VIRGINIA Fierpetological SOCIETY BULLETIN No. 89, February-March 1979

VIRGINIA fiERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN No. 89, February-March 1979

THE TIMBER RATTLESNAKE IN VIRGINIA: ITS DISTRIBUTION AND PRESENT STATUS Although it is not my pri­ they occur among popula­ mary intention to discuss tions in the Upper Missis­ the taxonomic status of by: W.H. M artin, I I I * sippi Valley, indicating Crotalus horridua, neither Harpers Ferry,WV that melanism probably should my inclusion of arose in the Southern Ap­ the Tidewater population palachians as mutant a imply that I consider the strain in the past 10 ,0 0 0 species monotypic in VA. the Appalachian and Tide­ years or so, since the In a recent study,the water populations geograph­ glacier retreated and the northern population of ically isolated from each climate ameliorated. the timber rattlesnake other, but the respective was compared w ith the populations have been cut The major factors deter­ southern population, Cro­ up into disjunct colonies mining timber rattlesnake ta l\is horridua atricauda- by man's activities. distribution appear to be tu s , commonly c a lle d the climate, habitat, and hu­ 'canebrake rattlesnake. ' As I see the situation re­ man predation. A wooded In the study, significant garding this species, we area of sufficient size differences were not have a generalized animal, to serve as a sanctuary found and the authors Crotalus h. atricaudatus, and reservoir, reasonably (Pisani, et al recommended- occupying a wide variety fre e from human d is tu rb ­ against continued re­ of habitats in the South, ance and continuously cognition of the south­ and a specialized montane wooded at least in part eastern subspecies. ecotype, C. h. horridus, from early historical of generally smaller size times to the present, It should be understood and darker color, adapted seems to be essential. that classification of to the-scantier food sup­ Such sanctuaries have living things is a some­ ply and colder climate of been provided by the what subjective and in­ the Appalachian Mountains. swamps and cane thickets exact science and that of the southeastern part life forms are not static In our eastern mountains, of the state and by the but continually evolving. the timber rattlesnake oc­ highlands in the western When a population is look­ curs in light and dark portion. An additional ed at as a whole, one may color phases, color seem­ factor operating in the get a different view from ing to be a function of mountains is the necessity th a t which one gets when thermoregulation and pro- for suitable rock expos­ pertain parts are compared. crypsis (camouflage). ures for hibernating and There is a definite color gestating. In Virginia, Hence, although Appalach­ frequency cline that cor­ rattlesnakes are preclud­ ian C. horridus specimens relates strongly with cli­ ed by climate only in the are readily distinguish­ mate; the colder the zone Mount Rogers - W hitetop able from Tidewater the higher the proportion area with its Canadian specimens, when an Appa­ of dark specimens in the vegetation. lachian sample Is combined population. Black speci­ with an Upper Mississippi mens do not occur on the (Continued on_page two.) Valley sample differences Coastal Plain, nor do are diluted. Not only are *VaHS member; ** VaHS D ir.

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VaHS BULLETIN is a n e w sle tte r VaHS BULLETIN is se n t fre e of appearing at least four times cost to Virginia's university a year. Its pages are open and college biology, zoology, fo r a r tic le s o r comment on and natural science departmentsi topics related to Virginian herpetology. The principal High School Bio-Science teachers activity is the state survey may receiv e the VaHS BULLETIN of reptiles and amphibians. (with membership card) at $1 a (Request VaHS BULLETIN No. 80 year; please make request on a and VaHS BULLETIN Number 8 5 .) school letterhead, if possible. VaBS BULLETIN No. 89 l&bvmxS'Zmm W19-

