April 2012
volume 27, issue 4
Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society Inside this issue: Upcoming Events…… 2 General information…….
3
Letter from the President……………….. 4 Interesting New Canadian Snake Abstracts you may 6 have missed..…......…... Another Extinction in the Hawaiian Islands... 8
Next Meeting: April 15, 2012 Meeting Location: Highline Community College
Board Meeting 4 p.m.
2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA
General Meeting: 6 p.m.
Speaker Presentation: Billy Graham of Rodent Pro will be speaking about “Important Considerations for Monitors in Captivity.”
Classifieds……………….. 10
Contacts & Vets….... 11 Membership Application
12
May PNHS Newsletter Deadline: April 30, 2012
PNHS:
Come hear a fascinating presentation!
Above: Sweetheart “Stewie” snuggles his owner, Chris, while on break from his job as Reptile Ambassador at the 2011 ECRE Photo Booth. Photo by Suyama Images.
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Upcoming PNHS Events Pa g e 2 April 15, 2012:
PNHS Regular Meeting Meeting moved one week due to the Easter holiday. Herp-of-the-Month: “ Monitors ” ( Varanus & subspecies ) Speaker: Billy Graham of Glacier Rodents, Topic: “ Important Considera tions for Moniitors in Captivity. ”
April 26, 2012:
PNHS Outreach Mill Creek all-day science fair. Contact your VP Brandon Winters for
more information.
May 20, 2012:
Brandon.Winters@pnwhs.org
PNHS Regular Meeting Meeting moved one week due to Mother ’ s Day. Herp-of-the-Month: “ Amphibians ” Speaker: Jennifer B. Pramuk, Ph.D., Curator, Woodland Park Zoo
June 1st, 2012:
PNHS ECRE Set-up Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, noon—? Contact ECRE Volunteer Coordi
nator, Geoff Sweet, for more information. Geoff.Sweet@pnwhs.org
June 2—3, 2012:
Emerald City Reptile Expo Seattle Center Exhibition Hall Saturday: 10 a.m. —6 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.—4 p.m. Spotlight: “ Conservation and Education ” Daily Shows: Dave Colburn of “ P redators of the Heart ”
Come be a part of our biggest show ever!
Vol. 27 No. 4
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General information & guidelines re
PNHS’ Monthly Meetings are a great place to learn something new, purchase feeders at a discount, and meet new people
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 PNHS holds its general meeting on the second 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. Doors open at 5:30. Other business and socialization occurs between 5:30 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 PNHS 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.
Above: Both Green Tree Python Photos courtesy of the Adams’ Family.
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.
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Letter from the President By Brenda Huber
Vol. 27, No.4
Time flies when you’re having fun...
The largest expo of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, the “Emerald City Reptile Expo,” (“ECRE”) is officially at T—2 months and counting. Your ECRE Event Coordinator, Norm Hill, your PNHS Board of Directors, your ECRE Show Committee, along with Paula and Giovanni Fagioli of the Bean Farm (and Marco, of course,) as well as yours truly have been hard at work behind the scenes to bring you this unprecedented Seattle Center event.
Why is your participation important? The ECRE is PNHS’ main fundraiser for the year. The funds received from the success of the ECRE are used directly for : -
PNHS’ general operating costs;
the cost of PNHS’ rescue program (which includes food, caging and supplies, and veterinary care and medicine for rescued herps;) and PNHS’ involvement in supporting reptile and amphibian conservation and causes, both locally, nationally, and across the globe. The more successful the ECRE, the more herps PNHS can help. PNHS Rescue Program’s Surgical Success Stories: Left: “Pumpkin,” the Bearded Dragon, came in with severe prolapsed requiring surgery. Right: “Missy,” the Veiled Chameleon, would have died from eggbinding without lifesaving surgery.
Continued...
Vol. 27, No. 4
Pa g e 5 Letter From The President Continued….
Want to help?
I’ve got my eye on you! Above: The “Ecre Eye” logo created by the talented Mark Ely. Www.MarkElyDesign.com
ECRE “Event Day” volunteers receive: Free show admission for the entire day (a $10.00 value); Parking vouchers (limited number so first come, first served… Volunteer ASAP); Free food & drink, and access to the event “Staff Only” lounge; A souvenir ECRE 2012 “STAFF” t-shirt; and A limited-edition ECRE souvenir pen and notebook by local RHL artists.
