The Monitor

March, 2008

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

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, March 19, 2008
BILL SCHMIEDECKE ON COLUBRIDS
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!

Well, the first show of the year is over, and we did pretty darn good, considering we had albino alligators across the aisle from us! Special thanks to Bill for the peppy little red foot tortoise baby he donated to the club!

However, I DID A BIG BOO-BOO! I bought 1,000 super worms. Way too many for me to handle. So I have them in large gladware containers...200-300+ per container. I'm selling 5 of them for $5.00 each. Please let me know if you are interested...my email is luvcatz5@aol.com or you can call me at 352-344-8294. I will bring the nasty little suckers to the meeting as well.

Please see the Calendar for information on the Repticon Show April 19-20, 2008 at the Manatee Civic Center. Suncoast Herpetological Society will have a table there!

REPTILES OF SPECIAL CONCERN: I called FWC about the reptiles of special concern...there are 6 animals: reticulated python, Burmese python, African rock python, amethystine python, green (not yellow) anaconda, and the Nile monitor. As of January 1, 2008, you must have a permit to own the above mentioned animals. The permits are combined with the Venomous animal application on FWC. The cost is $100.00, and this is whether you have one or 100. Dealers MUST see the permit before selling an animal to a person, and the Dealer is responsible for keeping records of who they sold what too (in other words, you should have documentation of the name, address, permit #, etc. and what animal you sold too). Also in effect Jan 1. is microchipping reptile of special concern that is over two and a half inches in diameter. That will be enforced on July 1, 2009 more strictly.

RED-EARED SLIDERS: As of right now, there is no rescue for red-eared sliders. However, I spoke to Jenny Novak from FWC and they are working on an adoption network for hopefully the beginning of next year. As of right now, they only option available for unwanted turtles is euthanizing.

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 auction and fundraiser and thanks to Aminah Grefer, we had a lot of stuff that sold really cheap. We had so many things left over, we brought them to the Tampa reptile mania show and did very well there. I will report the figures at the next meeting. We still have a lot of stuff left over. Bill and Shirley from Repticon offered us a free table at their show at the Manatee Civic Center on April 19 & 20. John and I plan to attend that show to sell our wares.

*****I want to thank Carrie Gardner and Michele Patton for being at the Tampa show all weekend. They priced everything and put on a nice display. Also, we had Buzz Burchill, Frank Matzelle, Faith Matzelle, Aaron Matzelle, Ashley Dewitt, and Cayle Pearson also volunteer. Thanks for all your help. P.S. Our sign looked GREAT, thanks to John Soto who made the frame and thanks again to Alex Russell who designed and printed the sign free of charge.

*****Well, I have secured guest speakers for March, April and May. Bill Schmiedecke will be our speaker for March 19, 2008 speaking on colubrids. He is very excited about talking and especially excited about the dinner afterwards at Applebees. Rick Richardson will be speaking in April and Dan Costello of Busch Gardens will be speaking in May. Don't miss these events. We also have some field trips in the works. Maybe a boat ride to Egmont Key at a discount price. Buzz is trying to work things out.

*****Continued thanks to Donnetta Hester who agreed to make the monthly calls. This really helps me a lot. Thanks again.

*****I checked the Florida League of Herp Societies, and still the same info. Luckily, our info is up there nice and clear and CORRECT. That's all we can expect at this point. I wrote to Victor asking about it and I will let you know.

*****We have been invited to participate in the 2008 Year of the Frog by hosting a Frog Watch USA training event. This event allows frog enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to go out and gather information about frog and toad populations. This programs has volunteers from around the country to go out and listen for 3 minutes after sunset for frog and toad calls, identify and report the data to a website. Volunteers cam go out and listen at their convenience for as many times as they are able. The most successful and accurate Frog Watchers are those that had a formal Frog Watch USA training led by an educator and herpetologist. If we agree to host a Frog Watch training, we will be sent a training packet, with helpful info including powerpoint slides, flyers, sample schedules, etc. There is also an activity guide and toad related activities for children. Their National Wildlife Federation is also launching a yearly frog watching snapshot day on the first Saturday in May, the 3rd. This day will be devoted to listening to frogs and toads and trying to get as many people out frog watching on one day as possible. I will get more information on this program, and if we decide to get involved, we have to sign a Frog Watch USA workshop Facilitator Commitment form (the commitment part makes me nervous, but maybe I will have John sign the form). I am still waiting to hear from these people about a guest speaker. I will report when I know anything further.

*****31st annual All Florida Herpetological Event will be held in Gainesville on March 29 & 30, 2008. I checked their website and they have an impressive list of guest speakers. I have attended this event in the past and it was always fun and educational.

