Reptiles and amphibians play important roles in our ecosystems and are the focus of a lot of Academy research. They are also popular pets due to their ease of care and vast array of color mutations.
Reptiles’ capacity to feel pain, stress and anxiety is well documented in scientific literature. This knowledge should help to change the way that people treat these animals.
Ecological studies
Ecological studies of reptiles are a key component of conservation science and can contribute to a better understanding of the biological, environmental and socioeconomic factors that influence biodiversity. These studies can be conducted in many ways, including surveys, habitat assessment and modelling. In general, the most important factor for conserving reptiles is to preserve their natural habitats and maintain the ecological processes that they support. However, some factors may interfere with this process, such as climate change and human activities.
Unlike other species, reptiles are ectotherms, meaning that they obtain their body heat from the environment. As a result, they are highly mobile and can be difficult to observe and count (see Figure 8.1). Therefore, survey methods that involve capturing reptiles are more valuable than simple observations. Captured animals can be weighed and measured, sex and reproductive status determined, and parasite load assessed. They also provide more information than a single census, as they allow researchers to estimate population sizes/densities and survival probabilities.
Another important consideration for reptiles is their sensitivity to climate change. They are affected by changes in water availability and temperature, as well as the effects of temperature on their metabolic rate and reproduction. For example, some reptiles have temperature-sensitive sex determination: cooler temperatures may produce nests of only males. This phenotypic plasticity can have lasting implications for evolutionary fitness.
Human health studies
Reptiles play an important role in the Earth’s ecosystem. They provide many benefits to humans, including pest control and habitat conservation. Despite their importance, however, reptile species are threatened by human activities. They have suffered from several extinctions, range reduction, and species loss and their demise has had significant consequences for several paramount ecosystem processes.
Humans have interacted with reptiles for millennia, but their interaction has mostly been negative. Typically sedentary and lethargic, reptiles are easier to target than birds and mammals for predatory attacks. This has allowed them to be exploited as a source of meat and other commodities.
Nonetheless, reptiles can be valuable partners in biomedical research, and they offer unique opportunities for studying basic biological principles. Research on amphibians and reptiles has contributed to a variety of fields, from embryological concepts to population ecology. For example, snake venom studies have helped doctors develop pain-management medications.
The first step in the examination of a reptile is palpation, beginning at the head and proceeding down the body. Swellings and wounds can be observed; in addition, the position of internal anomalies can be assessed by comparing the snout-vent length with the length of the body. In addition, serial weight measurements can be used to monitor growth and captive management. Finally, the mouth should be examined for foreign bodies, ptyalism, and hemorrhage.
Animal welfare studies
Reptiles have been shown to express a variety of emotions, including anxiety and fear. This research has helped us understand how to better care for pet reptiles and improve their welfare. Reptiles are also highly curious and aware of their environment. They use natural behavioral cues to communicate with other animals and their humans, such as rubbing against enclosure walls. These cues indicate that the reptile is stressed or bored, and it needs a more stimulating environment. Enrichment programs for reptiles have been proven effective in reducing stress and increasing the animal’s wellbeing.
A detailed necropsy is often required to diagnose a disease in a reptile. This allows the submission of organ biopsies for laboratory examination and the recovery of blood and other body fluids. A fresh necropsy is also helpful when managing a disease outbreak, as it can help identify and prioritize affected individuals.
Performing a thorough physical examination of reptiles is challenging and time-consuming. The lack of diffuse body fat makes it difficult to produce quality radiographs, while thick keratinized scales and osteoderms interfere with x-ray penetration. High-capacity digital units and high-detailed screen/film combinations can overcome this problem. In addition, several agents can be used to improve contrast. For example, barium sulfate can enhance the appearance of GI tracts and urogenital systems, while water-soluble iodine compounds can aid in identifying soft-tissue masses and sex determination (eg, ovarian follicles).
A thorough exam should include accurate weight measurement and the evaluation of body condition. In lizards, body condition can be assessed by comparing total and snout-vent length or limb conformation. In large iguanoids, cloacal palpation can be used to assess reproductive health and to recognize oedematous renomegaly.
Economic studies
Reptiles are not as well-known for their economic value as fowl and hoofed mammals, but they can have a significant impact on local economies in some temperate and many tropical areas. For example, lizards control insect pests in homes and gardens, and snakes are major predators of rodent populations. However, reptiles are often over-harvested for the pet trade or as food (in particular, snakes and crocodiles), and their populations decline rapidly. This leads to a loss of ecological services and economic losses, such as those incurred by the disappearance of rodent-eating snakes in the Philippines.
One way to estimate the demand for reptiles in the pet trade is to look at online marketplaces. However, this method has its limitations and is difficult to scale up for larger species. Furthermore, the data is often inaccurate and unreliable because buyers can buy reptiles without registering.
Another approach is to use telemetry data from captive herpetological collections. This data can provide insights into the trends of the pet reptile market and may help develop strategies to protect these animals from over-exploitation. This information is particularly useful for predicting the future popularity of reptiles in the pet trade.
The most popular reptiles in the pet trade are docile and medium-sized with simple requirements, otherwise known as “beginner reptiles.” The researchers found that blue-tongued skinks, tegus, and uromastyx were the most likely to increase in popularity over the next decade. Crested geckos, on the other hand, were declining in popularity.