Amphibians and Reptiles Flashcards
1
Q
How many families of frogs and toads are there?
A
20 families
- 234 genera (3494 species)
2
Q
What are the causes for worldwide loss in frog populations
Name all five
A
- Iridioviral infections
- Chytrid fungus infections
- Termatode (fluke) infections
- Pesticides
- Increased UV light exposure
Due to reduction in wild species. Pet owners should purchase frogs form reputable pet stores and not wild caught
3
Q
Why are frogs a good indicator species
A
- Permeable skin
- Amphibious lifestyle
- Complex life cycle
4
Q
What are the common species of pet frogs?
Name all six
A
- Fire-bellied toads
- South American horned frogs
- African clawed frogs
- Tree frogs
- Bullfrogs
- Leopard frogs
5
Q
Name native location, lifespan, and other importaint facts
Fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis)
A
- 2 inches long
- Mildly toxic (children should not place frog in mouths!)
- Aquatic environment
- Natural habitat: South Asia
- Life span:10-15 yrs.
- This is a very long lifespan
6
Q
Name native location, lifespan, and other importaint facts
Poison dart frogs (Dendrobates sp)
A
- Native South America
- Brightly colored: warning to predators
- Skin: secretory glands: Batrachotoxin (Dendrobates) : cardiac and neurotoxin (poison linked to diet: eating ants) Batrachotoxin: Very toxic: size of 2 grains of table salt, kill a 150 lb. person
- Some species: produce: curare like agents
- Captive raised frogs: are not poisonous
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- This is a small lifespan
7
Q
Name native location, lifespan, and other importaint facts
South American horned frogs (Ceratophrys sp (horny skin))
A
- 2 inches long
- South American rain forests
- 5 inches long/ females 1 lb.
- Lifespan: 6-8 years
- Nickname: ‘PacMan’ frog
8
Q
Name native location, lifespan, and other importaint facts
African clawed frogs
A
Xenopus (strange food) laevis
- Frogs and tadpoles: common in biomedical research (developmental biology)
- 6 inches long
- Native to: Sub-Sahara Africa
- Lifespan: 15 years
- Very long lifespan
9
Q
Name native location and other importaint facts
Tree frogs
A
- Arboreal (trees) habitat
- Native to: North, Central South America, Asia, Europe
- 637 sp
- Nocturnal: mainly active at night
10
Q
Name native location, lifespan, and other importaint facts
Bullfrog
A
Large frogs from different continents
- Deep voices ‘croaks’
American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana):
- 9 inches long
- Lifespan: > 35 years
- THIS IS A VERY LONG LIFESPAN
11
Q
Name native location and lifespan
Leopard frogs
A
Northern Leopard frog (Rana pipiens): USA and Southern Canada
- 3.5 inches long
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
12
Q
What differentiates toads from frogs?
A
- shorter
- thicker bodies
- short legs
- can not jump as far frogs
- Also have poison glands
13
Q
How many species of toads ar there?
A
339
14
Q
What are the alternate names for cane toads?
A
- Cane Toad
- Giant Neotropical Toad
- Marine Toad
15
Q
Cane Toad original habitat
A
True terrestrial toad: habitat in South and Central America:
- introduced into Hawaii Asia and Australia(1935)-to eradicate pest of sugar canes [beetles]
16
Q
What do cane toads eat?
A
Prolific reproduction and voracious appetite (eats both living and dead matter)
- Snails
- native frogs
- small snakes
- small mammals
17
Q
Why are cane toads a problem in Austailia?
A
Adults have poisons glands and tadpoles are highly toxic
Kills predators that eat the toad
- Freshwater Crocodile,
- Tiger Snake
- Red-bellied Black Snake
- Death Adder
- Dingo
- Western Quoll- carnivore marsupial
No fatal direct poisoning. But fatal indirect poisoning. Eating soup contaminated with adult Cane Toads or tadpoles or eggs
50 dogs/year Hawaii die from mouthing Cane Toads
18
Q
Cane Toad Poison
A
Threatened: Adult toad will turn so that parotid glands face predator.
Toxin oozes from glands of secrets a fine spray at attackers.
If absorbed: mucous membranes (eyes, lips, nose)
- Intense pain in humans and temporary blindnes
Bufotoxin: cardiac toxin: will kill predators with 15 minutes of injection
19
Q
Frog Lymphatic Systems
A
Large lymphatic system (some species have large sacs).
Fluid from lymph drains into circulation.
- These sacs can be used to administer medication.
20
Q
Frog Skin
Animal Science
A
Smooth skin: ventral (underbelly) aspect: absorb water and electrolytes and helps absorb oxygen (respiration)
- Skin must be kept moist
- Skin has lots of blood vessels
21
Q
What are the two types of skin glands in frogs
And name their function
A
Mucous glands secrete slimy coat:
- retains moisture
Granular (serous) glands secrete:
- antimicrobials
- pheromones
- analgesics
- toxins (i.e. parotid glands: behind eyes): anti- predator agents (i.e. Cane toads)
22
Q
Frog legs
Animal Health
A
Structural modification:
- variation in bones and heavy muscling of hind legs:
- Jump 2-10x their body length
23
Q
Frog Toe Pads
A
Toe pads (discs): allow tree frog to grip vertical surfaces
Interlocking cells with gap (not suction
cups)
- This is a velcro-like effect
Applied pressure: changes morphology of discs to grip irregular surfaces
24
Q
Characteristics of Tadpoles
A
Tadpole (closely resemble fish):
- Gills, no limbs,
- Tail (that is reabsorbed)
- 2-chamber heart
- Lateral line: detect vibrations and changes in current (detect food):
25
What are the three catagories of adult frogs?
| Lifestyle based
- aquatic
- semi-aquatic
- terrestrial
26
Frog Husbandry
Enclosure **should mimic natural habitat** (i.e. tree frogs need long vertical surfaces)
- Frog usually like place to hide
Water: dechlorinate as chlorine is toxic
- Cleaning supplies are toxic
Frogs are **ectothermic** (poikilothermic):
- need external heat supply to maintain body heat (24-28C)
**Humidity**: most frogs 70-90%; 60-80% toads
27
Redleg
| Frog Diseases
Redleg: Aeromonas hydrophilia
Associated with poor nutrition, husbandry over crowding, stress, fecal contaminated water, spoiled food
- Note: **these causes are mostly from poor husbandry practices**
- Common in wild caught species
Symptoms: **Septicemia and necrotizing dermatitis**
28
Chytrid Infections
| Frogs
Fungi: Chytrid: cotton-like tuff around mouth:
Lead to skin injury: **loss of fluid and electrolytes** and **increased secondary bacterial infections**
- More common in immunosuppressed animals
Treat: saltwater bath or benzalkonium
chloride (BC50®)
29
Mycobacteriosis
| Frog Infections
Mycobacteriosis : Mycobacterium xenopi, M. fortuitum, M. marinum. M. lifladii
- **granulomatous lesion throughout the body**
- Can occur in immunosuppressed frogs
- **Potential: zoonotic**. ‘Aquarists nodules’.
- Atypical Mycobacteriosis can be fatal in immunosuppressed people
30
What is the most common effect of skin injuries in frogs?
Bacterial Infections
31
Frog Parasites
Can be infected with all types of parasites:
trematodes, nematodes, protozoa, cestodes
Nematode: *Psuedocapillaroides xenopi*
- Parasite burrows under skin. Skin will the have an **irregular appearance and slough**
- Prone to secondary bacterial infections
- Highly contagious in stressed frogs
32
Iridovirus (Ranavirus)
| Frogs
Caused major die-off of frogs in Asia, Southeast Asia and USA. (Cultured and wild frog).
- **Doesn’t cause disease warm blooded animals**
- Virus is having large impact on commercial operations
- Various virus species infects: frogs and tadpoles
- result in cutaneous, wart-like lesions, of skin that can ulcerate.
- **Leads to death: usually by secondary infections**
33
*Chlamydia psittaci*
| Frog Diseases
*Chlamydia psittaci*: Psittacosis of birds
- **Released into environment by stressed birds**
- Infects frogs: Especially African claw frogs
- Muscle loss, abdominal distension, reddening of skin
- **Zoonotic: Fatal pneumonia in people**
34
# True or False
The number of chambers in a frog's heart changes over its life cycle
| How many chambers are there?
**True**
Tadpoles have two chambers
Frogs have three chambers
- Non-septate
35
What are common pet lizards?
| Name all seven types
- Iguanas
- Bearded dragon
- Water dragon
- Anoles (chameleons)
- Skinks
- Gecko
- Monitor
36
Iguanas
650 species (Central & South America)
- 6.5ft long
- Green, Brown Chuckwallas (flattened body)
- Herbavores
37
Bearded dragon
Mid sized, native in Australia.
