves this past year. I believe that it is truly impressive.

In alphebetical order:

Larry Billings Randy blasus Fred Bosman Liz Bosman Dean Bowman Sally Brewer Mar I I yn Brooks Donna Calander Ju \.i e Cherveny Todd Cherveny Cheryl Cords Scott Cords Dennis Daly Bruce De I I es Chase Delles Conn I e De I I e s John Gidmark Nicholas Gidmark

Bruce Haig Nancy Haig Cindy Hardy Gidget Houle Joe Jansen John Jesmer Ton i Jesmer Nanette Jimerson Vence Jimerson Del Jones Greg Kvanbek Jerr LeClere John Level I Bethann Lord Ted Meissner John Meltzer John Moriarty Moria Mornard

Tim Mornard Bill Moss Drew Newman Hans Paulson Ann Porwa I I Joe Rayl Jim Rea Josle Rea Karin Rea Sirl Rea George Richard Sarah Richard Claude Rudel Terry Scheiber Joshua Strain Sandy Smith Michele Stillinger Lisa Troop

This list or 54 people, who together volunteered over 550 hours, deserve the thanks and praise Or the entire MHS membership. To any and all or you who contributed, in whatever way, and were not listed, thanks to you as well and please accept my apologies ror the omissions.

The MHS has a total membership Or over 300 people. As impressive a list as the above is, there Is stili plenty for the rest of the membership to contribute to. Get Involved, volunteer, ask and your assistance shall be greatly appreciated. There will be lots of opportunities for you to contribute during the next year.

Thank you ror a wonderful 1992 MHS year! ! !

Yours in herps,·

Jake

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 2

Next Meeting Highlights

PROGRAM: Adventures in Reptile Sex Determination: Indian Crocodiles and Itasca Turtles

SPEAKER: Jeffrey W. Lang

Aprl I 's speaker wi I I be noted crocodilian authority Jeff Lang of the University of North Dakota's Department of Biology. Jeff Is particularly interested in temperature-dependent sex determination (TDSD) in reptiles and has spent several years studying this phenomenon among Indian crocodiles in association with Rom Whitaker's Madras Crocodile Bank. In addition, Jeff has been Investigating the role of TDSD in the hatchling sex ratio of Minnesota turtles. He also Is Interested In other aspects of Minnesota's herpetofauna Including salamander species In which al I Individuals are female and the Interaction between closely related species occupying the same geographical area. Besides detailing hIs studies of sex determination In reptiles, Jeff's talk wll I focus on his current field studies In a remote forest In western Tamil Nadu, I~dla. This forest Is Infested with wild elephants and crocodiles, and Is Inhabited by other reptiles as wei I, Including star tortoises and pythons.

This promises to be a most Interesting meeting as Jeff wll I enlighten us on the Importance of incubation temperature on the sex ratio of hatchling reptiles and acquaint us not only with some of the herpetofauna of an exotic and far off land, but of our own backyard as well.

JPL

Critter of the Month will be canceled this month due to lack of participation. For those new members who are unaware of what this Is, critter of the month allows you to bring any of your non-venomous reptiles or amphibians to share and show off to your fellow members. Each month we usually have a different critter highlighted or even just your favorite. Many of the long time members feel that they have shown their critters too many times, but there are plenty of new members (Including myself, and I've been a member over three years) who would be Interested In seeing what others are keeping. Next month, (May) when the weather Is warmer, lets try to get a larger turnout.

Thanks I

MDS

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 3

March Speaker Review

March's speaker of the month was Dick Buech who spoke to us on wood turtle (Clemmys insGulpta) management. Dick and colleagues have done research in northeastern Minnesotan on the St. Louis River watershed, to learn more about the habitat, population and breeding characteristics of these endangered turtles. The following are some of the observations Dick made.

Aduit turtles were normally found to prefer the water in the evening and land during the day due to temperature variances. Turtles were observed in rocky and sandy bedded areas of mid sized streams and on beaver lodges, banks and shorel ine rocks and debris. They to bask a lot in the spring and many were found in speckled alder stands. In the winter they were completely aquatic, terrestrial during the summer and transitionai between the two during the spring and fall.

Age was determined by the annual rings on the carapace but was only accurate up to 20 years. Most turtles found were between 11 and 20+ years. Only 20% of the turtles found were Juveni les. Mortality rate is high in hatchlings due to predators; red fox, skunk, opposums and raccoons. These predators destroy 75-100% of all nests. In adults maturity is delayed until they are 15 to 18 years old.

Nesting areas are found either in natural areas such as banks, sandy points and bars around meandering rivers. Nests were also observed in human adapted areas such as gravel pits, railroad beds and gardens and streams. The turties also seem to 1 ike old clear cuts because of the low vegetation and level land. In one area where nest predation was high, Dick and his group built a fence around a sandy river bank and buried it several feet into the ground. Due to this protected nesting area, they collected 200 hatchlings in Just 2 years.

Mating activity occurs year round whenever ice isn't present but more frequently in the fall. Females take up to 1/2 hour to dig their holes and lay approximately 10 eggs that are 3 cm long, larger in comparison to a painted turtles eggs.

The limiting factors to these turtles survIval are:

- Nesting area availability - Nest destruction by predators and man - loss of immatures by predators and man - loss of adults by collection

Dick stressed the point the natural erosion of river beds produces the sandy areas these turtles need to nest. Groups such as Trout Unlimited support streambank stabi 1 ization. Banks of streams are pushed back with large boulders, terraces, or

MHS NEWSLETfER VOLUME XlII NUMBER 3 PAGE 4

willow bundles which are stuck into the ground and sprout to form tangled webs of roots along the banks. This process reduces the sand bedload that carries down stream and buries trout spawning sites. However It also reduces the sandy areas these turtles are dependent upon to nest. Thus the increase in turtle nesting sites found in railroad beds. gravel pits and even along roadsides.

Better land management is yet again the deciding factor in wood turtle's and all herp's survival.

*** Special Note*_*

Dick Buech gratiously donated his speaker fee back to MHSI! I

IllS Business

March Board Meeting

Attendance: Dan Berquist, Randy Blasus, Donna Calander, Julie Cherveny, Dennis Daly, Connie Delles, Glen Jacobsen, Greg Kvanbek, Jeff LeClere, John Levell, Bill Moss, Drew Newman, Hans Paulson, George and Sarah Richard.

President's Report: 116 people attended March board meeting.

Vice President's Report: Future speaker preview

April: Jeff Lang see program review May: Andrew Keller! Kate Slavens on Costa Rican herpetofauna June: Chuck Kjos on US Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species act and herp projects

Old Business: MHS will be getting new t-shirts, look for them in June. New Business: Hans Paulson will be running cage sales now. Rodent orders for April only will

be taken by Sarah Richard. See MHS sales ad. MHS will be purchasing insurance. MHS is looking for good new or used cameras, please contact any bids to a board member. New book will be added to library: Highfield's The Keeping of Tortoises in Captivity. MHS will redo its hands-on display board with Minnesota Herps. Contact Bill Moss or John Levell if you have any pictures to contribute. Also see MHS announcements.

ELECTION RESULTS

Elections for new board members were held at the March meeting. Following are the results, thanks to all those who ran and a very special thanks to Ted Meissner for designing election forms and for running the elections.

President: Jake Jacobsen Vice President: John Levell Membership Secretary: Connie Delles Recording Secretary: Drew Newman Treasurer: Marl 1 yn Brooks Newsletter Editor: Michele Stillinger Members At Large: Jeff LeClere, Bill Moss, Hans Paulson, and Sarah Richard

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XlII NUMBER 3 PAGES

REPTILE CLASSIFICATION. PART 6. THE REPTILIAN ORDERS: EOSUCHIA, RHYNCHOCEPHALIA, AND SQUAMATA.

By: John P. Levell

Each of the 3 lepidosaurian reptile o~ders are of major importance from a evolutionary viewpoint, and 1 forms a large assemblage of the modern ~lDrl d's fauna. The earl i est of these 3 orders, the Eosuchia, .,hile now totally eHtinct gave rise not only to the 2 more advanced 1 epi dosauri an ot:"ders, bLlt probabl y the subcl ass Archosauri a as ~,ell. The 2 remai ni ng orders sLlrvi ve to thi s day, although the rhynchocephalians just barely do so with only 1 species, the Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus, still in eHistence. The order Squamata (lizards and snakes) however, is alive, well, and thriving. One of the unfortunate tendencies of many people is to consider the class Reptilia as nothing more than a collection of evolutionary "dead end" animal groups, unable to compete with the more highly evolved mammals and birds, and sLlrviving today only as remainders from the time of the reptile's former dominance. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially in the case of the squamates. Unlike the other living reptile orders, which are either remnants of formerly more widespread· and diverse groups (crocodilians and rhynchocephalians) or evolutionary "holdouts" with close to the same diversity as ever (chelonians), the lizards and snakes are still an eHtremely successful and plentiful group. In fact, of all the reptile orders, only the Squamata has more living than eHtinct families. Far from being stagnant, the group is in reality evolutionarily "dynamic", having radiated to fill numerous habitats and ecological niches and they are apparently continuing to do so. The squamates easily outclass tHe mammals in terms of species diversity, as the lizards and snakes taken as a group have a greater number of species than the entire class ~lammalia. If we meaSLlre an animal group's success by diversity, the order Squamata ranks as one of the most successful of all vertebrate groups, surpassed in number of species only by the class Aves (birds) and the huge class Pisces (fish). Environmentally, 1 izards and snakes have colonized every "lifezone" ~'ith the eHception of the permanently frozen polar areas and most habitats from deserts to oceans. Among the group are forms adapted to life in the trees, on and under the ground, and to totally aquatic environments. About the only thing squamates don't do is fly, although some can and do glide. These animals are a highly successful group in every aspect and ShOLlld in no .,ay be considered inferior to any other animal group.

