Small Animal Care & Management - Ch. 20

Reptile Classification

• The family of reptiles that includes venomous snakes is Viperidae.
• The family of reptiles that includes more than 650 species is Colubridae.
• The family of reptiles that includes true lizards is Lacertidae.
• The family of reptiles that includes crocodile lizards is Anguidae.
• The family of reptiles that includes false and true gharials is Gavialidae.

Reptile Habitat and Safety

• Terrestrial reptiles require a suitable habitat with adequate temperature, humidity, and lighting.
• The electrical equipment safety guideline for reptile enclosures is to keep them out of water to prevent electrical shock.

Reptile Diet

• Herbivorous turtles require a diet of leafy greens and vegetables.
• Small snakes require a diet of small rodents and insects.
• Larger lizards require a diet of large insects and small animals.

Reptile Characteristics

• All reptiles possess scaly skin.
• The main purpose of hibernation for reptiles in temperate zones is to conserve energy during periods of food scarcity.
• Turtles and tortoises have a shell body type.
• The temperature range for hibernation in reptiles is between 5°C and 15°C.

Reptile Families

• The family of reptiles that includes the largest number of species is Colubridae.
• The family of reptiles that includes the leatherback sea turtle is Dermochelyidae.
• The family of reptiles that includes the hard-shell sea turtle is Cheloniidae.
• The family of reptiles that includes the Papua New Guinea plateless river turtle is Carettidae.
• The family of reptiles that includes the coral pipe snake is Homalopsidae.

Omissions

• The order of reptiles not mentioned in the text is Rhynchocephalia.