Newsletter V4-N1 - Virginia Herpetological Society

Virsinia
Volume 4,Number 1
CATESBEIANA
CO-EDITORS
Herpetolo/ical SocieQ
January1994
N E WSTETTER
PaulW. Sattler
R. Terry Spohn
PRESIDENT
Ron Southwick
PaulSattler- Pres.Elect
NEWSLETTER
EDITOR
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Sue Bruenderman
Layout by Toni Harrison
"Most of the world's tortoisesand
many freshwaterturtles have
declinedprecipitouslybecauseof
L ----^ -
(r-
^^3: - - : . ^i-ruiiian aCiivites.
Joiiie are i-reaf
extinction. This alarming situation
is symptomatic of the overall
decline in global environmental
health. Conservationefforts to
curb further lossesof theseanc
other specieswith which they live
must work in concert with controls
on the fundamental causesof
environmentaldegradation,
namely, economic inequities and
an ever growing human
population.
We recognize that there is no one
recipe for nature conservation.
Specificmeasures,such as
ecosystemmanagement,
conservationof flagship species,
and speciesby speciesprotection,
must fit local circumstances.The
successstoriestold at this
conferencewere those that
describedthe protection of habitats
and landscapes,and how conflicts
betweenpeople and natural
Bob Hogan
and freshwaterturtles constitute
sourcesof protein for indigenous
ln July, f 993, the International
people, their uncontrolled
expioitation for such use
Conference on Conservation,
jeopardizes
the survival of many
Restoration, and Management of
species.
Tortoises and Turtles was held in
We, the conferencedelegates,
Purchase,New York. A declaration,
supportthe following measures:(1)
authored by VHS Past-President
the protection of natural habitats
JosephC. Mitchell and others, was
harboring turtles and tortoises and
adopted by the conference and is
the organismswith which they
interact, (2) aban on the wholesale
reprinted here.ApplausetoJoe and
removal of animals from wild
his co-authorsfor this insightfuland
populations for the wildlife trade,
important action in turtle
(3) the developmentof educational
consenration.
and community participation
programs to engenderpublic
support for biodiversity
conservation,and (4) the sharing of
ecosystemswere resolved.Most
expertiseand technological
reports, however, demonstrated
that population declinesand threats advancesinconservation among the
peopleof all nations.It is
of speciesextinction were due to
imperative that thesemeasuresbe
habitat loss and alteration.
implemented on a worldwide basis
Removal of animals from wild
populations for the wildlife trade
and integratedwith efforts to
were shown to further endangere
conserveglobal biodiversity".
many of theseanimals.While
recognizing the fact that tortoises
2
V A H E R P E T OLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEW SLETTER
A mbh ib ia n s
(SE)
Eastemtigersalamander,
Ambystoma
tiginumfignnum
Barkingtreefrog,Hylagratiosa(ST)
Mabee's
salamander,
Ambystoma
mabeei(ST)
Shenandoah
salamand
er,Plethodonshenandoah(FE)
(SSC)
Carpenter
fo g, Ranavirgatipes
(SSC)
Oaktoad,Bufoquercicus
punctatus
(SSC,C2)
CowKnobsalamander,
Plethodon
(SSC,C2)
ienv.s
Eastemheflbender,Cryptobrcnch
usalleghen
(SSC)
Molesafamander,
Ambystoma
talpoideum
Peaksof Ottersalamander,
Plethodon
hubichti(SSC)
Pigmysalamander,
Desmogn
athus wrighti(SSC,C2)
(SSC)
Shovelnose
Salamande
r, Leurognathus marmorcfus
(SSC)
Welle/ssalamander,
welleiventrom
aculafus
Plethodon
R ept iles
C2)
Bogturtfe,Clemmys
muhlenbergii(SE,
North.diamondback
tenapin,Malademys tempintempin (C2)
Eastemglassl2ard,Ophisaurus
venfrafs(ST)
(SE)
honidusafncaudafus
Canebrake
rattlesnake,
Crctalus
valeiaepulchn(SSC)
Mountain
earthsnake,Virginia
(C2)
North.pinesnake,Lampropeftis
calligaster
rhombomaculata
(SE)
Bogturtle,Clemmysmuhlenbergii
Eastemchickenturile,Deirochelys
reticulaiarcticulaia(SE)
(ST)
Woodturtle,Clemmyrhsculpfa
Atlanticgreenseaturtle,Cheloniamydasmydas(Ff)
Hawksbill
imbicata(FE)
seaturtle,Eretmochelys
Ridley
Lepidochelys
kempi(FE)
Kemp's
seaturtle,
Leatherback
seaturtle,Derm*helysmiaea coiacea(FE)
Loggerhead
seaturtle,Carcttacarcftacarefta(Ff)
Nofe: Federal E&T species
(listedby the USFWS) are
protected throughout their
entire range, acrossall
political (i. e. state)boundaries.
