Lizard Digestion
Revision as of 14:53, 10 March 2010 by Clamy (talk | contribs) (Created page with '{{unfinished}} Lizards are ectothermic and therefore the temperature of their environment affects their body processes which are highly temperature-dependent. Low temperaturs ma…')
This article is still under construction. |
Lizards are ectothermic and therefore the temperature of their environment affects their body processes which are highly temperature-dependent. Low temperaturs may slow down or even stop all digestion and can have adverse effects on assimilation (i.e. in monitor lizards). For example, an iguana kept at 28°C will eat but its food will not be digested properly. Digestion is extremely slow at ambient temperatures between 10°C and 15°C and digestion comes to a halt when temperatures drop below 7°C.
Suboptimal temperatures can lead to serious complications such as bloat, constipation or maldigestion.