6000 – 7000 species Ectothermic Pulmonary respiration

• 6000 – 7000 species

• Ectothermic

• Pulmonary respiration

• Amniotes

• Epidermal scales

• 3 – 4 chambered hearts

• Tetropods

• Internal fertilization

• No sweat glands

• All continents except Antarctica

250 – 300 species

• 250 – 300 species

• Appeared 215 million years ago

• Long lived

• Varied habitats

• Turtle vs Tortoise vs Terrapin

Order: Chelonia/Testudines

• Order: Chelonia/Testudines

• 2 Suborders:

• Pleurodira ( 2 families, approx. 75 spp.)
• Side-neck turtles: unable to retract neck
• Aquatic – semi aquatic
• Cryptodira ( 11 families, approx. 200 spp.)
• Able to retract neck straight back into shell
• Terrestrial, aquatic, and semi-aquatic

• Suborder Pleurodira

• Pelomedusidae
• Chelidae

• Suborder Cryptodira

• Chelonidae: marine turtles
• Chelydridae: snapping turtles
• Emydidae: pond & river turtles
• Kinosternidae: mud & musk turtles
• Testunidae: land/true tortoises
• Trionychidae: soft-shelled turtles

• Suborder Cryptodira

• Chelonidae: marine turtles
• Chelydridae: snapping turtles
• Emydidae: pond & river turtles
• Kinosternidae: mud & musk turtles
• Testunidae: land/true tortoises
• Trionychidae: soft-shelled turtles

• Suborder Cryptodira

• Chelonidae: marine turtles
• Chelydridae: snapping turtles
• Emydidae: pond & river turtles
• Kinosternidae: mud & musk turtles
• Testunidae: land/true tortoises
• Trionychidae: soft-shelled turtles

• Suborder Cryptodira

• Chelonidae: marine turtles
• Chelydridae: snapping turtles
• Emydidae: pond & river turtles
• Kinosternidae: mud & musk turtles
• Testunidae: land/true tortoises
• Trionychidae: soft-shelled turtles

• Suborder Cryptodira

• Chelonidae: marine turtles
• Chelydridae: snapping turtles
• Emydidae: pond & river turtles
• Kinosternidae: mud & musk turtles
• Testunidae: land/true tortoises
• Trionychidae: soft-shelled turtles

• Suborder Cryptodira

• Chelonidae: marine turtles
• Chelydridae: snapping turtles
• Emydidae: pond & river turtles
• Kinosternidae: mud & musk turtles
• Testunidae: land/true tortoises
• Trionychidae: soft-shelled turtles

Shell

• Shell

• 50 – 60 bones
• Fused w/ ribs & vertebrae
• Scutes

• Shell variations

• Trionyx spp. (softshells)
• Pancake tortoise
• Box and Mud turtles
• African hingebacks

Shell

• Shell

• 50 – 60 bones
• Fused w/ ribs & vertebrae
• Scutes

• Shell variations

• Softshells
• Pancake tortoise
• Box and Mud turtles
• African hingebacks

Shell

• Shell

• 50 – 60 bones
• Fused w/ ribs & vertebrae
• Scutes

• Shell variations

• Trionyx spp. (softshells)
• Pancake tortoise
• Box and Mud turtles
• African hingebacks

Shell

• Shell

• 50 – 60 bones
• Fused w/ ribs & vertebrae
• Scutes

• Shell variations

• Trionyx spp. (softshells)
• Pancake tortoise
• Box and Mud turtles
• African hingebacks

Shell

• Shell

• 50 – 60 bones
• Fused w/ ribs & vertebrae
• Scutes

• Shell variations

• Trionyx spp. (softshells)
• Pancake tortoise
• Box and Mud turtles
• African hingebacks

Coelomic cavity

• Coelomic cavity

• Respiration

• Rhampotheca/Tomium

• Skin

• Scaled vs. scale-less

• Uncoordinated shedding

• No external ears

• Oviparous

~ 4,500 spp

• ~ 4,500 spp

• Appeared ~ 200 mya

• Life span

• Smaller < Larger
• 3-6 years, 10-15 years

• Large size variations

• Caribbean Gecko: 3-4 cm
• Komodo Dragon: 3 m (10ft)

• Order: Squamata

• Suborder: Sauria/Lacertilia

5 Infraorders:

• 5 Infraorders:

• Iguania (10-14 families)
• Gekkota (3 families)
• Scincomorpha (11 families)
• Diploglossa (3 families)
• Platynota (4 families)

5 Infraorders:

• 5 Infraorders:

• Iguania (10-14 families)
• Gekkota (3 families)
• Scincomorpha (11 families)
• Diploglossa (3 families)
• Platynota (4 families)

5 Infraorders:

• 5 Infraorders:

• Iguania (10-14 families)
• Gekkota (3 families)
• Scincomorpha (11 families)
• Diploglossa (3 families)
• Platynota (4 families)

5 Infraorders:

• 5 Infraorders:

• Iguania (10-14 families)
• Gekkota (3 families)
• Scincomorpha (11 families)
• Diploglossa (3 families)
• Platynota (4 families)

5 Infraorders:

• 5 Infraorders:

• Iguania (10-14 families)
• Gekkota (3 families)
• Scincomorpha (11 families)
• Diploglossa (3 families)
• Platynota (4 families)

5 Infraorders:

• 5 Infraorders:

• Iguania (10-14 families)
• Gekkota (3 families)
• Scincomorpha (11 families)
• Diploglossa (3 families)
• Platynota (4 families)

Epidermal scales

• Epidermal scales

• Vomeronasal (Jacobson’s) organ

• Oviparous vs. Viviparous

• Not shared by all:

• External ear openings
• Tail autonomy
• Eyelids

• Enclosures

• Substrates

• Temperature

• Photoperiod

• Light Quality

• Humidity

Size

• Size

• ~5L x 5L: length x width

• Terrestrial

• Plastic containers, aquariums, outdoor pins

• Semi-aquatic & Aquatic

• Aquariums, ponds
• Haul out & basking areas

• Hiding places

Size

• Size

• ~5L x 5L: length x width

• Terrestrial

• Plastic containers, aquariums, outdoor pins

• Semi-aquatic & Aquatic

• Aquariums, ponds
• Haul out & basking areas

• Hiding places

Size

• Size

• ~5L x 5L: length x width

• Terrestrial

• Plastic containers, aquariums, outdoor pins

• Semi-aquatic & Aquatic

• Aquariums, ponds
• Haul out & basking areas

• Hiding places

Size: 3L x 3L

• Size: 3L x 3L

• glass, plastic, plexiglass, wood

• Climbing spaces: branches, rocks, plants

• Basking sites

• Hiding places

• Escape proof!!!

• Tight lids w/ ventilation

Size: 3L x 3L

• Size: 3L x 3L

• glass, plastic, plexiglass, wood

• Climbing spaces: branches, rocks, plants

• Basking sites

• Hiding places

• Escape proof!!!

• Tight lids w/ ventilation

Can be artificial or natural

• Can be artificial or natural

• Should be: Inexpensive, easily cleaned, absorbent, digestible, physical support, psychological security

• Should not: cause impaction, dermatological disease, respiratory disease

Newspaper

• Newspaper

• Cypress chips/mulch

• Coconut Shells (shredded)

• Large rocks

• Astroturf

• Clean Water

Gravel &small stones

• Gravel &small stones

• Rabbit pellets

• Sand

• Dirty Water

Cedar shavings

• Cedar shavings

• Crushed corn cob

• Pecan/walnut shells

• Cat litter

Provide temperature gradients!

• Provide temperature gradients!

• Behavioral thermoregulators

• Preferred Optimal Temperature Range (POTR)

• Necessary for proper:

• Metabolic rate
• Digestion
• Growth
• CV function
• Immune function
• Reproductive performance

Diurnal spp - daytime temp

• Diurnal spp - daytime temp

• Ambient temp: 27-35oC
• Basking area: 49-54oC

• Nocturnal spp – daytime

• Ambient temp: 21-27oC
• Warmer area: 32-35oC

• Water temp: 24-30oC

• 5-7oC< for nighttime temp

• Seasonal fluctuations may be necessary

Sources of Heat

• Sources of Heat

• Ambient heat
• Central heat/AC
• Basking area
• Incandescent bulbs, Ceramic heaters, heating pads
• NO Hot Rocks!!!
• Water
• Submersible aquarium heater

• * Always monitor heat with an in cage thermometer!

General rule:

• General rule:

• 14 hrs during summer
• 12 hrs during winter

• Temperate zone reptiles:

• 15 hrs – summer
• 12 hrs – spring/fall
• 9 hrs – winter

• Tropical spp

• 13 hrs – summer
• 11 hrs – winter

Quality very important

• Quality very important

• UVB – Vitamin D3
• UVA – Behavior

• Natural vs. Artificial

• Can also provide heat

In general: 35% – 70%

• In general: 35% – 70%

• If too low:

• Dysecdysis, Dehydration

• If too high:

• Respiratory infections, Dermatitis

Humidity boxes

• Humidity boxes

• Water bowls

• Damp substrate

• Humidifiers, Fogging devices

• Misting

• Monitor with gauges

May be required for temperate and sub-tropical species

• May be required for temperate and sub-tropical species

• General:

• Lower temperatures gradually
• 35 – 50oF for min. of 10 wks
• Access to heat source for sub-tropicals
• No feeding
• Avoid false hibernation

Always provide fresh water!

• Always provide fresh water!

• Water bowls
• Misting leaves and rocks

• Soak terrestrial chelonians daily or EOD

• Dehydration, gout, renal disease

~ 95% vegetables

• ~ 95% vegetables

• Mustard & collard greens, dandelions, kale, parsley, watercress

• ~ 5% fruit

• Grapes, apples, tomatoes, mangos, stawberries

• Need vitamin & mineral supplements

• Blend together!

50% animal/high protein foods

• 50% animal/high protein foods

• Earthworms, crickets, slugs, snails, pinkies

• 50% plant material

• 75% vegetables
• 25% fruit

Turtles:

• Turtles:

• Whole fish, skinned mice & pinkies, shrimp (w/shells)
• Insects in moderation
• Many omnivorous w/ age

• Lizards: pre-killed whole prey

• Rodents > chicks > fish

• Ca supplement?

Most Lizard species!

• Most Lizard species!

• Common types:

• Crickets, meal worms, wax worms, earthworms, grasshoppers

• Captive raised - low Ca

• Dusting or “Gut loading”

Most tortoises and lizards: Daily

• Most tortoises and lizards: Daily

• Aquatic/Semi-Aquatic chelonians: 2-3x a week

• Large carnivorous lizards: 2-3x a week

Daily/EOD:

• Daily/EOD:

• Remove feces and wash bowls

• Monthly:

• Disinfect entire cage and furnishings
• Clean or change substrate

• Bleach (1:30 dilution)

• Roccal-D (1:200 dilution)

Provide proper thermal gradient and photoperiod

• Provide proper thermal gradient and photoperiod

• Provide a variety of foods and clean water!

• Clean regularly

• Be familiar with your species!!!

Ackerman L (1997). The Biology, Husbandry, and Health Care of Reptiles. Volume I: Biology of Reptiles. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

• Ackerman L (1997). The Biology, Husbandry, and Health Care of Reptiles. Volume I: Biology of Reptiles. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

• Ackerman L (1997). The Biology, Husbandry, and Health Care of Reptiles. Volume II: Husbandry of Reptiles. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

• Barnard SM (1996). Reptile Keeper’s Handbook. Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing

• Ernst CH, Barbour RW (1989). Turtles of the World. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press

• Flank L (1998). Herp Help. New York: Howell Book House

• Madar DR (2006). Reptile Medicine and Surgery, Second Edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.

• Mattison C (1992). The Care of Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivity, Revised Third Edition. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing

• McArthur S, Wilkinson R, Meyer J (2004). Medicine and Surgery of Tortoises and Turtles. Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Publishing