StateE&T speciesare afforded protection
throughout their ranges only within the
Commonwealth of V ir ginia.
Are Yorr
Farnilian
Yi{lnla's
Herps?
with
Rar(e
SE: StateEndangered
ST: StateThreatened
FE: FederalEndangered
FC : FederalCandidate(C2)
SSC: State SpecialConcerned
Endanger ed - any speciesin dangerof
extinctionthr oughoutall or a sig ni fi c ant
por tionof its r ange
Thr eatened - any specieswh i c hi s l i k el y
to becomean endanger edspeci esw i thi n
futur ethr oughoutal l or a
the for eseeable
por tionof its r ange
significant
Feder al Candidate ( C2) - ta x a for
whichinfor mation
now in the pos s es s i on
of
the U.S. Fish and W ildlifeSer vic e
( USFW S)indicatesthat pr oposi ngto l i s t
or thr eatenedis p os s i bl y
as endanger ed
appr opr iate,
but for whichconcl us i v edata
vulner ability
on biological
and th r eatar e
not cur r entlyavailableto suppor tpr opos ed
r ules.
Special Concer n - any species ,on a l i s t
m aintained
by the dir ector whic
,
hi s
r estr ictedin distr ibution,
uncomm on,
ecologically
specialized
or thr ea tenedby
otherim m inentfactor s.
VA HERPETOLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEWSLETTER
3
The Decline of lYorth American Box Turtles
by Clffird
Warwick, Consultant Herpetologist, ThePeople'sTrustfor EndangeredSpecies
(reprintedfrom Animak Internationsl, newsletter of the l{orld Societyfor the Protection of Animals, Summer/Autumn 1987)
The Growth of the Terrapin Trade
Box turtles face severalunnatural
threatsin the wild. Habitat is claimed by a
wide range of land-developmentprojects.
There is also persecutionfrom farmers who
regard them as pests becausethey
occasionally feed on plantations.
However, box turtles are probably more an
assetthan a problem; begin omnivorous
feeders,they will also feed on agricultural
pestssuchas snails. Many are killed on
roads,not always by accident. Another
very avoidablepressurewhich contributes
to the decline of box turtles is the pet trade.
Prior to the 1984ban on the
Mediterraneantortoise market, the
Terrapenespecieswas only occasionally
seenat British pet dealers. However,they
were already long-standing favorites in
American as a cofilmon "pet" rather than in
specialistcheloniancollections. According
to the recordskept under the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered
Species(C.I.T.E.S.),for example,10,000
Mediterraneantortoises were imported into
the United Statesduring the period 198084. By comparison,150,000tortoiseswere
imported into the United Kingdom over the
sameperiod.
In 1981,the year in which the
tortoise ban becameimminent, otiy 22
specimensof Terrapeneare said to have
beenimported into the British Isles. From
January1986to March 1986,however,a
minimum of 3,959 specimenshad been
imported into the U.K. The European
market also reported an upward trend.
The increasearisesat a time of
deepconcern in America over the statusof
severalpopulation of wild box turtles.
In 1984,the tradein
Last year, two speciesbecameprotected
Mediterranean
in Florida and from the first year of July
tortoisesfor the pet
this year, all commercial trade in box
trade was bannedon
grounds. turtles has been prohibited by Florida
conservation
authorities. Missouri also provides
However,a new trade
in chelonians(tortoises protection for its box turtles against
and turtles)has
commercialization.
developedto fill the
A major factor which led to the
demandfor this type of
popularization of thesereptiles by
exoticpet. Boxturtles
tradersin Europe was the casualuse of
from NorthAmericaare
the word "tortoise". Although this can
be a convenientwas to describethese
chelonians,there are severaireasons
IIO,OOO roltolfEt
why it is inappropriateto refer to them
wElS tftolt:D lxto
as "box tortoises".
rtr: Urrro ltrooon
The generic term, Terrapene,for
ouilt|o tHE tll|oD
example, indicatesthe family's
r?fo-3t.
relationship with terrapins rather than
tortoises. Box hrrtles are relatively
good swimmers, though far less
moreakinto their
efficient than the typical terrapins.
tortoiserelativesin that
They can, however, drown if land is not
they leada lessaquatic
easily available or if in deepwater for
life than mostturtles.
with
a strong current. The term "turtle"
The increasing
demand
for thesereptilesfor the in the United Statescan apply to any
chelonian,tortoises included, as indeed
pet trade in both
Americaand Europeis of it does in the U.K. However, the term
concernto WSPA.
"tortoise" is reservedfor the true landBritishherpetologist
dwelling speciesand subsequently,box
CliffordWarwickhas
turtles do not receive this recognition.
been investigating
this
(Note: the term "terrapin" in England is
new trade and describes
commonly used to refer to a freshwater
below the plight of the
aquatic turtle).
box turtle in a reportfor
the readersof Animals
lnternational.
Hunters and Collectors
Almost without exception, box
turtles are collected straight from the
4
V A H E R P E T OLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEW SLETTER
wild to supply the national and international markets.
discoveredcontaining more three-toedturtles left over
Although in some statesthis is illegal, dealerscan still from anotherconsignment. Thesewere grouped
trade,provided that the turtles are caught outside of
togetherunderneatha piece of wood to avoid the heat.
stateoffering protection. Many people who want
For thesethere was a bowl of water away from the
"pet" box turtles collect them from the wild. There are inadequateshade. There was no food whatsoever.
also professional turtle hunters who, apart from
In addition to the two bins and corral that we
catching their own turtles, alrange with people to
discovered,a cardboardbox arrived containing
collect whatever they find and then store the turtles
approximately on hundred box turtles, some of which
until the wholesaler calls. During an lengthy trip,
were pile up three deep in some places. Many of these
numerousstops may be made and this can result in
were thin and dehydrated. During the duration of our
severalhundred box turtles being accumulatedby the
stay, the dealer offered no attention except to sell a
end of the trip. During thesecollection trips, the box
few. The most commonly sold turtle in America is the
turtles rarely receive food and water, and in wann
three-toedspecies,but other are regularly seenat
weather,turtles require food and water more
dealers.
frequently than at cool temperatures,becausein such
conditions the reptiles' metabolisms speedup.
Factors Precluding Captivity
Suffering from depravation during
Box turtles, like other reptiles, are very
transportationand neglect before collection, the turtles sensitiveto climatic and environmental variations,
frequently arrive at wholesalersdehydratedand thin.
even within the United States. Box turtles live in
Some do not make it alive at all. Furthermore,the
er-tremelyvaried climates. The omate speeies,for
conditions they frequently endureat the dealersare
example, suffers out of its arid natural habitat and the
very inhumane. At one dealer'spremisesin Florida
Gulf Coast speciescan dehydrateaway from its
my colleaguesand I saw two large, galvanizedsteel
southem and central environment. Britain and much
bathtubJike containersin which were held two
of southwesternEurope (areaswhere the box turtle
batchesof the three-toedbox turtle
trade is rife) are lacking in both
species. The metal container made it
environmental extremes. Also there
difficult for the occupantsto avoid the
are considerabledifference in length
Virginia'sregulationshave
heat of the day. There was no food or
of seasons.The natural environment
tightenedup considerably
water available, and the open plug
past
for box turtles generally has long
years,
three
over the
holes at the lower end of the sloping
may
and to some,it
seem
summersand short winters. so that
that thesenew rulesare
bins would have ensuredthat any
the animals are used to relatively
unnecessary
or overly
water from rain showerswould be
long periods of activity and short
restrictive.
As the following
lost. During a heavy shower the bins
periods of hibernation. Once
articleby CliffordWarwick
could accumulatewater and the turtles
imported into Europe for the pet
attests,the
could drown.
of species
commercialization
trade, thesehrrtles are exposedto the
is a significantfactor
We removed a deal individual
reverseconditions,i.e. long winters,
contributingto the declineof
from one container and then
which would generally mean an
our nativefauna,with box
attemptedto find some water for
unnaturally long hibernation period.
turtlesgetting hit especially
them. Water was provided from a
Often, the already considerable
hard. Keepthis storyin mind
hosewhich immediately got a
your
when filling out
captive
stresswhich these chelonianshave
breedingpermit,or when
responsefrom the turtles who tried to
been subject to prior to their arrival
suckit from the enclosurefloor. A
few heat-witheredlettuceleaves
were found and were quickly
devoured. A corral was also
you feel like cursingthe 5individuals-perspeciespersonal
possession
limits.
