Husbandry, Feeding, Behavior and Physiologic Data – Birds & Reptiles
Birds: African Grey Parrot Psittacus erythacus, Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus, Chicken Gallus gallus domesticus
Reptiles: Corn snake Pantherophys guttatus, Bearded dragon Pogona vitticeps, Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni,
Goals of this lesson
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It’s easy to remember that indoor and outdoor housing carry advantages and disadvantages. So, with this slide, it is a reminder on how to think about it, whichever is the species considered.
Outdoor housing |
Indoor housing |
SUN - UVB: vitamin D synthesis, immune system, well-being - Heat: be careful with heat stroke. Cooler temperature can be well tolerated if the change is made slowly and housing and diet are adapted - Natural daylight = natural photoperiod. Better for hormonal production and breeding. |
NO SUN = NO UVB This lacking leads to hypocalcemia in herbivores (chelonians, lizards) and in parrots. It is suggested to be associated to dental disease in rabbits and hystrichomorphs rodents. |
Temperature is usually constant |
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Artificial light leads to excitation and behavior problem in parrots, it is an important predisposing factor to adrenal disease in ferrets. |
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Natural soil: foraging and weel being (look for food, dig a burrow) but infectious risk (virus and parasites) |
Household danger are poisoning (birds and avocado or fume from antiadhesive pan or heavy metal toxicoses ; ferrets are also very inquisitive). Foreign body ingestion ; gnawing of electric cable |
Predation if not protected or checked |
|
Run away |
Run away is possible but less common |
Socialization is more difficult |
Socialization is facilitated |
BIRDS
Behavior and physiology are extremely differents between species of birds.
African Grey Parrot,
Cockatoo
Macaw
Budgie, cockatiel, Agapornis
Canary
Finches (ex: Gouldian finch)
Chicken, quail
Species |
Maximum lifespan observed |
Median lifespan observed |
African Grey parrot |
60 years |
15 years (50 - 60 years) |
Amazon |
80 years |
(> 50 years) |
Cockatoo |
60 years 20 years (Galah) |
15 years (40 - 60 years) 8 years (Galah) |
Macaw |
75 - 100 years |
(50 - 80 years) 15 years for smaller varieties |
Loris and lorikeets |
20 - 30 years |
15 years |
Conures |
25 - 40 years |
10 years |
Cockatiels |
32 years |
5 years (10-12) |
Budgerigars |
18 years |
6 years (5-10) |
Gouldian Finch |
7 years |
4 years |
Mynahs |
12 years |
3 years |
Canary |
20 years |
(6 - 12 years) |
Dove, pigeons |
26 years |
(4 - 8 years) |
From Harrison BOOK & Exotic Formulary 3rd ed |
BIRD ANATOMY
Ex: Hooked beak of parrots (break the nuts)
PARROTS HOUSING
Outdoor aviary are preferred for breeding birds. It can be used for companion birds if the owner can take a seat in the aviary and stay at rest with his bird.
Cages and rooms dedicated to the pet bird are usually preferred. Be careful with indoor danger: heavy metal toxicosis, avocado poisoning and PTFE (fume from antiadhesive pan) and foreig body ingestion.
--> Realize a quick internet research and criticize what you can find…
PARROTS FEEDING
Foraging for food is an important activity
Bowl should be removed and replaced by
foraging activities
Too much food = boredom & selective feeding & obesity = unbalanced diet and fatty liver disease!
AFRICAN GREY PARROT
Weight: 450-600g
No sexual dimorphism (sexing on feather or by endoscopy)
Sexual maturity: M 2-3 years ; F 4 years.
2-4 eggs by clutch, incubation 28-30days
Rearing period: around 84days. Male will feed young in nest. After fledging, fed by both male and female.
Heart rate: 200-350bpm
Respiratory rate: 35-50cpm
Common diseases
Feather picking
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
Rhinolithis
Hypocalcemia
Hypovitaminosis A
Aspergillosis
Proventricula Dilatation Disease
PBFD, Psittacosis, Bornavirus
Worm & mite treatment according to risk
Yearly blood sample
COCKATIELS
Poor health status
Weight: 90g
Sexual dimorphism M Orange cheeks, melodious song
F Clearer cheeks, more agressive
> 1yo: Barred tails persists in female
Sexual maturity: 9 to 12months. Both parents incubate.
