Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society March 2011 Next Meeting In This Issue
Sunday, March 20th, 2011 Highline Community College 2400 S. 240th St, Des Moines, WA Building 12, Room 101
K
Letter from the President
3
PNHS Reaches Out
5
Supplemental Board Mtg Minutes
8
ECRE Volunteers
9
Events & Suggested Vets
10
Speaker Presentation
Classifieds & Adoptions
11
Dr Thomas Kleinteich will be giving a talk on the Biology of Caecilians.
Info & Guidelines
12
PNHS Contact List
13
Board Meeting: 4:00 pm General Meeting: 6:00 pm (doors @ 5:30 pm)
Herp of the Month: Herps of Europe and the Middle East
April Newsletter Deadline 12:00 pm April 5th
This category includes favorites such as Leopard Geckos and Uromastyx lizards, as well as Greek Tortoises and more obscure species such as the Laughing Frog, pictured below.
Please send submissions to: newsletter.editor@PNWHS.org
It’s springtime, and that means outreach season!
Photo courtesy wikipedia
Please see page 8 for outreaches in the next week or so, and contact Dave to get the extended schedule! Dave Alverson Outreach Coordinator dave.alverson@pnwhs.org
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 2
Volunteers with Dave Colburn’s gator All photos by Aimee Kenoyer
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 3
Letter from the President By Aimee Kenoyer (*photos by A Kenoyer unless otherwise indicated) What a great ECRE! I can’t believe how busy we were, and how wonderful were all the new faces who came by the show. I can’t begin to thank all the vivacious volunteers, our supporters, and our faithful vendors who all made the ECRE possible this year. It was a ton of work, but loads of fun! I do not have final numbers yet, they’ll be published in the April NL next month; however, we can all be proud that we more than doubled the number of people through the door in this second show. We also made considerably more money this year. Maybe the rack I’ve been fantasizing about after 4 1/2 years of ball python and colubrid fostering will finally become a reality! That’s what this is really all about. A successful show isn’t just about getting our name out into the community, laughing when a Crestie leaps onto Christie Johnson of King 5 news (most memorable publicity this year, for sure!), or getting the most fabulous purple STAFF T-shirt ever to be made...it’s about increasing resources for our group. While this allows us to improve activities and events for our members, the bottom line is that increased revenue for the group helps expand the resources of our adoptions program as well as our abilities to reach out to the public. And as the show continues to grow...taking PNHS with it...who knows where we’ll be in five years?
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 4 I’d also like to personally thank every herptile at the show, if I had a way to do it, including this little trooper on the Seattle Turtle and Tortoise Club’s table...can’t recall his species, sadly, but it’s impossible to forget his story. This turtle, before coming to the STTC, had been coated in accelerant and set on fire. The pink shade you see is bony growth in the underlayers of his shell
(pink because of dye in his turtle pellets). The dark blotchy stuff is actually where new scales are forming into healthy scutes. It may be a few years before the bone is fully covered, but he’s well on his way to good health. And THAT, my friends, is what it’s all about for me. Whether through our Outreach program, our Adoptions program, meetings, emails, our forum and Facebook pages—I put my time into PNHS in the hopes that advocating responsible ownership and proper education will help prevent situations like the turtle, or like this boa (below). She came into PNHS Adoptions with such a terrible case of mouthrot, extensive scarring from rat bites, and scar tissue encasing her teeth that it wasn’t possible for her to recover and we had to make the terrible decision to euthanize her and end her suffering. When the inevitable act of cruelty or neglect occurs, I want a group like ours here to help pick up the pieces and find the victims a good new home, or at least to give the animal peace and an escape from pain. Fortunately most herps that come into our group are not this badly off! The more PNHS continues to grow, the more we are able to serve as a community resource. Our growth depends on events like the ECRE, and I’m so pleased and proud at how many volunteers we had there and much each and every person gave of their time to PNHS’ cause.
