THE MONITOR NEWSLETTER OF THE HOOSIER HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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1 THE MONITOR NEWSLETTER OF THE HOOSIER HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY A non-profit organization dedicated to the education of its membership and the conservation of all amphibians and reptiles. Volume 29 Number 8 August 2018 The Hoosier Herpetological Society is proud to welcome back Mike Pingleton as our guest speaker for August. Mike has been involved with herpetoculture and field herping for nearly forty years. His field adventures have taken him to many places throughout the world, and MIke documents his field trips in his web journals at Over the years Mike has raised and bred many species of reptiles and amphibians. He is the author of a book on Redfoot Tortoises, a children's book about snakes, and has just finished a book on field herping that is now being printed. Our veteran herp members have seen many of his adventures and know that his presentations are always entertaining and informative. Be sure to plan on attending this special meeting! Midwest Herpetological Symposium September

2 President s message Jim Horton The Midwest Herpetological Symposium is coming up fast and its right here in Indianapolis (September 28-30). The stage is set with our guest speaker lineup but we still have work to do. We re counting on our members to be a part of attending this event. You ll love it! Register early (before Sept. 5 th ) to save $10.00 All proceeds from the symposium benefit the HHS. This is a weekend-filled event for amphibian/reptilian enthusiasts with great guest speakers and things to do and see. Auction items are still needed. If you have any unique herp-related items you d like to donate, please contact any board member. We can always use a few extra hands for this event. If you re interested in being a part of this awesome event, please contact me or any board member. Mike Pingleton will be our guest speaker this month. He s one of the best presenters. Don t miss this one! HAND HELD HERPS (ARIZONA) Story and photos by Roger Carter Photo by Jim Horton The Texas Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, measures 5 inches (according to the Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona ) and up to 7.1 inches (according to the Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico ), is flat and wide and can be yellow or tan sometimes matching the substrate where it is found. The middle of the back has a white mid-dorsal stripe. There are long horn like scales at the back of the head with two of these being longer than the others. This lizard is sometimes called the horned toad or the horny toad and can squirt blood from its eyes as a defensive behavior. The horned lizards mostly eat ants, and, because of this, they don t do well in captivity. The Arizona field guide shows the range of the Texas Horned Lizard in the far southeast corner of the state and the New Mexico field guide shows their range in the southwest corner and the eastern part of the state. We had to hustle a little bit to get to the conference center for the International Herpetological Symposium near Rodeo, New Mexico. We arrived in time for a banquet and to catch up with many of our old friends that we only get to see at different conferences and symposiums once or twice a year. After eating, we discovered that some of the teenagers had caught a Texas Horned Lizard behind the conference center. While they were all Ohhhing and Ahhhing over this lizard and getting pictures of it, the adults were all Ohhhing and Ahhhing over a small Mojave Rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus, (there won t be any Hand Held Herps for this snake) that someone found under some scrap sheet metal behind another building.

3 RENEWALS Garret Kazmierski Jim Horton Jet Kaiser Carl Schwartz NEW Brianna Ryver This Year s Snake Fest was well supported by HHS members, including Roger and Holly Carter, Dale Schoentrup, Robert Tyler, Rex Morrell, Abbie Watson, Giuseppe and Barb Filtri, and Heather White (and family). Snake Fest 2018! By Heather White, Vice President There were other groups that participated in putting this event on, including BCSP park staff, two rescue groups: Scaly Tailz and Wildcare, and the Indiana Snake Buffet. be a side slide lid with locks, especially for larger snakes. The event took place outside the Brown County State Park nature center under a shelter and we were glad to have cover due to scattered rain showers. It was well attended by the public despite the rain and the public flow remained steady. A presentation was given by Barb Filtri on the importance of researching any species of herp you might consider keeping. She presented a form to take home with a checklist of questions and showed the audience why a large tortoise or large lizard can be challenging when fully grown. They can be acquired as babies but these animals end up requiring a very large space at lease the size of a small bedroom and an equivalent amount of outdoor space during the warm seasons. She also highlighted the best type of aquarium lids for keeping snakes from escaping. They should have In summary, this was a fun and educational event that was a little damp, but there was a good turnout and some great opportunities to educate and interact with the public.

4 HHS member Heather White Name Heather White, RVT, HHS Vice President (RVT= Registered Veterinary Technician) Town or city Lafayette, IN, working in Indianapolis Age you found interest in herpetology? I have loved reptiles since high school and while working at a pet store, but was introduced to herpetology about 3 years ago. What got you interested in herpetology? Snakes and lizards have always interested me because they are so different from traditional pets. They are elusive in the wild so it s fun to seek them out. What amphibians/reptiles do you like? I like any type of lizard and snake the most, but I also like salamanders, frogs, turtles, and tortoises. What amphibians/reptiles do you keep? I have a blue tongue skink, corn snake, sand boa, and crested gecko. Working on adopting a Chinese water dragon. How long have you been a member of the HHS? 3 years Do you exhibit your animals at HHS shows? Yes, at as many as I can. What do you like most about the HHS? I have found a group of people who are just as crazy about herps as I am! I love finding new herping spots and educating the public as well. Do you field herp? If so, where have you been? Absolutely! I have been to nearly every Indiana State Park in Indiana. I have also herped Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Where do you get your herps? I get mine from reputable breeders or I adopt from good keepers. I do not recommend buying from pet stores as it is very difficult to know where the animal came from or their health status. Have you ever bred any herp species? Not yet. Other hobbies? Loving on my two Chihuahuas, napping, and eating wonderful bakery goods! Anything else you would like to ad? Please join us at the Midwest Herpetological Symposium this September!