4-7 eggs by clutch, incubation 18-23d, rearing until 30-35d (fledging)
Heart rate: 400-600 bpm
Respiratory rate: 60-100 cpm
Common diseases
Giardiasis
Obesity
Egg retention
Dyspnea
Sinusitis et conjunctivitis
Hepatopathy
Pancreatitis
PBFD, Psittacosis, Bornavirus
Worm & mite treatment according to risk
Yearly blood sample
GALLIFORMES HOUSING
Protected from predation
Free access to grasses. As much spaces as possible. Move the enclosure when possible (less parasite pressure, more nutrients in environment)
GALLIFORMES FEEDING
Deworming: Entry and before winter. Be aware of interval time between treatment and egg consumption.
Mite and insects treatment: Natural pyrethrum. Environment: biological control with predator.
Heart Rate: 100 bpm & Respiratory rate: 20-50 cpm
Common diseases
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REPTILES
= Cold-blooded, totally dependent on their environment (cold-blooded is not exact because they are WARM!!!)
POTZ (Preferred Optimal Temperature Zone)
Warm and Cool end in the terrarium
CHELONIANS
Tortoises: terrestrial & generally herbivores
Turtles: aquatic & herbivores to omnivores
Hermann's tortoise
Annexe II du CITES
Annexe A (CE)
Obvious sexual dimorphism
Male acts as « sex addict »
2 annual clutch, 2 to 6 eggs per clutch
Sex determination according to incubation temperature
Strict herbivore (90% grasses and veggies, <10% fruits)
General recommendations about Hermann's tortoise
Strict herbivore
Terrarium or suitable enclosure (outside if possible)
POTZ, UVB, substrate
Clinical exam and antiparasitic drugs before hibernation
Eurotestudo sp Hermann’s tortoise |
Testudo graeca Mediterranean Spur thighed tortoise |
|
Supracaudal shield |
Divided (2) |
Undivided |
Posterior thigh spur |
No |
Yes (only one) |
Horny claw at the tip of the tail |
Yes |
No |
Scales on anterior |
Small on wrist |
Bigger and overlapped |
Upper shell |
Less curved |
More curved |
Posterior part of the plastron |
Rigid |
Mobile |
Dark strip on plastron |
Well defined, continued or not |
Irregular streeks |
Vertebral scales |
Narrow, as long as wide in adults |
Large |
Spots on the head |
Common, behind the eye |
Sometimes, forehead |
LIZARDS
Bearded dragon
Endemic species of the australian continent
Arid lands and rocky desert
Exportation from Australia is prohibited
Individuals born in captivity
Golden, sandfire, albinos, blood, citrus,
silkback…
Hierarchical groups
Many postures of communication
Curious & very familiar
Diurnal
Lifespan : 10yo
Insectivore, omnivore
Captivity => obesity, hepatic lipidosis
Sexual maturity around 18 months
Several clutches a year, 10 to 30 eggs are laid in nest dug in sand, hatch 60-80d according to environmental temperature
Desert terrarium
Hot spot, photoperiod, substrate, UVB
Leopard gecko
From arid area Pakistan, India, Afghanistan
Eublepharidae = only gecko with eyelid
Gregarious and nocturnal
Territorial (male +++)
Social interaction (licking, tail vibration)
Friendly, easy to keep
Lifespan: 20yo
Low intensity 2% UVB lights are important for calcium metabolism and general well-being
Be careful with albino: burn risk
If handled roughly, autotomy
Insectivore, carnivore (small vertebrates)
Living prey
Sexual dimorphism (femoral pores, penile bulges)
Sexual maturity: M 10 months ; F 15-18months
Eggs can be seen through the skin
Incubation 1month and a half to 2 months according to sex & T°C
Oviparous, up to 5 clutches per season, in wet vermiculite, sand or peat.
Wet box, well ventilated
Photoperiod and nocturnal rythm to respect
Substrate choice and feeding uses
SNAKES
Tail is larger male (2 hemipenes)
Probing or ultrasonography
M : around 6 to 15 scales
F : around 1 to 3 scales
Corn snake
Endemic from USA
Dense vegetation
Every 6 to 8 weeks (adult)
More often in youngs
Tame, easy to breed
Terrestrial species, burrower
Adult: 1.20m
Lifespan: 15yo (22 yo)
Carnivore: various rodents
Spring and summer
12 to 24 eggs in 1 clutch
« Incubation » 8 weeks
Oviparous, sex mature at 2yo
Ball python
Ball python = Royal Python
Africa (Senegal, Uganda, Northern Congo)
Savannas, meadows, zone sparsely wooded => hideout +++
N° de CITES et facture d’achat obligatoire
Adult: 1m20
Lifespan: 20-25yo
Constrictor
Quiet but fearful
Common anorexia
Females are slightly bigger
M & F : pelvic spurs
Oviparous, sex matures around 2-3yo
TO CONCLUDE: