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Overview of Birds and Reptiles
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A detailed outline of birds and reptiles. This includes terminology and definitions, feeding, determining sex, handling and restraint, housing, and labelled diagrams.
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Reptile TerminologyBrille- Scale that covers the eye of the snake.
Brumation- Process in reptiles similar to hibernation. Involves a decrease in temperature
Carapace- Hard upper shell
Cloaca- Posterior opening that serves as the only opening for the intestinal, reproductive, and
urinary tracts of certain species.
Dewlap- Flap of skin under chin
Ecdysis- Process of snake shedding its skin
Gravid- Means pregnant in reptiles
Hibernaculum- Location where an animal hibernates
Usually warm, secure, and dark: e.g. rock piles
Jacobson’s
Organ- Auxiliary olfactory sense that detects chemicals
Plastron- Flat underside of the turtle shell (the belly)
Scutes- Large scales on the underbelly of a snake or shell of a turtle
Venomous- Toxic when chemical enters bloodstream
Reptiles- General Info
Should be observed daily for changes in behaviour/appearance.
Teeth need to be checked for dental issues
Observe waste output
Yearly veterinary exam including a fecal test
o Should be going to a reptile specialist
Things to consider:
o What is normal for the species?
o Most reptiles and amphibians are not social animals
o Excessive handling may cause stress and result in refusal to eat
Reptiles- Snakes
Common pet species:
o Pythons
o Boa Constrictors
o King Snakes
o Corn Snakes
o Milk Snakes
What is a constricting snake?
o A snake that uses the process of contracting their muscles around an animal to kill it.
, o The act of constriction causes the prey animal to go into cardiac arrest as there is too
much pressure- not suffocation like many believe
Brightly coloured snakes are probably arboreal (live in trees)
Brown coloured snakes are probably ground dwellers- colours blend in with environment
Snakes do not have ears or eyelids
o Snakes- 100-700Hz
Snakes determine the size of potential prey, and approaching danger, by absorbing vibrations
through the ground
Snakes have nostrils but do not use them to smell
Snakes use their tongue to pull air into their mouth, they tuck their tongue into their Jacobson’s
Organ which deciphers chemicals
o Forked tongue helps snake determine direction of smell- More chemicals on left of
tongue= scent item is on the left.
Shedding cycle
Eyes (brilles) appear as cloudy as shedding cycle begins, skin develops a milky colouration.
Skin turns clear mid-cycle, skin sheds 1-4 days after this occurs.
Snakes should not be handled during shed cycle; skin is very fragile
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