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CAM - Reptiles
Reptiles
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What Are The Different Types Of Reptile Diets? | -Obligate carnivores. -Insectivores. -Omnivores. -Obligate herbivorous. |
| What Types Of Prey Are Carnivorous Reptiles Fed? | -Small mammals = mice, rats, gerbils, chicks, quail or rabbits. Available in a variety of sizes e.g. pinkies, fuzzies. -Suitability is determined by species. -For snakes, the prey item should be no wider than the widest part of the snake’s body. |
| How Is Prey Sourced For Carnivorous Reptiles? | -Can be purchased pre-killed and frozen whole from pet shops and online suppliers. -Some keepers choose to breed their own stock. -Live prey should not be fed (breach of animal welfare act and may cause injury to reptile). |
| What Advice Can Be Given To Owners Regarding Feeding Prey To Carnivorous Reptiles? | -Ensure frozen prey is fully defrosted before feeding and warmed to body temperature. -Be mindful of striking behaviour. -Use long tweezers to offer prey head first. -Always feed snakes housed together separately to avoid conflict. -Be patient. |
| How Are Snakes Adapted To Eat Prey? | -Snakes eat prey items whole. -Achieved by adaptations in their jaw bone structure. The lower jaw is in two halves, connected by ligaments = allows the snake to ‘walk’ their mouths along the prey item, slowly swallowing it. |
| Should Snakes Be Fed Everyday? | -No! snakes have adapted to survive on very little food, with feeding intervals ranging from weeks to months. -Dependent on snake’s age, size and activity levels, as well as the size of prey offered. -Periods of fasting are not uncommon. |
| What Types Of Prey Are Insectivorous Reptiles Fed? | -Meal worms, locusts, crickets, etc. -Available in different sizes and colours. -Nutritional content varies – staple feeders should be high in protein and have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1. |
| What Advice Can Be Given To Owners Regarding Feeding Prey To Insectivorous Reptiles? | -Feeder insects should be no bigger than the gap between the reptile’s eyes. -Rubber tipped forceps/tongs can be used to directly offer the prey. Or, the insects may be placed within a feeding tank for the reptile to catch. |
| How Is Prey Sourced For Insectivorous Reptiles? | -Feeder insects can be purchased from pet shops and online suppliers. -Some keepers may buy in bulk and house the feeder insects until required. -Some keepers may breed their own feeder insects. |
| Can Feeder Insects Be Live Fed? | -Live feeding of insects is generally an accepted practice. -Invertebrates are not included in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. |
| Do Insectivorous Reptiles Need To Be Fed Everyday? | -No, most insectivorous reptiles need to be fed at least twice per week. |
| Give An Example Of A Herbivorous Reptile? | Tortoises and iguanas. |
| What Types Of Plant Materials Are Fed To Herbivorous Reptiles? | -Weeds, plants, flowers, vegetables, fruits etc. -Suitability will be species specific. -Foraging for wild plants and flowers is often suitable. |
| What Should Be Fed As Part Of A Tortoises Diet? | -Naturally grown weeds should make up 75% of their diet. -Supplemented with palatable greens which provide vitamins, minerals, protein, while maintaining adequate levels of fibre. -Fruit can remarkably dilute the nutrients and fibre provided by greens. |
| What Foods Should Be Avoided In Tortoises and Other Herbivorous Reptiles? | -Some commercial diets (may be too high in fats, proteins and vitamins). -Never feed dog or cat food. -If feeding dry food, soak in water first as many lizards obtain most of their water from food. |
| Do Herbivorous Reptiles Need To Be Fed Everyday? | Yes, most herbivorous reptiles require food everyday. |
| What Supplementation Needs To Be Given To Reptiles? | Calcium and vitamin D. |
| What Causes MBD? | -Calcium and vitamin D deficiency. -Larger quantities of phosphorus than calcium. -Bad husbandry (inadequate UVB, etc). |
