Snakes and Crocodilians: Husbandry and Nutrition

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Snakes (and Crocodilians)Husbandry and Nutrition

• July 3, 2008
• Jessica Ward
• NCSU-CVM Class of 2011

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Credibility Factor
3
The Plan

• Reptiles
• Taxonomy basic biology
• Snakes/Crocodilians
• Taxonomy basic biology
• Sexing
• Handling
• Husbandry
• Nutrition, feeding, anorexia
• Owner precautions
• Case study

http//bioephemera.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/
big20crocodile.jpg
Common or spectacled caiman and South American
false coral snake, Maria Sibylla Merian,
c.1705-10
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Reptile Taxonomy
www.evolution.berkeley.edu
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Class Reptilia Basic Characteristics

• 6,000 species
• Air-breathing vertebrates
• Ectothermic
• Epidermal scales/plates

www.cas.vanderbilt.edu
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Class Reptilia Additional Characteristics

• Internal fertilization
• No sweat glands
• Excrete urea, ammonia, or uric acid snakes
  crocs have no urinary bladder
• 3-chambered heart or imperfect 4-chambered
  (crocodilians)
• Metanephric kidneys
• Nucleated RBCs

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Snake Basics

• 2500 spp
• Life span
• Wild vs. captive
• Larger gt smaller
• 3 40 yrs
• Sexual maturity vs. life span

http//michaelcravens.com/sitebuildercontent/siteb
uilderpictures/1.jpg
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Snake Basics Continued

• Habitats
• Terrestrial, arborial, aquatic or semi-aquatic,
  fossorial
• Concentrated in tropics
• Size
• 10cm 10m
• Indeterminate growth

http//www.reptileknowledge.com/images/reticulated
-python.jpg
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Snake or legless lizard?

• Moveable eyelids vs. spectacle?
• External ears/eardrums?
• Ventral scales single row of large rectangles,
  or large number of small scales?

www.tailsnscales.com
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Snake Taxonomy
ORDER Squamata SUBORDER Serpentes INFRAORDERS
Scolecophidea, Alethinophidea
http//www.tigr.org/reptiles/trees/SnakePhylogenyW
ilcox.gif
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Blind snakes, worm snakes, thread snakes
http//www.tigr.org/reptiles/trees/SnakePhylogenyW
ilcox.gif
http//www.californiaherps.com/snakes/images/lhhum
ilis2sd04.jpg
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Boas pythons
www.b-r-a-s.co.uk
http//www.tigr.org/reptiles/trees/SnakePhylogenyW
ilcox.gif
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//bp0.
blogger.com/_
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Vipers (Viperids) pit vipers (Crotalids)
http//www.geocities.com/braguk/Photos/coiledadder
.jpg
http//www.tigr.org/reptiles/trees/SnakePhylogenyW
ilcox.gif
http//www.matrifocus.com/LAM03/images/rattlesnake
-opt.jpg
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Colubrids typical snakes
http//www.geocities.com/shavano08/sfgs3.jpg
http//www.tigr.org/reptiles/trees/SnakePhylogenyW
ilcox.gif
http//www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/878/2041
4221.JPG
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Cobras, mambas, coral snakes, sea snakes
http//www.susanscott.net/images/07-15_yellow-bell
ied20sea20snake20by20Hal20Cogger.jpg
http//www.k12.nf.ca/acreman/learning_logs/king_co
bra.JPG
http//www.tigr.org/reptiles/trees/SnakePhylogenyW
ilcox.gif
http//www.floridasnakes.net/coral-snake.jpg
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Pet Snakes

• Easy to keep, common, docile
• Burmese/ball pythons
• Rainbow/rosy boas
• King snake
• Rat/corn snake
• Garter snake

http//www.chelydra.org/python03.jpg
http//sensationalserpents.com/wp-content/uploads/
2007/09/kingsnake.jpg
http//z.about.com/d/phoenix/1/0/s/r/1/snake17ocon
nor.jpg
http//cache.eb.com/eb/image?id66416rendTypeId4
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Snake Biology

