© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Chapter 13 Reptile and Amphibian Breed Identification and Production Management

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Biology of Reptiles Reptile: animal with dry, scaly skin that uses outside temperature to adjust body temperature Ectothermic: body temperature adjusts to the environment Cold-blooded: cold to the touch; does not regulate body temperature

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Long, thin bodies, and tails No legs, ear openings, or eyelids Smooth skin texture

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Common external body terms: –Body: long, thin central area of the snake –Fang: long teeth located in front of mouth –Forked tongue: thin area in mouth that has a slit in the center; used to smell food –Rattles: located on the tail of certain species; used to sound a warning of danger

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Most have: –4 legs –long tails –movable eyelids –ear openings Iguanas – most popular species

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Common external body terms: –Caudal Crest: spines over lower back –Crest: neck area located behind the head –Dewlap: loose skin fold located under the chin –Ear: hole in either side of the head located behind eyes

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Common external body terms: –Jowel: area of head located below ear holes –Spines: long projections located over back –Vent: opening located on the underside of the body behind rear legs

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Have shells 4 legs Can pull head, limbs, and tail into shell for protection Live on land or in water

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Common external body terms: –Carapace: hard covering over the upper body; upper shell –Hinge: area where the upper and lower shells meet on either side of body –Plastron: hard covering over bottom of body; lower shell –Scutes: individual plates over the shell

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Biology of Amphibians Smooth skin Spends part of life on land and part in water

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs and Toads Very similar Spend juvenile stages in water As adults, have 4 legs and no tail

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs and Toads Common external body terms: –Dorsal surface: back area of the body –Nares: nostril openings located on the face –Tympanum: ear opening located behind the eyes on either side of head –Ventral surface: belly area of body

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Salamanders Long body and tail 2 or 4 legs, dependi ng on species

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breeds Reptiles come in variety of appearances, sizes, and colors –Can live years Amphibians also vary –Can live 5-20 years or longer

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Common house breeds: –boa constrictor –python –green snakes Can grow over 12 feet in length Many eat live prey Cage temperatures: degrees

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Common house breeds: –iguanas –geckos –chameleons –anoles High maintenance –strict diets and environmental care

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Common house breeds: –red eared slider –map turtles –box turtles Require little maintenance Under 4 inches in size; illegal in U.S.

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs Common house breeds: –bullfrog –green frog –tree frogs Relatively easy to house and care for

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Salamanders Most common breeds: –tiger salamander –spotted salamander Relatively easy to care for

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breed Selection Reptiles, as pets, require research and specialized knowledge Specialized considerations

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Nutrition Nutritional requirements are essential and specialized Research accordingly

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Relatively carnivores Some train snakes to eat dead prey Food should be fed on smooth surface Amount and frequency of feedings depend on size and species of snake

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Herbivores Eat leafy green vegetables high in calcium Plant materials should be: –washed –chopped –served at room temperature or slightly warmer Feeding varies from once a day to every 48 hours

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Some common iguana foods: –dark green and leafy vegetables –grapes –kale –collard greens –dandelions –parsley –spinach –alfalfa pellets

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Carnivorous lizards should be fed pre- killed prey Common meat based foods include: –meal worms –crickets –grasshoppers –katydids –ants –pinkie mice –fish –snails

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Mostly herbivores as adults In juvenile stages, more carnivorous Tortoise – herbivores Snapping Turtles – carnivores Box Turtles – omnivores

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs and Toads Terrestrial frogs and toads: –insects –flies –crickets –meal worms Aquatic species: –insects –worms –fish –commercial pellets

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Salamanders Insects Worms Flies Shrimp Insect larvae

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Behavior Most reptiles and amphibians are not social animals Become accustomed to humans Excessive handling may cause stress

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Relatively docile When upset or scared, will bite Ecdysis – skin shed cycle Use tongues for sensory functions –can smell and can hear vibrations through air and ground, using tongue

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Highly territorial and protective of cages Women menstruating should use caution –may cause male lizards to act aggressively

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Most are docile and easy to handle When scared, will retract limbs into shell Contrary to belief, several species are very fast

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs and Toads Very docile and easy to handle Some emit an odor More vocal during evening and during breeding season

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Salamanders Relatively docile and easy to handle Lively Excellent climbers Very curious Some are nocturnal

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Training In general, training includes being handled and accepting of humans Frequent and proper handling techniques Socializing from young age

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Equipment and Housing Needs Should be kept in secure enclosures Select substrates carefully: –newspaper –wood or pine shavings –synthetic bedding –branches –sand –lab animal bedding pellets

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Equipment and Housing Needs Glass aquariums and Plexiglas cages ideal for most Branches of various heights and sizes –arboreal species Containment for hiding Thermometer monitored daily –most require temperature of degrees; relative humidity of percent

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Equipment and Housing Needs Increase/decrease temperatures, depending on time of day Light source for hours daily Semi-aquatic habitats require a filtration system –check pH level of water

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Important to be familiar and safe when handling reptiles and amphibians

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Most important: determine if poisonous! May be handled by hand, with restraint poles, or within anesthesia chambers Should be restrained by holding head with one hand and body with the other

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Should be restrained at both ends of body, including the head and tail end Never pick up or handle by tail

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Body of shell should be held firmly between one or both hands Index finger may be placed under the shell to prevent retracting Shell may pinch Some species may bite

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs and Toads May be picked up and restrained, using one or both hands One hand on head, one on the body

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Salamanders Can be quick If in water, may need to be captured with a net One hand should control head and front limbs, the other should control the body and rear limbs Aquatic species may need a water source to soak in

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Grooming Some species will need regular bathing Some may require routine nail trims

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance Should be observed daily for changes in behavior or appearance Teeth should be checked Examine vent for waste buildup

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance Urates and fecal sample important to note New animals should be quarantined for 2-3 months Salmonella on skin, wear gloves and wash hands

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Vaccinations Reptiles and amphibians do not require vaccinations

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding Popular hobby Many species are easy to breed In some species, gender easily identified; in others, not very easy

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Snakes Important to determine gender before breeding Probe method used to identify snakes’ sex Males and females should be separated after breeding Some species lay eggs, while others bear live young Gestation and incubation lengths vary

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Can be sexed by physical exam Many undergo color changes during breeding season Males and females housed together for breeding purposes only Iguanas, geckos, anoles lay eggs Chameleons bear live young

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lizards Species incubation and gestation periods –Green Iguana: days / eggs –Leopard Gecko: days / eggs –Green Anole: days / eggs –Jackson’s Chameleon: days / live young

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Can be sexed visually –males have longer tail and wider tail base –cloaca is more caudal and the shell area around the cloaca is concave –females usually larger in size Most males and females can be housed together

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Turtles Most turtle species lay eggs –Box turtle: day incubation period –Red-eared slider: days Most tortoise species: 60 day incubation Amphibians typically have some dimorphism characteristics

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Frogs and Toads Begin as tadpoles –larval stage of the newborn Each species has a different time frame for reaching adult age

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Common Diseases Salmonella infection – most common concern Salmonellosis – bacterial infection that affects people Infections from wounds and burns are common due to poor husbandry, animals being housed together, or inappropriate housing

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Common Parasites Hookworms Roundworms Tapeworms Pinworms Coccidia – one celled parasite passed in contaminated water sources Mites Ticks

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Common Surgical Procedures Do not require routine elective procedures May ingest foreign objects that are unable to pass through digestive tract – require surgical repair