Reptile and Amphibian Species, Care, and Management Evan Faison Heritage High School Animal Science 2: Small Animal

Amphibians-Newts & Salamanders  Newts and salamanders range in size from a few inches to 5' or more. They usually have four legs and long tails.

Amphibians-Frogs  Frogs and toads differ in that frogs make croaking noise, have slender longer bodies, and moist skin while toads have a rough skin and dry appearance.  True frogs include the American Bullfrog and may grow to 14" long.

Amphibians-Toads  American Toad is the common toad on the eastern United States

Amphibian-Toad  The Green Tree Frog is actually a yellow- green toad with a yellow stripe running from its lower jaw back along its sides.

Reptiles-Boa Constrictor  Boa constrictors are popular pets because they adjust well to captivity and tame quickly. Boas may grow 18' long. They like to feed on small animals, birds, fish, and eggs.

Reptiles-Garter Snake  Common garter snakes adjust well in captivity and can be tamed. Easily recognized by stripes running the length of their body and may reach 2 -3' in length.

Reptiles-Green Anole  Green anole is an iguana that is often found in pet stores. It reaches a length of 8" and feeds on insects. It changes colors from various shades of gray to brown.

Reptiles-Skinks  Skinks are very tame and make excellent pets. They are secretive and do best with leaves to burro under. Skinks may reach 2' in length.

Reptiles-Savannah Monitor  The Savannah Monitor is a lizard that can be used as a pet. However, they may reach sizes up to 6' or more and become hard to handle.

Reptiles-Common Chameleon  Common chameleon is a true chameleon that reaches about 10" in length. They can change their colors rapidly to adapt to their surroundings.

Care of Amphibians  Vast difference in species, but the goal should always be to duplicate the natural environment.  Aquariums usually make the best containers.  Semi-aquatic aquariums may be made by using plexi-glass to petition the aquarium in half  Vivariums should be designed to give the reptile an environment close to its actual habitat.

Reptile Care  Reptiles are ectotherms. They do not generated body heat and must rely completely on the temperature of their environment.  Reptiles need ultraviolet (UV) rays for calcium metabolism, formation of pigment, and vitamin D synthesis. a. Reptiles need sunlight b. Fluorescent lights will provide UV rays as long as there is not glass between the light and the reptile. Glass filters the UV rays out.

Physiology of Amphibians  Cold blooded animals that have thin, moist skin that allows them to breathe through the skin by osmosis.  Amphibians usually live in moist environments, but location usually depends on their skin thickness.  Amphibians do not have scales.  Amphibians crush their prey and swallow it whole because they do not have teeth.  Amphibians live part of their life in water. Adult amphibians spend part or all of their life on land.

Physiology of Reptiles  Reptiles are cold blooded vertebrates that have dry scaly skin and lungs for breathing.  Reptiles have bony skeleton scales or horny plates that cover their body.  Reptiles include crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, etc.  Some give birth by laying eggs (oviparous), others retain the eggs in their body until they hatch and give birth to young (ovoviviparous), and in others their young develop in a placental sac and are born live (viviparous).