Behavior In Reptiles Research Articles

Assessing the Current Landscape of Reptile Pet Ownership in Hong Kong: A Foundation for Improved Animal Welfare and Future Research Directions.

We investigated the evolving landscape of reptile pet ownership in Hong Kong. Employing a quantitative approach, a self-administered survey was distributed and over 200 reptile pet owners residing in Hong Kong responded. The survey instrument captured demographic data on pet ownership history, species preferences, husbandry practices, and veterinary care utilization. The findings revealed a strong interest in pet reptiles, with lizards being particularly popular (67%) among new owners. Turtles remain common (35%), likely due to cultural factors and perceived ease of care. However, a gap was noted between the awareness and the implementation of proper husbandry practices, with 51% of respondents expressing concerns about enrichment and 21% uncertain about appropriate enclosure size. Veterinary care utilization also showed a disconnect, with 50% of the respondents reporting no regular check-ups were performed, despite acknowledging its importance. Reptile behavior served as a well-being indicator. Over 90% of the respondents observed normal behaviors like locomotion and breathing. Interestingly, a positive correlation emerged between reptile behavior scores and duration of ownership (r = 0.200, p < 0.01), suggesting improved well-being for reptiles that were in long-term care. These findings emphasize the need for educational initiatives promoting responsible pet ownership practices and fostering collaboration between reptile owners, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations. By addressing these knowledge gaps and promoting a collaborative approach, our results aim to contribute to enhanced reptile welfare in the context of Hong Kong's evolving pet ownership trends.

EVALUACIÓN Y RECONOCIMIENTO DEL DOLOR EN REPTILES: UNA REVISIÓN SISTEMÁTICA

Reptiles show morpho-physiological differences compared with other taxa (e.g., mammals), such as their pain manifestation that are not obvious to people. Presently, a great part of animal care practitioners lack enough knowledge to evaluate pain behaviors in reptiles, partially because there is not enough research on the subject. The aim of this review is to perform a systematic research about pain identification and assessment through postural and behavioral changes in reptiles. A bibliographic search was made using commands constituted by words related to pain and reptile species connected by boolean operators. The search resulted in 751 articles, although only 43 of them were used based on the eligibility criteria. Information obtained was grouped into three categories. The first were articles on specific nociceptive response trials, in this group two different pain methodologies were observed in all the reptiles groups: Withdrawal time to irritable stimulus (thermal or mechanic) and response to parenteral irritating chemical. The second category included tudies in which postural or behavioral changes associated with pain were mentioned. The third category were review articles. Considering the information published nowadays, we consider that it would be insufficient to evaluate pain in reptiles using one single method. Since most sources mention comparison with normal behaviors, elaborate ethograms of individuals or species (in captivity) during a pain-free period could be useful to identify periods of discomfort. However, more studies are needed to ensure correlation between pain and behaviors.

Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction and Social Behaviors in Reptiles: Advances Made in the Last Decade.

Among amniotes, reptiles are ectothermic and are clearly distinguished from mammals and birds. Reptiles show great diversity not only in species numbers, but also in ecological and physiological features. Although their physiological diversity is an interesting research topic, less effort has been made compared to that for mammals and birds, in part due to lack of established experimental models and techniques. However, progress, especially in the field of neuroendocrinology, has been steadily made. With this process, basic data on selected reptilian species have been collected. This review article presents the progress made in the last decade, which includes 1) behavioral regulation by sex steroid hormones, 2) regulation of seasonal reproduction by melatonin and GnRH, and 3) regulation of social interaction by arginine vasotocin. Through these research topics, we provide insights into the physiology of reptiles and the latest findings in the field of amniote neuroendocrinology.

Behavioural Impact of Captive Management Changes in Three Species of Testudinidae

Reptile behaviour and welfare are understudied in comparison with mammals. In this study, behavioural data on three species (Astrochelys radiata, Stigmochelys pardalis, Aldabrachelys gigantea) of tortoises were recorded before and after an environmental change which was anticipated to be positive in nature. The environmental changes differed for each population, but included a substantial increase in enclosure size, the addition of substrate material, and a change in handling procedure. A tortoise-specific ethogram was created to standardise data collection. Focal behaviour sampling was used to collect behavioural data. Changes in the duration of performance of co-occupant interaction and object interaction in the leopard (Stigmochelys pardalis) and Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea) tortoises were observed following the environmental changes. The Shannon–Weiner diversity index did not yield a significant increase after the changes but had a numerical increase which was relatively greater for the leopard tortoise group, which had experienced the greatest environmental change. The leopard tortoises also demonstrated changes in a greater number of behaviours compared to the other species, and this was sustained over the study period. However, this included a behaviour indicative of negative affect: aggression. Whilst we are unable to conclude that welfare was improved by the management changes, there are suggestions that behavioural diversity increased, and some promotion of positive social behaviours occurred.

TEMPERATURE-BASED AMBUSH SITE SELECTION IN SIDEWINDER RATTLESNAKES (CROTALUS CERASTES)

Body temperature influences the activity and behavior of reptiles, with warmer body temperatures typically being associated with improved performance. Nocturnal ambush-hunting rattlesnakes would therefore benefit from selecting warmer substrate hunting sites, allowing them to stay in ambush longer as the environment cools and, presumably, to have a higher probability of striking prey successfully. Here, we tested whether free-ranging sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes) might select ambush sites based on substrate temperature. We used a thermal imaging camera to measure snake body temperature and substrate temperature at ambush sites and random locations. Rattlesnake body temperature showed a strong positive correlation with substrate temperature at the ambush site, and the substrate at ambush sites was significantly warmer than randomly chosen sites. This suggests snakes might select ambush sites based on substrate temperature. Desert pit vipers appear highly attuned to environmental conditions and might integrate several criteria to select microhabitats that increase predation success.

Изучение терморегуляционного поведения рептилий при подкожной имплантации терморегистраторов

The article presents an attempt to characterize the thermoregulatory behavior of reptiles without direct observation of them by comparing the data of two thermal recorders: one sewn subcutaneously to the object of study and one placed in the biotope. The main difficulties that arise in the course of such studies are identified, and the most important conditions for successful implementation are identified. Based on the analysis of our own data, five main forms of thermoregulatory behavior in reptiles are identified and described.

The Effect of Visitors on Zoo Reptile Behaviour during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Visitors to zoos can have positive, neutral, or negative relationships with zoo animals. This makes human–animal interactions (HAIs) an essential component of welfare and an important consideration in species selection for zoo exhibits and in enclosure designs. We measured the effect of visitors on reptiles by comparing open and closed periods during the lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK in a low-resolution dataset for thirteen species of reptiles and a high-resolution dataset focussing on just one of these. Scan sampling on thirteen reptile species (two chelonians and eleven squamates) showed species-specific differences in response to the presence/absence of visitors, with most taxa being only weakly affected. High-resolution scan sampling via video footage of an off-show and on-show enclosure was carried out for tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) over the open and closed periods. In this part of the study, tokay geckos were significantly more visible during zoo closure than when visitors were present on-exhibit, but there was no change in off-show animals, indicating the effect of visitors as opposed to other factors, such as seasonality, which applied equally to both on- and off-show animals. The high-resolution study showed that a significant effect was present for tokay geckos, even though the low-resolution suggested that they were more weakly affected than other taxa. Our results indicate that, for cryptic species such as this, more intensive sampling may be required to properly understand visitor effects. Our data do not allow the interpretation of effects on welfare but show that such assessments require a species-specific approach.

Erratum: Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles.

An erratum was issued for:Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles. An author name was updated. The name of the tenth author was updated from: Amy Y. Yackel Adams to Amy A. Yackel Adams.

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles.

