Reptile Husbandry

Question 1

What are the two main orders in the class Reptilia?

Answer 1

Chelonia and Squamata

Question 2

Environmental stress has what effects on reptiles?

Answer 2

Reduces immune system function, making them more prone to infection

Question 3

What are the sub-orders of the Squamata order?

Answer 3

Suaria/lacertilia = lizards

Serpentes - snakes

Question 4

What are the 4 families of snakes? Give example species in each

Answer 4

• Boidae: bae constrictor, anaconda, python
• Colubridae: corn snake, rat snake
• Elapidae: mamba, cobra
• Viperidae: rattlesnake, pit viper, puff adder

Question 5

Which is the most advanced family of snake and why?

Answer 5

One carotid, one lung, hanged maxilla for movement

Question 6

Snakes from which family are most commonly kept? give examples

Answer 6

Colubridae - corn snakes and king snakes

Question 7

Give examples of the most commonly kept lizards

Answer 7

Gecko
Bearded dragon
Iguana
Chameleons
Skinks
Chinese water dragon

Question 8

What are the 3 main chelonia species?

Answer 8

Turtles
Tortoises
Terrapins

Question 9

What are the 3 environment types you would find reptiles and chelonia living in?

Answer 9

Terrestrial (ground living)
Arboreal (tree living)
Aquatic and semi-aquatic

Question 10

What is an ectotherm?

Answer 10

Any animal whose regulation of body temperature depends on external sources, such as sunlight or a heated rock surface.
Need to provide different heat sources to achieve preferred optimum temperature zone

Question 11

What should the heat source not be provided by? What should be used instead as the primary heat source?

Answer 11

Not a light source

• heat mats
• heat tape
• incandescent bulbs
• ceramic lamps

Question 12

Why may a secondary heat source be used, what are risks of this that should be noted?

Answer 12

• Gives a higher temp heat source in specific areas
• Should not exceed high end of preferred optimum temperature zone
• Never allow direct contact with this source - burns

Question 13

How do humidity requirements vary between species?

Answer 13

• Lower for desert species: 20-30%
• Most species tolerate 50-70%
• Higher for rainforest species: 70-80%

Question 14

What device is used to monitor humidity?

Answer 14

Hygrometer

Question 15

What should a higher humidity area be provided for?

Answer 15

Ecdysis - shedding

Question 16

Describe a lighting regime used for most reptilia species?

Answer 16

12-14 hours of light a day

Question 17

Why is the quality of light important?

Answer 17

UVA 320-400nm: stimulates reproductive behaviour in lizards

UVB 290-320nm: required for vitamin D conservation in skin, calcium metabolism

Question 18

How does frequency of feeding vary between Reptilia?

Answer 18

• Iguanas/chelonia = daily
• Small snakes/lizards = 1-2 a week
• Young large snakes = 3 a week
• Adult large snakes = every 2-4 weeks

Question 19

Describe the diet of tortoises, spiny tailed lizards and green iguanas?

Answer 19

Herbivores: green veg, flowers, succulents, calcium supplement and UVB essential

Question 20

Which reptilia species are omnivores?

Answer 20

Terrapins and turtles

Question 21

How does the diet of snakes contrast to bearded dragons, geckos, chameleons, etc.

Answer 21

Snakes are carnivores: eating rodents and rabbits

The others are insectivores: eating mealworms, crickets, locusts

Question 22

Overhandling of young reptilia can lead to…?

Answer 22

Food refusal

Question 23

What are the pros and cons of some reptilia species hibernating?

Answer 23

Pros - stimulates normal thyroid function and reproductive behaviour
Cons - harmful in young, ill or underweight animas

Question 24

How would you encourage a reptile to hibernate?

Answer 24

Withhold food for 2 weeks, place in a box with bedding, reduce temp below 10 degrees