ANS - EXAM III Material

How many reptiles and amphibians were imported to the US in 2002?

2 million reptiles and 49 million amphibians

Who is the world's largest consumer of live reptiles for the pet industry?

US

What is the annual income from reptile-related products?

$2 billion

What percentage of homes have herptiles (either amphibians or reptiles)? How many of each are pets?

3%, 14 million reptiles and 14 million amphibians

What do reptiles have that causes them to react to hormones?

Jacobson's organ (flehman reaction)

How many species of amphibians are there?

7,000

What are some common amphibian pets?

African clawed toad, surinam toad, fire-bellied toads, poison arrow frogs, tree frogs, axolotl, and tiger salamanders

What are the classes of amphibians and what are some examples of each?

- Anura: tailless adults; frogs and toads
- Caudata: adults with tails; newts and salamanders
- Apoda: tropical and legless; siphonops

Why is it dangerous for amphibians when humans touch them?

They have moist and water permeable skin

What kind of environment do amphibians need?

Vivarium (land and water)

Where do amphibians go to lay their eggs?

Water

What type of feeders are amphibians?

Carnivorous as adults

What are the classes of reptiles and what are some examples of each?

- Chelonians: have shells
Terrapin: fresh water
Tortoise: land
Turtle: marine
- Squamata
Lacertilia (sauria): lizards
Serpentes: snakes
Amphisbaenia: worm lizards
- Crocodylia
Alligators and crocodiles
- Rhynchocephalia (Tuatara) ~ 1 species

What snakes were banned in the US in 2012?

Burmese python, the yellow anaconda, and the northern and southern African python

What are some good and bad beginner lizards?

Good: bearded dragon, leopard gecko, crested gecko
Bad: tokay gecko, tegu

When do chelonians hibernate and what is important to remember?

Hibernate when temperatures decrease and days shorten. They will not eat during hibernation and need water after.

How do you differentiate between male and female chelonians?

Males have longer tails, longer nails/claws, and shell differences. Females usually have red eyes. Probing blood tests can be done to determine.

What are some common problems seen in chelonians?

cataracts, blindness, egg binding, nutrition problems, obesity, anorexia, etc.

What diets do lizards usually have?

Large diet variety: herbivores, insectivores, carnivores, frugivores, and omnivores

What is almost always required to make sure the lizard has a proper diet?

Diet supplementation

What is autotomy?

the dropping of the tail when threatened, it is bad because it could lead to infection or deformed tails

What disease do reptiles get?

Metabolic bone disease due to lack of proper wavelength of light (UV) and malnutrition

Why is UV light important?

UV light is necessary for calcium metabolism, vitamin D synthesis, and pigment formation

What type of feeders are snakes?

entirely carnivorous

Why can live prey be problamatic?

Live prey can have unknown pathogens

Can snakes hear?

Snakes cannot hear but can sense vibrations

What kind of housing can snakes have?

Arboreal, terrestrial, burrowing, and aquatic

What are some good and bad beginner snakes?

Good: King, Corn, Ball Python
Bad: Burmese and Reticulated pythons

List some important facts about King Snakes

- Docile
- Egg layer
- Moderate size
- Can only house one snake (will eat others)
- Can live over 20 years
- Can be many different colors

List some important facts about Corn Snakes

- Docile
- Egg layer
- Moderate size
- Can live up to 20 years

List some important facts about Ball Pythons

- Docile
- Egg layer
- Moderate size (females larger than males)
- Ball up when threatened (instead of striking)
- More expensive than other good beginner snakes
- Can live over 20 years

List some important facts about Red Tail Boa Constrictors

- Need experience
- Can be 7-10 ft
- Live birth
- Can live over 20 years
- Somewhat feisty

List some important facts about Burmese and Reticulated Pythons

- Huge (20+ ft and 200+ lbs)
- Requires interaction
- Bad temperament
- Can kill/hurt you by mistake
- Can live up to 25 years

What are the major killers of reptiles?

Poor husbandry, malnutrition, and lack of sanitation

What is better captive bred or captive hatched?

Captive bred

What is important for snakes enclosures?

- Escape proof
- Glass cages
- Racks that are 1/2 to 3/4 square foot of cage per square foot of pet
- Heat source

What types of enclosures are offered for snakes?

Sweater box, critter cages, custom built, rack system

Why can some heat sources be problamatic?

Can cause thermal burns (heat rocks and bottom heat elements)

What are some diseases associated with snakes?

Obesity, egg binding, constipation, dystocia, pneumonia, gout, etc.

What is one example of irresponsible owners that may cause trouble for other reptile owners?

Police charges parents of 8 year old Pittsburgh girl killed and eaten by snake in 2000

What is the difference between a venom and poison?

Venom: toxin injected into victim
Poison: toxin enters through inhalation, swallowing, or absorption through skin

When was bringing wild caught birds into the US outlawed?

1993

Why do birds become jealous?

Birds can bond with one member of the household

What are the orders of birds and what are some examples of each?

Psittaciforms: biggest group of pet birds
- Parrots, cockatoo, scarlet macaw, African grey
Passerifomes:
- Corvids: ravens, crows, jays, known for intelligence
- Passerine species: canary, cardinal, finch
Clumiformes and Galliformes:
- Dove and quail

Why shouldn't sand paper be used in bird houses?

Could injure birds feet and a bleeding bird can be an emergency quickly because they have low blood volume

What are some common illnesses seen in birds?

- Bacterial infection from having a contaminated water bowl
- Malnutrition
- Polyoma virus (vaccination)
- Chlamydiosis: parrot fever, zoonotic, carried by droppings, bacteria that lives and reproduces in its host
- Aspergilliosis: a specific fungal avian disease that humans can catch from the bird
- Unhappiness: birds do not suffer in silence (screaming and self-mutilations)

What are birds mental abilities compared to?

3-4 year old human child

What are some examples of safe toys birds can have?

Chains, bells, keys, mirrors, etc., nothing plastic

Why do you need to rotated birds' toys?

Birds can get too attached to their toys, some birds like Budgerigars can become sexually bonded to these toys

What is cage binding?

When an animal is secure in their cage but nervous and anxious when outside of it

What is one of the main causes of death in birds?

Chronic malnutrition

What are some examples of how different beaks are used for different diets?

- Hard bill able to open seeds
- Beaks meant for nectar and fruits
- Ex. Parrot vs hummingbird

Should birds be fed ad lib? Why or why not?

Birds should not be fed ad lib because obesity is common. Need to make sure small birds have enough food to keep metabolic rates in check. Some birds prefer to eat at different times of the day.

What is the Ca:P ratio for the average mammal?

1.1:1.0

How do you handle/catch a bird?

- Easier to catch in low lighting
- Should not squeeze abdomen and sternum together because it may suffocate the bird and their necks are quite mobile

What causes reproductive trouble in birds?

- Disease
- Stress (can lead to infertility)
- Not the right mate
- No safe environment to reproduce
- Genetic and nutrition problems
- Not mature yet
- Climate and lighting not correct

When did the sport of falconry begin and what license(s) do you need to participate?

Began 12,000-15,000 years ago and you need a state and federal license

What are bones?

Bones are living and dynamic organs that are responsive to nutritional, hormonal, and physical factors.

How do bones develop and where does this process occur?

They develop and grow by ossification (which is the differentiation of cells into osteoblasts). This process occurs at the 1* and 2* ossification centers

How do bones become brittle or teeth fall out?

Bones release calcium and then eventually it cycles back. If the animal is experiencing poor nutrition or overexertion then it can cause the calcium to not cycle back. When this happens the bones can become brittle or the teeth can fall out.

What are the three head types and their visual fields? What are the visual fields for humans and cats?

Doliocephalic: 270
Mesaticephalic: 235
Brachycephalic: 200
Humans: 100
Cats: 187

Which head type is an example of chrondodystrophy? What is that and what are some examples of dogs that experience this?

- Brachycephalic
- Chrondodystrophy is the genetic defect in the proper growth of the cartilaginous models for bones
- It can occur in the face, legs, or back
- Basset hounds, dachshund, English bulldogs

What is the skeleton?

