Herpetology

In this course you will develop an ability to understand the biological and ecological characteristics of reptiles and amphibians as well as relevant conservation issues and how to keep them at home.

 

Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. The term is derived from Linneas’s classification in which he combined reptiles and amphibians into the one category. Herpetology examines the biology and ecology of these animals and their importance at a global scale. Herpetology as a scientific study and as a hobby can have positive impacts on the conservation of threatened reptile and amphibian species.

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Herpetology
   • Herpetology Defined
   • Introduction to Reptiles
   • Animal Taxonomy
   • Classification of Reptiles
   • Characteristics of Reptiles
   • Testudine Characteristics (Turtles)
   • Squamata Characteristics (Snakes and Lizards)
   • Rhynchocephalia Characteristics (Tuatara)
   • Classification of Amphibians
   • Amphibian Characteristics
   • Building Resources and Developing Networks
   • Terminology
2. Class Reptilia (Reptiles)
   • Reptile Classification
   • Water Conservation
   • Reproduction
   • Order Chelonia (Testudines); Turtles
   • Order Crocodilia; Crocodilians
   • Order Squamata
   • Scaled Reptiles; Lizards (Suborder Sauria) and Snakes (Suborder Serpentes)
3. Reptile Biology
   • Reptile Anatome
   • Skeleton
   • Scales and Skutes
   • Ectothermal Regulation
   • Coloration
   • Respiration and Metabolism
   • Food and Digestion
   • Senses
   • Locomotion
4. Class Amphibia (Amphibians)
   • Order Anura (Frogs and Toads)
   • Order Apoda (Caecilians)
   • Order Urodela (Salamanders and Newts)
5. Amphibian Biology
   • Amphibian Skeleton
   • Skin
   • Ectothermal Regulation
   • Colouration
   • Respiration and Metabolism
   • Branchial
   • Buccopharyngeal
   • Cutaneous
   • Pulmonic
   • Food and Digestion
   • Senses
   • Locomotion
   • Reproduction
6. Ecology of Reptiles
   • Species Richness
   • Constriction
   • Injected Venom
   • Inertia Feeding
   • Biting and Grasping
   • Suction Feeding
   • Reproductive Strategies
   • Viviparity
   • Oviparity
   • Nest Building
   • Habitat Use; Aquatic and Terrestrial
   • Basking
   • Hibernation
7. Ecology of Amphibians
   • Use of Habitat
   • Temperature Relationships
   • Feeding
   • Vocal Communication; Advertisement calls, Territorial calls, Release calls, Distress calls
   • Social Behaviour
   • Dealing with Predators
   • Reproduction and Parental Care
8. Conservation Issues
   • Habitat change
   • Edge Effects
   • Pollution; especially water pollution
   • Environmental Acidification (Acid Rain)
   • Pesticides
   • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
   • Spread of disease
   • Invasive Species
   • Climate Change
   • Spread of Disease
   • Disease in Wild Populations
   • Trade in Reptiles and Amphibians
   • Conservation
   • Conservation Genetics
   • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
9. Keeping Reptiles and Amphibians
   • Introduction
   • Legal Issues
   • Special conditions for Amphibians
   • Special Conditions for Reptiles
   • Preventing Spread of Disease from Reptiles to Humans
   • Housing
   • Reptile Captivity Problems
   • Reptile Feed and Feeding
   • Amphibians and Reptile Species that are in Captivity
   • Feeding Amphibians
   • General Care
   • Common Ailments in Reptiles and Amphibians
   • Parasitic Diseases
   • Fungal Diseases
   • Viral Diseases
   • Metabolic Bone Disease
   • Thiamine Deficiency

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Discuss the nature and scope of reptiles.
• Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of reptiles around the world.
• Describe a range of different reptile species, including distinguishing characteristics, their needs (eg. environmental, food, etc) and behaviour.
• Identify and explain the anatomy and physiology of reptiles
• Discuss the nature and scope of amphibians
• Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of amphibians around the world.
• Discuss the nature and scope of amphibians
• Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of amphibians around the world.
• Describe the ecological requirements, reproduction and lifecycles of amphibians
• Describe the behaviour of a range of different amphibian species.
• Explain conservation issues that are impacting upon populations of reptiles and amphibians.
• Explain the management of reptiles and amphibians in captivity

Feeding activity is temperature dependent. Sub optimal conditions are often the reason for fasting. If you increase the temperature and give a reptile a warm bath, this can encourage it to feed (even increasing light can have an effect). Disturbances of any type can cause regurgitation. For carnivores, the best diet is a whole animal as this reproduces the diet conditions in nature.

Bearded Dragons
• Omnivorous
• Feed once a day (twice a day for young)
• Feed late morning to help with digestion
• 50/50 ratio of plant to meat for young
• 65/35 ratio of plant to meat for older lizards
• Plant materials – pumpkin, sweet potato, corn, celery leaves, tomato, spinach, zucchini and fruits.
• Animal materials – crickets, mealworms, woodies, pinkie mice, earthworms, canned dog and cat food (no fish) and raw meat (organ meat especially)
• Length of food should be no longer than the lizards head
• Provide calcium supplement with each food for juveniles and every alternate feed for adults

Blue-tongued Lizards
• Omnivorous
• Feed every day (around late-morning to allow them to digest food)
• Feed 1/3 protein (animal) and 2/3 plant material
• Mix food thoroughly and provide in a large container
• Plant materials – fruit (especially bananas), vegetables and grains
• Animal materials – crickets, mealworms, woodies, pinkie mice (frozen then thawed), earthworms, canned dog and cat food (not fish), raw meat (without fat) and garden snails (ensure that no snail baits around).
• Food pieces should be less than 1/3 the size of the head of the lizard
• Supplements – calcium. With each feed in juveniles and with every second feed in adults

Herbivorous Lizards
• Include Green Iguanas (which are folivores – feeding on leaves in the wild)
• Fruit and vegetables
• Rice and grain can also be offered
• Lay out grassy and leafy vegetables
• Provide supplements throughout winter when fruit is not as plentiful or if lizard seems ill
• Add supplements gradually as the scent may turn them off the food

Pythons
• All snakes are carnivores, and most eat small invertebrates.
• Food size will depend on python size
• Hatchlings – pinkie mice
• Once python reaches 60cm long, should be able to eat adult mice
• Do not feed live prey as this can be dangerous for the python
• Only offer food three days after the snake has passed waste (do not feed more than once a week)

Tortoises
• Lettuce, clover, grass, tomatoes, fruit, cucumber
• They will sometimes eat raw fish or meat which should be supplemented with calcium carbonate at a rate of 0.5gm per 100 gms of meat fed.
• Cereals, bread, tinned dog food can also be tried (but in small quantities ...too much can cause liver disease).

Terrapins
• Chopped meat, heart, liver, fish (whole or pieces), snails, shrimps, worms, insects, frogs, mealworms, baby mice.
• Vegetables such as lettuce can be given on alternate days
• Meat must be supplemented with calcium (same ratio as with tortoises).

Reptiles in General
When force feeding is called for, use a small 2mm diameter, oiled polythene tube, attached to a syringe. Gently introduce it into the mouth of the animal and pass it into the food pipe. This way you can feed pulverised whole animal or canned dog food, minced egg, or baby foods.