DOCSLIB.ORG

Original Papers Preliminary Coproscopic Examination of Tortoises in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw, Poland

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Original Papers Preliminary Coproscopic Examination of Tortoises in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw, Poland Wiadomoœci Parazytologiczne 2011, 57(4), 249–251 Copyright© 2011 Polish Parasitological Society Original papers Preliminary coproscopic examination of tortoises in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw, Poland Katarzyna Buńkowska, Anna Okulewicz, Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak, Joanna Hildebrand Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Wroclaw University, 63/77 Przybyszewskiego Street, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland Corresponding author: Anna Okulewicz; E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT. Tortoises are a novelty in the world of pets. Although a great deal of information has been acquired on the internal medicine and surgery on these animals, little is known of their parasitological fauna. Fecal samples of 11 species of tortoises housed in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw were examined. Eggs of parasitic helminths were isolated using flotation and sedimentation techniques. The overall prevalence was 81.2%. Two groups (Nematoda and Trematoda) of endoparasites were found. Oxyurid eggs were found almost in every animal examined. Co-infection with oxyurids and ascarids was recorded for T. horsfieldii and T. marginata . Three species of tortoises were infected by digenic trematodes. Key words: tortoises, helminths, coprological examination, zoo garden Introduction other reptiles are plagued with. It is little known about most parasites of these animals and, for many, The order Chelonia contains a group of animals we have no idea whether the parasites are pathogens that evolved into a shelled form millions of years or benigns (commensals). However, there are ago and is considered the most primitive group of several parasites that can cause severe problems, if living reptiles. Chelonians include turtles, tortoises they are not properly treated. Most parasitic and terrapins and these terms have different problems occur when reptiles are either kept in close meanings in different parts of the world. In the captivity with other animals or when kept in United States, tortoises refer to terrestrial animals, unsanitary conditions (e.g. dirty water, without turtles usually to aquatic or semiaquatic and proper protection against insects). terrapins – to semiaquatic, hard-shelled chelonians. The aim of this study was to determine the These animals are becoming very popular as pets occurrence of intestinal helminths from tortoises especially in Europe where there is a long history of housed in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw. keeping the Mediterranean Testudo species as garden pets. Although the report from the CDC [1] Material and methods discourages the adoption of tortoises as pets, the appearance of this „living fossil” has favored the The coprological examination was carried out on change of its role in the modern human society from 11 species of chelonians: Hermann’s Tortoise an „ornamental” garden animal to a unconventional (Testudo hermanni ), Horsfield’s Tortoise ( Testudo pet living inside our houses [2]. According to Rivera horsfieldii ), Marginated Tortoise ( Testudo margina - [3] there are hundreds of species of chelonians kept ta ), Leopard Tortoise ( Stigmochelys pardalis ), in captivity. Asian Forest Tortoise ( Manouria emys ), Bell’s Chelonians are not susceptible to as many Hinged Tortoise ( Kinixys belliana ), Elongated varieties of parasites as most mammals, birds and Tortoise ( Indotestudo elongata ), Radiated Tortoise 250 K. Buñkowska et al. Table 1. General information on the tortoises species examined and their parasites Parasites Host species Origin Diet D igenea Nematoda Pharyngodonidae Ascarididae Astrochelys r adiata Madagascar herbivores + + – Chelonoides nigra Galapagos Islands herbivores – + – Geochelone elegans India and Sri Lanka herbivores – + – Geochelone sulcata Africa herbivores – + – Indotestudo elongata Asia basically herbivores – + – Kinixys belliana Africa omnivores + – – Manouria emys Asia omnivores + – – Stigmochelys pardalis Africa herbivores – + – Testudo hermanni Europe herbivores – – – Testudo