Midterm #2 Review

Health problems generally arise due to proper _____ .

husbandry

Ecdysis is _____ . Dysecdysis is _____ and can be the result of low _____ and poor _____ .

shedding of skin

failure/inability to shed skin

humidity

nutrition

TRUE OR FALSE

The skin of lizards are very permeable, meaning spray products will easily absorb into the skin

FALSE

lizard skin is generally impermeable except for their mucous membranes

Chromatophores are found on _____ and _____ . They are influenced by _____ conditions and not _____ . However, _____ can also change color due to _____ .

chameleons and anoles

environmental

color

green iguanas

age, stress, breeding, or illness

TRUE OR FALSE

Like snakes and turtles, lizards also lack a sternum.

FALSE

Lizards have a sternum that is cartilaginous.

A - acrodont: no sockets, teeth not replaced when lost, found in chameleons)

B - pleurodont: sockets, replaced through life, found in iguanas and monitor lizards)

C - thecodont: teeth in socket, found in dinosaurs)

Old world chameleons have _____ feet.

zygodactylous

TRUE OR FALSE

Lizards, snakes, and turtles lack a diaphragm

TRUE

Herbivorous lizards have a _____ tongue.

Carnivorous lizards have a _____ tongue.

fleshy

snake-like

Lizards, snakes, and turtles have a _____ , meaning that blood flows from the _____ portion of the body and can go directly to the _____ before returning to the _____ . This is why it is important to avoid nephrotoxic drugs in the _____ half of the body.

renal portal system

caudal

kidneys

heart

caudal

Define

• oviparous

• viviparous

• ovoviviparous

• oviparous - egg laying, little or no embryonic development within the mother

• viviparous - live birth, young have developed inside the mother’s body

• ovoviviparous - embryos develop inside eggs and remain in the mother’s body until ready to hatch

TRUE OR FALSE

Lizards have no apparent withdrawal reflex from heat

TRUE

What is the Jacobson’s organ?

sensory organ that collects scent particles on the tongue and transfers them to sensory cells

_____ light is is necessary for vitamin ___ synthesis, which affects _____ absorption. Lack of this light can lead to ___ .

UVB

D

calcium

MBD

The calcium to phosphorous ratio in lizards should be ___ or ___ for life.

1:1

1:2

TRUE OR FALSE

Iguanas are strictly vegetarian, unable to adapt to other diets as pets.

FALSE

Iguanas are readily adaptable, able to eat cat/dog food, insects, fish, etc…

_____ lizards are the most popular pet lizards today.

insectivorous

Define the optimal foraging theory.

Animals choose prey by evaluating cost vs gain, larger food items over multiple food items, and sometimes by only eating certain foods even when other options are present

TRUE OR FALSE

Carnivorous lizards generally have more nutritional deficiencies than herbivorous or insectivorous ones.

FALSE

Carnivorous lizards generally have LESS nutritional deficiencies than herbivorous or insectivorous ones.

_____ is the top behavior disorder in lizards. Every species can _____ . Anything over ___ feet should be considered dangerous.

aggression

bite

3

Salmonella is transmitted via the _____ and does not require _____ contact.

fecal-oral route

direct

How do you stimulate the vagal response?

gently put pressure over both eyes for a few seconds/minutes to cause the heart rate and blood pressure to decrease

What is the preferred venipuncture method for lizards and where is it located?

ventral tail vein

TRUE OR FALSE

Snakes can be found on every continent.

FALSE

Snakes can be found on every continent EXCEPT Antarctica

What are the largest and smallest snake species?

reticulated python

Barbados thread snake

In snakes, the _____ pivots to allow the rotation of the jaw.

quadrate bone

What are the four types of locomotion found in snakes and which is the most common?

1. concertina

2. lateral undulation (most common)

3. sidewinding

4. rectilinear

Lizards, snakes, and turtles have a ___ chambered heart.

3

In snakes, diurnal species have a _____ pupil while nocturnal species have _____ pupil.

round

vertical slit

___% of snakes are _____ .

70%

oviparous

TRUE OR FALSE

Most snakes are carnivorous.

FALSE

ALL snakes are carnivorous

TRUE OR FALSE

When feeding a snake, prey should only be as large as the largest part of the snake’s body.

TRUE

What type of stitch is used to close the snake’s skin during surgery and why?

everted

snake skin naturally heals in an inverted manner

TRUE OR FALSE

Turtles are considered the most primitive group of living reptiles.

TRUE

_____ turtles are generally considered the most labor intensive reptiles to maintain.

aquatic

TRUE OR FALSE

Anesthetic induction in reptiles is easy.

FALSE

Induction is difficult because they can hold their breath

In turtles, what is the most common reason for veterinary treatment?

Which is the most common reproductive problem?

Which is most common in California desert tortoise?

respiratory disease (pneumonia)

dystocia

urolithalisis (bladder stone)

What is the most difficult part of euthanizing a turtle and where should the injection site be?

the hardest part is knowing whether or not the turtle is dead

intracoelomic