VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN NUMBER 47

January-March, 1966 EXOTIC by E . R . GOETZ, VHS Hampton , Virginia A -• ~ ’■ f ■ • . • • * On Saturday, June 6, 1964, about to ship me whatever I wished to or­ fifty VHS members and their guests der. It was better than.I expected? met in the National Zoo's : Several letters and many months House to hear a talk on the "Rep­ • later, all of the details concern­ tiles of Taiwan" by Captain Robert ing the size and quality of speci­ E. Kuntz, USN, who had served with mens, packing, shipping route, pay­ a U.S. Naval Medical Research team ment, customs declaration, etc.had in Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa). been worked out. On July 2,1965, On completing his slide lecture. my order was readied to leave the Captain Kuntz provided a number of island. The large aluminum box, copies of reprints of his article nicely packed with twenty-two Tai­ on the " of Taiwan" publish­ wan snakes and four turtles, took ed in the Quarterly Journal of the off from Taipei for Hampton, Va., Taiwan Museum, Vol.XVI, Nos.l & 2, via Tokyo, Seattle, Chicago, and June, 1963, to the VHS . Secretary Washington, D.C. for adult VHS members who were un­ able to be present at the meeting. On the afternoon of July 5, I re- - ceived a phone call from the D.C. One of these reprints, so richly It was the National Airport asking illustrated with color photographs me to come and pick up a shipment was presented to me during the '64 of snakes addressed to. me. They VHS Statewide Meeting at Camp Mon­ said a very strong odor was emana­ ocan, Nellysford, Virginia. ting from the box and that none of , I became fascinated by the many the airlines would carry it to its varieties of snakes, their color destination -- Hampton, Virginia. and sizes, and the important place As I drove to Washington-' (about they hold in the economy of Asian 190 miles) I tried to guess just countries. I decided to try get­ how many of the snakes had died. It ting some of them, if I could. was even hot for that time of year and I knew one of the shippers a- The Minister of our church had long the 10,000 miles could have just returned from a trip to the left the box out in the sun? Far East. A phone call got me the name and address of a church'work­ I went directly to the Northwest er on Taiwan. I made a list of a Orient hanger and saw my box sit­ few highly desired and I ting by itself way out,in the mid- asked this man if he could get my - die.of that great space. Knowing request to someone who could help. that the snakes were in bags, I proceeded to open the box. Hanger A couple of months passed before personnel stood at a distrustful I finally received a reply from a distance and watched with something Taiwanese man who stated that he less than enthusiasm. As I opened had collected for Dr.Robert Kuntz. bag after bag I was relieved to find He said he was familiar with the the snakes alive and healthy. It island's snakes and would be able was in the ’last-bag that I found. (continued on page two) 2

VHS BULLETIN No.47 " v y.; Jarruary-March, 1966 EXOTIC REPTILES (continued....)

the dead one that was responsible TAIWAN HABU (Trimeresurus muc- for the odor. rosguamatus). Twice the size of a Only one had failed to sur> BAMBOO VIPER (Trimeresurus stejn- i-vive the trip. The other species egeri) placed in the same cage. were as follows: The next morning the HABU was dead; TAIWAN BEAUTY SNAKE (Elaphe fang punctures Were clearly visable taeniurus) eight, ranging in size near the tail. This lesson was from 4-§- to 6 feet. This beautiful learned the hard wayi snake is called the meat or dish snake in Taiwan because it is used SOFT SHELL TURTLES (Amyda sinensis) in the snake soup which is common These were the four turTTes -- al- in the Far East. All were gentle. most forgot to mention theml They were juveniles but just as mean as TAIWAN GREEN SNAKE (Opheodrys they could bei major). These three are j u s t like the Eastern Smooth Green Snake (0. Exotic reptiles can present.a big vernalis)only much larger. Their challenge.' It is balanced by the appetite for earthworms is wayoutC pleasure of having something dif­ 1 % r f r «\ ferent. The time and trouble, the DELICATE DESIGN SNAKE (Ptyas many letters, the trip to D.C.,and korros). These medium-sized snakes the expense (the air express charge were very attractive, but a little was $46.35) was certainly worth it« nervous. This species grows much I am presently corresponding with larger on the Asian mainland where individuals in Thailand, West- and it is known as INDIAN RAT SNAKE'. East Africa, the Philippines, and Dr. Kuntz' man on Taiwan. I hope BANDED RED SNAKE (Dinodon to import some more snakes,lizards, rufozonatum). These three snakes and turtles later this year. If are harmless but resemble the poi­ any readers would like to write me sonous krait except that they have I will answer jail inquiries as soon red bands instead of the white or as possible. Let's hear from you'. gray of the krait. These snakes ** - . •*' . preferred smaller snakes to other (Mr.)Richard E.Goetz food they were offered. March 22, . 1813 Andrews Blvd. 1966 Hampton, Va. 23363 TAIWAN COBRA (Naja naja). This one refused all food and died. "Ed" Goetz is to be congratulated ONE-HUNDRED PACER (Agkistrodon on his successes in obtaining, and acutus). This medium-sized snake caring for several exotic reptile in the same genus as the copper­ species. For the benefit of non­ head is the most deadly reptile on adult (student) members of VHS, it the island of Taiwan. He attract­ should be noted that it is no easy ed a great deal of attention while feat to come off with such a taski on exhibit at Jim Martin's Serpen- tar.ium at Ocean View Park, Norfolk. FJTobey ~ 3 - VHS BULLETIN -No. 47 January-March 1966 JOINT MEETING OF EASTERN SEA- •< BOARD HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETIES •: j a ,l or yj £ :.v' On Saturday, January 8, 1966;over Roger Conant's message to the four one-hundred twenty-five people at­ societies: tended a joint.meeting of eastern I deeply-regret that I cannot be :* seaboard herpetological societies . with you today at your joint meet­ It was held at the new offices I: of ing which must stand as some sort the Division of Reptiles and Arnphi- of landmark. Only a few decades biansl U.S.National Museum, Smith- ago such a meeting would have been - sonian Institution, Washington,D.C. impossible, and even the American Society of Ichthyologists and Her­ •The presidents of the four area petologists (ASIH), drawing from herpetological societies addressed its nationwide membership, could the assemblage at an afternoon ses­ not muster so many delegates as sion in the auditorium of the • new you probably have assembled » in Museum of History ahd Technology. Washington today, * • • jiiqsN They'are: G.Leonard Knapp, Phila­ Your interest and yoursenthusiasm delphia Herpetological Society; A. represent a phenomenon that ,:is a P. Loeffler, N.Y. Herpetological boon to professional herpetologists Society; Richard A. Hahn, Mary­ -- at least to those of us who are land Herpetological Society; and, associated with zoological gardens Dr. James L. Chamberlain, Virginia and-.public museums where amateur Herpetological Society.UC'--'There naturalists eagerly seek., infor­ was an "open house" in the .Reptile mation about the wild life around Division offices; located in a new them. It is you, by your field­ wing of the museum. It afforded an work, who supply the detailed in­ opportunity to talk-to the.-Curator,-. formation necessary to answer in Dr. Doris M. Cochran, and Associate depth the many questions that are Curator, Dr. James A. Peters .y” hurled at us. Through your seve­ ral journals you keep us apprised Interesting semi-technical talks of progress in the herpetology of were-presented at the afternoon your respective areas, and we .: session. JAmong.those who spoke ■ thank you for it were: Commander John F. Kurfess, There are two points of importan­ USN; Thomas/Lewis, National Ins­ ce, however, that I would like to titutes of Health; Herbert Harris, mention. iThe first of these is Baltimore,Md.; and Professor Rich­ the necessity for depositing uni­ ard Highton, University of Mary-- que or critical material in a per­ land. Franklin Tobey, Secretary, manent museum collection where it VHS, introduced the- speakers. Dr. will be available for the work of Jim Peters expressed his delight the specialist. .It is not suffi­ at the turn-out, There were some cient merely to preserve a speci­ indications that this could well men and place it on the shelf of become an annual event; alternat­ your own curio cabinet. Make sure ing with the National Zoological it has a permanent home. I know Park as a meeting site. A message of several private collections from Roger Conant, author of the that were lost to science because "Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphi- the owners went off to war, mar­ \ bians" was read by the chairman: ried spouses who were not sympa- TV/. X - ' - ■ . •; .... ■' r . >; - p, rv : (continued next page) 3 .-I -» D5J ' - 4 -