horsfieldii Asia herbivores – + + Testudo morginata Europe herbivores – + + (Astrochelys radiata ), Galapagos Giant Tortoise noticed the occurrence of these parasites in 10 (Chelonoidis nigra ), Indian Star Tortoise ( Geoche - species of chelonians, most frequently in Hermann’s lo ne elegans ), and African Spurred Tortoise Tortoises (92.5%). In our own research the eggs of (Geochelone sulcata ). That last species deserves oxyurids were identified only to the family level, special attention because it is rarely encountered in because eggs of pinworms affecting tortoises zoological gardens and there is only one individual retrieved at the coprological examination are in Poland in the Wroclaw ZOO. Details about the impossible to identify to species and genus level. diet of host species and their origin are presented in Existing data on this nematode group mainly deal Table 1. with taxonomy and morphological descriptions of The faeces of reptiles were macroscopically adult specimens spontaneously eliminated by the examined for the presence of adult parasites. For the reptiles or retrieved post-mortem [8–12]. According eggs presence of intestinal helminths, individual to the above-mentioned articles the following stool samples were examined by routine flotation oxyurid genera occur in tortoises: Tachygonetria , and sedimentation methods. During flotation Mehdiella , Thaparia and Alaeuris . Tachygonetria procedure a saturated NaCl solution with a specific spp. nematodes found in tortoises exhibit a wide gravity of 1.2 was used, whereas sedimentation geographical distribution, with five species and four method was performed using tap water. subspecies from the Ethiopian region (Madagascar Identification of eggs was conducted under the light and South Africa), nine Palaearctic species and four microscope. subspecies, two species from the Nearctic region (Mexico) and one species from the Neotropical Results and discussion region (Galapagos Islands). This genus occurs in all major biogeographical regions with the exception of As shown by the preliminary coproscopical the Australian region [10]. The majority of survey, the overall prevalence of endoparasites in pharyngonid species of Palearctic tortoises, such as tortoises was 81.2%. The most frequent parasites T. hors fiel dii , T. her man ni , are mem bers of this ge - were oxyurids of the Pharyngodonidae family. nus, whi le pha ryn go nid spe cies from Ne arc tic tor to - According to the literature, oxyurid infection is ises in ter alia Go phe rus agas si zii are mem bers of common among chelonians, especially herbivorous Ala eu ris [8]. The re is no in di ca tion on the oxy urid species [2,4–6]. This may be explained mainly by fau na from Orien tal tor to ises (e.g. G. ele gans , their low pathogenicity, their ability to survive I. elon ga ta and M. emys ), from Cen tral and West hibernation [7], by the monoxenous life cycles of Afri ca ( K. bel lia na, K. ero sa, G. sul ca ta ) and from these parasites and the behavior and ecology of their Neotropical tortoises [10]. hosts. We confirmed eggs occurrence of these Co-infection of oxyurids and Angusticaecum parasites in 8 different host species. Rataj et al. [6] holopterum were noted in each individual of Preliminary coproscopic 251 T. horsfieldii and T. marginata . A. holopterum has eterinaria Scandinavica 53: 33. been reported twice in Poland in Trachemys scripta [7] Capelli G., Borsato E., Stancampiano L., Bozzolan elegans obtained from Wroclaw pet shop [13] and G., Pietrobelli M. 1998. Epidemiology of gastro - from Poznan Zoological Garden [14]. The presence intestinal parasites of tortoises ( Testudo hermanni of this parasite has also been recorded in Italy in boettgeri ) in captivity. Parassitologia 40: 29. [8] Bouamer S., Morand S., Bourgat R. 2001. Oxyuroids Testudo graeca [4]. of Palaearctic Testudinidae-new definition for In our investigation Trematoda eggs were found Alaeuris Seurat, 1918 (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) in omnivorous tortoises ( M. emys and K. belliana) and redescription of Alaeuris numidica (Seurat, and in one herbivorous individual of A. radiata , 1918). Journal of Parasitology 87: 128-133. which was kept on the grassy outdoor area with [9] Bouamer S., Morand S., Bourgat R. 2001. other omnivorous chelonians. The high prevalence Redescription of Mehdiella microstoma and of Trematoda were found in Marginated Tortoises – description of Mehdiella petterae sp. n., with a new 60% and Spur-thighed Tortoises – 26.4% from definition of the genus Mehdiella Seurat, 1918 Lebanon and Slovenia [6]. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae). Folia Parasitologica It is worth to notice that tortoises in the City 48: 132-138. [10] Bouamer S., Morand S. 2002. Description of Zoological Garden in Wroclaw receive constant Tachygonetria combesi n. sp. and redescriptions of care of veterinarians. The high prevalence of four species of Tachygonetria Wedl, 1862 helminths in examined chelonians indicates that (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae), with a new diagnosis parasites of these animals are difficult to eradicate. of the genus . Systematic Parasitology 53: 121-139. [11] Bouamer S., Morand S. 2003. Descriptions of two References new species of the genus Tachygonetria Wedl, 1862 (Nematoda–Pharyngodonidae) and discussion of the [1] CDC. 2003. Reptile-associated salmonellosis – relationships among the species of the genus. Parasitology Research 91: 68-73. selected states, 1998–2002. Morbidity and Mortality [12] Bouamer S., Morand S. 2003. Phylogeny of 52: 1206-1209. Palaearctic Pharyngodonidae
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo Kleinmanni)
    EAZA Reptile Taxon Advisory Group Best Practice Guidelines for the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) First edition, May 2019 Editors: Mark de Boer, Lotte Jansen & Job Stumpel EAZA Reptile TAG chair: Ivan Rehak, Prague Zoo. EAZA Best Practice Guidelines Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) EAZA Best Practice Guidelines disclaimer Copyright (May 2019) by EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in hard copy, machine-readable or other forms without advance written permission from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) may copy this information for their own use as needed. The information contained in these EAZA Best Practice Guidelines has been obtained from numerous sources believed to be reliable. EAZA and the EAZA Reptile TAG make a diligent effort to provide a complete and accurate representation of the data in its reports, publications, and services. However, EAZA does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information. EAZA disclaims all liability for errors or omissions that may exist and shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential, or other damages (whether resulting from negligence or otherwise) including, without limitation, exemplary damages or lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use of this publication. Because the technical information provided in the EAZA Best Practice Guidelines can easily be misread or misinterpreted unless properly analysed, EAZA strongly recommends that users of this information consult with the editors in all matters related to data analysis and interpretation. EAZA Preamble Right from the very beginning it has been the concern of EAZA and the EEPs to encourage and promote the highest possible standards for husbandry of zoo and aquarium animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Manual for the Differentiation of Captive-Produced and Wild-Caught Turtles and Tortoises (Testudines)
    Image: Peter Paul van Dijk Image:Henrik Bringsøe Image: Henrik Bringsøe Image: Andrei Daniel Mihalca Image: Beate Pfau MANUAL F O R T H E DIFFERENTIATION OF CAPTIVE-PRODUCED AND WILD-CAUGHT TURTLES AND TORTOISES (TESTUDINES) PREPARED BY SPECIES360 UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE CITES SECRETARIAT Manual for the differentiation of captive-produced and wild-caught turtles and tortoises (Testudines) This document was prepared by Species360 under contract for the CITES Secretariat. Principal Investigators: Prof. Dalia A. Conde, Ph.D. and Johanna Staerk, Ph.D., Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, https://www.species360.orG Authors: Johanna Staerk1,2, A. Rita da Silva1,2, Lionel Jouvet 1,2, Peter Paul van Dijk3,4,5, Beate Pfau5, Ioanna Alexiadou1,2 and Dalia A. Conde 1,2 Affiliations: 1 Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, www.species360.orG,2 Center on Population Dynamics (CPop), Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, 3 The Turtle Conservancy, www.turtleconservancy.orG , 4 Global Wildlife Conservation, globalwildlife.orG , 5 IUCN SSC Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, www.iucn-tftsG.org. 6 Deutsche Gesellschaft