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Reptiles

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Page 1: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Reptiles

Page 2: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Characteristics

Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath airHave bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover bodyHave a heart with 2 auriclesAbout 6,500 species in 4 orders– Testudines: turtles, tortoises, and terrapins– Serpentes: snakes, pythons, and boas– Squamata: iguanas and lizards– Crocodilia: crocodiles, alligators, caimans and

gharials

Page 3: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Characteristics cont.Fossils date back 315-340 million yrs.Have 3 body types– Long and clearly defined tails like crocodiles and lizards– Long bodies that taper into tails like snakes– Short, thick bodies encased in shells like turtles and

tortoises.

Limbs of crocodiles and lizards are usually paired and attached to the body at right angles; their limbs are strong and powerful unlike most reptiles.Snake-like reptiles have no limbs, they move as a result of undulating movements.

Page 4: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Characteristics cont.

Some turtles and tortoises have limbs that enable them to walk on land and swim in water.The skin of reptiles has a horny surface layer.– For snakes, lizards, and some crocodiles and

alligators, the scales grow from underneath and the outer layer gets shed for new growth.

– Turtles and tortoises don’t molt their thick skin, but form a new layer beneath the old one.

– These scales or scutes, form rings that can be counted to determine the age of the reptile.

Page 5: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Characteristics cont.Snakes can’t close their eyes, but instead of eyelids, they have a transparent layer called brille.This layer of the eye is shed during the shedding process.Lizards and snakes have teeth fused to their jaw bone.– In some species the poison glands are connected to these

teeth.

Turtles and tortoises don’t have teeth, but sharp crushing plates.The tongues of reptiles vary– some can be long, slender, forked, etc.

Page 6: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Characteristics cont.

All reptiles have a three-cambered heart with 2 auricles and 1 ventricle.The size of the heart reduces the metabolic rate, which lowers the heat produced from the reptile and allows the reptile to function in its surroundings.Tortoises, crocodiles, and many lizards are oviparous= laying their eggs that hatch after leaving the body.Some species are ovoviviparous= eggs that hatch within the body, with live young.

Page 7: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

HibernationReptiles live in temp zones from tropical to polarMust hibernate during winter in cold zones– In order to survive they must be below frost line.– Body temps drop to a point where their body barely

functions.

Captive temperate-zone reptiles should also have a temp drop so they go through a hibernation– Reduce food amounts and slowly reduce temperature– Simply reverse steps to bring them out of hibernation.

Page 8: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Classification

Turtles, terrapins and tortoises– Turtles vary greatly including common snapping

turtles (12’’ &60lbs), Mud turtles, Red-eared turtles(most common pet), Blandings turtle(found in G.L. Region,7-8’’), Painted turtle, Box turtles(domed shells).

– Terrapins- refers to turtles found in fresh and brackish water and are considered excellent eaters

• Typically 4-5’’males; 6-7’’females

– Testunidae: tortoises• Terrestrial and primarily herbivores• Vary from 6-50’’

Page 9: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Classification cont.

Classification of snakes, pythons, and boas– Range in size from 3’’-6’– Found in both aquatic and dry terrestrial

areas– Can be bright reds, yellows, and oranges

or drab greens and browns.– Feed on termites and ants to rodents,

birds, and small mammals.

Page 10: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Boida

88 species, includes boas and pythonsLargest species of snakesUp to 33’ and 400+lbs.Vary in colors from yellow, red, bright greens to drab colorsBoa constrictor is most popular boa.Eat rodents, birds, and small mammals.Boas lay eggs; pythons bear live young.

Page 11: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Iguanas and Lizards

Family Gekkonidae (Geckos)– 800 species– 4 limbs with 5 toes that have adhesive

pads(lamellae)– Most are nocturnal and have vocal cords– Don’t have eyelids– Large, flat, fleshy tongue– Most ear insects, some eat nectar, small

mammals, and birds.

Page 12: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Iguanidae

650 species

Range in the America’s

Active during day

Most lay eggs, few give birth to live young

Consist of Anoles and Iguanas

Page 13: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Spiny Lizards

Consists of largest # of species

Spiny lizards, fence lizards and swifts

Most reach length of 10’’

found from Canada to South America

Have overlapping scales with a ridge that ends in a sharp point or spine.

