DOCSLIB.ORG

Fatal Caeco-Colic Impaction in a Captive African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone Sulcata)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read 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. in captive and free ranging chelonians. Marine turtles are often found incapacitated with gastrointestinal Case History: The carcass of a 26 year old African obstruction by plastic bags. Captive tortoises, sequel to spurred tortoise from a zoological garden in Oyo state, pica, may be presented with gastrointestinal obstruction Nigeria, was presented for necropsy at the Department of by gravel stones or other indigestible bedding materials, Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan. It had a such as corn cob [1.]. Cases of foreign body obstruction history of anorexia of about four days duration prior to of the intestine in tortoises have been reported [2, 3.]. death. The animal died before veterinary care could be Intestinal obstruction in the absence of foreign bodies administered. A thorough postmortem examination was (due to neoplasia, intussusception or volvulus) has also carried out. Tissue samples (liver and colon) were been reported [4, 5.]. Clinical signs of gastrointestinal collected, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24 obstruction are non-specific and may include: anorexia hours and processed for routine histopathology using and lethargy, straining and regurgitation of fluids and standard techniques [6]. food. Cachexia and generalised debility is often seen in long standing cases and the affected animal may show Pathology: Grossly, there was total obstruction and clinical signs of advanced dehydration such as sunken impaction of the caecum and proximal part of the eyes [1]. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report ascending colon with a large mass of entangled of caeco-colic impaction in captive African spurred polythene and cotton material which weighed 350g (Fig.1). Corresponding Author: M.O. Tijani, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 466 Global Veterinaria, 15 (5): 466-468, 2015 The mucosae of the caecum and proximal colon were cotton material that might have been dropped along with severely congested, necrotic and haemorrhagic (Fig.2). food material in the immediate vicinity of the animal’s pen The stomach and small intestines contained about 800 mls by zoo visitors. Sequel to this, the tortoise might have of greyish watery mucus. The gastric, duodenal, jejunal accidentally ingested these indigestible materials along and ileal mucosae were severely congested. The lungs with food, thereby leading to intestinal impaction. It is and liver were also severely congested. also quite possible that polythene material might have Histology of the colon revealed severe diffuse been transported by wind into the tortoise’s zoo necrosis and loss of epithelium, severe haemorrhage enclosure from distant sites. The authors were not able to within the lamina propria, oedema of the submucosa and determine the source of the indigestible materials. There congestion of blood vessels in the lamina propria, is, unfortunately, no information on whether the ingestion submucosa and muscularis externa (Fig.3). There was of the indigestible materials by the tortoise is accidental severe congestion of the sinusoids in the liver. or deliberate, however studies carried out on other chelonians, like the sea turtle has shown that both green DISCUSSION sea and loggerhead turtles do not discriminate against plastic sheeting when they engulf food intermingled with Impaction of the intestines with stones and sand has plastic [9]. The study also revealed that hungry sea turtles been reported in tortoises and turtles [3, 7, 8]. However, a will swallow almost any material of a suitable size and report on large bowel impaction with cotton and plastic consistency and will continue to do so until satiation. material in tortoises is scarce in literature. In the present Taking into consideration the findings in this case, it case, the cause of death was foreign body obstruction is therefore pertinent that proper environmental hygiene and impaction of the caecum and colon. The foreign body be practiced in zoological gardens. The environment consisted of polythene and cotton material. The potential