and slow worms, adapted to burrowing and

REPTILES: LIZARDS subterranean lifestyles.

Taxonomic Classification 6. Amphisbaenia: This enigmatic group

comprises worm lizards, legless lizards
with unique body shapes and habits,
Lizards belong to the class Reptilia, which
resembling earthworms.
also includes snakes, turtles, and crocodiles.
They are further classified into the order
Squamata, which also includes snakes. Within Adaptations and Diversity
the order Squamata, lizards are divided into
two suborders: Sauria, which contains most Lizards, along with snakes, comprise the vast
lizards, and Amphisbaenia, which contains order Squamata, a fascinating group of reptiles
legless lizards. that have captivated the human imagination
for centuries. Their remarkable diversity,
Lizards are classified within the suborder spanning over 6,000 species, showcases the
Sauria, within the order Squamata, alongside incredible evolutionary adaptations that have
snakes. Their classification further divides shaped their remarkable success. From the
them into six major clades: colossal Komodo dragon, the largest living
lizard, to the tiny gecko barely visible to the
naked eye, lizards inhabit a wide array of
1. Iguania: This diverse clade includes
terrestrial and even aquatic habitats, each
chameleons, iguanas, and spiny lizards,
species adapted to its specific niche.
known for their unique morphological
features and behavioral adaptations.
Lizards exhibit remarkable adaptations that
have allowed them to thrive in diverse
2. Gekkota: This clade encompasses
environments. Their scaly skin provides
geckos, renowned for their sticky toepads
protection from the elements and predators,
and ability to climb smooth surfaces.
while their flexible joints enable them to
climb, burrow, and move with agility. Their
3. Scincidae: This extensive group unique tongues, often highly extensible, assist
comprises skinks, a diverse array of them in capturing prey and exploring their
lizards with varying body shapes and surroundings.
sizes.
Lizards exhibit a remarkable range of sizes,
4. Chamaeleonidae: This family includes from the minuscule Brookesia micra, a gecko
chameleons, renowned for their ability to measuring just 1.6 centimeters, to the awe-
change color and their specialized tongue inspiring Komodo dragon, reaching up to 3
structure. meters in length. This size variability reflects
their diverse ecological roles and habitat
5. Anguidae: This clade includes legless specializations.
lizards, such as glass lizards
Diet and Behavior Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles that can
be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Lizards exhibit a wide variety of feeding They range in size from the tiny gecko, which
habits, from herbivory to carnivory, with some is only a few inches long, to the Komodo
species even consuming carrion. Insectivorous dragon, which can grow to over 10 feet long.
lizards form a significant portion of the Lizards are ectotherms, meaning that they rely
reptilian community, while larger lizards prey on external heat sources to regulate their body
on small mammals, birds, and even other temperature. This is why they are often seen
lizards. basking in the sun.

Social behaviors among lizards vary widely, Lizards are social animals and many species
with some species exhibiting complex social live in groups. They communicate with each
hierarchies and group behaviors, while others other using a variety of methods, including
are solitary or exhibit only limited social body language, vocalizations, and chemical
interactions. Lizards communicate through scents. Lizards also have a variety of defense
visual cues, such as body language and color mechanisms, such as camouflage, venom, and
changes, as well as auditory and chemical the ability to shed their tails.
signals.
Anatomy and Physiology
Reproduction and Life Cycles
Lizards have a long, slender body with four
Lizards reproduce sexually, either by laying legs and a tail. Their skin is covered in scales,
eggs or giving birth to live young. Egg-laying which help to protect them from the
lizards typically bury their eggs in protected environment. Lizards have a three-
locations to ensure their survival, while live- chambered heart and a closed circulatory
bearing species provide direct care to their system. They also have a pair of lungs and a
offspring. The incubation period and digestive system that is similar to that of
developmental stages vary among species. mammals.

Conservation Challenges Husbandry

Despite their remarkable diversity and Lizards can be kept as pets, but they require
adaptability, many lizard species face specialized care. The type of enclosure that a
significant conservation threats. Habitat loss, lizard needs will vary depending on the
due to human activities such as deforestation species. Some lizards, such as chameleons,
and urbanization, is a major factor need tall terrariums with plenty of climbing
contributing to lizard declines. Additionally, branches. Other lizards, such as bearded
overexploitation, pollution, and introduced dragons, need larger enclosures with basking
predators pose additional challenges to lizard spots and hiding places.
populations.
Lizards also need a diet that is appropriate for
Basic Biology and Behavior their species. Some lizards, such as iguanas,
need a diet that
is high in fiber. Other lizards, such as leopard prevented by providing the lizard with a clean
geckos, need a diet that is high in protein. and healthy environment.