VHS BULLETIN No. 47 January-March 1966 Message from Roger Conant, continued:

thetic toward snakes and "other habitats to pieces, and behaves critters," or who were forced to like an idiot in the field. I urge neglect their collections for other you to be conservative in your col- reasons. The rarer or more unusual lecting and to replace stones and the specimen the more urgency for logs after you turn them obo that a getting it into a large museum col- habitat will recover as quickly as lection -- and quickly. possible. /.: r It is to non-professionals like My second point concerns conser- yourselves to whom we must look con- vat ion. Unless you are collecting stantly for help. Many of you have for a special project or to aid a contributed"much to our science, and scientist who needs material for a I wish I could be on hand to meet study, take only small samples of those of you whose names are so the populations you find. familiar, but whom I have not yet Reptiles and amphibians; must face had the privilege of greeting in many unnatural enemies these days, person. Best wishes for a fine and such as pollution, bulldozers, the inspiring meeting, real estate promoters, poisonous spray campaigns, and other byprod- Roger Conant ucts of our so-called civilization. Philadelphia,Pa. Unfortunately, all too often, aie of their most deadly enemies is the January, 1966 thoughtless amateur herpetologist ______who grabs everything he sees, tears Mr.Conant is an Honorary VHSmember.

NATIONAL ZOO MEETING AND VHS

People get around to seeing more The NZP-VHS meeting is held each of the world these days than ever year to familiarize the member­ before. (See "Letters to the edi­ ship with the best collection of tor"). VHS members aren't excluded? exotic reptiles and amphibians in The need for familiarity with the region. For most members it foreign or exotic reptiles and is less than a‘ one-day trip away. amphibians is fairly obvious. /Each year the Society holds a Time, vigilance, and money are re­ , meeting at the National Zoologi­ quired to house, maintain and feed cal Park, in Rock Creek Park, a large collection of any kind. A .Washington, DiC-. A notice con­ foreign collection requires more cerning the current year's meet­ attention and expense than other, ing appears on the front page of more routine domestic collections this Bulletin. -- although both are a challenge. One of the finest presentations For most of us, the zoo's reptile we have had at an NZP meeting was house and professional staff must the -illustrated slide talk on the do the job. "REPTILES OF TAIWAN" by Dr.Robert Housing and caring for poisonous E. Kuntz* as noted by Mr. Richard snakes at home is discouraged by E. Goetz of Hampton, Va., in the Virginia Herpetological Society leading feature article of this policy. In most communities pos­ issue. The editor regrets that a session of venomous snakes is shortening of the manuscript ;Was against the law. 5

VHS BULLETIN No.47 January-March1966 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OF VHSB

I have just gotten to imy perma­ Va., when Professor Les Burger and nent station and I wanted r'1 to let V I used to collect together. , . . . you know so I can receive the VHS Best of luck to you and the VHSC Bulletins. I am quite lucky^here I J25C O:". ‘ CS-vO in that I can have -specimens in my Bob O'Kennon • ; quarters. A Sergeant in the Desert r .. ■: V 108 Williams Street Survival- School is a herpetologist Hopewell, Virginia and keeps a--live collection at the school. Others here collect^. also. i-. . . In connection with the VHS We.now have some chuckawallas f and plans for a Va. snake survey in desert tortoises. I've only been .1966, I and several friends here here .two days and I'm sure I' will at. the University of Richmond,plan like it. to, do some collecting. . . . ~d Just back from a 12-day sojourn Everything that we catch is going through the -Southwestv Most of my to be brought back to Mr. Gerald C. collecting was in the vicinity rof Schaefer, Instructor in Biology at .Phoenix, Arizona;-At the zoo !there ■Universityrof Richmond. Anything -■I became friends iwith Carl Simmons of value,.will be preserved and I (a a former Va. collector. He knew record data slip) forwarded to the Dr.John Thornton Wood (first pres­ VHS for recording. John 0. Brad­ ident of VHS), RogerjRageot,'- and shaw, Jr., and I have a possible re- Jim Martin, quite well. Looking . cord for the Queen Snake (Natrix forward to a very interesting col- septemvittata) . . ... We[caught it . lecting season'and will keep you in the Fredericksburg,Va., area. posted on all developments,Keep VHSB #38 indicates no record of it the workwnoving in Virginia and I for that area. want to hear from the Society oc , John S, Hathaway casionally. Say "Hello"..to -all 3/26/'66 Box 789, U. of R. for me I (The detached but faith- Richmond,Va. 23173 . ful member i) .: >to , I . r ' ' RickiSanderson,A3C . Some VHS members who are .familiar • ;3/I7/'66 AF 13891495,Box 3961 with Cornell University Press' ex­ Edwards AFB, Calif. cellent series of books on- Ameri­ 93523 can herpetology, including Wright and Wright "Handbook of and Toads," Carr's "Handbook of Turt­

