Amphibian & Reptile Management Dr. N. Matthew Ellinwood, D.V.M., Ph.D. March 19, 2012 I OWA S TATE U NIVERSITY C OLLEGE OF A GRICULTURE AND L IFE S CIENCES

REPTILES Taxinomic class defined by: –Air breathing –Egg laying of shelled eggs –Scaled or scute covered skin/bodies Four orders –Crocodiles –Sphenodontia (tuataras) –Sqamata Lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians (worm lizards) –Chelonia or Testuidines

REPTILES chelonians lizards snakes amphisbaenians – worm lizards tuataras crocodiles

Chelonians Turtles Tortoises Terrapins Salmonella risks –Not just turtles, etc.

TURTLES spend most or all of their time in water leatherback turtle – Dermochelys coriacea –largest turtle, endangered

TORTOISE spend most or all of their time on land Aldabra tortoise – Geochelone gigantia –2nd largest tortoise, CITES protected

TERRAPINS Spend significant time on land and in water American Indian word

TERRAPINS - Red-Eared Slider Southern U.S. omnivorous 75° F Red-Eared slider – Trachemys scripta elegans

LIZARDS habitats - desert to marshes diets - herbivorous, omnivorous, carnivorous, insectivorous temperature requirements - widely varied bottom line - do your homework

Iguanas Green iguana Calcium Vit D –Lights Central and South Am Up to ~ 7 feet Related –Chuckwalla –Desert Iguana

Anoles Small new world lizard False chamelions Green Anole –Native to USA –Cuban brown Now in Florida –Knight Anole 18 inches

Skinks Small lizards Five lined skink –North America native Blue tongued skink –Australian –Pet trade Solomon Island giant skink –Arboreal –Largest species of skink; 28”

Geckos Desert to tropical Lamellated feet –Climbers Nocturnal and vocal Leopard gecko –India native –Pest control –Popular pet species Tokay gecko –Aggressive

Chameleons Experienced owner only Africa, southern Europe, Near East to south asia Change color Turret eyes

horned toad (a lizard - really!) Phrynosoma platyrhinos –

TUATARAS habitat - small islands around New Zealand diet - carnivorous temperature –~54° F cm; up to 1 kg living fossils

AMPHISBAENIANS worm lizards Florida worm lizard – Rhineura floridana