Virsinia Herpetolo/ical SocieQ Volume 4,Number 1 January1994 NEWSTETTER CATESBEIANACO-EDITORS PRESIDENT

PaulW. Sattler RonSouthwick R. TerrySpohn PaulSattler - Pres.Elect

NEWSLETTEREDITOR SECRETARY/TREASURER Sue Bruenderman Layout by Toni Harrison Bob Hogan

"Most of the world's tortoisesand and freshwaterturtles constitute many freshwaterturtles have sourcesof protein for indigenous declinedprecipitously because of ln July, f 993, the International people, their uncontrolled (r- i-ruiiianL----^- aCiivites.^^3:--:.^- Joiiie are i-reaf Conference on Conservation, expioitation for such use jeopardizes extinction. This alarming situation Restoration, and Management of the survival of many is symptomatic of the overall species. Tortoises and Turtles was held in decline in global environmental We, the conferencedelegates, Purchase,New York. A declaration, health. Conservationefforts to supportthe following measures:(1) curb further lossesof theseanc authored by VHS Past-President the protection of natural habitats other specieswith which they live JosephC. Mitchell and others, was harboring turtles and tortoises and must work in concert with controls adopted by the conferenceand is the organismswith which they on the fundamental causesof reprinted here.Applause toJoe and interact, (2) aban on the wholesale environmental degradation, his co-authorsfor this insightfuland removal of animals from wild namely, economic inequities and populations for the wildlife trade, important action in turtle an ever growing human (3) the developmentof educational consenration. population. and community participation We recognize that there is no one programs to engenderpublic recipe for nature conservation. support for biodiversity Specificmeasures, such as ecosystemswere resolved.Most conservation,and (4) the sharing of ecosystemmanagement, reports, however, demonstrated expertiseand technological conservationof flagship species, that population declinesand threats advancesinconservation among the and speciesby speciesprotection, of speciesextinction were due to peopleof all nations.It is must fit local circumstances.The habitat loss and alteration. imperative that thesemeasures be successstories told at this Removal of animals from wild implemented on a worldwide basis conferencewere those that populations for the wildlife trade and integratedwith efforts to describedthe protection of habitats were shown to further endangere conserveglobal biodiversity". and landscapes,and how conflicts many of theseanimals. While betweenpeople and natural recognizing the fact that tortoises 2 VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER

Ambhibians Are Yorr Eastemtiger salamander, Ambystoma tiginum fignnum (SE) Barkingtreefrog, Hyla gratiosa (ST) Mabee'ssalamander, Ambystoma mabeei (ST) Farnilian with Shenandoahsalamand er, P lethodon she n ando ah (FE) Carpenterfo g, Ranavirgatipes (SSC) Yi{lnla's Rar(e Oaktoad, Bufo quercicus (SSC) CowKnob salamander, Plethodon punctatus (SSC, C2) Herps? Eastemhef lbender, Cryptobrcnch us alleghenienv.s (SSC, C2) Molesafamander, Ambystoma talpoideum (SSC) Peaksof Ottersalamander, Plethodon hubichti(SSC) Pigmysalamander, Desmogn ath us wrighti(SSC, C2) ShovelnoseSalamande r, Le u rog n ath u s marmorcfus (SSC) SE: StateEndangered Welle/ssalamander, Plethodon wellei ventrom aculafus (SSC) ST: StateThreatened FE: FederalEndangered Reptiles FC : FederalCandidate (C2) SSC: State Special Concerned Bogturtfe, Clemmys muhlenbergii(SE, C2) North.diamondback tenapin, M al ad e my s tempinte mpi n (C2) Eastemglass l2ard, Ophisaurus venfrafs (ST) Canebrakerattlesnake, Crctalus honidus afncaudafus (SE) Mountainearth snake, Virginia valeiae pulchn (SSC) North.pine snake, Lampropeftis calligaster rhombomaculata (C2) Endangered - any speciesin dangerof Bogturtle, Clemmys muhlenbergii (SE) extinctionthroughout all or a significant Eastemchicken turile, Deirochelys reticulaia rcticulaia (SE) portionof its range Woodturtle, Clemmy rhsculpfa (ST) Atlanticgreen sea turtle, Chelonia mydas mydas (Ff) Threatened - any specieswhich is likely Hawksbillsea turtle, Eretmochelys imbicata (FE) to becomean endangeredspecies within Kemp'sRidley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempi (FE) the foreseeablefuture throughout all or a Leatherbacksea turtle, Derm*helys miaea coiacea(FE) significantportion of its range Loggerheadsea turtle, Carctta carcfta carefta (Ff) Federal Candidate (C2) - taxafor whichinformation now in the possessionof the U.S.Fish and WildlifeService (USFWS) proposing Nofe: Federal E&T species indicatesthat to list as endangeredor threatenedis possibly (listedby the USFWS) are appropriate,but for whichconclusive data protected throughout their on biologicalvulnerability and threatare entire range, acrossall not currentlyavailable to supportproposed political (i. e. state)boundaries. rules. StateE&T speciesare afforded protection throughout their ranges only within the Special Concern - any species,on a list Commonw ealth of V ir ginia. maintainedby the director,which is restrictedin distribution,uncommon, ecologicallyspecialized or threatenedby otherimminent factors. VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER 3

