Herpetology

Taxonomic pyramid

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

What characteristics make a reptile a reptile?

Scales/Scutes, Vertebrates, Ectothermic

Basking

Obtaining heat from heat source

Reptile classification

Animalia, Chordata, Reptilia

Binomial nomenclature

Genus, species

What are the four reptile orders?

Crocodilia, Rhynchocephalia, Squamata, Testudines

Crocodilia

Crocodiles, ghardias, caiman and alligators: 24 species

Rhynchocephalia

Tuataras from New Zealand: 2 species

Squamata

Lizards and Snake: 11,500 species

Testudines

Turtles and Tortoises: 300 species

Brumation

Hibernation like state. Slows heart rate and metabolism

Oviparous

Egg laying, 80%

Viviparous

Birth live young

Ovoviviparous

Egg develops inside, but female retains egg and young emerges “live"

Gravid

Pregnant. Carrying young/eggs

Clutch

group of eggs

Incubate

Period of time it takes to hatch

Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination (TSD)

Non-genetic sex determination based on temperature and/or humidity

Shedding

Reflection of normal growth and indicator of health

Pre-shed indicators

Dull scales, color changes, “eye caps”

Indeterminate growth

Continuous growth through lifetime

Venom

Injected poison

Chemosensory

Chemical particles picked up in the air by a snakes tongue → Jacobsen’s Organ

Lampropeltis traingulum

Milk Snake

Cloaca

Opening for excretion and reproduction

Heterodan Nasicus

Hognose Snake

Carapace

Upper shell, spine is integrated

Plastron

Lower shell

Testudo Horsfieldii

Russian Tortoise

Eublepharis macularis

Leopard Gecko

Correlophus ciliatus

Crested Gecko

Setae

Microscopic hair on toe pads (think randi)

Impaction

Injested substrate

URI

Upper respitory infection

Stomatitis

Mouth rot (infection in the mouth)

Internal Parasites

Intestinal parasites passed by prey

Mites

External parasites passed by prey

Metabolic bone disease (MBD)

weakening of bone system functions caused by imbalanced vitamin D3, calcium and phosphorous

Salmonella

Most reptiles carry this bacteria in intestinal tract

Preservation Response

Reptiles hide signs of illness very well

Amphibian

“Double Life”, experience metamorphosis (ex: tadpole → frog)

Semi-permeable

breath through ski