surrounding the tortoise enclosures must be devoid of sources of these kinds of foreign materials in the captive waste materials (including polythene and cotton material). tortoise’s environment are numerous.It is possible that Zoo visitors must also be discouraged from feeding the captive tortoise in this case was exposed to plastic animals in the zoo and cautioned against littering the food wrapping material, plastic sachet water waste and environment. Fig. 1: The colon showing a large mass of entangled polythene and cotton material (Arrow) obstructing the lumen. Fig. 2: Caecum and proximal colon showing locally extensive necrosis (green arrow), congestion and haemorrhage (yellow arrow heads) Fig. 3: Photomicrograph of the colon showing severe diffuse necrosis and loss of epithelium (black arrow heads), congestion of blood vessels (blue arrows) and oedema of the submucosa. ( H&E. Scale bar=149 m 467 Global Veterinaria, 15 (5): 466-468, 2015 REFERENCES 5. Banlunara, W. and S. Chotiapisitkul, 2006. Intestinal volvulus in a captive Aldabra tortoise (Geochelone 1. McArthur, S., R. Wilkinson and J. Meyer, 2004. gigantea). Proceedings of AZWMP. Chulalongkorn Medicine and surgery of tortoises and turtles. Wiley- Uni. Fac. of Vet. Sc., Bangkok, Thailand, 26-29 Oct Blackwell, West Sussex, U.K. pp: 303. 2006 2. Johnson, M.P., 1984. A case of intestinal impaction in 6. Luna, L.G., 1968. Manual of histologic staining a Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata). Journal methods of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, of Small Animal Practice, 25(7): 453-456. pp: 12-68 3. Oliveira, F.D., A. Delfini, L.L. Martins, D.D. Faria 7. Jacobson, E.R., 1994. Causes of mortality and Junior and M.R.F. Machado, 2009. Intestinal diseases in tortoises: a review. Journal of Zoo and obstruction and enterotomy in d'orbigny's slider Wildlife Medicine, (25): 2-17. (Trachemys dorbignyi). Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 8. Rahal, S.C., C.R. Teixeira, G.B. Castro and 37(3): 307-310. L.C. Vulcano, 1998. Intestinal obstruction by 4. Hasbun, C.R., A.J. Lawrence, J.H. Samour and stones in a turtle. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, S. Al-Ghais, 1998. Duodenal volvulus in free-living 39(6): 375. green turtles from coastal United Arab Emirates. 9. Lutz, P.L., 1990. Studies on the ingestion of plastic Journal of wildlife diseases, 34(4): 797-800. and latex by sea turtles. In Proc. Int. Conf. Marine Debris. (Eds. RS Shomura & ML Godfrey) NOAA- TM-154, pp: 719-735. 468.
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]
  • 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]
  • Proposed Amendment to 21CFR124021
    Richard Fife 8195 S. Valley Vista Drive Hereford, AZ 85615 December 07, 2015 Division of Dockets Management Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 Reference: Docket Number FDA-2013-S-0610 Proposed Amendment to Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Volume 8 Revised as of April 1, 2015 21CFR Sec.1240.62 Dear Dr. Stephen Ostroff, M.D., Acting Commissioner: Per discussion with the Division of Dockets Management staff on November 10, 2015 Environmental and Economic impact statements are not required for petitions submitted under 21CFR Sec.1240.62 CITIZEN PETITION December 07, 2015 ACTION REQUESTED: I propose an amendment to 21CFR Sec.1240.62 (see exhibit 1) as allowed by Section (d) Petitions as follows: Amend section (c) Exceptions. The provisions of this section are not applicable to: By adding the following two (2) exceptions: (5) The sale, holding for sale, and distribution of live turtles and viable turtle eggs, which are sold for a retail value of $75 or more (not to include any additional turtle related apparatuses, supplies, cages, food, or other turtle related paraphernalia). This dollar amount should be reviewed every 5 years or more often, as deemed necessary by the department in order to make adjustments for inflation using the US Department of Labor, Bureau of labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index. (6) The sale, holding for sale, and distribution of live turtles and viable turtle eggs, which are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List as Extinct In Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable (IUCN threatened categorizes).