The Decline of lYorth American Box Turtles by Clffird Warwick, Consultant Herpetologist, ThePeople's Trustfor EndangeredSpecies

(reprintedfrom Animak Internationsl, newsletter of the l{orld Societyfor the Protection of Animals, Summer/Autumn 1987)

The Growth of the Terrapin Trade severalpopulation of wild box turtles. Box turtles face severalunnatural In 1984,the tradein Last year, two speciesbecame protected in the wild. Habitat is claimed by a Mediterranean threats in Florida and from the first year of July wide range of land-developmentprojects. tortoisesfor the pet this year, all commercial trade in box There is also persecution from farmers who tradewas bannedon conservationgrounds. turtles has been prohibited by Florida regard them as pests becausethey However,a new trade authorities. Missouri also provides occasionally feed on plantations. in chelonians(tortoises protection for its box turtles against However, box turtles are probably more an and turtles)has commercialization. problem; assetthan a begin omnivorous developedto fill the A major factor which led to the feeders,they will also feed on agricultural demandfor thistype of popularization of thesereptiles by pestssuch as Many arekilled on exoticpet. Boxturtles snails. tradersin Europe was the casualuse of roads,not always by accident. Another from NorthAmerica are the word "tortoise". Although this can very avoidablepressure which contributes be a convenient was to describethese is the pet trade. to the decline of box turtles chelonians,there are severaireasons 1984ban on the IIO,OOO roltolfEt Prior to the why it is inappropriateto refer to them Mediterraneantortoise market, the wElS tftolt:D lxto as "box tortoises". only occasionally Terrapenespecies was rtr: Urrro ltrooon The generic term, Terrapene,for pet However,they ouilt|o tHE tll|oD seenat British dealers. example, indicates the family's favorites in were already long-standing r?fo-3t. relationship with terrapins rather than rather than in American as a cofilmon "pet" tortoises. Box hrrtles are relatively According specialistchelonian collections. good swimmers, though far less to the records kept under the Convention moreakin to their efficient than the typical terrapins. in Endangered in on International Trade tortoiserelatives that They can, however, drown if land is not (C.I.T.E.S.),for example,10,000 they leada lessaquatic Species easily available or if in deep water for Mediterraneantortoises were imported into life than mostturtles. with a strong current. The term "turtle" the United Statesduring the period 1980- The increasingdemand for reptilesfor in the United Statescan apply to any 84. By comparison,150,000 tortoises were these the pet trade in both chelonian, tortoises included, as indeed imported into the United Kingdom over the Americaand Europeis of it does in the U.K. However, the term sameperiod. concernto WSPA. "tortoise" is reservedfor the true land- In 1981,the year in which the Britishherpetologist dwelling speciesand subsequently,box tortoise ban becameimminent, otiy 22 CliffordWarwick has turtles do not receive this recognition. specimensof Terrapeneare said to have investigating been this (Note: the term "terrapin" in England is beenimported into the British Isles. From new trade and describes commonly used to refer to a freshwater January1986 to March 1986,however, a belowthe plight of the aquatic turtle). minimum of 3,959 specimenshad been boxturtle in a reportfor imported into the U.K. The European the readersof Animals lnternational. Hunters and Collectors market also reported an upward trend. Almost without exception, box The increasearises at a time of turtles are collected straight from the deepconcern in America over the statusof 4 VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER

wild to supply the national and international markets. discoveredcontaining more three-toedturtles left over Although in some statesthis is illegal, dealerscan still from anotherconsignment. Thesewere grouped trade,provided that the turtles are caught outside of togetherunderneath a piece of wood to avoid the heat. stateoffering protection. Many people who want For thesethere was a bowl of water away from the "pet" box turtles collect them from the wild. There are inadequateshade. There was no food whatsoever. also professional turtle hunters who, apart from In addition to the two bins and corral that we catching their own turtles, alrange with people to discovered,a cardboardbox arrived containing collect whatever they find and then store the turtles approximately on hundred box turtles, some of which until the wholesaler calls. During an lengthy trip, were pile up three deep in some places. Many of these numerousstops may be made and this can result in were thin and dehydrated. During the duration of our severalhundred box turtles being accumulatedby the stay, the dealer offered no attention except to sell a end of the trip. During thesecollection trips, the box few. The most commonly sold turtle in America is the turtles rarely receive food and water, and in wann three-toedspecies, but other are regularly seenat weather,turtles require food and water more dealers. frequently than at cool temperatures,because in such conditions the reptiles' metabolisms speedup. Factors Precluding Captivity Suffering from depravation during Box turtles, like other reptiles, are very transportationand neglect before collection, the turtles sensitiveto climatic and environmental variations, frequently arrive at wholesalersdehydrated and thin. even within the United States. Box turtles live in Some do not make it alive at all. Furthermore,the er-tremelyvaried climates. The omate speeies,for conditions they frequently endure at the dealersare example, suffers out of its arid natural habitat and the very inhumane. At one dealer'spremises in Florida Gulf Coast speciescan dehydrateaway from its my colleaguesand I saw two large, galvanizedsteel southem and central environment. Britain and much bathtubJike containersin which were held two of southwesternEurope (areaswhere the box turtle batchesof the three-toedbox turtle trade is rife) are lacking in both species. The metal container made it environmental extremes. Also there difficult for the occupantsto avoid the are considerabledifference in length Virginia'sregulations have heat of the day. There was no food or tightenedup considerably of seasons.The natural environment water available, and the open plug over the pastthree years, for box turtles generally has long holes at the lower end of the sloping and to some,it mayseem summersand short winters. so that bins would have ensuredthat any that thesenew rulesare the animals are used to relatively unnecessaryor overly water from rain showerswould be long periods of activity and short restrictive.As the following lost. During a heavy shower the bins articleby CliffordWarwick periods of hibernation. Once could accumulatewater and the turtles attests,the imported into Europe for the pet could drown. commercializationof species trade, thesehrrtles are exposedto the We removed a deal individual is a significantfactor reverseconditions, i.e. long winters, contributingto the declineof from one container and then which would generally mean an our nativefauna, with box attemptedto find some water for turtlesgetting hit especially unnaturally long hibernation period. them. Water was provided from a hard.Keep this storyin mind Often, the already considerable hosewhich immediately got a when filling out your captive stresswhich these chelonianshave responsefrom the turtles who tried to breedingpermit, or when been subject to prior to their arrival you feel likecursing the 5- suckit from the enclosurefloor. A into the hands of the public, is few heat-witheredlettuce leaves individuals-per- speciespersonal additionally affected by poor or were found and were quickly possessionlimits. devoured. A corral was also Cont'd Page 1I VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER 5