into the hands of the public, is
additionally affected by poor or
Cont'd Page 1I
VA HERPETOLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEWSLETTER
5
. . . .. ..H. e r p r y PH a p p e n i n g s
TheFollMeetingof theVHSwosheldot Liberty
in Lynchburg
University
in October,1993.Inodditionto o
numberof finepresentoiions
in theofternoon,
oneof the moinoccomplishments
of thisonnuolevent
wostheelectionof newofficers
ond supporlstoff.Hereorethe results
thot
election:
of
President:
RonSouthwick
PoulSottler
President-Elect:
BobHogon
Secretory/Treosurer:
PoulSofiler,
TerrySpohn
Co-ediiors,
Cotesbiono:
Newsletter
Editor:SueBruendermon
Awordswerepresented
to bothJoeMitchellond DougEggleston
for theirhordworkond
Service
rolesosVHSPresideni
Editor(respectively).
in theirprevious
ond Newsletter
We olso
ochievements
theVHSso wellin hisprevious
for serving
roleos Secretory/
owe monyihonksto RonSouthwick
Treosurer.
We oweyouon oword,Ron!Thonks
Joe,Dougond Ronfor monyyeorsof devotionond
hordwork,ond congrotulotions
to the newofficersl
represented
theVHSond ihe Deporlment
VHSMembersRonSouthwick
ond SueBruendermon
of Gomeond
.|993.
(D
GIF
)
Decem ber
An
I n l o n dF i s h e ri e s
e odeShowheldin Richmond,
5,
o t th eR e p ti lTr
Endongered
of o woodturtleond tiger
Species
disploywossetup whichincludedlivespecimens
photosof otherVirginio
threotened
herps,ond informotion
solomonder,
ond endongered
on
progroms.
VHSwoodturtlet-shirts
Virginio's
Endongered
Species
weresoldolongwithDGIF'snew
informotion
ond permits
olsoweremodeovoiloble
ot the show.
endongered
species'
shirts.Permitting
Thedisployottrocted
to generote
in
severolhundredvisitors
ond oppeored
o greotdeolof interest
Virginio's
endongeredspecies.
.|3, .l993
TheVHSExecutive
ot Liberty
to discuss
Commitleemeton December
University
voriousitemsof
results
Somenoteworthy
of thotmeetinginclude:(1)Poul
business
ond futureplonsfor theSociety.
(2)Theonnuol
looking
for
moior
for
thenext
issue
Terry
Spohn
ore
o
odicle
of Cofesbiana,;
Sottler&
for 23-24,April,1994. Slotedfor thisyeor'seventis o tripto
springVHSmeetingwosscheduled
io sompleCopperCreek.ThisClinchRivertributory
Virginio(Russell/Scott
is
souihwest
counties)
knownfor itsincredibly
richoquoticfouno,to includenumerous
species
of freshwoterturtres,
solomonders,
snokesond muchmore.Detoiledinformotion
oboutthetrip isforthcoming
in the next
issueoC
f a te sb i a n a ;(3
R )e p ti l e so
Vfir ginio,byJosephC.M itchell
isneor ingcompletioCn!
i toti onw i l l
reod: Mitche/l, J.C. | 994. TheReptilesof Wrginio.Smithsonionlnstifulion Press,Washingfon,D.C.
T h i sl o n g - ow o i tebdo o kw i l lb e 7 xl 0 in size,400 pp.,with63 colorphotogr ophs.
Thepu bl i c oti on
will
perspectives
includeidentificotion
keys,species
occounts,
ond historicol
of studies
in Virginio.
priceis $45; hordcoveronly.A totolof 3000 copieswill be printed.
Estimoied
TheVirginioDeportment
of Gomeond InlondFisheries,
throughitsNongomeond Endongered
Wildlife
6
SOCIETYNEW SLETTER
V A H E R P E T OL OGICAL
. .. . . . . . H
.. e r p e6 pH a p p e n i n g s
of Virginio"
of o "Snokes
to o $5,000donotionto VHSfor thedevelopment
Progrom,
hoscommitted
of NorthCorolino"poster.Theplonis to followtheformotof NorthCorolinousedfortheir"Turtles
Hereore
by eochspecies.