Reptiles utilize a variety of environmental cues to inform and drive animal behavior such as chemical scent trails produced by food or conspecifics. Decrypting the scent-trailing behavior of vertebrates, particularly invasive species, enables the discovery of cues that induce exploratory behavior and can aid in the development of valuable basic and applied biological tools. However, pinpointing behaviors dominantly driven by chemical cues versus other competing environmental cues can be challenging. Y-mazes are common tools used in animal behavior research that allow quantification of vertebrate chemosensory behavior across a range of taxa. By reducing external stimuli, Y-mazes remove confounding factors and present focal animals with a binary choice. In our Y-maze studies, a scenting animal is restricted to one arm of the maze to leave a scent trail and is removed once scent-laying parameters have been met. Then, depending on the trial type, either the focal animal is allowed into the maze, or a competing scent trail is created. The result is a record of the focal animal's choice and behavior while discriminating between the chemical cues presented. Here, two Y-maze apparatuses tailored to different invasive reptile species: Argentine black and white tegu lizards (Salvator merianae) and Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) are described, outlining the operation and cleaning of these Y-mazes. Further, the variety of data produced, experimental drawbacks and solutions, and suggested data analysis frameworks have been summarized.

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles

Effects of early thermal environment on the behavior and learning of a lizard with bimodal reproduction

Early developmental temperatures influence the physiology and behavior of reptiles, with important consequences for their fitness and survival. For example, many viviparous lizards are cold adapted which may restrict their activity times during the reproductive season, increasing their susceptibility to global warming. However, it is unclear if and how lizards with different reproductive modes (oviparity vs. viviparity) can respond to rising temperatures by modifying their life-history traits. We examined the effect of developmental temperatures on hatchling behavior and learning in viviparous and oviparous populations of the lizard Saiphos equalis to test whether their reproductive behavior can buffer against rising temperatures. Gravid females from both populations were subjected to current or projected end-of-century (future) thermal environments to evaluate differences in the exploratory, foraging and antipredator behavior, and spatial learning ability of their offspring. We found that viviparous lizards were more exploratory and had a less-pronounced antipredator response than oviparous lizards. Regardless of the mode of reproduction, elevated temperatures reduced the exploratory behavior of hatchling lizards. Elevated temperatures also reduced the foraging efficiency of oviparous, but not viviparous, hatchlings. Finally, future-gestated oviparous hatchlings were more likely to choose the correct refuge and made fewer mistakes in a spatial learning task; however, we found only weak evidence of spatial learning in S. equalis. Our results suggest that although global warming is likely to have a negative impact on phenotypic traits, in S. equalis, some of these effects may be ameliorated by maternal behavior and/or physiological responses during pregnancy, particularly in viviparous populations. Computational modeling studies suggest that live-bearing lizards (viviparous) are more vulnerable to global warming compared with egg-laying ones (oviparous). However, there is little experimental evidence showing that viviparous species are indeed at a greater risk of extinction. Using a lizard species that has both oviparous and viviparous populations, we tested the effect of high developmental temperatures (projected for 2100) on the behavior and learning of their offspring. We found that elevated temperatures had a stronger negative effect on egg-laying lizards by producing hatchlings with lower foraging efficiency. Our results suggest that viviparous mothers can ameliorate some of the effects of global warming on their offspring. Moreover, our study suggests that if live bearers are indeed more vulnerable to global warming, it is likely not due to maladaptive behavior in offspring, but rather, to other causes that affect pregnant females.

Arginine vasotocin impacts chemosensory behavior during social interactions of Anolis carolinensis lizards