If you would like to assist PNHS with the ECRE in any way, please send me an email. Brenda.Huber@pnwhs.org We welcome any amount of time you can donate, from five minutes of “spreading the word” on your social media sites, to an hour’s worth of folding show programs or stuffing gift bags at your convenience in your own home, to the actual set-up on June 1st, and finally, to the on-floor staffing of this major event June 2nd and June 3rd. We’d love for you to join us as we highlight herpetology during Seattle’s “Science and Technology” month-long celebration. Have you seen the Emerald City Reptile Expo’s stunning new website? Mad props go to the wonderful people of Capitol Media for generously creating such a web masterpiece. Check it out! Www.EmeraldCityReptileExpo.com
- Brenda Huber, PNHS President
Vol. 27, No. 4
Reptile Conservation: Great Basin Gopher Snakes By Williams, Hodges & Bishop
Small reserves around hibernation sites may not adequately protect mobile snakes: the example of the Great Basin Gopher Snakes, Pituophis catenifer deserticola in British Columbia, Canada. Authors: Williams, K.E.1; Hodges, K.E.1; Bishop, C.A.2 Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Number 3, February 2012 , pp. 304-312(9) Publication date: 2012-02-16
A common strategy for reptile conservation is to establish reserves around nesting or hibernation sites. The government of British Columbia, Canada, mandates protection of 200-300 hectares for wildlife habitat areas (WHAs) around hibernation sites of the federally threatened Great Basin Gopher Snakes, Pituophis catenifer deserticola, but practical constraints result in a mean size of 193 hectares. To evaluate the efficacy of this reserve size, we radio-tracked 39 adult Gopher Snakes at four study sites in the Okanagan Valley in 2006 and 2007. Home ranges averaged 10.5 ± 1.7 hectares. The maximum distance trav“WHA?” eled from a hibernation site was 2400 meters, whereas the maximum distance dispersed averaged Do you know what 520 ± 65 meters. this abbreviation stands for?
An idealized circular WHA of 193 hectares with the hibernation site at the centre would be large enough to contain Gopher Snake home ranges, but the dispersal data show that only 85% of snakes would stay within that area. Small or asymmetrical WHAs likely protect even fewer Gopher Snake locations. We recommend that WHAs be expanded if possible because the high mobility of Gopher Snakes suggests that current reserves may not offer adequate protection. Reprinted with permission from Herp Digest, Vol. 12, Issue 16, 4/5/12.
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Seasonal Cues: Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes By Gienger & Beck
Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, (Crotalus oreganus) use thermal and structural cues to choose overwintering hibernacula Authors: Gienger, C.M.; Beck, Daniel D.; Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 89, Number 11, October 2011 , pp. 1084-1090(7)
“Hibernacula,� or the shelter of a hibernating animal, play an important role in the ecology of high-latitude snakes, and ally denning species may occupy their hibernacula for half the year or more. Because of the long duration spent at hibernacula, such sites can provide multiple benefits to snakes including shelter from lethal overwinter conditions, social opportunities, and basking sites important in thermoregulation. Adequate hibernacula seem to be limited on the landscape and individuals travel several kilometers to use and reuse specific sites. We investigate orientation, physical structure, and thermal properties of sites used as hibernacula by Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus, and compare them with random sites that appear to be similar but were not used for hibernation. Hibernacula occurred primarily on south-facing talus slopes, were oriented on less-steep slopes, and were composed of rocks that were intermediate in size to randomly occurring sites. Our results suggest that the orientation and physical composition of hibernacula allow them to be stable over time, allowing snakes to repeatedly locate the sites, as well as providing predictable overwinter refuge. Hibernacula were also warmer on the surface than north-facing random sites and provided increased basking opportunities for snakes thermo-regulating in early spring after emergence from hibernation. Reprinted with permission from Herp Digest, Vol. 12, Issue 16, 4/5/12.
P aVol. g e 827, No. 4
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Another Vertebrate Species Reported Extinct From the Hawaiian Islands ScienceDaily March 31, 2012
A species of lizard is now extinct from the Hawaiian Islands. The following is worth reading as an example of “cryptic extinction” and as an example that a once common species can go extinct. The copper striped blue-tailed skink (Emoia impar) -- a sleek lizard with smooth, polished scales and a long, sky-blue tail -- was last confirmed in the Na'Pali coast of Kauai in the 1960’s. But repeated field surveys on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawai'i islands from 1988 to 2008 have yielded no sightings or specimens. "No other landscape in these United States has been more impacted by extinction events and species invasions in historic times than the Hawaiian Islands, with as yet unknown long-term cascading consequences to the ecosystem," said U.S. Geological Survey director Marcia McNutt. "Today, we close the book on one more animal that is unlikely to ever be re-established in this fragile island home." "This skink was once common throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and in fact the species can still be found on many other island groups in the tropical Pacific," says Robert Fisher, a biologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center. "That's what makes this extinction so intriguing: if an otherwise common animal can be completely extirpated from one island ecosystem but not others, then what does that tell us?" Continued...
