Sugar Gliders/Hedgehogs

Question 1

What is the infraclass and order of sugar gliders?

Answer 1

Infraclass = Marsupialia
Order = Diprotodontia

Question 2

(T/F) Sugar gliders are not social, arboreal, nocturnal gliding marsupials that are illegal pets in a couple of states.

Answer 2

False - Everything correct except that they ARE social

Question 3

Why do sugar gliders use their numerous scent glands for?

Answer 3

Marking their territory and individuals

Question 4

Which digit in sugar gliders on the hind foot are partially fused to form a grooming comb?

Answer 4

Second and third digit

Question 5

What is a GI anatomic similarity sugar gliders have with other pocket pets?

Answer 5

They possess an enlarged cecum

Question 6

What is a patagium in a sugar glider?

Answer 6

Gliding membrane which extends from outside fifth finger to inside first toe

Question 7

What do sugar gliders lack that usually marsupials have?

Answer 7

Lack of ossa marsupialia (eupubic bone)

Question 8

Do we want to keep sugar gliders with other sugar gliders?

Answer 8

Yes - they are gregarous and social, never want to keep as a solitary animal

Question 9

When do sugar gliders tend to be awake?

Answer 9

They are nocturnal - torporous during the day and extremely difficult to rouse

Question 10

What do sugar gliders do to mark their areas in the house?

Answer 10

They mark with their scent and urine

Question 11

How do sugar gliders communicate?

Answer 11

Communicate with yaps. chatterings and screams

Question 12

Would you leave your wooden chair unattended with a sugar glider?

Answer 12

Only if you want it to get chewed - sugar gliders will readily chew wooden material

Question 13

What do sugar gliders eat?

Answer 13

Nectar - insectivor diet
Honey, fruit, insects

Question 14

What do you not want to feed sugar gliders?

Answer 14

Nuts, grains, and seeds

Question 15

What do sugar glider housing require? (2 big things)

Answer 15

Elevated structures
Supplemental heat (one area of their enclosure need to have 75+ F temp)

Question 16

What is the difference between a male and female sugar glider reproductive system compared to other pocket pets?

Answer 16

Male - bifurcated penis
Female - ventral abdominal pouch and two vaginae and two uteri

Question 17

How long is the gestation for sugar gliders and why is it so short?

Answer 17

Gestation - 15-17 days
It is short because then the joeys go into the pouch for around 60-70 days

Question 18

What can calcium deficiency cause in sugar gliders and what is the cause of this?

Answer 18

Secondary metabolic bone disease
Caused by inadequate vitamin D in the diet leading to low calcium diet (and high phosphorous)

Question 19

If a sugar glider is lethargic, weak, limping, has swollen fingers and toes and muscle tremors what is the most likely cause?

Answer 19

Calcium deficiency

Question 20

Why can joeys get cataracts?

Answer 20

Due to poor nutrition of nursing female

Question 21

Why can joeys get eye infections?

Answer 21

Due to the mom having a pouch infection with either bacteria or yeast

Question 22

What are some causes that lead to stress in sugar gliders?

Answer 22

Excessive handling, arousal from torpor, temperature fluctuations

Question 23

What is Dr. Smiths sentiment on sugar gliders?

Answer 23

He likes them but he would never have one

Question 24

What is the class and subclass of Hedgehogs?

Answer 24

Class = Mammalia
Subclass= Eutheria

Question 25

How are hedgehogs and porcupines differ?

Answer 25

Hedgehog quills are not barbed

Question 26

(T/F) Hedgehogs are easy to unroll when handling.

Answer 26

False - they are really difficult to unroll

Question 27

What is self anointing in hedgehogs and why is it annoying?

Answer 27

Salivate excessively in presence of new food, odor or salt and they spread this all over their quills which will irritate and have an allergic reaction on people

Question 28

(T/F) Hedgehogs are quiet, docile, and nocturnal animals with an excellent sense of smell.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

What do hedgehogs eat?

Answer 29

Omnivorous/insectivorous diet

Question 30

Juvenile hedgehogs (hoglets) have a membrane, do you need to take these off?

Answer 30

No the membrane that covers the pink/red in color quills will be lost in 24 hours

Question 31

What are some skin problems that hedgehogs get?

Answer 31

Mites, bacterial dermatitis, fungal (ringworm)

Question 32

If a hedgehog has a demyleniating paralysis with progressive loss of muscle control, what do we call this?

Answer 32

Wobbly hedgehog syndrome - progressive, degenerative, nuerological disease which leads to death in 18-25 months

Question 33

What are some causes of diarrhea in hedgehogs?

Answer 33

Bacterial, change in diet, dairy products

Question 34

Why do hedgehogs get facial and eye injuries mostly?

Answer 34

From rooting