Reptiles: biology and husbandry

Matthew Rendle; Jon Cracknell

doi:10.22233/9781910443132.4

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , 80 (2012); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781910443132.4

/content/chapter/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4

Reptiles: biology and husbandry

GBP

BSAVA Library Pass Buy a pass

Authors: Matthew Rendle and Jon Cracknell
From: BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pet and Wildlife Nursing
Item: Chapter 4, pp 80 - 108
DOI: 10.22233/9781910443132.4
Copyright: © 2008 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: January 2012

Abstract

This chapter covers the common species of reptiles seen in veterinary practice, their anatomy and physiology, sexing, nutritional considerations and housing requirements. Includes self-assessment questions.

Preview this chapter:

Full text loading...

/content/chapter/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4

Figures

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig1

4.1

The hobbyist herpetologist vivarium (a) can be very different to the set-up used by a professional herpetoculturist (b), with different husbandry-related problems seen as a result. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_1_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_1.png

4.1 The hobbyist herpetologist vivarium (a) can be very different to the set-up used by a professional herpetoculturist (b), with different husbandry-related problems seen as a result.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig2a

4.2

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_2a_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_2a.png

4.2 (a) Common reptile and amphibian species seen in practice.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig2b

4.2

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_2b_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_2b.png

4.2 (b) Native reptile species in the UK.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig3

4.3

(a) Lizard anatomy. (Re-drawn after Mader DR (1996) Reptile Medicine and Surgery) (b) Snake anatomy. (c) Tortoise anatomy Re-drawn after Mader DR (1996) Reptile Medicine and Surgery). Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_3_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_3.png

4.3 (a) Lizard anatomy. (Re-drawn after Mader DR (1996) Reptile Medicine and Surgery) (b) Snake anatomy. (c) Tortoise anatomy Re-drawn after Mader DR (1996) Reptile Medicine and Surgery). Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig4

4.4

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_4_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_4.png

4.4 The coccygeal vein is a useful site for blood sampling.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig5

4.5

Open-mouth views of a snake showing teeth in the (a) upper and (b) lower jaw. The tubular larynx and the forked tongue within its sheath can also be seen. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_5_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_5.png

4.5 Open-mouth views of a snake showing teeth in the (a) upper and (b) lower jaw. The tubular larynx and the forked tongue within its sheath can also be seen.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig6

4.6

(a) Demonstration of the simple intubation technique in an iguana. (b) The larynx of a cornsnake. (c) The larynx of a tortoise (arrow indicates opening (glottis)). © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_6_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_6.png

4.6 (a) Demonstration of the simple intubation technique in an iguana. (b) The larynx of a cornsnake. (c) The larynx of a tortoise (arrow indicates opening (glottis)).

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig7

4.7

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_7_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_7.png

4.7 The lung of a cornsnake (arrowed). The reptilian lung is often a very simple bag-like structure.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig8

4.8

The heart of a Burmese python. The reptilian heart has a single ventricle and two atria. However, it functions as if it were four-chambered due to the presence of muscular flaps within the ventricle. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_8_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_8.png

4.8 The heart of a Burmese python. The reptilian heart has a single ventricle and two atria. However, it functions as if it were four-chambered due to the presence of muscular flaps within the ventricle.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig9

4.9

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_9_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_9.png

4.9 Doppler ultrasonography can be extremely useful when assessing the heart rate of a reptile patient, such as this cornsnake.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig10

4.10

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_10_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_10.png

4.10 The chameleon tongue has adapted to be fired over a long distance and is prehensile, aiding in capture of prey.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig11

4.11

Reptiles have a common opening of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. Waste is passed separately or sometimes together. Dark matter is faeces from the gastrointestinal tract, while the white matter is urates and of urinary origin. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_11_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_11.png

4.11 Reptiles have a common opening of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. Waste is passed separately or sometimes together. Dark matter is faeces from the gastrointestinal tract, while the white matter is urates and of urinary origin.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig12

4.12

Hemipenes are the paired, male reproductive organs in snakes and lizards. They play no role in urination, only delivery of sperm, generally along external grooves on this organ. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_12_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_12.png

4.12 Hemipenes are the paired, male reproductive organs in snakes and lizards. They play no role in urination, only delivery of sperm, generally along external grooves on this organ.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig13

4.13

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_13_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_13.png

4.13 Scales of a snake as seen using electron microscopy.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig14

4.14

The spectacle is a single, clear scale that has replaced the eyelid in snakes. This often becomes opaque prior to ecdysis. Sloughed skins should be inspected for the presence of spectacles. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_14_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_14.png

4.14 The spectacle is a single, clear scale that has replaced the eyelid in snakes. This often becomes opaque prior to ecdysis. Sloughed skins should be inspected for the presence of spectacles.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig15

4.15

Snakes lack limbs; however, some pythons and boas have vestigial limbs close to the cloaca, called spurs (arrowed). These can sometimes be helpful for sexing. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_15_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_15.png

