ANSWERS

1. Reptiles are "cold-blooded". What is the correct term for this characteristic?
   Ectothermic.
2. State 2 means in which an ectothermic animal may control its body temperature.
   
   • Basking.
   • Burrowing.
3. Young reptiles (whether hatched or born) are termed "precocious". What does this mean?
   They are miniature replicas of the adult and are immediately capable of feeding themselves.
4. List requirements essential for keeping reptiles in captivity.
   
   • Heat (with a temperature gradient enabling the animal to select the temperature that it favours).
   • Light.
   • Space.
   • Suitable environment (for hiding/climbing/burrowing according to species).
   • Humidity.
   • Good ventilation.
   • Provision of suitable nutrition & drinking water.
5. What is the name used to describe the keeping of reptiles in captivity?
   Herpetology.
6. What is the name of the tank in which captive reptiles are housed?
   A vivarium.
7. List 6 features common to reptiles.
   
   • Ectothermic.
   • Internal skeleton (vertebrates).
   • Dry skin with scales.
   • Lungs.
   • May be oviparous or ovo-viviparous (see Module 2).
   • Internal fertilisation.
8. State 2 species of tortoise.
   
   • Box tortoise (Terrapene spp.).
   • Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo spp.).
9. What is the common name for the Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca)?
   The spur-thighed tortoise.
10. There are 2 common species of Mediterranean tortoise, the Greek tortoise being one example. Can you name the other?
    Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni).
11. Why is it sensible to keep Mediterranean tortoises of the opposite sex apart (unless mating is required)?
    Male Mediterranean tortoises are very persistent in their pursuit of females. The courtship involves much shell butting and biting of the legs, which may cause considerable damage to both animals.
12. From what country do box tortoises originate?
    America.
13. Why are terrapins unsuitable pets for those that have little experience or knowledge of such species?
    
    • Have a long life expectancy.
    • Require a large heated vivarium with enough space for swimming, basking a feeding.
    • Adult males can be very aggressive.
    • They grow very large.
    • They may carry salmonellosis.
14. Why might the veterinary surgeon recommend that a tortoise be kept in a heated vivarium throughout the winter rather than being allowed to hibernate?
    The British climate is not ideal for tortoise keeping and the summers may not be hot or long enough to ensure that the animal receives adequate nutrition. Many tortoises are presented with nutritional deficiencies which may lead to post-hibernation anorexia.
15. Give 3 examples of chelonians.
    
    • Tortoises.
    • Terrapins.
    • Turtles.
16. What is the correct name for the upper part of a chelonian's shell?
    The carapace.
17. What is the correct name for the lower part of a chelonian's shell?
    The plastron.
18. What is the name of the measurement used to assess the physical condition of Mediterranean tortoises?
    The Jackson ratio.
19. Hypovitamininosis A is common in chelonia particularly following hibernation. List clinical signs associated with this deficiency.
    
    • Epiphora (persistent overflow of tears).
    • Swollen eyes.
    • Anorexia.
    • Poor skin/shell condition.
20. A tortoise is hospitalised for blood tests due to post-hibernation anorexia (PHA). Why might blood uric acid levels be very high?
    During hibernation the kidney function is extremely limited, thus meaning that waste products build up in the circulation.
21. State 2 species of snake.
    
    • Corn snake (Elaphe guttata).
    • Garter snake (Thamnophis spp.).
22. What is the name of the order to which snakes and lizards belong?
    Order squamata.
23. How many functional lungs does the snake possess?
    One.
24. Name the law under which one may be prosecuted should live vertebrate prey be fed to snakes.
    The Protection of Animals Act 1911.
25. Why should frozen fish such as whitebait be heat-treated prior to feeding to snakes?
    In order to destroy thiaminase.
26. List 5 considerations that might explain anorexia in a snake.
    
    • Sloughing (shedding of the skin) may be about to occur.
    • Vivarium temperature too low.
    • Atmosphere too arid/too moist.
    • Poor lighting.
    • Unsuitable diet.
27. List 5 methods that may ease the examination of a snake.
    
    • Perspex snake tube.
    • Snake hook/grab.
    • Sandbags.
    • Hooding.
    • Lower the temperature of the environment.
28. Snakes may be affected by "mouth rot" and "scale rot". Can you give the medical terms for these conditions?
    
    • Mouth rot = stomatitis.
    • Scale rot = necrotic dermatitis.
29. State 2 species of lizard.
    
    • Common iguana (Iguana iguana).
    • Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius).
30. State 4 reasons why lizards must be handled carefully.
    
    • The tail may be shed if handled roughly.
    • They may bite.
    • Damage may be inflicted to the handler by the claws (particularly those of the hind limbs).
    • The tail may lash the handler's face.
31. Name the volatile agent that may be administered safely via a facemask in lizards and via an endotracheal tube in chelonians, snakes & lizards.
    Isoflurane.
32. What is the difference between hibernation and aestivation?
    Hibernation is a complex physiological process adopted by some reptiles in order to survive cold temperatures, whilst aestivation is a torpor induced by extreme heat and aridity.
33. What is meant by autotomy? In what type of animal might this be seen and why?
    The shedding of the tail. This may be seen in lizards as a result of rough handling. In the wild, this defence mechanism attracts a predator's attention to the discarded tail and away from the escaping lizard. A cartilaginous replica of the tail will then develop.
34. List various methods that may aid the restraint and examination of a belligerent iguana.
    
    • Diminishing the sense of perception (provide light in nocturnal species and dark in diurnal species).
    • Avoid over-stimulation by excessive handling/loud noise.
    • Lower the temperature of the environment.
    • Use of aids such as hoods or soft restraining bags.
    • Tonic immobility (positioning in dorsal recumbency).
    • Vaso-vagal response (by exertion of pressure on the eyes).