Exotics Intro

Viviparous

Organisms that give birth to live young

Ovoviviparous

Organisms that produce eggs that hatch inside the body, resulting in live birth

Oviparous

Organisms that lay eggs outside the body, from which young hatch

List 3 differences between reptiles and mammals

Poikilothermic ectotherms vs homeothermic endotherms, homodont dentition vs heterodont dentition, nitrogenous waste product is uric acid vs urea

How are the jaw bones and auditory ossicles different in reptiles and mammals?

Reptiles - multiple lower jaw bone, 2 auditory ossicles and a quadrate

Mammals - single fused lower jaw bone, 4 auditory ossicles and no quadrate bone

What is the internal auditory ossicles in the reptile called?

Columella

What effect does temperature have on reptile eggs?

Temperature determines the sex of the hatchlings, warmer - females, cooler - males

How many chambers does the reptilian heart have?

3 chambers: 2 atria and 1 ventricle.

How many pairs of mammary glands do reptiles have?

0

What feature of the respiratory system is missing in reptiles?

Diaphragm

Do reptiles sweat?

No, they have no sweat glands

What reptiles come under Squamata?

Lizards and snakes

What reptiles come under Chelonia?

Turtles and tortoises

Which common reptile pets are diurnal?

Blue tongue skink, bearded dragon, green iguana, veiled chameleon

Which common reptile pets are crepuscular?

Leopard and crested geckos

Which common reptile pets are arboreal?

Chameleons, green tree pythons, green iguanas, crested geckos, chinese water dragons

Which common reptile pets are omnivores?

Tortoises, bearded dragons, blue tongue skinks

Which common reptile pets are herbivores?

Green iguanas, some skinks

List 3 of the most popular pet snakes

Corn snake, Milk snake, Garter snake, Ball python

What is a morph?

A phenotypically distinct species

What may myomorphs be susceptible to?

Cryptosporidium

What is found in most healthy reptile faeces?

Salmonella

What is Caudal autonomy?

The ability of some reptiles to shed their tails as a defence mechanism, which can regenerate over time

Name a reptile that can shed its’ tail

Iguanas and Geckos

What is the vasovagal response?

A physiological reaction that occurs when the body experiences extreme stress, leading to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, cover eyes

What is carapacial length?

The measurement from the front to the back of a turtle's carapace, used to determine the size of the turtle.

What is plastral length?

The measurement from the front to the back of a turtle's plastron, used to determine the size of the turtle.

What is the DCL?

Direct carapacial length

What is STV

Snout to Vent length

What does accrodont mean?

Tooth attachment where teeth are fused directly to the jawbone

On which part of the body do lizards naturally hold fat?

Coelomic cavity

What is the vent?

The external opening of the cloaca in reptiles, used for excretion and reproduction.

What are 3 modes of locomotion in snakes?

Lateral undulation, rectilinear movement, and sidewinding.

What do snakes do with their cloaca when threatened?

They may expel waste as a defense mechanism.

What allows snakes to easily regurgitate if needed?

Weak cardiac sphincter

What is ecdyesis?

Shedding

Why do reptiles shed?

To facilitate growth and remove parasites.

Signs of ecdyesis

Dull or cloudy appearance of the skin, increased hiding behavior, and the presence of loose skin.

Generally how long is a snake’s heart?

20-33% of its’ STV

Examples of myomorphs

Mouse, rat, hamster, gerbil

Examples of hystricomorphs

Guinea pig, chinchilla, porcupine

What is a squirrel/chipmunk/marmot?

Sciuromorpha/scuiridae

What is a beaver?

Castroidae, aquatic adaptations

What family is a ferret or otter in?

Mustelidae, carnivorous mammals

What family is a skunk in?

Mephitidae

What family is a hedgehog in?

Erinaceidae, small insectivorous mammals.

What family are sugar gliders part of?

Petauridae, small marsupials known for their gliding ability.

List 3 anatomical differences of myomorphs and hystricomorphs

Myomorphs - omnivorous, elodont incisors only with anelodont cheek teeth, altricial young, hystricomorphs - herbivorous, have ever-growing cheek teeth, precocial young.

What is the patagial membrane?

A thin membrane of skin that extends from the forelimbs to the hindlimbs

Sugar glider gestation

Uterine - 15-17 days, Marsupium - 70-74 days

What type of penis does a sugarglider have?

A bifurcated penis that allows for sperm transfer to both uteri.

How many teats do sugar gliders have?

4

How many young do sugar gliders have per litter?

2

What is interesting about the hands of sugar gliders?

Opposable, padded thumbs, and syndactyly

What is a syndactyly?

Where 2nd and 3rd digits are fused together, allowing for better grasping ability.