Chapter 21 - Quiz

Question 1

For what type of research are gerbils often used?

a. Epilepsy
b. Cancer
c. Diabetes
d. Circadian rhythm

Answer 1

a. Epilepsy

Question 2

What is the scientific name for the Mongolian gerbil?

a. Gerbilus mongoliatus
b. Orictolagus unguiculatus
c. Meriones unguiculatus
d. Meriotus rodentous

Answer 2

c. Meriones unguiculatus

Question 3

What precaution should you take when picking up a gerbil?

a. Don’t let the gerbil bite you, it is very painful.
b. Don’t grasp the tip of the tail because the skin may tear off.
c. Support the hindquarters so its back won’t break.
d. Gently grasp the skin on the back of its neck so it won’t tear.

Answer 3

b. Don’t grasp the tip of the tail because the skin may tear off.

Question 4

What is unusual about gerbil mating?

a. They are polygamous.
b. They usually only have 1 pup per litter.
c. They may only mate with the same animal throughout life.
d. They will only mate once a year.

Answer 4

c. They may only mate with the same animal throughout life.

Question 5

If a gerbil cage is accidentally bumped, what behavior might you observe?

a. The gerbils might stampede, running in all directions.
b. The gerbils may freeze, becoming immobile.
c. The gerbils will be difficult to wake from sleep.
d. The gerbils may start eating voraciously.

Answer 5

b. The gerbils may freeze, becoming immobile.

Question 6

Which breeding scheme is the most successful in gerbils?

a. Harem breeding
b. Polygamous mating
c. Hand mating
d. Monogamous pairing

Answer 6

d. Monogamous pairing

Question 7

Why are gerbil cages NOT changed as often as mouse cages?

a. Because they excrete little urine and dry feces
b. Because cage changing severely stresses them
c. Because should only be housed one per cage
d. Because cage changing could cause seizures

Answer 7

a. Because they excrete little urine and dry feces

Question 8

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

a. Female gerbils dominate males.
b. Harem breeding produces the best results with gerbils.
c. Gerbils are usually docile, gentle animals.
d. Gerbils require specialized gerbil diet.

Answer 8

c. Gerbils are usually docile, gentle animals.

Question 9

What do gerbils use for territorial marking and pup identification?

a. Flank organ
b. Ventral marking gland
c. Parotid gland
d. Spraying urine

Answer 9

b. Ventral marking gland

Question 10

When handling gerbils, you must be cautious because they have a tendency to:

a. injure themselves.
b. urinate.
c. bite.
d. jump.

Answer 10

d. jump.

Question 11

What is one problem female gerbils may have, which may cause them to cease reproducing prematurely?

a. Low estrogen levels
b. High rate of dystocia
c. Uterine tumors
d. Ovarian cysts

Answer 11

d. Ovarian cysts

Question 12

Since gerbil pups begin eating solid food many days before they are weaned, what should technicians be sure to do?

a. Place feed pellets on the cage floor.
b. Provide them with juvenile rodent diet.
c. Provide them with apples or orange slices.
d. Put them in special cages with food hoppers that are on the cage floor.

Answer 12

a. Place feed pellets on the cage floor.

Question 13

How prevalent are seizure disorders in gerbils?

a. 10% to 20% of the population
b. 20% to 50% of the population
c. 50% to 60% of the population
d. 70% to 90% of the population

Answer 13

b. 20% to 50% of the population