Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians

Question 1

What are the main characteristics of fish necessary for their survival in their water environment?

Answer 1

Air/swim bladder
-amplifies sound, assists swimming, supplementary breathing organ

Lateral line
Extra sense to receive vibrations
-currents, temperature, escape, travelling in dark/murky water

Only inner ear and no eyelids

Scales increase in size (not number) as fish grows

Breathing:

• open mouth, operculum closes
• close mouth, operculum opens
• 95% oxygen in gulp removed by gills when water pushed out

Question 2

Whatis the main purpose in a water change?

Answer 2

Remove uneaten food, debris, waste = even water flow
Aesthetic appearance
Decrease ammonia and nitrite levels in tank
Decrease disease spread

Question 3

What is the pH of saltwater vs freshwater

Answer 3

SW = ~ 8.0 - 8.2

FW = 7.0 - 7.2

Question 4

Which gases are important to fish?

Answer 4

Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide

Question 5

What are the advantages of air lifts?

Answer 5

Removes low oxygen water from gravel bed to surface for gas exchange

Surface disruption:
bubbles = increase gas exchange

Causes water movement to move debris/waste to filter

Question 6

What affects air flow?

Answer 6

Diameter of pipe

Air flow rate from compressor

Heigh of lift/tank height

Question 7

How do you deteremine the efficiency of a filtration system?

Answer 7

Chemical tests of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, pH, chlorine

Question 8

How do you prepare a new fish tank?

Answer 8

Rinse everything with cold DCL water

Wear mask for unrinsed gravel (silica dust)

Line bottom of tank with gravel

Add filter

Add heater (in bottom 2/3’s of tank to avoid need to remove during cleaning)

Add furniture/plants based on species

Air pump placed above water line to prevent back siphoning

Turn heater, filter and air on
- let air stones saturate for ~1 hour

Age tank - check chemical levels

Water changes daily using DCL and de-gased water

Seed filter with bacteria
- add fish. slowly

Watch for air bubble disease

Question 9

When examining fish, what do you look for?

Answer 9

Respiration rate

• normal? Gasping?
• problems caused by water movement and biomass

Colour

• normal or unusually dark/pale?
• indicator of breeding or aggression?

Unusual marks on fish

• cloudy eyes
• hemorrhage in fins/skin
• small white granules over body
• bloating
• wasting away

All appear to be there?
- look for dead or sick fish

Question 10

What is important about the appearance of a fish tank from a public perspective?

Answer 10

Haze (bacterial slime)

• result of natural biological processes (bacterial growth)
• food source = bacterial growth

Green haze
-excessive nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, light) create ideal conditions for algae growth

Decor clean or algae covered?
-regular removal keeps algae in check

Question 11

How do you set up an amphibian enclosure?

Answer 11

Gravel layer

Clean substrate 1” thick

Sphagnum/sheet moss
-soaked overnight and thoroughly rinsed

Water level at least 6” below upper level of moss
-water slowly wicks up through substrate

3-4” depression in substrate for shallow pool

Plants

• all/most soil removed from roots (decrease parasites)
• roots need oxygen
• too much water can kill

Heat lamp and basking spot with UV light

Furniture
-hide, height, change

False bottom enclosure good for cleanliness and removal of waste water

Question 12

Describe the process by which a snake sheds its skin

Answer 12

Secretes thin layer of fluid between new and old skin
= milky appearance

Eyes covered with fluid
= can be blind

Snake rubs head against something hard until skin splits open

Rippling of body muscles
= outer layer of skin stretches
= snake wiggles out

Outer layer of skin is turned inside out

Skin shed in one piece

Question 13

Explain a closed “freestanding” system set up for amphibians

Answer 13

Does not allow outflow of water and waste

May use living plants to decrease/absorb nitrogenous wastes

= close attention to hygiene and drainage is important

= must maintain balance of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down waste

= must watch that toxic levels don’t get too high

Question 14

Explain an open “plumbed” system set up for amphibians

Answer 14

Plumbing installed to dispense excess waste products and able to rinse enclosure easily and on a regular basis

• good system for animals where moisture added constantly
• no filtration as misters flushing and dumping on a constant basis
• adjustable to provide breeding pool
• frequent flushing = decreases parasite loads in enclosure

Question 15

How would you address problems with a poor snake shed?

Answer 15

Refer to reptile monthly logs/reports, daybook, ZIMS
-when was the last shed (and corresponding temp/humidity levels)

Check/change to substrate that holds more moisture

Check sufficient food intake

Move to smaller holding container

Put in damp snake bag

Put in rubbermaid container with water bottom

Question 16

Why is it important to conduct routine observations of reptiles and amphibians?

Answer 16

Provides info on

• environmental life support system
• health
• social activity
• reproduction
• feeding
• visibility

Allows keepers to predict where animals will be found at different times of day/week

• feeding locations
• preferred shelter
• basking behaviour

Variations in regularly observed behaviours may provide early warning of changes in reproductive status, health or stress

Question 17

Feeding considerations specific to reptiles and amphibians

Answer 17

Fresh killed animals may be required to stimulate feeding
-arranged for days when commissary receives live animals

Live animals not fed on display while zoo open

Animals being fed off display must be done before/after public hours

Food bowls attractive or camouflaged

To decrease food for/contamination by pests, food is not left in exhibit overnight

Question 18

What information is recorded on R/A monthly reports?

