Reptile Husbandry Flashcards
Chelonians
Turtle, tortoise and terrapins
have carapace, plastron and scutes
Crocodilians
largest and oldest living reptiles
Crocs possess bony plates in their skin and have a 4 chambered heart with foramen of panizza that allows bone shunting when diving.
Tuataras
NOT a lizard, only found in NZ and live underground and tolerate colder temps. Include gastralia (abd ribs), lack a phallus and have a retained parietal third eye.
Lizards
the most diverse group
- Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard are venomous
- claws or adhesive discs on the toes
- parietal eye under skin on top of head
- eyelids or spectacles are present
- lifespan correlated to size
Snakes four biggest families
Boidae: boas and pythons
colubridae: king, rat, indigo, garter, water and corn snakes
viperidae: true vipers and pit vipers
elapidae: cobras, mambas, coral snakes, sea snakes, etc.
T/F: all snakes lack eyelids, pectoral girdles, external ears and urinary bladders
T, they have a clear spectacle that gets opaque before shedding
T/F: snakes can hear sound waves through the air but can’t determine the direction it is coming from through the air
T
whats unique about the snake jaw?
there are extra joints in the skull and a ligament instead of a mandibular symphysis allowing the lower jaw to move more and separate. In venomous snakes the outer row of teeth on the top is replaced by venom channeling fangs.
explain a microhabitat
this is specific to the species needs and is harder to understand and more important for the animals well being than the major habitat
5 basic reqs for a captive reptile
- housing
- temp
- lighting
- humidity
- water
preferred cage material ad length for reptile housing
prefer glass or plexiglas preferred for most and then the cage circumference should be 1.5 times the length of the snake
what species would like a habitat with multiple screens?
chameleons and frilled lizards AND add a lot of proper substrate (newspaper, reptile carpet, tile, care fresh litter, alfalfa pellets)
what animals can have sand substrate?
boas and sand skinks
t/f: reptiles should be fed on their normal substrate
F, unless newspaper or cage carpet
what plant is associated with conjunctivitis in chameleons?
tropical plants such as Ficus and Pothos
explain a reptiles P.O.T.Z
preferred optimal temperature zone
This is where a reptiles metabolism runs efficiently and for every 5 degrees outside of the zone a reptiles immune system function is cute by 50%
Desert cage temp
day: 75- 95+
night 65- 75
temperate cage temp
day: 72-88
night 70-72
tropical cage temp
day: 78-100
night: 72-75
semi aquatic cage temp
land: 75- 88
water: 68-75
T/F: DO NOT use hot rocks OR other in cage heaters
T, use a radiant heat source from above or under tank heaters
what 2 things should lighting provide reptiles?
- a normal day: night cycle
- proper UV exposure: UV-A for appetite and behavior, UV-B for calcium metabolism
T/F: sunlight can provide full spectrum light only if obstructed by glass
F, it cannot be obstructed by glass
what should the label of lighting say for reptiles?
UV-B
how often should the fluorescent bulbs be replaced?
every 6 months even if the light is still on
T/F: heat produced from a fluorescent UVB light can still burn the reptile
T
Brumation
winter dormancy where you stop feeding and drop the temperature about 25 degrees for most reptiles. A snake is usually kept down for 2-3 months but neuro, GI and respiratory issues may develop if the process is performed incorrectly
Desert habitat humidity
40-60%
temperate habitat humidity
60-70%
tropical habitat humidity
70-80%
no matter what, the reptile habitat needs to be __ and humidity without __ = a diseased animal
no matter what, the reptile habitat needs to be ventilated and humidity without ventilation = a diseased animal
screen tops/sides
T/F: many lizards (especially chameleons) WILL NOT drink from a standing water source like a bowl
T, they will lap water from plants, cage furniture and themselves after misting