descripiions
by shortnorrotive
occomponied
o collection
of phototgrophs
poster:
for
the
EXCOM
the
VHS
upon
by
thespecies
decided
Conebrokerottlesnoke
Copperheod
Cottonmouth
N. pineSnoke
snoke
E.hognose
N. wotersnoke
Cornsnoke
Blockrot snoke
N. blockrocer
E.kingsnoke
E .milksnoke
N. brownsnoke
E.gortersnoke
E. ribbonsnoke
Mole kingsnoke
snoke
N. ringneck
Queensnoke
Scorletkingsnoke
snoke
N. red-bellied
E.wormsnoke
Roughgreensnoke
@ We o ' e s o | i c i t in g p h o to g ro p h d o n o tionsfr om theVHSm ember shipfor thiseffor t.
preferobly
in theirnotivehobitot?We sorelyneed
Doesonyonehovegoodslidesof thesespecies,
to either
(securely
pockoged
ond properlylobeled)
moilyourslidedonotions
yourhelpon this.Pleose
(703-951-7929)
2206
S.
Moin
ot
VDGIF,
(703-552-6992)
Ron
Southwick
or
SueBruendermon
Thonksyouforyour
Pleose
collus if youhovequestions.
Street,
SuiteC, Blocksburg,VA,24060.
your
poster!
Anticipoted
Thesoonerwe get helpon this,thesooneryou'llsee
cooperotion.
your
slides
now!
1
9
9
4
"
S
end
i
s
d o i e 3 0 Ju n e ,
c o m p l e t i on
Ior
Progrommer"
odoptedthe newtiileof "Noturolisi/Adventure
VHSM;-be'; MichoelHoyslettrecently
Michoel'sroleisto promotepublic
of Porksond Recreotion.
Deportmeni
theCityof Lynchburg's
in ihe oreosof NoturolHisiory,Environmentol
octivities
progromming
ond educotionol/recreotionol
Good luckwithyournewiob,Mike!Congrotulotions!
Educotion
ond OutdoorHighAdventure.
TurtleLovers!Thefirstissueof o newtudleond tortoisescieniificiournolentitled,Che/onianConservofion
and Biology, Journal of the IUCN/SSC Tortoiseand FreshwaterTufileSpecialistGroup ond
wospublishedin November,1993.Theeditoriolstoff
Bullefinof ChelonianResearch,
lnfernationo/
ond
herpeiologists
suchosJ.W.Gibbons,M.\V.Klemens,
includehighlyrespected
of thispublicotion
plonned
rotesorefor o fullvolume of 4 issues,
with2 issues
Subscription
G.R.Zug(o VHSmemberl).
peryeor:$25 individuols
Mokechecksor moeyordersto AndersG.J.
ond $50 for institutions.
Lunenbur M
g,A 0l 462,U 1A.
F o u n dotion
R h o d i nC, h e l o n i o R
n e se o rch
,168 Goodr ichStr eet,
VA HERPETOLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEWSLETTER
7
H ER PS
The Red Rat Snake.
commonly known as the "Corn
Snake" is one of the most beautiful
snakesfound in Virginia. It is also
the most common of the Rat Snake
family to be kept as a pet. Their
nafural range is from southernNew
Jerseyto the Florida Keys and west
to Louisiana. Habitat preferences
include pine forests and open brush
areas. Often found in farming
areas,this animal is a welcome
visitor to barns and grain storage
buildings. The diet is primarily
rodents,but as a arboreal animal
they will include birds and their
eggsin the diet occasionally.
Thereis a lot of color
variations throughout their range.
Those located in Virginia will
usually have a gray or silver
background,with brick-red
markings down the back and sides,
borderedwith black. It is
sometimesmistaken for the Eastern
Milk Snake,Lampropeltis t.
triangulum by those unfamiliar
with local snakes.Unfortunately,
they are also mistaken by the
uneducatedfor Copperheads,
Agkistrodon contortrix, and killed.
The belly pattern is a give away to
their identity. It is checkeredwith
black markings on white. Some
other colors may blend into this
theme.
The record length for the
corn snakeis 72 inches, but it
averages30-48 inches. This snake
specieshave been successfully
maintained in captivity many years.
Longevity has beennoted at20-25
in Hand
years.
Although com snakescan
be found in a variety of color, most
color morphs seentoday are a
reported
in
Vol.
As
13,No. 2 of
product of selective captive
CATESBEIANA,a Captive Breeders breeding. Bright red to true albinos
now are being produced. The soCommittee has been established,
called "albino" is actually an
with past-newsleftereditor Doug
amelanistic snake,meaning that it
Egglestonas its Chair. Currently
lacks the melanin, or dark skin
Doug lS the committee, and is
pigmentation. The true albino or
seekinghelp with this newly
"snow corn" is white with pink
The
intent
this
establishedentity.
of
eyes and little or no markings
visible.
