1. Considerations for the Care and Use of Amphibians and Reptiles in Research

2. Reptiles -- Special handling considerations - Salmonella - Aggressive/defensive behaviors - biting (all) - clawing (turtles, lizards) - fecal spraying (snakes) Housing Reptiles: Adults and juveniles: moisture, basking sites, density, feeding schedules Eggs: substrate moisture, temp., positioning to avoid membrane damage

3. Euthanasia - Reptiles Intravenous injection of barbituates - problem – barbituates are scheduled drugs (controlled substances) thus difficult to obtain Inhalation of anesthetics prior to decapitation -- very effective – typical anesthetics employed are isoflurane and halothane Unacceptable methods – -- decapitation without prior anesthesia – brain remains active for several minutes -- freezing – ice crystals may form prior to death

4. Amphibians -- Special handling considerations: - Salmonella, but recent research suggests that handling frogs with latex gloves may lead to mortality - Toxic dermal secretions (toads, some salamanders) Housing Amphibians: Adults: substrate moisture, hiding substrates, light spectrum, temperature Embryos: aeration, water pH 6 to 7.5 generally ideal, dissolved oxygen Larvae: aeration, pH (as with embryos), feeding (know your species), densities

5. Euthanasia - amphibians Generally similar to reptiles. Also acceptable - dermal application of benzocaine followed by decapitation, pithing, or cervical dislocation. Also acceptable – submersion in buffered MS-222 followed by decapitation, pithing, or cervical dislocation

6. GUIDELINES FOR USE OF LIVE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN FIELD RESEARCH, Compiled by American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH), The Herpetologists' League (HL), Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) http://199.245.200.110/pubs/herpcoll.html Numerous other publications dealing with care and use of amphibians and reptiles are linked from the IACUC website http://199.245.200.110/pubs/herpcoll.html