5 Confirmed Guest Speakers: Robert Applegate (Keynote) Applegate Reptiles Captive breeding of Colubrid snakes with an emphasis on Kingsnakes. September 28-30, 2018 Friday night Ice Breaker and presentations Hospitality area (food/drinks) Saturday Guest Speakers (throughout the day) Saturday Night Banquet Keynote speaker Auction live and silent Hospitality area (food/drinks) Sunday Free Behinds the scenes tour of the Indianapolis Zoo Free admission to the Midwest Reptile Show Other Features Book Sales / book signing Artists/sales Live Native Indiana Amphibian/Reptile exhibit New this year! Young Herpetologist Award Michael Price Executive Director at Eaton Hill Nature Center and Owner at Wild About Texas Todd Pierson University of Georgia Dan Dourson Biologist, Naturalist, Author, Illustrator Dave Fogel Owner of The Herp House Nate Engbrecht Indiana State Herpetologist Yatin Kalki Illinois Natural History survey David Mifsud Herpetological Resource and Management LLC Ethan Kessler Illinois Natural History Survey LA QUINTA INN & SUITES 5120 Victory Dr. Indianapolis IN Online registration and detailed information can be found on the HHS website:

6 INDIANA AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES Photos - Jim Horton Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) This species is found in wooded ravines beneath logs and stones. They burrow deep into the soil for food and shelter. They re known for releasing a milky slime that deters predators. This fluid is difficult to remove from the skin (even with soap). Photos - Jim Horton Northern Ringneck (Diadophis punctatus) Ringneck snakes are a secretive, woodland species. These small snakes reach inches in length. The belly is yellow and a yellow ring surrounds the neck behind the head. Ringnecks feed on slugs, worms, small snakes, lizards, and frogs HERPETOLOGICAL EVENTS August 15, 2018 HHS meeting, 7:00PM, Holliday Park Nature Center. Guest speaker: Mike Pingleton, Topic Herping the Yucatan Peninsula. The raffle will follow the presentation. August 26, Midwest Reptile Show, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Southwest Pavilion, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis. $5.00 admission, reptiles, amphibians, books, cages, feeder animals, and other supplies. Sell your herps and dry goods free of charge at our H.H.S. information booth (HHS members only) Other dates: September 30, Nov. 4 September 28-30, 2018 Midwest Herpetological Symposium, Indianapolis, IN, LaQuinta Inn, 5120 Victory Drive, Indpls, IN. Please check the HHS facebook page and website for information and updates. More about the 34 th Midwest Herpetological Symposium The MHS is next month and we re gearing up for a fun-filled, educational weekend! This event is held by a regional herp society annually. This year the HHS will host. We have a great line up of top-notch speakers on both Friday and Saturday. Several are authors and they ll have books available for purchase and signing. We will have two book vendors as well. If you need any herp-related books, this will be one of the best selections in the Midwest! Friday evening starts out with an ice-breaker. We ll have food/drink available free of charge.

7 A live native Indiana herp display will also be available for photographs. Our friends from O Bannon Woods State Park are bringing their large collection of Indiana snakes (including the venomous species!) Then the presentations will start. Saturday is filled with presentations with breaks and lunch. The live native Indiana herp display will be open on Saturday as well. The banquet is Saturday evening followed by our Keynote Speaker, Robert Applegate. Next is a silent and live auction with Indiana s own, Rupert Boneham from the Survivor show. You ll find fantastic deals on a huge array of tanks, books, jewelry, supplies, art, and a whole lot more! After the festivities, stop by our hospitality area for food, drink, and conversation to close out the night. Sunday includes free admission to the Midwest Reptile Show. You ll also get a free behind the scenes tour of the Indianapolis Zoo reptile displays. Hope to see you there! HHS Board of Directors PRESIDENT Jim Horton (317) president@hoosierherpsoc.org VICE-PRESIDENT Heather White ( vice-president@hoosierherpsoc.org SECRETARY Holly Carter (317) drymarchonzz@hotmail.com TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP Roger Carter (317) treasurer@hoosierherpsoc.org SERGEANT AT ARMS Neill Jones (317) neilljones92@gmail.com Appointees for 2018 EDITOR Jim Horton (317) stardali84@hotmail.com PROGRAM DIRECTOR Ed Ferrer (317) pythonpals1@msn.com WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR Angela Thomas (317) necali@comcast.net WEBSITE COORDINATOR Barbara Filtri webmaster@hoosierherpsoc.org PUBLICIST/MEDIA DIRECTOR Abbie Watson adwatson.7792@gmail.com MEMBERS AT LARGE Pat Hammond (317) gnawbone92@yahoo.com Rick Marrs rickmarrs@gmail.com Dale Schoentrup eyelashviper@hotmail.com Will Brown (765) wrbrown15@aol.com Mary Hylton (317) liblady81@hotmail.com Rex Morrell wrmorell@gmail.com The Hoosier Herpetological Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education of its membership and the conservation of all reptiles and amphibians. General monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Holliday Park Nature Center. Membership is open to all interested individuals. No venomous animals are allowed at the General Meetings.

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