Feeding Clinical Examination Techniques

The type of food that a lizard needs will vary The following are some basic clinical
depending on the species. Some lizards, such examination techniques for lizards:
as iguanas, need a diet that is high in fiber.
Other lizards, such as leopard geckos, need a
Physical examination: This includes
diet that is high in protein.
inspecting the lizard's body for any
abnormalities, such as wounds, parasites, or
Most lizards need to be fed daily or every skin lesions.
other day. The amount of food that a lizard
needs will depend on its size and age. Younger Auscultation: This involves listening to the
lizards need to eat more often than older lizard's heart and lungs with a stethoscope.
lizards.
Palpation: This involves gently feeling the
Handling and Restraint lizard's body for any abnormalities, such as
masses or pain.

When handling a lizard, it is important to be Fecal examination: This involves examining

gentle and to support its body weight. Lizards the lizard's feces for parasites or other
should be picked up from underneath and abnormalities.
should not be held by the tail.

Common Lizard Diseases

If a lizard needs to be restrained, it can be
done by wrapping it in a towel or by placing it
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a common
in a small container. It is important to avoid
health issue in captive reptiles, often caused by
squeezing the lizard, as this can cause injury.
improper nutrition. Many reptile owners
receive misguided advice, leading to
Preventive Medicine inadequate diets and vitamin deficiencies.
Symptoms include listlessness, swollen jaws,
The best way to prevent disease in lizards is to and limb fractures. Vitamin B1 deficiency can
provide them with proper care. This includes cause rear leg paralysis. Nose abrasions result
providing them with a clean and spacious from repeated escape attempts, leading to
enclosure, a healthy diet, and regular deformities and infections. Thermal injuries,
veterinary checkups. such as burns, occur from improper heat
sources. Bacterial infections like blister
Some common diseases in lizards include disease and mouth rot are linked to unsanitary
parasites, respiratory infections, and skin conditions. Parasites and viral infections can
infections. These diseases can be also pose serious threats. are additional
concerns, each requiring specific attention and
care. Regular veterinary check-ups are
crucial
for early detection and prevention of these relatively easy to care for and are known for
health issues. their friendly personalities.

Zoonotic Disease
Bearded dragons have a long lifespan,
Reptiles and amphibians can transmit zoonotic typically living for 10-15 years in captivity.
diseases, primarily bacterial infections, with They are omnivorous lizards, meaning that
notable examples like Salmonella, they eat both insects and plants. Their diet
Mycobacterium, should consist of a variety of insects, such as
Campylobacter, Aeromonas, Escherichia coli, crickets, mealworms, and roaches, as well as
Klebsiella, Serratia, and Flavobacterium leafy greens and vegetables.
meningosepticum. While these infections may
not visibly affect the animals, they pose a Bearded dragons are diurnal lizards, meaning
significant risk of causing severe illness in that they are most active during the day. They
humans. Individuals with specific medical spend their days basking in the sun and
conditions, such as chronic illnesses, hunting for food. Bearded dragons are also
immunodeficiency, or pregnancy, are more known for their ability to change color, which
susceptible to developing diseases or they use to camouflage themselves from
complications from these zoonotic infections. predators.
It is advisable for such individuals to consult
their physician before engaging in activities Husbandry
involving these animals.

Bearded dragons require a spacious enclosure

Bearded Dragon with a basking spot and hiding places. The
enclosure should be equipped with a UVB
lamp and a heat lamp to provide the lizard
with the proper lighting and temperature.
Bearded dragons should also have access to
fresh water at all times.

