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Taxonomy and Introduction to Common Species Bob Doneley

­Taxonomy lizards), Gekkota (the geckos, the blind ­lizards and the legless lizards), Iguania (including the Class Reptilia is one of the largest groups agamids, chameleons, iguanas, anoles, collared of vertebrates, with over 10,000 species. It lizards and the neotropical ground lizards), is also the oldest, evolving some 310–320 Platynota (varanids and Gila monsters) and million years ago during the Carboniferous Scincomorpha (including skinks, tegus, plated period. They share several common charac- lizards and spiny‐tail lizards). Most are omniv- teristics: all are covered with scales or scutes orous or carnivorous. They are primarily ovip- and are ectothermic. Most lay amniotic eggs arous, although some are ovoviviparous. (oviparity), although some are live bearers Serpentes has two infraorders: (viviparity, including ovovivaparity). They may Alethinophidia (including the boas, pythons, be carnivorous, omnivorous or herbivorous. vipers, elapids, colubrids, file snakes and Class Reptilia is made up of four orders: ­rattle snakes) and Scolecophidia (the Squamata, Testudines, Crocodilia and blind snakes). All snakes are carnivorous. Rhynchocephalia (Table 1.1). Each order is Most are oviparous, although some are further divided into sub‐orders, families, ovoviviparous. genera and species. Amphisbaenia has five families found in the northern hemisphere, Africa and South Squamata America. They are largely legless squamates with rudimentary eyes capable of only detect- Squamates are characterized by their scaled ing light (two species have rudimentary fore- skin, which is shed periodically (ecdysis), limbs). Their skin is loosely attached to the and a moveable quadrate bone that allows body, and appears to be their means of locomo- the maxilla to open wideCOPYRIGHTED relative to the rest tion; theMATERIAL skin moves and ‘drags’ the body behind of the skull. The order is divided into three it. They are carnivorous, with strong jaws sub‐orders: Lacertilia (the lizards), Serpentes and interlocking teeth. Most species lay eggs, (the snakes) and Amphisbaenia (the worm although some are known to be ovoviviparous. lizards), although some classifications place Amphisbaenia within Lacertilia. Testudines Lacertilia has five infraorders based mainly on morphological similarities between family Testudines, sometimes known as Chelonia, groups. These are the Diploglossa (including are the turtles, tortoises and terrapins. They the glass lizards and the American legless are characterized by a bony or cartilaginous

Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice, First Edition. Edited by Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson and Brendan Carmel. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDDComp. 1 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 1 3:16:44 PM 2 Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice

Table 1.1 Reptile orders.

Order and sub‐order Common name Species (n)

Squamata Squamates 9,671 Lacertilia Lizards 5,987 Serpentes Snakes 3,496 Amphisbaenia Worm lizards 188 Testudines Turtles, tortoises and terrapins 341 Crocodylia Crocodiles, gharials, caimans and alligators 25 Rhynchocephalia Tuataras 1

shell developed from their ribs. There is New Zealand. There is debate as to whether some confusion in the terminology. In North S. guntheri is a separate species. They are America, ‘turtle’ is used to describe the whole slow‐growing, reaching sexual maturity at order, while in Europe and Australia it refers 10–20 years, and breed until they are at least to freshwater and sea‐dwelling chelonians, 60 years old. It takes the female between one with ‘tortoise’ used to describe terrestrial, to three years to develop eggs and up to seven non‐swimming species. ‘Terrapin’ is a term months to form the shell. It then takes between used to describe several small species of tur- 12 and 15 months from copulation to hatch- tle living in fresh or brackish water. Terrapins ing. Thus, reproduction occurs at two‐ to five‐ do not form a taxonomic unit and are not yearly intervals, the longest of any reptile. closely related. There are two suborders of Tuatara lack external ears and possess a Testudines: the Pleurodirans (three families), parietal eye (a light‐sensitive spot located on also called the side‐necked or long‐necked the top of the animal’s head, thought to play a turtles, have long necks that are folded side- role in setting circadian rhythms). They are ways to align them with the shell; the capable of autotomy and have only rudimen- Cryptodirans (eleven families), or short‐neck tary hemipenes. Tuatara have unique denti- turtles and tortoises, pull their neck straight tion, namely two rows of acrodont teeth in back to conceal their head within the shell. the maxilla and one row in the mandible. Sea turtles are Cryptodirans, although they have lost the ability to retract their heads. ­Commonly Kept Species Crocodylia

Crocodylia, an order of large, predatory, Key semi‐aquatic reptiles, is divided into three The following abbreviations are used in this families: Crocodylidae (the true crocodiles), section: Alligatoridae (the alligators and caimans) d, days and Gavialidae (the gharial and false G, gestation gharial). I, incubation m, months Rhynchocephalia O, oviparous OV, ovoviviparous Rhynchocephalia is a primitive order of lizard‐ PBT, preferred body temperature like reptiles that includes only one living spe- y, years cies, the Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) of

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Tables

●● Table 1.2 Lizards ●● Table 1.6 Snakes ●● Table 1.3 Geckos ●● Table 1.7 Turtles ●● Table 1.5 Chameleons ●● Table 1.8 Tortoises

Figure 1.1 Bearded dragons (courtesy of Bob Doneley).

Figure 1.2 Blue‐tongued skinks (courtesy of Bob Doneley).

0003177513.INDD 3 11/7/2017 3:16:45 PM Longevity Longevity (years) 10–15 10–15 10–15 10–15 Relative Relative humidity (%) 25–40 25–40 25–40 50–70 PBT (°C) PBT 25–35 25–45 35 28–38 Thermal Thermal gradient (°C) 28–32 (higher for inland species) 36–40 28–40 32–37 Incubation or Gestation (G) 3–5 m (I) 4–5 m (I) 61–74 d °C at 30–31 vitticeps ) ( P. (I) 60–90 d Mode of reprod. OV OV O O b c a Sexual Sexual maturity 9–24 m 18–36 m 12–18 m (male) y to 2–3 (female) 18–36 m Diet Omnivorous, the although juveniles are initially insectivorous but will vegetables eat and flowers as they grow Omnivorous Primarily insectivorous but somewill accept vegetables Omnivorous Habitat Terrestrial Terrestrial Primarily arboreal Terrestrial ) ) Most common: ( Pogona inland or central vitticeps ) barbata ) eastern ( P. henrylawsoni ) blacksoil ( P. ) minor dwarf ( P. Others include: minima western ( P. ) mitchelli northwest ( P. nullarbor Nullarbor ( P. microlepitoda) Kimberley ( P. Also known as bobtail lizard rugosa ) ( T. Chlamydosaurus kingii Tiliqua scincoides eastern ( Tiliqua scincoides ) adelaidensis ) ( T. pygmy multifasciata) ( T. centralian nigrolutea) blotched ( T. occipitalis ) western ( T. Species Australia Australia Australia Australia Origin Lizards. Reptile Bearded dragon (Figure 1.1) Shingleback Frilled lizard Blue‐ tongued skink (Figure 1.2) Male matures earlier than female. earlier than Male matures Depending on species (small species species). larger younger than mature This species This forms close pair bonding be and should paired maturity. before sexual Table 1.2 a b c

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDD Comp.4 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 4 3:16:45 PM Longevity Longevity (years) 15–20 6–10 (large 6–10 (large males can 20) live up to 10–20 7–8 ( N. levis ); 9–11 ) ( N. amyae Relative Relative humidity (%) 50–70 20–40 55–80 Keep one end of the enclosure moist PBT (°C) PBT Heat intolerant 26 25–31 26 Thermal Thermal (°C) gradient 21–29 21–32 27–28 20–30 a Incubation or Incubation Gestation (I) 45–60 d (I) 60–100 d (I) 57–70 d levis( N. ) 77–94 d ) ( N. amyae (I) 60–90 d Mode of reprod. O O O O Sexual Sexual maturity 1 y 1–2 y 7–12 m 6–9 m (male) 12 m (female) Diet Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Habitat Terrestrial Arboreal Terrestrial Arboreal Species Eublepharis Eublepharis macularius Two species: Gekko Two and gecko gecko G. g. azhari 9 species; most kept:commonly three‐lined ( Nephrurus levis ) rough central ) ( N. amyae Correlophus ciliatus , also known as the New Caledonian crested gecko, giant Guichenot’s gecko or eyelash gecko Origin Pakistan, northern India and Asian desert regions North‐east India, Nepal, Indonesia and Philippines the Australia New Caledonia Geckos. Reptile Leopard gecko Tokay Tokay gecko Knob‐ tailed gecko Crested gecko At room temperature; up to 120 days at cooler temperatures. at 120 days up to room temperature; At Table 1.3 a

