exotic integument Flashcards
1
Q
list notable qualities of ferret integument
A
- fur = soft, short undercoat with long and course guard hairs for waterproofing
- skin is thick with numerous sebaceous glands = classic musky smell
- so skin sweat glands, thick coat, therefore prone to overheating
- seasonal moults = coat thins and lightens in spring
2
Q
list notable qualities about rabbit integumentq
A
- fur = long and short guard hairs with an undercoat
- seasonal moutl = spring and autumn
- feet covered in thick fur
- large ears for thermoregulation
- scent glands = submental, anal and inguinal
- mature females have a dewlap
3
Q
name common integument diseases in rabbits
A
- rex rabbits prone to hock sores due to short guard hairs
- angoras prone to matting due to longer undercoat
- giant breeds and overweight rabbits prone to skin fold dermatitis and pododermatitis
- lops prone to deformed ear canal, ear infections
4
Q
list notable qualities of guinea pig integument
A
- coat variations
- smooth foot pads = prone to urine scald and bumblefoot
- hairless area behind ears = normal
- sebaceous gland = 1 cm dorsal to anus (often matted and sticky in entire males
5
Q
list notable qualities of chinchilla integument
A
- very dense, soft coat (up to 60 hairs per follicle)
- need regular dust baths to maintain coat
- fur slip = defence when handled roughly
- ears = large and bald
6
Q
list notable qualities of hamster integument
A
- skin very loose and stretches
- large flank +/- ventral scent glands
- glands more prominent in mature males
7
Q
list notable qualities of rat integument
A
- Zymbals gland at base of ear (between ear and eye)
- tail = large hairless surface area (important for thermoregulation)
- care for tail slip
- extensive mammary tissue in both males and females
- only females have visible nipples
8
Q
list notable qualities of the gerbil integument
A
- can experience tail slip if handled incorrectly
- have ventral scent glands
9
Q
list notable qualities of sugar glider integument
A
- a marsupial so females have a pouch with 4 teats
- have cloaca = single orifice similar to birds and reptiles
- patagium stretching between front and hind legs allows to glide
- scent glands = forehead in males, throat and paracloacal
- males have pendulous scrotum on ventral abdomen
- can get tail slip if handled improperlty
10
Q
list notable qualities of hedgehog integument
A
- spines = modified hairs
- hair and sebaceous glands absent in the spiny skin
- many sweat and sebaceous glands in haired skin and feet
11
Q
list functions of reptile skin
A
- display
- protection
- camoflauge
- thermoregulation
- fluid homeostasis
12
Q
what are the 3 layers of the reptiel epidermis
A
- stratum germinatum = divides and produces keratin
- intermediate layer = contains lipids
- straum corneum = forms cales and scutes
13
Q
what are the 2 types of reptiel keratin
A
- alpha keratin = flexible and delicate, found between scales and scutes and in hinges, often sites of infection and mites
- beta keratin is unique to reptiles, hard and forms scutes, horns and scales
14
Q
discuss reptile dermis
A
- contains pigment cells, nerves and vessels
- contains osteoderms (bony plates) in some species
- the chelonian shell is formed from about 60 osteoderms which are fused with the ribs and parts of the spine and covered by epidermal scutes or leathery skin
15
Q
discuss how reptile skin colour is different from mammalian
A
- contains chromatophores which are pigment containing cells that lie between the dermis and epidermis
- influenced by autonomic nervous system, hormones, light and temperature
- used in camoflauge, display and thermoregulation
- expression and distrubution of chromatophores varies
- different pigments include melanin (black, brown and grey), carotenoid (yellow, orange ande red) and guanine which reflects light