*photo courtesy Rachel Shirk, PNHS Adoptions
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 5
The Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society reaches out Dave Alverson
*all photos in Dave’s article courtesy of Eyes of the Wolf Photography
It is no secret that public outreaches are, without equal, my favorite part of being a member of PNHS. The two main reasons this is true. First, it gives me a great opportunity to stand as an ambassador to the public on behalf of those who own, breed and care for reptiles. Secondly, I get to stand shoulder to the shoulder with a wide range or talented and passionate member-experts. The 2011 Emerald City Reptile Expo in Lake City Community Center provide both of these in spades. The media coverage we received throughout the weekend was phenomenal. In the outreach room alone we had both a Seattle Times photographer and the Komo 4 news that presented us in a very positive and exciting light. What a great way to open the door to the public and introduce the hobby of amateur herpetology. It may not counter balance all of the other fear based news and “educational entertainment” (an oxymoron if ever I wrote one) out there but it’s a start and it happened in our back yard. It was a wildly busy weekend. Both days saw the outreach room packed wall to wall the entire day. We had a decent variety so it was not just the snake room. There were bearded dragons, pythons, boas, at one point a mata mata turtle which has never been in on of our outreaches to the best of my knowledge, Russian tortoises and a host of other wonderful animals. This gave the public a chance to interact and learn about different creatures and what we have to do to provide for the welfare of our animals.
Page 6
Vo lu Vo l ummee 2266,, i issssu ue 3 3
Continued from Page 5
I was excited to see some faces of members that I haven’t seen at outreaches in the past. I know that outreaches are old hat to some of us but it was great seeing the excitement replace the panic in the faces of those that stepped out of their comfort zone to represent the society and hobby. I was very proud of everyone who set aside time, whether it was a partial day or the entire weekend, to participate in the program. While we’re on the topic of comfort zones, I want to give a nod to the members who faced their fears by letting tarantulas climb up their arm. We’re in the “business” of helping others overcome their fears of snakes, and it was great watching my friends and peers doing the same thing.
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 7
Continued from Page 6
“Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is why I do this!” -Dave Alverson
My favorite story is the quick turn around between attending as a spectator and participating as an exhibitor. A little girl and her dad wandered through as so many did on Saturday. I confess, I do not remember seeing them their first time through but who ever they talked to must have did an excellent job of promoting our society because they signed up for a membership that day. Not wanting to waste any time, they returned to the outreach room and were directed to me. It seems that the girl was already a herper and she wanted to know if she could bring her baby corn snake in on Sunday to display. I don’t think I could have agreed fast enough. Her and her father came in Sunday and within an hour she was teaching kids her age and older how to drape a boa as long as she was over their shoulder. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is why I do this! Let me not forget to mention the tireless efforts of the volunteers, young and…um, younger…who made sure everyone was sanitized, relieved people at lunch and breaks and generally made this way less crazy than it could have been. We also had people who brought no animals but made themselves available to help handle the animals there were there. Without the dedication and willingness to serve, this would have been way more problems than solutions.
Page 8
Vo lu Vo l ummee 2266,, i issssu ue 3 3
Continued from Page 5
So I say in closing this short report, I was thrilled and excited to work with each of those who participated in bringing our hearts and passions out for the public. This extends to the families that support us from behind the scenes and the animals themselves who allow us to interact with them. If this has sparked anyone into taking part of more outreaches, please keep your eye on the outreach forum, http://forums.pnwhs.org/forums/26-Outreaches, our facebook page, Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society, or contact me at dave.alverson@pnwhs.org for details.