| What Are The Clinical Signs Of MBD? | -Gradual swelling of the limbs and jaw bone, which may appear stunted. -Multiple spontaneous fractures, muscle spasms and paralysis can occur. |
| What Type Of Deficiency Is Commonly Seen In Insectivorous Reptiles? | -Vitamin A deficiency. -Low level supplementation can help to balance diet. -Vitamin A is fat-soluble so excess is stored in the body – care must be taken to avoid overdosing. |
| How Do Herbivorous Reptiles Synthesise Vitamin A? | -Herbivorous reptiles are able to convert carotenoids found in fresh foods such as leafy greens into vitamin A. |
| What Can Happen If There Is Too Much/Too Little Protein In Reptile Diets? | -Deficient excretion of uric acid. Uric acid builds up on visceral (organ) and articular (joint) surfaces. -Causes enlarged painful joints (articular), sometimes enlarged kidneys. |
| What Can Happen If There Is Too Much/Too Little Fibre In Reptile Diets (Herbivores)? | -Low levels = loose faeces & bloat. -High levels = constipation. |
| What Causes A Vitamin B1 Deficiency In Reptiles? | -Vitamin B1 deficiency in turtles and terrapins can be caused by feeding fish (e.g. white bait) high in thiaminase. -Thiaminase is an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1) stores in the pet reptile’s body. |
| What Can An Excess Of Oxalic Acid In A Reptiles Diet Cause? | -Some fresh foods (e.g. spinach, chard, beets) contain high levels of oxalic acid. -Oxalic acid can bind with calcium, reducing calcium availability It forms an insoluble salt that can cause formation of kidney stones. |
| What Can An Excess Of Goitrogens In A Reptiles Diet Cause? | -Some fresh foods (e.g. cabbage, broccoli, kale) contain high levels of goitrogens. -Goitrogens bind with iodine, which can lead to dysfunction of the thyroid (goitre). |
| What Are Some Reasons As To Why Reptiles Become Reluctant To Feed? | -Unsuitable environment. -Insecurity e.g. lack of hides. -Human scent on prey item. -Unsuitable prey presented. -Known problem species. -Recently caught snake. |
| What Factors Of A Reptiles Natural Habitat Should Be Replicated In A Captive Environment? | -Type of habitat. -Temperature and humidity levels. -Light levels. |
| Define Terrestrial | An animal that lives on or near the ground. |
| Define Arboreal | An animal that lives in the trees. |
| Define Aquatic | An animal that lives in the water. |
| What Substrates Are Suitable For Reptiles? | -Try to match with the reptile’s natural habitat. -Suitable substrates include: sand, bark, earth, aspen, gravel. -Can use paper – cheap and easy to replace. |
| What Causes Gut Impaction In Reptiles? | Ingestion of substrate. |
| How Must Temperature Be Managed In A Reptile Enclosure? | -Thermogradient as reptiles are ectotherms. -Ceramic bulbs, reflector bulbs, heat mats. -Thermostat (dimmer, on/off, pulse proportional). |
| How Must Light Be Managed In A Reptile Enclosure? | -Require UVB light to replicate the sun’s natural light rays and photoperiod (day/night cycle). -UVB also essential to synthesise vitamin D3 for calcium absorption. Deficiency = MBD. -Should be placed overhead and overlap with basking spot. |
| What Types Of Lights Are Used To Produce UVB For Reptile Enclosures And What Can Be Used To Measure This? | -Flood lights or tube lights. -UVI used to measure - UVB bulbs deteriorate over time, and usually need to be replaced every 6-12 months. -UVI can be measured with a solarmeter. |
| How Must Humidity Be Managed In A Reptile Enclosure? | -Humidity = moisture level. -This is important for hydration and healthy skin and eyes. -Can be provided by a simple spray bottle, or integrated misting systems. -Measured using a hygrometer. |
| What Are The Cleaning Requirements For Reptiles? | -Should only be cleaned once a month (non-aquatic). Aquatic enclosures may need to be cleaned twice a week. -Amphibians are highly sensitive to disinfectant and can be harmed by it. Most disinfectants contain insecticides - do not use with inverts. |
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