...... H e r p ryPH a p p e n i n g s

TheFoll Meeting of theVHS wos held ot LibertyUniversity in Lynchburgin October,1993.In oddition to o numberof finepresentoiions in the ofternoon, one of themoin occomplishments of this onnuol event wosthe election of newofficers ond supporl stoff. Here ore the results of thotelection: President:Ron Southwick President-Elect:Poul Sottler Secretory/Treosurer:Bob Hogon Co-ediiors,Cotesbiono: Poul Sofiler, Terry Spohn NewsletterEditor: Sue Bruendermon

ServiceAwords were presented to bothJoe Mitchell ond DougEggleston for their hord work ond ochievementsin their previous roles os VHS Presideni ond Newsletter Editor (respectively). We olso owemony ihonks to RonSouthwick for servingthe VHS so well in hisprevious role os Secretory/ Treosurer.We oweyou on oword,Ron! Thonks Joe, Doug ond Ron for monyyeors of devotionond hordwork, ond congrotulotions to the new officersl

VHSMembers Ron Southwick ond Sue Bruendermon represented the VHS ond ihe Deporlmentof Gomeond .|993. InlondFisheries (DGIF) ot theReptile Trode Show held in Richmond,December 5, An EndongeredSpecies disploy wos set up whichincluded live specimens of o woodturtle ond tiger solomonder,photos of otherVirginiothreotened ond endongered herps, ond informotion on Virginio'sEndongered Species progroms. VHS wood turtle t-shirts were sold olong with DGIF's new endongeredspecies' shirts. Permitting informotion ond permits olso were mode ovoiloble ot theshow. Thedisploy ottrocted severol hundred visitors ond oppeored to generoteo greotdeol of interestin Virginio'sendo ngered species.

.|3, .l993 TheVHS Executive Commitlee met on December ot LibertyUniversity to discussvorious items of businessond future plons for theSociety. Some noteworthy results of thotmeeting include: (1) Poul Sottler& TerrySpohn ore lookingfor o moiorodicle for thenextissue of Cofesbiana,;(2) The onnuol springVHS meeting wos scheduled for 23-24, April, 1994. Slotedfor thisyeor's event is o tripto souihwestVirginio (Russell/Scott counties) io sompleCopper Creek. This Clinch River tributory is knownfor itsincredibly rich oquotic founo, to includenumerous species of freshwoterturtres, solomonders,snokes ond muchmore. Detoiled informotion obout the trip is forthcoming in thenext issueofCatesbiana;(3) Reptilesof Virginio,byJosephC.Mitchell isneoringcompletion! Citotionwill reod: Mitche/l, J.C. | 994. TheReptiles of Wrginio.Smithsonion lnstifulion Press,Washingfon, D.C. Thislong-owoited book will be 7xl0 in size,400 pp.,with 63 colorphotogrophs. The publicotion will includeidentificotion keys, species occounts, ond historicolperspectives of studies in Virginio. Estimoiedprice is $45; hordcover only. A totolof 3000 copieswill be printed.

TheVirginio Deportment of Gomeond InlondFisheries, through its Nongome ond EndongeredWildlife 6 VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER

...... H e r p e6pH a p p e n i n g s

Progrom,hos committed to o $5,000donotion to VHSfor the development of o "Snokesof Virginio" poster.The plon is to followthe formot of NorthCorolino used fortheir "Turtles of NorthCorolino" - o collectionof phototgrophsoccomponied by short norrotive descripiions by eoch species. Here ore thespecies decided upon by the VHS EXCOM for the poster:

Conebrokerottlesnoke N. brownsnoke Copperheod E.gorter snoke Cottonmouth E.ribbon snoke N. pineSnoke Molekingsnoke E.hognose snoke N. ringnecksnoke N. wotersnoke Queensnoke Cornsnoke Scorletkingsnoke Blockrot snoke N. red-belliedsnoke N. blockrocer E.worm snoke E.kingsnoke Roughgreen snoke E.milk snoke

