NEWSLETTER OF THE HOOSIER HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY A

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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 21 Number 3 March 2010 President's Message Jim Horton Spring arrives March 20. We have two HHS activities on that day. What better way to celebrate the Vernal Equinox than to volunteer with the HHS! Our exhibit at Garfield Park is Saturday, March 20 from 10am-2pm. Please arrive early for setup. Our information table at the Midwest Reptile Show (Indiana State Fairgrounds) is that same day. It starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. We will need some of our members in attendance there as well. Please see any me or any Board member for more information regarding any of the two shows. The HHS is currently looking for volunteers to fill a few positions. A social chair, fundraising chair, and outreach chairpersons are needed. Please contact me if you are interested. Field Trip to the Louisville Zoo Sunday March 28th! After all the snow and cold weather this winter I'm sure some of us are experiencing "cabin fever"! Now we have the perfect solution! The Hoosier Herp Society has put together a special field trip to the Louisville Zoo on Sunday March 28th that will include a "behind the scenes tour" of the Herp Aquarium! The zoo opens at 10:00 a.m and we plan to have the behind the scenes tour beginning at 11:00 at the Herp Aquarium building. The Herp Aquarium has a fascinating array of exhibits of reptiles and amphibians arranged according to biomes from around the world. After our behind the scenes tour we will be free to explore the rest of this fabulous zoo. Among the special exhibits of this zoo are the Wallaroo Walkabout and Lorikeet Landing. The Gorilla Forest is an award-winning, four acre exhibit that invites the visitors into the gorillas' habitat and the Islands building features the world's first multi-species rotational exhibit. The Tiger Tundra shows Amur/Siberian Tigers in a new updated part of the Glacier Run exhibit. I have been to the Louisville Zoo several times and I am always ready to return! You may want to have lunch at the Safari Café that is next to a lake where one can see a large number of turtles and water fowl. If we have over 15 members attend, we will qualify for group discounts on tickets! Adults group prices are only $8.95 (instead of $11.95) and Children group prices are $6.85 (instead of $8.85) To get the group rate we must sign up online at once, so it would be best if you brought money or checks for tickets to the monthly meeting or make other arrangements ahead of time. Plan today to get out and enjoy wildlife at this wonderful zoo! Contact: Ed Ferrer at pythonpals1@msn.com or Call: home: (317) or cell: (317) for more information

2 Python hunting season set for South Florida The Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- State wildlife officials have created a special python hunting season to try to stop the spread of the nonnative snakes throughout the Everglades. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says anyone with a hunting license who pays a $26 permit fee can kill the reptiles from March 8 to April 17 on state-managed lands around the Everglades in South Florida. The season is open for Burmese and Indian pythons, African rock pythons, green anacondas and Nile monitor lizards. Thousands of the nonnative Burmese pythons are believed to be in the region, upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem. Wildlife officials on Monday trained a group of hunters on how to identify, stalk, capture and remove the reptiles. Editor s note OMG! Look out. The rednecks are going to have a heyday with this one. Twenty-six bucks and I can kill a reptile? Yeehawww! My question is how are some of these brave outdoorsmen going to differentiate a small monitor from a broadhead skink? A python from a large diamondback water snake? What is the trophy going to be, a python head with its anal spurs just below, mounted to a plaque? This should be very interesting! Jim The Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra) By Mike Wood The Brazilian Black Tarantula has often been called the best pet tarantula because it is very docile and impressive looking a full 6 inch jet black tarantula. The females have been known to live 20 years. They are terrestrial from the grasslands of Brazil and Uruguay. They do well in temperature ranges from 72 to 85 with around a 75 % humidity level. Easy to keep and eat appropriate size crickets and a occasional fuzzy mouse. In recent years captive born spiderlings were hard to get and commanded a very high price. True captive born spiderlings are still somewhat rare in the United States but due to a couple successful captive breedings, there are some on the U.S. market. 2 years ago I purchased some and it s been a real pleasure to raise and watch them grow. They have such a docile and calm personality that I let my grandson hold ours often. I have been keeping tarantulas now for about 5-6 years and the arboreal Poecilotheria species have always been my favorite. But with these gentle giants it s hard to beat a 6 inch solid jet black tarantula that will slowly move around your hand and arm. Happy Trails and have a great spring! Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. Guest Speakers: Kristen Wiley & Jim Harrison, Kentucky Reptile Zoo Topic: "Venom: What's the Problem?" Butler University: Room#150, new wing of the Pharmacy Building The Hoosier Herpetological Society is proud to welcome Kristen Wiley and Jim Harrison as this month s speakers. They operate the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade, Kentucky. The zoo houses over 1,600 venomous snakes among other reptiles that provide education programs and produce venom to be used in making anti-venom and medical research. Over the past three years Kristen has attended several conferences on snakebite and venom research. This program is a compilation of some of the newest and most exciting research presented at these conferences. This discussion covers a broad range, from how venom works in the body during a bite, to cancer research using venom. They will also share some of their personal experiences of being bitten by some of their venomous snakes. Veteran H.H.S. members know how informative and entertaining their presentations are! Be sure to make plans to attend this event!