*• r ■ « » X X C - u JLCL- . l v a v ^ u les", Wright and Wright "Handbook that I have not been able to par­ of Snakes," and Smith's "Handbook ticipate in any of the functions of Lizards", may have noticed that of VHS in the past year or more. Bishop's Handbook of Salamanders is •I am'in the service now --flying no longer available from Ithaca. I a jet for the Marines and due to have recently discovered,.. however, go to Viet Nam shortly. I've miss­ that this book has been reprinted ed the field trips, etc. which..1 by Hafner Publishing Co.,New:York, participated in several years ago in a 1962 edition. It. is also a- when the Society was born (1958). vailable from Mr. Eric Lundberg, The last time I saw many of the Ashton, Md. for $8 a.copy^ members was at the first statewide Kent Wells • at Camp Shawondasee,Chesterfield, Springfield, Va. 5 6

VHS BULLETIN NoV 47 _ r January-March 1966 NOTES ON THE UPLAND CHORUS by: Kent Wells,VHS . Springfield,Va.

' ' ' U € 0 ■ . ' ‘ Over the past several years, four Wood Frpg -(Rana sylvatica) egg I have made many observations of masses and one Spotted Salamander the breeding habits of the Upland (Ambystoma maculaturn) egg mass. I Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata found six more Wood Frog egg masses fer.iarum), ^ small species seldom in another pool • (56°F). In one seen outside its breeding season. . permanent pool we found 20 Spotted I observe them in the Annandale- Salamander egg masses.(Water 49°F) Springfield area of Fairfax Coun­ Proceeded on to-the swampy area. ty, .Virginia. I have two princi­ Hundreds of Chorus Frogs-palling pal observation and collecting among the cattails, but we could . areas. One is Backlick Run, a see none. We caught a few--Marb­ • •small1 stream that runs behind my led Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) home. The .other is a marshy area larvae in a- permanent pool, and in a narrow strip of land between in the same pool, a mated pair of the Capital Beltway;(Rt.495) and Red-spotted (Diemictylus v. Accotink Creek, between Annandale viridescens). We took these home •and Backlick .Road exits. - to observe and photograph. Other * • pools contained-dozens of chorus The latter area is a herpetolog­ frog egg masses, all of which were ist's delight, abounding in all partially submerged and attached kinds of herpetofauna, including to 'plant stems. Jelly was very eleven species of frogs and toads. loose around these eggs. = These For some reason, it is usually a chorus' frogs certainly are hard to ,little warmer in this marshy area see. Hundreds around us and we've than in the surrounding area, and only captured' three [. ... the frogs generally call day and • ‘ 2 - . . ■ . •.. night.. The following notes were Another trip on March; 28, 1965, .taken on-March 14,1965 on a col- yielded better results;.,,When we • : lecting trip with a friend. entered the marshy area, we could • • , . * . hear the chorus frogs everywhere. Weather fairly sunny as we star- We explored many small pools and :-ted out, but got cloudier as we found frogs and eggs everywhere. worked.;(Temperature 51°F.) We Headed south to some permanent entered the marshy area just west pools where the Spring Peepers of Rt.- 495 and heard numerous Up­ (Hyla c^ crucifer)and Chorus Frogs land Chorus Frogs calling. Calls were almost deafening. We collect­ . sounded like "cre-e-e-k, cre-e-e-k'7 ed several of each species, as or the sound of running ones fin- well as Marbled Salamander larvae : gersfover the teeth of a comb. Spotted Salamander eggs, and five .Calls proved to be coming from Red-spotted Newts, two of them fe­ small temporary pools in high males full of eggs. This area is /grass. The frogs were difficult teeming with life, especially to locate, but we did catch one chorus frogs. In one pool found mated pair and one other female. two male chorus frogs grasping Water temperature here was 50°F. each other. I had to force them Continued on to other temporary 'apart. When I put them in a jar pools. One pool (58°F)contained with a female spring peeper, one VHS BULLETIN No. 47 January-March 1966 Upland Chorus Frog Notes, continued: of them grabbed her and held on. No eggs were deposited, however.