TIMBER RATTLESNAKE IN VA. in the lower Va. Piedmont, population is a function DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS, suggests that rattlers of these two factors and may have occurred there of one additional -- den- continued from page one: at one time. Rattlesnakes spacing. Den-spacing is identifiable as atricauda­ determined entirely by tus are found in scattered the availability of sites colonies throughout the suitable for hibernating North Carolina Piedmont. and basking and has noth­ ing to do with proximity It is not known whether The bulk of Virginia’s of other dens. Spacing rattlesnakes ever occur­ rattlesnakes are found in of dens, however, can af- red; statewide in Va. How­ the. Blue. Ri.d^ &B& in the f e e t the per den popula­ ever, it is possible that n»unt&iius ,tb the w est'co l­ tion. A given area can a sparse population may- lectively referred to as support only a limited have ranged through much the Alleghanies and the number of snakes because o f the Piedmont and up Cumberlands. I have seen of food supply. I know the Atlantic Coastal them a t elevations in of areas where su itab le Plain as far north as excess of 4,400 feet on habitat is exceptionally Long Island, New York. Great North Mountain in abundant and rattlers are They were found in the AUGUSTA County, and on usually seen as singles cedar swamps and pine bar­ North Fork Mountain in or occasionally in small rens of Long Island in nearby Pendleton County, groups of two or th ree. the early part of this West V irginia. In such areas, per square- century and still occur mile population density in the Pine Barrens of Rattlesnake numbers are may greatly exceed that southern New Jersey. probably but a fraction in areas where the per Specimens from southern of what they once were, den population is higher NJ are often considered nevertheless, they are but the dens are widely intermediate in character s t i l l common in some of spaced. between Appalachian and the more remote, rougher southern populations. areas. It is 'not uncommon With the exception o f the Several small relict popu­ to see 15 to 16 a t a good Tidewater pppulation, the lations occur In the Pied­ den. Such dens- probably~ ^Virginia~ rattlesnake^popu- mont of Pennsylvania and have a total population lations are in better Maryland. They once oc­ of between 100 and 200 shape than those in any curred near Washington, D. rattlesnakes, and most of the northeastern C. Rattlesnake distribu­ dens are shared with the states. All of my in­ tion in the Virginia Pied­ copperhead (Agkistrodon formants, however, agreed mont is limited to several contortrix mokasen). At that rattlesnake numbers relict colonies on isolat­ most dens, one seldom have declined over the ed mountain ranges in the sees but one to three past 20-to-30 years. upper Piedmont and a rattlesnakes. A popula­ Estimates range from "a rough wooded area along tion of 20 to 30, perhaps, little less" to a 90$ re­ the James River from is average for the more duction. I have personal­ Lynchburg downstream to than 150 dens at which I ly noted a considerable S c o tts v ille . Some Va. have observed rattlers in decline, especially with Piedmont specimens, as V irgin ia. populations nearest to well as some specimens the Washington Metropoli­ from along the Blue Ridge The total rattlesnake tan area and at more face in North Carolina, population of a given accessible dens. show strong atricaudatus area is a function of traits. A "Rattlesnake habitat s u ita b ility and Continued on_page three. Creek" in BRUNSWICK Co., human predation. Per den - 2 - Correspondence on matters relating to: a r t ic le s , VaHS program: Franklin J. Tobey, Jr. E d ito r, VaHS BULLETIN P .0 . Box #1376 Leesburg, VA 22075 contributions, VaHS support: Louis C., Baker, T re a su re r, Va.Herpetolpgical Society Yorktown High School 5201 North 28th Street Arlington, VA 22207 meetings, VaHS programs: Michael J . C lifford P.0. Box 311, Amelia, VA 23002 - 2 - VaHS BULLETIN No. 89 February-March 1979

crease in the recreation­ specimens are kept, and al use of our woodlands. later released, release During the l8th and 19th The proliferation of off­ them a t the exact spot centuries, large areas of road vehicles has allowed where they were taken. Virginia were cleared for large numbers of people Above a l l , guard c a re fu l­ agriculture and rattlers access to the backcountry. ly any knowledge of the were extirpated in these As a result of all this, location of a den. These sections and reduced in the timber rattlesnake should never be pin­ those adjoining. During has come under increasing pointed in a publication. the first half of this pressure from its number century, many small farms one enemy - - mankind. During my studies, ia. ex­ were abandoned. The Fed­ cess of 1,500 specimens e ra l Government acquired As is the case with other of Crotalus horridus were cut-over woods and moun­ long-lived predators with examined from more than tain farms for Shenandoah few natural enemies, the 250 locations within VA. N ational Park, the George timber rattlesnake has a Washington and Jefferson low reproductive rate. I wish to thank the many National F o rests. Old Litters average about 7 persons in the National fields with their rock or 8 snakelings. Females Park Service and the U.S. piles-and stone walls be­ probably bear their first Forest Service, the Va. came overgrown. Rodents young at the age of 6 or State Parks, the Virginia multiplied and rattlers 7 years, and thereafter Commission o f Game and In­ followed, in artificially- under favorable weather land Fisheries, and the restored favorable envi­ conditions for feeding many others who have con­ ronments . In recent years and fat storage, it seems tributed observations. several factors have com­ at 3-year intervals. bined to reverse that The i r ,low reproduc t ive Correspondence welcomed: trend. D estructive lum­ rate, coupled with their bering practices that propensity for gestating characterized our earlier and hibernating communal­ (Mr.) W. H. Martin, III* times have largely ceased ly , make them highly v u l­ Rt. jjb, Box 366, and wildfire is kept out nerable to man's attack. Harpers Ferry, WV o f the woods with the 251+25 result that much rattle­ A word fo r conservation snake habitat in the way may be in order. Rattle­ of sunny ledges and snakes are under enough Range map and bibliography huckleberry brush has be­ pressure from advancing on next page. Map prepared come shaded over by large development and from by W. H. Martin, III.* timber. Habitat destruc­ people who don't like tion for homesites and them, without compounding commercial use has been th e ir problems. There most pronounced in the have been instances where Tidewater section of the amateur and professional state but has occurred herpetologists have taken also in the mountains. An large numbers o f snakes increase in the number of from a den. If one has a roads and automobiles is valid reason to take a probably the most import­ specimen, then do so; but, ant factor in reduction don't clean out the den.' of rattlesnake numbers. Don't take a gravid snake In the past 10 years, especially if she is the there has been a vast in­ only one at the den. If - 3 - VaHS BULLETIN No. 89 February-March 1979

REFERENCES: ANON, ( i 960) "The occur­ North Carolina" State Mus. rence of poisonous snakes Nat.Hist. N.C. Dep't of in VA, Ml., and D.C." Harris, H.S., Jr. (1975) Agr. Raleigh pp. 1-22. VaHS BULLETIN No. 19(rev.) "Distributional survey: VaHS BULLETIN No. 29:1-4. (Amphibia/Reptilia) Ifery- Pisani, G. R., J.T. Col­ land and the District of lin s , S. R. Edwards (1972) Burger, W. L. (1958) L ist Columbia" BULL. MD. Herp. "A Reevaluation of the of Virginian amphibians & Soc., 11 (3): 73-167. subspecies of Crotalus r e p tile s . Supplement to horridus,"Trans.Kan.Acad. VaHS BULLETIN No. 4:1-4. Keenlyne, K. D. (l972)Sex- Sci. 75(3): 255-263. ual differences in feed­ Cooper, J.E . and F.Groves ing habits of Crotalus Schaefer, G.C. (1969) "Sex- (1959) "The rattlesnake, horridus horridus J.Herp. independent ground color Crotalus horridus in the 6(3-M: 234-237. in the timber rattlesnake Md. Piedmont," HERPETO- Crotalus horridus" LOGICA 15 (1): 33-34. Martin, W. H., Ill (1964) HERPETOLOGICA 2 5 (1 ):65-66 The timber rattlesnake on Gloyd, H. K. (1940) "The V irginia's Upper Piedmont" Wood, J . T ., (195*0 "The Rattlesnakes: genera Sis- VaHS BULLETIN No. 40:1. distribution of poisonous trurus and Crotalus, " snakes in Virginia." VA. Chicago A cad.Sci.. Special Palmer, W. M. (1974) J. Sci. 5(3): 152-167. Publication 4: 1-366. "Poisonous Snakes of - 4 - VaHS BULLETIN No. 89 March 1979

HISTORICAL SIDELIGHT TO professor of natural his­ He also identified him­ THE COMPIIATION OF nATA tory at Neuchatel, Switz. self with the organiza­ FOR VA HERPETOLOGICAL His ambition was to be tions seeking to advance SURVEY RECORDS "the first naturalist of scientific investigation his time." His claim to and science education. VaHS members and friends this title must rest upon who have taken part, or his researches on fossil He helped found a society who are planning to parti­ fishes, and glaciers. for the pursuit of the cipate, in the VA survey, natural sciences at Neu­ will be pleased to note Agassiz' professorial chatel. He helped to the distinguished company career spanned k l y ears. launch both the French they are in. While record­ During the first third of and the American Associa­ ing raw data from several this period (1832 - 18L5 ), tions for the Advancement scientific collections in he was professor of natu­ of Science, serving as the 3 -volume record books r a l h is to r y a t the Lyceum president of the latter. these names stood out in of Neuchatel, and during s ta r k r e l i e f : Raymond L. the remaining two-thirds A study of the relative D itm ars, Emmett R. Dunn, (1848 - 1873), he was p ro ­ emphasis which Agassiz Nathaniel S. Shaler, and fessor of zoology and geo­ placed on the laboratory, Professor Loui£ Agassiz_. logy at the Lawrence the lecture, and the text Scientific School,Harvard as aids in the learning The interesting added bit University, Cambridge, MA process indicates his at­ to the mention of Agassiz During this period, his titude towards methods of was th e d ate and c o l l e c t ­ chief responsibilities to learning. He emphasized: ing site for the specimen. Harvard were the delivery (l) Instruction in making Richmond,_VA., 1862.' Here of lectures on zoology accurate observations; is a little background on and geology, the super­ and, (2 ) guidance in the Dr. Louis Agassiz (1807 - vision of the advanced making of fertile compari­ l 8 7 3 )> one of the great students in these fields, sons. He believed that naturalists of his time: and the examination of the comparison should be candidates for degrees in limited to a thorough He was born in Switzer­ the Lawrence Scientific study of a few representa­ land and attended school School. In l 8 6 l, Agassiz tive species and their at Bienne, Lausanne, and became a ~ir.S'. citizen. interrelationships —- not Zurich. He was attracted superficial acquaintance to Heidelberg University Agassiz . exerted a power­ with a large number of by the great reputation of ful influence upon the species. Agassiz never its teachers, particularly general public through a integrated the laboratory, Karl George Leuckart, the series of natural history lecture, and text into a zoologist. In 1827, the talks in large towns. Age comprehensive system of new U n iv e rsity o f Munich was no obstacle to Louis biological instruction as opened. There he was a Agassiz' campaign to popu­ did Huxley. Nearly all student of Doellinger and larize science. Even be­ biological teaching today vonMartius. From Doellinger fore coming to America, is modeled upon Huxley's he learned methods of he had perfected his skill system. Yet, to teach study in natural history. in instructing the young. the scientific method He was able to popularize properly, a practical In 1830, Agassiz received science without reducing classroom method must be the doctor of medicine de­ its prestige because he found for Agassiz' route. gree from Munich Universi­ never lost contact with ty. In 1832, he became a the stream of scientific Continued on the next page: research of his day. - 5 - CONGRATULATIONS I

University of Virginia

MOUNTAIN LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 1929 - 19791

(Dr. J . J . Murray, J r.* * (Dr. J . L. Riopel Co-Director, MLBS ) Co-Director, MLES)

Inquiries concerning summer courses: Gilmer Hall, U.of VA Charlottesville, VA 22903 (No herpetology course this summer.) VaHS BULLETIN Hb. 89 m s t m v

The specimen, which was donated by Agassiz for 1862, LOUIS AGASSIZ: Richmond, Virginia, was a six-lined race-runner HISTORICAL COLLECTING NOTE (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus) preserved in the (continued) Museum of Comparative Zoology (CMZ) Cambridge, MA.