@Weo'eso|icitingphotogrophdonotionsfromtheVHSmembershipforthiseffort. Doesonyone hove good slides of thesespecies, preferobly in theirnotive hobitot? We sorelyneed yourhelp on this.Pleose moil your slide donotions (securely pockoged ond properlylobeled) to either SueBruendermon (703-552-6992) or RonSouthwick (703-951-7929) ot VDGIF,2206 S.Moin Street,Suite C, Blocksburg,VA,24060.Pleose coll us if youhove questions. Thonks you foryour cooperotion.The sooner we gethelp on this,the sooner you'll see your poster! Anticipoted completiondoie is 30 June,1994" Send yourslides now!

VHSM;-be'; MichoelHoyslett recently odopted the newtiile of "Noturolisi/AdventureProgrommer" Ior theCity of Lynchburg'sDeportmeni of Porksond Recreotion. Michoel's role is to promotepublic progrommingond educotionol/recreotionol octivities in ihe oreosof NoturolHisiory, Environmentol Educotionond Outdoor High Adventure. Good luckwith your new iob, Mike! Congrotulotions!

TurtleLovers! The first issue of o newtudle ond tortoise scieniific iournol entitled, Che/onian Conservofion and Biology, Journal of the IUCN/SSC Tortoiseand FreshwaterTufile SpecialistGroup ond lnfernationo/Bullefin of ChelonianResearch, wos published in November,1993.The editoriol stoff of thispublicotion include highly respected herpeiologists such os J.W. Gibbons, M.\V. Klemens, ond G.R.Zug(o VHS memberl). Subscription rotes ore for o fullvolum e of 4 issues,with 2 issuesplonned peryeor: $25 individuolsond $50 for institutions.Moke checks or moeyorders to AndersG.J. Rhodin,Chelonion Reseorch Foundotion ,168 GoodrichStreet, Lunenburg, MA 0l 462,U1A. VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER 7

HERPS The Red Rat Snake. years. commonly known as the "Corn in Hand Although com snakescan Snake" is one of the most beautiful be found in a variety of color, most snakesfound in Virginia. It is also color morphs seentoday are a the most common of the Rat Snake As reported in Vol. 13,No. 2 of product of selective captive family to be kept as a pet. Their CATESBEIANA,a Captive Breeders breeding. Bright red to true albinos nafural range is from southernNew Committee hasbeen established, now are being produced. The so- Jerseyto the Florida Keys and west called is actually an with past-newsleftereditor Doug "albino" to Louisiana. Habitat preferences amelanistic snake,meaning that it Egglestonas its Chair. Currently include pine forests and open brush lacks the melanin, or dark skin areas. Often found in farming Doug lS the committee, and is pigmentation. The true albino or areas,this animal is a welcome seekinghelp with this newly "snow corn" is white with pink visitor to barns and grain storage establishedentity. The intent of this eyes and little or no markings buildings. The diet is primarily commiftee is to help bridge some visible. The anerythristic rodents,but as a arboreal animal gaps that have been evident between specimensare lacking the red they will include birds and their pigment and are primarily gray. hobbyistsand professionalbiologists eggsin the diet occasionally. However, striped, zigzag, and within the Society. fu suggestedby Thereis a lot of color motley mutations are available. variations throughout their range. PresidentRon Southwick,the Corn snakeswill breed in Those located in Virginia will committee will be utilizingthe the last spring through early usually have a gray or silver News letterto transfer information surlmer. The female will usually background,with brick-red about captivecare, breeding,and clutch between T2020eggs. The markings down the back and sides, other helpfultips concerning incubation period averages65 days borderedwith black. It is at 85 degreesFahrenheit. In herpetoculture. This column, Herps sometimesmistaken for the Eastern captivity, these snakesmust be in Hand, now will be a regularfeature Milk Snake,Lampropeltis t. "seasoned"for breedingsuccess. triangulum by those unfamiliar of the VHS newsletter,and today's Normally only one clutch of eggsis with local snakes.Unfortunately, article on the corn snakeis the first of layed per female per year. A very they are also mistaken by the many to come. Memberscan look healthy pair may be double- uneducatedfor Copperheads, forward to Doug'sforthcoming clutched with proper seasoning,but Agkistrodon contortrix, and killed. articleson the e?rsternking and mole this breeding technique is The belly pattern is a give away to recofilmendedonly with a very kingsnakes,the other two native their identity. It is checkeredwith large female in good physical specieswhich can be legally black markings on white. Some health. other colors may blend into this propagated and sold (with proper Maintaining a corn snake theme. permits). Personsinterested in can be as simple as housing them in The record length for the joiningthe Captive Breeder's a container the size of a ten gallon corn snakeis 72 inches, but it Committee shouldcontact Doug at aquarium, with adequateventilation averages30-48 inches. This snake 8041376-5229, P.O. Box 727, and heat. A water container and specieshave been successfully hide-box shouldbe provided. Brookneal,Virginia, 24528. maintained in captivity many years. Some people prefer to offer more Longevity has beennoted at20-25 spaceand add such cage I VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER

accessoriesas branches,rock and LiteratureReview live plants. One must keep sanitation and maintenancein mind The purpose of this column is to inform members of recent herpetological when designing a cage. A suitable researchwhich is pertinent to Virginia or of special interest to the Society's joumals, substratewill be required and here membership. Papersor notesfrom professional new books, "grey literature" reports,and popular magazine articles are acceptablefor inclusion in there are choices as well. the column. Members are encourugedto sendrecently published items of interest Newspapers,astro-turf, pine or to the editor. Submlssionswill be acceptedsubject to the approval of the editor. aspenshavings are all good selections.The use of stones, Brisbin,I.L.Jr., and C. Bagshaw.1993. Survival, weight changes, and shedding gravel and soils are not frequenciesof captivescarlet snakes, Cemophora coccinea, maintained on recommendedfor substratesdue to an artificalliquid diet. Herpetol. Rev.24(I):27-29. the high maintenanceinvolved. The preferred temperaturerange is Britson,C.A. and W.H.N. Gutzke. 1993. Antipredator mechanisms of hatchling between 78-90 degreesFahrenheit. freshwaterturtles. Copeia L993(2) :85-aa0. Try to set up the cage to offer a wann area (and preferable an Bruce,R.C. 1993. Sexual size dimorphism is desmognathinesalamanders. addition, even warner area) for Copeia1993(2) :313-318. their comfort. Be sure to include Bnrenderman. andK. Tenvilliger.7994",Swimmingbeyond boundarie-s: flle an escape-prooflidon your cage! -S. uncertainfuture of Virginia'smarine mammals and seaturtles. Virginia When the snakeis introduced to Wldlife 556\:12-27. this new home, it will invariably inspect the entire cage and seek a Conant,R. 1993.The oldest snake. Bull. Herp. Soc. 28(4):77-78. way to escape. Once they have settledinto their captive life, they Lazell,J.D. 1993. Life history notes:Heterodon platirhinos (Eastem Hognose will generally accept the enclosure Snake)melanism heredity. Herpetol. Rev. 24(1):35. as their new home. There is a lot of new Lee,D. 1993.Alligators. Wldl. N. Carolina57(5):8-12. information in print on the care of (Crotalus rat snakes. There are even books Martin,W.H. 1993.Reproduction of the timber rattlesnake honidus) in theAppalachian Mountains. J. Herpetol.27(2):133- I43. available about the corn snakeand its care and breeding. Take the Mitchell,J.C. and R. Southwick 1993.Notes on the spiny sofuhell,Apalone time to explore this literature and spinifera(Testudines: Trionychidae), in southeastemVirginia. Brimleyana utilize the tips offered by the 18:99-102. writers, usually keepersor handlers themselves. Researchingthe Strong,D., B.Leatherman and B.H.Brattstrom. 1993. Two simplemethods for animal and its proper care and catchingsmall fast lizards. Herpetol. Rev.24(I):22-23. feeding should be first step when consideringkeeping any animal in Weldon,P.J., B.J. Demeter, and R.Rosscoe. 1993. A surrueyof shedskin-eating captivity. The more you know, the (dermatophagy)in amphibiansand reptiles. J. Herpetol.27 (2\:219-228. better successyou will have with your animal and the longer it will live. Compilers:J.C. Beane, AL. Braswell(source: July 1993NC Herp.Soc. Newsletter), Sue Bruenderman Continued Page 1I VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER 9

