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reptiles Flashcards

1
Q

explain the characteristics of the skull of reptiles

A
  • more rigid than snakes
  • can’t open their mouth as wide as snakes but have stronger jaws to help immobilise prey
  • skull articulates with CV via a single occipital condyle
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2
Q

explain the characteristics of the skeleton 5

A
  • very mobile
  • have a flexible backbone and a long tail for counterbalance
  • back bone divided into - prescaral, sacral and caudal region

-CV have ventral haemal arches

-tail has fracture planes (no bone)
mid to caudal portion of the tail
behind the male repro organs and fat pads

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3
Q

what is autotomy

A

when a reptile looses their tail

coccygeal vertebrae is not replaced
doesn’t occur in chameleons and monitors

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4
Q

what are the characteristics of the respiratory system 8

A

-paired nostrils
- trachea is protected by a rudimentary larynx,
- no epiglottis
- often no vocal cords, incomplete C shaped rings of cartilage
- two lungs with no diaphragm
- inspiration is the contraction of intercostal muscles plus elastic tissue of lungs
- expiration is contraction of intercostals and abdominal muscles plus elastic recoil of lung tissues

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5
Q

what are the characteristics of the cardiovascular system

A
  • heart has paired atria, there is a single ventricle which acts as two - channels deoxy blood to pulmonary arteries and oxygen blood to the aortas
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6
Q

where do you blood sample lizards and reptiles

A

ventral coccygeal vein and jugular vein

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7
Q

what are the characteristics of the digestive system 7

A
  • tongue is very mobile and protrusible
  • jacobsen’s organ is present during olfaction
  • stomach is simple and sac like, combines hydrochloric acid and pepsin secreting glands
  • S intestine is more developed in carnivorous species and shorter in herbivores
  • caecum, herbivorous species at junction of small and large intestine
  • large intestine is more developed in herbivorous species, its savculated and divided into many chambers by leaf like membranes. there is an increased surface area to allow colonisation by bacterial microbes which help to digest plant matter
  • cloaca consists of coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum
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8
Q

what are the characteristics of the urogenital system

A
  • position of the kidneys is variable
  • short ureter drains into urodeum, urine flows into coprodeum
  • most lizards have a thin walled bladder
  • some lizards don’t have a bladder
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9
Q

what are the characteristics of the colour change

A
  • some lizards have pigmented cells in the dermis which are connected to neural networks. the concentration or dispersion by hormonal or nervous signals enables change of colour according to mood or external stimuli
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10
Q

what are the characteristics of perception

A
  • hearing and vestibular function. the eardrum is visible and covered by thin skin or scaly skin, middle ear is also present.
  • vision varied from poor to good, eyelids are present, snakes have spectacles
  • smell - they have the jacobsons organ
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11
Q

what are the characteristics of the parietal eye 6

A
  • the third eye
  • associated with the pineal gland
  • it regulates circadian rhythms,
  • is light sensitive,
  • hormone production
  • thermoregulation
    -tuataras- well developed eye, lens and retina
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12
Q

what are some defence mechanisms

A

grilled lizards, extend neck frills to warn off predators or intruding males

flying lizard, faces off another male, bobbing head and showing dewlap, also used to attract females

autotomy- loss of tail, often brightly coloured, continue to move after loss, may re grow but never as previous

squirting blood from eyes - regal horned lizard

chuckwalla and some other lizards will overinflate their lungs to look bigger and warn off predators

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13
Q

what are the characteristics of gender determination

A
  • males are often brighter coloured and often have more crests or horns
  • male geckos and iguanas have femoral pored
  • sexual dimorphism in some species - there are distinct differences between m and f
  • bulge where hemipenes are located, wider tail base
  • probing for snakes
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14
Q

how to give relief of pain and distress

A

ensure they get best possible care, good feeding, handling and general management unless in exotics specific practice, vet may be unfamiliar with reptiles
- provide environment appropriate to species and individual
- attend promptly to wounds, infections and other problems, supportive care as well as specific therapy
- make appropriate changes to management, use rubber mats to reduce pain, minimise further damage
- analgesia
- medications to reduce further pain or distress
- consideration for euthanasia is necessary

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15
Q

are snakes susceptible to bruising ?

A

yes

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16
Q

how to support small snakes

A

support as they coil around arm

hand held gently under broadest part

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17
Q

how to handle aggressive small snakes

A

catch with towel and gloves
gently restrain the head
to look in mouth support behind head
open mouth by gently inserting flat instrument in labial notch at from of mouth
wooden lolly pop sticks, tongue depressers, pen tops
sedate before handling

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18
Q

how to handle lizards

A

pick up around pectoral girdle
very small lizards - traps next to side of viv with small cloth
never catch by tail

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19
Q

how to handle iguanas

A

be careful or teeth claw and tail
use towel or gloves
2 hands, 1 around shoulder, other hand holding thighs along side of tail

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20
Q

considerations for housing a reptile

A
  • viv should be as large as possible
  • lizard minimum size, they can stretch lengthways and turn without touching sides of the enclosure
  • snakes - enough space to stretch diagonally across enclosure
  • best kept singular
  • adequate space
  • essential to keep in an environment that mimics the wild
  • if reptiles climb, they need to have height

corn snake exp- 90cm x 45cm x 45cm

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21
Q

how to house a tortoise

A
  • best kept indoors with outdoor facility
  • indoor needs to be large, open topple and a deep substrate
  • young tortoises can be put outside on warm sunny days in safe and secure enclosure
  • need box to hide in if sun is too hot
  • must go back in viv if sun is too hot
22
Q

explain considerations regarding heating

A

-reptiles are poikilothermic
- need external heat so animal can maintain body temp
- need temp gradients
- heating should be controlled by thermostat
- heating via ceramic bulbs or infra red bulbs
- should be a stable background temp in viv, area for basking - hot spot
- thermometers to monitor temp should be checked daily
- heat sources must be gaurded- prevent scalds
- all reptiles have there own preferred body temp, optimum temp zone, and optimum temp to have metabolism function so need to know requirements
- temp must be maintained, no optional
- consider time of year for temp requirements
- tropical 26.5-37
- temperature - 24-29
thermometers are either end of viv

23
Q

considerations with temp and humidity 5

A
  • reduce temp at night - minimum night temp 15
  • ambient environmental temps 20-25, basking zones about 40
  • remember exact temps dependent on species, age and season
  • water heating in aquatic species
  • humidity created with regular misting of water
24
Q

list 7 heat sources

A

ceramic
tube heaters and cable
reflector bulbs with or without UVB
heat mats
heat rocks
radiant background heating
aquarium heating
may need gaurds for some species

25
Q

how to provide lighting via UVB

A
  • lighting controlled via timer, provides average of 12hrs light and dark
  • UVB must be provided in daytime active animals to avoid conditions such as MBD
  • light should be about 30xm away from reptile as this ensures sufficient exposure
  • different types of lighting used depending on species
  • incandescent bulbs- light bulbs, different colours, halogen
  • fluorescent tubes with UVB and UVA
  • mercury vapour lamps- HID, heat light, and UVB at greater intensity
  • metal halide lamps, high intensity of light and UVB, lower levels of heat
  • amount of light required depends on species, time of year
26
Q

why is lighting needed

A

lights provide photoperiod for reptile which stims natural behaviour, basking, eating and reproduction

27
Q

why is UVB especially needed

A
  • required for calcium metabolism and activation/ synthesis of Vitamin D
  • using UVC has a risk to humans and reptiles and shouldn’t be used
  • UVB don’t have a long lifespan - 6 months (if young or growing change bulb every 3-6 months)
  • bulb should be positioned where hits animal not bottom of cage. diminishes with distance
  • UVB won’t pass through glass, plastic or mesh, needs to be inside viv
28
Q

why is ventilation important 5

A
  • need fresh air flow to avoid respiratory issues
  • have to make sure don’t alter temp, can’t be draughty
  • vivs have ventilation holes at level of animal to ensure good throughput of air
  • holes at back/ sides - good air flow but avoid draughts
  • if have vents at different levels opposite each other shouldn’t allow escape
29
Q

list considerations for substrate

A
  • vary for use in reptilian viv
  • avoid wood chips, gravel or corn cob as leads to impaction
  • avoid silica sand as causes respiratory irritation
  • substrate should be digestible if consumed, leaf litter, soil, shredded paper
  • hospitals- newspaper, allows monitoring of faecal/ urinary output- not idea for long term, can’t dig or burrow
30
Q

list ideal substrate types

A

leaf litter
soil
shredded paper

31
Q

what furnishings should be added into the viv

A
  • needs hides for shelter, nesting or hiding, exercise, prevent boredom
  • water should be provided for drinking
  • heavy bowls for water to prevent spilling
  • tortoises- tray of water which is shallow enough to walk through/ bathe in, deep enough to allow partial head submersion for drinking through nostrils
  • hides- many hides needed to give pet sense of security, reduce stress, when in hide they should be able to touch 3 sides to reduce stress, hide required by chelonia
  • branches, textured and support weight of species, needed for climbing or basking, basking area 1/3 of tank 2/3 of water, need filtration system - if not water needs changed daily
  • plants, living plants provide humidity, hide, look nice, lizards will ingest plants so don’t use plastic or silk
  • stones, flat smooth base to avoid rolling, large and heavy
  • feeding equipment need to be large and heavy, ceramic bowls for drinking or bathing
  • basking or swimming areas, semi aquatic and aquatic species need areas to swim and bask
32
Q