In the following look at the individual orders we will eHplore some evolutionary aspects of the Eosuchia, Rhynchocephalia and Squamata. In covering the squamates, we'll e>:amine some of the more interesting extinct forms, and only briefly outline the numerous families etc. included among the lizards and snakes. Once again interested readers are directed to the bibliography for sources of more detailed information.

) MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 6

EDSUCHIA - EOSUCHIANS:

The EOSLIChi a is a poorly Llnderstood, but extremely important reptile order. Among the group are the first of the diapsid reptiles, including the oldest known, Petrolaeosaurus (fig.20), which appears dLlring the late Permian period. These early eosuchi ans share, many features wi th the advanced cotyl osaLlrs, and apparentl y represent a transi ti onal step bet~Jeen the stem repti 1 es and all later animals with the diapsid skull type. Thus the 2 remaining lepidosaurian reptile ord~rs, the 5 archosaurian reptile orders, and" LII ti matel y" the bi rds are all descendents of eosuchians. The name Eosuchia translates as; eos dawn + isehian hip. I believe this is in reference to modifications of the pelvic area etc. exhibited by some members of the group. These modifications include a general lengthening of the rear limbs and some later eosuchians may have been at least partially bipedal. The eosuchi ans seem to have had thei r greatest SLlccess ri ght at the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods and appear to have been almost extinct by the middle of the Triassic period. Ho~,ever, the group may possi bl y have survi ved well into the, age of mammals, as the crocodile-like,Tertiary fossil Champsasarus is often classified as a eosuchian. Some confusion exists about which fossi I repti 1 es to i ncl ude in the groLlp and vari ous members of other reptilian orders are sometimes classified as eosuchians, including some protor'osaurs and the cotylosaurian superfamily Millerttidae. This isn't unusual as all 3 of these basically lizard-like reptile groups share characteristics and the Millerttids may represent the ancestral stock from which the eosuchians arose. Besides Petralaeasaurus, other primitive eosuchians include the genus Yaungina, of the family Younginiidae. A more advanced eosu~hi an, Prol aeer ta may be ancestral to the squamata, as this genus e)thibits traits intermediate between lizards and more primitive eosuchians. As with other aspects of the classification of this group, the nLlmber of families included in t,he order Eosuchia varies widely. No matter what the relationships wi thi n the group reall yare, "tr'le" eosuchi ans represent a major turning point in the evolutionary history of the class Reptilia and through their descendents they have greatly affected the composi ti on of the modern worl d's fauna -as' ~jell.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3

Fiqure 20. Petrolac~qs:auru$

Reconstructions of the Skull and Skeleton of the earliest known Oiapsid reptile. Known ~rom fossils from the Permian period, animals such as this may have been ancestral tG all later Diapsids.

adapted from Benton (1990)

PAGE 7

RHYNCHOCEPHALIA - BEAK-HEADED REPTILES:

The name Rhynchocephalia translates as; rhynchos snout"+ kephaJe. cephaJe head, and is in reference to the beak like snout posessed by many members of this order. The rhynchocephalians are a very ancient and persi stent group, .Ihich evol ved from the eosLlchi ans dLlring the very beginning of the Triassic period and continues to exist today with a single living species in New Zealand, the Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus (fig.21). This species is so similar to the earliest rhynchocephalians that it's grouped in the same family, Sphenodontidae, as the 10 most primitive and unspecialized genera. Besides the Tuatara's obvious importance from an evolutionary standpoint, it is equally interesting in it's "choice" of preferred environmental temperature. Research has sho.m that the tuatara is fully active at temperatures as low as 52 degrees Fahrenheit, a far lower active temperature than any other reptile. In addition, captive specimens have"di_d when subjected to temperatures most reptiles would thrive at. This is an example of the wi de range OT tol erance to environm"ental temperatLlres that may have existed among the living and extinct orders of the class Reptilia and should serve to make us think carefully about the thermoregulatory needs and abilities of the various orders. Other interesting aspects of the tuatara's life history include, their slo.1 growth rate (20+ years to matLlrity), long life span (100+ years), and the long incubation period of the eggs (15 months). Besides the Sphenodontidae, another 2-4 extinct families are included in the Rhynchocephalia. The largest of these families, the RhynchosaLlridae, contains about 10 "genera of fairly large rhynchosaurs which possessed highly developed parrot-like beaks and teeth modified for a herbivorous diet. The single genLls, Sapheosaurus, OT the family Sapheosauridae was a toothless rhynchosaur in which the jaws formed a sharp edged cutting beak. Sometimes 2 additional families, the Claraziidae and the Pleurosauridae, are included among the rhynchocephalians. Both these families were apparently aquatic and they mayor may not represent aberrant offshoots of the order Rhynchocephalia. As a group, the rhynchocephalians were most successful and diverse during the Triassic and Jurassic pe~iods. Except for the tuatara, the group .Ias e>( ti net by the mi ddt e of the Cretaceous peri ad

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3

Figure 21. Sphenodon

Sphenodon punctatu5, the TuatarB, is the only surviving member of the order Rhynchocephalia. This living fossil e>:i sts only an a few isolated islands off Ne\.'1 Zealand.

adapted from Webb, \'Iallwork and Elgood (1978)

PAGE 8

SQUAMATA - LIZARDS AND SNAKES:

The Squamata is a huge reptile order, with more total genera than any of the other 16. Among these 16 reptilian orders only the Therapsi da ~li th 55 recogni zed fami lies exceeds the SqLlamata' s 42 families. In most of the classifications of extinct reptile orders there has been a tendency to "oversplit" the groups and more families are "recognized" than actually exist. Since several families of lizards and snakes are exceptional large, some of which should and eventually will be further divided, we can safely say that the SqLlamata is the largest reptile order that has ever exist.d. Equally impressive is the continuing history of the group, a full 200 million years of evolution since the appearance of the first lizards during the late Triassic period. Most importantly, in terms of species diversity and environmental adaptations, the sqLlamates are doi ng as well now as in the past and they are easi 1 y among the most successfLIl of all vertebrate groLlps.

The name Squamata, ~lhich translates as squama scales, is applied to the groLlp for the" obvi OLIS reason, "they have them". The order is LlsLlally split into 3 suborders; Amphisbaenia "(~l"orm lizards), SaLlria or Lacertilia (lizards), and Serpentes or Ophidia (snakes), although some authorities group the first suborder with the true lizards. In the following look at the 3 suborders, I have again deviated somewhat from Porter's classification of the group, in particular in regards to living families. As mentioned above, some families are exceptionally large and mLlch ~lork remains to be done on the group as a whole. As can be e>:pected, many differences of opinion eHist regarding the interpretation of the various relationships with the group and 5everal different classifications h"ave been proposed. Once agai n, more detai 1 ed sources of information on these animals can be found in the bibliography. , "

SUBORDER - AMPHISBAENIA

The amphisbaenians are small carnivorous reptiles ~lhich are highly specialized for burrowing under ground. In appearance most resemble IIgiantll worms, which aCCDunts for their common name~ I,>Jorm lizards .. Of the 20-25 surviving genera, only the genus Sipes with their short forelegs, retain eHternal limbs. Other adaptations to a sLlbterranean e>:istence inclLlde, no eHternal ear openings, vestigial eyes, and spade shaped heads and tai I s. It is bel i eved that the worm liz ards can burrO~1 back~lard as well as for~lard and thi s. is the reason for the name Amphisbaenia, the translation of which is amphis, amphi both ways + bainein go. In addition to the living genera, about 8 eHtinct genera are recognized. As with most squamates, the amphisbaenians have left a rather poor fossil record and the history of the group can only be traced back to the Paleocene period, about 55 million years ago. There are 4 families, 3 small; Rhineuridae, Trogonophidae, Bipedidae, and 1 large; Amphisbaenidae. There are aboLlt 140 living species, most of which occur in tropical areas worldwide. One speCies, Rhineura floridana the Florida Worm Lizard (fig.22), occurs in the United States and it is the only surviving member of the RhineLlridae. There is a possiblity that a species of the Me>:ican genus Sipes might also inhabit the e>:treme southwestern United States, but so far this is unproven.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIJI NUMBER 3 PAGE 9

adapted from Ballinger and Lynch (1983)

SUBORDER - SAURIA

Figure 22. Rhineura"

The Florida Worm Lizard, Rhineura flaridana, an American species of the order Amphisbaenia.

The name Sauri a transl ates easi 1 y from the Greek as; saw'os lizard. The name Lacertilia means basically the same thing, only this time from the Latin lacerta lizard. The usage of either term is probably corr.ct, as ~arious authorities prefer one over the other. With about 12 extinct and 17 living families, 460+ genera (360 living), ~nd over 3000 living species, the saurians are easi 1 y the most sLlccessful rapti 1 e groLlp ever. The ~Ji de range of body form and habitat preferences among this group, make lizards an extremel y important part of the faLlna of many of the earth's "lifezones". In keeping with the trend of leglessness among the order SqLlamata,. several sauri an genera sho~J a tendency toward the reduction or total loss of one or both pairs of limbs; The lizards have left a somewhat better fossil record than the other 2 sLlborders, bLlt it still leaves much to be desired. In OLlr look at the living and extinct saurian families, I've attempted to group them according to their possible relationships. As can be expected with a group this large, however, much disagreement exists about hO~J the various families should be arranged.