für HerpetoloGie und Terrarienkunde (DGHT) Images (title page): First row, left: Mixed species shipment (imaGe taken by Peter Paul van Dijk) First row, riGht: Wild Testudo marginata from Greece with damaGe of the plastron (imaGe taken by Henrik BrinGsøe) Second row, left: Wild Testudo marginata from Greece with minor damaGe of the carapace (imaGe taken by Henrik BrinGsøe) Second row, middle: Ticks on tortoise shell (Amblyomma sp. in Geochelone pardalis) (imaGe taken by Andrei Daniel Mihalca) Second row, riGht: Testudo graeca with doG bite marks (imaGe taken by Beate Pfau) Acknowledgements: The development of this manual would not have been possible without the help, support and guidance of many people.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conservation Biology of Tortoises
    The Conservation Biology of Tortoises Edited by Ian R. Swingland and Michael W. Klemens IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) No. 5 IUCN—The World Conservation Union IUCN Species Survival Commission Role of the SSC 3. To cooperate with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is IUCN's primary source of the in developing and evaluating a data base on the status of and trade in wild scientific and technical information required for the maintenance of biological flora and fauna, and to provide policy guidance to WCMC. diversity through the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species of 4. To provide advice, information, and expertise to the Secretariat of the fauna and flora, whilst recommending and promoting measures for their con- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna servation, and for the management of other species of conservation concern. and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements affecting conser- Its objective is to mobilize action to prevent the extinction of species, sub- vation of species or biological diversity. species, and discrete populations of fauna and flora, thereby not only maintain- 5. To carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Union, including: ing biological diversity but improving the status of endangered and vulnerable species. • coordination of a programme of activities for the conservation of biological diversity within the framework of the IUCN Conserva- tion Programme. Objectives of the SSC • promotion of the maintenance of biological diversity by monitor- 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Trends in the Husbandry and Veterinary Care of Tortoises Siuna A
    Current trends in the husbandry and veterinary care of tortoises Siuna A. Reid BVMS CertAVP(ZooMed) MRCVS Presented to the BCG symposium at the Open University, Milton Keynes on 25th March 2017 Introduction Tortoises have been kept as pets for centuries but have recently gained even more popularity now that there has been an increase in the number of domestically bred tortoises. During the 1970s there was the beginning of a movement to change the law and also the birth of the British Chelonia Group. A small group of forward thinking reptile keepers and vets began to realise that more had to be done to care for and treat this group of pets. They also recognized the drawbacks of the legislation in place under the Department of the Environment, restricting the numbers of tortoises being imported to 100,000 per annum and a minimum shell length of 4 inches (10.2cm). Almost all tortoises were wild caught and husbandry and hibernation meant surviving through the summer in preparation for five to six months of hibernation. With the gradual decline in wild caught tortoises, this article compares the husbandry and veterinary practice then with today’s very different husbandry methods and the problems that these entail. Importation Tortoises have been imported for hundreds of years. The archives of the BCG have been used to loosely sum up the history of tortoise keeping in the UK. R A tortoise was bought for 2s/6d from a sailor in 1740 (Chatfield 1986) R Records show as early as the 1890s tortoises were regularly being brought to the UK R In 1951 250 surplus tortoises were found dumped in a street in London –an application for a ban was refused R In 1952 200,000 tortoises were imported R In 1978 the RSPCA prosecuted a Japanese restaurant for cooking a tortoise – boiled alive (Vodden 1983) R In 1984 a ban on importation of Mediterranean tortoises was finally approved 58 © British Chelonia Group + Siuna A.
