Monthly Bulletin April 2006

March Meeting

Monday,  April 10,  7:00 PM in the Nims Conference Room at the Audubon Zoo

Dr. Brad Moon will be our speaker. The title of his presentation is "The Big Squeeze: Constriction strength in snakes".

Last Meeting

Our new president,  Thomas Eimermacher,  gave his presentation on water cobras, titled "Field Research at Lake Tanganyika - Diving with Cobras".

Events To Put On Your Calendar

Please welcome this new member who joined in March

Anthony Picheo Pensacola FL

Other Items of Interest

This bulletin is to serve as our monthly news letter.  A link will be emailed to members early each month as a meeting reminder.  The bulletin will also present reminders for other happenings scheduled for the near future. Paper copies will be sent to members without email.  If you have a suggestion for this bulletin please bring it to the next meeting or email it to the webmaster.

Beware of cheap mulch and where it comes from. The LSU AgCenter has issued a warning that mulch made of downed trees from the hurricane in the New Orleans area may contain Formosan termites. Many of you use mulch as a substrate. Please be cautious when making purchases.

From the Legislative Committee:

Warren Triche, State Representative from Thibodaux, has introduced HB783 on the request of the State Federation of the US Humane Society. The bill would change State law to require permits for all non-indigenous constrictors instead of those over 12 feet. This translates that if HB783 passes, you will need a permit to keep your boas, ball pythons, Mexican milks & kings, etc. We don't fully understand the reason for this request. However, we have ascertained that there is apparently no other support for this bill other than the Humane Society. The East Baton Rouge Animal Control told them that they would not support the bill. The Audubon Zoo, the LA SPCA and the Louisiana Reptile & Amphibian Task Force do not support this bill. If HB783 gets out of the House Natural Resource Committee on Wednesday, April 5, we will need to contact our State Representatives and ask them NOT to support the bill and vote against it if it comes to the floor for a vote. This is an important issue for all of us.
www.legis.state.la.us

Sulcatas, Leopards and Bell’s Hingeback Tortoises must have a health certificate from a veterinarian certifying that they are tick free before they can cross state lines. The certificate can’t be older than 30 days. This is a federal regulation that has been in effect for a couple of years. We just wanted to remind you about it as the reptile show season approaches.

Please be discreet with your neighbors concerning your herpetoculturist interests. They don’t always share your passions. Most problems with regulatory issues arise when people complain to the local authorities and the press. The damage control needed to rectify the complaint is a difficult and protracted process. The time to show off our reptiles is at shows and educational functions. We need to be visualized as a responsible segment of society.

If you are aware of any pending local,  regional,  state or national legislation efforts of reptile related issues,   please contact a member of the LGCHS Legislation Committee:   Bill Watts,   Fred Mattingly,  Thomas Eimermacher,   Mike Beebe or Theron Magers.

Education:

Bill Watts, David Chiasson, and Fred Mattingly presented a brief program for about 100 students at the Petre Elementary School in Westwego. The Students enjoyed their introduction to a tortoise ,a tegu, and several snakes.

Next opportunity:

On April 18 we will present to a group of boy scouts. This will be an older group so this will be a great opportunity to do some educating. Contact Fred Mattingly if you would like to help.

The 2005 membership renewals are $15 and are now due. If you were a member or became a member before Hurricane Katrina, you may mail in your dues to LGCHS, PO Box 113483, Metairie LA 70011-3483. Please do this as soon as possible as to expedite our bookkeeping.

If you can handle reptile nuisance calls in your parish, please email Bill Watts or call 504-710-8456.

Coming soon: a compilation of your member benefits.  Did you know that as a member benefit that you can get a behind the scenes tour in just about any zoo in the country?  How about a behind the scenes tour the Audubon Zoo with your family?   Or being on the reptile placement list?  Contact Bill Watts or Fred Mattingly for details.

Society Polo Shirts are available with your name embroidered under the logo over the left pocket for $15.  If you want the Tarantula logo on the sleeve it is an extra $3.  If you bring it back later for the logo it is $6.  It is $8 if you want a logo put on a shirt or whatever that you already have.  Contact Bill Watts or call 504-710-8456.  We also have some hats with the Snapper logo available for $15.
If you have not received your shirt as a new member benefit, please contact Bill Watts.

If you have a suggestion for a club activity please Email it to Thomas Eimermacher.

classified

Members may list classified ads here. Please bring your ad to the next meeting or email it to the webmaster.

Reptile collector would like to hear from other reptile people. I have reptiles from West Florida to trade. ph# 850-439-2546.Tony Picheo, 11080 Lillian Hwy 98, Pensacola FL 32506

1 Male Eastern Collared Lizard - 1 Year old
Just out of brumation, and ready to breed. Would make an excellent pet or breeder. Just shed, and has beautiful greens & yellows.
$80 includes shipping - for more info contact Cindy.