HHuussbbaannddrryy MMaannuuaall FFoorr GGIIDDGGEEEE SSKKIINNKK EEggeerrnniiaa ssttookkeessiiii Reptilia: Scincidae Compiler: Cindy Jackson Date of Preparation: 14/09/06 Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Course Name and Number: Certificate III Captive Animal Management Lecturers: Graeme Phipps. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4 2 TAXONOMY ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1 NOMENCLATURE .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 SUBSPECIES .................................................................................................................................. 5 2.3 RECENT SYNONYMS ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.4 OTHER COMMON NAMES ............................................................................................................. 5 3 NATURAL HISTORY ................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 MORPHOMETRICS ......................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.1 Mass and Basic Body Measurements .......................................................................................... 6 3.1.2 Sexual Dimorphism ..................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.3 Distinguishing Features .............................................................................................................. 7 3.2 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ....................................................................................................... 9 3.3 CONSERVATION STATUS .............................................................................................................. 9 3.4 LONGEVITY ................................................................................................................................ 10 3.4.1 In the Wild ................................................................................................................................. 10 3.4.2 In Captivity ................................................................................................................................ 10 3.4.3 Techniques Used to Determine Age in Adults ........................................................................... 10 4 HOUSING REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 11 4.1 EXHIBIT/ENCLOSURE DESIGN .................................................................................................... 11 4.2 HOLDING AREA DESIGN ............................................................................................................. 13 4.3 SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................... 13 4.4 POSITION OF ENCLOSURES ......................................................................................................... 14 4.5 WEATHER PROTECTION.............................................................................................................. 14 4.6 TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................. 14 4.7 SUBSTRATE ................................................................................................................................ 17 4.8 NEST BOXES AND/OR BEDDING MATERIAL ................................................................................ 17 4.9 ENCLOSURE FURNISHINGS ......................................................................................................... 18 5 GENERAL HUSBANDRY .......................................................................................................... 19 5.1 HYGIENE AND CLEANING ........................................................................................................... 19 5.2 RECORD KEEPING ...................................................................................................................... 20 5.3 METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................... 22 5.4 ROUTINE DATA COLLECTION ..................................................................................................... 22 6 FEEDING REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................... 23 6.1 WILD DIET ................................................................................................................................. 23 6.2 CAPTIVE DIET ............................................................................................................................ 23 6.3 SUPPLEMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 24 6.4 PRESENTATION OF FOOD ............................................................................................................ 24 7 HANDLING AND TRANSPORT ............................................................................................... 25 7.1 TIMING OF CAPTURE AND HANDLING ........................................................................................ 25 7.2 CATCHING BAGS ........................................................................................................................ 25 7.3 CAPTURE AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES .................................................................................... 25 7.4 WEIGHING AND EXAMINATION .................................................................................................. 25 7.5 RELEASE .................................................................................................................................... 26 7.6 TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 26 7.6.1 Box Design ................................................................................................................................ 28 7.6.2 Water and Food ......................................................................................................................... 30 2 7.6.3 Animals per Box ........................................................................................................................ 30 7.6.4 Timing of Transportation .......................................................................................................... 30 7.6.5 Release from Box ....................................................................................................................... 30 8 HEALTH REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 31 8.1 DAILY HEALTH CHECKS ............................................................................................................ 31 8.2 DETAILED PHYSICAL EXAMINATION .......................................................................................... 31 8.2.1 Chemical Restraint .................................................................................................................... 32 8.2.2 Physical Examination ................................................................................................................ 32 8.3 ROUTINE TREATMENTS .............................................................................................................. 32 8.4 KNOWN HEALTH PROBLEMS ...................................................................................................... 33 8.5 QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................... 41 9 BEHAVIOR .................................................................................................................................. 42 9.1 ACTIVITY ................................................................................................................................... 42 9.2 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ................................................................................................................... 43 9.3 REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR ...................................................................................................... 43 9.4 BATHING .................................................................................................................................... 44 9.5 BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS ............................................................................................................ 44 9.6 SIGNS OF STRESS ........................................................................................................................ 45 9.7 BEHAVIORAL ENRICHMENT........................................................................................................ 46 9.8 INTRODUCTIONS AND REMOVALS .............................................................................................. 46 9.9 INTRASPECIFIC COMPATIBILITY ................................................................................................. 46 9.10 INTERSPECIFIC COMPATIBILITY .................................................................................................