Twice, his collections education for teachers He played an important served as nuclei around was the summer school to role in the development which museums grew. The provide for the training of the university spirit, objects which he had ac­ of teachers in the method th e museum, and the cumulated during his first of instruction which he summer seho»3r-(biol&gioa»l 6 years -in America were.— . pursued, in natural jhis to- station) in America. He the beginnings of. the ry. Six of the people as­ trained a generation of Museum of Comparative Zoo­ sociated with him became men imbued w ith th e logy at Cambridge, Mass. pioneers in setting up European ideals of schol­ summer schools in biology. arship and research. In Agassiz' influence on.the turn, these students gave developm ent o f museums in Agassiz died at Cambridge, a powerful impulse to the America was exerted in­ Mass., in December 1 8 7 3 . university spirit in the directly through his dis­ He had had great ability U.S. In promoting the de­ ciples and students. Many as a field naturalist and velopment of universities of the students assocjated he developed a method of in America, Agassiz put with Agassiz at the dedi­ teaching based on direct the emphasis on adequate cation of the Museum of contact with nature. collections of natural Comparative Zoology be­ objects as research tools came heads o f o th e r g re a t (Based upon a longer bio­ and teaching aids. As a museums - - among them th e graphical sketch in the result of this he became American Museum of Natur­ Collier's Encyclopedia spearhead of a movement al History, New York City. (l9f&) Crowell-Collier which established some of Publishing Cp., New York.) America's great museums. The greatest of" his ef­ FJT forts in baJ^alf of better Continued at_top_of col 2.

VaHS POLICY CONCERNING ALL All personnel who are ob­ POISONOUS SNAKES: CAUTION.' species: in Virginia, the liged to care for these timber rattlesnake (pp. 1 specimens should receive to k), the copperhead,the VaHS policy recommends to adequate training in the eastern cottonmouth, and a ll members, friends that use of instruments used the canebrake rattler. It venomous snakes are best to handle venomous speci­ is easier to avoid a bite kept in public zoological mens . Adequate firstaid than to treat snakebite. (museum o r zoo) c o lle c ­ and emergency medical as­ tions, or university and sistance should be prov­ Use caution while collect­ college biology/ zoology, ided for in advance. Any­ ing in areas where poison­ or natural science dep't one handling poisonous or ous snakes are known to laboratories in properly- 'm ildly' poisonous snakes occur. Wear adequate leg designed, secured cages. should be enrolled under protection, carry lights a hospitalization plan. at night in snake country. Curators of such zoology collections should see to Members and f r ie n d s , who Watch where you put your it that any unnecessary may be c o lle c tin g snakes hands and feet. Use a handling, of venomous, v ari­ are advised to avoid all hoe pr other long-handled eties is Avoided. contact with poisonous "tool to move a specimen.

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Herpetology friends on the MOVE. Keep th e VaHS p o s t­ ed on your location.

Send the Coordinator your address, town, and zip

Your summer address is VaHS BULLETS No. 39 March 1979 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VaHS Highlights of the VaHS MEETING IN HARRISONBURG Mr. Joseph C.Mitchell* of James Madison University- at James Madison Univ Richmond, VA., renewed meeting on 21 A pril 1979* his plea for phenology was a guest featured d a ta (see VaHS-B#8 l & 8 7 ) . speaker from the Zoology Spring moves across the Department, University of Breeding occurs between countryside at 17 to l 8mi Maryland, College Park. February 20 and into April a day and it takes k days Dr. Douglas E. G ill spoke when 60°F temp, coincide f o r e v e ry 100 meters in on population dynamics of with warm dry days; rain­ elevation, Joe observed. the red-spotted newt (N. fall is not necessary. He is interested in your v. viridescens) in the An 8mm film of wood frog notes, from this spring Blue Ridge Mountains, VA. breeding populations was or a previous spring, on shown. Mr. Reid Harris, any Va. phenological oc­ His project areas are in a former student of Dr.J. currences . Mitchell is the G.Washington National R. Bailey's at Duke Univ., VaHS Phenology Program Co­ F o re s t i n ROCKINGHAM Co. N.C., spoke on spotted ordinator, and a biology Several techniques for salamander (A. maculatum) instructor at Virginia recognizing individuals egg masses. Mr. William Commonwealth U niversity. were mentioned and the ad­ D. Venko has made studies vantages of each. It was of ranid tadpoles from He cited the need for noted by Dr. Gill that in egg development to meta­ more precise dating of red-spotted newts the pat­ morphosis. Ms. Eeverly A. phenophases. A phenophase tern of each individual Mock spoke of trypanosome is the timing and duration is unique - not uhlike hu­ infections in newt popula­ of life history events, man f i n g e r p r i n t s . Study tions. . Her studies are such as leaf opening, involved distinguishing on parasite life cycles. flowering, leaf fall, etc. between breeding popula­ She has found that levels tions in several different of infection in newts Mr. Barry W. Fox* Amelia, ponds and noting shifts, lessen with age. Peak VA., high school teacher, if any, from one pond to infection is in August showed an excellent series another of adult newts. dropping off in the Fall. of color slides of species Apparently, shifting to a Trypanosome life cycles native to Virginia. Mr. new breeding pond is rare. require the leech as an Chris A. Pague* was meet­ intermediate host;. the ing recorder of projects Keith A. Berven, one of trypanosome is apparently during the round-table. Dr. G ill's undergraduate specific to newts; i.e., students (U.of Md) spoke does not infect other am­ Members and friends in on breeding behavior of phibians in the same pond. attendance at the VaHS wood frogs (R. sylvatica). meeting came from: Amelia, Comparison studies of pop­ We would like to thank the Bedford, Farmville, Har­ ulations at 3> 500 t o ^0 0 0 group from U. o f Md. t h a t risonburg, Loudoun Heights, with lowland populations came out to Harrisonburg. Portsmouth, Radford, and in M aryland were made. An Any errors above are mine, Richmond, VA. NOTICE observation was made that and not to be attributed The next VaHS Meeting w ill wood frogs apparently to the speakers. Anyone be: Saturday, have a longer life span interested in greater de­ 13 OCTOBER 1979 a t : in the Va. mountains. The tails should write to the L0NGW00D COLLEGE first reproduction occurs speaker in care of: FARMVILLE, VA (minimum) after two years; (majority mature at three Zoology Dep't, U.of Md. Dr. Donald A. Merkle** years in the mountains). College Park,MD 207^+2 Dep't of Natural Sciences w ill be the host, (f j t ) - 7 -

The Next Meeting is at

L0NGW00D COLLEGE FARMVILLE, VA

13 OCTOEER 1979

DETAILS WITH VaHS-B#90J VaHS BULLETIN No. 89 March 1979

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RECENT VaHS MEETING (continued): Ophidiophobia Clinics: See "Afraid of Snakes ?" by Besides the excellent (12) Any new records for: Larry van Goethem, pp 17-19 papers, the Madison Uni­ (a) hellbender NATIONAL WILDLIFE magazine versity meeting provided (b) greater siren June-July 1979 a round table on short or (c) mudpuppy published by the National long-term herpetology pro­ (d) waterdog, and Wildlife Federation jects that might be done (e) amphiuma. 1^12 16th Street NW by Virginia students. Dr. (13) Treefrog populations Washington, D.C. 20036 Elwood Fisher** VaHS Dir­ in relation to ice- ector and host for the Va s to rn damage (tre e - HS meeting, was chairman falls as new hiding- of the roundtable. Among places for treefrogs? the ideas suggested were: (lk) Distribution of Hyla versieolor and Hyla (1) Nutritional value of chrysoscelis in VA. gelatin in amphibian egg masses. Attention was called to Dr. Thomas H. Krakauer**, (2) Algae in relation to existing literature on a Director of the Roanoke amphibian egg masses. number of these projects, Valley Science Museum was (3) Frog calls in VA: the notably 2 and 5• Effects named "C onservation Educa­ need for taped calls. of heating Parr Pond near tor of the Year 1978" by (k) Adopt-a-county and Aiken, S.C. on resident the Virginia Wildlife Fed­ adopt-a-species VaHS y e llo w -b e llie d tu r tle s (C. eration and received his projects (see B #8 8 ). scripta scripta) is well award on 21 October *78 (5) Effects on herpetiles documented by Dr. J. Whit­ in Alexandria, VA. + + + of heating a pond or field Gibbons, et a l.,the a section of a pond. Savannah River Ecology Dr. Krakauer is the vice (6 ) Herpetofauna of areas laboratory (U.of Georgia). president of the Virginia where clear-cutting History and Museum Federa­ of timber is regular­ tio n (VHMF) succeeding Ms. ly practiced; effects. Mr. Chris A. Pague* Ports­ E lizab eth S. McKemie who (7) Amphibian predators. mouth, VA., has agreed to became VHMF president on (8 ) Herpetile behavior. prepare "FROGS of VA.” as (9 ) Hognosed snakes: oc­ a s p e c ia l VaHS BULLETIN. 1 December 1978* ' FJT currence of melanism. We hope this may be ready (10) Egg brooding in Va for distribution in early salamanders: Is one 1980. "Salamanders of VA" Question: Is melanism in female brooding her is to follow and may he snakes, at least, a device own clutch or is it done by a VaHS team - Joe to make th e anim al a more a communal a c tiv ity ? Mitchell* and Chris Pague? efficient heat receiver ? (11) Do the following (Both black snakes range occur in Virginia ? At present, Coordinators out of hibernation in NE (a) green anole(SE); Tobey and Mitchell are at earlier in the spring than (b) Dwarf salamander work on the first special other species of lighter (c) mole salamander Va. Herpetological Survey c o lo ra tio n . What about the (d) Blanchard’s tree- publication: distribution melanism in Timber rattlers frog (SW Va.). maps and Va. bibliography and the hog-nosed snake ? on reptiles and amphib­ If it increases as the dis­ Continued at top of next ians with credit to all tribution extends northward column. c o lle c tio n s and. c u ra to rs it may be an adaptation to particularly, as well as the colder mountainous hab­ individual participants. i t a t — ? Any comments ? Solar collectors are paint­ - 8 - ed black, as a general rule.) PREPARE FOR JOBS IN NATURAL RESOURCES Lord Fairfax Community College, Middle- Assistant, Park Interpreter, Forest In­ town, VA, offers a 2-year "Associate in dustry Security Officer, Recreation Applied Science" degree in Natural Re­ Site Management Assistant, and others. sources Management and Security. This curriculum prepares you for: The courses emphasize both indoor and outdoor work. We have several weekend National Park Technician, Park Ranger, field trips to study plants and animals Naturalist, Game Warden, Campground including whales, dolphins, eagles, Manager, Wildlife Biologist Assistant, ducks, hawks, and the endangered Del- Wildlife Refuge Manager, Hunting and Mar Va fox s q u ir r e l. I f you a re i n t e r ­ Fishing Preserve Manager, State Park ested in a challenging career in the Service Technician, Range Management natural resources area, write:

Lord Fairfax Community College Dep't of Natural Resources (Robert C. Simpson,**) P.0. Box # 47, Middletown, VA 22645 VaHS BULLETIN No. 89 March-April 1979

LETTERS, COMMENTS, IDEAS: Editor's Note: It was a A Two-header! (Eox tu rtle) great pleasure to hear from Mr. Reid A. Dunn of Richmond, VA, as a result of the Richmond TIMES- "When I came home, he said DISPATCH a r tic le by Chris he had a two-headed turtle Mt. Olive,N.C. Darg in May 1978. said David Wayne Rice of his son David. "I didn't "The recent flooding in The late Dr. Doris M. think he really meant i t ." many of the southeastern Cochran, U. S. National states brings to mind a Museum of Natural History He did. David found the question that has played spoke often of his older two-headed box turtle, on my mind for many years, brother, Emmett R. Dunn, about 2" in diameter, at but one for which. I have and gave me a copy of one the Rice home near Rt.301 never been given a logic­ of his early lists of VA and Pearson's Corner E le­ a l answer. amphibians and r e p tile s . mentary School. "I don’t know whether to call it With complete flooding Also, Dr. G. Congdon Wood, 'it' or 'they'" David's of many swamp and river a neighbor of mine in the mother said . It did n't, bottoms and surrounding Oakton, VA, area in the bother David, a first areas, for extended 1950's used to speak of grader,"I found him in my periods, and involving E.R. Dunn and his work in shed" he claimed. (From: cold air and water temper­ Virginia. Many of his The HERALD PROGRESS news­ atures — how do reptiles, collecting records are paper, Hanover, VA March such as snakes or lizards, reflected on the VaHS dis­ 7, 1979, item sent in by that don't seem to be able tribution maps and credit­ Mr. B ill Gagnon* to use cutaneous respir­ ed to him, by name, in Mechanicsville, VA 23111 ation -- survive ? I am the three-volume set of aware that many species of supporting records and frogs, turtles, and sala­ literature sources. It manders can survive under was only natural that we water by cutaneous respir­ noted E.R. Dunn's ea rlier A number of people are ation, but snakes/lizards contributions' in VaHS-B reflecting great concern caught underwater in hi­ No. 85, page 1, column 1. over poisonous snakebites bernation for days at ...... FJT or other grave accidents temperatures too cold for involving exotic reptiles. them to move, seemingly "... I think the Bulletin Good summertime reading: would perish — yet appar­ is gettin g more and more THE SNAKE, by John Godey, ently many must survive! interesting. Many thanks!" paperback $2.50 (Eerkley) is a story focusing on Could we have some response? (Dr.) Laurence E.Eayless * the havoc wrought by an —letters to the VaHS-B -- Dep't of Biology 11-foot black mamba when on how Nature pu lls such Concord College it succeeds in getting reptiles through these Athens, WV 2hjl2 loose in N.Y.C's Central floods before the ground Park. Quick, lig h t, short is rea lly thawed out ? reading. Fiction for the * VaHS Member hot days ahead! This is Your response welcomed. ** VaHS Director the 'China Syndrome' of * herpetology — portent of Dr. A. J . Bullard* (DDS) d isaster. 103 Smith Chapel Road BERKLEY PUBLISHING CORP. Mt. Olive, N.C. 28365 (G.P. Putnam's Sons) - 9 - 200 Madison Avenue New York City,NY 10016 APPLICATION FOR VaHS MEMBERSHIP -- INTRODUCTORY(1979) • Recommended annual or VaHS MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL (19__) support for VaHS: (If mailing label is . (name) correct paste here., bio-science teacher (address) other faculty . . $ 1. (p.o.) If free city give nearest co.. other Va. residents 2. (county) out-of-state (except for VIRGINIA ZIP CODE Va.resident away at • co lleg e, etc. $ 3 * ( t it le ) Dr.Mr.Mrs .Ms. ______(other) Overseas $ 5• (occupation) VaHS Treasurer notes: Keep with your tax files Rec 'd $ __.___ VaHS is tax-exempt, non­ tel; (703) (804) Card sent with VaHS-B# . p ro fit organization tinder Sec.501 (c)(3) of IRS Code. Age: under 18 over Mail to: Mr. Louis C. Baker Full amount deductable. YORKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL (ARL). Enclose your check for 5201 N. 28th Street Thanks for your support. VaHS support. Arlington, VA 22207 This side becomes 3" X 5" f i l e card for VaHS f i l e s . VaHS BULLETIN No. 89 mailed in June I 979

CONTENTS: Page Column

The Timber Rattlesnake in Virginia: Its Distribution and Present Status, by W. H. Martin, III* 1-k 1 -3

Historical Sidelight to Compilation of Data for the Virginia Herpetological Survey Records 5-6 1-3

VaHS Policy Concerning A ll Poisonous Snakes: CAUTION! 6 , bottom , 1-3

Highlights of the VaHS Meeting in Harrisonburg, VA. 7 1-3 8 1 -2 Miscellaneous VaHS news items, articles of interest. 8 3

Letters, Ideas, Comments; Membership blank (bottom) 9 1-3

Contents Page and mailing wrapper. 10

PLEASE check the address label (Vaffi_membershi£ l i s t under preparation, out soon

VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN U .S. POSTAGE PAID COORDINATOR, P .0 . Box #1376 NON-PROFIT ORG. LEESBURG, VA 22075 PERMIT #22 LEESBURG, VA 22075