Bearded dragons should be fed daily or every

other day. The amount of food that they need
Taxonomic Classification
will depend on their size and age. Younger
lizards need to eat more often than older
· Class: Reptilia lizards.
· Order: Squamata
· Family: Agamidae
Handling and Restraint
· Genus: Pogona
· Species: Pogona vitticeps
When handling a bearded dragon, it is
important to be gentle and supportive. Bearded
Basic Biology and Behavior
dragons should be picked up from underneath
and should not be held by the tail.
Bearded dragons are medium-sized lizards
that are native to Australia. They are popular
If a bearded dragon needs to be restrained, it
pets because they are
can be done by wrapping it in
a towel or by placing it in a small container. It such as salmonella and leptospirosis. These
is important to avoid squeezing the lizard, as diseases can be transmitted to humans through
this can cause injury. contact with the lizard's feces or saliva. It is
important to wash your hands thoroughly after
Preventive Medicine handling a bearded dragon to reduce the risk
of contracting a transboundary wildlife
Bearded dragons are relatively healthy lizards, disease.
but they can be susceptible to certain diseases,
such as parasites and respiratory infections. It Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention,
is important to provide the lizard with a clean Control, & Zoonotic Risk
and healthy environment and to take it to the
veterinarian for regular checkups. Diagnosis: Bearded dragons can be diagnosed with
a variety of diseases through a physical
Clinical Examination Techniques examination, fecal examination, and blood tests.

The following are some basic clinical Treatment: The treatment for bearded dragon
diseases will vary depending on the specific
examination techniques for bearded dragons:
disease. Some common treatments include
antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
· Physical examination: This
includes inspecting the lizard's body for Prevention: The best way to prevent bearded
any abnormalities, such as wounds, dragon diseases is to provide your bearded dragon
parasites, or skin lesions. with a clean and healthy environment. This
includes providing your bearded dragon with a
· Auscultation: This involves
proper diet, a basking spot, a UVB lamp, and fresh
listening to the lizard's heart and lungs water. It should be regularly examined for possible
with a stethoscope. diseases.
· Palpation: This involves gently
feeling the lizard's body for any Control: If you think your bearded dragon may be
abnormalities, such as masses or pain. sick, it is important to isolate it from other bearded
dragons to prevent the spread of disease. It should
· Fecal examination: This involves be correctly diagnosed and treated.
examining the lizard's feces for parasites
or other abnormalities. Zoonotic risk: Bearded dragons can carry a variety
of zoonotic diseases, such as salmonellosis and
campylobacteriosis. These diseases can be
transmitted to humans through contact with
bearded dragon feces or saliva. It is important to
wash your hands thoroughly after handling a
bearded dragon to reduce the risk of contracting a
Transboundary Wildlife Diseases zoonotic disease.

Bearded dragons can be infected with a

variety of transboundary wildlife diseases,
Leopard Gecko
Leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, lizard Leopard geckos require a spacious enclosure
with a hide box and a basking spot. The
enclosure should be equipped with a UVB
lamp to provide the lizard with the proper
lighting. Leopard geckos should also have
access to fresh water at all times.

Taxonomic Classification Leopard geckos should be fed every other day.

The amount of food that they need will depend
on their size and age. Younger geckos need to
· Class: Reptilia
eat more often than older geckos.
· Order: Squamata
· Suborder: Sauria
· Infraorder: Gekkota Handling and Restraint
· Family: Eublepharidae
· Genus: Eublepharis When handling a leopard gecko, it is
· Species: E. macularius important to be gentle and supportive. Leopard
geckos should be picked up from underneath
Basic Biology and Behavior and should not be held by the tail.

Leopard geckos are small, nocturnal lizards If a leopard gecko needs to be restrained, it
that are native to the dry, rocky regions of can be done by wrapping it in a towel or by
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. They are placing it in a small container. It is important
popular pets because they are relatively easy to to avoid squeezing the lizard, as this can cause
care for and are known for their docile injury.
personalities.
Preventive Medicine
Leopard geckos have a lifespan of 10-20 years
in captivity. They are insectivorous lizards, Leopard geckos are relatively healthy lizards,
meaning that they eat insects such as crickets, but they can be susceptible to certain diseases,
mealworms, and roaches. Their diet should such as parasites and respiratory infections. It
also include a small amount of calcium is important to provide the lizard with a clean
powder and vitamin supplements. and healthy environment and to take it to the
veterinarian for regular checkups.
Leopard geckos are solitary animals and do
not need to be housed with other geckos. They
prefer to spend their days hiding in their
enclosure and come out at night to hunt for Clinical Examination Techniques
food. Leopard geckos are also known for their
ability to shed their tails as a defense
The following are some basic clinical
mechanism.
examination techniques for leopard geckos:

Husbandry
 · Physical examination: This Control: If you think your leopard gecko may be
includes inspecting the lizard's body for sick, it is important to isolate it from other leopard
any abnormalities, such as wounds, geckos to prevent the spread of disease. It should
parasites, or skin lesions. be correctly diagnosed and treated.

