The Monitor

September, 2007

From the Editor's Desk

Newsletter Material

This is YOUR club. The more you give into it, the more you will get out of it. Your opinions, suggesions and submissions are welcome. You may submit articles by email before the 10th of the month to luvcatz5@aol.com

Byron Kindig is in charge of the e-mail list. If you are not on it and want to be, contact byron@paraisoenterprises.com

President: Logan Randolph
Vice-President: Michele Patton
Secretary: Carrie Gardner Treasurer: Doreen E. Saccardo
Chairman of the Board: John Soto
Editor: Carrie Gardner
Co-Editor: Doreen Saccardo
Field Trip Chair: Doreen Saccardo
Webmaster: Carrie Gardner
Administrative Assistant Alexander Peters

NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Bill Murray
7:00 p.m. Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Clearwater, FL 727-462-6024
~~~~~~~~DON'T MISS IT~~~~~~~~

Alton of Smelt Feed and Pet Supply is donating a #15.00 gift certificate every month for our raffle. His store is located at 4116 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605, 813-248-2359

If you would like to receive the League of Florida Herpetological Societies newsletter, it is now online. You can contact Victor at . Make sure he has your correct email address and don't forget to mention that you are affiliated with the Suncoast Herp Society.

Web Page info: Calendar page is updated all the time as is Adoptions and Advertisements.

If you would like to receive updates on the website via email, please scroll down to the bottom of the home page and join Yahoo! Groups. Choose to receive email or daily digest. I send out an email to the list every time a change is made.

If you have photos you would like added to the "Club Photos" page, please email Carrie to have them added.

Carrie's Notes

IMPORTANT INFO ALERT!! If you go to the Adoptions/Advertisements page on our website, you will find info on a place that takes in unwanted large reptiles (iguanas, tortoises, etc.). They are located in Nebraska, but assured us that they have the proper facilities and permits. They will even help with shipping costs. If you know of anyone who needs to find a home for a big reptile, please give them our website information.

Hidey Ho fellow herpers! Please see my "Speaker Recap" for my notes! And yes, I've been watching a lot of "Home Improvement!"

The Reptile Shack - I discovered a wonderful reptile store on Hwy. 92 East in Lakeland. They have everything you can imagine...water monitors, gila monsters, and they even had a western diamondback and an eastern diamondback! If you're interested in checking the place out, it's The Reptile Shack, 3632 US Hwy. 92 E, Lakeland, FL 33801. Their phone number is 863-606-0223, and their hours are Tues-Sat: 11-6; Sunday 12-5. They also take in unwanted reptiles.

Doreen's Column

Hi there~~~

*****Last month we had our annual scavenger hunt. It was a GREAT evening, a little bit cooler than it had been lately due to a recent rain. I was getting nervous when thunderstorms were hitting the Clearwater area around 4:30 P.M., but God is so good that after a few prayers it cleared up and turned out to be an awesome evening without any annoying bugs. We had four groups go out on the trails of Moccasin Lake in search of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, arachnids, and insects. Our group lost to the Burchills by 18 points. I should have asked Alice to take a head count, cause while three groups returned around 8:15, John Sheridan and Jose Sanjuro's group actually followed instructions and returned at 8:30. By them we had already had the raffle and almost packed up to head to the restaurant. I am sorry guys. Anyway the whole Burchill family received a club t-shirt and everyone who went on the hunt was offered a free dinner at Applebees. I really enjoy walking the trails and taking time out to notice nature. I hope everyone else had a great time as well.

*****The computer and LCD monitor has been purchased and is now available for our guest speakers to use. This is a very helpful tool for a power point presentation. We were one of the user groups at Moccasin Lake who donated $250 toward this purchase. This makes this piece of equipment available when we have our meetings.

*****I am still requesting prayer for my sister while she battles cancer that has now spread to her lung. She is trying a new chemo cocktail which has been putting her body through torture causing her aches and pains in her back. Thank you to everyone who showed their care and concern. Please continue to keep her in prayer.

*****Our own Bill Murray will be speaking on September 19, 2007 on a variety of animals to include snakes and tortoises.

*****August was our election month. Only seven people voted, but the Vice-President position was the only one that had two candidates. So the board is as follows. President-Logan Randolph, Vice President-Michele Patton, Secretary-Carrie Gardner and Treasurer-Doreen E. Saccardo

*****If anyone is interested in doing anything for the club, you do not have to be an elected official to help out. If you feel like doing something, but not sure what you can do, or what is needed, please see me. A couple of areas I could use help in is getting guest speakers and the monthly reminder calls. Let's talk after the meeting.