Primary terrestrial

Page 14: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Teiidae

Commonly called whiptails, race runners, and tegus.

227 species

Found from northern parts of United States to Central America.

Page 15: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Scincidae

Skins: more than 1,275 speciesMost are small but some are 2’Terrestrial and burrow into leaves and debris on forest floorAlmost roundVery short limbs (some no limbs), some can’t even move

Page 16: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Anguidae

Alligator Lizards

Some found in California region

Page 17: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Chamaeleonidae

True chameleons

Color may be controlled by surroundings, temp, and mood

Tongues are long (5.5”) to catch insects

Page 18: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Classification: Crocodiles, Alligators, and Gharials

Order Crocodilia consists of largest reptiles

Crocodiles are semi-aquatic– Large head and long jaws that are lined

with teeth– Brown, olive-green, or black in color– Body is covered with heavy, rough skin of

scales (scutes)

Page 19: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Family Alligatoridae

7 species of alligators and caimans

Different from crocs because of the way their teeth fit in the jaws

4 teeth on lower jaw fit into sockets of upper jaw– When closed tooth is not visible

Page 20: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Housing and Equipment

Habitats for reptiles fit into 4 categories

1. Terrestrial

2. Semiaquatic

3. Aquatic

4. Arboreal (trees)

Page 21: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Housing and Equipment

Terraium is a cage used for keeping land or terrestrial animals

Vivarium is a cage where it duplicates the original environment as close as possible

Cage sizes vary greatly– A land turtle needs a cage 5x length of shell– Aquatic: is 5 times long x 3 times wide “

Page 22: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Housing and Equipment

Reptiles are ectotherms (can’t generate their own body temp and take in enviro’s temp)– Incandescent light is needed– Sun is also needed for calcium

metabolism, pigment, and Vit D

Page 23: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Feeding: Turtles

Aquatic turtles are carnivores and omnivores– Should be offered meat, liver, dog/cat food– Offered food every day

Land turtles are herbivores– Grasses and plants, spinach, lettuce

grapes (other fruit)

Page 24: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Feeding: Snakes

All snakes are carnivorous– Captive snakes feed on earthworms,

mealworms, crickets, and/or baby mice and rats, or frogs and toads

– If the snake doesn’t eat rodent within a few minutes it should be removed

Page 25: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Feeding: Lizards

Most are insect eaters– Crickets, worms

Iguanas and larger lizards eat meal worms, lettuce, fresh fruit, ground meat

Page 26: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Handling: Turtles

Place fingers under the lower shell, and thumbs on the top of the shellDon’t be alarmed if they hiss– Its just the air from their lungs as they suck

in their heads and legs.

Use caution with snapping and soft shelled they can reach their head around and bite you

Page 27: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Handling: Snakes

When handling a snake for the first time (its first time), use gloves it might get scared and bite you.Use one hand to grasp firmly directly behind the headLet the snake come to you when removing from cageTransport in pillowcase

Page 28: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Handling: Lizards

Temperament varies greatlyCan be picked up with thumb and forefingers behind the head and holding bodyBe careful of large lizards they may bite and not let go, where glovesClean immediately and have treated by doctorNever pick up by tail Why?

Page 29: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Diseases and Ailments

Bacterial Diseases– Salmonella

• Watery, green, foul smelling diarrhea and anorexia.• Can be transmitted to humans• It’s important to wash hands after handling reptiles.

– Environmental Control– Mouth Rot

External Parasites– Mites and Ticks

Internal Parasites– Roundworms and Tapeworms

Page 30: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

Shedding

Shed their skin several times during the year.Normally in one pieceThe first sign of shedding is that the covering of the eye becomes cloudy.It starts at the snoutShould only take a couple of daysMoisture is needed for the skin to shedSome reptiles require different environments for shedding.

Page 31: Reptiles. Characteristics Cold-blooded, possess lungs and breath air Have bony skeleton, scales, or horny plates that cover body Have a heart with 2 auricles

ReproductionTurtles and most snakes lay eggs that hatch later.Most reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs that later hatch.Brood = stay with and incubate their eggs.Reptiles can lay from 1 or 2 to more than 100 eggs.The average incubation periods– Turtles=60-90 days– Snakes= 40-90 days– Lizards= 30 days or less– Crocodilians= about 90 days