Answer 18

Daily temp: air, hot spot, pools
Daily humidity
Growth measurements (length, weight)
Means of identification
Breeding events (copulation, egg laying)
Diet changes
Food intake
Alterations to habitat/environment
Medical conditions

Question 19

Why is it important to utilize R/A monthly report

Answer 19

Essential for determining and documenting long term trends

Aid in determining illness or comparing diseases conditions among animals

Diary for:

• changes made by keeper (diet, enclosure)
• seasonal changes (light cycles)
• animal observations

Question 20

How do you decrease the risk of disease transmission with reptiles (salmonella)

Answer 20

Treat all as salmonella carriers

Regular testing

Restrict public access to touching/handling of reptiles

All reptile artifacts sterilized by WHC before handling by public

Limit number of people touching reptiles

• hand wash facilities
• hand sanitizer

No contact in areas where food is being prepared or consumed

Question 21

What could cause a reptile egg to not have hatched?

Answer 21

Needs more time

Not fertilized

Not found and incubated quickly enough

Wrong temp/humidity

Eggs were rotated or shaken

Problem with the incubator

Problem with the substrate

Not covered or not on damp paper towels

Question 22

A female python is refusing food, what should you consider?

Answer 22

Shed
Gravid
Sick
Temp too cold
Light level too low
Might not like the food that is offered

Question 23

What are some signs that a reptile might be sick or injured

Answer 23

Regular sheds?
Abnormal behaviour (basking, territory)
Weight loss
Activity level - more hiding
Posture/responsiveness
Gait
Colour - generalized/patchy changes
Shape - swelling
Appetite increase/decrease or selective
Urine/Stool - clear, chalky, liquid, blackish/brown
-frequency, amount, texture,consistency, colour, smell
Underside red/inflamed
Discharge/bubbles from eyes/nose
Foam or red discolored patches in mouth
Wheezing/clicking sound when breathing

Question 24

What do you do with R/A in the event of a power outage?

Answer 24

Consult facilities, supervisor, lead keeper

Move to central area that holds heat for longer

• or to an area heated with emergency power
• if prolonged outage or below critical temp
• animals may be left in holding containers due to limited space
• consider moving to another zoo location (WHC)

Large heated pools retain heat longer than air
-leave in pools until temps begin to drop

To reduce temperature loss:

• turn off exhaust fans
• shut all doors
• move holding containers away from walls
• insulate with styrofoam
• use heat lamps

Question 25

What can you do if you suspect an issue with a fish tank heater?

Answer 25

Check:

Plugged in properly
-hot outlet or in timed outlet
Heater at correct temperature setting
Appropriate for tank size

Question 26

What factors would you check to ensure a fish tank filter is operating properly?

Answer 26

Is it working?
-plugged into hot vs timed outlet

Return water flow normal?

Intake blocked?

Filter assembled correctly?

Question 27

What would you do if the pH test for a fish tank comes back abnormal?

Answer 27

Compare to previous results
Repeat test - check test for inaccurate results

Check for

• accumulation of detritus
• inappropriate substrate or furniture

Check and clean filter

Gravel clean
Water change, or more frequent water changes
Decrease feeding/amount

Repeat test until results normal

Question 28

What is the process involved when reptiles going into hibernation

Answer 28

Animal fasted (~1-4 weeks)

• allows GI tract to empty
• time varies: species, environment

Moved to cooler area

Physical exam by keeper, weight recorded

• overall appearance, oral
• questionable health = not cooled, LK informed

Fecal sample pre and post cooling

Temp lowered 2-3C daily until desired temp reached
-log min/max temps daily

Desired temp reached = lights left off
= simulated den/subterranean environment

Access to water given

• spot cleaning only
• disturb as little as possible

Health monitored and reported

END of hibernation:
Temps raised 2-3C daily until desired temp reached (20C)

Remove from hibernaculum
Physical exam
Weight recorded

Food quality and frequency limited and gradually increased within first month post hibernation

Keepers prepare to breed priority specimens prior to hibernation - optimum time frame

Question 29

How do you disinfect an amphibian enclosure?

Answer 29

Infrequently and with care

Animals moved from enclosure

Bleach (1:10) applied for 5 mins
Rinsed thoroughly (min. 5 rinses) with hot water
Allow to air dry completely (preferable for 25 hours)

Cover exhibit tops (e.g. plexiglas) if closed room
Ventilate to reduce fumes
Avoid using bleach in confined areas with aquatic tanks

Question 30

How do you transport A/R?

Answer 30

In boxes specifically built for transporting
made of escape proof and easily disinfected materials
Insulated carrying bags
In containers that do not allow public viewing
Dangerous = locked and labelled transport container

Question 31

How do you disinfect hooks/tongs/nets?

Answer 31

Rinse to remove dirt

Biosentry 904 quaternary ammonium disinfectant

• dip in after each use
• 10 minute contact time

Rinse with hot tap water

Question 32

How do you disinfect R/A holding cages, props, and exhibits?

Answer 32

Non-porous materials

1.2% chlorine bleach (100ml : 900ml)

Rinse several times with hot water

Allow to air dry before using again

Be cautious with porous materials: small amounts of chlorine released can be toxic to amphibians

Contact time should be minimal - corrosive to metals or use another disinfect (904)

Record on monthly A/R reports

Question 33

What water can you use for reptiles and amphibians?

Answer 33

Reptiles: tap water OK for water source

Aquatic or larval amphibians:
DCL or aged only

Terrestrial or adult amphibians:
Tap OK for cleaning enclosures
DCL or aged for pools and water bowls

Question 34

How do you disinfect R/A humidifers and misters?

Answer 34

1.2% chlorine bleach (100ml : 1000L)
Let stand for 10 minutes
Drain and rinse several times with hot tap water
Misters only: allow to air dry

Humidifiers:
Using tap water = de-scaled with lime-a-way or vinegar (heating element and evaporator tray)
Rinse thoroughly with hot water prior to using bleach
NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH L-A-W OR VINEGAR