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Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon Couperi) Care Manual

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Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon Couperi) Care Manual Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Care Manual Created by the AZA Snake Taxon Advisory Group in Association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Formal Citation: AZA Snake TAG 2011. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. pp. 57. 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, Director of Inventory and Monitoring, The Orianne Society 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. The information presented herein is intended solely for the education and training of zoo and aquarium personnel at AZA-accredited institutions. The recommendations are not exclusive management approaches, diets, medical treatments, or procedures, and may require adaptation to the specific needs of individual animals and particular circumstances in each institution. The statements presented throughout the body of the manual do not represent specific 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......................................................................................................................26 7.1 Reproductive Physiology and Behavior.....................................................................................26 7.2 Artificial Insemination....................................................................................................................27 7.3 Pregnancy and Egg-laying...........................................................................................................28 7.4 Hatching Facilities .........................................................................................................................28 7.5 Assisted Rearing ...........................................................................................................................29 7.6 Contraception.................................................................................................................................29 Chapter 8. Behavior Management .....................................................................................................30 8.1 Animal Training..............................................................................................................................30 8.2 Environmental Enrichment...........................................................................................................30 8.3 Staff and Animal Interactions ......................................................................................................31 8.4 Staff Skills and Training................................................................................................................31 Chapter 9. Program Animals...............................................................................................................32 9.1 Program Animal Policy .................................................................................................................32 Association of Zoos and Aquariums 3 Eastern Indigo Snake Care Manual 9.2 Institutional Program Animal Plans ............................................................................................33 9.3 Program Evaluation ......................................................................................................................34 Chapter 10. Research............................................................................................................................35 10.1 Current Research........................................................................................................................35 10.2 Future Research Needs.............................................................................................................36 Chapter 11. Other Considerations.....................................................................................................37 11.1 Additional Information.................................................................................................................37
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