Reptile Husbandry and Nursing Flashcards
What are the basic vivarium sizings for reptiles?
Large as possible.
Lizards should be able to stretch lengthways and turn without touching side of the enclosure.
Snake should be able to stretch diagonally across the vivarium.
Climbing reptiles need adequate height for branches.
What is the ideal housing for chelonians?
Housed indoors in a large open top enclosure with a deep layer of substrate.
Have supervised access outdoors.
What does poikilothermic mean?
Body temperature varies depending on surrounding environment.
What heat sources can be provided for reptiles?
Ceramic, Tube heaters, Reflector bulbs, Heat mats/rocks, Infrared bulbs.
Why is providing heat so important for reptiles and what should be provided?
To maintain body temperature.
To mimic natural environments.
Different gradients should be provided.
Areas should be controlled via thermostat at either end of the vivarium.
What is the ideal environmental temperature surrounding the vivarium?
20-25*C
How can humidity be created and measured?
Created by regularly mist spraying water.
Placing wet paper towels in a container and placing it inside the vivarium.
Measured using a hygrometer.
What are the benefits of ventilation in vivariums and how can it be provided?
Provides fresh air flow. Ventilation holes placed at the same level of the animal.
Avoids respiratory issues.
Prevents bacterial infections.
List 4 reasons why lighting is important for reptiles.
Provides an average of 12 hours of light and dark.
UVB must be provided for daytime active animals to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Provides photoperiod to reptiles to stimulate natural behaviours of basking, eating and reproduction.
Required for calcium metabolism and activation and synthesis of vitamin D.
What types of lighting can be provided for reptiles?
Incandescent bulbs.
Fluorescent tubes with UVB and UVA.
Mercury vapour lamps.
Metal halide lamps.
What is the ideal substrate for vivariums?
Leaf litter.
Soil.
Shredded paper.
Substrate should be digestible if consumed.
What substrate can be used in hospitals for reptiles?
Newspaper.
Allows monitoring of faecal/urine output.
What furnishings can be added to vivariums and what are the benefits of each?
Hides - provide shelter for nesting or hiding. Reptile should be able to feel all 3 sides to feel safe in hide. Reduces stress.
Water - for drinking and wading. Heavy bowls used to prevent spillage.
Plants - living plants provide humidity.
Reptile Handling
How would you handle a lizard?
Picked up round the pectoral girdle.
Can be trapped against the side of vivarium with a soft cloth.
Never catch by the tail - causes autonomy.
Reptile Handling
How would you handle a snake?
Small snake: support with one hand under their broadest part, and support as they coil round the arm.
Aggressive snake: support the head with one hand and the other hand under their broadest part.
Temperature, UV index and Humidity of a Bearded Dragon
Temp:
Hot end - 38-42C
Cold end - 22-26C
UV index: Basking zone 3-5. 0 in shade
Humidity: 30-40%
Temperature, UV index and Humidity of a Blue Tongued Skink
Temp:
Basking - 30-35C
Cold - 22-26C
UV index: Basking zone 3-5. 0 in shade
Humidity: 40-90%
Temperature, UV index and Humidity of a Corn Snake
Temp:
Hot end - 28-30C
Cold end - 20-24C
UV index: Basking zone 1. 0 in shade
Humidity: 40-50%
Temperature, UV index and Humidity of a Gecko
Temp:
Hot end - 26-28C
Cold end - 20-24C
Humidity: 40-50% with boosts to 70%
Temperature, UV index and Humidity of a Royal Python
Temp:
Hot end - 30-32C
Cold end - 24-26C
UV index: Basking zone 1. 0 in shade
Humidity: 50-60% with boosts to 80%
Temperature, UV index and Humidity of a Terrapin
Temp:
Water - 22-25C
Basking zone - 30-35C
UV index: Basking zone 3-5. 0 in shade
Name 2 ways of fluid administration in exotics.
Subcutaneous fluids.
Place in a body of warm water (27-30*C) to encourage drinking.
How would you provide supportive feeding to exotics?
Syringe feeding most commonly used in lizards and small mammals.
NG and oesophagostomy feeding tubes can also be used as they are faster and ensure the food reaches the stomach.
Gently extend the neck to straighten the oesophagus when placing tubes into the stomach.
How would you syringe feed small herbivores?
Place animal on a flat surface and prepare a “burrito” restraint.
Gently grasp the animal and insert the syringe into the diastema.
The first mouthful should be small (0.2-0.5ml) to ensure active chewing.
Syringe the formula slowly and follow with 5-10ml water to flush the tube and flush food along the oesophagus.
What is a possible complication of syringe feeding?
Aspiration or inhaling formula.
Inhaled formula can lead to pneumonia or blockage of the airway.
What is a terrapins dietary requirements?
Omnivores.
Eat fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Only feed in water and are messy eaters.
Young terrapins fed every day.
older/larger do not need fed as often - 2/3 times a week.
Food dusted with multivitamin and calcium powder to prevent calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency.