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Another Herp Extinction Continued…
Fisher and colleague Ivan Ineich of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris announced their findings on E. impar this month in the international conservation journal "Oryx," published by Fauna and Flora International. Small animals like this skink are prone to what Fisher and Ineich call "cryptic extinction" -- when a species is easily confused with similar species that their extinction can go unnoticed for decades. “The extinction of native Hawaiian bird species is well documented, partly because their presence and sounds had been so distinctive to humans," says Ineich, who is also a researcher with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). "But without regular field surveys, we tend to overlook the disappearances of smaller, secretive species, along with the causes of their extinction." While the exact causes of the skink's Hawaiian extinction is unclear, Fisher and Ineich note that island extinctions around the world often share similar factors, such as the loss of habitat due to uncontrolled human development. Another is competition or predation from invasive species accidentally or intentionally introduced through human migration and activity. "There's some evidence that an invasive ant was preying on these skinks," Fisher says. "That's a new factor we'll need to examine as we look out for other at-risk species in the Pacific islands." The above story is reprinted from materials provided by U.S. Geological Survey.
Classifieds
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For Sale: Radiated Tortoises 3 yearling females (sexed via endoscopy) Studbook Registered $2,000.00 each or 3 for $5,500.00 1 large male (weighs 29 lbs.) $4,500.00 1 young adult male $4,000.00 Out-of-state sale only to CBW Permit holder Contact: (206) 363-0162 olympicpet@juno.com 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. Email: ElizabethFreer@aol.com (503)-436-1064 or www.gekkota.com
Feeder Insects & Rodents
Bean Farm’s Creative Habitats Slide-Top Aquariums
I have superworms, giant mealworms, and lots more! Plus, I now carry frozen rodents.
Various sizes available.
Order in advance: special pricing for PNHS members,,as well as quantity discounts!
We can deliver the cages to the meetings, as well as any other item from the Bean Farm catalogue.
For pick up and PNHS meeting delivery.
Please contact us by the Friday before the meeting in order for items to be delivered. Thank you!
Jennifer Sronce (425) 750-0477
Paula & Giovani Fagioli (877) 708-5882
www.seattlefeeders@gmail.com
Email: 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 GET PUBLICITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS & SUPPORTING PNHS!
Vol. 27, No. 4
Pa g e 1 1
Contact Information PNHS P.O. Box 27542
Adoptions:206-583-0686
Seattle, WA 98165
Email: contactus@pnwhs.org
www.pnwhs.org
General information: 206-628-4740
Area Representatives N King & Snohomish
Brenda Huber 206-334-7168
brenda.huber@pnwhs.org
S King & Pierce
Dale Drexler
dale.drexler@yahoo.com
Greater Seattle
Aimee Kenoyer 206-200-1240
Peninsula, Island
Troy Barnhatt
Oregon
Elizabeth Freer 503-436-1064
253-606-4328
aimee.kenoyer@pnwhs.org elizabethfreer@aol.com
Officers for 2012 President
Brenda Huber
brenda.huber@pnwhs.org
Vice President
Brandon Winter
brandon.winter@pnwhs.org
President-Elect
Rachel Shirk
rachel.shirk@pnwhs.org
Treasurer
Dale Drexler
dale.drexler@pnwhs.org
Secretary
Teresa Montoya
secretary@pnwhs.org
Membership Secretary Geoff Sweet
members@pnwhs.org
Members-At-Large
Ted Adams
ted.adams@pnwhs.org
David Brunnelle Carol Dean
david.brunnelle@pnwhs.org carol.dean@pnwhs.org
Matt Lee
matt.lee@pnwhs.org
Julie Sharkey
julie.sharkey@pnwhs.org
Adoptions Coordinator Rachel Shirk
adoptions@pnwhs.org
Event Coordinator
Norm Hill
norm.hill@pnwhs.org
Newsletter Editor
Marian Huber
newsletter@pnwhs.org
Webmaster
Geoff Sweet
webmaster@pnwhs.org
Find us on FACEBOOK!
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To join PNHS, please print & complete the following application, enclose your yearly or multi-yearly membership fee and return to: PNHS Membership Secretary P.O. Box 27542 Seattle, WA 98165 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 E-Newsletter, access to membership pricing for adoption animals, and the opportunity to participate in the many outreaches and special “Members Only” events held throughout the year.
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Above: Kids are intent on everything Board Member Geoff Sweet has to say at an outreach in Duvall, 2005.
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