In reptiles, arginine vasotocin (AVT) impacts the performance of and response to visual social signals, but whether AVT also operates within the chemosensory system as arginine vasopressin (AVP) does in mammals is unknown, despite social odors being potent modifiers of competitive and appetitive behavior in reptiles. Here, we ask whether elevated levels of exogenous AVT impact rates of chemical display behavior (e.g. tongue flicks) in adult males, and whether conspecific males or females can chemically discriminate between competitor males based on differing levels of exogenous AVT in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis). We injected wild-caught green anole males with either AVT (AVT-Males) or a vehicle control (CON-Males) solution, then presented treated males with a conspecific stimulus (Intruder-Male or Intruder-Female) and filmed 30-minute interactions. We found that AVT-Males were faster than CON-Males to perform a tongue flick to conspecifics, and faster to chemically display toward Intruder-Females, suggesting AVT increased male interest in available chemical information during social encounters. Intruders performed more lip smack behavior when interacting with AVT-Males than with CON-Males, and Intruder-Males performed more tongue flick behavior when interacting with AVT-Males than with CON-Males, suggesting anoles can discriminate between conspecifics based on exogenous AVT levels. We also found a reduction in Intruder movement behavior when Intruders were paired with AVT-Males. This study provides empirical support for AVT-mediated chemosensory behavior in reptilian social interactions, in a microsmatic lizard species, suggesting the mechanism by which mammalian AVP and non-mammalian AVT mediate chemosensory behavior during social interactions may be evolutionarily conserved.

Spatial ecology of copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) in response to urban park trails

Abstract Urban forests and parks are important for recreation and may serve as a natural corridor for commuters. The consequences of human-mediated disturbance in natural areas are documented for avian and mammalian species. Less is known about the consequences of human disturbance on reptile species, specifically snakes, residing in natural refuges within the urban matrix. Thus, we examined the spatial activity of copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) in regard to pedestrian trails within an urban forest. We used radio telemetry to track snakes during the active season and estimated distances moved in between relocations, distances to the nearest trail and home range size for individuals. We found sex and season, but not distance to the nearest trail, affected the distance snakes moved. In addition, we observed a weak, positive relationship between home range size and average distance to the trail. Sex, season and body condition did not explain snake distance to the trail, but individual patterns were variable for snakes compared to random locations generated from snake relocations. Our study indicates copperheads may be tolerant of low-level human disturbances found in an urban forest. Further work should be done to quantify levels of disturbance, such as trail use, and compare the behavior of reptiles across urban park types and locations.

Head Movements During Visual Orienting Toward Moving Prey in the Lizard Takydromus tachydromoides.

It is important to investigate visual orienting in reptiles to better understand the basic organization of the oculomotor system in vertebrates. However, quantitative analyses of visual orienting behavior in reptiles have rarely been conducted, except in chameleons. In the present study, we videorecorded the head and body movements of the lizard Takydromus tachydromoides during visual tracking of moving prey and analyzed them frame-by-frame. Before approaching prey, visual tracking mainly consisted of brief intermittent turns of the head (saccade). After the head saccades, the angular position of the prey relative to the lizard head was kept at 10-70° (laterally) in most cases, rather than at 0° (in front). In addition, the ratio of the amplitude of the head saccades to prey position was 0.2-0.3, which is much smaller than 1, suggesting that the head did not orient exactly toward the prey after most saccades. These results were observed under both white (homogeneous) and grating (structured) backgrounds. Possible functions of head saccades in the lizard are discussed.

Keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets: challenges and rewards

Reptiles and amphibians are, for many of us, the most fascinating animals on earth, with morphological, physiological, reproductive, behavioural and life style diversity far beyond anything found in mammals and...

FISIOLOGIA DE EXTREMOS: DIGESTÃO EM RÉPTEIS DE ALIMENTAÇÃO ESPORÁDICA

Entre as diversas adaptações que os seres vivos apresentam em resposta às variáveis do ambiente, estão as mudanças adaptativas morfológicas e funcionais a curto e longo prazo que acontecem no sistema digestório em resposta ao padrão de alimentação. Em alguns répteis, tais adaptações vêm ao encontro da maximização dos recursos energéticos, os quais correlacionam os hábitos alimentares ao rendimento energético por meio do processo de regulação de órgãos específicos. Considerável número de artigos discute o desempenho do trato gastrointestinal e a influência de outros sistemas no auxílio a esse comportamento do sistema digestório em répteis, especialmente em pítons. Este trabalho teve por objetivo destacar e discutir as ações fisiológicas envolvidas no processo digestório e em outros sistemas em répteis que se alimentam esporadicamente. A atrofia e reconstrução alternadas do trato gastrointestinal em animais de hábitos alimentares infrequentes garantem a esses uma economia de energia em períodos de jejum e uma alta captação dos nutrientes no período digestivo. Essas alterações são acompanhadas por variações funcionais ácido-básicas, respiratórias e hemodinâmicas, e consequentemente por grandes mudanças na taxa metabólica, quando os estados de jejum e pós-prandial são comparados.

