Reptile Husbandry

What causes most reptile diseases in the UK?

poor nutrition and poor husbandry

What 4 orders do reptiles belong to?

squamata

testudinia/ chelonia

rhyncocephalia

crocodilia

Which species belongs to the order rhyncocephalia?

sphenodon punctatus

Which species belong to the chelonia/ testudinia order?

tortoises - land dwelling and herbivorous

terrapins - omnivorous and live on land and in water

turtles - water dwelling and diet varies with species

Which 2 key groups of species belong to the order Squamata?

lizards and snakes

What are the 4 most common breeds of domestic tortoises?

mediterranean spur-thighed

horsfields

hermanns

marginated

What are the 4 key snake families?

colubridae

boidae

viperidae

elapidae

Which 2 snake families are commonly kept?

boidae and colubridae

Which species of snake belong to the boidae family?

boa constrictor

royal python

anaconda

Which species of snake belong to the colubridae family?

corn snake

rat snake

king snake

garter snake

What is the key features of boidae snake species?

powerful constrictors

What are they key features of elapidae snake species?

one lung and carotid

small heads

front fangs

What are the key features of viperidae snake species?

most advanced species

one carotid and lung

hinged maxilla for jaw movement

What are some commonly kept lizard species?

geckos

bearded dragons

iguana

chameleons

skinks

chinese water dragon

What must you provide in the environment of a reptile?

hide area

substrate

similar to natural environment

body of water to feed in for aquatic and semi-aquatic species (must have heating and filtration)

drinking water provided in an acceptable form depending on species

What species is shown here?

corn snake

What is behavioural fever?

when sick/stressed reptiles seek out higher than normal temperatures

What are the requirements for the primary heat source for a housed reptile?

low end of preferred optimum temperature zone

should not be a light source

does not exceed preferred body temperature

What are the different forms of primary heat source used for housing reptiles?

heat mats

heat tape

incandescent bulbs

ceramic lamps

What are the requirements for the secondary heat source for a housed reptile?

gives higher temperature heat source in specific areas

should not exceed the high end of the preferred optimum temperature zone

must never allow contact with this as it will cause burns

What is the function of a hygrometer?

to measure the humidity of an environment

What humidity do most reptile species tolerate?

50-70%

What period of light per day do most species tolerate?

12-14 hours

Why is light important for reptiles?

UVA stimulates reproductive behaviour in lizards

UVB is required for the conversion of vitamin D3 in the skin

What distance from a reptile should a light source be placed?

6-12 inches

How frequently do small snakes and lizards need feeding?

once or twice a week

How frequently must young large boas and pythons be fed?

3 times a week

How often must iguanas and chelonians be fed?

daily

How often must large snakes be fed?

once every 2-4 weeks

What should you feed herbivore reptiles?

green veg

flowers

succulents

calcium supplement

What should you feed omnivore reptiles?

feed in water

earthworms

pinkies

fish

green veg

commercial food

What should you feed carnivorous snakes?

small rodents and rabbits

often prefer to feed in a small dark place

may require teasing with food

What should you feed carnivorous lizards?

rodents

fish

eggs

What should you feed insectivorous reptiles?

mealworms

wax worms

crickets

locusts

can gut load insects with fruit and calcium supplement before feeding

What should you do to a reptile after feeding?

leave them alone as overhandling can cause them to regurgitate or refuse food

Can you communal house snakes?

no, it is better to house them separately

How should you hold chelonians?

hold shell just in front of hindlimbs with thumbs on top of shell

if aggressive hold around the back of the shell between the hindlimbs

How should you hold lizards?

hold around neck and upper body with one hand and support the pelvis and hindlimbs with your other hand

never hold by the tail as some species shed their tails

How should you handle snakes?

handle carefuly as they bruise and fracture ribs easily

get thumb and second finger behind the head with the forefinger on top of the head

What should you do if a snake bites you?

do not pull your hand back as teeth point backwards

push hand deeper into mouth and immerse snake’s head in water to encourage it to release you

can use isopropyl alcohol - snakes don’t like the taste

What are the advantages of allowing reptiles to hibernate?

stimulates normal thyroid function and reproductive behaviour

What are the disadvantages of allowing reptiles to hibernate?

harmful in young, ill or underweight animals

How do you hibernate a reptile?

withhold food for 2 weeks before

place in a box with bedding

reduce temperature to below 10 degrees

regularly monitor state

How do you wake up a hibernated reptile?

place in a warm water bath to encourage drinking and expulsion of faeces

What reptile species is shown here?

tortoise

What reptile species is shown here?

terrapin

What reptile species is shown here?

turtle

What reptile species is shown here?

king snake

What reptile species is shown here?

ball python

What reptile species is shown here?

Burmese python

What reptile species is shown here?

reticulated python

What reptile species is shown here?

Boa constrictor

What reptile species is shown here?

Rosy boa

What reptile species is shown here?

gecko

What reptile species is shown here?

bearded dragon

What reptile species is shown here?

iguana

What reptile species is shown here?

chameleon

What reptile species is shown here?

skink

What reptile species is shown here?

chinese water dragon