Small Animal Management
Lesson Title: Reptile Pets
TEKS Addressed in Lesson:
130.4 (c)(4)(A)- (c)(4)(F) care & management requirements of small
animals
(A) discuss the physical characteristics for each species studied;
(B) list the breeds or types of each species studied as appropriate;
(C) discuss the habitat, housing, and equipment needs for each species studied;
(D) compare and contrast nutritional requirements for each species studied;
(E) explain health maintenance in each species studied, including the prevention and control of
diseases and parasites; and
(F) describe and practice common methods of handling each species.
Lesson Objectives. The student will be able to:
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Identify characteristics specific to reptiles
Classify amphibians into four orders
Identify necessary housing and substrate requirements for reptile pets
Demonstrate knowledge of proper care and handling of reptile pets
Compare and contrast reptiles to amphibian pet species
Key Terms/Vocabulary
Arboreal- refers to animals living predominantly in trees
Brille- is the layer of transparent, immovable disc-shaped skin or scale covering the eyes of some
animals for protection, especially in animals without eyelids
Brood- a family of young animals produced at one hatching or birth
Carapace- the hard upper shell of a turtle or tortoise
Casque- a helmet or a helmet-like process or structure,
Chromotophores- a cell or plastid that contains pigment.
Crepuscular- active at night
Dimorphism- the male and female of a species having different physical characteristics so that they can
be identified
Diurnal- animals that are active during the daylight hours
Ectotherm - an animal that is dependent on external sources of body heat
Hemipenes - each of the paired male reproductive organs in snakes and lizards
Herpetology - the branch of zoology concerned with reptiles and amphibians
Lamellae - a thin layer, membrane, scale, or plate like tissue or part, especially in bone tissue
Oviparous- young by means of eggs that are hatched after they have been laid by the parent.
Ovoviviparous- producing young by means of eggs that are hatched within the body of the parent, as in
some snakes
Plastron - the ventral surface of the turtle/tortoise shell
Probing- a method used to determine the sex of adult snakes where a probe is inserted into the vent.
The probe will travel deeper into a male than a female.
Scutes- a thickened horny or bony plate on a turtle's shell or on the back of a crocodiles, tortoises and
terrapins, etc
Terrapin- a freshwater turtle, especially one of the smaller kinds of the Old World
Terrarium-a cage used for keeping land animals
Tortoise- a turtle, typically a herbivorous one that lives on land
Tympanum- a membrane that picks up vibrations and transfers them to the inner ear
Viviparous- animals that retain the young within their bodies in a preplacenta sac
Substrate- the surface or material on or from which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its
nourishment.
Interest Approach/Anticipatory Set
Have students use the website below to explore interesting facts about reptiles.
http://www.herpsofnc.org/Myths/Herp_Facts.html
Ask students for examples of reptiles. Then ask them to compare amphibians to reptiles. Can they list
the differences?
Show examples of the skin of a lizard or snake vs the skin of amphibians. Ask students to guess why the
skin of these two species differs. What about eggs…show students pictures of eggs laid by a reptile and
a female? Why are they different?
Some of the examples include: texture of the skin, where they live and how fertilization and
development occurs.
Teaching Plan and Strategy Presentation of New Material
Teacher PowerPoint that includes the following information:
Characteristics
To be considered a reptile, the following characteristics must be present:
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Reptiles have the following distinctive characteristics that put them in the class of reptiles:
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Reptiles have backbone and spines i.e. they are vertebrates.
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Reptiles have scales on their bodies and have a dry skin.
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Reptiles are cold blooded animals.
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Reptiles lay eggs.
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Reptiles have lungs and need air to breathe.
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Reptiles either have four legs or have no legs at all.
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Reptiles have ear holes instead of ears.
There are approximately 6500 species of reptiles belonging to four different orders:
1. Testudines (Chelonia)
a. Turtles
b. Tortoises
c. Terrapins
2. Serpentes
a. Snakes
b. Pythons
c. Boas
3. Squamata
a. Iguanas
b. Lizards
4. Crocodilian
a. crocodiles,
b. alligators
c. caimans
d. gharials
Hibernation
Reptiles live in temperate zones and must hibernate during the winter: winter temperatures are too
cold for them to remain active. The length of the hibernation period varies depending on how long the
cold weather lasts. During hibernation, the reptiles body temperature drops to a oint wher the sytems
barely function. Respiration and heartbeat are greatly reduced, and oxygen is absorbed through the
skin. Hibernation is associated with brining the reptile into breeding condition; temperate-zone reptiles
that are not allowed to hibernate do not breed.
Housing and Equipment
Reptiles can be kept in a terrarium, vivarium or aquarium.
Four Types:
1. terrestrial habitats for reptiles that live on land
2. semi aquatic habitats for reptiles that live on land or in trees but spend part of their
time in water
3. aquatic habitats for reptiles that live primarily in the water
4. arboreal habitats for reptiles that live in trees
Care should be taken to make sure you provide enough room for growth depending upon each species.
All housing facilities should have a lid/cover with holes for ventilation.
Water should be changed ever 3-7 days to prevent the buildup of bacteria and harmful waste. Since
reptiles are ectotherms and cannot generate their own body temperature, they take on the
temperature of their environment. You must provide a heat source such as an incandescent light with a
reflector shield. Basking rocks and pads can also be used with care.
