reptiles Flashcards
1.5.2.10 (7/5)
No LO about critical values in reptiles (HR, RR, body temp. etc)
Why not? (incl key term)
their metabolic rate depends on env temp
their body temp depends on env temp
(ectothermic)
name the 3 reptile orders (put in italics when you look through)
1) squamata
2) chelonia
3) crocodilia
reptile orders: give 2 animals from the squamata order
lizards
snakes
reptile orders: give 3 animals from the chelonia order
hint: all T’s
tortoises
turtles
terrapins
reptile orders: give an animal from the crocodilia order
alligators *dangerous animal license req
(crocodiles???)
reptiles - legalities
need to go over **
- CITES lists species that cannot be taken from wild
- require permits for import and sale (can only be if captive bred?????????)
- imports: up to 5 can enter with owner without vet check?? but cannot import hatchlings without license???
define ‘captive bred’
parents bred in captivity
reptiles - legalities
license required for…
under the act…
- venomous snake AND lizard species
- crocodilia
- Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
the aims when keeping reptiles in captivity: 3
- allows maintenance of good health
- promotes natural behaviours
- minimises negative impacts of captivity
cornsnakes in wild - natural behaviours
- carnivores - whole prey (constrictors), every few days
- forests/fields/wetlands
- diurnal (active in day)
- solitary
enclosure - size and shape
general point to note + 3 areas
dep on species, no of indiv., behaviour
- large enough for temp gradient
- 30-40% floor space for normal activity
- size based on body length
enclosure - materials (6)
- non-toxic
- non-porous
- easy to clean
- easy to obtain and maintain
- durable
- not likely cause injury
temperature -
ectothermic (body temp dep on env temp)
req range of temps to thermoregulate
= POTZ (preferred optimum temp zone)
POTZ
what does it stand for?
what is it?
preferred optimum temp zone
optimum temp for normal healthy function
4 bodily functions that the POTZ is needed for:
- feeding
- digestion
- reproduction
- immunocompetence
POTZ varies by…(4)
- species
- time of day/year
- physiological state
- health status
“behavioural fever” (check properly)
reptile will seek out heat/raise own body temp above normal range
as a means of killing pathogens/fighting viruses that may cause clinical illness
process used in place of animal getting fever itself (e.g. from pathogen)?
heat - temperature gradient
- hot and cold area:
hot = at or above POTZ, cold = at or below POTZ - IN BOTH PLANES: left to right AND up and down
- thermometers at height animal most likely to be at e.g. basking spot
- cooler at night
3 examples of heat sources:
1) ceramic/incandescent bulb
2) heat pad/mat
3) hot rocks
heat sources - ceramic/incandescent bulb
points to note
- basking species e.g. beardies
- protective guard to prevent burns