When alarmed: Puff out skin under jaw and appears as a dragon
38
Water Dragons
| Lizards
Native to Asia
Same physical qualities as green iguanas
39
Skinks
| Lizards
1275 species:
lives in leaves and
brush of forests
40
Gecko
| Lizards
- 800 species (tropics)
- feet have adhesive pads climb on almost any surface (vocal and nocturnal)
- **can live 20 years**
41
# Explain traits and example species
Monitor
| Lizards
**Powerful jaws, tail and claws** (some communities prohibit as pets: very destructive)
African Savannah: 5 ft. length: live 20 yrs.
Komodo dragon 7-10ft length 150lbs: **excellent hearing and smell** (detect dying animals 9.5 km) and can see 300 meters
- Death of prey: septic: **Have filthy mouths filled with virulent bacteria**
- Some research suggest: may inject some form of venom
42
What are the two known species of venomous lizards in America
- **Gila monster**
- GLP1 animal
- Used for type two diabetes treatment
- **Beaded lizard**
43
Reptile Hearts
3 septate chamber heart
- Unless its a crocodilian, which independantly evolved 4 chambers
44
Is it a good idea to house two lizards in the same space?
Depends on the species...
Some species of males can be territorial and aggressive: not wise to housed together
45
Lizard tail automy
Tail autotomy: predatory escape mechanism
- tail will ‘drop off’ if restrained
- New tail will grow back, but it will be off color
46
Housing
| Lizard Husbandry
Need enclosures with tight lids (easy to cleans plastic glass)
- Secretive creatures: needs place to hide (PVC tubing)
- **Don’t add pine or cedar shavings** (toxic) or digestible calcium carbonate (GIT obstruction)
47
Water
| Lizard Husbandry
Clean fresh daily
- some lizards absorb water in through skin
- some lizards (chameleons) lap dew: mist vegetation
48
Temperature
| Lizard Husbandry
**(ectotherm)**; environmental temp needed to regulate core body temp.
- Improper temperature regulation: metabolism drops and are susceptible to infection
- **Need: temperature gradient in cage** (areas of greater heat than others
- Temp: depends on native environment of species (desert species [gecko]: 34 C; temperate species [anoles] 30 C
49
Humidity
| Lizard Husbandry
Need balance and should represent native environment:
- Too wet: dermatitis (infection)
- Too dry: dehydrates; skin shedding
General rule of thumb:
- Temperate species: 50-70% humidity
- Tropical species: 70-90% humidity
- Desert species: 40-60% humidity
50
Light
| Lizard Husbandry
Some lizards need UVB (290-310nm) radiation: **Vitamin D synthesis**
- Need full spectrum light bulb and don’t shine through glass or plastic: absorbs UVB
51
Feeding
| Lizard Husbandry
Diets are variable and depends on native habitat
- Iguana; herbivores
- Bearded dragon: omnivores
- skinks geckos: insectivores
- monitor lizards: carnivores.
52
Lizard Handling
| Lizard Husbandry
**Must support entire body**, regardless of size
- (one hand behind neck a shoulders, other hand support tail and hind legs)
Lizards will bite ( and hold on), scratch (claws), tail whip
- KEEP AWAY FROM THE FACE
53
Infectious stomatitis
| Lizard Diseases
‘Mouth rot’ (inflammation of mouth)
- **Induced by stress and immunosuppression**
- Viral (herpes virus) can induce injury
- More common causes: low temp, overcrowding, dirty cages, inappropriate diets
- **Bacteria causes major problem (secondary infections)**: Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Serratia, E. coli
54
Protozoal disease
| Lizard Diseases
Protozoal disease: affects many body organs
- **Causes stopped eating, bloody diarrhea, dehydrated**
Turtles: latent carriers and will be source of infection of snakes and lizards
55
Cryptosporidium saurophilum
| Lizard Diseases
Severe emaciation, muscle loss, usually need to terminate lizard
- desert geckos most affected
56
Coccidiosis: Isospora amphiboluri
| Lizard Diseases
(common in captive reptiles; especially Bearded dragons)
- Diarrhea and dehydration
- Young animals affected, adults carriers
57
Adenovirus
| Lizard Diseases
Adenovirus (captive breeding populations of Bearded dragons)
- Muscle loss, weakness (rear leg paralysis), dehydration
58
Metabolic Bone Disease
|Reptiles
**Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism**
- Seen in: herbivores and insectivores
**Caused by dietary imbalences**:
- Diets low calcium: high phosphorous and/or poor UVB light (no Vitamin D)
- Young and reproductive females most affect
- Low calcium diets: body removes calcium from bone and bones become ‘soft and rubbery’
**Symptoms:**
- Bone fragile (fractures long bones) and pliable
- Tetany: seizures
- **First indication (iguana): refuse to lift head and tail off the ground when walking**
59
Thermal Burns
| Lizards
Lizard (and other reptiles) allowed access to radiant heat can develop heat burns
- If lizard too cold: will sit by thermal source too long
If the wound becomes **infected** (Pseudomonas especially) it is **difficult to treat and can lead to euthanasia**
Preventative Measures:
- Heat source: covered with screen, or place outside enclosure
60
What are the three types of venomous snakes?
1. **Vipers** (rattlesnakes, copperheads): larger fangs from upper jaw
2. **Elapid** (cobra, mambas, coral): fangs upper jaw but small
3. **Coubrids** (boomslangs, mangrove): Fangs: further back in upper jaw
61
What are the common types of pet snakes
| Name the five types
- Boas
- Pythons
- Garter Snake
- Corn Snake
- Hognose Snake
62
# Name their native habitat and cimportsnt facts
Boas
| Snakes
Native to Central and South America
- Good breeders in captivity and tame quickly grow 12 feet
- Constrictor Snake
63
# Name the three common species and important traits
Pythons
| Snakes
Size: 3-20 ft
**Ball python**
- Popular pets
- Docile and adapts to handling
**Burmese python**
- 20 ft., 200lb
- powerful snakes not recommended as pets (novice owners)
**Reticulated python**
- very large
- poor temperaments (dangerous pets)
64
What are the two types of constrictor snakes
- Boas
- Pythons
65
King Snakes
- beautiful and docile
- 7 ft. long,
- live 20-25 year
66
Hognose snake
- Native to North America
- When threatened enlarge body and flatten head (look like cobra)
67
Snake tonges
Snakes have forked tongue: detect chemical scents (vomeronasal organ; olfactory organ in roof of mouth)
68
Snake tracheas
Opening of trachea: behind tongue sheath:
- Allows snake to breath while holding prey
69
Housing
| Snake Husbandry
Enclosure: Tight fitted lids: escape artists
- No free edges: snakes will injure themselves
- Shavings (burrowing)
- Carpet: traction
- Secretive nature: needs hiding space (i.e. box)
70
Water
| Snake Husbandry
Large bowls
- Snakes can ‘soak’
- Need to soak prior to shedding
71
Temperature
| Snake Husbandry
Ectotherms (poikilothermic)
- Temperate species: 25-31C; tropical species 28-33 C, desert species 29-35C
If too cool: snakes will not eat
**Problem: if fed snake is too cool, it will become obstipated**
- Constipation, but completely obstructed
Similar to lizards direct heat source: careful burns
72
Humidity
| Snake Husbandry
Too low humidity (desiccation); too high humidity (dermatitis, blister disease)
**Enclosure humidity**: Temperate species: 50-70%; tropical species 70-90%C, desert species 30-50%
73
Feeding
| Snake Husbandry
Carnivorous (insect to small mammals), most are not selective, some species (green python) are and can be difficult to train
Need to ensure proper nutrition: prey can be fortified with nutrients: ‘gut of prey animal is loaded’ (mineral, vitamins, protein etc.)
- Will eat ‘pre-killed prey’
- Frozen food needs to thawed and warmed to be appetizing to snake
**Important: when feeding live prey, ensure the snake has eaten prey**.
- If shedding or inappetent the snake can be injured by rodent
**After feeding do not disturb**; the snake will regurgitate food (defensive mechanism), can become emaciated
74
Snake Handling
Support as much body as possible
Don’t handle a frightened or agitated animal: may strike
- **If need to handle aggressive animal, cover with towel prior to restraint**
Snake hooks to transfer from enclosure to another
- Grab head behind jaw for manual restraint
75
Infectious stomatitis
| Snakes
amoebiasis and cryptosporidiosis, burns
76
Inclusion body disease
| Snakes
Inclusion body disease: retrovirus:
- significant mortality:
Symptoms:
- nervous disorders locomotion problems (roll on back ‘star gazing’)
- weight loss (regurgitation)
- abnormal shedding
- pneumonia
77
Dysecdysis (abnormal shedding)
| Snakes
Often a symptom of underlying disease (husbandry, infectious disease, handling errors etc.)