3 Whenever I do my educational snake programs I am always asked about "poisonous" snakes. I first of all tactfully explain the difference between "poisonous" and venomous", Poison being ingested while venom is injected. The actual danger posed by venomous snakes to humans is grossly exaggerated by the general public. When I have encountered copperheads, cottonmouths and timber rattlesnakes in the field I am amazed at how docile and unaggressive they are! Usually when someone is bitten it is because the person is trying to pick it up or harm it. Of course, because these snakes are so well camouflaged they are sometimes stepped on by hikers who don't see them. Then the serpent feels threatened and may strike in self defense. I always tell people if one encounters a venomous snake they should stand perfectly still, because humans are too large to eat and the snake will not want to waste its venom on them. Just appreciate these snakes from a safe distance because they are some of the most highly evolved and advanced of all snakes. I am often asked "Which snake is the most venomous"? and therefore supposedly the most dangerous. Most books have sited the most venomous land based snake is the inland taipan. However since they are shy, rare, and occur far from human habitation, there has never been a recorded human fatality caused by them. On the other hand, the Russell's viper, Daboia russelii, lives close to human habitation, strikes aggressively and despite having a comparatively mild venom may account for up to 20,000 human deaths per year. The fact that many people in mainland Asia where this snake is found do not wear protective foot wear no doubt increases the mortality rate of this serpent. Clearly the danger to humans posed by animals is very rare. But the public perception of its potential danger is fueled by repeated television programs. For Venom, a New Perspective by Ed Ferrer example, the Discovery Channel has made millions off "shark weeks" and snakes stories. The public is totally fascinated by the idea that a human could be killed by any wild animal so we will probably be subjected to ever increasing number of these programs. But the facts tell a vastly different story. In Australia, where over half the snakes species are venomous, around 3,000 snake bites are reported annually but only 1-2 are fatalities. In the United States from the 7,000 venomous snakebites but only 15 deaths were recorded. (Roughly 3,000 of these cases are classified as "illegitimate", meaning that they occurred when the "victim" was trying to handle or harm the snake.) So chances of survival of a venomous snake bite in the U.S. are about 499 out of 500! Now scientists are finding new and exciting uses for the many complex toxins found in venom. For example, the venom of the Russell's viper was found to have powerful coagulant properties. It was applied as a treatment for hemophiliacs. Captopril, a billion dollar drug for high blood pressure with few side effects, was derived from the venom of a Neotropical lancehead, Bothrops jararaca. It is currently the most effective hypertension reliever and among the twenty best selling drugs in the world. In June 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new diabetes drug called Byetta that is derived from a compound in the venomous saliva of the Gila monster. To find out more about how venom works in the human body and the new research involving venom in medical research be sure to attend this month s meeting on March 17th when Kristen Wiley of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo will discuss the latest findings about venom. (Check out further details of the meeting announcement in this issue.) Reference: "Venom, Poisonous Creatures of the World", Steve Backshall, 2007, New Holland Publishers (UK) London England.

