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Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual

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Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE (Drymarchon couperi) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Eastern Indigo Snake Species Survival Plan ® IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Snake Taxon Advisory Group Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee. Formal Citation: AZA Snake TAG 2011. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. pp. 60. Original Completion Date: 20 September 2009 Author: Fred Antonio Director, Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, The Orianne Society AZA Snake TAG Reviewers: Dino Ferri, Curator of Herpetology, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Kevin Murphy, Collection Manager, Herpetology, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore AZA Staff Editors: Candice Dorsey, Ph.D., Director, Animal Conservation Shelly Grow, M.S., Conservation Biologist Cover Photo Credit: Dirk Stevenson Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management. The manual assembles basic requirements, best practices, and animal care recommendations to maximize capacity for excellence in animal care and welfare. The manual should be considered a work in progress, since practices continue to evolve through advances in scientific knowledge. The use of information within this manual should be in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning the care of animals. While some government laws and regulations may be referenced in this manual, these are not all-inclusive nor is this manual intended to serve as an evaluation tool for those agencies. The recommendations included are not meant to be exclusive management approaches, diets, medical treatments, or procedures, and may require adaptation to meet the specific needs of individual animals and particular circumstances in each institution. Commercial entities and media identified are not necessarily endorsed by AZA. The statements presented throughout the body of the manual do not represent AZA standards of care unless specifically identified as such in clearly marked sidebar boxes. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2 Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Taxonomic Classification ...................................................................................................................... 5 Genus, Species, and Status ................................................................................................................. 5 General Information ............................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 1. Ambient Environment ........................................................................................................ 9 1.1 Temperature and Humidity ............................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Light ................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Water and Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Sound and Vibration ..................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2. Habitat Design and Containment .................................................................................. 11 2.1 Space and Complexity .................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Safety and Containment ............................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 3. Transport ............................................................................................................................. 15 3.1 Preparations ................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Protocols ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 4. Social Environment ........................................................................................................... 16 4.1 Group Structure and Size ............................................................................................................ 16 4.2 Influence of Others and Conspecifics ........................................................................................ 16 4.3 Introductions and Reintroductions .............................................................................................. 16 Chapter 5. Nutrition ............................................................................................................................... 17 5.1 Nutritional Requirements .............................................................................................................. 17 5.2 Diets ................................................................................................................................................ 17 5.3 Nutritional Evaluations .................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 6. Veterinary Care .................................................................................................................. 19 6.1 Veterinary Services ....................................................................................................................... 19 6.2 Identification Methods ................................................................................................................... 20 6.3 Transfer Examination and Diagnostic Testing Recommendations ........................................ 21 6.4 Quarantine ...................................................................................................................................... 21 6.5 Preventive Medicine ...................................................................................................................... 23 6.6 Capture, Restraint, and Immobilization ...................................................................................... 24 6.7 Management of Diseases, Disorders, Injuries, and/or Isolation ............................................ 25 Chapter 7. Reproduction ...................................................................................................................... 27 7.1 Reproductive Physiology and Behavior ..................................................................................... 27 7.2 Artificial Insemination .................................................................................................................... 28 7.3 Pregnancy and Egg-laying ........................................................................................................... 29 7.4 Hatching Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 29 7.5 Assisted Rearing ........................................................................................................................... 30 7.6 Contraception ................................................................................................................................. 30 Chapter 8. Behavior Management ..................................................................................................... 31 8.1 Animal Training .............................................................................................................................. 31 8.2 Environmental Enrichment ........................................................................................................... 31 8.3 Staff and Animal Interactions ...................................................................................................... 32 8.4 Staff Skills and Training ................................................................................................................ 32 Chapter 9. Program Animals ............................................................................................................... 33 9.1 Program Animal Policy ................................................................................................................. 33 Association of Zoos and Aquariums 3 Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual 9.2 Institutional Program Animal Plans............................................................................................. 34 9.3 Program Evaluation ...................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 10. Research ............................................................................................................................ 36 10.1 Current Research ........................................................................................................................ 36 10.2 Future Research Needs ............................................................................................................. 37 Chapter 11. Other
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