reptiles Flashcards
What disease are boas and pythons vulnerable to?
Inclusion body disease ( very contagious)
What is the renal portal system?
Venous return from the posterior part of the body goes through a capillary bed in the kidneys before returning to the heart (not found in mammals)
Why do you not inject into the hind limb?
The renal portal system will filter out most of the drug before it reaches other tissues
Can they concentrate urine?
No, no animal with a renal portal system has loops of Henle in kidneys
How do replies breath?
Must enlarge whole coelom to suck air in as have no diaphragm
What is a cloaca?
The final chamber where all products from the GI tact, kidneys and repro system are excreted from
Why do reptiles have a low requirement for o2 and food?
They are ectotherms so don’t use energy maintaining body temperature
What is the Jacobson’s organ?
In the roof of a snake’s mouth to enhance sense of smell
Describe a snake’s jaw
The upper jaw (maxilla) is firmly attached to the skill. The lower jaw (mandible) articulates with the skull and is attached to it by chewing muscles, it is in 2 halves, linked by an elastic ligament, can maove reach side independently
In snakes, are ribs attached to the vertebrae?
Yes, all ribs are attached, except the ones caudal to the vent (opening of cloaca)
What is unusual about a snake’s lungs?
The left lung is usually absent or a vestigial organ. Boas and pythons have a functioning right and left lung. The caudal npart of the right lung acts as a reservoir of air so the snake can not breath while eating large prey.
In snakes are the kidneys and gonads paired?
Yes, except in very slender females, they only have one ovary and oviduct.
What is a snake’s pbt (preferred body temperature) range?
18-34°C and 38°C=death
What are the 3 types of chelonian?
Turtles (marine), tortoises (terrestial) and terrapins (fresh water)
What is a carapace?
The upper portion of a chelonian’s shell
What is a plastron
The lower portion of a chelonian’s shell
What are scutes and what are they made of?
The plates on the outer surface of a chelonian’s shell. They are derived from dermis and epidermis
What is the majority of a chelonian’s shell made from?
Bone and cartilage
What parts of a turtle are fused to the inside of the shell?
Ribs and backbone
How do turtles excrete nitrogenous waste?
Ammonia and urea
Yow do tortoises excrete nitrogenous waste?
As a uric acid paste
What are colour morphs?
Animals that have bee selectively bred to be uncommon clues from recessive genes
What is a colubrid snake?
A nonvenomous constrictor e.g. corn snake (most common pets)
What is tail autotomy?
When a lizard loses its tail as a defence mechanism. Never grows back the same
What do most pet lizards eat?
Most are insectivorous, larger ones tend to be omnivorous
What is the general term for boas and pythons?
Boids
What is the most powerful snaknfor its length?
Boa constrictor
If a snake has a triangular body shape it is …
A good climber
If a snake has a square body shape Iit is…
Very muscular
Why should you be careful around a sleeping bermese python?
Their heat sensitive pits on their head are active while sleeping and will strike as a reflex if they sense heat
Do lizards need a uvb?
Yes
Do snakes need a uvb?
No, they get enough vitamin d from the liver and kidneys of their prey
Why do snakes new a large water bowl?
To bathe in, this prevents mites and stops them dehydrating during shedding
Do turtles/terrapins need a uvb?
The semiaquatic ones need one over the basking area
Do tortoises require uvb?
Yes
How can you tell is a lizard is underweight?
Look at their tail and legs, they carry most weight here
How can you tell is a snake is underweight?
You shouldn’t be able to see their ribs and there should be at him layer of fat over their spine
What is metabolic bone disease
A condition caused by an imbalance of Ca and vitamin D3, it causes misshaped spine and the legs look out of proportion (in lizards)
Why do reptiles heal very slowly?
They have a very slow metabolic rate
