husbandry of small mammals

Question 1

mammalia has how many orders

Answer 1

3

Question 2

order carnivora

Answer 2

ferret

Question 3

order lagamorpha

Answer 3

rabbits, hares

Question 4

order rodentia

Answer 4

mice, rats, giunea pigs

Question 5

origin of rabbits

Answer 5

european rabbit

Question 6

purpose of rabbits

Answer 6

pets, food, clothing

Question 7

legality of rabbits

Answer 7

illegal to own in QLD but vets do NOT have to report it

Question 8

rats and mice origin

Answer 8

india and SE asia

Question 9

rats and mice purpose

Answer 9

pets, food, scientific research

Question 10

legalities around owning rats and mice

Answer 10

none

Question 11

guinea pig origin

Answer 11

south america

Question 12

purpose of guinea pigs

Answer 12

pets, food, scientific research

Question 13

legalities surrounding guinea pigs

Answer 13

none

Question 14

ferrets origin

Answer 14

European polecat (been domesticated for 2500 years and next to no wild populations left)

Question 15

purpose of ferrets

Answer 15

pets, hunting rabbits

Question 16

legalities of ferrets

Answer 16

illegal to own in QLD and vet MUST report it (unless referral from other state)

Question 17

in terms of what they eat, ferrets are ____

Answer 17

carnivores

Question 18

where does ferret smell come from, what reduces the smell

Answer 18

sebum glands in the skin (NOT anal glands)
castration reduces the smell

Question 19

good husbandry provides

Answer 19

environment, housing and care that permits animals to grow, mature, reproduce and maintain good health

Question 20

ferret order and family

Answer 20

carnivora
mustelidae

Question 21

rabbit order and family

Answer 21

lagamorpha
leporidae

Question 22

rats and mice order and family

Answer 22

rodentia
muridae

Question 23

guinea pigs order and family

Answer 23

rodentia
caviidae

Question 24

good husbandry requires knowledge of

Answer 24

animal’s specific requirements

their physical capabilities

their normal behvaiours

Question 25

guinea pigs characteristics

Answer 25

• social
• easily stressed
• heat intolerant
• prey species

Question 26

rabbits and guinea pigs are both

Answer 26

heat intolerant

Question 27

what do rabbits and guinea pigs need in terms of enclosure

Answer 27

• large enclosure
• privacy
• hygiene
• security
• cool and well ventilated
• exercise
• fresh bedding
• natural light
• protection from weather and predators
• hides, ramps, bowls, hay racks, litter for rabbits

Question 28

rats and mice are very ____ animals

Answer 28

clean

Question 29

when positioning a rats enclosure what should you think about

Answer 29

usually indoors, not under direct sun, keep away from bathroom (toxins)

Question 30

what 2 things should you avoid for rabbit and guinea pig husbandry

Answer 30

wire flooring and electrical wires

Question 31

ferrets are very ____ animals

Answer 31

active

Question 32

what do ferrets need in terms of enclosure

Answer 32

plenty of space, supervision, play items, sleeping areas, cool temps

Question 33

which of the small mammals are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk)

Answer 33

rabbits, rats/mice, guinea pigs

ferrets are nocturnal

Question 34

describe how rabbits live in the wild

Answer 34

• in warrens, in colonies
• feed in groups
• don’t travel far from warren
• crepuscular
• needs shelter, food and water
• feed at night, sleep in afternoon (this is flipped in captivity)

Question 35

in wild vs in captivity when do rabbits feed and sleep

Answer 35

in wild
feed at night sleep in afternoon

in captivity
sleep at night and feed in afternoon

• their daily behaviour is flipped

Question 36

describe rats and mice in the wild

Answer 36

• very social
• chew and burrow
• vision not great, rely on smell and hearing
• crepuscular
• groom

Question 37

what are pressures on wild guinea pig

Answer 37

• habitat availability (thick grass w low shrub) and predation

Question 38

what kind of habitat do wild guinea pigs need

Answer 38

thick vegetation habitat needed, not diggers or burrowers, live in tunnels in vegetation

Question 39

describe guinea pigs in the wild

Answer 39

• crepuscular
• live in small groups in defined territories
• males incompatible
• feed in short bursts
• communicate by scent marking and vocalizations

Question 40

do wild ferrets exist

Answer 40

not really since been domesticated for so long, more so “feral ferrets”

Question 41

describe ferral ferrets

Answer 41

• live in dens
• solitary animals in territories; exclude same sex
• territory size determined by gender, age and food
• nocturnal

Question 42

how long do domestic ferrets sleep for

Answer 42

18-20 hours a day (more diurnal than feral ferrets)

Question 43

difference between feral and domestic ferets

Answer 43

• more social, less territorial
• more diurnal

Question 44

5 freedoms and 5 domains

Answer 44

• freedom from hunger and thirst : nutrition
• freedom from discomfort; environment
• freedom from pain, injury and disease; health
• freedom to express normal behaviour; behaviour
• freedom from fear and distress; mental state

Question 45

what does maladaptation look like in small mammals

Answer 45

• hiding most of time
• aggression
• chewing on cage
• over grooming
• changing feeding/ toileting habits
• drinking too much water/ playing w water bottle
• reluctant to move
• repeatedly circling enclosure
• sitting hunched

Question 46

types of enrichment

Answer 46

• foraging (food)
• physical (environment resembles wild habitat)
• sensory (senses)
• social
• occupational (choice, learning, problem solving)