Snakes

Snakes encompass how many species?

2500

(T/F) Smaller snakes live longer.

false

What is the average life span of a snake?

3-40 years

Most snakes are concentrated in what kind of habitat?

tropical

How long can snakes be?

10cm - 10m

Name the suborder of snakes.

serpentia

How many vertebrae can snakes have?

100-400

(T/F) Each vertebrae has a pair of ribs attached.

true

Name the three ways the interaction of bones, muscles, and skin enables a snake to move.

lateral undulation, rectilinar movement, side winding

The most common type of snake movement is…

lateral undulation

In lateral undulation, the snake moves in an “_” - shaped path.

s

In rectilinear movement, the snake moves like a…

caterpillar

What kind of snakes prefer side-winding?

desert

Which lung is most used in a snake?

right

Name the special sensory organ in the roof of a snake’s mouth sharpens its sense of smell.

jaconsons organ

When sexing snakes, the male has a…

hemipenes

What are the general snake enclosure requirements?

3/4Lx1/3L

Is newspaper inappropriate or appropriate substrate?

appropriate

Are gravel/pebbles inappropriate or appropriate substrate?

appropriate

Are cypress/aspen shavings inappropriate or appropriate substrate?

appropriate

Coarse sand should only be used for what kind of snake?

desert

Is cedar/pine inappropriate or appropriate substrate?

inappropriate

Are aromatic shavings inappropriate or appropriate substrate?

inappropriate

What is the purpose of substrate?

absorb waste

How do snakes drink?

sucking or sipping

(T/F) The water bowl should be large enough for soaking.

true

(T/F) Semi-aquatic snakes can have a bowl just large enough for soaking.

false

(T/F) Snakes are thigmotactic.

true

What is better for hiding places: size or darkness?

size

What is the optimal temperature in celsius for snakes?

18-34c

What is the optimal temperature in fahrenheit for snakes?

64-93f

What is the optimal temperature for a temperate/tropical snake?

25-30c

What is the optimal temperature for a desert snake?

29-33c

Snakes should have _____ access to the thermal gradient during light photoperiod.

temporary

How much should you decrease the temperature at night?

5-8c

What do you use to monitor temperature in a enclosure?

reptile thermometer

What area should the heat lamp reflect on?

basking area

Heat lamps should be _______ and ______ the cage.

outside, above

(T/F) Heat lamps and sizzle stones are a good idea for heating.

false

The photoperiod controls what?

biorhythm

What matters more: the timing of the light or hours?

hours

How many hours of light should temperate snakes receive?

10-14

How many hours of light should tropical snakes receive?

12-12

What season should light be decreased?

fall

What season should light be increased?

spring

The photoperiod should be coordinated with the…

thermal gradient

What kind of bulb should be used for snakes?

full spectrum

Snakes typically tolerate what percentage of humidity?

35-70%

What can result when humidity that is too low?

dysecdysis and dehydration

What can result when humidity is too high?

dematitis

Humidity should be increased in what circumstances?

ecdysis, nesting, newborns

Name ways to increase humidity.

bowl, misting, damp substrate, humidifier

Bedding should be changed…

every 3 months

Gravel should be soaked in bleach diluted ______ for how many hours?

1:32, 1

When should peat or sphagnum be replaced?

at cleaning

(T/F) Snakes are complete carnivores.

true

(T/F) Whole prey does not mean a complete diet.

false

What should snakes be supplemented with when feeding?

calcium

(T/F) Snake diets do not need to be varied.

false

What is better: overfeeding or underfeeding?

overfeeding

When do neonates have their first shed?

10 days

How often should you feed neonates?

every 1-3 days

Boas and pythons should be fed…

twice a month

Name three circumstances where you should decrease feeding in a snake.

obesity, breeding, winter

Anorexia occurs when snakes do not eat for more than…

1-2 months

Name medical reasons for anorexia.

parasites, neoplasia, organ dysfunction

(T/F) Excessive handling and husbandry can cause anorexia.

true

(T/F) Live pinkies and fresh kill can be fed to a snake with anorexia.

true

What dangerous bacteria is a normal part of the reptile gut flora?

salmonella

Snake equipment and enclosure items should be disinfected with…

bleach

Viperlid/Crotalids have what kind of venom?

ctyotoxic and hemotoxic

Elapid snakes have _______ venom.

neurotoxic

(T/F): “De-venomed” or “venomoid” snakes exist.

false

(T/F): You should attempt to suck out or remove venom if bit.

false

What do snakes use to smell and gather chemicals from its environment?

tongue

The tongue transmits chemicals to the…

jacobsons organ

A snakes upper and lower jaws and unhinged and move…

independently

Where do snakes put their windpipe when swallowing prey?

throat

Camouflage is beneficial for what?

seeking prey and hiding from predators

What color snakes blend with foliage?

green

What color snakes blend with bark of trees?

brown

Fertilization is…

internal

Males mature at a ______ age than females do.

younger

When the hemipenes is inserted into the female cloaca, it will do what to perform coupling?

inflate

What percentage of snakes are oviparous?

70%

30% of snakes are…

oviviparous

Snakes in an egg use what to break out of it?

egg tooth

Snakes living in what kind of climates are oviviparious.

cold