    [Show full text]
  • Chelonoidis Chathamensis)
    Volume 6 • 2018 10.1093/conphys/coy004 Research article Biochemistry and hematology parameters of the San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis chathamensis) Gregory A. Lewbart1,*, John A. Griffioen1, Alison Savo1, Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez2, Carlos Ortega3, Andrea Loyola3, Sarah Roberts1, George Schaaf1, David Steinberg4, Steven B. Osegueda2, Michael G. Levy1 and Diego Páez-Rosas2,3 1College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA 2Galápagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador 3Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Galapagos, Ecuador 4Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Coker Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA *Corresponding author: College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA. Email: [email protected] .............................................................................................................................................................. As part of a planned introduction of captive Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis chathamensis) to the San Cristóbal highland farms, our veterinary team performed thorough physical examinations and health assessments of 32 tortoises. Blood sam- ples were collected for packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), white blood cell count (WBC) differential, estimated WBC and a biochemistry panel including lactate. In some cases not all of the values were obtainable but most of the tortoises have full complements of results. Despite a small number of minor abnormalities this was a healthy group of mixed age and sex tortoises that had been maintained with appropriate husbandry. This work establishes part of a scientific and tech- nical database to provide qualitative and quantitative information when establishing sustainable development strategies aimed at the conservation of Galapagos tortoises.
    [Show full text]
  • New Mexico Geological Society 2019 Spring Meeting Abstracts
    New Mexico Geological Society 2019 Spring Meeting Abstracts TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE have led to a stratigraphic nomenclature that by university and museum geologists is confirma- EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE appears to be applicable over a large area of the tion of the ready recognition and utility of these VARIATIONS ON LONG-PERIOD state, from the Sierra Oscura of Socorro County subdivisions in regional stratigraphy, mapping HORIZONTAL SEISMIC DATA: northward to the Sandia Mountains of Bernalillo and economic geology. A CASE STUDY County, a transect of about 150 km. Thus, Mid- Alexis C. B. Alejandro, Adam T. Ringler, David dle and Upper Pennsylvanian (Atokan-Virgilian) C. Wilson, Robert E. Anthony, marine and marginal-marine strata are assigned AN OVERVIEW OF THE ALBUQUERQUE and Sabrina V. Moore to the Sandia Formation (containing a relative SEISMOLOGICAL LABORATORY AND abundance of siliciclastic deposits), the overlying RECENT ADVANCES IN SEISMIC Incoherent noise generated by seismometer tilt Gray Mesa Formation (dominantly carbonate INSTRUMENTATION caused by atmospheric pressure variations often facies), and the Atrasado Formation (alternating Robert E. Anthony, Adam T. Ringler, limits seismological studies utilizing long-period siliciclastic- and carbonate-dominated intervals). and David C. Wilson (>10 s period), horizontal-component seismic A number of intraformational units (members) records. Several case studies have suggested have been identified, with eight members in the The Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory methodologies for correcting these unwanted Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian Atrasado For- (ASL) was established in 1961 in one of the signals using collocated pressure records. However, mation presently recognized. An uninterrupted seismically quietest regions in the country in it is unclear if these corrections are applicable section of the Pennsylvanian System is exposed in order to test seismometers for what is now the to a variety of different geologic settings and Tijeras Canyon east of Albuquerque, NM, along U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Fatal Caeco-Colic Impaction in a Captive African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone Sulcata)
