Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Brian,

Sorry for the late post. I presume by now you have the case history info you need. I personally have not lost a herp to the cold and I figure you know the technical score- That's a given.

I will post a little info here if it would be a help to others.

In Herps, before the actual freezing point is reached, many dangers present themselves. Some Herps, however, have tolerance or forms of 'anti-Freeze' to cope if they are from a temperate climate. A skink from a tropical, equatorial region has BIG problems if things get that cold.

LACTIC ACIDOSIS. A build-up of Lactic Acid develops in the bodily and acts as a poison -destroying muscle and nerve function. Cellular Osmosis is compromised and oxygen departs the scene-causing cellular death. Cellular volume collapses as well.

BLOOD CLOTTING in Vessels (Coagulopathy) prevents feeding tissue-also reduces oxygen flow and creates rapid death to living tissue. These factors can be broadened by improper warm-up.

Far too often, The well-intentioned keeper will endeaver to warm up the victim as fast as possible. THIS IS A MISTAKE! Warm-up should commense in luke warm (Not Hot!) water. The victim should be soaked upwards to an hour. SPECIAL CARE should be excized after the fact to prevent any chills or sudden temperature dips. After this point, inspect the animal for mobility damage-especially to the extremities (Other than the tail, Snakes are an exception, of course). If temperature dips was not too critical, recovery should be rapid. If damage is severe, the extent will be such that HUMAN DECISION REQUIRED to the victim's future. Yes, your possible companion of many years may have to be put down.

Brian:

Good luck on the LEE/1 - LEE/2 Merger. Hope your organization (Unlike the CCA) prevails and thank you for the posts and helpful advice you've given over this past year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! (And to everyone else too!)
Best Regards,
Jean

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUICA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

HAPPY NEW YEAR JEAN, (and to all)

Yes, Lactic acid concentration is the nasty component. I have had cold dips to Lizards but the most was in reference to a
disaster at Lee/2 where a power failure cost the life of one of Sherri's favorite (and mine) Corucia. A most 'colorful' AKA spirited male corucia-George is fighting for survival as we speak. He has dry Gangrene at the tail tip and in another location of his tail and virtually no feeling or mobility below the hip.

I did some study in the early nineties on the 'antifreeze' aspect of Testudo horsefieldi- The Afghan (Russian) Tortoise. But nothing on that subject of course was applicable to a equatorial member of the Scincidae being subjected to 40 and possibly under -temperatures.

Thank you for the response. Your kindnesses in your posts are always respected as well.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Just curious, what is a corucia? (Possibly a really stupid question, but I did a google search and came up with zilch.)And what kind of research do you do? (Feel free to tell me to buzz off I know I am being nosy Nellie)

Also,I would be interested in the research you did on the hypothermia resistance adaptations of testudo horsefieldiae (I apologize if I spelled it wrong, forgot to cut and paste and too lazy to look it up ) What do they have/do to prevent the effects of hypothermia? Sorry about off topic questions and nosiness, if it's none of my beeswax feel free to say so.

Thanks!
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Stacey