REPTILES AHW Flashcards

1
Q

Outline the steps taken to remove snake from viv?

A

Gel hands and put on lab coat
Check notes of animal
Check position of animal, so that you can observe behaviour and plan how to remove it
Remove enrichment/ objects in the way
Door must be closed when snake is taken out, to keep heat in

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2
Q

How to hold snake?

A

Should have 2 points of contact,
1- 1/3 of way down. 2- under last quarter
Have hands low and open
Should be a tree and let them move

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3
Q

How to restrain a snake’s head?

A

Work from lower down and move up towards the head
Use three fingers
Thumb and middle finger either side of the head
Have index finger on top of the head
Use the bones as a guide

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4
Q

What is the cloaca?

A

The cloaca, or vent, in reptiles, is the slit opening under the tail. The digestive tract, the reproductive system, and the bladder all empty out of the same cloacal opening

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5
Q

How do you sex a snake?

A

Use a probe, which measures depth of snakes cloaca via vent
Look for a change in scale pattern to find vent and use lubricant
Insert towards tail and use scales as a guideline

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6
Q

What are the average scale measurementx when sexing a snake?

A

Males -> 6+
Female-> 2-4

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7
Q

What is the problem with A vivarium with a consistently low temperature

A

= impaired immune function, impaired digestion and ill health.

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8
Q

Why two thermometers in viv

A

To measure temperature gradient from basking area to cooler area

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9
Q

What is colour change a sign of?

A

Skin may become darker in colour if they’re stressed or ill

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10
Q

What zoonotic diseases can you catch from reptiles?

A

Salmonella
Campylobacter

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11
Q

What are the two occasions you should avoid handling snakes/

A

24 hours after eating
If it’s preparing to shed

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12
Q

What are the upper and lower shells on a tortoise called?

A

Upper- carapace
Lower- plastron

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13
Q

How should you hold a tortoise?

A

Use burger grip around the middle of the tortoise
One hand on right side and one on left side
Thumbs around upper shell
Other fingers around the bottom shell
Remain in burger grip the whole time

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14
Q

How to sex a tortoise”

A

Check tail, by raising tortoise vertically but not on back as other organs can compress on lungs
Male tails- longer, pointy tail, cloacal opening further from shell
Female tails- rounded more circular, opening closer to the tail , like a thumb,

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15
Q

How to restrain head of a tortoise?

A

Thumb and first finger either side of skull, just behind the jaw
Approach from behind so the tortoise doesn’t retract head back in
Don’t touch soft tissue, only bone

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16
Q

How do you pick up a bearded dragon

A

Scoop hands under front and back legs (don’t pick up via middle)
Whole hand over shoulder with middle and first finger either side

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17
Q

How do you sex a bearded dragon?

A

Hold upright, with claw grip around pelvis
Femoral pores more open and dilated in males
Can look at bulges in tail if you lay it flat and have tail upright

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18
Q

What are some examples of squatama?

A

Lizards
Snakes

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19
Q

What are some examples of Chelonia?

A

Tortoise
Turtles
Terrapins

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20
Q

What are some examples of crocodilia

A

Alligators

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21
Q

What does CITES list?

A
  • species that can’t be taken from the wild
  • states permits are required for sale and import of those species
22
Q

What counts under the Dangerous Wild Ami,als Act of 1076

A

Licence required for venemous snakes and lizards
And crocodiles/ a;lifstorw

23
Q

What is important to remember about enclosure design in terms of size and shape?

A

Should be large enough for temperature gradient
If like climbing, then enclosure should be tall
30-40% floor space for activity
Size based on body length

24
Q

What is important about enclosure design in terms of materials?

A

Non toxic
Non porous
Easy to clean
Easy to disinfect
Durable

25
What is POTZ
Premium optimum temperature zone Affects: feeding, digestion, reproduction, immunocompetence
26
What does POTZ vary by?
Species Time of day/ year Physiological state (egg laying, shedding etc. ) Heath status
27
What is the use of Ceramic or incandescent bulb
Hot spots” Basking species e.g. beardies • Need protective guard to prevent burns
28
What is the use of heat pads/ mats?
Nocturnal or crepuscular species e.g. leopard gecko (conduction) Placed outside tank Not under more than third to half of • floor area
29
What is the problem with hot rocks:
Toohot • Uncontrollable, unpredictable NOT recommended
30
What do the two different types of lighting affect?
Infrared —> heat Visible light —> reproductive behaviours
31
What type of lighting do lizards and chenolians like?
Full spectrum light (UV A, UV B and visible light)
32
What is important to remember about lighting
Should be changed every 6 months Should have daytime and nighttime variation Should be correct distance from animal —> causes skin tumours amd UV damage
33
What is important about the properties of substrates?
Non irritant, non toxic Easy to clean, obtain and replace Suitable for species, may dig and forage Provides enrichment
34
What humidity do the following species need? Lizards Iguana
35-40% 75-100%
35
How can you change humidity
Sprays Misting Drip systems Water bowls Water features Humidifiers Moss and peat
36
What measures humidity
Hygrometer
37
What are the problems if humidity is too high/ low
Too high —> fungal and bacterial dermatitis Too low —>dyseccyodysis (problems shedding) renal failure
38
How is ventilation important for reptiles?
Air changes, not just movement Prevents pathogen build up and odours Active —> fans Passive —> ventilation holes
39
What should carnivorous species be fed?
Whole prey (not just muscle)
40
What should omnivorous reptiles eat?
Leafy weeds and vegetables Chopped finely, to avoid selective feeding
41
What foods should reptiles avoid?
High oxaloacte foods (reducing Ca availability)- parsley and spinach Brassicas (can cause thyroid problems) High phytate containing foods (reduces Ca:P ratio) Pellets (too high energy and protein)
42
How can feeding snakes alter behaviour?
Feed more to calm over active snake down
43
What supplements can be given?
Calcium —> gutting (given to insects before feeding) or dusting Multivitamins including vitamin D
44
What is brumination and why is it done?
Reptile hibernation For natural behaviour, weight management and breeding Triggered by drop in temperature However, need to be careful as uses fat reserves, so BCS must be high enough
45
What is metabolic bone disease?
Disorder of calcium metabolism (Ca;P imbalance) Fractures or bone deformities
46
What is gout and causes it?
Gout is a type of arthritis in which small crystals form inside and around the joints. It causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling. If diet has too much protein
47
What are some common gastrointestinal issues?
Gut impaction (eating substrates) Endoparasites (worms) Regurgitation Anorexia (stress, inadequate set up, dehydration)
48
What are some common shell issues reptiles can get?
Shell pyramiding Soft shell Trauma
49
What are some common skin conditions?
Burns and scalds (bulbs) Ectoparasites (snake mites) Dysecttoisis (snake shedding)
50
What causes respiratory diseases in reptiles?
Inadequate ventilation High temperature —> drying of mucous membranes Low temperature —> reduced immunity Poor hygiene Small viv Nutritional deficiencies