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDDComp. 5 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 5 3:16:46 PM Longevity Longevity (years) 15–25 15–20 5–7 4–8 10–20 Relative Relative humidity (%) 40–80 65–75 50–70 50–60 60–80 PBT (°C) PBT – 35 – – 35–36 Thermal Thermal (°C) gradient 29–33 26–35 24–35 24–35 by day 30–40 Incubation or Incubation Gestation 55–65 d 70–105 d 240 d 120–270 d 170–265 d Mode of reprod. O O O O O Sexual Sexual maturity 1–2 y 18 m 7 m 1 y 3–5 y Diet Insectivorous, theyalthough will some eat vegetables Herbivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous but will take some vegetables and fruit Carnivorous , also known as the sand monitor), Australia; Merton’s water monitor monitor water , also known gouldii Merton’s Australia; as sand monitor), the ( V. monitor Gould’s ), Australia; Habitat Arboreal Arboreal Arboreal Arboreal Most terrestrial but some semi‐arboreal and some semi‐aquatic a Species Currently 78 speciesCurrently recognized Physignathus Physignathus , alsococincinus known as Thai dragon, greenwater dragon, and water Asian dragon water Iguana iguana Furcifer pardalis Furcifer ( Chamaeleo calyptratus ), also known as the chameleon Yemen Origin Australia, Africa, Asia and Indonesia China and Indochina Mexico, Mexico, Central America and Caribbeanthe Madagascar Saudi Arabia Arabia Saudi and Yemen Chameleons. Varanids Chinese water dragon Green iguana (Figure 1.4) Panther Panther chameleon Reptile Veiled chameleon (Figure 1.3) Some of the more common species varius Some common more of the Lace include: ( Varanus monitor a Table 1.4 ), Africa; Black‐throated monitor (V. albigularis exanthematicus ionidesi ), Africa.), Africa; niloticus , also known (V. (V. monitor Savannah), Australia; Africa; monitor Black‐throated as monitor), Bosc’s (V. Nile monitor ( V. mertensi

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDD Comp.6 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 6 3:16:46 PM ) 20–30 15–25 15–30 15–30 15–20 Longevity Longevity (years) ( Continued c d 40–80 50–70 40–50 40–70 50–70 Relative Relative humidity (%) 29–30 – 28–32 30–32 29–32 PBT (°C) PBT 20–32 27–33 28–36 20–32 26–32 Thermal Thermal gradient (°C) 55–65 d when incubated °C at 31 100–120 d 50–60 d °C at 31 50 d when incubated °C at 31 55–60 d °C at 31 Incubation or Incubation Gestation O Mode of reprod. OV O O O 18–24 m (male); 24–36 m (female) Sexual Sexual maturity 3–4 y 18–24 m After 2.4 y (male); After 3.6 y (female) 2–3 y Carnivorous Diet Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Semi‐ arboreal Habitat Semi‐ arboreal Terrestrial Arboreal Terrestrial a,b ), pygmy python), pygmy Species Boa constrictor constrictor , also known as the red‐tailed boa Black‐headed python ( Aspidites melanocephalus ) python Woma and the ( A. ramsayi ) Also known as chondropython or green tree python ( M. viridis ) Spotted python ( Antaresia python maculosa ); Children’s ( A. childreni ( A perthensis ); Stimson python ( A.) – 2 stimsoni subspecies: western ( A. s. stimsoni ) and eastern ( A. s. orientalis ) 3 species, with 4 subspecies Origin Mexico, Mexico, South America and Caribbeanthe Australia Australia and Australia NewPapua Guinea Australia Australia

Snakes. Boa constrictor Aspidites spp. Green python (Figure 1.6) Antaresia spp. Reptile Carpet pythons Table 1.5

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDDComp. 7 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 7 3:16:46 PM 20–25 20–35 15–20 Longevity Longevity (years) 50–60 – 70–90 Relative Relative humidity (%) – 50–60 – PBT (°C) PBT 24–30 27–32 21–30 Thermal Thermal gradient (°C) 70 d 50–60 d 150 d Incubation or Incubation Gestation Mode of reprod. O O OV Sexual Sexual maturity 2 y 11–18 m (male), 20–36 m (female) 2.5–4 y Diet Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Habitat Terrestrial Terrestrial or semi‐ arboreal Terrestrial Terrestrial Species Pantherophis guttatusPantherophis Python regius , also known as royal pythonthe Epicrates cenchria , alsoEpicrates known as boa slender the Origin North America Africa South America (Continued) Corn snake Ball python Reptile Rainbow boa Avoid constant high humidity. constant Avoid species: Morelia other four are these, scrub In addition to there the python rough‐scaled ( M. amesthistina ), the pythonM. carinata ( green), the python ( M. viridis , see below) and the Centralian carpet Centralian ); South bredli western carpet python ( Morelia python ( M. ariegate carpet); Diamond python); Jungle spilota ( M. spilota python ( M. s. cheynei Coastal; Figure 1.5); carpet Varies with species range. but in this Varies Table 1.5 a b c d ); Murray/Darling carpetpython ( M. s.); Murray/Darling mcdowelli python ( M. s. metcalfei ); Darwin carpet python ( M. s. ariegate ). Oenpelli python ( M. oenpelliensis ).

