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Amphibian Husbandry and Nutrition

Amphibian Husbandry and Nutrition. Ami Krasner NCSU-CVM Class of 2010. Goals for today. Amphibian Basics Handling Housing Environmental Control Nutrition. Amphibian Basics. Ectothermic vertebrates 3 Chambered heart Glandular Skin Cryptic Scaleless. Metamorphosis. Aquatic to land

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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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