Reptiles and Amphibians｜Group Overview | Evidence chain

FAQ

Why can a reptile's physiological indicators not be read the way a dog's or cat's are?

Reptiles and amphibians are ectotherms and do not hold a constant body temperature as mammals do, so their normal physiological indicators carry a different meaning from those of dogs and cats and must be read together with ambient temperature and humidity. This is also why the husbandry environment column for each group is deliberately written at greater length than the others — husbandry error is the most central premise behind disease in these animals.

What should I be prepared for before keeping a sulcata tortoise?

Its adult size is routinely and seriously underestimated, which is exactly why these animals are given up; tortoises are herbivorous and need large space. On lifespan, three professional zoo sources give figures that do not agree (80 to 100 years, 70 to 150 years, and 50 years or more), the methodological differences are unclear, and they should not be averaged into a single figure. Some tortoise species may outlive the keeper.

What matters most when keeping frogs and salamanders?

A frog's skin is highly permeable, so water quality and chemical residues on human hands are the central risks. As for salamanders, the axolotl stays aquatic for life and does not metamorphose, and some salamanders have toxic skin secretions. For both groups the authoritative sources hold little on precise lifespan year counts, and there is no single figure to quote.