• Lungs R gtgtgt L
• Oviparous vs. ovoviviparous
• Hibernation
• Ecdysis
• Hearing
• Jacobsons organ

http//mrskingsbioweb.com/images/anatomy2a_Male_Sn
ake.jpg
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Snake Teeth
Wikipedia.com
Wikipedia.com
www.reptilis.net
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Sexing Snakes Hemipenes
http//campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/ter
ry.derting/cva_atlases/copsnake/Image012.jpg
www.scielo.sa.cr
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Sexing Snakes
http//www.cornutopia.com/Corn20Utopia20on20the
20Web/Photo2020Image20Stockpile20-20CornUto
pia/Sexing20corns20collage20-20CAPTION.jpg
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Sexing Snakes the easy way
www.amnh.org
http//taggart.glg.msu.edu/isb200/VESTIG.GIF
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Handling Non-Venomous Snakes

• Pets vs. zoo/breeders
• Small (lt60cm)
• Medium (60-150cm)
• Large (150cm) additional handler per 3-4 feet
  of snake

http//www.africanreptiles-venom.co.za/assets/imag
es/handling9_big.jpg
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APPROPRIATE
http//resweb.llu.edu/rford/courses/ESSC5xx/slides
/Boa_constrictor-3.jpg
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INAPPROPRIATE
http//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thum
b/0/02/Boa_Constrictor.jpg/489px-Boa_Constrictor.j
pg
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Handling Venomous Snakes

• Avoid it!
• Snake hook
• Snake grab
• Capture box
• Plastic tubing

www.snakecell.org
http//www.med-engrg.com/EZ-PhotoAlbum/SnakeTubes/
Scan0001.jpg
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Snake Husbandry Enclosure

• Space requirements generally 3/4L x 1/3L
• Glass, plexiglass, plastic
• Escape-proof locking lid with ventilation

www.cranwill.com
http//www.pianomanfan.com/Fluffy/Enclosure.jpg
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Snake Husbandry Substrate

• APPROPRIATE
• Newspaper/paper
• Gravel/pebbles
• Cypress/aspen shavings
• Course sand (desert snakes ONLY)
• Peat/sphagnum (fossorial)
• Astroturf
• Dried leaves
• Natural soil/vegetation (sterilize)

• INAPPROPRIATE
• CEDAR/PINE or other aromatic shavings
• Fine sand (cloacitis, skin/eye infections)
• Sawdust or ground corn cob (resp/GI problems)
• Cat litter (dehydrating, skin problems)
• THE PURPOSE
• Absorb waste
• Not cause problems!

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Snake Husbandry Water

• ALWAYS provide fresh water in bowl
• Many snakes will drink by sucking or sipping
• Large enough for soaking EXCEPT semi-aquatic
  snakes

www.repvet.co.za
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Snake Husbandry Hide Boxes

• Thigmotactism
• GOOD cardboard boxes, ice cream tubs, wooden
  bird nests, rock caves, hollow logs
• Size gtgt darkness

http//redtailboafaq.com/pictures/02-05-0610.jpg
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Snake Husbandry Other Items in Cage

• Shedding surface
• Basking areas
• Cage mates?
• Young vs. adult
• Timid vs. aggressive
• Dont mix taxa or geographical area
• Feed separately

http//www.boatips.com/images/king20snake.jpg
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Snake Husbandry Temperature and Ectothermy

• Ectothermy radiation, conduction, convection,
  evaporation, color
• Temperature ranges
• Lethal (low 4C, high 38-44C)
• Critical (low 10C, high 35C)
• Optimal (18-34C)
• Temperate/tropical 25-30C
• Desert 29-33C

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Snake Husbandry Temperature Gradient

• VOLUNTARY ACCESS to THERMAL GRADIENT during light
  photoperiod
• Reduce temperature by 5-8C at night
• MONITOR with reptile thermometer

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Snake Husbandry Temperature Apparatus

• Supplemental heating room or cage
• Heat lamps OUTSIDE and ABOVE cage, reflected
  onto basking area
• Fluorescent incandescent bulbs
• Infrared heat lamp
• Heat rocks/sizzle stones BAD IDEA

