Promoting Better Husbandry Practices for Captive Reptiles

8/4/2019 Promoting Better Husbandry Practices for Captive Reptiles

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Preparing a consumer for a reptilecompanion

Keegan G. BoydAS 464 2008


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The challenges

The industry its self

The animals involved


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Herbivorous lizards

Omnivorous lizards

Carnivorous lizards

Insectivorous lizards Snakes

Aquatic Turtles

TortoisesOther

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Herbivorous lizards tend to be large andin-general docile animals. They also tendto be social animals that respond well tohuman companionship

popular species

Nutritional requirements

Common nutritional problems

Common health problems

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Omnivorous lizards tend to be medium tolarge lizards. These animals tend to bemore engaging then many of the smallerreptiles and less challenging to keep thenmany of the larger ones.

Popular species


Common nutritional problemsCommon health problems

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Due to their large size and diet theseanimals can be very challenging to keep.

Popular species

Nutritional requirementsCommon nutritional problems


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These animals are simple to keep andrequire less space than most reptileshowever they tend to be more like fish inthat you look at them more than youinteract with them.

Popular species


Common nutritional problemsCommon health problems

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Snakes are popular with many enthusiastsfor their seemingly alien appearance.Many can be quite large and are wellaccomplished escape artists

Popular species




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A tortoise or terrestrial turtle can be a funand engaging pet. However many speciesrequire very large enclosures

Popular speciesNutritional requirements



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Aquatic turtles are far and away the mostcommon pet reptile. They are easy tokeep and can provide a long termcompanion.

Popular species




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Crocodilians

Crocodilians include crocodiles alligators caimans andgahrials.

These animals require a considerable investment in space,time, knowledge, and most of all money and should only beattempted by a dedicated individual who is well experienced

Venomous Venomous reptiles offer to many people a sense of danger

and excitement.

Husbandry of venomous reptiles in many states requires alicense or is forbidden altogether.

Keeping venomous reptiles is dangerous. The handler at

some time will get bitten and should be prepared for theeventuality

Keeping venomous reptiles is discouraged to every oneexcept the most experienced and prepared of keepers.

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Knowledge shortage?

Supplies.

Health care professional access

Moral issues (ecology & responsibility)

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Ecological

Many wild populations are threatened due to overcollection

Captive breeding programs can help to improve wildpopulations

Legislation is important to combat illegal collectionbut also hinders captive breeding efforts

Escaped pets could pose a hazard to surroundingecology

Responsibility

Many captive reptiles live short lives due to poor

health The requirements for the care of captive reptiles is

poorly understood amongst the general populace andthe majority of health professionals

Many animals are bought without prior knowledge orresearch into habitat nutrition or proper care.

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Unlike with traditional companion animals thecultural knowledge about reptile care is limited.This means information must come fromsomewhere else

But where?

But how?

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Information should be acquired longbefore an animal is acquired.

A consumer should have a habitat

prepared and have the requisiteknowledge in order to make an informedselection of a healthy animals.

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In today's world information is everywhere the challenge is not finding theinformation but sorting the good thepractice and the applicable from the badthe wrong and the hearsay

The sources:

the internet, books, medical professionals,

experts, retailers.

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The amount of information available onthe internet is endless

The open structure allows anyone to be

an expert so information quality issuspect

The internet is best used as away tocommunicate with breeders more

experienced keepers and a way to betteridentify the common problems with aparticular species.

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Can be very useful but do require someinvestment.

Look for books in which the author is

personally familiar with raising thespecies in question

Look for recent and up to date texts.

Ask an individual with experience with a

species for a recommended book

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These professionals will be your bestsource of medical information

They often have other area or outside

area resources to connect you withThey may or may not be very

experienced.

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Examples are breeders or experiencedhobbyists.

These people can suggest good texts,

tips on selecting a good animal, and careand habitat tips.

Be wary many are very opinionated andare not always correct.

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Many are employees that are just doing ajob and are not passionate about reptilecare.

May not have experience with anindividual species

Remember they are always trying to sellyou something so be wary of their

information.

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Preventative health care

Common diseases

Nutritional problems

Habitat appropriateness Not a Puppy

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The majority of problems for the uninitiated consumer is the result ofmisconceptions

Often they apply ideas and beliefs thatwould be more approiate to other animals

Problems with habitat requirements

Socializing with humans and other

animalsDietary misconceptions

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A reptiles habitat is key to its health and mustprovide for appropriate humidity,temperature, shape, space, and sanitation .

Some key points to help when designing ahabitat

It needs to be secure an escaped animal ismore of a danger to itself then anything else.

A habitat that is difficult to clean will remaindirty.

it should not be fixed being able to movethings around and creating newconformations is not only fun for you butprovides much needed enrichment for theanimal

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As with any pet the best way to health is preventative. Proper nutrition will prevent most of the common

ailments of pet reptiles

A proper habitat can not only prevent injury andprovide the right weather but can also prevent stressand boredom related conditions.

Sanitation will prevent bacterial and other infestations.

When introducing new animals to an already existingcollection or habitat strict quarantine proceduresshould be undertaken to reduce the risk to not onlyestablished animals but new animals as well.

Observe your pet the more you know about its habitsthe better you can gauge when there is or could be aproblem.

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Ulcerative or necrotic dermatitis (scalerot)

Respiratory infections

Ectoparasites (Mites) Endoparasites (Intestinal worms)

Burns

Dysecdysis (incomplete shed)

stomatitis

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Gout

Metabolic bone disease

Reduced nutrient intake due to stress

ObesityDeficient nutrients in prey items

Vitamin D3 deficiency and limitedexposure to UV light

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Most captive reptiles do not live healthyproductive lives due to improper husbandrypractices

The majority of consumers are either illinformed or simply ignorant as to properhusbandry practices

The animals

The products

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While preventative care is the best way toavoid health problems there may very wellcome a day when you will need the helpof a professional.

Be sure to locate a vet that hasexperience with reptiles before you havea problem.

A yearly check is great way to monitoryou reptiles health.

Looking online is a great way to find alocal reptile veterinarian

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The most expensive part of keeping a petreptile are the supplies

You will need supplies for habitat

maintenance food preparation, sanitation,light sources, and many others.

What you need

Consumer products

Homemade goods

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All of the following must be provided forthe habitat that fits a specific animalsrequirements

Substrate, light, water, heat, nutrition,furniture, access, sanitation.

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There is wealth of products available tothe consumer in many cases experience isthe only way to determine what willactually be useful but there are somethings that can help you make aneducated decision

Products:

in the cageoutside of the cage

for husbandry/nutrition.

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Sanitation is all important to health, if aproduct cannot be cleaned then it is useless.

Eventually everything wears out or becomesso dirty that it can no longer be usable and

must be replaced. if an item is expensive itmost likely not worth the investment

Is it safe for the animal. can it trap them insome way or burn them in the case of hot

rocks Can it withstand abuse. a product needs to

be sturdy otherwise it is going to be broken

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Lighting

the light source needs to provideadequate UV requirements for theanimals natural habitat

The light source needs to protected fromimpact and not impede access to the cage

Heating

Multiple temp zones are required. Does a

product allow for that. Is it safe for the animal, the handler, and

the habitat (it wont burn you, your pet,or melt down the habitat)

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Sanitation Is it reptile safe Simple is almost always betterA few reptile safe cleaners

Nutrition Vitamin powders are available and should be

specifically directed at herbivore carnivore oromnivore also should match the ratiossuggested by literature

Preprapared meals are easy and wellbalanced but expensive and may not bepalatable to animal

Products for gut loading prey are anexcellent way to deliver nutrients.

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Must be clean safe and durable

Allows for much more flexibility indesign.

Can be much less expensive thenmanufactured products.

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Where can I find one

Which one is the right one for me

What will I need to buy

How can I select a healthy pet

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Answer the following questions.

1. Do I have a habitat prepared?

2. Do I have literature on the species that I

want?3. Have I read the literature?

4. Am I prepared to accept theresponsibility?

if you answered No to any of the questionsyou need to start again if you answeredyes to all of them click here

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Is the habitat that it is being kept in cleanand maintained?

Are there multiple animals in the habitat?Do they all look healthy?

Do not buy an unhealthy animal out ofpity most likely it will end in heart break

Pick an animal that looks healthy and

alert.

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Chain Pet stores

Small pet stores

Online pet stores

Breeders (local or online)Adopting

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Pros1. Adoption is an

excellent way togive your love to

a reptile thatneeds it.

2. The expense isconsiderably less.

3. The animal may

already be wellestablished andhealthy

Cons1.The animal may

have serious

behaviorproblems.2.The animal may

be very sick as a

result of poorhusbandry

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Pros

1. They have a lotof experiencewith the speciesin question

2. They can be veryhelpful

3. They will provideyou with a veryhigh quality pet.

Cons

1. The animals frombreeders can bevery expensive.

2. You cannotvisually inspectthe animals

before you buy.

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Pros1. They have a wide

selection ofanimals

2. The tend to bequiteknowledgeableon a variety ofspecies

3. They also carrymany usefulproducts forreptile husbandry

Cons1. There is no

opportunity tovisually inspectthe animalsbefore purchase

2. The animals maybe of a lowerquality then a

breeders3. Some may beunscrupulous.

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Pros1. Your supporting

local business andthey may get toknow you and know

how to service youbetter.

2. They tend to bemoreknowledgeable thenthe employees at

the larger stores3. They can order

things in for you.

Cons1. They may not know

very much about theanimals theirselling.

2. They may not havewell establishedquarantineprocedures.

3. They may not bevery up to date in

their care practicesor their products.

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Pros1. They have nearly

everything youmay need tokeep a pet reptile

2. They have themost up to datenew products

3. They have starter

kits for variouspet reptiles.

Cons1. The staff knows

very little aboutthe animals theyare selling

2. They are highlysusceptible totrendy products

3. The animal care

that they practicecan be at timeatrocious

Documents

Promoting Better Husbandry Practices for Captive Reptiles