Our good friend Dr Jonathon Howard busts the myth regarding Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) drinking via the cloaca (vent area).
Many of you may know, I myself published an article a number of years ago regarding this myth, too great acceptance. A version, albeit shorter, can be found online, here.
It has since been used in related Vet classes, talks, exhibitions, etc.
Why this myth is even still doing the rounds, I have no idea.
I found papers from way back in the 1980’s where Dr Wade Sherbrooke bust the myth. And also busted again by Dr Shane Simpson (The Reptile Doctor) a couple of years ago. Yet still it exists. Absolute madness.
Anyway, here is the video, plus some extra related studies for you to delve into.
So now, please shut-up about butt drinking 😉
Extra research provided by Dr Jonathon Howard:
1. The Vet Report: Fluid Therapy In Reptiles BY DOUGLAS MADER, M.S., D.V.M., DABVP (C/F, R/A), DIPECZM (HERP)
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/The-Vet-Report-Fluid-Therapy-in-Reptiles/
2. CRITICAL CARE NUTRITION AND FLUID THERAPY IN REPTILES
Paul M. Gibbons, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP (Avian)
Animal Emergency Center & Specialty Services, Milwaukee, WI
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Gibbons/publication/242248692_CRITICAL_CARE_NUTRITION_AND_FLUID_THERAPY_IN_REPTILES/links/56fdbdc308aee995dde562d6/CRITICAL-CARE-NUTRITION-AND-FLUID-THERAPY-IN-REPTILES.pdf
3. Peterson CC, Greenshields D. Negative test for cloacal drinking in a semi‐aquatic turtle (Trachemys scripta), with comments on the functions of cloacal bursae. J Exp Zool 2001; 290:247-254.
4. Michael Braysher, Brian Green, Absorption of water and electrolytes from the cloaca of an Australian lizard, Varanus gouldii (gray),
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Volume 35, Issue 3,1970,Pages 607-614,
– Pete
Award winning Published author of Herpetoculture.
Featuring articles on many species within,
Practical Reptile Keeping magazine (some linked on site as .pdf files)
Canadian Hobbyist magazine
Reptiles magazine
Also, Reptile/Amphibian blog article writer and reptile specialist for;
Exotic Direct (links on this site)
Reptile Apartment
Public talker at Reptile meetings, for various organisations.
Founder of several huge Reptile and Amphibian related Facebook groups (links on this site)
Reptile Reports – “Lizard Personality of the year” 2016 & 2017
