Monthly Bulletin May 2006

May Meeting

May 6,  Kisatche National Forest

The annual Kisatche field trip will be our monthly meeting.  There will be a BBQ at Theron's house in Boyce on Friday and the field trip on Saturday.  If you plan on collecting you must have a Louisiana fishing License and be sure to bring any necessary equipment (hooks, bags, etc).  Contact Eric for info.  RSVP soon if you plan to make the trip.

Last Meeting

Dr. Brad Moon gave us a wonderful presentation entitled "The Big Squeeze: Constriction strength in snakes".  Dr Moon explained why we should respect large constrictors.

Events To Put On Your Calendar

Please welcome this new member who joined in April

William Kelly of Gonzales LA

Mark Ordoyne of Avondale LA

James Smith, Jr. of Chalmette LA

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.

From the Legislative Committee:

Representative Warren Triche of Thibodaux introduced HB783 which changes the wording of current law from “constrictors over 12 feet” to “non-indigenous constrictors”. Everybody should be contacting their state Senators and asking them to oppose this legislation. The reasons are numerous. The bill has only one supporter, Pinckley Wood of Humane HEARTS, an animal activist. The bill has numerous opponents. All of the opponents of HB783 feel that the bill is not needed, is unfair to hobbyists and will create hardships for pet shops and breeders. Information about this bill can be found at www.legis.state.la.us. Please contact your Senator as soon as possible.

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:

Eric Derbes, Jean elbers, Mel Ruth, Rodney Oliveri and Fred Mattingly did a presentation on reptiles and tarantulas for the Boy Scouts at the St. Mary Neri school in Kenner. We talked to the group about the proper and responsible care of our favorite animals.

Next opportunity:

On June 16 we will participate in the Louisiana SPCA Care Cadet Camp . This presentation will be strong on educational content. 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

A breeder pair of Asian Water Dragons
Both are a year old (different blood lines)
Both well over 2ft long.
He weighs 345 grams
She weighs 185 grams
They have been cooled and she is possibly gravid
$135 includes shipping

A breeder pair of Red Saharan Uromasty
Both are a year old (different blood lines)
He weighs 200 grams
She weighs 115 grams
Eating veggies, pretty bird and occasional crickets
$150 includes shipping

5 lot of Sandfire Red X Sandfire Yellow Bearded Dragon Babies
2 1/2 wks old
Eating great on 1/4 crickets and veggies
Beautiful colors of orange, yellow and red
$200 includes shipping or $75 each includes shipping
- for more info contact Cindy.