    Global Veterinaria 15 (5): 466-468, 2015 ISSN 1992-6197 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2015.15.05.93243 Short Communication: Fatal Caeco-Colic Impaction in a Captive African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) 12M.O. Tijani, C.K. Ezeasor and 3T.K. Adebiyi 1Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 2Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nigeria 3Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract: The carcass of a 26 year old African spurred tortoise with a history of anorexia of four days duration was presented for necropsy at the Department of Veterinary pathology, University of Ibadan. Necropsy revealed total obstruction of the caecum and proximal part of the colon with an entangled mass of polythene and cotton material, intestinal necrosis and haemorrhage, severe gastrointestinal congestion, pulmonary and hepatic congestion. Histopathology of the colon revealed severe diffuse necrosis and loss of epithelium, severe haemorrhage in the lamina propria, oedema of the submucosa and congestion of blood vessels in the lamina propria, submucosa and muscularis externa. There was severe congestion of the hepatic sinusoids. Although there have been several reports on the obstruction of the gastrointestinal tracts of captive tortoises with foreign materials such as gravel and corn cob; obstruction of the caecum and colon of African spurred tortoises with polythene and cotton material have not been reported. We hereby report a case of fatal caecum-colic impaction in a captive African spurred tortoise. Key words: African Spurred Tortoise Caecum Colon Impaction INTRODUCTION tortoise in Nigeria and this perhaps is the first report of caeco-colic impaction in the African spurred tortoise in Gastrointestinal obstructions are commonly seen Nigeria.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol. 25 No. 1 March, 2000 H a M a D R Y a D V O L 25
    NO.1 25 M M A A H D A H O V D A Y C R R L 0 0 0 2 VOL. 25NO.1 MARCH, 2000 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% HAMADRYAD Vol. 25. No. 1. March 2000 Date of issue: 31 March 2000 ISSN 0972-205X Contents A. E. GREER & D. G. BROADLEY. Six characters of systematic importance in the scincid lizard genus Mabuya .............................. 1–12 U. MANTHEY & W. DENZER. Description of a new genus, Hypsicalotes gen. nov. (Sauria: Agamidae) from Mt. Kinabalu, North Borneo, with remarks on the generic identity of Gonocephalus schultzewestrumi Urban, 1999 ................13–20 K. VASUDEVAN & S. K. DUTTA. A new species of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Western Ghats, India .................21–28 O. S. G. PAUWELS, V. WALLACH, O.-A. LAOHAWAT, C. CHIMSUNCHART, P. DAVID & M. J. COX. Ethnozoology of the “ngoo-how-pak-pet” (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) in southern peninsular Thailand ................29–37 S. K. DUTTA & P. RAY. Microhyla sholigari, a new species of microhylid frog (Anura: Microhylidae) from Karnataka, India ....................38–44 Notes R. VYAS. Notes on distribution and breeding ecology of Geckoella collegalensis (Beddome, 1870) ..................................... 45–46 A. M. BAUER. On the identity of Lacerta tjitja Ljungh 1804, a gecko from Java .....46–49 M. F. AHMED & S. K. DUTTA. First record of Polypedates taeniatus (Boulenger, 1906) from Assam, north-eastern India ...................49–50 N. M. ISHWAR. Melanobatrachus indicus Beddome, 1878, resighted at the Anaimalai Hills, southern India .............................
    [Show full text]
  • MAHS Care Sheet Master List *By Eric Roscoe Care Sheets Are Often An
    MAHS Care Sheet Master List *By Eric Roscoe Care sheets are often an excellent starting point for learning more about the biology and husbandry of a given species, including their housing/enclosure requirements, temperament and handling, diet , and other aspects of care. MAHS itself has created many such care sheets for a wide range of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates we believe to have straightforward care requirements, and thus make suitable family and beginner’s to intermediate level pets. Some species with much more complex, difficult to meet, or impracticable care requirements than what can be adequately explained in a one page care sheet may be multiple pages. We can also provide additional links, resources, and information on these species we feel are reliable and trustworthy if requested. If you would like to request a copy of a care sheet for any of the species listed below, or have a suggestion for an animal you don’t see on our list, contact us to let us know! Unfortunately, for liability reasons, MAHS is unable to create or publish care sheets for medically significant venomous species. This includes species in the families Crotilidae, Viperidae, and Elapidae, as well as the Helodermatidae (the Gila Monsters and Mexican Beaded Lizards) and some medically significant rear fanged Colubridae. Those that are serious about wishing to learn more about venomous reptile husbandry that cannot be adequately covered in one to three page care sheets should take the time to utilize all available resources by reading books and literature, consulting with, and working with an experienced and knowledgeable mentor in order to learn the ropes hands on.
    [Show full text]
  • How Is the COVID-19 Outbreak Affecting Wildlife Around the World?