t p_hdngesin State laws selectednative species,or any ilidri"ti""r pertainingto native other person or facility wanting to and naturalized speciesmake it deal with any of the specieslisted PERMITS necessaryto obtain a permit for in the permit packet. Note: This certain activities dealing with permit is not required by those native species.These activities holding and selling exotic (non- ]t0lY include: 1) the collectionof native) animals. snappingturtles, crayfish or BEl|UIRED hellgrammites for commercial Individuals or businesses pu{poses;2) holding to sell who want to raise and sell certain minnows and chubs, catfish, native fish, captive bred snakesand BYTHB snappingturtles, certain captive- frogs, crayfish, and hellgrammites bred snakesand frogs, crayfish and must have a "Propagate and Sell" DBPARTMBNT hellgrammites; and 3) propagation permit. This permit will allow for to sell certain fish, snakes,frogs, the propagationof game fish for OFGAMB crayfish, and hellgrammites. stocking pu{poses,trout and catfish Permit packets for each activity for food pu{poses,minnows and ANDINTAND can be obtained by contacting the chubs, crayfish, hellgrammites, and FISHERIESFOR Deparrment'sPermits Section in selectedfrogs and snakes. More the Richmond Office or at any of specific information is included in CBRTAIN the Department'sfield offrces. the permit packet. Permitswill be issuedat no charge ACTIYITIBS until June30.1994. BeginningJuly 1, 1994 there will be a chargefor permits DBATINGWITH Anyone who collects issued. The fees will be set by the NATIYEANI) snappingturtles, crayfish or Board of the Departmentof Game hellgrammites for the purpose of and Inland Fisheries. Permits shall NATURATIZBD resalemust now obtain a "Collect be issuedon a fiscal vearbasis and Sell" permit. The permit will (July1-June30). SPBCIES allow collectorsto sell their catch to individuals and to properly While thesenew permitted bait dealersand requirementsmay appearto place processors.Additional some additional paperwork on the information is included in the affected individuals or businesses, O,uestionsconcerning these permit packet. the increasedcommercialization of permits can be directed to wildlife and tremendouspotential DGIFFisheries Supervisor, A "Hold and Sell" for contaminationof native gene Ron Southwick(703-951- permit will be required by anyone pools leave the Departmentwith 79231or DGIFAssistant who deals in the sale of certain few options with regard to these Chief of Fisheries,Fred Leckie (804-367-1000). native species.These would issues. include establishmentswhich sell bait, pet storeswanting to sell the 10 VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER t, t, T.t I=TI J l)

TheBulletin Board accepts limited categories of advertisements (productsand services only). These ads are free to VHS members,and will beaccepted subject to the approvalof the editor.Ads for liveanimals are not accepted.Bulletin Board ads shouldbe submitted directly to theVHS Newsletter Editor, 2206 S.Main Street, Suite C, Blacksburg, Virginia24060.