· Palpation: This involves gently Zoonotic risk: Leopard geckos can carry a variety
feeling the lizard's body for any of zoonotic diseases, such as salmonellosis and
abnormalities, such as masses or pain. campylobacteriosis. These diseases can be
transmitted to humans through contact with leopard
· Fecal examination: This involves gecko feces or saliva. It is important to wash your
examining the lizard's feces for parasites hands thoroughly after handling a leopard gecko to
or other abnormalities. reduce the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease.

Transboundary Wildlife Diseases

Iguana
Leopard geckos can be infected with a variety
of transboundary wildlife diseases, such as
salmonella and leptospirosis. These diseases
can be transmitted to humans through contact
with the lizard's feces or saliva. It is important
to wash your hands thoroughly after handling
a leopard gecko to reduce the risk of
contracting a transboundary wildlife disease.
Iguana, Iguana iguana, lizard
Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention,
Control, & Zoonotic Risk Taxonomic Classification

Diagnosis: Leopard geckos can be diagnosed with · Class: Reptilia

a variety of diseases through a physical · Order: Squamata
examination, fecal examination, and blood tests.
· Suborder: Sauria
· Infraorder: Iguania
Treatment: The treatment for leopard gecko · Family: Iguanidae
diseases will vary depending on the specific · Genus: Iguana
disease. Some common treatments include
· Species: I. iguana
antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics.

Prevention: The best way to prevent leopard gecko

diseases is to provide your leopard gecko with a Basic Biology and Behavior
clean and healthy environment. This includes
providing your leopard gecko with a proper diet, a Iguanas are large, arboreal lizards that are
basking spot, a UVB lamp, and fresh water. You native to Central and South America. They can
should also take your leopard gecko to the grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 30
veterinarian for regular checkups.
pounds. Iguanas are herbivores and their diet
consists of leaves, fruits, and flowers.
Iguanas are solitary animals and spend most of environment and to take it to the veterinarian
their time in trees. They are good swimmers for regular checkups.
and can often be seen basking in the sun on
branches overhanging rivers. Iguanas are also
Clinical Examination Techniques
known for their ability to change color, which
they use to camouflage themselves from
predators. The following are some basic clinical
examination techniques for iguanas:
Husbandry
· Physical examination: This
includes inspecting the lizard's body for
Iguanas require a large enclosure with plenty
any abnormalities, such as wounds,
of climbing branches and hiding places. The
parasites, or skin lesions.
enclosure should be equipped with a basking
spot and a UVB lamp to provide the lizard · Palpation: This involves gently
with the proper lighting. Iguanas should also feeling the lizard's body for any
have access to fresh water at all times. abnormalities, such as masses or pain.

Adult iguanas should be fed a diet of leafy · Fecal examination: This involves
greens, fruits, and vegetables. They should examining the lizard's feces for parasites
also be offered a calcium supplement every or other abnormalities.
other day.
Transboundary Wildlife Diseases
Handling and Restraint
Iguanas can be infected with a variety of
When handling an iguana, it is important to be transboundary wildlife diseases, such as
gentle and supportive. Iguanas should be salmonella and leptospirosis. These diseases
picked up from underneath and should not be can be transmitted to humans through contact
held by the tail. with the lizard's feces or saliva. It is important
to wash your hands thoroughly after handling
If an iguana needs to be restrained, it can be an iguana to reduce the risk of contracting a
done by wrapping it in a towel or by placing it transboundary wildlife disease.
in a small container. It is important to avoid
squeezing the lizard, as this can cause injury. Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Control,
& Zoonotic Risk

Diagnosis: Iguanas can be diagnosed with a variety

of diseases through a physical examination, fecal
Preventive Medicine
examination, and blood tests.

Iguanas are relatively healthy lizards, but they Treatment: The treatment for iguana diseases will
can be susceptible to certain diseases, such as vary depending on the specific disease. Some
parasites and respiratory infections. It is common treatments include antibiotics, antifungals,
important to provide the lizard with a clean and antiparasitics.
and healthy
Prevention: The best way to prevent iguana Madagascar. They are known for their ability
diseases is to provide your iguana with a clean and
to change color, which they use for
healthy environment. This includes providing your
camouflage and communication.
iguana with a proper diet, a basking spot, a UVB
lamp, and fresh water. You should also take your
iguana to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Chameleons have a long, slender body with a
prehensile tail. Their eyes can move
Control: If you think your iguana may be sick, it is independently of each other, giving them a
important to isolate it from other iguanas to prevent wide field of vision. Chameleons also have a
the spread of disease. It should be correctly long, sticky tongue that they use to catch
diagnosed and treated. insects.