Sunlight is important but not only as a heat source, but also the skin absorbs the UV rays that are
needed in calcium metabolism, formation of pigment, and vitamin D synthesis. Inadequate lighting can
lead to metabolic bone disease and other issues. The lamps should not be place on top of a piece of
glass because the glass with filter out UV rays.
Appropriate substrate should be used depending upon the animal. Do your research and make sure you
are changing the substrate often.
Feeding
Turtles
Turtles and tortoises should be fed each day. Aquatic species are primarily carnivores or omnivores and
will eat commercial pellets, leafy lettuce like romaine or spinach, raw fish, small goldfish, minnows or
earthworms. Land turtles are usually herbivores and should be fed: alfalfa, clover, dark leafy greens,
carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, strawberries and cantaloupe. They should be fed a variety of
foods to provide adequate nutrition.
Snakes
All snakes are carnivorous. Small snakes feed on small fish, earthworms, crickets and other insects.
Medium sized snakes will each baby mice and rats. Larger snakes will feed on full grown mice, rats, baby
chicks, guinea pigs, and rabbits. If feeding snakes live food such as rats and mice, you should observe
the snake closely. If the snake does not eat the rodent within a few minutes, take it out. If left in the
cage, it could inure the snake. Feeding killed prey is preferred for your safety and the snake’s safety. If
they snake refuses to eat in a month or longer, it should be taken to a veterinarian.
If the eyes cloud over, having a blue appearance, the snake is close to shedding and may not eat,
Lizards
Most lizards eat insects but can be fed flower blossoms, fresh fruit, vegetables, ground meat and dog or
cat food. You should always research your particular lizard to discover proper diet requirements.
Handling
Turtles and similar species should be transported in a cardboard box. Turtles should be picked up by the
shell with the fingers and thumb and placed on the hand. Care should be taken when handling snapping
turtles; you should hold them far enough back to avoid being bit.
Snakes that have not been handled often could be frightened and their reaction is to bite. Leather
gloves can be worn the first few times you are handling the animal. You should grasp the snake firmly
just behind the head. You should make sure you support both the head and the tail end of the snake at
all times.
The temperament of lizards varies greatly so some might become aggressive when handled. Lizards
obtained at a young age can be worked with and will be comfortable with human interaction. Some will
never want to be handled. When picking up a lizard, make sure you never pick it up from the tail, the
tail liable to break as a defense mechanism and will grow back but without original coloration.
Reproduction
Turtles lay eggs (oviparous) that they deposit into a nest cavity in the soil. She will lay anywhere from 1
to 200 eggs. Soft shell eggs will hatch in about 30 days but the eggs of some land tortoises will take up
to 18 months. Incubation depends on the temperature of the soil. When the young hatch, they are on
their own for survival.
Snakes are very interesting and varying creatures. They can be oviparous, ovoviviparous, or viviparous.
Most are oviparous which means they lay eggs in shallow holes covered by soil or around large rocks or
logs. Snakes that are ovoviviparous retain the eggs within their bodies until they hatch then they give
birth to live young. The young receive no nourishment from the female; instead they get nourishment
from the yolk of the egg. The garter snake is an example of an ovoviviparous snake. In some snakes, the
young are retained in a placental sac within the female which allows for oxygen and nutrient exchange.
Pit vipers are an example of a viviparous species.
Lizards may be oviparous, ovoviviparous, or viviparous. The females will lay eggs in holes they dig.
Incubation periods differ among species. Most have an egg tooth on their snout that allows them to
crack the egg during hatching. During the brief period before mating, the males will turn a bright body
color to attract the females.
Activity/Application/Student Engagement/Laboratory
1) Teacher presentations that depict several examples of reptile species
2) Students create a presentation over one of the 4 orders. Presentation should include the following:
o
o
o
o
o
o
History
Classification
4 breeds/species
Physical characteristics
Housing requirements
Breeding behavior
o
o
o
o
Gestation/incubation
Interesting facts
Nutritional requirements
Diseases/ailments
3) Have students use terrarium worksheet to create a terrarium for a reptile pet. The worksheet should
be colored and labeled and must include all necessary elements for the pet (ie. Substrate, hide rock,
temperature, basking stone, heat lamp, pool, etc…)
References/Additional Materials/Extended Learning Opportunities/Enrichment
Introduction to Veterinary Science, 2nd edition. Lawhead, J. , Baker, M.C. (2008) Thomson, Cengage
Learning.
Cahn, C. M., Line, S. (Eds.), 2005. The Merck Veterinary Manual, 10th edition. John Wiley & Sons
Small Animal Management and Care, 3rd edition. Warren, Dean M. 2010. Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Other Suggested Activities:
Using the white boar, have students work together to create a flow chart of the scientific classification
of reptiles.
Using notes from class, divide the species of reptiles up between students. Have students create a facts
sheet over their assigned species. Once complete, put all sheets together to make a scrapbook of
reptile species for future reference or to post online.
College and Career Readiness Standards:
Science
I. B1. (a-g) Design and conduct scientific investigations in which hypotheses are formulated and
tested.
III. C 1 (a-c) Presentation of scientific/technical information.
V. D 1 (a-g) Understand that scientists categorize things according to similarities and differences.
VI. E 1 (a-f) Know ways in which living things can be classified based on each organism’s internal
and external structure, development, and relatedness of DNA sequences.
Developed by the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications,
Texas A&M University
for the Texas Education Agency, Educational Excellence Project for AFNR
©Texas Education Agency, 2014