Small Animal Behaviour

Question 1

Rodents are in the family…

Answer 1

Cricetidae

Question 2

How many species of hamster, which are pet species?

Answer 2

50
Golden, Syrian, Siberian, Russian hamsters

Question 3

Are hamsters social animals

Answer 3

No, solitary

Question 4

What senses do hamsters largely rely on

Answer 4

Hearing, somatic sensation, olfaction

Question 5

Hamster vocalization

Answer 5

Few vocalizations, only when hurt, frightened, fighting, handled
Teeth chattering between males

Question 6

What kind of secretions are scent communication in hamsters

Answer 6

Flank gland, ear gland, vaginal, urine, feces, saliva

Question 7

Example of non-social scent marking in hamsters

Answer 7

Before or after grooming

Question 8

What does scent communicate in hamsters

Answer 8

Identity, sexual receptivity, territory

Question 9

When are hamsters most active

Answer 9

Twilight to evening

Question 10

High light causes what in hamsters

Answer 10

Decreased movement, exploration (sleep)

Question 11

Is hamster vision mostly panoramic or binocular?

Answer 11

Panoramic

Question 12

Evidence of depth perception in hamsters?

Answer 12

Can find small holes when running

Question 13

Hamsters rely largely on what to move around

Answer 13

Tactile information (forepaws and whiskers)

Question 14

Hamster natural habitat:

Answer 14

dry, rocky steppes or bushy slopes
live in burrows with tunnels

Question 15

How well do hamsters tolerate heat/cold

Answer 15

Tolerate cold, easily heat stressed above 34C

Question 16

Hamster housing needs to provide…

Answer 16

Normal physiological/behavioural needs (resting, nest building, grooming, exploring, climbing, hiding, digging, hoarding, gnawing)

Question 17

Predominant behaviours of hamsters…

Answer 17

Climbing, burrowing

Question 18

Subfamily of guinea pigs

Answer 18

Caviinae

Question 19

Describe guinea pig social hierarchies

Answer 19

Stable once established
Multiple types (linear, despotic)
Females may form loose, flexible hierarchies

Question 20

Guinea pig locomotion

Answer 20

Walking, running, hoping
Leap/dash when started

Question 21

Why is cover-seeking common in guinea pigs

Answer 21

Response to visual/auditory cues

Question 22

Guinea pigs are diurnal, meaning

Answer 22

Awake during the day

Question 23

What kind of vision do guinea pigs have

Answer 23

Dichromatic

Question 24

Scent cues in guinea pigs used for…

Answer 24

Individual recognition, lead to aggression or affiliation

Question 25

How do guinea pigs initiate interaction

Answer 25

Nose to nose investigation, nuzzling of muzzles

Question 26

Guinea pigs can detect sounds up to...

Answer 26

30-46kHz

Question 27

What are the 11 sounds of guinea pigs

Answer 27

Chut, purr, chutter, whine, low whistle, squeal, scream, tweet, drrr, chirrup

Question 28

When do guinea pigs make sounds

Answer 28

Increased proximity, greeting, regain proximity, pain/distress, alarm

Question 29

Purrrr or drrrr sounds can be...

Answer 29

socially facilitated

Question 30

How do vocalizations form/maintain mother-offspring bonds in guinea pigs

Answer 30

Pup calls convey information about condition

Question 31

Chinchilla family...

Answer 31

Chinchillidae

Question 32

Chinchillas were originally domesticated for...

Answer 32

Their fur (40-50 hairs per follicle)

Question 33

Chinchillas originate from

Answer 33

the andes

Question 34

Chinchilla eating characteristics

Answer 34

Obligate herbivore, hindgut fermenter, coprophagic Consume cacti, grasses, shrubs

Question 35

What senses do chinchillas rely heavily on

Answer 35

Hearing>vision

Question 36

What do chinchillas use to assist navigating enclosed environments

Answer 36

Specialized vibrissae (whiskers)

Question 37

Chinchilla social behaviour:

Answer 37

Live in groups (up to hundreds) = safety, play, grooming Distressed if alone (one neutered female, one neutered male ideal) All raise young

Question 38

Chinchilla communicate largely through

Answer 38

Vocalizations, scent cues, body language

Question 39

How do chinchillas defend themselves when alarmed

Answer 39

Stand on hind legs, precise stream of urine directed at threat

Question 40

Chinchillas most active during...

Answer 40

Low temperatures, dull light (evening to early morning; nocturnal)

Question 41

How far can chinchillas travel? why

Answer 41

up to 285 acres, foraging

Question 42

Chinchilla locomotion...

Answer 42

Active, climb Short forelegs (grasp food) Long hind legs for bursts of strength Rudder like tail (balance)

Question 43

Chinchilla required two specific things in their house...

Answer 43

"Digging boxes" with sterilized sand/soil Dust baths at least twice weekly (silver sand)

Question 44

Why do chinchillas need dust baths

Answer 44

Remove dirt/oil off coat (behavioural need)

Question 45

Ferret family...

Answer 45

Mustelidae

Question 46

Ferret in latin means

Answer 46

Little thief

Question 47

Ferrets originally domesticated for

Answer 47

Hunting, pest control

Question 48

Ferrets rely mostly on what senses

Answer 48

Olfaction, audible cues

Question 49

Ferrets most sensitive to sounds at

Answer 49

4-15 kHz

Question 50

Secretory glands in ferrets...

Answer 50

anal sacs, proctodeal glands, preputial glands, sebaceous glands

Question 51

How do ferrets deposit scent

Answer 51

Rub neck, flank, sides on ground, rolling Urine marking using belly crawl

Question 52

Ferret locomotion...

Answer 52

Crawl, walk, run (back arched) Pivot, run backwards, right themselves when falling Belly crawling Hop and 'dance' = excited

Question 53

Common ferret vocalizations

Answer 53

Chattering (alarm), chuckling (greeting), clucking, hissing

Question 54

Ferret housing needs..

Answer 54

Horizontal/vertical space Hammocks Sleeping spots for cuddling Good ventilation No substrate