The anerythristic
commiftee is to help bridge some
gaps that have been evident between specimensare lacking the red
pigment and are primarily gray.
hobbyistsand professionalbiologists
However, striped, zigzag, and
within the Society. fu suggestedby
motley mutations are available.
PresidentRon Southwick,the
Corn snakeswill breed in
committee will be utilizingthe
the last spring through early
News letterto transfer information
surlmer. The female will usually
clutch between T2020eggs. The
about captivecare, breeding,and
incubation period averages65 days
other helpfultips concerning
at 85 degreesFahrenheit. In
herpetoculture. This column, Herps
captivity, these snakesmust be
in Hand, now will be a regularfeature
"seasoned"for breedingsuccess.
of the VHS newsletter,and today's
Normally only one clutch of eggsis
article on the corn snakeis the first of layed per female per year. A very
many to come. Members can look
healthy pair may be doubleclutched with proper seasoning,but
forward to Doug's forthcoming
articleson the e?rsternking and mole this breeding technique is
recofilmendedonly with a very
kingsnakes,
the other two native
large female in good physical
specieswhich can be legally
health.
propagated and sold (with proper
Maintaining a corn snake
permits). Personsinterestedin
can be as simple as housing them in
joiningthe Captive Breeder's
a container the size of a ten gallon
aquarium, with adequateventilation
Committee shouldcontact Doug at
and heat. A water container and
8041376-5229,P.O. Box 727,
hide-box shouldbe provided.
Brookneal,Virginia,24528.
Somepeople prefer to offer more
spaceand add such cage
I
V A H E R P E T OL OGICAL
SOCIETYNEW SLETTER
accessories
as branches,rock and
live plants. One must keep
sanitation and maintenancein mind
when designing a cage. A suitable
substratewill be required and here
there are choices as well.
Newspapers,astro-turf, pine or
aspenshavingsare all good
selections.The use of stones,
gravel and soils are not
recommendedfor substratesdue to
the high maintenanceinvolved.
The preferred temperaturerange is
between 78-90 degreesFahrenheit.
Try to set up the cage to offer a
wann area (and preferable an
addition, even warner area) for
their comfort. Be sure to include
an escape-prooflidon your cage!
When the snakeis introduced to
this new home, it will invariably
inspect the entire cage and seeka
way to escape. Once they have
settledinto their captive life, they
will generally accept the enclosure
as their new home.
There is a lot of new
information in print on the care of
rat snakes. There are even books
available about the corn snakeand
its care and breeding. Take the
time to explore this literature and
utilize the tips offered by the
writers, usually keepersor handlers
themselves. Researchingthe
animal and its proper care and
feeding should be first step when
consideringkeeping any animal in
captivity. The more you know, the
better successyou will have with
your animal and the longer it will
live.
Continued Page 1I
Literature
Review
The purpose of this column is to inform members of recent herpetological
researchwhich is pertinent to Virginia or of special interest to the Society's
membership. Papersor notesfrom professionaljoumals, new books, "grey
literature" reports,and popular magazine articles are acceptablefor inclusion in
the column. Members are encourugedto sendrecently published items of interest
to the editor. Submlssionswill be acceptedsubject to the approval of the editor.
Brisbin,I.L.Jr.,and C. Bagshaw.
1993.Survival,weightchanges,
and shedding
frequenciesof captivescarletsnakes,Cemophoracoccinea,maintainedon
an artificalliquiddiet.Herpetol.Rev.24(I):27-29.
Britson,C.A.andW.H.N.Gutzke.1993.Antipredatormechanisms
of hatchling
freshwaterturtles.CopeiaL993(2):85-aa0.
Bruce,R.C.1993.Sexualsizedimorphismis desmognathine
salamanders.
Copeia1993(2)
:313-318.
flle
beyondboundarie-s:
Bnrenderman. andK. Tenvilliger.7994",Swimming
-S.
uncertainfuture of Virginia'smarinemammals and seaturtles.Virginia
Wldlife 556\:12-27.
Conant,R. 1993.Theoldestsnake.Bull. Herp.Soc.28(4):77-78.
Lazell,J.D.1993.Life historynotes:Heterodonplatirhinos(EastemHognose
Snake)melanismheredity.Herpetol.Rev.24(1):35.
Wldl. N. Carolina57(5):8-12.
Lee,D. 1993.Alligators.
Martin,W.H. 1993.Reproductionof the timber rattlesnake(Crotalushonidus)
in theAppalachian
Mountains.J. Herpetol.27(2):133- I43.