FAMILY: Kuehneosauridae - This small family of about 4 extinct genera, contains the oldest. known true lizards. Appearing during the late Triassic perio~, fhese v~ry primitive lizards show a close relationship .to some advanced. eosuchians and are .intermediate between that group and later lizards. A highly interesting genus of this family is Kuehneosaurus, the species of this genus possessed horizontally expanded ribs ~Jhich possibly supported a gliding skin membrane as in the modern lizard genus Draco. FAMILY: Gekkonidae - The geckos are an extremely successful lizard family, with more than 900 living species arranged among about 90 genera. Only the family Scincidae (skinks) is larger. Geckos are cosmopolitan in distribLltion, ocurring on every continent except Antartica. The group is adapted to a variety of habitats and includes both arboreal and terrestrial forms. All gecko;; have well developed legs and in most arboreal species the toes have been modified into highly efficient clinging pads. Gliding or parachuting species also exist. Besides the living genera, 8-10 extinct genera are recognized and as a whole the geckos date back to the late Jurassic period.

MHS NEWSLETfER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 10

FAMILY, P~gopodidae - The pygopodids or flap-footed lizards are closely related to the geckos. Unlike that family howe~er, the pygopodids resemble snakes having no forelimbs and \>'Jith the rear legs reduced to small flap-like appendages. About ,36 species in 7 genera are recognized, all found in Australia or New Zealand. No fossils are known to exist, making any speculation on the history of the group futile. FAMILY, BavarisaLlridae - This is a poorly kno\>'Jn extinct family from the late Juras,sic period. FAMILY, ELlposauridae - Another extinct family from the late Jurassic, this family along with the above Bavarisauridae appear'to be related to the iguanid and agamid lizard families. FAMILY, Agamidae - The agamids al-e a large family of old world lizards, with about 350 living species and 40 genera. Closely related to the Iguanidae, the agamids differ from that family in. having their teeth fused to the outside edge of their jaws rather than the inside. All species possess limbs and several genera are capable of bipedal locomotion. One genLls, Draco, is an accomplished glider. In addition to the living genera, 3-4 extinct genera are kno\>'Jn and the""group dates back to the I ate CretaceoLls period. . ;."' FAMILY, Chamaele"ontidae - The old world' chameleons are the most distinct saurian family, \>'lith laterally compressed bodies, prehensi 1 e tai 1 s, projecti 1 e tongLles, and turreted eyes \>'Jhi ch can look in 2 different directions at once. There are 128 living species in 6 genera. An additional 'e}(tinct genus is recognized and the family's history can be traced back to the late Cretaceous period. The appear to be most closely related to the families Agamidae and Iguanidae. FAMILY, Iguanidae - The iguanids are a large family with about 550 living species. Most of the 55 living genera are found in the new world, filling the same ecological niches there that their close relatives fill in the old world. There are 3 old world genera, 1 in the Fiji Islands and 2 on Madagascar. As in the agamids,the iguanids have well developed limbs and some genera have the ability to run bipedally. The genus Amblyrhynchus, the Galapagos Marine Iguana, which feed on marine algae are the only living lizards to regularly enter the sea. An additional 6 extinct genera are recognized and the fossil history of the group can be traced back as far as the Eocene period, although the family is probably much older. Many authorities feel 'this family to be overl'y inclusive and that it could possibly be divided into ~s many as 8 smaller fami 1 i es. FAMILY: Cordylidae - This family of about 60 living Africa{1 species, includes the Girdle-tailed lizards, genus Cordylus and the Plated Lizards, genus Gerrhosaurus. An additional 8 living genera round out the family. Most forms have well developed legs, but in 1 genus, Chamaesaura, the hind limbs are reduced to tiny spikes and another,Tetradactylus, contains both fully limbed to nearly limbless forms. There are 2 extinct genera and the family dates back to the late Jurassic period. FAMILY, Dibamidae - This small family of 11 living species in 2 genera has no fossil history. Adapted for life underground, the dibamids have small scale covered eyes and lack external ears. In this family the females are entirely limbless, while the males retain vestigal flap-like hind limbs. All the species of the genus Dibamus are found in southeast Asia, the Phillipines or Australia, while the genus Anelytropsis occurs in Mexico.

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 11

FAMILY, Lacertidae - The lacertids are an old world family of fully limbed lizards with about 200 living species in 25 genera. Several speci es of the genLls Lacer ta are parthenogenet i c, reproduci ng withoLlt any male members of the popLllation. There are 4-5 extinct genera and the group may have evolved as early as the late JLlrassic period. FAMILY, Teiidae - The teiids are a new world family with 237 species in 37 genera. The are similar in appearance and lifestyle to the lacertids and like that family they have well developed limbs. There are also some parthenogenetic species. The family Teiidae contains such well known groups as the North American Fence Lizards of the genus Cnemidophorus and the TegLls of the genus Tupinambis. The family first appears in the fossil record during the Cretaceous period, with an additional 8 extinct genera recognized. FAMILY, Gymnophthalmidae - The microteiids are a new world family of 130 living species in about 30 genera. Related to the Teiidae, the microteiids also have some parthenogenetic species. There is a definite tendency toward limbl.ss among this family and in 1 genus, l3achia, the species have reduced or absent hindlegs ~Jhile retaining the forelimbs. The fossil history of this family is poorly known. FAMILY, Xantusidae - The Night Lizards are a North and Central American family with 16 living species in 4 genera. All the species in the family have well developed limbs. The family's first fossils appear during the Paleocene period and 1 extinct genus is recognized. FAMILY, Scincidae - The skinks are the largest lizard family with more than 1300 1 i vi ng speci es and 85 genera. The fami 1 y OCCLlrs on every continent e}(cept Antartica and some species are among the most common of all lizards. As can be e)tpected in such are large group, a wide variety of species diversity e}(ists and the family includes species which have well developed limbs, reduced limbs, or are totally limbless. There are 3 recognized e}(tinct genera and the family's first fossils appear during the late Cretaceous period. FAMILY, Anguidae - This family of about 90 living species, includes both fully limbed and limbless forms. Among the 7-8 living genera are included such well known lizards as the genera Gerrhonotus (North American Alligator Lizards) and Ophisaurus (Glass Lizards). Several extinct genera are included"in this family, which first appears""dLlring the late Cretac.eoLls period. FAMILY, Xenosau~idae - The xenosaurs are a very small family consisting of 4 living species in 2 genera. The genus Xenosaurus contains 3 Central American species commonly known as Knob-scaled Lizards. The other genus, Shinisaurus, contains only 1 Asian species, S. crocodilurus, the Chinese Crocodile Lizard. All 4 species have ~ell developed limbs. What the exact relationship this family has with the other saurian families and whether these 2 genera are even closely related to one another is unknown. An extinct genus, Exostinus, which first appears during the Cretaceous period, is also included in thfs family. FAMILY, Necrosauridae - An e}(tinct family with only 1 genus. Fossils appear from the Paleocene to the Oligocene periods. The necrosaurs may be related to the varanids and as such may represent the most primitive of the many varanoid families.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XlII NUMBER 3 PAGE 12

FAMILY: Parasaniwidae - This is another small extinct family which existed from the Cretaceous period into the Paleocene. The 3 genera included in this family appear to be closely related to the varanids. FAMILY: Helodermatidae - The genus Heloderma with it's 2 well known North American species, the Gila Monster (H. suspectuml and the Mexican Beaded Lizard (H. horriduml, is the only family of poisionous lizards. The heloderms appear to be fairly closely rei ated to the fami I y Varani dae. European fossil s from the Eocene period, of an extinct genus, indicate that the heloderms had a much greater distribution in the past than at present. FAMILY: Varanidae - This family, distributed through Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, contains the 35-40 living species of monitor lizards. These species include the largest surviving lizard in the world, the famous Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis. All the living species are currently classified in the 1 genus Varanus, although this may soon change. Varanids first appear during the late CretaceoLls period and 3-4 e>:tinct genera are recognized. The extinct genus Hegalania may have reached lengths in exc~ss of 20 feet, making it possibly the largest terrestrial lizard that ever existed. All monitors living and eNtinct had very well developed ·limbs. FAMILY, Lanthanotidae - A single species and genus, Lanthanotus boreensis the Earless Monitor of Borneo, make up this family. This species shares characteristics with both the varanids and the heloderms, and in the past has often been classified in one or the other of those families. It is now thought to represent an intermediate form bet~jeen the early primitive varanoid families and the advanced aquatic families which fol~ow. As with most varnoid families the Earless Monitor has fairly well developed limbs. Little is known about the evolutionary history of this family. FAMILY, Aigialosauridae - An extinct family of 3-4 genera which eN i sted dLlri ng the 1 ate JLlrassi c to the mi d Cretaceous periods. The aigilosaurs were apparently semi-aquatic having possessed compressed tails and paddle shaped limbs. This family is thought to represent a transitional stage between the primitive varanoids and the mosasaurs. FA~lILY: DolichoesaLlridae - The 3-4 genera of this e}(tinct family e,d sted dLlri ng the Cretaceous peri od. Semi -aquati c, they appear to be a varanoid side branch and evolutionary dead end descended from the aigialosaurs. FAMILY: Mosasauri dae - The mosasaurs are among the most spectacLII ar of the saurian families and with. species reaching lengths of 15 -30 feet are easily the largest lizards which have ever existed. Of the 20 recognized genera, the well known genus Tylosaurus (fig.23) is a typical large mosasaur. All the members of thisvaranoid fami 1 y ~jere hi ghl Y adapted to the mari ne environment and these predatory lizards probably competed ecologically with the contemporary icthyosaurs and plesiosaurs. The mosasaurs evolved, flourished, and became eHtinct during the late CretaceoLls period.

MRS NEWSLETfER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 13

adapted from Lambert (1989)

Figure 23. Tylosaurus

A large mosasa1..lr from the Cretaceous period. These marine lizards ~~ere cl esel y reI ated to today's monitor lizards and some of the mosasaurs were the largest lizards to have ever existed.

FAMILY, Paleophidae - The 3 genera of this extinct family are known only from the Eocene period. Due. to their snake-like appearance the paleophids are sometimes classified as snakes, but are generally considered lizards because they share many characteristics with the varanids. Although this is apparently a marine family, the paleophids seem to be intermediate between lizards and snakes. FAMILY, Simoliophidae - This is another extinct family of snake-like lizards, which like the previous family, are sometimes classified as snakes. About 4 fossil genera are recognized ranging in age from the early through late Cretaceous period.

