Turtle & Tortoise

How to assess stress in reptiles

Stress, as an adaptive response of any animal to a stimulus that presents a threat to homeostasis, can occur in reptiles. Yet, many veterinarians fail to recognize the signs of stress in reptiles. In this article, evaluation of reptile stress...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Martínez Silvestre, A. 2014. How to assess stress in reptiles. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23(3), 240-243.

Increase in morbidity and mortality in a shipment of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

A cohort of captive-bred red-eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta, was received from a commercial vendor. Shortly after arrival, several turtles presented as lethargic with subjectively pale skin and multifocal areas of cotton-like tufts in the mouth area and distal extremities....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Eichner, M., Garcia, K. 2019. Increase in morbidity and mortality in a shipment of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Laboratory Animals 53(6), 634–640.

Nontraditional laboratory animal species (cephalopods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds)

Aquatic vertebrates and cephalopods, amphibians, reptiles, and birds offer unique safety and occupational health challenges for laboratory animal personnel. This paper discusses environmental, handling, and zoonotic concerns associated with these species.

Year Published: 2018Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Bird, Cephalopod, Crocodile & Alligator, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Invertebrate, Lizard, Other Bird, Other Fish, Parrot, Reptile, Salamander, Salmon, Snake, Tilapia, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Zebrafish

Citation: O'Rourke, D. P., Baccanale, C. L., Stoskopf, M. K. 2018. Nontraditional laboratory animal species (cephalopods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds). ILAR Journal 59(2), 168-176.

Given the cold shoulder: A review of the scientific literature for evidence of reptile sentience

We searched a selection of the scientific literature to document evidence for, and explorations into reptile sentience. The intention of this review was to highlight; (1) to what extent reptile capability for emotions have been documented in the scientific literature;...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Lambert, H., Carder, G., D'Cruze, N. 2019. Given the cold shoulder: A review of the scientific literature for evidence of reptile sentience. Animals 9(10), 821.

Response to novelty as an indicator of reptile welfare

Whilst a great deal of research has been focused on identifying ways to assess the welfare of captive mammals and birds, there is comparatively little knowledge on how reptilian species are affected by captivity, and the ways in which their...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Moszuti, S. A., Wilkinson, A., Burman, O. H. P. 2017. Response to novelty as an indicator of reptile welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 193, 98-103.

Optimal rearing density for head starting green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758)

While ex situ conservation programs of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758), before release to natural habitats, have been conducted in several countries, the optimal‐stocking density for husbandry has not yet been reported. The optimization of stocking density was...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Kanghae, H., Thongprajukaew, K., Jatupornpitukchat, S. et al. 2016. Optimal?rearing density for head?starting green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758). Zoo Biology 35(5), 454-461.

Effects of alfaxalone administered intravenously to healthy yearling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at three different doses

OBJECTIVE To compare physiologic and anesthetic effects of alfaxalone administered IV to yearling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at 3 different doses. DESIGN Randomized crossover study. ANIMALS 9 healthy yearling loggerhead sea turtles. PROCEDURES Animals received each of 3 doses...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Phillips, B. E., Posner, L. P., Lewbart, G. A. et al. 2017. Effects of alfaxalone administered intravenously to healthy yearling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at three different doses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 250(8), 909-917.

Uses and doses of local anesthetics in fish, amphibians, and reptiles

Local anesthetics are an integral part of routine pain management in mammals, yet their use is relatively limited in fish, amphibians and reptiles. These animals frequently undergo potentially painful surgical procedures and therefore could possibly benefit from those drugs. Some...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Analgesia, Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Fish, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Other Fish, Reptile, Salamander, Salmon, Snake, Tilapia, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Zebrafish

Citation: Chatigny, F., Kamunde, C., Creighton, C. M. et al. 2017. Uses and doses of local anesthetics in fish, amphibians, and reptiles. JAALAS 56(3), 244-253.

Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: Towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability

The keeping of exotic pets is currently under debate and governments of several countries are increasingly exploring the regulation, or even the banning, of exotic pet keeping. Major concerns are issues of public health and safety, animal welfare and biodiversity...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Reptile, Salamander, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Pasmans, F., Bogaerts, S., Braeckman, J. et al. 2017. Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: Towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability. Veterinary Record 181(17), 450.

Laboratory maintenance

Year Published: 1979Animal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Campbell, H. W. , Busack, S. D. 1979. Laboratory maintenance. In: Turtles: Perspectives and Research. Harless, M. , Morlock, H. (eds), 109-125. Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.