4.15 Snakes lack limbs; however, some pythons and boas have vestigial limbs close to the cloaca, called spurs (arrowed). These can sometimes be helpful for sexing.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig16

4.16

Femoral pores (arrowed) can be useful in some species for gender identification but can be very subjective in others. (a) Male leopard gecko. (b) Female leopard gecko. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_16_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_16.png

4.16 Femoral pores (arrowed) can be useful in some species for gender identification but can be very subjective in others. (a) Male leopard gecko. (b) Female leopard gecko.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig17

4.17

Sexual dimorphism is exhibited in some species such as the veiled chameleon, where the male has an additional digit on his hindlimbs; this is lacking in the female. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_17_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_17.png

4.17 Sexual dimorphism is exhibited in some species such as the veiled chameleon, where the male has an additional digit on his hindlimbs; this is lacking in the female.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig18

4.18

Probing is a popular method for sexing snakes. The male can be probed deeper then the female, due to the presence of the inverted hemipenes. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_18_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_18.png

4.18 Probing is a popular method for sexing snakes. The male can be probed deeper then the female, due to the presence of the inverted hemipenes. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig19

4.19

Popping is a safer method for sexing snakes but requires more experience. The hemipenis, if present, is rolled out of the cloaca. (a) Male python. (b) Female python. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_19_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_19.png

4.19 Popping is a safer method for sexing snakes but requires more experience. The hemipenis, if present, is rolled out of the cloaca. (a) Male python. (b) Female python.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig20

4.20

Some species of chelonian have obvious sexual dimorphism. This is especially true in the red-eared terrapin, which has extremely long nails for use in courtship. Knowing the individual species differences is important. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_20_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_20.png

4.20 Some species of chelonian have obvious sexual dimorphism. This is especially true in the red-eared terrapin, which has extremely long nails for use in courtship. Knowing the individual species differences is important.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig21

4.21

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_21_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_21.png

4.21 Common food items for herbivorous reptiles.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig22

4.22

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_22_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_22.png

4.22 Common food items for carnivorous reptiles.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig23

4.23

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_23_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_23.png

4.23 Common food items for insectivorous reptiles.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig24

4.24

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common presentation in poorly managed reptiles. This is a clinical sign and not a disease in itself. It can present in many different ways. (a) Lordosis and scoliosis of the spine can be seen in this Fijian iguana. (b) Deformed carapace in a terrapin. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_24_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_24.png

4.24 Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common presentation in poorly managed reptiles. This is a clinical sign and not a disease in itself. It can present in many different ways. (a) Lordosis and scoliosis of the spine can be seen in this Fijian iguana. (b) Deformed carapace in a terrapin.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig25

4.25

Reptile preventive medicine consists of providing adequate husbandry and nutritional needs for each species, meeting their individual requirements through the development of varied microhabitats. These are examples of vivaria for desert (a), arboreal (b) and aquatic (c) species, each supplying different needs but using similar underlying principles of habitat design. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_25_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_25.png

4.25 Reptile preventive medicine consists of providing adequate husbandry and nutritional needs for each species, meeting their individual requirements through the development of varied microhabitats. These are examples of vivaria for desert (a), arboreal (b) and aquatic (c) species, each supplying different needs but using similar underlying principles of habitat design.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig26

4.26

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_26_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_26.png

4.26 A box set-up (lid removed), which meets the basic requirements of the snake.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig27

4.27

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_27_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_27.png

4.27 Thermostats, such as this pulse proportional thermostat, are essential for maintaining preferred optimum temperature ranges (POTRs).

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig28

4.28

UVB is extremely important for any vivarium. There are many different lights available and knowledge of the types of UVB, the amount emitted and the distances that the UVB reaches are all important. Here, three different lamps are assessed using a UVB meter to produce UVB charts. (© 2011, 2012 Frances M Baines) © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_28_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_28.png

4.28 UVB is extremely important for any vivarium. There are many different lights available and knowledge of the types of UVB, the amount emitted and the distances that the UVB reaches are all important. Here, three different lamps are assessed using a UVB meter to produce UVB charts. (© 2011, 2012 Frances M Baines)

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig29

4.29

Naturalistic reptile environments. (a) Arboreal. (b) Semi-aquatic. (Reproduced from the BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, 5th edn ). Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_29_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_29.png

4.29 Naturalistic reptile environments. (a) Arboreal. (b) Semi-aquatic. (Reproduced from the BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, 5th edn ). Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig30

4.30

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_30_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_30.png

4.30 A hiding place is provided both for privacy and as a retreat from the heat.

/content/figure/10.22233/9781910443132.chap4.ch4fig31

4.31

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_31_thumb.gif

10.22233/9781910443132/fig4_31.png

4.31 A clear bag can be very useful for a brief examination of small amphibians.

Supplements

Self assessment questions

Download PDF