Mitchell,J.C.and R. Southwick 1993.Noteson the spiny sofuhell,Apalone
spinifera(Testudines:
Trionychidae),in southeastemVirginia.Brimleyana
18:99-102.
andB.H.Brattstrom.
Strong,D., B.Leatherman
1993.Two simplemethodsfor
catchingsmallfastlizards.Herpetol.Rev.24(I):22-23.
Weldon,P.J.,B.J.Demeter,andR.Rosscoe.
1993.A surruey
of shedskin-eating
(dermatophagy)
in amphibians
andreptiles.J. Herpetol.27(2\:219-228.
Compilers:J.C.Beane,AL. Braswell(source:July 1993NC Herp.Soc.Newsletter),SueBruenderman
VA HERPETOLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEWSLETTER
9
in State laws
t p_hdnges
selectednative species,or any
ilidri"ti""r pertaining
to native other person or facility wanting to
and naturalized speciesmake it
deal with any of the specieslisted
necessaryto obtain a permit for
in the permit packet. Note: This
certain activities dealing with
permit is not required by those
native species.Theseactivities
holding and selling exotic (noninclude: 1) the collection of
native) animals.
snappingturtles, crayfish or
hellgrammites for commercial
Individuals or businesses
pu{poses;2) holding to sell
who want to raise and sell certain
minnows and chubs, catfish,
native fish, captive bred snakesand
snappingturtles, certain captivefrogs, crayfish, and hellgrammites
bred snakesand frogs, crayfish and must have a "Propagate and Sell"
hellgrammites; and 3) propagation permit. This permit will allow for
to sell certain fish, snakes,frogs,
the propagationof game fish for
crayfish, and hellgrammites.
stocking pu{poses,trout and catfish
Permit packets for each activity
for food pu{poses,minnows and
can be obtainedby contacting the
chubs, crayfish, hellgrammites,and
Deparrment'sPermits Section in
selectedfrogs and snakes. More
the Richmond Office or at any of
specific information is included in
the Department'sfield offrces.
the permit packet.
Permitswill be issuedat no charge
until June30.1994.
BeginningJuly 1, 1994
there will be a chargefor permits
Anyone who collects
issued. The feeswill be set by the
snappingturtles, crayfish or
Board of the Departmentof Game
hellgrammites for the purpose of
and Inland Fisheries. Permits shall
resalemust now obtain a "Collect
be issuedon a fiscal vearbasis
and Sell" permit. The permit will
(July1- J u n e 3 0 ).
allow collectorsto sell their catch
to individuals and to properly
While thesenew
permitted bait dealersand
requirementsmay appearto place
processors.Additional
some additional paperwork on the
information is included in the
affected individuals or businesses,
permit packet.
the increasedcommercializationof
wildlife and tremendouspotential
A "Hold and Sell"
for contaminationof native gene
permit will be required by anyone
pools leave the Departmentwith
who deals in the sale of certain
few options with regard to these
native species.Thesewould
issues.
include establishmentswhich sell
bait, pet storeswanting to sell the
P E RM IT S
]t0lY
BEl|UIRED
BYTHB
DBPARTMBNT
OFGAMB
ANDINTAND
FISHERIES
FOR
CBRTAIN
ACTIYITIBS
DBATING
WITH
ANI)
NATIYE
NATURATIZBD
SPBCIES
O,uestionsconcerningthese
permits can be directed to
DGIF FisheriesSupervisor,
Ron Southwick (703-95179231or DGIFAssistant
Chief of Fisheries,Fred Leckie
(804-367-1000).
10
SOCIETYNEW SLETTER
V A H E R P E T OL OGICAL
t, t, T.t I = T I
J
l)
of advertisements
limitedcategories
TheBulletinBoardaccepts
(products
only).Theseadsarefreeto VHS
andservices
subjectto the approvalof the
andwill be accepted
members,
not
BulletinBoardads
are
accepted.
for
live
animals
Ads
editor.
Editor,2206
shouldbe submitteddirectlyto the VHSNewsletter
Virginia24060.
S.MainStreet,SuiteC, Blacksburg,
WANTED: Personor persons
having experiencewith snakes
wanting to eam extra rnoney.
Must have own transportation,
flexible hours, and knowledge
of local snakesand state laws
pertaining to their protection.
Call Michael Weeks (804) 4279864.
SNAKE! is a stand-alone
computerizeddirectory of
breeders,importers and other
dealersof reptiles, amphibians
and other exotics. Names can be
instantly scrolled on the screen
by name, city, state,zip,
product, phone and./orFAX.
Cost: $79.00(8/92). For the
captive breederwho needsto
sell surplus stock, as well as the
large wholesaler who needsto
keep in touch with dealers.
SandyHook Scientific, Inc. 51
Main Street,P.O. Box 432,
MA,01931,
Gloucester,
( s 0 8 ) 2 8 1 - 8 011.
PUBLICATION: 1993-94
Directory: A Guide to North
American Herpetolog.v.A
comprehensivelisting of pet shops,
manufacturers,government
agencies,private breeders,
veterinarians,national distributors,
and other providers of herp-related
servicesand products.120pp.
$15.00.Call or write: Reptile &
Amphibian Magazine, RD 3, Box
3709-A,Pottsville,PA 17901,
(7r7)622-60s0.
T-SHIRT: "Preservingthe
Diversity". Abstractdesign
speciesunder
featuresendangered
coastal,piedmont,andmoutain
headings.$12.00plus$2.50
shippingandhandling. Available
in sizesmed.,large,andx-large
from: Virginia Departmentof
P.O.
GameandInlandFisheries,
Box 11104,Richmond,Virginia
23230-1104.(Attn: Toni
Harrison)
M ar k R. Finkler ,D.V.M .
loaxore Axmal Hospral
2814 FranklinRd, S.W.
Roanoke,Va. 24014
(703) 343-8021
VA HERPETOLOGICAL
SOCIETYNEWSLETTER
N EW S R E L E A S E
Carnival SnakehandlerArrested,Convicted
for PoachingRareRattlesnakes,Concluding
lO-YearProbe.
By U.S . Fi s hand W i l dl i feS e r v ic e .
Contact:DianaWeaver(413) 253-8329
( Exce r ptsfrom May 1993N e wsRe le a s e ) .
A carnival snakehandlerwhose aggressiveand persistent
poaching activities severely diminished the population of Easterntimber
rafflesnakeswas sentencedon April 23 to four months in federalprison.
His arrestby U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicespecialagentsconcludesa
decade-longinvestigation.
According to Sam LiBrandi, the Service's speciaiagentin
Lawrence,N.Y., Rudy Komarek, 64, of Little Ferry, N.J., known in the
reptile world as "The Cobra King", was arrestedNov. 5 for interstate
trafficking in snakes,a violation of New York statelaw, after he sold
Easterntimber rattlers in New York. He was convicted and sentencedin
U.S. District Court in Ft. Meyers, Florida. Komarek worked at carnivals
in New York, New Jerseyand Connecticut,exhibiting Egyptian cobras
and thrilling audienceswith his seemingly hypnotic powers over the
deadly snakes,LiBrandi said. Serivce agentsbelieve Komarek poached
and sold thousandsof Easterntimber rattlers, a threatenedspeciesin
New York and New Jersey.He askeda relatively low price for the
reptiles - $20 to $30 each - but enhancedhis profitability by trading in
huge quantities.
Populations of the Easterntimber rattlesnakehave diminished
sharply in recent years due to loss of habitat and increasedpoaching. The
snakesare sought by collectors eagerto own a rare)poisonousreptile or
by people who use the snake's venom to produce a snakebiteantidote
serum,LiBrandi explained.
"The arrest and conviction of major poacherranks as a victory
in safeguardingthreatenedor endangeredspecies",saidthe Service's
NortheastRegional Director Ronald E. Lambertson."This casetestifies
the importance of law enforcementto our mission of protecting
wildlife".
11
Box Turtles
Continuedfrom
Page 4
inaccurateinformation on basic
care and managementin captivity.
Tortoisesin generaldid not
do well in captivity and neither do
box turtles. Consequently,for
conservationand welfare reasons
alone, the trade in them should not
be encouraged.
Herps in Hand
Continuedfrom Page I
With the new statelaw that
enablesVirginia herpetoculturists
to captively propagatethis species,
one should be able to find a nice
specimenin a local pet shop or
thror:gh a breeder. The corn snake
is a great first snakeand makes an
easy-to-keepand handle specimen.
wHbeobE
NEW IAE-EABEE}S
Michael Weeks
Christopher Harr
Mike Jennings
Jim Scranton
Mark Ferguson
GeraldMiller
Kay M. Briggs
Doug Harpole
Chad Hooper
Sam Spies
Erik Svendsen
Pat Lookabaugh
G. Carleton Ray
Mary J. Rybitski
Jill Wicknick
Carl Anthony