Exotics husbandry Flashcards

1
Q

What do rodents and mice typically feed on?

A
Seeds
Nuts
Fruit 
Veg
Insects
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2
Q

Are rodents and mice social?

A

Social in family groups

Highly territorial

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3
Q

What woods are toxic to mice and rats, so should be avoided?

A

Cedar wood

Pine wood

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4
Q

What are the advantages/disadvantages of rodent cages/tanks?

A

Wire cages - good ventilation, don’t put in draft

Tank - need mesh lid for ventilation

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5
Q

What are some dwarf hamsters prone to?

A

Diabetes

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6
Q

What are types of voles/lemmings?

A

Bank vole
Field vole
Steppe lemming

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7
Q

What stereotypie may gerbils show in an inappropiate cage?

A

Digging

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8
Q

Where are chinchillas from? How long do they live for?

A

South American - originally for fur

Up to 15 years

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9
Q

What are chinchillas susceptible to?

A

Heat stroke

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10
Q

Are chinchillas nocturnal or diurnal? What do they require in their cage (essential?)

A

Nocturnal

Dust bath - clean fur, allow hair shedding

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11
Q

What do chinnchillas eat?

A

Dried grass, seeds, moss
Hay
Cuttlebone/whitewood to gnaw

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12
Q

At what age are chinchilla kits weaned? What does insufficient milk or mastitis cause?

A

40-60 days

Aggression - bites on kit noses

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13
Q

Chinchillas often get malocclusion. What are the early and late signs of this?

A

Early signs - elongated molars, lumps on lower jaw

Late sings - growth of teeth through eye sockets (untreatable), eye discharge, starvation and death

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14
Q

What causes chinchilla malocclusion?

A

Environment - inability to gnaw

Genes

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15
Q

What animal has similar husbandry to chinchillas (requires sand baths etc)?

A

Degu

Tail can shed

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16
Q

How long is the gestation of a debu? Do females raise them alone? At what age are they weaned?

A

90 days
No male parenteral care
4-6 wks (precocial)

17
Q

Which rodents are non-burrowing?

A

Guinea pigs

18
Q

What are guinea pigs intolerant to?

A

Heat
Cold
Wind
Damp

19
Q

What housing do chipmunks require?

A

Aviary or somewhere with large space and height

20
Q

Sugar gliders are strongly arboreal. What does this mean? How are they adapted to glide?

A

Live in trees

Patagium - excess skin for gliding

21
Q

What type of animals are sugar gliders? What is a key feature of these animal?

A

Marsupials (sugar gliders, possums)

Keep young in pouches

22
Q

Sugar gliders are highly sociable, with males dominating the colony. Where is the scent gland that distinguishes males?

A

Forehead

23
Q

What diet do sugar gliders require?

A

Fruits, vegetables, insects, protein supplements

24
Q

What problems are sugar gliders prone to?

A

Elongated claws (usually worn down by climbing)
Obesity
Nutritional problems - need calcium supplementation!!

25
Q

How long is the gestation of sugar gliders? At what age are they fully grown?

A

16 days

1 year

26
Q

Do African pygmy hedgehogs hibernate? Are they social?

A

No

Non-social = solitary housing

27
Q

What do African pygmy hedgehogs need in a cage? Why can’t they be given milk?

A

Running wheel

Lactose intolerant

28
Q

What type of ovulation is an African pygmy hedgehog? How long is their gestation?

A

Induced ovulation

Gestation 5 weeks

29
Q

When do ferrets sexual mature? How much of the day is spent sleeping?

A

1 year

75%

30
Q

What shelter do otters need?

A

Warm, dry

31
Q

How long is meerkat gestation?

A

10-11 wks

32
Q

What do captive meerkats require in the UK?

A

Heating

Indoor and outdoor enclosure

33
Q

What do meerkats eat?

A

Mainly insects
Meat, mice, chicksm eggs
Fruits

34
Q

What is a common problem with breeding meerkats in captivity?

A

Abandonment - lack of parenting skills, dietary problems with lactation, litter too large

35
Q

Why is hand-rearing meerkats problematic?

A

Strong imprint on humans

Aggression towards unfamiliar people and other meerkats

36
Q

What is the law that covers wild animals?

A

Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 - require inspection by environmental health officer and vet