WANTED: Personor persons PUBLICATION: 1993-94 T-SHIRT: "Preservingthe having experiencewith snakes Directory: A Guide to North Diversity". Abstractdesign wanting to eam extra rnoney. American Herpetolog.v.A featuresendangered species under Must have own transportation, comprehensivelisting of pet shops, coastal,piedmont, and moutain flexible hours, and knowledge manufacturers,government headings.$12.00 plus $2.50 of local snakesand state laws agencies,private breeders, shippingand handling. Available pertaining to their protection. veterinarians,national distributors, in sizesmed., large, and x-large Call Michael Weeks (804) 427- and other providers of herp-related from: Virginia Departmentof 9864. servicesand products.120 pp. Gameand Inland Fisheries, P.O. $15.00.Call or write: Reptile & Box 11104,Richmond, Virginia SNAKE! is a stand-alone Amphibian Magazine, RD 3, Box 23230-1104.(Attn: Toni computerizeddirectory of 3709-A,Pottsville, PA 17901, Harrison) breeders,importers and other (7r7)622-60s0. dealersof reptiles, amphibians and other exotics. Names can be instantly scrolled on the screen by name, city, state,zip, product, phone and./orFAX. Cost: $79.00(8/92). For the captive breederwho needsto sell surplus stock, as well as the large wholesaler who needsto Mark R. Finkler,D.V.M. keep in touch with dealers. SandyHook Scientific, Inc. 51 loaxore Axmal Hospral Main Street,P.O. Box 432, Gloucester,MA,01931, (s08)281-8011. 2814 FranklinRd, S.W. Roanoke,Va. 24014 (703) 343-8021 VA HERPETOLOGICALSOCIETY NEWSLETTER 11

Box Turtles NEWS RELEASE Continuedfrom Page 4 inaccurateinformation on basic care and managementin captivity. Carnival SnakehandlerArrested, Convicted Tortoisesin generaldid not do well in captivity and neither do for PoachingRare Rattlesnakes, Concluding box turtles. Consequently,for lO-YearProbe. conservationand welfare reasons alone, the trade in them should not be encouraged. By U.S.Fish and WildlifeService. Contact:Diana Weaver(4 1 3) 253-8329 Herps in Hand (Excerptsfrom May 1993News Release). Continuedfrom Page I

With the new statelaw that A carnival snakehandlerwhose aggressiveand persistent enablesVirginia herpetoculturists poaching activities severely diminished the population of Easterntimber to captively propagatethis species, rafflesnakeswas sentencedon April 23 to four months in federalprison. one should be able to find a nice His arrestby U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicespecial agents concludes a specimenin a local pet shop or decade-longinvestigation. thror:gh a breeder. The corn snake According to Sam LiBrandi, the Service's speciai agent in is a great first snakeand makes an Lawrence,N.Y., Rudy Komarek, 64, of Little Ferry, N.J., known in the easy-to-keepand handle specimen. reptile world as "The Cobra King", was arrestedNov. 5 for interstate trafficking in snakes,a violation of New York statelaw, after he sold Easterntimber rattlers in New York. He was convicted and sentencedin U.S. District Court in Ft. Meyers, Florida. Komarek worked at carnivals wHbeobE in New York, New Jerseyand Connecticut, exhibiting Egyptian cobras NEWIAE-EABEE}S and thrilling audienceswith his seemingly hypnotic powers over the deadly snakes,LiBrandi said. Serivce agentsbelieve Komarek poached Michael Weeks and sold thousandsof Easterntimber rattlers, a threatenedspecies in Christopher Harr New York and New Jersey.He askeda relatively low price for the Mike Jennings reptiles - $20 to $30 each - but enhancedhis profitability by trading in Jim Scranton huge quantities. Mark Ferguson Populations of the Easterntimber rattlesnakehave diminished GeraldMiller sharply in recent years due to loss of habitat and increasedpoaching. The Kay M. Briggs snakesare sought by collectors eagerto own a rare)poisonous reptile or Doug Harpole by people who use the snake's venom to produce a snakebiteantidote Chad Hooper serum,LiBrandi explained. Sam Spies "The arrest and conviction of major poacherranks as a victory Erik Svendsen in safeguardingthreatened or endangeredspecies", said the Service's Pat Lookabaugh NortheastRegional Director Ronald E. Lambertson."This casetestifies G. Carleton Ray the importance of law enforcementto our mission of protecting Mary J. Rybitski wildlife". Jill Wicknick Carl Anthony