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDD Comp.8 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 8 3:16:46 PM ) 30–40 (possibly longer) 30–40 (or 30–40 (or longer) 15–20 Over 40 75–100 Longevity Longevity (years) ( Continued – – – – – Relative Relative humidity (%) – – – – – PBT (°C) PBT Water Water 24–26 Air 22–26 Water Water 22–26 25–28 Water Water 24–28 Water Water 24–28 Thermal Thermal gradient (°C) °C °C 90–150 d In response low to temperatures, embryos a enter diapause, which to them enables survive over winter in nests, resulting in a year‐long incubation period 45–60 d 60 d at 30 60 d at 47–64 d at 28–29 47–64 d at Incubation or Incubation Gestation O O O O O Mode of reprod. c 5–6 y (male), 10–12 y (female) Sexual Sexual maturity 7–8 y (male); 10–12 y (female) 9–11 y (male), 14–15 y (female) 10 y (male), 20 y (female) 25 y (male), 30 y (female) Diet Initially carnivorous but become asomnivorous they get older Carnivorous Carnivorous Predominantly Predominantly carnivorous but will take some vegetables Omnivorous Habitat Semi‐aquatic Semi‐aquatic Semi‐aquatic Semi‐aquatic Semi‐aquatic a,b is still Species Chelodina Chelodina longicollis , also known as the snake‐necked turtle C. expansa The genus genus The Emydura taxonomically controversial Myuchelys Myuchelys latisternum Elusor macrurusElusor Origin Australia Australia Australia Australia Australia Turtles. ; Reptile Eastern long‐necked turtle Broad shelled turtle Short‐necked turtles ( Emydura spp Figure 1.8) Saw‐shelled Saw‐shelled turtle Mary river turtle Table 1.6

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDDComp. 9 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 9 3:16:46 PM 30–50 50 25–30 35–40 Longevity Longevity (years) – – – – Relative Relative humidity (%) – – 17–23 – PBT (°C) PBT Water Water 24–30 Air 24–32 Water Water 20–23 Air 23–30 Water Water 24–27 Air 27–32 Water Water 26–30 Air 26–28 Thermal Thermal gradient (°C) 59–112 d, depending on temperature 65–86 d 72–80 d 86–102 d Incubation or Incubation Gestation O O O O Mode of reprod. 3–5 y 4 y (male), 10 y (female) 2–4 y (male); 6–10 y (female) Sexual Sexual maturity 16 y (male), 18 y (female) Diet Carnivorous as juveniles, becoming asomnivorous they get older Predominantly Predominantly carnivorous but adults will eat some vegetable material Omnivorous Omnivorous Habitat Semi‐aquatic, freshwater Semi‐aquatic Semi‐aquatic Semi‐aquatic, verging on completely aquatic ); Victoria river red‐faced ( E. turtle ); Victoria victoriae ). Species Trachemys scripta Trachemys elegans or red‐eared terrapin Sternotherus odoratus Chrysemys picta) with 4 subspecies: eastern ( C. p. picta ), western ( C. p.), bellii southern ( C. p. dorsalis ), Midland ( C. p. marginata ) Carettochelys , alsoinsculpta known as the pitted‐shelled or Fly riverturtle turtle , other short‐neck, other Mary latisternum turtles the include ); see River ( Myuchelys turtle macrurus ( Elusor turtle individual shell entries. saw ) and the d Origin South‐east Canada and eastern United States Southern Canada, the United and States northern Mexico Northern Australia and southern New Guinea Southern United and States northern Mexico (Continued) Musk turtle Musk Painted turtle Painted Reptile Pig‐nosed turtle Red‐eared slider This is an invasive This species and has become established wild in the elsewhere world. in the As as Emydura genus well the Accepted species Accepted currently: are Macquarie ( E. turtle river ( E. turtle macquarii ( E. turtle ); Murray m. m. macquarii island short‐neck); – Fraser krefftii ); Krefft’s ( E. turtle ); Cooper m. nigra Some species onset delayed maturity. of sexual have may Table 1.6 a b c d creek ( E. turtle short‐necked m.); Red‐bellied emmotti ( E. turtle short‐necked river ( E. s. turtle or Jardine ); Red‐bellied turtle subglobosa short‐necked ( E. turtle ); Worrell’s s. subglobosa ); Northernworrelli yellow‐faced ( E. turtle tanybaraga