SUBORDER - SERPENTES

The translation of the name Serpentes from the Latin is; serpere, serpens to creep. Translated from the Greek, Ophidia means; aphis, opheas serpent. As with the lizards, the use of these terms varies with each individual author's preference. With about 420 living genera and 2500 living species, the snakes rank second to only the lizards in terms of species diversity. As with the lizards, the snakes are di stri .. bLlted ~Jorl dwi de and have evol ved species adapted to a wide.range of environmental conditions. In addition, the snakes are the most recently evolved of all the reptile groups and as a whole seem tb be continuing to expand. Although their fossil record is extremely poor, it indicates that the snakes .volved from the lizards (probably a varanoid family) sometime dLlring the mid to late CretaceoLIl5 period. It is a generally accepted theory that the limbless nature of the group is the result of adaptations to a subterranean lifestyle by their lizard ancestors. Other features of snakes supporting this theory include the loss of external ears and the protective eyecap, both of which appear in many burrowing lizards as well. Like the previous suborder, some confusion exi~ts about the exact relationships among the families included in the suborder Serpentes and a variety of classification systems have been proposed. Also as with the lizards, 1 huge recognized family of snakes should probably be split into several smaller families. Besides the 11 living families there are 2 recognized extinct families.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 14

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FAMILY: Typhlopidae - The Worm or Typical Blind Snakes are a very primitive family of about 163 species in 4 genera, distributed on all continents except Antartica. The members of this family have rudimentary eyes and in general body form these animals resemble worms. The family Typlopidae contains some of the smallest snake species, one of which Rhamphotyplops braminus the Flowerpot Snake is probably the ~,idest ranging of any snake species. This tiny 6 inch snake is found throughout the world, having been spread widely by the ~ctivities of man. In addition, the Flowerpot snake is parthenogenetic, allowing the species to easily establish itself everywhere it has been transported. FAMILY: Leptotyplopidae - This family, commonly knov," as the Thread Snakes, contains about 78 living species in 2 genera. They differ from the previous family by possessing a few teeth in their lower jaw, while the members of the family Typhlopidae have toothless lov,er ja~js. Members of this family occur in North, Central and South America, Africa and Asia. FAMILY: Anomalepidae - This family, sometimes knov," as Blind ~Jormsnakes or Da~," Bl ind Snakes, i ncl udes 4 1 i vi ng genera and 20 species found iri·Ceni:.ral and South America. Like the previous 2 families, the members of this family have ~edLlced eyes and· resemble worms. All 3 families share several features with lizards including traces of the pelvic girdle, an~ in the past have sometimes been classified as saurians. FAMILY: Uropeltidae -The Shieldtailed Snakes are a family of 8 genera with 44 burrowing species found in Asia. The common name derives from an enlarged scale on the tail tip. The family is of uncertain relationship, but is considered primitive due to traces of the pelvic girdle and the presence of 2 well developed lungs, unlike the 1 lung possessed b~ more advanced snakes. FAMILY: Aniliidae - The Pipesnakes are a family of 11 fossorial (bL!rrov,ing) and semi-fossorial species in 3 genera; Some disagreement exists ~bout whether all the species actually belong to this family. Two of these problematical species are Loxocemus bicolor, the Mexican Burrowing Python, and Xenopeltis unicolor, the Sunbeam Snake. As it stands now, this family is found in Asia and Central and South America. The aniliids also retain traces of the rear limbs and are considered primitive. The fossil history of this group can be traced back to the very late CretaceOL!S period. FAMILY: Dinilysiidae- On~ of th. twci extinct snake families containing only 1 genus,"Dinilysia, which is the oldest known definite sn~ke. Thi~ fairly large (6ft.) boa-like form appears in the fossi 1 record duri ng· the late CretaceOL!S peri od. .. FA~lILY: Boidae - The well known Pythons and Boas are a family of aboLlt 66 living species and about 20 genera. This includes species which range in size from fairly small to the largest of living snakes. The family is found on all continents e)(cept Antartica and the group can be traced back to the late Cretaceous period. Some authorities split the family in 2, the Boidae and the Pythoni~ae, but most feel that they are subfamilies at best. As in the earlier families, the boids retain traces of the hind limbs. FAMILY: Archaeophidae - The other extinct snake family containing 2 poorly known genera from the Eocene period. Whether these fossils are the remains o·F snakes is a matter of some debate and the noted herpetologist Charles Bogert suggested that they may actually represent eels.

MHS NEWSLElTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 15

FAMILY: Acrochordidae - This small family, commonly known as the File Snakes, contains only 1 genus and 3 species. All 3 species are totally aquatic, 2 occurring in freshwater and the. other in brackish water coastal areas. The file snakes have loose, baggy skins covered with small scales which resembles the surface of a file. The most well known species is, Acrochordus javaRicusthe Elephant Trunk Snake. The species of this family are found in Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. The exact relationship of this family to the others is uncertain, as the file snakes do not appear to be closely related to any other snake family. FAMILY: Colubridae - This is a huge family of over 1500 species and 290 genera. The colubrids are commonly called the Harmless Snakes, but this name is unfortunate as some species have developed a rear-fanged venom delivery system and at least 2 species, Dispholidus typus, the Boomslang, and ThelotorRis kirtlaRdi, the Vine Snake, have been implicated in human fatalities. The famil y is so I arge that most authori ti es feel it shoul d be broken Ltp into several small er Lt[)i ts, maybe as many as 7. These major subdivisions include.the Dasypeltinae (egg eating snakes), Dipsadinae (snail eating snakes), Homalopsinae (aquatic rear-fanged sl")akes), Natricinae (~jater and garter snakes), Xenodontinae (Hognoses etc.) and Colubrinae (all species not included in another grouping). Additional subdivisions have also been suggested, including the placement of all venomous colubrids in their own subfamily or family. DLte to the complen nature of the classification of the family Colubridae, further discussion is not possible here. Interested readers are referred to the bibliography for SOLtrCes of more detai 1 ed informati on on thi s very di verse and successful group. Besi des the 1 i vi ng genera aboLtt 10 e><ti nct genera are recognized and the family's fossils date back to the Miocene period. FAMILY: Elapidae - The elapids are a family of highly venomous snakes contai ni ng SLtch well known forms as the cobras, genLts Naja, and the new world coral snakes, genera Micrurus and

Micruroides. With about 180 living species in 40 genera, the elapids occur on all continents e><cept Antartica and are the dominant snake family of Australia. All the members of the family have fined (not moveable) front. fangs and the group inclLtdes some of the most dangeroLts snakes in the ~Jorld, in addition to the largest venomous snake, the King Cobra Ophiophagus haRRah. There is 1 entinct ge[)L\s recognized and the earliest elapid fossils date back to the Miocene period. FAMILY: Hydrophidae - The Sea Snakes are closely related to the erapids and like that group are extremely venomous, fi><ed fanged snakes. About 60 species in 15 genera are recognized, all of which are highly adapted to the marine environment. As such, they are the only surviving totally marine squamates and Ltnlike the other major group of living marine reptiles the sea turtles, which still lay eggs on land, most sea snakes give live birth. The most widely dist~ibuted species is the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake, Pelamis platurus, which occurs across the Indian and Pacific oceans from Africa to tropical America. The family has no fossil history.

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIIl NUMBER 3 PAGE 16

FAMILY: Viperidae - The Vipers are the final major family of dangerously venomous snakes. Unlike the previous groups of venomous snakes, the viperids have moveable front fangs (fig.24), which swi ng into acti on ~Jhen the mouth is opened. These fangs have become highly modified and effective venom injection instruments, superior to anything possessed"by any other vertebr~te group. In some speci es the fangs are e>:cepti onall y 1 arge, as in the Gaboon Vi per Sitis qabonica which can have fangs approaching 2 inches in length. These very efficient fangs, combined with a potent venom, make several species in this family extremely dangerous. The 190 living species and 17 genera occur on all continents except Antartica and Australia. The absence of viperids from Australia is probably due to the early seperation of that continent from the other major land areas of the world. The family is divided into 2 major subfamilies, the Viperinae (True Vipers) and the Crotalinae (Pit Vipers). The smaller of the 2 groups with about 60 species, the true vipers are distributed across Africa, Europe, and Asia and the subfamily includes SLICh 'Iell known genera as Sitis and Vipera. The pit vipers are more:widespread occurring in North and South America, as well as ~frica, Asia, and extreme ~astern Europe. This subfamily is distinguished from the true vipers, by the heat detecting pit organ Which gives the group it's common name. The crotalids contain such well known forms as the rattlesnakes, genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. and the species of the Agkistrodon complex. The largest of all viperids, the Bushmaster Lachesis muta of South America, is also a crotalid. Most vipers are ovavivaparoLls, but a few species do lay eggs. The fossil history of the family Can be traced back to the Miocene period and 1 or 2 additional extinct genera are recognized.

Figure 24. Crotalus

Cut away vi ew of a typical viper's venom delivery system with fangs (a) partially LmT 01 ded. The venom producing gland <b) and duct (c) can also be seen. .

NEXT INSTALLMENT - ARCHOSAURIAN REPTILES

MRS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 17

The Destructive and Cruel Effects of Rattlesnake Roundups

by Michele Stillinger

With summer approaching the collecting of rattlesnakes for 'rattlesnake roundups' and rodeos has begun. Up to 500,000 rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp. and Sistrurus spp.) will be taken from the wild and in the process, rattlesnake hunters will destroy vital habitat for these and other species. The rattlesnakes will also be subjected to barbaric forms of abuse, torture and death. All of this will be done for the enjoyment of the thousands of participants and tourists who attend these uncivilized events.

Rattlesnake roundups have been around for the last hundred years. The original purpose was to eliminate snakes from ranch and farm land and to protect pets and livestock. The roundup has expanded into a community event that proliferates the image that these snakes are dangerous and deadly pests that should be eliminated.

Roundups and rattlesnake hunting occur in nine different

states; Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Pennsylvania. The roundups are most prevelant in Oklahoma and Texas. These events, which are run like a small county fair, are usually sponsored by the local Jaycees and are a major source of small town income for the year. Roundups draw tourists and tourists bring money for such items as stuffed rattlesnakes, rattlesnake wallets, belts, buckles, boots, and even paper weights. I have personally seen in one western store in Oklahoma, at least 50 rattlesnake hatchlings either stuffed in a striking pose or encased in acrylic.

Roundups usually begin in the fall preceding the summer rodeo. Hunters cover large areas of land using crude hooks and crowbars to dislodge stones and yank snakes from their. dens,

MRS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 18

usually permanently injuring the animal in the process. The majority of rattlesnakes collected are C. atrox. Many hunters now use gasoline fumes to flush rattlesnakes from their dens. A garden hose is run down a suspected den site and if the hunter hears a rattle gasoline is applied. Unfortunately, these fumes kill half of the snakes along with the dozens of other vertebrate and invertebrate species that cohabit ate with them. Among these are the dusky gopher frog, a vanishing species and a candidate for protection with the the federal Endangered Species Act, and the eastern indigo snake, the longest snake in North America and a natural predator to the eastern diamondback. The indigo is also an endangered species. Many of the holes the rattlesnakes are found in are gopher tortoise holes and these two species will hibernate with each other. Toxic chemicals from fumigants used in snake dens have been known to cause permanent neurological damage to those species not killed by the fumes. These animals often die within hours but many will slowly suffer and die weeks later.

Surveys were conducted in Waurika, Oklahoma, by Clifford Warwick of the Institute of Herpetology, on the environmental impact snake hunters make on prime rattlesnake habitat. A typical hunting range was studied before and after snake hunting activities. The following is an example of data collected on habitat disturbance.

Site Area in %GC MC MCD Square meters

~ll'

1 200 30 340 201 2 410 5 189 60 3 410 15 147 114

~ 4 240 15 68 29 5 600 7 144 91

totals: 1860 11% 888 496

%GC = approx. proportions of total site- area that provides ground cover Me= items of ground cover or crevices susceptible to disturbance

MCD= items of ground cover or crevices disturbed

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 19

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Disturbances are usually the cause of snake hooks and crowbars, but permanent damage is done to the environment from toxins leached into the ground from gasoline hunting. Warwick's data shows that 50% of the potential rattlesnake habitat in JUSt a small area of Oklahoma was permanently destroyed after rattlesnake hunting.

The snakes that are caught are thrown into wooden and wire meshed cages or old gasoline drums and stored by the hundreds, sometimes crushing each other to death, until rodeo time. There they stay for months, with no food or water, surviving in their own excrement. The snakes will strike out at each other in fear causing open wounds which easily infect in this unsterile environment.

When the rodeos start they are dumped by the thousands into wooden pits. The snakes, weak from disease and starvation, are kicked around like soccer balls against the wooden sides of the pit and poked at with snake hooks. The public participates in contests such as snake stomping and skinning. Children are encouraged to chop the head off of a snake even if they are too small to lift the cleaver. The head of the snake, chopped off several inches below the back of the skull is still alive. These severed heads still show brain activity; erecting fangs, dilating pupils, and snapping at heat sources for over an hour after decapitation. Most of the heads are thrown into heaps along with disemboweled or skinned snakes still alive. Still other snakes have their fangs brutally ripped out and their mouths sewn shut without anesthetic to be used for photo opportunities.

After all this torture the remaining snakes are skinned alive and cooked up for snake meat or used for merchandise goods. Occasionally venom will be collected for research, but it is usually contaminated. The snakes venom glands are infected and bloody and most have mouth rot. The roundup staffers just swirl all this together to blend it in. The staffers have even been known to urinate in the vials to fill them up. In the end, very few snakes

MRS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIIl NUMBER 3 PAGE 20

survive to see the wild again, and those that do are usually so physically damaged they die in weeks.

To the public and participants of these shows, there is nothing wrong with this atrocity. They view the rattlesnake as an evil pest that should be eliminated and feared. They feel that rattlesnakes are vicious reptiles that will strike and kill anything that irritates them. They base their fears on outdated superstitions and occasional deaths from rattlesnake bites that are usually the result of carelessness on the part of the human involved. Local legislators and law officials do not enforce the few laws ( there are seven statues in Oklahoma for the protection of these species) nor will they call a stop to these barbaric activities because of the importance of these events to smaller communities as a major source of annual income. These roundups will continue until the public is properly educated on the importance of snakes to the natural environment and on the myths of snake bites and deaths. Legislative action is needed at the civic, state and especially federal level to outlaw these destructive and unethical practices before populations of rattlesnakes decline to a point of no return.

Sources and References: Warwick, Clifford (1990) Disturbances of Natural Habitats Arising from Rattlesnake Round-ups. Environmental Conservation, Vol. 17. Pages 172-174.

Warwick, Clifford, Catrina Steedman, and Tricia Holford (1991) Rattlesnake Collection Drives- their implications for species and environmental conservation. ORYX, Vol. 25 No. 1. Pages 39-44.

Warwick, Clifford(1989) Atrocity, Texas. BBC Wildlife, August. Pages 508-512.

Warwick, marketed. Reptiles.

Clifford(1990) Reptiles, Misunderstood. mistreated and mass­Published and distributed by the Trust for the Protection of Worcester, England.

Weir, Jack Professor of Philosophy. Morehead State University, Morehead, KY. The Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup: A Case Study in Environmental Ethics. Research date unknown.

Williams, Ted Driving out the Dread Serpent magazine and date unknown, copy of article provided by Clifford Warwick.

MHSNEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 21

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YEP, YOUR GRANDAD AND A BUNCH OF fEI.I.A~ CI.EANED OUT A WHOLE NEST Of RATTLESNAKES RIGHT HERE WHEN 1 WAS YOUR AGE.

A Seed·Swallowing Racer (Coillber constrictor spermophillls?) Dave Hoppe

In late May of last spring, one of my Vertebrate Zoology students brought in an Eastern yellow belly racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) from near the Missouri river in South Dakota. It had an abdominal "lump" that I surmised to be an egg - thinking perhaps the snake had laid the rest of the clutch before it was captured (racers reportedly forming 6-25 eggs at a time). A subsequent look at Vogt's Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin reveals that this was rather an uneducated guess, as racers in the upper Midwest typically mate in late Mayor early June and don't lay their eggs until late June or early July.

Anyway, thinking it was an egg, I tried palping it out over several days time with no success, not even significantly moving it along. After 6 days in captivity, the snake passed the "lump" by itself, and to my surprise., it turned out to be an acorn. The umbrella-like cap and most of the inner, meaty part of the acorn were gone, but the hard, shell-like oval part was pretty much intact. (Forgive the unprofessional description of acorn anatomy - all my degrees are in zoology!)

One can only surmise whether this was an accidental ingestion from a missed grab at a rodent, something in a prey animal's mouth at the time of capture, a snake seeking more natural fiber in its diet, or what. Further, it is surprising how the concentrations of acid and enzymes that allow snakes to obliterate most traces of cartilage, bone, hair, feathers, etc. have so little effect on an acorn.

The epilogue to the story is that in late July, the same snake (I think we can now safely call it a "her") laid 4 real snake eggs, all by herself. They were apparently unfertilized, as they merely shriveled and decayed in moist vermiculite in the incubator. So her capture in May had, in fact, prevented an activity even more basic and vital to snake re~roduction than .egg-l~y~ng. (I do know several zoological and numerous colloqUIal terms for thIS actIvIty, but will withhold them in this family-oriented newsletter.)

[As a post-epilogue a botanical colleague informs me that the umbrella-like acorn "cap" is technicaliy an "involucre" and the bottom ~hell is a "pericarp". Involucre is Latin for "wrapper", acorns having little use for umbrellas. And of course, an acorn is not a seed, it's a nut (an "indehiscent fruit in which. the pericarp remains closed at maturity") that contains seeds. But hey, I lIke a little alliteration in my titles!]

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 23

A Phase That Will Surely Pass by Drew Newman

It all began quite innocently. in a pet shop looking for dogs. you came to buy a collar and left with a White's treefrog.

A child had been awakened. who had been lying dormant for years. whose reptilian interests had been euthanised by society's contempt and fears.

Your fami ly smirked and snickered. they claimed your thinking wasn't right. imagine their reactions if they knew the cost of the vitalite.

So you set up your vivarium with precise and meticulous care. you'd gaze into that new green world with a smile and transfixed stare.

You started bringing home crickets and an occasional pinkie mouse. reptivite was your drug of choice and chirping could be heard throughout the house.

It wasn't very long before the collection had increased. your library grew by leaps and bounds and other interests became deceased.

You fantasized about turtles and got excited over snakes. you even tried flooding the backyard to create an artificial lake.

Discussions about you increased. everyone acted concerned. you couldn't leave the house it seemed without a new herp when you returned.

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3

You bought plywood and pleKlglass and labored into the night. you routed heat tape. drilled air holes. and set up basking sites.

You joined a herp society and attended every meeting. you almost had a heart attack when your ball python started eati ng.

Slowly you learned your Latin. systematics and taxonomy. when your gecko lost its tai I you knew that it was autonomy.

Rats were bought in bulk and crickets by the dozen. you cultivated a rabbit connection from your herp buddies second cousin.

Your wrote to herpers everywhere and received price lists in the mail • speculations were made about your sanity when you started attending Tupperware sales.

You worried about wild populations and supported captive born. when Bufo periglenes became extinct you set aside a day to mourn.

