Animal Science I
Reptiles and Amphibians
Objectives


Compare and contrast the types of
reptiles and amphibians and describe
management practices involved in
their care.
Identify the similarities and differences
between reptiles and amphibians.
Objectives


Describe the anatomy, feeding
requirements, and reproductive
systems of reptiles and amphibians.
Identify some common reptile and
amphibians.
Terms








Reptile
Amphibian
Ectotherm
Tortoise
Scute
Plastron
Carapace
Omnivore





Snake
Lizard
Anamniotic
Cloaca
Hemipenes
Reptiles




A reptile is a coldblooded animal with
lungs and dry,
scaly skin.
Any cold blooded animal is called an
ectotherm.
Lizards, snakes, and turtles are often kept as
pets.
Since many reptiles can live up to 20 or more
years, owning a reptile as a pet is a long-term
commitment.
What are the types of reptiles and
amphibians?


Turtles have many unique terms to describe
their anatomy.
Tortoise is the common
term used to describe
terrestrial turtles.


Their shells are covered with scutes.
Scutes are large, scale-like structures made of
keratin that cover the shells of turtles.

Since scutes have nerve endings, turtles can tell
when someone or something touches them.
Turtles



Plastron is found under the chest of turtles
and is made of bony plates covered with
scutes.
The top of the shell is called the carapace.
Some varieties are very large and others, such
as the snapping turtle, can bite with a great
deal of strength, so be sure to research the
type of turtle you would like to own before
purchasing one.
Feeding


Turtles can be herbivores, such as box
turtles, or carnivores, like snapping
turtles.
However most are omnivores,
meaning they eat both meat and
vegetation.
Feeding



Most pet stores carry a pelleted food
that should be used in order to give a
balanced diet.
Foods with colorful dyes should be
avoided.
ReptoMin is a reputable
food brand.
Reproduction



All turtles reproduce by laying eggs.
No known species show parental care,
meaning their offspring are on their
own as soon as they hatch.
Temperature plays a role in the sex of
the offspring.
Special Traits




Turtles have shells to protect them.
These shells are formed from keratin,
the same stuff our nails are made
from.
Some turtles can retract into their
shells, but not all.
Sea turtles cannot pull their limbs and
head into their shells.
Snakes

Snakes are reptiles with long tails and no legs.


Some of these needs include a
specific diet, proper cage temperatures
(including heat rocks), and water supply.


They are not suited for everyone
because of their special needs
as pets.
Several species used for pets have different food
and environmental requirements.
Two common types of snakes are garter
snakes and pythons.
Anatomy


Snakes have a vertebrae, or
backbone, and ribs along their body.
All of their organs are elongated
through their bodies.
Feeding



Snakes are carnivores, so they need
meat in their diets.
In the wild they eat rodents, small
birds, and other small animals.
Depending on the species, you may
have to feed it small pinkies (baby
mice) or full grown rats.
Reproduction



After mating, female snakes can store
sperm in them for a long time.
Some snakes carry the fertilized eggs
in them until they hatch and give birth
to live young, others lay the eggs.
Newborns are usually able to defend
themselves and don’t require their
parents to survive.
Snakes


Housing for your snake
should be very secure, as
snakes are curious creatures
and will squeeze out through
very small openings in a cage to explore
their surroundings.
Research the specific kind of snake you
want before deciding what supplies and
food you will need.
Lizards



Lizards are reptiles with tails, four legs,
movable eyelids, and ear openings.
They come in many shapes, colors, and
sizes.
Always find out how large the lizard will
be at maturity so that you can provide it
with a proper environment.
Anatomy


Lizards have scales like other reptiles,
which are designed to keep moisture
in their bodies.
Lizards vary in size depending on the
species. Small ones include anoles
and geckos while crocodiles and
komodo dragons are much larger.
Feeding



Lizards typically eat whatever they find
on the ground.
Typical diets include bugs, small
rodents, and other lizards.
As pets, you may need to feed live
mealworms or canned food for your
lizard.
Reproduction



Some lizards give birth to live young
while others lay eggs.
Eggs tend to be soft and leathery are
oppose to hard like a chicken’s egg.
The reproductive organ for females is
called the cloaca and hemipenes or a
single penis for the males.
Medical Care of Reptiles



Reptiles do not require regular
vaccines like dogs and cats.
Bloodwork is usually recommended
when they are ill or to determine sex.
Typically reptiles are not seen by a vet
unless they are ill, which can be
difficult to tell.
Amphibians


a cold-blooded animal with the larvae
being typically aquatic, breathing by
gills, and the adults being typically
semiterrestrial, breathing by lungs and
through the moist, glandular skin.
What is the difference between
amphibians and reptiles?
Amphibians


One difference is with the eggs.
Amphibians have eggs that are
anamniotic, which means that they
are jelly-like, instead of
calcified. They also don’t
have a nutrient-rich
membranes in the eggs.
Development



Amphibians also develop differently
than reptiles.
They start with gills in their juvenile
stages and then develop the use of
lungs later on.
They are still ectotherms, however.
http://www.mybitoftheplanet.com/2002/
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/
Reproduction


Typically the female lays eggs and the
male fertilizes them, as opposed to
mating and fertilizing internally.
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/games/s
keleton4.html
Anatomy



Amphibians do not have scales like
reptiles and their skin needs more
moisture.
Due to their development, they need to
stay in water as young but then live
mostly on land as adults.
They typically have webbed feet as
adults and some sort of tail as young
to aid in swimming.
Feeding




Most amphibians, like frogs and toads,
eat insects.
Some larger amphibians might eat fish
or small animals.
There are some stores that carry
pelleted or balanced food.
Crickets are also available in some pet
stores.
Medical Needs


Amphibians are very rarely seen in a
veterinarian… less than reptiles!
Finding a vet that can even provide
care for reptiles and amphibians can
be a challenge.
Venn Diagram

Create Venn diagram to compare and
contrast amphibians to reptiles.