USZA Commercial Facility Accreditation Standards (Continued)

Reptiles

Snakes and glass lizards

In addition to requirements of this section, each enclosure shall be provided with an environment or devices that allow for temperature regulation necessary to insure the well-being of the species. The environment or devices shall be non-injurious, and may include, but are not limited to hot rocks, artificial lights, natural sunlight and heat strips. Each enclosure shall be provided with a non-injurious substrate such as newspaper, processed wood shavings, rocks, sand or indoor-outdoor carpet. Such substrate shall be disposed of or sanitized at intervals sufficient to insure the health of the animal(s).

1. Enclosure sizes for all snakes and glass lizards shall be based upon the length of the longest specimen in the enclosure.
2. For up to two specimens, a cage or enclosure having a perimeter equal to the length of the longest specimen, the width of the cage shall not be less than 20 percent of the length of the longest specimen. The width of the enclosure shall not be required to exceed 3 feet. For each additional specimen, increase perimeter by 10 percent.

Lizards (other than glass lizards)

In addition to requirements of this section, each enclosure shall be provided with an environment or devices that allow for temperature regulation necessary to ensure the well-being of the species. The environment and devices shall be non-injurious, and may include, but are not limited to hot rocks, artificial lights, natural sunlight and heat strips. Each enclosure shall be provided with a non-injurious substrate, such as gravel, newspaper, processed wood shavings, rocks, sand, or indoor-outdoor carpet. Such substrate shall be disposed of or sanitized at intervals sufficient to insure the health of the animal(s).

Lizards up to 6 inches in length

1. For one or two lizards, a cage 12 inches by 8 inches, 6 inches high. For each additional lizard, increase size by one inch in length and width.

Lizards 7 to 12 inches in length

1. For one or two lizards, a cage 20 inches by 10 inches, 12 inches high. For each additional lizard, increase size by two inches in length and width.

Lizards 13 to 24 inches in length

1. For one or two lizards, an enclosure 30 inches by 12 inches, 12 inches high. For each additional lizard, increase size by three inches in length and width.

Lizards 25 to 36 inches in length

1. For one or two lizards an enclosure 36 inches by 12 inches, 16 inches high. For each additional lizard, increase enclosure size by 10 inches or 25 percent in length and width.

Lizards 37 inches to 6 feet in length

1. For one or two lizards, an enclosure 6 feet by 3 feet, 4 feet high. For each additional lizard, increase the enclosure by 25 percent of the original floor area.

Lizards over 6 feet in length

1. For one or two lizards, an enclosure 9 feet by 6 feet, 4.5 feet high. For each additional lizard, increase the enclosure by 25 percent of original floor area.

Turtles (other than tortoises and box turtles)

In addition to requirements of this section, each enclosure shall be provided with an environment or devices that allow for temperature regulation necessary to insure the well-being of the species. The environment and devices shall be non-injurious, and may include, but are not limited to artificial lights and natural sunlight. Each enclosure shall be provided with a non-injurious substrate, such as gravel, rocks or sand. Each enclosure shall have a pool of water that will allow submersion of the largest turtle. For soft-shelled turtles, a non-abrasive pool bottom is required.

1. Enclosure sizes for all turtles shall be based upon the size of the largest specimen in the enclosure.
2. For one or two turtles, a enclosure with an area at least five times the shell length, by two times the shell width of the largest turtle. The pool area shall equal no less than two times the shell width, by two times the shell length of the largest turtle. A dry resting area equal to the size of the shell of the largest turtle shall be provided. For each additional specimen, increase original floor and pool area by 10 percent.

Tortoises and box turtles

In addition to requirements of this section, each enclosure shall be provided with an environment or devices that allow for temperature regulation necessary to insure the well-being of the species. The environment and devices shall be non-injurious, and may include, but are not limited to artificial lights and natural sunlight. Each cage shall be provided with a non-injurious substrate, such as gravel, rocks, newspaper, sand or indoor-outdoor carpet. Such substrate shall be kept clean.

1. Enclosure sizes for all tortoises and box turtles shall be based upon the size of the largest specimen in the enclosures.
2. For one or two tortoises or box turtles, an enclosure with a floor area 10 times the shell size of the largest specimen in the enclosure. For additional specimens, the floor area available for movement shall be twice the floor area covered by the combined body mass of all animals in the enclosure.

Crocodilians

1. For one animal, an enclosure of sufficient size to permit moving and turning both on a dry area and in a pool of water, the water being of sufficient depth to permit submersion.
2. For additional animals, the combined area covered by all their bodies shall not exceed 50 percent of enclosure area.

Amphibians

1. Aquatic amphibians shall be kept in water filled tanks, or aquaria. Semi-aquatic amphibians shall be kept in enclosures, tanks, or aquaria, with a water area and a dry area that shall permit moving and turning. Both the dry area and the water area shall provide room to accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.