Pi ilowcases started disappearing. not one could be found in the house. when you brought up keeping venomous. divorce was brought up by your spouse.

Other herpers would stop by at all hours of the night and day. debates raged about substrate and collecting trips were planned for May.

continued on next page ...

PAGE 24

You attended dozens of symposiums, conferences, and swap meets, you wrote letters and made threatening phone calis to a restaurant for serving ailigator meat.

You put yoUr heat systems on timers to avoid nightly chiils, then you mortgaged the house to pay your past due electric bill.

The china cabinet was fitted with plexiglass and air holes, with some branches and sphagnum It was perfect for Knight anoles.

Herp sculptures and paintings were distributed throughout. the house, there was a four fanged cobra and a ratsnake clutching a mouse.

Years passed by and somethlngs did change, your family departed but all the herps remained.

You finally got your five foot Nile croc, who Is there to complain now, about the bathroom doors deadbolt lock.

The monitors can roam free, now that the children are all. gone, you Just have to keep them well fed and keep the window shades drawn.

You work at a pet shop for near minimum wage, but the herps are discounted so who can complain.

You remember you ex- wife's comments when you spoke to her iast, she was certain it was Just a phase and that it would surely pass.

ALL IN A DAYS WORK I

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XlII NUMBER 3 PAGE 25

NEWSlETTER and VIDEO REVIEW By Dc'nna Cal ander

REPTILE AND AI1PHIBIAN MAGAZINE: January/February :3'33 -- l,tood Turtles -- John Holbrook, the Father of American Herpetology -- Breeding Fr inged Geclws -- Colubrids: Why they're such successful snakes -- the Marine Toad -- the North American Tiger Salamander

RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER: Winter 1993 V"lume 14 Number 1 -- Deer Populations: Boom or Bust? Part T'No -- Red (NOt'way) Pine: -- Minnesota State Tree -- ~Ihite Pine

SAN DIEGO HERP SOC: January 1393 Volume 15 Issue 1 -- Herp of the Month -- Tiger Salamander -- Granite Night lizards -- lyme Disease -- another idea on how to get rid of mites -- dunk'em in Wesson oil

GAINESVIllE HERP SOC: January 1'3'33 Volume 9 Number 5 -- Snake Hunti'lg in Florida, Continued from December newsletter -- finding Green Salamanders -- Speaker - Bill Ziegler, Curator of reptiles and general curator

of the Miami "Nets; spoke about Komodo Dr agon Consort iurn FIElD NOTES: From the SLCroix Valley Watershed Research Station (Science Museum of MN)

Winter 19'33 Volume 3 NUmber 1 -- "Planning, Partnerships, Progress" -- recap of 1392; How the

station works -- the importance of volunte~rs -- sub.jects discussed at the 4th annual St. Croix River Research

Rendezvous -- Peat-- an unusual feature, and how it impacts the area

BEHIND BARRS: January 1993 Volume 2& Number 1 -- Toxicity in plants - which to avoid -- Captive pr(Lpagation of giant tortoises

INTERMoNTANUS (Utah): January 1993 Number 1 -- 10 of new subspecies of garter snake in Utah (complete) -- nutritional evaluation of several herp food items (partial) -- PLEASE NOTE -- this newsletter was chomped by the Post Office

machinery; about li2 of newsletter gone, looks 1 ike an 'H' THE MONITOR (Indiana): January 1993 Volume 5 Number 1

-- ItJord search puzzle -- Care of the Green Iguana - by a Vet -- Pre-publ kat ion offer to buy an autographed copy of SEA SNAKES by

Sneed B. ColI ard -- order form in newsletter VOICE OF THE TURTLE (San Diego): January 1993 Volume 22 Number 1

-- Q 1, A '- how do turtles survive hibernation without oxygen? -- "Sin City's lucky Tortoise Part FoUt"

T.E.A.11.: January 1993 Volume & Number 1 -- How Wood Turtles search for worms -- nstompingll;ltGruntingll -- advil:e on how to successfully keep your chetonian al ive if not

ST. lOUIS HERP SOC: January 1993 hibernating

hazards and hints on raising insects for your herps -- w(I]--d seat(h puzzle

MRS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XIIl NUMBER 3 PAGE 26

NO CALIF HERP SOC: October 1'392 Volume 11 Number 10 -- Captive care of the Utah Milksnake -- Husbandry/breeding of the Seychelles Giant Skin-sloughing Gecko

THE FORKED TONGUE (Cincinnati): January 1993 Volume 18(1) -- article on the common bull frog -- "Grenada Part 4" -- monitoring 3 snake w/ transmitters

PACIFIC NW HERP SO(:, Volume 7 Number 1 "Electricity (, Herpetoculture" -- safe-guarding you, your home and your herps from danger of lamps, heating pads, etc.

"Time Enough" -- timers and controllers currently available CHICAGO HERP SOC: January 19'33 Volume 28 Number 1

-- "A Preliminary Summary of Available Records for the Four-toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, in Wisconsin" - maps

-- the study results. of whether there is safety in numbers for frogs. "Do Aggregating Frogs Benefit from the Increased Vigilance?'

-- Helpful hints in reducing risks when feeding/handling large pythons -- info on helping the Jamaican Iguana, once believed to be extinct -- Herp-Acrostic #3 by Mike Dloogatch

SONORAN HERP SOCIETY: January 1993 Volume 5 Number I -- A vet giving a talk on snakebites of your (mammalian .) pets

COLD BLOODED NEWS: January 1993 Volume 20 Number I -- Herp word search puzzle

WISCONSIN HERP SOCIETY: January 1'392 -- Prel iminary draft of the Disc Wildl i fe Protection Act Statutory

language -- Sped fic excerpts from the Act that most concern those who keep

het·ps -- sal e; authorizat ion prior to sale; purchase; I icense and permit fees; humane care and housing.

-- Hark Schoebel put together his reasons why he ob.iects to all the above

THE TORTUGA GAZETTE: January 1993 Volume 29 Number 1 -- Turtle of the Month - Egyptian tortoise, with the following

articles: - annotated bibliography - captive husbandry - hoe the tortoise got its Latin name

CAPTIVE BREEDING: January 1993 Volume 1 Number 2 -- " The Kunasir Island Pat Snake" -- barely NE of Japan -- " Reptile Egg Incubation Techniques" general broad-based article -- " Captive Husbandry and Reproduction of the Inland Bearded Dragon"

- at the Indianapolis Zoo; agamid lizard from Australia -- " The Indoor Breeding of Lacerta Lepida Lepida in Captivity" - the

Jeweled, Eyed or Dccellated lizard -- section - Herp Health - various ways to identi fy your herps

SOUTH~IESTERN HERP SOC: January 1993 Volume 23 Number 1 -- Article warning about over-feeding your herps

NEt,) YORK HERr soc: November/December 1992 Newsletter 1140 -- "Out Cold" - how painted turtles survive winter -- Herp Trivia

- an escaped corn snake who survived a washing machine - a crocodil ian set of dentures - decomposit ion times of vay ious items - Marty Kupersmith; singer in the I%O's now an authority in

breeding the Solomon Island skink; he's currently saving salamanders in New Jersey

MRS NEWSLElTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 27

LFH continued... - The ~lorld of Insects on exhibit in Chicago's Museum of Natural History - giant computerized state-of-the

-art robotic insects in natural backyard settings NO TEXAS HERP SOC: January 1'3'33 Volume 11 Issue 1

-- Q & A - why doesn't Ireland have snakes? MICHIGAN SOC: January 1'333

-- article opposing the breeding of hybrid animals -- a nel;J hide box idea for snakes

LEAGUE OF FLORIDA HERP: January 1'393 -- " The Airbag Mystery" by Dr. Harvey Lillywhi te; how snakes breathe;

lung anatomy; illustrated -- one vet's ideas in how to have an excellent iguana set-upj

blueprints included -- a brief intra to Agama International Institute, located in Alabama;

lizard husbandry, w/ physics slant -- Article on all igator farming in Florida

MARYLAND HERP SOC: December 1992 Volume 28 Number 4 Technical articles on:

n Adaptive Convergence in the Lizard Superspieces Sceloporus Undulatus" illustrated, charts, maps

- Natural history notes on a small population of anolis brevirostria from altered habitat in the Dominican Republic

- boella tenella is epicrates inornatus - striped Prairie Kingsnakes, lampropeltis calligaster from

Illinois; chart/pic. GAINESVILLE HERP SOC: December 19'32 Volume '3 Number 4

an entertaining and informative article on snake hunting in Florida -- 2 versions of the I3HS social; they are intriguing; no permanent

in.juy ies

**********************************************f********************************************************

A special huge thank you to HANS PAULSON for donating 4 VCR tapeG of the rlidwest Herp Conference of 1'392 - Wise. The talks are grouped on one tape as follows:

#1 -- Uncommon herp behavior; Ne';J world tree boas; Asian monitors #2 -- Hestern Hognose; File snakes/sand boas; ·California herps #3 -- Herp 'let; Cloud forest herpetology; illustrating Peter sons Field Guide; ,lise Atlas Project M -- Ornate box turtles; amphibian husbandry; Rattlesnake chemical cues

Please note: I would I ike any feed-back on the column. My intent is to inform the membership of what information is available in the library via the ne'.sletters and magazines that we ex.:hange or buy. This is intended as an index; a Table of Contents. I can put as much or little as people would like to see. The 1 ibr ary is a i'esource that l,.,te have that is much apprec iated by members fot the books it has. Unfortunately, the newsletters and magazines are often neglected or forgotten. This column is trying to change this. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, LIKES, DISLIKES, OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COLUMN, PLEASE CONTACT NE OR A BOARD MENSER.

