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Amphibian Husbandry and Nutrition

Learn about the basics of amphibian care including handling, housing, environmental control, and nutrition. Discover the differences between salamanders, frogs, and newts, and find out how to properly handle and restrain them. Understand the potential hazards of handling amphibians and learn about the various toxins they produce. Gain knowledge on gender determination and appropriate housing for amphibians.

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Amphibian Husbandry and Nutrition

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  1. Amphibian Husbandry and Nutrition Ami Krasner NCSU-CVM Class of 2010

  2. Goals for today • Amphibian Basics • Handling • Housing • Environmental Control • Nutrition

  3. Amphibian Basics • Ectothermic vertebrates • 3 Chambered heart • Glandular Skin • Cryptic • Scaleless

  4. Metamorphosis • Aquatic to land • TH dependent • Primary Changes: -Legs -Lungs -Eyes -IT -Tail (anurans) -Skin http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/art/tadpole-to-frog.gif

  5. Metamorphosis Exceptions • Environmental stress induction • Terrestrial egg metamorphosis http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356774,00.html

  6. Timeline for Metamorphosis • Weeks to years • Species and environment dependent

  7. Taxonomy-Three Orders • Caudata • Anura • Gymnophiona

  8. Caudata • 10 families, >500 species • N./S. America, Europe, Asia • Common Pets: -Ambystoma tigrinum (Tiger Salmander) -Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander) -Cynops pyrrhogaster (Fire Bellied Newt) http://michaelcravens.com

  9. Salamander vs. Newt http://www.washingtonnh.org/ firstfriday.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/ http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/NIM/AF397~Drop-of-Water-Posters.jpg

  10. Salamander vs. Lizard • Water requirements • Skin • Eggs & young AMPHIBIAN VS. REPTILE

  11. Anura • 33 families, >5000 species • Worldwide* • Common Pets/Research: -Xenopus spp. (African clawed frog) -Rana spp. (Leopard frog) -Dendrobates spp. (Poison arrow frog) -Hylidae family. (Tree frogs) http://www.johnelkington.com/weblog/african_clawed_frog_500w.jpg

  12. Frog vs. Toad -Water -Skin -Leg length and power -Predators http://www.isd12.org/bhe/ http://64.226.23.133/woodycarr/images/toad.jpg

  13. Gymnophiona • 6 families, 172 species • Pantropic • Not kept as pets http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/415329423_cd21aeb1cb_o.jpg

  14. Order Differences • Limbs • Tails • Vision • Fertilization

  15. Owning an amphibian Research and Plan!!!!! LIBRARY!!! KNOW Natural History

  16. Owning an amphibian • Life Span: up to 55 years! • Aggressive vs. Friendly http://www.maroochy.qld.gov.au

  17. Size-Largest -Chinese Giant Salamander-up to 180 cm -Goliath Frog-up to 32 cm http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2008 www.sandiegozoo.org

  18. Size-Smallest Smallest- Thorius sp. - 15 mm. Eleutherodactylus sp.- 10 mm http://www.state.tn.us/twra/tamp/salamanders.htm http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/FROG.htm

  19. Pet Trade Restrictions • Within the U.S.: ex. African Clawed Frog • CITES listings -Appendix I= 16 spp. ~Giant Salamanders -Appendix II- 98 spp. ~Dendrobates www.cites.org

  20. Handling Concerns-Amphibian Skin • Permeable -gloves -nicotine -cleaning supplies • Delicate • Secretion

  21. Nicotine Toxicity • Tadpole and hypercapnic challenge -Brain stem: ventilation -Surfacing frequency • Systemic vasodilation • Melanocyte Activation http://www.puregreen.com.au

  22. Handling-Restraint • Caudata Goals: -Support and comfort -Netting -MS-222 -Avoid tail and gills http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Amphibian,%20Salamander.htm

  23. Handling-Restraint • Anura Goals: -Support and comfort -Netting -MS-222 -Avoid kicking out www.uwm.edu/Dept/EHSRM/ACP/MANUAL/Frog2.jpg

