husbandry of reptiles

Question 1

difference between herpetology vs herpetoculture

Answer 1

• herpetology; scientific study of reptiles and amphibians
• hepretoculture: keeping reptiles and amphibians

Question 2

class reptilia has __ orders

Answer 2

4

Question 3

order testudines

Answer 3

turtles (saltwater) terrapins (fresh water), tortoises (land)

Question 4

order sphenodontia

Answer 4

tuataras from NZ

Question 5

order squamata

Answer 5

lizards, snakes, worm lizards

Question 6

order crocodilia

Answer 6

crocs, alligators, gavials and caimans

Question 7

reptile metabolism

Answer 7

much slower than mammals (1/5-1/7th of mammals)

Question 8

what is reptile metabolism determined by

Answer 8

temp, body size (smaller= more active= higher metabolic rate), species, diet, predation behaviour

Question 9

out of aerobic or anaerobic metabolism which is more efficient, which do reptiles use

Answer 9

aerobic,
but reptiles use anaerobic for vigorous activities therefore lactate accumulates quickly so they can only do short bursts of intense activity

Question 10

are reptiles cold blooded

Answer 10

no, but they are ectothermic meaning they generate some metabolic heat but lack of insulation means it can’t be retained so rely on external temps to regulate body temp

Question 11

advantages of being ectothermic

Answer 11

energy is not wasted on maintaining body temp, lower food requirements and able to safely hibernate (brumate) in cooler weather

Question 12

disadvantages of being ectothermic

Answer 12

all activity is limited by external temp, also limits their environmental range, can’t do high levels of activity

Question 13

UVB radiation and reptiles

Answer 13

important for reptile behaviour and vitamin D3 metabolism (and therefore calcium metabolism, calcium needed for bones, eggs and muscle contraction)

Question 14

3 wavelengths of UV light

Answer 14

UVA; appetite
UVB; bones
UVC; cancer

UV light naturally found in sunlight but filtered out by class or plastic

Question 15

primary husbandry factor: species
what does it consider

Answer 15

• social or not
• dominance
• territorial
• prey vs predator

Question 16

reptiles enclosure should: (3 things)

Answer 16

• allow for normal physiologic and behavioural needs
• allow for social interaction and development of hierarchies (where appropriate)
• make it possible for animal to remain clean and dry

Question 17

what are some challenges of free range reptiles

Answer 17

• cold floors, injuries, other pets, escape

Question 18

size of enclosure

Answer 18

not too small but not too big that get too cold

Question 19

arboreal reptiles need ____ enclosures while terrestrial reptiles need _____ enclosures

Answer 19

tall, long

Question 20

materials of enclosure should be

Answer 20

waterproof, easy to clean, with no traps

Question 21

why is substrate needed

Answer 21

for breeding behaviour, won’t lay eggs without it and will become egg bound

Question 22

substrate materials

Answer 22

• sand, bark and mulch not great because people pay for it so they tend to not throw it out as much as they should
• newspaper is great option

Question 23

why is a hide important in a reptile enclosure

Answer 23

for safety, security, behaviour and thermoregulation

Question 24

what kind of lights are needed in an enclosure

Answer 24

white light for diurnal cycle
UV light for UVA: appetite and behaviour UVB: vitamin D3 and calcium metabolism

Question 25

what are 2 types of heat in an enclosure

Answer 25

radiant (from above) and convective (from below)

Question 26

what are 3 ways they control their body temp

Answer 26

cardiovascular shunting, changing body shape and their behaviour

Question 27

2 key concepts of heating an enclosure

Answer 27

• preferred body temp
• preferred optimal thermal zone

Question 28

what is humidity

Answer 28

percent saturation of water in air

Question 29

what would excessive and insufficient humidity cause

Answer 29

• excessive: blisters that rupture and cause bacterial infections
• insufficient; don’t produce enough lymphatic fluid (lube in order to shed skin), can constrict and for ex in snakes their tail could fall off

Question 30

what does ventilation achieve

Answer 30

provide fresh air, remove ammonia and prevent overheating

Question 31

nitrogen cycle in tanks

Answer 31

• nitrogen introduced in tank
• respiration, excess food and waste causes ammonia
• nitrosomas bacteria converts ammonia into nitrites
• nitrobactor bacteria converts nitrite into nitrate
• plants use nitrates as fertilizers

Question 32

doing a water change: how much should you take out and how often

Answer 32

10% each week

Question 33

what is leading cause of poor health in captive reptiles

Answer 33

poor hygiene

Question 34

principles of biosecurity

Answer 34

• keep diseases out
• minimize potential stressors
• minimize potential spread of disease
• identify and remove sick reptiles

Question 35

why should you not feed reptiles live food

Answer 35

may attack the reptile

Question 36

frequency of feeding determined by

Answer 36

metabolic rate which is determined by age, species, reproductive status, activity levels

Question 37

in terms of brumation; when the animals wake up they think about

Answer 37

breeding (so don’t let them brumate if you don’t want to breed them)

Question 38

what are 2 types of behaviours

Answer 38

maintenance and social

Question 39

foraging enrichment

Answer 39

seek out food

Question 40

physical enrichment

Answer 40

an environment that stimulates normal physical activity

Question 41

sensory enrichment

Answer 41

allows reptiles to use sight, sound, taste, smell and touch in daily life

Question 42

social enrichment

Answer 42

does reptile need companion or bonding time w human

Question 43

occupational enrichment

Answer 43

giving reptile choice over daily activities

Question 44

stressors can be

Answer 44

physical, nutritional or social