-- Maybe I should change the name of the column, Yes? No? Donna

mds

MHS NEWSLETfER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 28

CLASSES:

HERPETOLOGICAL TOPICS OF INTEREST or HFYI

The University of Minnesota's Summer Session for 1993 is including a fieid herpetology course taught by Jeff Lang entitled "Ecology of Amphibians and Repti les". Classes wil I be held 2 days a week (wed./sat.) over a 3· week period starting July 22nd at the Lake Itasca Biological Station in Itasca State Park. Tuition is $77.00 per credjt and the class is worth 3 credits. Class size is limited so register early. For more information cal I the U of M Summer Session office at (612) 624-3555 or John Levell at (612) 374-5422.

SYMPOSIUMS:

The 17th Annual International Herpetological Symposium will be held in Miami Beach. Florida on June 17th - 20th. 1993. See registration f"orm and highlights In .this newsletter.

Conservation. Restoration. and Management of Tortoises and Turtles - An Internationai Conference. coordinated by the Turtle Recovery Program will be held in New York. NY on July 10th -17th. 1993. Highlights and Registration f"orms In this newsletter. Tentative list of conference schedule can be received from Michele Stillinger (612) 377-8637.

SEMINARS:

March 26th

April 23

"A Test of Transferability of Habitat Suitability Criteria in Minnesota Streams."

"Old-Growth White Cedar Forests on the Superior National Forest"

Both seminars are informal and held from noon to 1:00

Place: DNR 6th floor conference room 500 Lafayette Road. St. Paul

...... Thursday. Apr I I 22nd. 1993 ......

Dr _ Jane Gooda I I The Chimpanzees of Gombe. an Illustrated l.ecture

Sponsored by the Bell Museum of Natural History

7:30 pm at the Northrup Auditorium University of Minnesota. Minneapolis Campus Bell Museum members and students: $5. nonmembers $10 Tickets: Northrop Box Office (612) 624-2345

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 29

HHS CLASSIFIED

Rat and Mice Sales

orders only will be taken by Sarah Richard .......... Apr i 1 (623-7620) . Special note: don't leave message with kldsl ..........

MICE

Pinkies Fuzzles Adults

- $6.00 - $6.00

$9.00

doz. doz. doz.

RATS

Pups Adults

- $10.00 - $12.00

$24.00

doz. for six doz.

Mice and rats must be purchased by the dozen except for adult rats which can be purchased In quantities of six. Rat pinkies unavailable at this time.

Cage Sales

...... Proceeds from HHS cage sales go towards opperatlng costs such as speaker fees, books for library, t-shlrts, etc .......

Specifications:

All cages have double strength glass, hinges, and lockable latch. Cages will be fully assembled but unflnshed and without hardware. A 50% non-refundable down payment wi 11 be required on all cages. Custom cages available upon request.

Sma 11 Cage: 12"x12"x24" Price: $40.00

Medium Cage: 12"x12"x36" Price: $60.00

Medium Wide Cage: 18"x:18"x24" Price: $60.00

Orders will be taken by Hans Paulson at the meetings. Cages will then be delivered to the following meeting, except on custom orders.

HICS:

Some glass 15 gallon aquariums with lids and gravel were still left over from the last meeting, along with some light strips and aquarium supplies. Tanks are $5 to members and $10 to non­members. MHS will bring a small supply to the next meeting.

MHS business cards are now available to anyone who's .Interested. They have the logo, address, and a map to borlaug hal I on them. Contact Greg Kvanbek or Bill Hoss If you would like some.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE 30

CLASSIFIED ADS

1.0.0 = male, 0.1.0 = female, 0.0.1 = unknown

For Sale: Speckled king snake hatchlings, $20. each. Black rat snake hatchlings, $15. each. Contact: O.K. Compton at 872-7266 days and weekends

For Sale: 0.1.0 Adult amelanistlc corn, $75. 0.1.0 adult anerythristic corn, $75. 1.0.0 young adult gray -banded kingsnake, $150. 1.0.0 hatchling gray-banded kingsnake, $100. 1.1.0 adult motley corns, $200. pro 1.1.0 Baird's ratsnakes, adults, $200. pro 1.1.0 hatchling red-phase northern pines, $100. pro 0.1.0 adult okatee corn, $50. All healthy adults ready to breed. Contact Joe Eidbo (814) 724-8351

For Sale: So Exoellent a Plshe, by Archie Carr, 1st ed. H/DJ Exc. condo $15. Pleld Book of Snakes, by K.P. Schmidt & D.O. Davis, good bond. HC $15. Our Snake Prlends and Poes, by Doris Cochran with paintings by W. Weber, Exc. condo complete in Sept. 1954 Nat. Geo. Graph. Mag. $10. Call John (612) 374-5422

For Sale: HUGE Cage, 6' x 5' x 4'. Will consider trades. Contact Drew (612) 776-2116

For Sale: Rats and mice - pinkies to adults, live or frozen. Prices upon request. Don's Rodents - (612) 462-8973

For Hire: Will Build your reptile and/or rodent rooms, your designs or ours. Also rack systems and cages including walk-ins. All types of carpenter work. Reasonable. Call John at 374-5422

Wanted: Yearlings or adults of the following: Snow, ghost, or blizzard corns, gray-banded klngsnakes, and leopard corns. Will purchase or accept as trade. See above ad. Joel Eldbo (814) 724-8351

Wanted:

Wanted:

Wanted:

Looking for a male California coastal rosy boa. Call Claude at (612) 824-5308

5 x7 or 8 x 10 photos to be donated to MHS for a new display for hands on programs. Please contact Bill Moss at 488- 1383

The Long Lake Conservation Center would like to acquire a snake skeleton for our recently developed snake program. Contact Denise M. Gerdes, (218) 768-4653

MRS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3 PAGE3!

Dear MHS

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED ...

Featuring .•• lAMS ..• KT .•• ProPlan •.• Science Diet Tetra •.. Toppers .•. Other Specialty Foods

VIVARIUM PETS A Fun Line of Pet Supplies &

Unusual Pets

6519 Nicollet Ave. So. Richfield. MN 55423

Gloria Anion 612·861·8888

Largest Selection of Reptiles & Amphibians in Minnesota Cages, Books, Feed & Supplies

540 Winnetka Ave. No. Golden VaHey, Mn 55427

M·F 10-7 Sat 10·5 Sun 12·5

(612) 593·0298

I am interested in studying amphibians and reptiles from a conservation angle and would appreciate correspondence with others studying these issues. My interests lie with relating patterns of amphibian species richness and abundance with landscape management, investigating the effects of pesticides on amphibian larvae, propagation of endangered species, and looking into habitat improvement for reptiles and amphibians. If any members of your organization have similar interests, have conducted this sort of work, or have any suggestions for funding sources (nonfederal), please pass along my address. Thank you.

Cellter for Water and The EmirOlimelit

Sincerely, Frank J. Kutka ,vatural Resollrces Research fnsrifllft'

MRS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 3

5013 Miller Tntn!': HiK}/lmy DlIflllh, Mil1l1('SOf{/ 55bi 1

2lX-720-..J27Y FAX 218·72()·42/9

PAGE 32

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ; Announcing ;

~ The 17th Annual ~

; International Herpetological Symposium ; ~Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A. ~ ; June 17 -- June 20, 1993 ;

~ As the new President of the International Herpetological Symposium, Inc., I am pleased to announce the program ~ ~ for the 17th IHS meeting. The 1993 Symposium will be held at the Marco Polo Hotel, in Miami Beach, Florida. PIk-

Located directly on the beach, the Marco Polo is a beautiful location for what promises to be an exceptional I' ~ meeting. An excellent panel of speakers from the United States, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka has ~ PIk- been scheduled. Workshops on both traditional and exciting new topics are planned, giving you the opportunity to PIk-f ask questions of some of the world's leading authorities on herpetology and reptile husbandry. f PIk- On Friday, a Southern-style barbecue picnic lunch will be held at the Miami Metrozoo, followed by a trip to the PIk-I' Everglades National Park. A traditional ice-breaker social is planned for Thursday evening, and a poolside I' ~ smorgasbord, followed by a guest speaker and auction, is scheduled for Saturday night. As always, we expect to ~ PIk- have a large number of herp vendors in attendance. In order to make your visit to the South Florida area even PIk-I' more memorable, admission discounts have been arranged for many of the area's famous tourist attractions. IHS I' ~ registrants and their families will receive admission discounts at Parrot Jungle, Fairchild Gardens, Butterfly World, ~ l' Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Rides, Orchid Jungle, and the Miami Seaquarium. ~

PIk- The 1993 IHS meeting will no doubt be one of the most informative and enjoyable symposiums yet. This will be a PIk-~ rare opportunity to meet and talk with herpetologists from the United States and around the world. Don't miss this ~ I' exceptional panel of speakers, workshops and social events. I'

~ Richard A. Ross, M.D. ~ ~ . President, IHS, Inc. ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Schedule of Events ~

~ ~ ~ Wednesday, June 16, 1993 Saturday, June 19, 1993 ~ ~ Registration 7:00 pm -10:00pm Registration 8:00 am - 3:00 pm ~ PIk- PaperslWorkshops 8:30 am - 5:00 pm PIk-~ Thursday, June 17, 1993 Poolside Smorgasbord 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ~ I' Registration 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Guest Speaker 9:00 'pm - ??? I'

PIk- Opening Remarks 8:15 am - 8:45 am Auction To follow ~ I ' Keynote Speaker 8:45 am - 9:30 am ~ PaperslWorkshops 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Sunday, June 20, 1993 ~ PIk- Dinner (open) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PaperslWorkshops 9:00 am -12:00pm PIk-I' Icebreaker 7:00 pm -10:00pm Closing Remarks 12:00pm I' ~ Slideshow Contest 9:00 pm ~

! Friday, June 18, 1993 ! I' Registration 8:00 am -12:00pm Please note that there will be approximately 90 I'

PIk- PaperslWorkshops 8:30am -12:00pm minutes allowed for lunch on Thursday and PIk-I' Buses to Zoo 12:30pm Saturday. I' ~ Buses to Everglades 3:30 pm ~ PIk- Buses return to hotel 6:30 pm PIk-I' Dinner (open) I'

l' . ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'1'~~~~~~~

Partial List of Speakers and Workshops

Keynote Address

Halting Global Biodiversity Decline: The Herpetological Response

Dr. Larry David Wilson, Dept. of Biology, Miami-Dade Community College

Gems from the Forbidden Zone: The Herpetofauna of Richtersveld National Park and the Diamond Zone of Southern Namibia

Dr. William Branch, Curator of Herpetology, Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa

The Krait (Genus Bungarus), Its Ecology and Snakebite in Sri Lanka

Dr. Anslem de Silva, Medical Faculty, Univ. of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

The World's Most Venomous Land Snake: Oxyuranus micro/epidotus, the Fierce Snake

Dr. Jeanette Covacevich, Senior Curator, Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia

Natural Variations in Populations of Reptiles and Amphibians: How Can We Measure Declines?