It is the functional unit that is made up of all the bones in the body

What are the two general functions of the skeleton?

Support and storage

What are the two basic components of the skeleton?

Axial and Appendicular

What is the difference in bones and muscles between humans and cats?

Cats have 40 more muscles than humans, but have about 100 less muscles

What is the axial skeleton?

Bones that make up the skull, vertebra column, ribcage, and sternum of an animal

How many bones make up the skull and what is its function?

- 30 bones
- Functions as the "brain case", houses and protects the special sense, responsible for primary mastication of food, and suspends tongue and larynx

How many teeth do dogs, cats, and humans have?

- Dogs: 42
- Cats: 30
- Humans: 32

When do puppies and kittens receive their baby and adult teeth?

Baby teeth at 6 weeks and permanent teeth by 6 months

How many bones make up the vertebral column and what is its function? How many regions does it have

- 33+ bones
- Functions to protect the spinal cord and support the skull
- 5 regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal)
--> caudal can have as few as 3 bones depending on tail length

How many bones make up the Ribcage and what is its function?

- 13 pairs
- Functions to assist with ventilation and serves to protect main organs

What is the appendicular skeleton?

Bones of the limbs and pelvic girdle
- Has two main regions: thoracic and pelvic limbs

How many regions are in the thoracic limb and what are they?

5 main regions:
- Pectoral girdle: shoulder blade
- Brachium and antebrachium
- Carpus (wrist bones) and manus (foot bones and digits): each digit made up of three phalanges

Why is declawing cats controversial?

Surgery removes everything on paw up until the ungual crest (knuckle on human finger). It is a serious amputation that requires pain meds, aftercare, and special litter.

How many regions are in the pelvic limb and what are they?

5 main regions:
- Pelvic girdle: hip bone ( 3 main regions: ilium, pubis, and ischium)
- Thigh: long bone of hind limb
- Crus: tibia and fibula
- Tarsus: ankle
- Pes: hind foot and digits

What are tendons?

fibrous tissue that connects the muscle to bones

What are ligaments?

connective tissue that connect bone to bone

What are joints?

Stabilized by a combination of all 3

What is an example of difference in muscle placement in different animals?

Cheetah has more muscle in its back for running support and rabbit has more muscle in its hind legs to jump

What are the coverings and Linings of the body?

Protection, chemical exchange, secretions, support, storage, and sensory

What is the function of protection?

Skin, scales, claws, and protects underlying tissues and protects from bacteria

What is the function of chemical exchange?

Lining of the digestive tract, lungs, kidneys, and thermoregulation.

What is the function of secretions?

Endocrine and exocrine glands (mucus, enzymes, and pheromones)

What is the function of support?

Exoskeleton, wings of bats, birds, etc.

What is the function of storage?

Excess food, pigment deposits

What is the function of sensory?

Eye, parts of the ear

Can cats, dogs, or humans hear the best?

Cats can hear the best, in the ultrasonic range

How can dogs hear and smell better than humans?

Dogs can hear about 4 times as far away as humans and are able to smell 1 million times better than humans

What percentage of the dog population is afflicted with obesity?

55%

What is a body condition score?

Used to determine overall health of the pet
- 1 = emaciated
- 2 = very thin
- 3 = thin
- 4 = underweight
- 5 = ideal
- 6 = overweight
- 7 = heavy
- 8 = obese
- 9 = grossly obese

How is obesity defined?

Obesity is 20-25% over normal body weight, however health concerns are seen in dogs 10-15% over optimal body weight for breed

How many carbohydrates should a dog get?

Up to 65-70%

How much fats should a dog get?

At least 1% (up to 25-50% of daily caloric needs)

How much proteins should a dog get?

18-25% (crude protein - amino acids are more important)

How much fiber should a dog get?

1-8%

What type of feeders are dogs?

Omnivores

What human foods are bad for dogs?

Caffeine, onions, and chocolate (Theobromine)

Should lactating dogs and cats be fed ad lib?

Yes

How does feeding the lactating cat ad lib change their intake?

Intake may be 2-4 times the normal amount, kittens will eat mom's food around 3 weeks