Biology and Diseases of Reptiles

Since their emergence 310–320 million years ago, reptiles have evolved to be one of the most adaptive and remarkable groups of vertebrate animals on earth. Comprising over 9500 species, they can be found in diverse niches ranging from the arid Sahara desert to the tropical wetlands of the Amazon. Diverse reproductive physiologies and behaviors, along with adaptive characteristics such as parthenogenesis and development of venom glands for prey immobilization, make them attractive models for biomedical and basic biological research. This chapter provides information regarding biology, husbandry, and the diseases commonly affecting captive reptiles most frequently used in research.