Prof. J. Whitfield Gibbons, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Univ. of Georgia

Husbandry and Captive Propagation of Geomyda spengleri Stephen Hammack, Reptile Dept, Fort Worth Zoo

Husbandry and Natural History of the Goliath Frog, Conrana goliath

Ray Pawley, Curator of Reptiles, Chicago Zool. Park Are There Any Nonpoisonous Snakes? An Update on Colubrid Envenoming

Sherman Minton, MD, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, indiana University

A Distributional Survey of Python anchietae and P. seba. in Northern Namibia

Dr. William Branch, Curator of Herpetology, Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa

Zoo Conservation Programs for the 21st Century John McLain, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, San Antonio Zoo, Texas

Naturally Occurring Variants in Reptiles and Amphibians Bernard Bechtel, MD, Valdosta, GA

Co-operative Management of the Striped Legless Lizard, Delma impar, an Endemic Vulnerable Victorian

Chris Banks, Curator of Reptiles, Royal Melbourne . Zoological Gardens, Australia

Private Registries for Reptiles: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Michael Hicks, Department of Herpetology, San Antonio Zoo

An Overview of the Herpetofauna of the Everglades Dr. George Dalrymple, Biology Dept., Florida International Univ.

Sea Turtle Management: What We Know and What We Don't Know

Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard, Florida Audubon Society, Casselberry, ·Florida

The Ecology of the Alligator In the Everglades Dr. George Dalrymple, Biology Dept. Florida International Univ. Joe Wasilewski, Natural Selections, Miami, FL

Epidemiology and Clinical Aspects of Micrurus and Bothrops Bites in Latin America

Santiago Ayerbe, MD, Hospital Universitario San Jose, Popayan, Columbia

Husbandry and Propagation of Small Varanids Prof. Hans George Horn, Germany

Venomoid Surgery Richard Funk, DVM, Amazon Vet Serv., Brandon, FL

An Aquarlst'. Approach to Poison Dart Frog Husbandry Ian Hiler, Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans, LA

Effect of Male Presence on the Ovulatory Cycle in Pythons Dale De Nardo, DVM, Dept. of Integrative Biology, Univ. of California at Berkeley

Husbandry and Propagation of Uroplatus fimbriatus Richard Hudson, Reptile Department, Fort Worth Zoological Park, Texas

A Conservation Program for the Threatened Romer's Tree Frog (Phl/autus rom.rI)

Chris Banks, Curator of Reptiles, Royal Melbourne , Zoological Gardens, Australia

Frogs and Reptiles of Australia's Wet Tropics Dr. Jeanette Covacevich, Senior Curator Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia

.Overview of the Status of The 'Herpetofauna of Sri Lanka Dr. Anslem de Silva. Medical Faculty, Univ. of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

A Brief Introduction to the Care of the other 36 Genera of North American Snakes

John Rossi, DVM, Jacksonville, FL The Snake Worshipping Cults of liberia

Charles Miller, 111, Aspects of Africa, St. James, NY Manipulation of Egg Clutch Size In Lizards

Barry Sinervo, Dept. of Integrative Biology, Univ. of California at Berkeley

Husbandry and Biology of Varanids William Zeigler, General Curator, Miami Melrozoo

Animal Record-keeping Systems Andrew Odum, Curator of Reptiles, Toledo Zoo

Workshops

Snakebite First Aid and Treatment - A Global Perspective Dr. Anslem de Silva Dr. Jeanette Covacevich Sherman Minton, MD Santiago Ayerbe, MD

Ultrasound Evaluation of Female Snakes for Fertility and Pregnancy

Dale De Nardo, DVM Infertility and Reproductive Disorders of Reptiles

Gordon Schuett, PhD, , Dept. of Zoology, Univ. Wyoming, Laramie Ardell Mitchell, Reptile Dept., Dallas Zoo Richard A. Ross, MD, IHR, Stanford, CA

Varanld Husbandry Prof. Hans George Horn Richard Hudson

Gecko Husbandry Tim Tytle, MD, Oklahoma City Jeff Nunan, Legislative Coordinator, AFH

Legislative Preparedness II Jeff Nunan curt Harbsmeier. Attorney at Law

Special Feature

Simple But Professional Techniques for Photographing Reptiles and Amphibians

Jim Bridges, Herp Photographer

Hotel Registration Information

The Marco Polo Hotel has reselved 150 rooms for IHS registrants until May 21, 1993. A special hotel registration fee of $44.00 + tax per room, per night, will be available for up to four persons per room. To register, call the Marco Polo Hotel at (800) 327~363 or (305) 932-2233 and state that you are attending the IHS meeting. The address of the Marco Polo is P.O. Box 6625, Miami Beach, FL 33154. Please note that if you are arriving by plane, your destination airport should be Fort Lauderdale International Airport, located about 20 minutes from the hotel. Greyline limousine service is available for transportation to and from the airport for a nominal charge. Each attendee is responsible for making his/her hotel arrangements - returning the IHS registration form will not register you at the hotel, nor will it guarantee you a room; rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Symposium Registration Information

The registration fee for the 1993 IHS meeting has been reduced to $125.00, and there is no additional charge for late registrations. However, only a very limited number of full registrations will be available at the door. Only the full registration fee includes the IHS publication. Mail-in registrations should be received by June 1, 1993. Registrations received after this date may be subject to space available limitations. Full refund for cancellations will be made If notification Is received In writing by May 15, 1993. After that date, a 50% refund will be made for cancellations.

Full registration ..... Paper Sessions only ... Spouse registration (no Papers)

$125.00 $75.00 $50.00

For further information regarding the Symposium, please write to:

Richard A Ross, MD President, IHS, Inc.

c/o Institute for Herpetological Research P.O. Box 2227

Stanford, CA 94309, USA

Registration Form

Name(s) ______________________________ __ Full Registrations # ____ @$125.00 = $~~:-:-;-Includes admission to all paperlworkshop sessions, social functions, and the IHS publication

Address

Paper Sessions # ____ @ $75.00 = $ __ -:--=:-Admission to paperlworkshop sessions only. Does not Include the IHS publication.

Spouse Registrations # ____ @$50.00=$,,,-_-.-Includes only admission to social functions, not paperslworkshops, nor publication

City ________________ State __ Zip ____ __ Total ...... .

Telephone _________ __

Institution (if any) _____________ _

Please return your registration form and remittance check by June 1, 1993. Registrations received after this date may not be credited In a timely manner.

Main Herp Interest: _____________ _ Use additional sheets of paper as necessary.

Return your completed registration form, along with with check or money order (payable In US dollars), and made out to the International Herpetological Symposium, Inc., to:

Mr. David Hulmes, Secretary, IHS, Inc.

361 Van Winkle Avenue Hawthorne, NJ 07506, USA

(201) 427-0768

IHS policy prohibits live animals at all symposium functions, Speakers wishing to use live specimens for presentation purposes should contact Dr, Ri.chard Ross.

~­cG

'a-I-\~

~ ~"'-" ,,"""" ,. '-l

CLASSIFIED AD INSTRUcrIONS: Ads are run as a free service to paid members. Ads for venomous species, illegal species, or sick animals will not be run. MHS takes NO responsibility for legality or health of animal advertised here. Ads may be run for three consecutive months at which time ads may be re-submitted. The editor reserves the right to omit ads when space is limited so as to allow all members a chance to advertise. Size of ad is limited to four (4) typed lines or one (I) standard size business card. DEADLINE for all newsletter items is the date of the general meeting. Send all newsletter items to: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Attn: Newsletter Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104.

MEMBERSHIP AND T·SHIRT ORDER FORM

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

NAME(Sl __________________________________________________________ ___

ADDRES~S ____________________________________________________________________ __

CITY ________________________ _ STATE ______ __ ZIP COD,nE~ ____________ __

PHONE __________________________ __ LIST IN MHS DIRECTORY? YES NO __

HERPRELATEDINTERESTS: ____________________________________________________ __

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP? NEW ____ RENEWAL __ __

MEMBERSHIP LEVEL? __ SUSTAINING ..... $60.00

__ CONTRIBUTING ..... $30.00

~NSTITUTION .... $25.00

____ .DB ASIC .... $l 5.00

Are you currently (or wiII be) a University of Minnesota student? __ (check if yes)

KIDS:

6·8 1O·l2

OFFICIAL MHS T-SHIRT $7.00 (includes postage)

Indicate how many of each size

ADULTS:

SMALL ___ MEDIUM_ LARGE ___ X-LARGE ___

Please enclose payment. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society. Membership is for 12 months from date of joining. A reccipt wiII bc sent only on request. Allow 6-8 weeks for processing. MAIL TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Bell Museum Of Natural History, 10 Church Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S. E. MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

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DELIVER BY MARCH 24, 1993

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Non-Profit Bulk Rate

U. S. Postage PAID

Mpls.MN Pennit No. 2275