*****I just want to add continuing thanks to Carrie for keeping up with the website, I know that takes a lot of work with many frustrations. But she does an excellent job and it shows. Thanks Carrie.

March 5 ~~ Carrie Gardner
March 6 ~~ Charles Batdorf
March 9 ~~ Jamie Burchill
April 25 ~~ Tom Reed

Happy Birthday to you!

*****I know we have new people attending our meetings, but I have not received any new birthdays. You can drop me an email at iguanadoreen@hotmail.com so I can add it to the list.

*****Have a herpy day!! Doreen~~

Speaker Sound-Off By Carrie

Since last month was the auction, I found a very special opportunity to write about something that is rocking the reptile industry.

As many of you already know, on January 31, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a NOI (Notice of Inquiry) regarding information "Concerning Constrictor Snakes From Python, Boa and Eunectes Genera." It is interesting to note that this is possibly being done because the South Florida Water Management District requested that Burmese pythons be placed on the Injurious Species List due to confirmed breeding in several areas of South Florida.

They are reviewing available biological and economic information for possible addition to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. At this time it is just a "Notice of Inquiry" but if this becomes law, importation of specific or all pythons, boas or anacondas would be banned. The most harmful part of the law would also ban the ability to take or sell these animals across State lines. This would cripple the reptile industry as many people' sole income is from breeding. Again, if the law is passed, they could ban certain species or all python, boa and anaconda species across the board.

USFWS are asking for answers to the following ten questions for the Notice of Inquiry: (1) What regulations does your State have pertaining to the use, transport, or production of Python, Boa & Eunectes genera? (2) How many species in the Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera are currently in production for wholesale or retail sale, and in how many and which States? (3) How many businesses sell Python, Boa, and Eunectes species? (4) How many businesses breed Python, Boa, and Eunectes species? (5) What are the annual sales for Python, Boas, and Eunectes species? (6) Please provide the number of Python, Boas, and Eunectes species, if any, permitted within each State. (7) What would it cost to eradicate Python, Boas, and Eunectes individuals or populations, or similar species, if found? (8) What are the costs of implementing propagation, recovery, and restoration programs for native species that are affected by Python, Boas, and Eunectes species, or similar snake species? (9) What State-Listed species would be impacted by the introduction of Python, Boas, or Eunectes species? (10) What species have been impacted, and how, by Python, Boas, and Eunectes species?

Obviously we can't answer all the questions above, but I'm willing to bet that individual State Fish and Wildlife agencies WILL answer them. It is important to respond as much as we can, and answer as much as we can. Even protests are important. Every letter sent or comment made counts and is very important.

Replies must be in by April 30, 2008, and there are several ways you can respond. You can post a comment at www.regulations.com and follow the instructions. In the comments or submissions box, type in keyword "injurious wildlife." That should take you to the comments page. Please keep in mind that all information, including name and address will appear on their comment board, so be careful of any sensitive information you may post. You can comment anonymously through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) at www.pijac.org or you can reply by mail to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: RIN 1018-AV68, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203. They will not accept email or faxes. For further information, please contact Erin Williams, Branch of Invasive Species at 703-358-2034 or email at erin_williams@fws.gov. (Since it's underlined, and you can't see...it is erin_williams).

To add further insult to injury, USFWS has to consider a "study" done by Dr. Gordon Rodda, zoologist and Lead Project Researcher done by the U.S. Geological Survey. This study states that Burmese pythons could find comfortable climate conditions in roughly one-third of the United States, and that in a 100 years, that could increase to two-thirds. Unfortunately for us, this story was all over the Internet and newspapers across the country, giving people who are afraid or aren't familiar (should I dare say ignorant?) with reptiles ammunition to push through laws affecting the reptile industry. I really don't think it was a coincidence that this study was published (and isn't due to be completed until next year) right after the Notice of Inquiry was announced. So if anybody has personal experience on how pythons, boas, and anacondas react to cold weather conditions, please include this information in your response.

Besides responding to the USFWS, we, as a Herpetological Society need to start educating the public about snakes and other reptiles. We need to emphasize responsible pet ownership (regardless of the animal) and give alternatives to people who need to find homes for their reptiles. We also need to educate the public on reptiles, and that most people who own them ARE responsible pet owners. So it's time to put our heads together, as a Society . . . and the OLDEST Herpetological Society in Florida, and come up with some ideas to educate people with.