  24. Handler Concerns • Scratches and bites • Infectious disease • Toxic secretions: -Irritant -Hallucinogens -Consultants -Vasoconstrictors -Neurotoxin

  25. Toxin Uses • For people: -Weapon (poison dart frogs) -Pharmacology (pain killers, psychoactive) • For the animal: -Defense (unpalatable, paralysis) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anura#Poison

  26. Toxins • Aposematism and mimicry • Curious Dogs -Symptoms: foaming mouths, shaking, vomiting, diarrhea • Derived from: -Diet -Alkaloid manufacture http://www.gilroydispatch.com

  27. Gender Determination • Most not sexually dimorphic -Size -Color • Observe courtship • Candling abdomen for eggs http://www.xlaevis.com/sexing.html

  28. Gender Determination Females • More rotund body shape http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

  29. Gender Determination Males • Caudata Crests, bright colors, tail swellings in some during breeding season • Anura Vocal sacs, nuptial pads during breeding season http://www.xlaevis.com/sexing.html

  30. Accommodations

  31. Housing • Vivarium basics • Enclosure Design • Substrate • Ground cover • Plants • Retreats • Water • Location http://www.darkroastedblend.com

  32. Materials for Housing • Glues and Sealants approved for aquaria, Avoid others including: -Coal-tar based sealants: PAH and amphibian larvae -Dental Sealants: Bisphenyl A • Plastic or Glass Material, Avoid Metals -Hg, Cu, Al, Zn, Fe www.everythingforpets.com/

  33. Housing Considerations • Hinged lid • Small holes • Striking behavior

  34. Enclosure Design Options • Aquatic Pond • Aquatic Stream • Stream-Side • Terrestrial • Terrestrial Fossorial • Arboreal

  35. http://www.blackjungle.com/terrarium2.jpg http://www.amphibiancare.com

  36. http://www.brianstropicals.com/building.html http://www.amphibiainfo.com

  37. Substrate Options • Medium-grade gravel -Size and texture • Soil and Sand -Parasites -Fertilizers • Moist paper

  38. Substrate-Functions • Camouflage • Bio filter http://www.uvm.edu

  39. Ground Cover Options • Moss or leaf litter • Sphagnum vs. Sheet Moss • Rocks

  40. Ground Cover-Functions • Enrichment • Security • Breakdown Waste Products www.driedflowersrus.com

  41. Plants-Benefits • Cover/Rest spots • Elevated perches • Sites for oviposition • Filter overhead light • Purify air • Oxygenate water • Utilize organic wastes • Increase humidity • Green algae and larval diet

  42. Plant Considerations • Low light levels • Pots vs. buried in substrate • Rinse, repot plants • No sharp tips http://www.dkimages.com

  43. Retreats • Secretive, time spent hiding • Dark, low sealing, deep • Cork bark or darkly colored plastic containers

  44. Water • Fresh or Brackish • Same as for fish

  45. Location • Minimal surrounding activity • Vibration • Controlled environment • Avoid Direct Sunlight • Escapes

  46. Environmental Control • Temperature • Humidity • Lighting

  47. Temperature • Achieved by: -Lighting: air -Heater: water • Thermal gradient -Max-min thermometer -Basking Spot • Common Ranges: -Green tree frog: 75°F-88°F (24-31°C) day, 68°F (20°C) at night -Tiger salamander: 55°F- 78°F (13-26°C)

  48. Humidity • >70% Relative humidity • Gradient with retreats • Skin problems • Gauge Methods: • Reduced ventilation • Water (spraying, moving, contained) • Live plants • Humidifier

  49. Lighting *Spectrum, Intensity, Duration* • Full-spectrum lights • Intensity: <46 cm from cage floor • Duration Photoperiod: equatorial (12:12) vs. temperate (16:8)

  50. Lighting Considerations • Source of heat • Subdued lighting & gradual changes • Plants

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