    [Show full text]
  • An Investigation Into the Trade in Tortoises in Great Britain
    ““SSeelllliinngg lliikkee HHoott CCaakkeess”” AAnn IInnvveessttiiggaattiioonn iinnttoo tthhee TTrraaddee iinn TToorrttooiisseess iinn GGrreeaatt BBrriittaaiinn A study in 2002 for Defra By TRAFFIC International Selling like hot cakes CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................3 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................3 Laws and treaties................................................................................................3 TORTOISE SPECIES IN TRADE................................................................................4 THE INVESTIGATION...................................................................................................6 Legal trade, 1996-2001.......................................................................................7 Illegal trade .........................................................................................................11 MARKET DYNAMICS .................................................................................................16 Tortoise prices in Britain ................................................................................18 CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................18 SOLUTIONS .................................................................................................................19 Informing tortoise buyers,
    [Show full text]
  • The Marginated Tortoise
    World Chelonian Trust -- Testudo marginata (Schoepff, 1792) The Marginated Tortoise -... Page 1 of 2 Return to World Chelonian Trust Main Page for more Turtle and Tortoise Information Testudo marginata (Schoepff, 1792) The Marginated Tortoise - Lisa Weiss Copyright © 2005 World Chelonian Trust. All rights reserved Related Articles: Testudo Gallery This care sheet is intended only to cover the general care of this species. Further research to best develop a maintenance plan for whichever species you are caring for is essential.. Testudo marginata (Schoepff, 1792) is a medium-sized tortoise species originally native to Greece. Adults can reach 12-14 inches, making them one of the largest of the Mediterranean species. Male tortoises are distinguished by their broadly flared rear marginal scutes, hence the name "marginata". Males are also generally smaller, with a more elongate body shape than the females, and have longer, thicker tails. Typical wild habitat is arid, scrubby, rocky hillsides where the tortoises spend mornings and late afternoons browsing on weeds, shrubs and flowers while resting in the shade during the hottest afternoon hours. During the winter months, Marginated Tortoises hibernate underground, a characteristic which should be taken into account by prospective keepers (see "Hibernation Guidelines" on the WCT website for more information.) Captive-bred marginata hatchlings are often available and can be kept under the same captive conditions required by T. hermanni. They will best thrive if kept outdoors during the summer months; a good-sized, predator- proof fenced enclosure planted with edible shrubs and weeds and furnished with a choice of shelters and a shallow water tray will suit them nicely.
    [Show full text]
  • Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4Th Edition December 2015
    Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4th Edition December 2015 Editor Chelonian TAG Steering Committee 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Mission ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Steering Committee Structure ........................................................................................................... 3 Officers, Steering Committee Members, and Advisors ..................................................................... 4 Taxonomic Scope ............................................................................................................................. 6 Space Analysis Space .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Current and Potential Holding Table Results ............................................................................. 8 Species Selection Process Process ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Decision Tree ........................................................................................................................... 13 Decision Tree Results .............................................................................................................
    [Show 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Marginated Tortoise, Testudo Marginata, in the UK
    Keeping and breeding the Marginated Tortoise, Testudo marginata, in the UK The Marginated Tortoise has never been a particularly commonly kept tortoise in the UK, mainly due to the lack of availability. Marginateds were never commonly imported in the past and have only recently become more available due to captive breeding in the UK, and more commonly on the continent. DESCRIPTION The Marginated Tortoise is one of the largest of the Mediterranean tortoises, only matched in weight and size by some of the larger sub species of Spur Thigh Tortoise Testudo graeca whitei found throughout Algeria. Marginated tortoises are very distinctive animals and are easily distinguished from other Mediterranean species. Adult Marginateds have a rather elongated carapace with extremely flared posterior marginal scutes. An extremely simple way to identify a marginated tortoise however is to turn one upside down and check out the plastron, as this species posseses 3 or 4 pairs of chocolate brown coloured triangular markings on each of the large scutes. The only other species to have this is the Egyptian tortoise Testudo klienmanni. Adult marginated tortoises are usually uniform black to dark grey across the carapace, with a cream coloured skin which becomes darker towards the head and legs. They typically weigh around 2-3 kg although larger individuals are regularly encountered. Males and females are very similar in size although females generally weigh more. This is primarily due to the fact that males have a more pinched in sides, giving them a kind of peanut shape when viewed from above. Males also have a very concave plastron aiding them when mounting the female during mating.
    [Show full text]