References
How do I know if this tortoise is dead?
Abstract
A client asking ‘how do I know if this tortoise is dead?’ might seem a bizarre or silly question, but is actually one we are asked at our exotics practice quite frequently by both tortoise keepers and also other veterinary professionals. The quick answer is that it can be difficult to tell! This short article explains why, and gives some pointers for consideration.
Confirming death or otherwise in chelonia can be difficult. Th is short article discusses the problems faced and suggests solutions to them, as well as providing information on euthanasia in these shelled reptiles
Tortoises are reptiles and ectotherms, that is their body temperature and metabolic rate are dependent on the temperature of their environment. If kept in cold environments, their metabolic rate will drop and they can seem to be apparently lifeless. In addition, some tortoise species (in particular the Mediterranean Testudo spp.) have the ability to hibernate and drop their metabolic rate during periods of cold weather. Tortoises examined during or just after hibernation may appear to be inactive and sometimes lifeless. In addition, tortoises appear to be extremely tolerant of periods of hypoxia and can survive situations in which mammals would not be expected to live (eg prolonged submersion underwater, such as if they fall into a garden pond).
Reptiles’ slow metabolic rate and resistance to hypoxia can make death confirmation and indeed euthanasia challenging (Baines and Davies, 2004a; Cooper, 2019; Nevarez, 2019; American Veterinary Medical Association, 2020).
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