Upland chorus frog eggs are de- spring peepers were calling, though positedin small masses (12 X 18mm. not many were out. Other amphibians of a little larger) attached to seen were the Pickerel Frog (Rana bits of plants underwater. The palustris),-American toad (Bufo t . loose jelly masses may be complete­ americanus), Northern Green Frog ly covered with water or only par­ (Rana clamitans melanota), and the tially submerged (i,e.,-floating No r t hern Bu i I f rog (Rana catesbeiana) on top). - They are usually laid in Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon c. very ..shallow water (2 to 6"). The cinereus). One Woodfrog (Rana syTJ water is always plentifully sup­ vaticajwas heard at' night-time. plied with plant life which serves as anchorage for eggs, and as food Incidently, my earliest record for for tadpoles. Eggs hatch in two an amphibian is January 21/ 1964, weeks, or less.” Eggs laid April 3, when I found a large Pickerel Frog 1965 hatched on April 16,1965. while snow was still on the ground.' The temperature was 56°F. The peak of the chorus frog breeding season usually comes in Kent Wells, early April, and most activity has March, 1966 7101 Woodland Dr ceased by early May. There may be Springfield, Va. a maximum temperature for chorus 22150 frog calling. On June 3, 1965, I heard chorus frogs when it was 60°. They had been silent since May 20, A five-legged frog was discovered when the temperature was about 59°. by Pennsylvania State University This would be an interesting area life scientists in a shipment of for further study. frogs intended for study by zoology students. The female. Northern On February 19,1966, I found Up­ Leopard Frog (Rana p_^ pipiens) had land Chorus Frogs breeding in the developed an extra appendage next marshy area near Accotink Creek. to, and behind the normal front leg. This is the earliest I have ever All five legs appeared to have some found these frogs. I also saw two movement and ability to function. Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata). This seemed fairly early for these turtles, but the 60°F daytime tem­ MARYLAND MEMBERS OF VHS: VHS has peratures probably accounted for appreciated your support. VHS will this. On March 4,1966, I went not cover Maryland herpetology. back to the area near Backlick Run. There is a MARYLAND HERPETOLOGICAL The temperature was 56°and the hu­ SOCIETY. It deserves your supports midity was 1007o. I hit the jack­ pot on amphibians 1 I found Spot­ The MdHS will meet jointly with ted Salamanders,breeding and I got VHS at the NZP meeting. May 14, * two big males but missed a half- 1966, Reptile House,National Zoo, dozen more. The chorus frogs and 3:30 p.m.--a Saturday afternoon. cover page

Virginia Herpetological Society Bulletin No. 47 (January-March 1966) NEED FOB. YOUB ZIP.. C O D E . a n d d u e s :

VHS mailing lists and roster of VHS DUES for 1966 -- if you have not members will require accurate ZIP yet paid they arp collectable; Si. code numbers for each member.1 This When you fill out the renewal form is required by law by January, 1967 at the bottom of the preceding page for bulk mailers (mailing permit). be certain to include your ZIP code —'- ' so that the Po^t Office Department PLEASE CHECK YOUR ADDRESS ON THE will accept our Bulletins for mail- COVER (BELOW) and make certain it ing purposes throughout 1966-1967. is CORRECT, Let us know if not. The bulk mailing privilege held by AIL members will benefit by the VHS is a privilege; not a right, new VHS roster -- VHS Bulletin #46. We manage to hold it by compliance.

DON'T FORGET TIJE M Y 14th NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK MEETING :