*****Thanks to Donnetta Hester who agreed to make the monthly calls. So you will be hearing from her this month. This really helps me a lot. Thanks again.

*****We also had a request from Xan Peters asking if there was an age requirement for running for office. The age limit is 18, but because we hate to discourage enthusiasm, we decided that Xan can be an Administrative Assistant. Some duties Xan will be asked to perform will be a greeter at the meetings and finding out how the visitors heard of us. This includes handing out blank sign up sheets to new visitors so we can get their names and addresses. Also, to set up the projector for the guest speaker, and to sell raffle tickets after the program. I spoke with Xan and he said he would be more than happy to perform these duties. He is excited to help out and I think this will be great experience for him.

*****The Florida League of Herp. Societies newsletter will be electronically generated and on the website from now on. I miss the newsletter in print. I still have not seen the newsletter on the computer. Every time I search, the site says, "still under construction." Vic is requesting articles, and photos to be submitted. His email address is victorb@viperfx.com. Make sure that he has your correct email address and don't forget to mentiont hat your affliated with the Suncoast Herp. Society.

*****Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center (Ruskin, Florida) will be offering three workshops on the ecology and conservation of Florida's rich turtle diversity. Join turtle researcher and conservationist, George L. Heinrich while exploring Florida's natural areas in search of imperiled species. Attend one or more workshops that include a Saturday morning classroom session at Camp Bayou and a Sunday field trip to a select off-site turtle habitat. These workshops are designed to be both educational and fun.

September 15-16, 2007 Diamondback Terrapins: Living on the Edge (includes field trip: canoeing at Cockroach Bay, southern Hillsborough County).

September 29-30, 2007 Florida's Riverine Turtles: Identification, Natural History and Conservation (includes field trip: canoeing and snorkeling on Rainbow Run, Dunnellon).

For more information contact George L. Heinrich, Heinrich Ecological Services, 1213 Alhambra Way S., St. Petersburg, FL 33705-4620 phone: 727-865-6255; e-mail: george@heinrichecologicalservices.com; website: .

*****On Sunday, September 23, 2007 from 2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. George Heinrich will lead an ecological workshop with reptiles and amphibians. Discover fascinating details about the diversity, ecology and conservation of Florida's snakes. Our area is home to many of the incredible creatures. This is a live reptile presentation where participants will have the opportunity to learn all the things they could ever wonder about Florida's snakes. Pre-registration is required, but there is no fee for this program and will be at Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Nature History Center in St. Petersburg. This is recommended for ALL ages. For more information call George at 727-453-6500.

*****The next Tampa show will be on September 29 & 30, 2007. I spoke with Alex and he needs about 3-6 volunteers throughout the show. Friday, September 28 from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. are vendors set up. This is where Alex will need volunteers to help the vendors move in. The more volunteers, the quicker the move-in processes. This is also a great opportunity to see what stuff comes in and possibly shmooze the vendors if you see something you like. The show hours are Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 P.M. to 5:00PM and Sunday, September 30 from 10:00 to 5:00PM. Volunteers and vendors get in at 7:00 A.M. on Saturday and 8:00 A.M. on Sunday. Some duties include being a guard at the exit doors, relieving a vendor if someone is by themselves and they need a potty break or a food run. If we show Alex we are willing to help, he will be generous in his donations to us whether it includes cash or items for our auction in February. We will also need volunteers at the club table. We will be selling magazines and "snake bags." I will be working at the information table and running around. I know John Soto plans to be there all weekend, and it would be nice for him to get a break. This is a GREAT weekend, you get to park for free and free admission if you volunteer. This will be our last meeting before the show, so I will have a sign up sheet for anyone interested. Plan on attending. You won't regret it.

*****The International Reptile Expo was held in August. I did not attend, but John Soto and his wife Sandi did. I am sure he will be glad to talk about it at the meeting.

*****Sunday, October 7, 2007 9:00 A.M. George Heinrich will lead a Gopher Tortoise Interpretive Hike through the Boyd Hill Nature Park Preserve's uplands. This will be a leisurely two-hour hike and will begin at the Environmental Education Center. This is free and family oriented. It is limited to twenty so please call to register 727-893-7326.

*****I received a request from George that he is looking for a captive bred yellow rat snake for use with educational programs. Preferably the snake should be 1-2 years old. He was wondering if anyone out there can donate this animal. If you can, please call George at 72865-6255 or email him at .

*****I know this is far in advance, but the 31st annual All Florida Herpetological Event will be held in Gainesville on March 29 & 30, 2008. I will post more information as we get closer to that date.

October 17 ~~ Michele Patton (our new Vice-President)