Zoonotic risk: Iguanas can carry a variety of Chameleons are solitary animals and spend
zoonotic diseases, such as salmonellosis and most of their time in trees. They are ambush
leptospirosis. These diseases can be transmitted to
predators and wait patiently for their prey to
humans through contact with iguana feces or
come within striking range.
saliva. It is important to wash your hands
thoroughly after handling an iguana to reduce the
risk of contracting a zoonotic disease. Husbandry

Chameleon Chameleons require a spacious enclosure with

plenty of branches and leaves for climbing.
The enclosure should also be equipped with a
basking spot and a UVB lamp to provide the
lizard with the proper lighting. Chameleons
should also have access to fresh water at all
times.

Chameleons are insectivores and their diet

should consist of a variety of insects, such as
crickets, mealworms, and roaches. They
Chameleon, Chamaeleonidae, lizard
should also be offered a calcium supplement
every other day.
Taxonomic Classification
Handling and Restraint
· Class: Reptilia
· Order: Squamata
When handling a chameleon, it is important to
· Suborder: Sauria
be gentle and supportive. Chameleons should
· Infraorder: Gekkota
be picked up by the tail and should not be held
· Superfamily: Iguanomorpha
by the body.
· Family: Chamaeleonidae

If a chameleon needs to be restrained, it can be

Basic Biology and Behavior
done by wrapping it in a towel or by placing it
in a small container. It is important to avoid
Chameleons are small to medium-sized lizards squeezing the lizard, as this can cause injury.
that are native to Africa, Asia, and
Preventive Medicine take your chameleon to the veterinarian for regular
checkups.
Chameleons are relatively healthy lizards, but
they can be susceptible to certain diseases, Control: If you think your chameleon may be sick,
such as parasites and respiratory infections. It it is important to isolate it from other chameleons
is important to provide the lizard with a clean to prevent the spread of disease. It should be
and healthy environment and to take it to the correctly diagnosed and treated.
veterinarian for regular checkups.
Zoonotic risk: Chameleons can carry a variety of
zoonotic diseases, such as salmonellosis and
Clinical Examination Techniques
leptospirosis. These diseases can be transmitted to
humans through contact with chameleon feces or
The following are some basic clinical saliva. It is important to wash your hands
examination techniques for chameleons: thoroughly after handling a chameleon to reduce
the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease.
· Physical examination: This
includes inspecting the lizard's body for Komodo Dragon
any abnormalities, such as wounds,
parasites, or skin lesions.

· Palpation: This involves gently

feeling the lizard's body for any
abnormalities, such as masses or pain.
Taxonomic classification
· Fecal examination: This involves
examining the lizard's feces for parasites · Class: Reptilia
or other abnormalities. · Order: Squamata
· Suborder: Sauria
· Infraorder: Iguania
Transboundary Wildlife Diseases
· Family: Varanidae
· Genus: Varanus
Diagnosis: Chameleons can be diagnosed with a · Species: Varanus komodoensis
variety of diseases through a physical examination,
fecal examination, and blood tests.
Basic biology and behavior

Treatment: The treatment for chameleon diseases

Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards,
will vary depending on the specific disease. Some
common treatments include antibiotics, antifungals, with males reaching lengths of up to 10 feet
and antiparasitics. and weighing up to 300 pounds. They are
solitary animals and spend most of their time
Prevention: The best way to prevent chameleon
alone. Komodo dragons are carnivores and
diseases is to provide your chameleon with a clean their diet consists of deer, pigs, goats, and
and healthy environment. This includes providing other animals. They are also venomous and
your chameleon with a proper diet, a basking spot, their saliva contains bacteria that can be
a UVB lamp, and fresh water. You should also deadly to other animals.

Anatomy and physiology

Komodo dragons have a long, slender body certain diseases, such as parasites and
with a powerful tail. Their head is large and respiratory infections. It is important to
their jaws are lined with sharp teeth. provide the lizard with a clean and healthy
Komodo dragons have a four- environment and to take it to the veterinarian
chambered heart and a closed circulatory for regular checkups.
system. They also have a pair of lungs and a
digestive system that is similar to that of
Clinical examination techniques
mammals.

The following are some basic clinical

Husbandry
examination techniques for iguanas:

Komodo dragons require a large enclosure

· Physical examination: This
with plenty of space to roam. The enclosure
includes inspecting the lizard's body for
should be equipped with a basking spot and a
any abnormalities, such as wounds,
UVB lamp to provide the lizard with the
parasites, or skin lesions.
proper lighting. Komodo dragons should also
have access to fresh water at all times · Palpation: This involves gently
feeling the lizard's body for any
Feeding abnormalities, such as masses or pain.

Komodo dragons should be fed once a week. The · Fecal examination: This involves
amount of food that they need will depend on their examining the lizard's feces for parasites
size and age. Younger Komodo dragons need to eat or other abnormalities.
more often than older Komodo dragons.
Transboundary wildlife diseases
Komodo dragons can be fed a variety of foods,
including deer, pigs, goats, and other animals. They
Komodo dragons can be infected with a
can also be fed a commercial diet that is
variety of transboundary wildlife diseases,
specifically designed for large lizards.
such as salmonella and leptospirosis. These
diseases can be transmitted to humans through
Handling and restraint
contact with the lizard's feces or saliva. It is
important to wash your hands thoroughly after
Komodo dragons should only be handled by handling a Komodo dragon to reduce the risk
experienced professionals. Komodo dragons of contracting a transboundary wildlife
are powerful animals and can inflict serious disease.
injuries. If a Komodo dragon needs to be
restrained, it should be done with caution.
Diagnosis, treatment, prevention, control,
& zoonotic risk
Preventive medicine
Diagnosis: Komodo dragons can be diagnosed
Komodo dragons are relatively healthy with a variety of diseases through a physical
animals, but they can be susceptible to examination, fecal examination, and blood
tests. In some cases, additional tests, such as
imaging tests or biopsies, may be necessary.
Treatment: The treatment for komodo dragons Schenck, P. A., & Rosenthal, K. (2019). Exotic nursing
diseases will vary depending on the specific of exotic pets (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
disease. Some common treatments include
Brown, C. (2012). Exotic small mammal care and
antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
husbandry (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

SCHABACKER, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from

Prevention: The best way to prevent diseases
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptile
in Komodo dragons is to provide them with a s/facts/bearded-dragon
clean and healthy environment. This includes
IACUC. (2021). Retrieved from
providing them with a proper diet, a basking https://iacuc.wsu.edu/zoonoses-associated-with-rep tiles-
spot, a UVB lamp, and fresh water. Regular amphibians/?fbclid=IwAR1XUVCfVgcwaV4ZIp
veterinary checkups are also important for 5VaZrhyGac0aFTbeRhRsTlxsvjtOV2fbsASgvnIMQ
preventive care. WinterPark. (2023). Retrieved from
https://wpvet.com/exotic-pets-care-guides/reptile-dis
eases/?fbclid=IwAR0lZEdbP5ubK7WEi8nfzRLFmQl
Control: If a Komodo dragon is diagnosed hZPUqjl9QzuYHva0fXjIjMCKcUge-TI
with a disease, it is important to isolate it from
other Komodo dragons to prevent the spread
of disease. The Komodo dragon's enclosure
should also be thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected. In some cases, it may be necessary
to treat other Komodo dragons in the
enclosure, even if they are not showing any
signs of illness.

Zoonotic risk: Komodo dragons can carry a

variety of zoonotic diseases, which are
diseases that can be transmitted from animals
to humans. Some common zoonotic diseases
that can be transmitted by Komodo dragons
include salmonella and leptospirosis. It is
important to wash your hands thoroughly after
handling a Komodo dragon to reduce the risk
of contracting a zoonotic disease.

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Campbell, T. S., Reece, J. B., & Taylor, M. R. (2007).

Biology: Exploring life (8th ed.). Pearson Benjamin
Cummings.

Quesenberry, K. E., & Carpenter, J. W. (2017). Exotic

animal medicine for the veterinary technician (3rd ed.).
Elsevier.

Fowler, M. E., & Messmer, S. (2003). Zoo and wild

animals medicine (5th ed.). Saunders Elsevier.