LINKS TO CHECK OUT ON THE INTERNET . . .

www.kingsnake.com - click on herp laws to get the latest information.

http://forums/kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1474808,1474808 PIJAC Pet Alert

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?id=1875&from=rss_home - U.S. Geological Survey study with maps.

http://www.kingsnake.com/articles/PanelTranscripts08.html - Panel Discussion Transcripts With Prominent Members of the Reptile Community, PIJAC, and Erin Williams from USFWS.

http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-news/conservation-and-legal/pijac-constrictor-regulations-aspx - Article on www.reptilechannel.com, which is a site run by Reptiles Magazine.

Michele's Musings

While researching different snake species, I came across this interesting snake that has a unique way of traveling. The Flying Tree Snake, the name alone caught my attention. These snakes do not have the ability to fly like a bird, but their mode of transportation is different from any other snake species.

Flying Tree Snakes - (Chrysopelea)

Chrysopelea is more commonly called the Flying Tree Snake. This is a genus that belongs to the Colubridae family. Their range of habitat is mostly concentrated in Southeast Asia, the Melanesian Islands, and India. There are five recognized species under the genus Chrysopelea.

Golden Tree Snake or Ornate Flying Snake – This is the largest of the flying snakes, reaching up to 4 feet long. There are other color variations, some are more lime green than pure yellow. In India, their colors are orange to red markings and small black bars on the dorsum. Due to their size, their gliding ability is considered weak.

Paradise Tree Snake – This species can reach up to three feet long and is popular in the European pet trade. Their body is black, covered in rich green scales. The most well-known of colors for this snake is; clusters of red, orange and yellow-colored scales in the shape of flower petals that line the dorsal area from the base of the neck, to the tail. They have the best gliding ability among the flying snakes.

Twin-Barred Tree Snake or Banded Flying Snake – This is the smallest of the flying snake species reaching up to two feet long. Its base color is black or grey, and the entire body is covered with thick red and thin yellow with black bands. They also have cream colored ventrolateral lines while the ventrals are pale green. This is the rarest of the flying snakes; it is also one of the best gliders among the other flying snakes.

Moluccan Flying Snake & Indian Flying Snake – Both of these snakes are a lesser studied species.

Flying snakes do not actually fly and are not able to ascend while in the air. They have ridged belly scales to help them grip vertical surfaces. They need to climb up to a tall launch point. They glide from tree to tree or from tree to the ground much like a tree squirrel does. The snake flattens their body to form a "U" shape, the entire length of their body. The outer edges of the belly scales are rigid, while the center portion of their belly scales fold upwards. This concave shape acts like a parachute, and increases air resistance to prolong the glide. These snakes can glide better in comparison to flying squirrels, despite lacking limbs or wing-like projections.

The flying snake begins its takeoff by hanging from a branch with the front of its body forming a J-shaped loop. It then accelerates up and away from the branch, straightening the body and flattening it from head to tail, so that the body width nearly doubles. As the snake gains speed, it lifts its head and tail end toward the middle and slithers from side to side in a wide S shape. This takes quite a bit of muscle control that no other snake species have this same ability. Their landing tends to be a bit rough.

Any snake that is cornered can be aggressive. The Flying Snake if left alone and observed from a distance, they remain motionless or quietly go about their business. Their venom is mild, and only affects the small prey they eat. Their fangs are short and located in the back of their mouth. They can only inject venom into the prey that is well inside their mouths. They hunt lizards, frogs, birds and bats. Flying snakes are active during the daytime and are mostly found in trees.

Little is known about the flying snake's breeding habits. They lay 6 -11 eggs, hatchlings are 15 – 20 cm long and have the same pattern as the parents, only brighter in color.

Flying snakes are not endangered at present time. They do not tame well and do poorly in captivity.

References:

National Geographic News – New Snake Footage Uncoils Mystery of Flying Serpents by John Roach. The study was done by biologist, Jake Socha at the University of Chicago, IL.

www.news.nationalgeographic.com

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - Chrysopelea
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoplea.

Naturia - Flying Tree Snake, "Mangrove and weland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Nature Park". Has got great photos on their website.
www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/flying_tree_snake.html

Warming Could Help Pythons Grow in US,
by Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today, February 21, 2008.

As climate change warms the nation, giant Burmese pythons could colonize one-third of the USA, from San Francisco across the Southwest, Texas, and the South and up north along the Virginia coast, according to U.S. Geological Survey maps released Wednesday.

Burmese pythons, which can be 20 feet long and weigh 250 pounds, could colonize a third of the U.S. as global warming makes the climate more habitable for them, a study found. The non-poisonous snakes came to the U.S. as part of the pet trade and began appearing in the wild in the mid-1990s as owners released them. They are legal to keep.

The pythons can be 20 feet long and 250 pounds. They are highly adaptable to new environments.

