Disorders and Diseases of Reptiles

Adequate housing, a good diet, and routine parasite control will help to minimize disease in pet reptiles, as with other animals.   Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders of Reptiles Septicemia, caused by bacteria in the blood, is a common cause of death in reptiles. The disease affects the whole body and may result from trauma, an abscess, an infestation

Even though pet reptiles live in carefully controlled environments, injuries and accidents are possible.   Burns in Reptiles Burns in reptiles may be caused by unscreened incandescent lights or other heat sources. They are treated by cleaning the site, applying antibiotic ointment, and placing the reptile in a clean, dry environment. In uninfected burns, sterile skin protectant bandages can be applied to th

Good sanitation and nutrition and a properly designed environment play a major role in preventing many common health problems in reptiles. However, if medical attention is required, reptiles respond best to treatment from a veterinarian familiar with their special needs. When selecting a veterinarian for your reptile, ask about experience with reptiles and select a veterinarian with an appropriate level of experience and interest.   Importanc

Among the most important considerations for any pet are its housing and dietary requirements. Because reptiles cannot regulate their body temperature in the same way mammals can, they have stricter requirements for housing than many other pets, particularly regarding temperature and sanitation. Dietary needs vary widely by species.   Housing of Reptiles Housing requirements for reptiles include an appropria

When choosing a pet reptile, it is important to have a clear understanding of the care required for a particular species and the level of companionship you expect from a pet. Even though reptiles might seem like inactive “couch potatoes,” keeping them as pets takes just as much commitment as caring for more assertively demanding companions like birds or dogs. However, some species of reptiles require less effort and money to feed, house, and adequately care for than others.

Most reptiles cannot tolerate much handling and do best when provided with an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat and then left alone. Depending on whether they are carnivores (meat eaters), herbivores (plant eaters), or omnivores (both meat and plant eaters), reptiles require specialized diets involving live prey (such as mice and rats), fresh vegetables, and vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Because of these req

Most reptiles are ectotherms (cold-blooded): they maintain their body temperature by absorbing heat from the environment, so their body temperature changes with environmental temperature. In contrast, most mammals and birds are endotherms (warm-blooded): they are able to maintain a constant body temperature despite changes in the environmental temperature. Snakes, lizards, and chelonians have a 3-chambered heart. Crocodilians have a 4-chambered heart. Eggs are fertilized internal

Reptiles can be easily recognized by their outermost layer of scaly skin. The class Reptilia has 4 orders. The order Rhynchocephalia includes only 1 living species, the tuatara, which is native to New Zealand. The order Crocodilia includes alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials (a crocodilian species native to the Indian subcontinent). The order Testudines contains tortoises and tur