October 30 ~~ Wayne Hill

Happy Birthday to you!

*****If you would like to be on the birthday list, let me know when your birthday is.

*****Thank you all who do their part for this club. That is what makes our society the GREATEST in the league.

*****Have a herpy day!!! Doreen.

"Dear John..."

Last month's question comes from Carrie Gardner:

HELP! My snake isn't eating and hasn't in few months. What do I do??

We got two responses. One from Buzz:

Okay if your snake won't eat . . . what kind of snake??? Is the snake dehydrated? Is the snake enclosure too cold? These are my first two responses. Then check for illness, mites etc. And maybe your snake isn't hungry for what your feeding it. If it is a large snake try a smaller food item. If the snake is about to lay eggs it wont eat until after it does so . . . Buzz

And our second response came from Logan Randolph:

My first comment would be – don't worry just yet, but that would only be true if it appears that your snake is properly hydrated. Does your snake fill out its skin, or does the skin seem to easily pull away from the flesh? Is there any evidence of mouth rot or parasites? If things have reached that point, you have issues that need immediate attention.

1. It isn't uncommon for some species of snakes or individual snakes to go without eating for a while. For a healthy snake with good body reserves, that isn't much of a problem. The reasons behind it could be a lot of things – a change in temperature, a change in humidity, a change in day length, a new location – basically, any of these can cause a snake to stop eating. Likewise, playing around with these parameters can often get a snake to start eating again. Increasing temperature and humidity will often do the trick. Trying a new food item may also help.

If your snake still doesn't eat and is starting to lose weight after changing these various parameters, it is time to see a vet. There may be internal issues which are affecting appetite.

Logan

We are going to try a new column, and I will explain more in my column.

General Stuff By Carrie

First off, I want to tell everyone to check out the Calendar and Adoptions and Advertisements pages on the website.

We have a 50-pound sulcata for sale, nine prehensile-tail skinks with their cages for FREE. I am so tempted, but we really don't have the room. Also free are three iguanas. A mated pair and a male.

There are also a couple of reptile cages for sale. One by former speaker Todd Gearheart.

On our calendar page are more programs from George Heinrich. Including one that will be on the Boyd Hill Natural Park page (link at the bottom of events).

I've gotten a couple of emails of interest. One was from Steven Graber, a Park Naturalist with Sawgrass Lake Park. They are having problems with red-ear sliders being released into the park. And they currently have six on display.

They are looking for a humane way to get these non-native turtles out of the park.

If you have any information or can help Steven Gaber, please contact him at 727-217-7256 or by email him at sgaber@co.pinellas.fl.us. Any help would be appreciated!

Keep in mind that this will be more of a problem in the future because Florida has prohibited the sale of red-ear sliders in the state. From what I understand, if you already own one, you can still keep it.

My second interesting email comes from Stephen Ritchie, a Virginia Tech student doing some summer bog frog work in Okaloosa County. (Try saying "Summer bog frog" real fast ten times!)

He's come across some Mediterranean geckos (Heridactylus turcisus) and has researched and has found nothing on them ranging in Florida yet.

He was wondering if they have been put on record and if not, how he would go about reporting that they do live here.

You can contact him at ritchie@vt.edu.

Now on to our new column idea. "Dear John" hasn't really worked. I've either had to ask for questions or come up with them myself, and then emailed everybody I know for answers.

Michele, our new Vice-President, and a very close friend of mine from up north, wanted to have a column or help somehow with the newsletter.

So we talked and decided that there would be a topic picked, and she would research it out (she's good at that!) and write a column about the topic.

If anyone has an idea about a topic they would like to see, please email me at luvcatz5@aol.com.

This way we can educate people on reptiles and amphibians and their husbundry and have it be consistent.

John had come up with a great idea but without participation by our members it couldn't have worked.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Burchill family on winning the Scavenger Hunt! Michele and I were with John, and I forgot how many points we had, but the most interesting animal we saw was a large male racoon. We tried to get John to list mosquitos as an insect but he thought that was too obvious! We saw lots of cool spiders though. One was even red and white. It was fun to tramp through the trails . . . but those bridges were slippery little suckers! I'm glad no one got hurt on those.

Ciao!

Carrie

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