BAC Lab Exam Flashcards
(137 cards)
What are Herps?
Collective term for reptile and amphibians
Why study reptiles and amphibians?
Have increased popularity as pets
Have a biology that differs significantly from mammals
Vets are not taught much about exotics in school
What are some features of an amphibian
Moist, permeable, glandular skin
Non-amniotic eggs
Ectothermic (most are heterothermic)
What are the three orders of the class amphibia, and how many species does each order have
Anura (5000+ species) frogs etc
Caudata (500 species) salamanders
Gymnophiona (<200 species) caecilians
What are some features of a reptile
Non-permeable, non-glandular skin
Amniotic eggs
Mostly oviparous
Mostly ectothermic and heterothermic
What are the four orders of reptiles and how many species do they contain
Testudines (<7000 species) snakes/lizards
Crocodilia (23 species) crocodiles
In reptiles and amphibians what are we dealing with? Species or breeds?
Species
What is thermophysiology
How body temperature is maintained
What are some advantages to ectothermy
Lower energy needs (eat less)
Tolerate cooling better (night, seasonal, brumation)
What is the disadvantage of ectothermy
Activity limited by environmental temperature
How do Herps maintain their preferred body temperature
Behavioral thermoregulation
Physiological thermoregulation
What is an integument
The covering or outside of an organism, like skin
Unique in reptiles and amphibians
What is dysecdysis
Retained eye spectacles
Constricted toes, spines, tail tips
What is dysecdysis caused by
Inadequate environmental humidity
Malnutrition and dehydration
Parasitism
What can thermoreceptive organs do:
Can “see” heat
What are boids
Labial heat pads
What are crotalines
Paired rostral heat pits
What is dropping their tails done for
Defense
What must a Herps captive environment do
Fulfill all physiological and psychological needs
Be based on natural habitat
Omit natural dangers
Be easy to access and maintain
What material should a herp enclosure be made out of
Easy to clean and disinfect
Transparent barriers can be problematic
Are cagemates a good idea for Herps?
No
What are ultraviolet A lights used for
Part of visible spectrum for many species
Identification of conspecifics and prey
What does having ultraviolet -a light do to the environment?
Increases social behaviors
Feeding
Basking
Breeding
How do you determine how much uv is needed?
Depends on: Habitat Geographical location Time of year Species activity period