EXOTICS
Introduction to The
Reptile Integument
Elliott DL Dip Vet Nur BVSc,
Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital,
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital,
[email protected] www.birdandexotic.co.za
Tel: 012 529 8105
The most obvious characteristic distinguishing the reptiles from other classes of animals
is the presence of a scaled skin. Scales consist of modified epidermis and are formed from
specialised keratin. Scutes, present in crocodilians and turtles also have underlying bony
plates, the osteoderms. These structures act as a natural armour for the bearers.
As the keratinised scales cannot grow, the reptile must
regularly shed its skin. In snakes the skin is shed periodically in its entirety, while lizards and crocodiles will
shed fairly continuously in small patches. Some species of gecko will immediately ingest the shed skin.
The scaled reptilian skin is much less permeable than
that of mammals. Reptiles thus have very low levels of
insensible water loss. Their daily fluid requirement, depending on the species is approximately 10 to 20ml/
kg.
Snakes and certain geckos have eyelids that have
fused into a clear shield over the eye. These animals
should always be examined after shedding to ensure
that the eye cap or “brill” has come away from both
eyes.
When suturing wounds on reptiles, there are several
points of which to take note:
• The skin is the layer with the greatest holding ability – the muscles are fragile
• The scaled skin has a tendency to curl inward,
Issue 06 | DECEMBER 2016 | 35