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APPROPRIATE
www.petzoo.co.uk
http//www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-s/STR80120.JPG
http//www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/646969_
front200.jpg
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INAPPROPRIATE
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Snake Husbandry Photoperiod

• Photoperiod controls biorhythms
• hours of light/day more important than timing
• Temperate 14-16hrs light
• Tropical 10-12 hrs light
• Increase from min ? max in spring, decrease in
  fall

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Snake Husbandry Lighting

• COORDINATE photoperiod with thermal gradient
• Natural light or combination incandescent
  fluorescent, full-spectrum bulb
• EXPERIMENT with wattages and distances

http//sleepytrees.com/forsale/snake/snake_enclosu
re_open.jpg
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Snake Husbandry Humidity

• Tolerate 35-70 humidity
• Desert 30-50
• Subtropical 60-80
• Tropical 80-90

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Snake Husbandry Humidity

• Humidity too low
• Dehydration, dysecdysis
• Humidity too high
• Dermatitis

http//web.mac.com/exoticdvm/reptile_archives_2006
/Archives_files/IMG_0211.jpg
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Snake Husbandry Humidity

• Increase humidity for ecdysis, nesting, newborns
• Large water bowl
• Misting
• Damp substrate
• Humidifier

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Snake Husbandry Cleaning

• Remove solid feces when noticed
• Change bedding as needed (q3mo)
• Gravel soak in 10 bleach for 24hrs, rinse, dry
  in sun
• Peat/sphagnum replace at cleaning

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Snake Nutrition Feeding

• Strict carnivores! Whole prey balanced diet

http//www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jowhiley/snake_v_alliga
tor.jpg
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Snake Nutrition Feeding Invertebrate-eaters

• Crickets, earthworms, spiders, centipedes,
  snails, crayfish, termites, grubs
• Vary the offering
• Calcium supplementation

http//www.australianwildlife.org/images/wildlife/
158.gif
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Snake Nutrition Vertebrate-Eaters

• Captive-raised, dead whole prey ONLY (no
  sausage)
• Generalized vs. specialized
• Generalized rodents, gerbils, rabbits, chickens,
  fish
• Specialized snakes, lizards, frogs, salamanders
• Consider natural history of species (arboreal vs.
  aquatic, etc)

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APPROPRIATE
www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-s/STR70105.JPG
http//www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimage
s/normal/p-33253-42495-reptile.jpg
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INAPPROPRIATE
http//incontiguousbrick.files.wordpress.com/2007/
06/snakeboy.jpg
http//cache.viewimages.com/xc/56631112.jpg?v1c
ViewImagesk2d17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47005
D57F23A2A51DDFA66394E604F3FD47EA55A1E4F32AD3138
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Snake Nutrition Feeding Frequency

• Overfeeding gt underfeeding
• Neonates feed after first shed (10d), q1-3d
• Invert eaters ad lib, 1-week fasting periods
• Adults 1-3x/week
• Boas/pythons substantial meal q2-4w
• Feed less obesity, winter, breeding, ecdysis,
  stress

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Anorexia in snakes

• Not eating for gt1 month
• Ddx
• Medical parasites, neoplasia, organ dysfunction
• Husbandry lighting, temp, hiding places, major
  life changes, food type, excessive
  handling/noise, ecdysis, winter, ANYTHING

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Anorexia in snakes

• Treatment
• Rule out medical problems
• Feed live pinkies
• Induce bleeding in pinkies
• Scent-transfer technique
• Place in snakes coils
• Force-feeding whole prey (skinned) or slurry via
  orogastric tube into esophagus

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Snake Precautions Salmonella

• Gram(-) bacteria
• Natural part of reptile gut flora
• Opportunistic human pathogen (GI)
• Wash hands with soap!
• 10 bleach to clean snake stuff
• Maybe a snake is not for you . . .

http//barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/snakes-on-a-pla
ne-5(2).jpg
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Snake Precautions Snakebites

• Nonvenomous snakebites
• Venom contains proteolysins, hemorrhagins,
  cardiotoxins, cytolysins
• Viperid/Crotalid cytotoxic/hemotoxic
• Elapid neurotoxic
• De-venomed or venomoid snakes

http//www.flatrock.org.nz/topics/animals/assets/s
nake_bite.jpg
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Snakebite First Aid

• Remain calm try to ID snake
• Immobilize, loose splint
• Remove jewelry/collar
• NO tourniquet or ice
• NO cutting the wound or attempting to remove
  venom
• GET TO A MEDICAL FACILITY for antivenom/antivenin
  

http//www.davidbessler.com/wordpress/wp-content/u
ploads/Picture_085_800x600.jpg
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CASE STUDY KANDY KORN

• Kandy Korn, 2yo F Cornsnake
• Miss Perkins 3rd grade class
• Presents for anorexia 2mo duration
• History???

http//www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/rept
ile-pictures-breeders-babies/corn-snake-pictures-b
reeders-babies/pictures/corn-snake-0025.jpg
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KANDY KORN

• History questions
• Enclosure, substrate, objects
• Water
• Feeding
• Temperature
• Photoperiod
• PE
• Recommendations??

http//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thum
b/4/40/Corn_snake_swallowing_cropped.jpg/800px-Cor
n_snake_swallowing_cropped.jpg
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TAKE-HOME MESSAGES

• Know your species! Geography, habitat, diet
• Manage risks
• Carnivorous easier!
• Temp photoperiod are key with ectotherms
• Provide for needs, reduce pathogens

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References

• Ackerman L (1997). The Biology, Husbandry, and
  Health Care of Reptiles. Volume II Husbandry of
  Reptiles. Neptune City, NJ T.F.H. Publications,
  Inc.
• Britt EJ, Bennett AF (2008). The energetic
  advantages of slug specialization in garter
  snakes (genus Thamnophis). Physiol and Biochem
  Zoo 81(3) 247-54.
• Barnard SM (1996). Reptile Keepers Handbook.
  Malabar, FL Krieger Publishing.
• Coulson RA, Coulson TD, Herbert JD, Staton MA
  (1987). Protein nutrition in the alligator. Comp
  Biochem Physiol 87A(2) 449-59.
• Cox CL, Secor SM (2007). Effects of meal size,
  clutch, and metabolism on the energy efficiencies
  of juvenile Burmese pythons, Python molurus. Comp
  Biochem Physiol 148A 861-68.
• Flank L (1998). Herp Help. New York Howell Book
  House.
• Garnett S (1988). Digestion, assimilation and
  metabolism of captive estuarine crocodiles,
  Crocodylus porosus. Comp Biochem Physiol 90A(1)
  23-29.
• Huchzermeyer FW (2003). Crocodiles Biology,
  Husbandry, and Diseases. Cambridge, MA CABI
  Publishing.
• Lance VA (2003). Alligator physiology and life
  history the importance of temperature. Exp
  Gerontol 38 8011-5.
• Larsen RE, Buergelt C, Cardeilhac PT, Jacobson ER
  (1983). Steatitis and fat necrosis in captive
  alligators. JAVMA 183(11) 1202-4.
• Lauren DJ (1985). The effect of chronic saline
  exposure on the electrolyte balance, nitrogen
  metabolism, and corticosterone titer in the
  American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis.
  Comp Biochem Physiol 81A(2) 217-23.
• Mitchell MA (2004). Snake care and husbandry. Vet
  Clin Exot Anim 7 421-446.
• Radcliffe CW, Chiszar D. (1983) Clear plastic
  hiding boxes as a husbandry device for nervous
  snakes. Herpetological Review. 14( 1)18.

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Crocodilian TaxonomyFamily Crocodylidae

• Subfamily Crocodylinae
• Crocodylus (13 spp, true crocodiles)
• Osteolaemus (dwarf crocodile)
• Tomimstoma (false gharial)
• Subfamily Alligatorinae
• Alligator (2 spp, true alligators)
• Caiman (2 spp, caimans)
• Palaeosuchus (2 spp, dwarf caimans)
• Melanosuchus (black caiman)
• Subfamily Gavialinae
• Gavialis (gharial)

http//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thum
b/d/d8/PHOTO_2006-01-03_123444_resize_resize.JPG/1
80px-PHOTO_2006-01-03_123444_resize_resize.JPG
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Alligator or crocodile?

• Cold-resistant (geography)
• 4th mandibular tooth
• Sensory pits in ventral scales

http//cache.eb.com/eb/image?id62656rendTypeId4
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Crocodilian basics

• Lifespan
• Osteoderms
• Oviparous parental care
• Saltwater vs. freshwater?
• Penis (singular)
• Homomorphic teeth

http//static.howstuffworks.com/gif/alligator-back
.jpg
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Sexing Crocodilians

• No sex chromosomes
• Males gt females
• Gharials ghara
• Alligators vent scutes
• Adults palpate penis/clitoris via cloaca (must
  be gt3 ft)

www.crocodilian.com
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Handling Crocodilians

• Hatchlings/small juveniles grasp behind head,
  support body/tail (can cover with dustpan)
• Juveniles/adults catching noose made of rope
  PVC pipe
• Larger adults throw wet towel/sack over head,
  sit behind (can fasten to plank, etc)
• All muzzle jaws (water-resistant tape!)

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APPROPRIATE
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//bp1.
blogger.com/_92eYy9FCBj0/RqQNW8kEEjI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/B
VenQc9l4XI/s320/Crocodile.jpgimgrefurlhttp//lit
tle-mysteries.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html
h240w320sz17hlenstart1um1tbnidVu2RBB
Kg0CoEYMtbnh89tbnw118prev/images3Fq3Dcroc
odile2Bmouth2Btape26um3D126hl3Den26client3
Dfirefox-a26rls3Dorg.mozillaen-USofficial26sa
3DG
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INAPPROPRIATE
http//www.thaiskytravel.com/cgi-bin/pic_product/c
00515.jpg
http//static.flickr.com/92/233578962_78dcc787d0.j
pg
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Crocodilian Farming
Prada crocodile boots 12,000
Alligator scallopini with Dijon sauce
http//www.fl-seafood.com/recipes/seafood-4268.htm
http//blog.theshoegoddess.com/DSC01544.jpg
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Crocodilian Husbandry Enclosure

• Space needs 2-5L x 1-2L x escape-proof Visual
  division of territory
• Equal parts water/land
• Hatchlings tilted aquaria with partial covering
  (glass, plastic, metal) hiding board
• Substrate vegetation/soil or concrete/epoxy
• Water gt1.5m (outside), gt0.6m (inside)
• Cover plants, leaves, awnings, etc

66
APPROPRIATE
http//farm1.static.flickr.com/229/511923457_fc8c1
c2756.jpg?v0
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INAPPROPRIATE
http//www.sanybel.com/EWG_Crocodile_feeding-circa
_1951-cropped.jpg
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Crocodilian husbandry Thermoregulation

• Optimum temp 18-34C
• Provide thermal gradient using
• Sun/shade
• Shallow/deep water
• Indoor/outdoor
• Heating pipes, underfloor heating, infrared lamps
• Ideally keep air at 33-35C, water 20-25C
• Protect from overheating
• Growth and sexual maturity depend on temp (Lance
  2003)

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Crocodilian Nutrition Feeding

• Carnivores protein gtgtgt fat (Garnett 1988)
• Hatchlings/juveniles crustaceans, snails,
  tadpoles, small frogs, fish
• Growing fish, chickens, small mammals
• Fish only ? steatitis/fat necrosis (vitamin E
  deficiency from rancid oil) (Larsen et al. 1983)
• No need for mineral supplement if getting whole
  prey with bone

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Crocodilian Nutrition Feeding Circumstances

• Feed at optimum core temperature
• Social facilitation vs. cannibalism??
• Juveniles feed 5 days/week
• Adults feed q3d
• Reduce feeding in fall

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CASE STUDY ALLYS GATOR FARM

• Small start-up alligator farm in Florida
• Alligators look healthy, but large yellow masses
  found in fat tissue at slaughter
• History??

http//www.nrel.gov/data/pix/Jpegs/05871.jpg
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ALLYS GATORS

• History questions
• Enclosure
• Water
• Temperature
• Feeding
• PE/necropsy
• Recommendations??

http//www.staugustine.com/media/video/alligator_f
arm/alligator_farm.jpg