considerations when cleaning

A

many reptiles carry salmonella which is zoonotic

ensure good hygiene procedures

wash hands with soap and water after handling or cleaning a viv

not all disinfectants are suitable for reptiles

de chlorinated water should be used within the environment

33
Q

measurements for bearded dragon house, temp and humidity

A

120cm long 60cm high 60cm deep

hot end 38-42
cool end 22-26

30-40%

34
Q

measurements for blue tongued skink, temp and humidity

A

basking zone 30-35
cool end 22-26

40-90%

35
Q

what are the characteristics of the snakes skull

A
  • small cranial cavity which protects the brain and large nasal cavity. they have a quadrate bone which is not rigidly attached so pivots allow vertical and horizontal rotation of jaw
  • lower jaw - right and left separation at mandibular symphysis. no temporomandibular joint, and yawn after eating. the lower jaw two pieces are connected in front by an elastic ligament- each side can move independently. the mandible and quadrate bone can pick up vibrations in the ground
36
Q

what are the characteristics of dentition

A

maxilla have 2 rows of teeth on each side

mandible have 1 row of teeth on each side

the fangs are located at the front or rear of mouth, they point backwards and they are attached to bone. they are not used for chewing. all teeth are replaced. non venomous teeth are short and hook like, venomous are grooved

37
Q

what are the characteristics of the rib cage 2

A

all vertebrae have ribs except coccygeal

the functions of the rib cage are to protect organs, contribute to respiration and attachment of muscles to aid locomotion

38
Q

what are the characteristics of the skin 4

A

scaled have a keratinised outer layer of epidermis which is smooth, keeled or granular

there are different sized scales.

little to no skin glands

eyes have transparent scales

39
Q

what are the characteristics ecdysis

A

1-4 times a year
depending on season health and age
new skin forms beneath old
eyes are cloudy and blue during this time
protein rich fluid is secreted between old and new skin
the fluid is reabsorbed
skin sloughs

40
Q

what are the characteristics of perception for snakes 4

A

infrared sensitivity -
snakes have pit organs which are used for tracking of prey, thermoregulation and infrared which are sensitive receptors

eyesight- is varied from very poor to very good

vibration sensitivity is highly sensitive to vibration in the ground

tongue is long slender, forked and mobile
its function is used olfaction, taste, touch and jacobsons organ

41
Q

what are the characteristics of the digestive system in snakes 4

A

the oesophagus is an extremely distensible muscular tube which enters the stomach in the second third of middle portion of body.

the stomach is strong, elastic and tubular. it contains powerful digestive juices where the whole prey is digested. some snakes have a splenopancreas which is where the spleen is adhered to the pancreas.

the liver runs from the mid point of the lungs to the caudal stomach

42
Q

what are the characteristics of the cloaca in a snake

A

coprodeum- faeces is discharged from the large intestine into the coprodeum

urodeum- received the urogential ducts which carry urine and either eggs or sperm

proctodeum- acts as a general collecting area for digestive and excretory waste. the male hemipenes open into the portion of this compartment nearest the tail

43
Q

what are the characteristics of snake respiration

A

paired nostrils
glottis allows breathing whilst eating
trachea has c shaped cartilages

the r lungs is large and l lung is small or absent.

no diaphragm and ribs and intercostal muscles to breathe in and abdominal and intercostal muscles to breathe out

44
Q

what are the characteristics of the cardiovascular system in a snake

A

primitive 3 chambered heart
02 depleted blood is pumped into one atria
02 rich blood from the lungs gets pumped into the other atria
all empty into the lower common ventricle and then circulated through the body

45
Q

what are the characteristics of the reproductive system 5

A

2 testes lie cranial to kidneys and enlarge during breeding season

2 hemipenes which lie inverted but every when engorged with blood

hemipenes contain bards and spines

female has paired ovaries

oviparous- produce eggs hatched after laid
ovoviviparous- produce eggs, retained in parents until hatched, live offspring are born

46
Q

what and when to feed snakes

A

not live animal
mice rats, rabbits all frozen
pinkies

once every 6 weeks
breeding season

signs of hunger- up at glass more often, moving around viv more than usual, flicking tongue more than usual

47
Q

what safety measures are needed to feed snakes 5

A

need to ensure that putting you hand in viv is not associated with food

make sure your scent is not on food, wear gloves and handle minimally

use blunt ended forceps or long handled tongs

remove from viv to feed

wash hands

48
Q

what to feed lizards and when 6

A

variable diet
insects and meal worms which are dusted in calcium powder
monitor lizards eat dog food, raw eggs or rats

young lizards need to be fed twice to 3 times daily
appetite will slow as growth does

size of insect should be no wider than lizards head

49
Q

how to provide vitamins in diet

A

insects can be gut loaded- fed nutritious food high in calcium and vitamins

water needs provided at all times

50
Q

what to feed chelonias

A

diet should reflect natural foods as much as possible and be fed ad lib

varied in fibre, vitamins, minerals and low in fats and protein

grape leaves
rose leaves
kale
celery
grated carrot
cabbage
cucumber
brocoli
can give small amount of fruit
pelleted food

don’t feed fresh cut grass, lettuce, tinned dog or cat food

51
Q

what is the most common sites for intravenous injections in snakes

A

ventral coccygeal vein
cardiac puncture
jugular cut down

exotics (8 decks)

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