No drought about it: Effects of supplemental hydration on the ecology, behavior, and physiology of free-ranging rattlesnakes

Hydration is a critical element for many physiological processes in vertebrates. While it seems intuitive that drought is stressful to animals, studies examining drought are typically observational and do not explicitly assess how the hydration state of study subjects influences their physiology and behavior. We examined how hydration affects several physiological and behavioral variables in free-ranging Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) by experimentally manipulating their hydration levels in the field. Our results suggest that supplemental water has a significant effect on reproduction, as all hydrated females gave birth during the experiment, while no control females did. We saw no effect of hydration on movement parameters; males moved a larger total distance and had larger home ranges than females, regardless of hydration status. Interestingly, body condition at the end of the study was significantly higher in hydrated snakes, suggesting that hydrated individuals might have been acquiring more food than control snakes. We saw no effect on baseline stress hormone concentrations or their increase in response to an acute stressor. Additional experimental studies are needed to better understand the pivotal roles of hydration in the physiology and behavior of reptiles.

Watch out where you sleep: nocturnal sleeping behaviour of Bay Island lizards.

Sleeping exposes lizards to predation. Therefore, sleeping strategies must be directed towards avoiding predation and might vary among syntopic species. We studied sleeping site characteristics of two syntopic, congeneric lizards—the Bay Island forest lizard, Coryphophylax subcristatus and the short-tailed Bay Island lizard, C. brevicaudus and evaluated inter-specific differences. We measured structural, microclimatic and potential predator avoidance at the sleeping perches of 386 C. subcristatus and 185 C. brevicaudus. Contrary to our expectation, we found similar perch use in both species. The lizards appeared to use narrow girth perch plants and accessed perches by moving both vertically and horizontally. Most lizards slept on leaves, with their heads directed towards the potential path of a predator approaching from the plant base. There was no inter-specific competition in the choices of sleeping perches. These choices indicate an anti-predator strategy involving both tactile and visual cues. This study provides insight into a rarely studied behaviour in reptiles and its adaptive significance.

The study of thermoregulatory behavior of reptiles by of implantation temperature recorders

Method of permanent registration of the body temperature can be regarded as the most objective measure of all forms of termostabilizing behavior of reptiles. As the objects for the study we selected two grass (Natrix natrix) and two dice (Natrix tesselata) snakes all of about the same size and five European adders (Pelias berus) released in the places of their capture. Each snake had one receptionist iBDL type tablet, approximately in the middle of the snake’s back with the working surface facing to its body. Refs 7. Figs 5.

Object play in thick-toed geckos during a space experiment

AbstractPlay behavior was observed in thick-toed geckos (Chondrodactylus turneriGRAY 1864) during a 30-day orbital experiment on the unmanned spacecraft “BION-M” No. 1. The geckos wore ornamented colored collars which made it possible to track the behavior of individual animals on video recordings. The object of the play behavior was a collar that one of the geckos had managed to remove in the pre-launch period and which floated weightless in the animal holding unit under microgravity. Four of the five geckos participated in play episodes, which were defined as one-time interactions with the collar, as well in a fuller form of play that included approaching the unmoving collar or observing its approach, manipulations with the collar and further tracking the collar. Manipulations with the collar could take the form of complicated play, such as pressing the snout against the edge of the collar rim, multiple episodes of pushing the collar with the snout, inserting the head into the collar, holding the collar by pressing the head to the container floor and tilting the head with the collar on the snout. There were individual variations in play pattern. Explanations for the rarity of play behavior in reptiles under normal conditions and the geckos’ playfulness in microgravity are discussed. Appropriate video is available athttp://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo150224ct01a.