4 February meeting review Jim Horton Our guest speaker last month was Dr. Travis Ryan, a professor from Butler University. His talk involved a short history of the 180- year-old canal that runs through our city and the seven turtle species that make their home in its waters. 70% of Indianapolis water supply is moved from the White River through the canal and into treatment plants. The depth is only 5-6 feet deep and the width is about 50 feet. The breakdown of the demographics along the canal is 27% residential, 37% woodlot, 17% road, 12% commercial, and 5% river. Dr. Ryan s subjects (turtles) were studied by means of radio telemetry. His students helped immensely on this ongoing project. They have captured over 2,500 turtles by baiting dozens of traps with sardines. The traps were re-positioned weekly and checked daily. Map turtles were the most common species found, followed by musk (stinkpots), red-ear sliders, spiny softshells, snapping turtles, and midland painted turtles. After captures, data was collected on each turtle. Marginal scutes were counted alphabetically and numerically. One small hole was drilled on the back marginal scutes on chosen subjects for permanent identification. Several turtles were tracked throughout the year and even into hibernacula for data collection on movement patterns. Woodlots lining the canal seemed to have the most frequent use. The wooded areas were utilized on a larger percentage for hibernation. Commercial areas along the water came in second for the most frequented area inhabited by the turtles. hatchling turtles that spend winter in nesting quarters beneath the surface. This has caught the eye of the public. Several meetings have been recently held to address the problem. Luckily for the turtles, these folks are showing strong support in their favor. The problem they say? Muskrat dens are weakening the walls of the canal. An abundance of silt is also restricting water flow. Dr. Travis Ryan Their (IWC) proposal is to line the sides of the canal with riprap. Native plants such as wildflowers and grasses would be planted above it. They will also have to remove several adult trees. Some of the fallen trees will be secured along the banks for turtle basking. There is even a plan to not alter areas where turtle nesting occurs. Thanks to concerned citizens of Broad Ripple and Mr. Ryan s studies, these turtles will now have more of a chance against the construction. Dr. Ryan mentioned that this waterway is only a fraction of turtle habitat in the Indianapolis area. He had estimated some 3000 ponds are in the vicinity and turtles are found in most of them. There has been recent news concerning the canal. Indianapolis Water Company owns the canal and they have proposed a restructuring along the banks of the canal. Some of this construction will entomb

5 Got Rodents? Hoosier Mouse Supply can take your orders for rodents and they will deliver to the monthly meeting on Wednesday, the 16th. (317) You may now go paperless You now have the option to go paperless with your membership. The monitor will be sent via pdf/ to your inbox. This will help save money, paper, and time with folding, stapling, labeling, stamping, and sending the hardcopy newsletter. It s as easy as visiting the HHS website clicking the paperless button. United States Association of Reptile Keepers - COMPARISONS OF ANIMALS (Continued from the Monitor Vol.21 No.2) By Holly Carter Pat Hammond once asked me What was the difference in horse breeds? Was my breed of horse comparable to like a corn snake? (I had always been involved with horses and horseback riding). After thinking about this, I asked fellow herpetology people, Amy Baird and Angela Thomas, both of whom were knowledgeable in reptiles as well as dogs and horses. The following breeds were compared with looks as in size, body basics, color, personalities and life styles. Some are obvious while others may be open for discussion. Anyway, we had fun trying to typecast several of these animals. Here are more comparisons: HORSE DOG SNAKE LIZARD THOROUGHBRED GREYHOUND RACER RACE RUNNER STANDARDBRED JACK RUSSELL INDIGO ANOLE ARABIAN BORDER COLLIE COACHWHIP BASILISK SADDLEBRED AFGHAN, SALUKI CRIBO FRILLED DRAGON QUARTER HORSE LABRADOR CORN SNAKE BEARDED DRAGON MORGAN GOLDEN RETRIEVER KING SNAKES GECKOS, SKINKS TENNESSEE WALKER GERMAN SHEPARD BALL PYTHON IGUANAS APPALOOSA DALMATION LEOPARD SNAKES LEOPARD GECKOS PALOMINO, PAINTS VIZSLA, WEIMARINER EMERALD BOAS DAY GECKOS FJORD WEST HIGHLAND TERRIER HOGNOSE DESERT IGUANA Classifieds/adoptions For sale: 1.1 pair of red blood pythons c.b pair. 0.1 het albino red blood python c.b , 0.1 red blood python c.b , Each python is high contrast with a good pattern. They are all eating frozen thawed, guaranteed healthy and properly sexed. Complete records with each snake. Mike Wood bears@embarqmail.com