Supplemental Board Meeting Minutes March 12th, 2011. 2 pm—4 pm In attendance: Dale Drexler, Brenda Huber, Heather Shipway, Rachel Shirk, Geoff Sweet, Julie Sharkey, Aimee Kenoyer, Norm Hill. 7 members of 11 were in presence, thus constituting a voting quotum. - A motion was moved by Aimee Kenoyer (President) to address the location of the 2012 Emerald City Reptile Expo. The motion was Seconded by Geoff Sweet (Member at Large). Motion was voted unanimously in favor. Motion passed. - A motion was moved by Geoff Sweet (Member at Large) to form an Ad-Hoc committee called the Emerald City Reptile Expo Committee whose sole purpose is to coordinate the business of the Emerald City Reptile Expo on behalf of the PNHS Board. The motion was seconded by Heather Shipway (Member at Large). Motion was voted unanimously in favor. Motion passed. - A motion was moved by Geoff Sweet (Member at Large) to designate the chairperson for the Emerald City Reptile Expo Committee as Aimee Kenoyer. The motion was seconded by Heather Shipway (Member at Large). Motion was voted unanimously in favor. Motion passed.
Vm o leu m 3 Volu 2e62, 6i ,siss suuee 3
Page 9
ECRE Volunteers By Geoff Sweet For the last two years it has been my pleasure to be head of security and assistant volunteer coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Societ y's awesome new fundraising event - The Emerald City Reptile Expo. It was 48 hours of hard work for a great cause. At both shows, one of the most repeated comments I heard from the vendors and our partner The Bean Farm was that the volunteers made the difference. PNHS volunteers ran errands, emptied trash, assisted vendors, and did all the other little jobs that normally our vendors would have to do themselves. For those of you that had the honor of wearing the STAFF shirts, we thank you! Volunteer work in the Society is what fuels this organization. When the Pacific Science show stopped, many in the Society wondered where our yearly funding would come from to support our adoptions, rescue, and other programs. We were greatly relieved when the idea blossomed to do a small show in the Seattle city limits with long-time Society supporters The Bean Farm. The Emerald City Reptile Expo was born in 2010 at the Lake City Community Center with good response. The vendors liked the location and, even though it was Father's Day weekend, we had good turnout. This year, with a weekend clear of holidays, we had an even better turnout! You will read in this newsletter elsewhere that we had a very successful year indeed. That means we don't have to worry about supporting our core responsibilities of animal rescue and adoption, and public education.
Even experienced herpers like Doug Taylor were excited to get their photo taken with an alligator. Dave Colburn’s 3year-old gator was a rockstar and put up with all the people pretty well. *photo by Aimee Kenoyer
The Society knew, that to pull off a great show, we had to get our membership to step up to the plate to provide much needed volunteer work. This year we had volunteers providing great support in the Outreach Area of the show. Many people passed through this area and had the chance to touch and hold reptiles, some for the very first time! On the vendor floor, vendors thanked us for the volunteer team because of the hard work they did. Our vendors come from all over, and when they arrive at our show, they know that they can count on our team of volunteers to lend assistance to whatever they need. Did you know that at some shows, that lent assistance has to be paid for? At many vendor shows I have worked at, a helping hand can cost you $15 for 15 minutes! Our volunteers are what really help set our show apart from others on the West Coast. I hope you will consider volunteering for the 2012 show. The Emerald City Reptile Expo is now the primary source of funding for PNHS. This show is your opportunity to spend a single weekend directly impacting the future of PNHS. Your help over those two days makes the Emerald City Reptile Expo the best it can be! That means vendors come back the following year, and in turn people return to see a great show. Every paid admission to our show is another animal that gets to see a vet, or gets a bigger cage in the halfway house program, or gets fed without having to ask for donations. That, my friends, is a very noble use of 48 hours.
Our volunteers are what really help set our show apart from others on the West Coast. -Geoff Sweet
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 10
Upcoming Events PNHS MEETINGS March 20th April 17th May 15th June 12th:
Speaker:
Thomas Kleinteich, Caecilian Biology
HotM:
Herps of Europe and the Middle East
Speaker:
Barbara Clucas, on Prey Behavior / Predator-Prey Interactions
HotM:
Herps of Indonesia and Malaysia
Speaker:
Rockstar Reptiles, on Breeding & Genetics of Ball Pythons
HotM:
Varanus spp.