78
Gout
| Snakes
Snakes that are starving, kidney failure, antibiotic aminoglycosides (Gentamicin)
79
Turtles: Chelonians (body shell)
| Animal Health
Includes all turtles
- nomenclature can be inconsistent (land vs aquatic vs terrapins).
244 species worldwide
80
What are the catagories of turtles?
| Two major groups: three subgroups
**Cryptodira** (hidden neck turtles) , retract with ‘vertical S-shape’
**Pleurodira** (side neck turtle) hold head ‘sideways fashion’ to shell
- **Turtles** (aquatic turtle): exclusively live in water, except to lay eggs
- **Terrapins** : move between land and water
- **Tortoise**: terrestrial animals (land turtles), do not swim well
81
Chelonians shells
| Turtles
Found in all turtles
**Fused to vertebra and rib**: bony plates covered by scales (scutes)
Shell: hinges (seams) allow for flexibility in the shell
82
Enclosure
| Turtle Husbandry
Size of turtle varies, so should enclosure (fit size of turtle)
Outdoor pens (terrestrial turtles): **pen must be placed deeply**, so turtles cant dig underneath fence. Can be housed on aspen shavings
Need place to hide: reduce stress (boxes or large pieces of bark
83
Water
| Turtle Husbandry
**Need deep water to swim freely**
- Some turtle need to immerse entire body in water bowl to drink
**Change water frequently**:
- Soiled water will cause disease
**Some turtles (painted turtles) need ramp above water to dry off: ‘haul out area’.**
- Can place a heat source to encourage use of this area
84
Heat
| Turtle Husbandry
**Ectotherms**: use ‘behavioral thermoregulation’
Warm surfaces (convention heat), sunlight
(radiation heat)
**Effects**
- Too hot: turtles are stuporous
- Too cold: turtles will hibernate
**Habitat temperature of different species**
- Temperate species: 26-30C
- Tropical species:28-31C
- Desert species: 29-32C
85
Humidity
| Turtle Husbandry
**Incorrect humidity**: problem with shedding scales and shell lesions
- Temperate species: 50-70% humidity
- Tropical species: 70-90% humidity
- Desert species: 30-50% humidity
86
Feeding
| Turtle husbandry
- **Most turtles**: carnivorous
- **Terrapin** (no taxonomy difference from turtles- resides in different habitat; fresh and brackish water): omnivorous
- **Tortoise**: primarily herbivores
- **Aquatic turtles**: will only eat in water
Ensure adequate diet: commercial diets are usually good: need to check for adequate Vitamin A in diets
87
Turtle Handling
**TURTLES ARE LITTLE BUTTS AND WILL DO EVERYTHING THEIR TINY BODIES ARE CAPABLE OF TO MAKE YOU SUFFER**
**Restrain use sides of shell**
- Claws will scratch
- Turtles with long necks (Snapping turtle) can reach around and bite handlers, so **grab back portion of shell (between legs)**
- Bites can be painful and serious (snapping turtles)
88
Shell Fractures
| Turtles
**Causes**:
- improper handling
- dog bites
- trauma
**Treatment**: Wire or adhesive repair
89
Vitamin A deficiency
| Turtles
Vitamin A is needed for:
- epithelial integrity (skin, intestine, urinary system, gut, respiratory tract)
- vision (night blindness, people),
- immune function
- embryonic development.
Deficiency in tutles causes:
- often respiratory problems (with
secondary bacterial infections…pneumonias),
swollen eyes,
90
Repiratory Tract Infection
| Turtles
Causes:
- **Housing**: Too many animals in close contact (crowding)
- **Improper temperature and humidity**
Effects:
- **Herpes** (no treatment; euthanize)
- **Mycoplasma sp** (long time to treat and recovered animals can be carriers)
- **Secondary bacterial infections**
91
Middle Ear Infections
| Turtles
Common in box turtles:
Swollen Ear drum (tympanic membrane) and
turtle becomes off feed
- **Infection can progress to brain (encephalitis)**
92
# True or False
All reptiles are potential carriers of Salmonella
**True**
**Shed in feces**, and transmission during handling the animal and soiled water, feed and enclosure
Immunosuppressed (cancer, AIDS patients), young and old, pregnant women most susceptible and should not handle animals
