Considerations for the Care and Use of Amphibians and Reptiles in Research

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Considerations for the Care and Use of Amphibians
and Reptiles in Research
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Reptiles -- Special handling
considerations - Salmonella -
Aggressive/defensive behaviors - biting
(all) - clawing (turtles, lizards) - fecal
spraying (snakes) Housing ReptilesAdults and
juveniles moisture, basking sites, density,
feeding schedulesEggs substrate moisture,
temp., positioning to avoid membrane damage
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Amphibians -- Special handling considerations
- Salmonella, but recent research suggests
that handling frogs with latex gloves may lead
to mortality - Toxic dermal secretions (toads,
some salamanders) Housing Amphibians Adults
substrate moisture, hiding substrates, light
spectrum, temperatureEmbryos aeration, water
pH 6 to 7.5 generally ideal, dissolved
oxygenLarvae aeration, pH (as with embryos),
feeding (know your species), densities
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GUIDELINES FOR USE OF LIVE AMPHIBIANS AND
REPTILES IN FIELD RESEARCH, Compiled by American
Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
(ASIH), The Herpetologists' League (HL), Society
for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
http//199.245.200.110/pubs/herpcoll.html