Two federal agencies - the USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - are investigating the range of nine invasive snakes in Florida, concerned about the danger they now pose to endangered species. The agencies are collecting data to aid in the control of these populations.

They examined Burmese pythons first and, based on where they live in Asia, estimated where they might live here. One map shows where the pythons cold live today, an area that expands when scientists use global warming models for 2100.

"We were surprised by the map. It was bigger than we thought it was going to be," says Gordon Rodda, zoologist and lead project researcher. "They are moving northward, there's no question."

Burmese pythons were introduced to the USA as part of the pet trade. The first specimens in the wild were discovered in the mid-1990s in the Florida Everglades, released by owners who no longer wanted them, says Skip Snow, a wildlife biologist with the National Parks Service in the Everglades.

By 2003, there was evidence the snakes had established breeding colonies in the wild. Florida began regulating their sale and ownership Jan. 1.

If Federal Officials had to worry only about Florida, it would be "decades" before the pythons move into other states, Rodda says. But people keep dumping pythons they don't want into the wild. "We just learned about some that had been released in Arkansas," he says.

The Burmese python is not poisonous and not considered a danger to humans. Attacks on humans have involved pet owners who mishandle and misfeed the snakes, Snow says. In Florida, they eat bobcats, deer, alligators, raccoons, cats, rats, rabbits, muskrats, possum, mice, ducks egrets, herons, and song birds. They grab with their mouth to anchor the prey, then coil around the animal and crush it to death before eating it whole.

Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.

From the Website of USGS

Burmese pythons - an invasive species in south Florida - could find comfortable climatic conditions in roughly a third of the United States according to new "climate maps" developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Although other factors such as type of food available and suitable shelter also play a role, Burmese pythons and other giant constrictor snakes have shown themselves to be highly adaptable to new environments.

The just - released USGS maps can help natural resource agencies manage and possibly control the spread of non - native giant constrictor snakes, such as the Burmese python, now spreading from the Everglades National Park in Florida. These "climate match" maps show where climate in the U.S. is similar to places in which Burmese pythons live naturally (from Pakistan to Indonesia).

A look at the maps shows why biologists are concerned.

The maps show where climate alone would not limit these snakes. One map shows areas in the U.S. with current climatic conditions similar to the snakes' native ranges. A second map projects these "climate matches" at the end of this century based on global warming models, which significantly expands the potential habitat for these snakes.

Biologists with Everglades National Park confirmed a breeding population of Burmese python in the Florida Everglades in 2003, presumably the result of released pets. Python populations have since been discovered in Big cypress National Preserve to the north, Miami's water management areas to the northeast, Key Largo to the southeast, and many state parks, municipalities, and public and private lands in the region.

"Wildlife managers are concerned that these snake, which can grow to over 20 feet long and more than 250 pounds, pose a danger to state - and federally listed threatened and endangered species as well as to humans," said Bob Reed, a USGS wildlife biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center in Colorado, who helped develop the maps. "Several endangered species," he noted, "have already been found in the snakes' stomachs. Pythons could have even more significant environmental and economic consequences if they were to spread from Florida to other states.

Control of exotic species is often prohibitively expensive once they have become established. Therefore, prevention through screening and risk assessment is of great importance, especially when protecting continental areas from invasive reptiles, said USGS invasive snake expert Gordon Rodda, also of the Fort Collins center. USGS scientists and their partners are seeking to compile the scientific data necessary to guide management efforts to prevent further introductions, control existing populations of snakes, and contain their spread.

Burmese pythons have been found to eat endangered Key Largo woodrats and rare round-tailed muskrats. "This makes it that much more difficult to recover these dwindling populations and restore the Everglades." said park biologist Skid Snow, "and all the more important that pet owners be responsible in their choice of pet and dispose of it properly should need to. Releasing them into the environment is bad for that pet, bad for native species, and also illegal."

Currently, scientists with the USGS and Everglades National Park are investigating the behavior and biology of these snakes - that is, what are their requirements for survival? This information will help refine predictions of where the snakes might go next and their likelihood of survival. USGS researchers are also conducting a risk assessment for nine species of giant constrictors (including boa constrictors and yellow anacondas) that are prevalent in the pet trade and as such, potential invaders in the United States.

Due to be completed by early 2009, the assessment evaluates the risk of invasion for these species and the potential for social, economic, and environmental impacts. The two agencies are also developing and testing tools to control invasive snake populations, and prevent their spread, especially to the Florida Keys where several listed species would be threatened by the presence of pythons and other constrictors.

This is what we're facing. Please help by sending comments and letters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The link to view the USGS maps is up above in my article.

Ciao!

Carrie

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES