Use this client education handout to explore common requirements of lizards in captivity. The vivarium that you create should meet the minimum species-specific needs of your lizard, including temperature and humidity, lighting, as well as cage size and materials that meet the animal’s need to climb, burrow, and/or swim.
Successful venipuncture can be a challenge in turtles and tortoises, however hematology and biochemistry results serve as an important part of the minimum database in chelonians just as they do for all veterinary patients. Use this video, or text with still images, to review the equipment needed and sample handling recommendations as well as the potential complications and proper approach to the jugular vein, brachial vein, subcarapacial vessel, and dorsal coccygeal sinus in the chelonian.