    Open Journal of Ecology, 2020, 10, 497-517 https://www.scirp.org/journal/oje ISSN Online: 2162-1993 ISSN Print: 2162-1985 How Is the COVID-19 Outbreak Affecting Wildlife around the World? Abdel Fattah N. Abd Rabou Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine How to cite this paper: Abd Rabou, A.N. Abstract (2020) How Is the COVID-19 Outbreak Affecting Wildlife around the World? Open The COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discov- Journal of Ecology, 10, 497-517. ered coronavirus at an animal market in Wuhan, China. Many wildlife spe- https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.108032 cies have been suggested as possible intermediate sources for the transmission Received: June 2, 2020 of COVID-19 virus from bats to humans. The quick transmission of COVID-19 Accepted: August 1, 2020 outbreak has imposed quarantine measures across the world, and as a result, Published: August 4, 2020 most of the world’s towns and cities fell silent under lockdowns. The current Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and study comes to investigate the ways by which the COVID-19 outbreak affects Scientific Research Publishing Inc. wildlife globally. Hundreds of internet sites and scientific reports have been This work is licensed under the Creative reviewed to satisfy the needs of the study. Stories of seeing wild animals Commons Attribution International roaming the quiet, deserted streets and cities during the COVID-19 outbreak License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ have been posted in the media and social media.
    [Show full text]
  • Fieldwork the BANGLADESH PYTHON PROJECT GOOGLE EARTH COORDINATES HERE
    70 Fieldwork THE BANGLADESH PYTHON PROJECT GOOGLE EARTH COORDINATES HERE INSIDEINSIDE THETHE WILDSWILDS OFOF LAWACHARALAWACHARA Volunteers from all over the world join in a yearly field workshop to help conserve the extraordinary biodiversity of a National Park. And you can be one of them 71 The Asian Forest Tortoise Manouria emys phayrei is one of 25 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises found in Bangladesh - almost 10% of the global diversity of chelonians. Unfortunately, 18 of these, including this M. emys, are threatened with extinction. On the title page, a juvenile Burmese Python Python molurus bivittatus. 72 TEXT AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT TRAGESER eep inside the Indo-Burma India, and Bangladesh, these dedicated Dbiodiversity hotspot lays a hidden jewel volunteers came for ten days to lend a with a unique and diverse confluence of hand surveying the area and to learn wildlife: Lawachara National Park. This about the research and techniques incredible region is still relatively involved with the Project. unexplored by researchers, meaning that many of its cryptic denizens still In July of 2013, Caesar and I implanted remain to be acknowledged by science. radio-transmitters into three Burmese In a recent exploration of the Park under Pythons Python bivitattus to track this the purview of the Bangladesh Python locally endangered species’ movements Project, an independent research effort, and to learn how they are utilizing the some new light was shed on a few of human-altered landscape of Lawachara these rare and novel creatures. As one National Park. Many of the pythons could expect, during these surveys many have home ranges that occur in healthy other charismatic creatures were forest but also overlap with tea encountered and subsequently plantations and even villagers’ photographed; all in an effort to backyards.
    [Show full text]
  • Marginated Tortoise Care Sheet
    Marginated tortoise care sheet The Marginated Tortoise makes a great pet for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. They remain one of the most popular species of pet tortoise in the UK. We think this is due to their great characters and adaptability. They can live for over 100 years and will grow to a shell length of between 12-14 inches. Marginated Tortoise Enclosure Marginated Tortoises require a tortoise table as their enclosure. This is because tortoise tables allow the maximum surface area for your tortoise to roam and regulate their temperature. Wooden vivariums do not offer sufficient airflow. This can cause high humidity which can lead to respiratory problems. Glass vivariums are also unsuitable for the same reason. As tortoise tables have an open top, they should be placed on a stable base and away from other pets or small children. Tortoises can go outside under close supervision as they are expert climbers and diggers! It is best to use a suitable run with a shaded area to keep them in one place. This will keep out other animals and keep your tortoise away from unsuitable plants that may be poisonous. Temperature Marginated Tortoises require a basking temperature of 85-90°F (30-32°C). This is the warmest temperature directly under the heat bulb. The cooler areas of the table need to be around 68°F (20°C). For this reason, it is best to position the lamp towards the side of the table furthest from the bedding area. In a warm home, you may turn heat and UVB bulbs off at night.
    [Show full text]