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDD Comp.10 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 10 3:16:46 PM Longevity Longevity (years) 30–100 50–100 50–150 30–80 80–100 20–30 Relative Relative humidity (%) 30–50 60–80 Low <40 Low 50–70 PBT PBT (°C) – – – – – – Thermal Thermal (°C) gradient 21–32 24–32 29–40 24–32 24–38 21–30 Incubation or Incubation Gestation 55–100 d, depending on species 56–75 d °C at 29 90–120 d 90–170 d 150–400 d °C,at 28–32 often following a cooling period of 30 d at 18–24 °C 105–202 d Mode of reprod. O O O O O O Sexual Sexual maturity 9–12 y 7–10 y 5–8 y 6–8 y (male), 10–12 y (female) 6–15 y 6–8 y (male), 8–12 y (female) Diet Herbivorous Omnivorous Herbivorous Herbivorous Herbivorous Omnivorous T. n. klauberi ); Southern spotted turtle nelsoni box ); Northern spotted ( T. turtle box ); Spotted ( T. turtle box Habitat Terrestrial Terrestrial Terrestrial; Terrestrial; burrows into ground the escape to the heat Terrestrial Terrestrial Terrestrial b ) a are terrestrial are Terrapene Species Currently 5 speciesCurrently accepted. some will that beLikely reclassified based on DNA differences Centrochelys sulcata , also known as African the spurred tortoise Geochelone elegans , also known as Indian star the tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis Chelonoidis carbonaria, also classified as Geochelone carbonaria Genus members American of the pond family turtle (Emydidae). 4 species are Currently, classified and genus within the 12 taxa distinguished are Origin North Africa, western Asia and Europe Northern Africa and southern edge Sahara of the desert India and Sri Lanka Eastern and Southern Africa, from the Sudan to southern Cape Northern South America United States States United and Mexico T. coahuila c. yucatana ( T. turtle ); Coahuilan box ( T. turtle box ); Yucatán Tortoises. Reptile Mediterranean tortoises Sulcata Star tortoise (Figure 1.10) Leopard tortoise Red‐footed tortoise Box turtle T. c. mexicana ); Three‐toed turtle box c. ( T. turtle box ); Mexican major c.); Gulf coast ( T. turtle box c. carolina bauri); Eastern ( T. turtle box ); Florida ( T. turtle box carolina ( T. turtle Common box ; Figure 1.9); Kleinmann’s tortoise graeca Kleinmann’s ; Figure 1.9); ); Spur‐thighed or Greek tortoise hermanni ( T. tortoise ( T. tortoise; Hermann’s horsfieldii ), also known as Horsfield’s tortoise Russian ( Testudo a b Table 1.7 ), also known marginata as Egyptian the ). tortoise; tortoise Marginated ( T. ( T. kleinmanni T. c. triunguis( T. T. o. luteola ). Desert turtle; box ornata ( T. turtle ), also box known as Western the ( T. turtle box nelsoni); Ornate ( T. n.

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDDComp. 11 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number: 11/7/201711 3:16:46 PM Figure 1.3 Veiled chameleon (courtesy of Brendan Carmel).

Figure 1.4 Green iguana (courtesy of Bob Doneley).

Figure 1.5 Jungle carpet python (Morelia spilota cheynei; courtesy of Bob Doneley).

Chapter No.: 1 Title Name: Doneley 0003177513.INDD 0003177513.INDD Comp.12 by: R. RAMESH Date: 07 Nov 2017 Time: 03:16:44 PM Stage: Printer WorkFlow:CSW Page Number:11/7/2017 12 3:16:48 PM Taxonomy and Introduction to Common Species 13

Figure 1.6 Green python (courtesy of Bob Doneley).

Figure 1.7 Corn snake (courtesy of Robert Johnson).

Figure 1.8 Short‐necked turtle (Emydura spp; courtesy of Bob Doneley).

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Figure 1.9 Spur‐thighed or Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca; courtesy of John Chitty).

Figure 1.10 Star tortoise (courtesy of Bob Doneley).

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