MOVED UP ONE WEEK DUE TO FATHER’S DAY Speaker:
Dr Adolf Maas, topic TBA
HotM:
TBA
PNHS OUTREACHES 3/30
Kennydale Elementary (evening, Renton area)
3/31
Seaview Elementary (evening, Edmonds area)
PNHS’ Suggested Vets List Eastside Avian & Exotic
Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital
Dr. Johnson-Delaney
Dr. Adolf Maas
13603 100th Ave NE
10137 Main Street #6
Kirkland, Wa. 98304
Bothell, Wa. 98011
425-821-6165 or 888-821-6165
425-486-9000
www.eastsideavianandexotic.com
http://www.avianexoticanimalhospital.com
Bird & Exotic Clinic of Seattle
Kamaka Exotic Animal Veterinary
Drs. Bennett & Lejnieks
Services
4019 Aurora Avenue
Dr. Elizabeth Kamaka
Seattle, Wa. 98107
23914 56th Ave W #3
206-783-4538
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
http://www.birdandexotic.com
425-361-2183 http://www.kamakaexoticvet.com/
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 11
Classifieds Join the Global Gecko Association Today! The GGA is a six year old international organization dedicated to the needs of all people interested in geckos. Members receive the twice-yearly, full-color journal, “Gekko”, plus “Chit-Chat”, our quarterly newsletter. Annual Membership is $32 US, $34 Canada/ Mexico, $36 Overseas. ElizabethFreer@aol.com 503-436-1064 or www.gekkota.com
Bean Farm’s Creative Habitats
Feeder Insects & Rodents I have superworms, giant mealworms, and lots more! Plus, I now carry frozen rodents. Order in advance - special pricing for PNHS members,
Slide-Top Aquariums Various sizes available. We can deliver the cages to the meetings, as well as any other item
as well as quantity discounts. For pick up and
from the Bean Farm catalogue. Please contact us
PNHS meetings.
by the Friday before the meeting in order for
Jennifer Sronce 425-750-0477
items to be delivered. Thank you!
seattlefeeders@gmail.com
Paula & Giovani Fagioli 877-708-5882 beanfarm@beanfarm.com www.beanfarm.com
Advertise in the PNHS Newsletter! Business Card .............................$5 Quarter Page................................$10 Half Page ....................................$15 Full Page .....................................$25 If you would like to place an ad in the PNHS newsletter, please contact: newsletter.editor@pnwhs.org
PNHS Adoptions We always need more foster homes! Currently we have a many ball pythons, several boas, a few colubrids, and a handful of lizards...and we’re getting calls every day. If you have a little space and a little time, please contact Rachel and she’ll set you up! adoptions@pnwhs.org Please visit our Petfinder site today!
Page 12
Volume 26, issue 3
General information & guidelines
PNHS’ monthly meetings are a great place to learn more, buy feeders, and hang out with other crazy herpers!
General Information The Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society (PNHS) is a non-profit organization registered with the State of Washington. PNHS is dedicated to the education of its members and the public, as well as the conservation, ecology, and captive care and breeding of reptiles and amphibians. The society also takes an active role in legislative and environmental issues affecting these animals and their habitats. Meeting Information PNWHS holds its general meeting on the third Sunday of every month (with exceptions for holidays) at 6:00pm at Highline Community College in Des Moines, Building 12 Room 101. The Board meeting begins at 4:00pm, and is usually done about 5. Other business and socialization occurs between 5 and 6; then the General Meeting starts. Meetings are open to the public, and the society encourages anyone with an interest in herpetology to attend. Please purchase a membership to show your support for the society. Animal Donations Looking to adopt, release an animal or donate cages and equipment? Please contact the Adoptions Committee by email at adoptions@pnwhs.org, or by voicemail at 206- 583-0686. We will contact you and make arrangements. Other Donations The Adoption Committee receives minimal financial support from the Society, so donations of money, food, cages, and equipment are always needed and appreciated. Please contact the Adoption Chair to make a donation. Adoptions To adopt an animal that is in the care of the Committee, you must be present at the meeting, be a current member (of at least one month), and be over 18 years of age or have parental consent. For more details see the web site or contact the Adoption Chair. Newsletter Information A monthly newsletter absorbs the lion’s share of the price of a PNWHS membership. In order to keep it interesting, we encourage contribution of original articles, book reviews, letters, ads, and cartoons for publication. Items for incorporation into articles are also welcome, though with no guarantee of their use. Submissions may be sent to the Newsletter Committee or to the Society through the contacts listed on the following page. Editorial Policy The views expressed in this publication are solely the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of the Society, its members, or the Newsletter Committee. The Newsletter Committee reserves the right to edit all submissions including advertisements.
Volume 26, issue 3
Page 13
Contact Information PNHS PO Box 66147
adoptions:206-583-0686
Burien, WA 98166
email: contactus@pnwhs.org
www.pnwhs.org
general information: 206-628-4740
Area Representatives Greater Seattle
Aimee Kenoyer 206-200-1240 aimee.kenoyer@pnwhs.org
N King & Snohomish
Deb Alverson 206-601-1723 deb.alverson@pnwhs.org
S King & Pierce
Dale Drexler 253-606-4238 dale.drexler@yahoo.com
Thurston, Mason, Lewis
Ann Waldo
Oregon
Elizabeth Freer 503-436-1064 elizabethfreer@aol.com
866-440-9222
Peninsula, Skagit, Whatcom & Island, Spokane—need volunteers! Officers for 2011 President
Aimee Kenoyer 206-200-1240 aimee.kenoyer@pnwhs.org
Vice President
Dave Alverson 206-601-9547 dave.alverson@pnwhs.org
President-Elect
Brenda Huber brenda.huber@pnwhs.org
Treasurer
Dale Drexler 253-606-4238 dale.drexler@pnwhs.org
Secretary
Mel Kreachbaum secretary@pnwhs.org
Membership Secretary
Vivian Eleven vivian.eleven@pnwhs.org
Members-At-Large
Rachel Shirk rachel.shirk@pnwhs.org Julie Sharkey julie.sharkey@pnwhs.org Geoff Sweet 425-205-0258 geoff.sweet@pnwhs.org Heather Shipway heather.shipway@pnwhs.org Amanda Perez amanda.perez@pnwhs.org
Adoptions Coordinator tions@pnwhs.org Webmaster
Rachel Shirk
Geoff Sweet
425-20500258
adopwebmaster@pnwhs.org
Did you know PNHS’ roots are in the 60’s? yeah, we’ve been around that long!
To join PNHS, please print & complete the following application, enclose your yearly or multi-yearly membership fee and return to: PNHS Membership Secretary PO Box 66147 Burien, Wa. 98166 Membership applications and fees may also be received at the monthly meetings by the Membership Secretary. With your yearly or multi-year membership fee you will receive the monthly PNHS newsletter, access to membership pricing for adoption animals, and the opportunity to participate in the many outreaches and events held throughout the year. Please select one of the options below: Applying to become a new member Renewing my current membership Changing my name or address Select your desired membership type: Individual Membership
Family Membership
(one person)
(more than one person)
1 year $20.00
1 year $30.00
3 year $50.00
3 year $75.00
Institutional Membership Correspondence Membership (Institutions/Organizations) (Newsletter Only) 1 year $40.00
1 year $15.00
3 year $100.00
3 year $37.50
Please select the format in which you would like to receive your newsletter: Email (free)
Snail Mail (additional $5)
Name(s) (please print clearly): _____________________________________________ Parent or Guardian (if member is a minor): ___________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________ State: _____ Email Address: Phone:
Zip: ______________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________