The term “body score” refers to a scale veterinarians use to subjectively assess an animal’s body weight relative to what is normal for that species. It is most often used to describe cats and dogs. The scale ranges from 1-9 with 1 denoting emaciation and 5 denoting normal weight. 9 denotes obesity.
The same scale could be used to describe the body condition of other species, but little information has been published about the criteria that determines which animals are best for their body scores. birds facts This is particularly true for reptiles since there are many types.
Reptiles’ Nutritional Value of Light and Temperature
Many reptile owners don’t see any other reptiles and are unaware that their pets may be severely overweight or thin. Reptiles are particularly vulnerable because they have very specific needs for temperature, light, humidity and diet. Many reptile owners don’t know how to properly care for their animals.
Reptiles are considered homeotherms. Their body temperature is determined by the environment. Each reptile has a preferred temperature range (or POTZ), at which their metabolism, immune system and digestive tract function best. If they are kept outside of this range,
they may have trouble digesting food and not be in the optimal condition to eat properly. Many reptile owners don’t know what to feed their animals, or they may choose to feed their pet what they like best. This can lead to malnutrition, obesity, or even emaciation depending on the food.
Lizards
There are many species of lizards and each one has a different body shape. A lizard is considered to be too small if its leg bones, pelvis and hips, skull, spine, and skull (visible down its length) are visible through the skin due to muscle loss. Many lizards, especially leopard geckos, will lose the fat normally stored in their tails. This is commonly known as “stick tail”. 
Healthy lizards have enough fat in the tails to make their body nearly equal in width. Also, very thin lizards may lose some of the fat behind their eyes which can cause their eyeballs and sockets to sink further.
Turtles and Tortoises
These animals live in a bony shell which makes it difficult to determine their weight. Tortoises and turtles that are very thin will feel lighter when they are picked up. This is due to a deficiency in not only their body fat and muscle mass, but also minerals (such as calcium or phosphorus) in their shells.
The lack of fat behind the eyes may make thin turtles or tortoises look more sunken than emaciated animals. Due to a lack of fat, thin turtles and tortoises may also have sunken armpits or groins (inner legs). They may also have loose skin flaps around their necks and in these areas. This is similar to what happens when obese people lose a lot of subcutaneous fat.
Snakes
Thin snakes will look like thin lizards. Types Of Blue Birds They will have prominent spine vertebrae and ribs along their backs. Because of a lack of muscle or fat deposits, these bones will be visible through the skin and also feel palpable when touched. Also, thin snakes may feel lighter when held, and their eyes might appear sunken.
Obese snakes will, however, have so much fat deposited along their spines that their vertebrae won’t be felt when their backs were touched. The thin skin between the layers of the snake’s scales should not be seen unless the snake has just eaten. Some fat lumps can be found under the skin of fat snakes.
This makes their bodies look more uneven and less tubular. Overweight snakes tend to have a larger dorsal (viewed from the top) than lateral (viewed from the sides). Additionally, overweight snakes may show fat folds when they bend into an S shape.
