Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings,

Quick physiology question: what is the normal resting respiration rate for an adult red-tail?

Midnight, our male, with chronic RI is having a bad night. His sides bellow a couple of times, then there are very faint movements, and sometimes up to a minute with no movement at all (I think--hard when I think *I'm* moving). I tried to watch one of our pregnant females, but I'm not sure that she's necessarily a good comparative base line.

Our regular vets are away. I have an appointment tomorrow (Sat) with one other vet vaguely familiar with our case, and plan to call her early a.m.---I don't want to bring him in if I don't have to, but this may really be the end of the line for Midnight this time if I do. *sigh*

Thanks,
Antigone

PS Are a lot of rough patches after a full one-piece shed indicative of anything in particular? I know our humidity sucked (40%ish) but we were trying really hard this time to get it higher than it's been. I was misting heavily twice daily.

40% or so isn't that terrible. I'm sure it is much higher after you mist, and then slowly drops to 40% just in time for you to mist again.

Resp rates are quite variable with everything that affects the metabolic rate of reptiles. However 10-15/minute would be a nice resting rate. I wouldn't worry if the odd minute only showed 2-3 breaths or went up to 30 breaths, as long as you have a more normal average.

Ian