6 Adoption: beautiful female California king snake, approx. 51/2 feet and 12 yrs old. The school board will no longer allow us to use her in the classroom because she bit her handler a few years ago, and as such has not been handled regularly. We would love to find her a new home with an experienced handler who would provide her with a good home. Interested persons may call Stacey Summitt at or stacey.summitt@gmail.com For adoption: 1.0 African side-neck turtle. Contact Dave Mitchell at turtlelovin@att.net or For sale: 2006 captive bred Indian sand boa, great eater! 70.00, 1.1 Javelin sand boas, each. Jim Horton (317) or stardali84@hotmail.com Wanted: Herpetological Field Technicians (3-month and 6-month positions) in Yellowwood and MMSF. Nine Herpetological Field Technicians are needed to assist in a study assessing the effects of silvicultural treatments on home range and habitat use of Timber Rattlesnakes and Eastern Box Turtles in Indiana. Work will be conducted as part of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment. Purdue University, Dept. Forestry and Natural Resources macgowan@purdue.edu For more information see - EVENTS March 17, 2010 HHS Guest Speaker: Kristen Wiley (Kentucky Reptile Zoo) Topic: Venom What s the problem? March 20, 2010 HHS Reptile/amphibian exhibit, Garfield Park, Indpls. March 20, 2010 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. Other dates: April 17, May 15, June 5. For info: (317) , April 4, Indiana Reptile Expo Hamilton Co. Fairgrounds, Noblesville, IN 10am-4pm Admission $6 April 18, 2010 Z-Greenfest, Zionsville, IN May 7 & 8, 2010 Herpetology Weekend, Natural Bridge State Park, KY June 12, 2010 Scales and Tails Fest, Indiana State Museum. HHS will exhibit live animals. July 24, 25 Evansville Reptile Show INDIANATURTLECARE.COM Indiana Turtle Care, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to the conservation, rehabilitation, education and rescue of turtles and tortoises. The Monitor is printed courtesy of Harding Poorman Group

7 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 7:30 p.m. at Butler University, Gallahue Hall, Room 105 or 108. Membership is open to all interested individuals. No venomous animals are allowed at the General Meetings. Your HHS Board of Directors for 2010 PRESIDENT Jim Horton (317) stardali84@hotmail.com VICE-PRESIDENT Pat Hammond (317) gnawbone92@yahoo.com SECRETARY Holly Carter (317) drymarchonzz@hotmail.com TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP Dave Mitchell (317) turtlelovin@att.net SERGEANT AT ARMS Ed Ferrer (317) pythonpals1@msn.com Appointees for 2010 EDITOR Jim Horton (317) Stardali84@hotmail.com PROGRAM DIRECTOR Ed Ferrer (317) pythonpals1@msn.com Cell WAYS AND MEANS Angela Thomas (317) necali@comcast.net MEMBERS AT LARGE Dave and Elliot Stahl (317) copperhead210@sbcglobal.net Roger Carter (317) drymarchonzz@hotmail.com Rick Marrs (317) Mike Wood twobears@embarqmail.com Brittany Davis bluemoosey8@yahoo.com Amy Baird Hoosier Herp Society shirts! Same design featuring a Kirtland s snake with Conservation through Education added. Get yours for only $10.00 at the General Meetings, online, or at the Midwest Reptile Shows. Ed Ferrer and Jim Horton work the HHS information booth at Midwest Reptile Show