Exotics Flashcards
5 Avian orders of major vet interest are:
-Psittaciformes (Parrots)
-Passeriformes (“soft birds” / Perching)
-Galliformes (chickens)
-Anseriformes (water fowl)
-Columbiformes (Pigeons)
Four reasons why birds are kept by humans
-companionship
-aviculture (breeding)
-food (meat and eggs)
-sport (racing pigeons)
Social License means
What is acceptable to the general society
When placing an indoor bird cage, think about these four concepts:
-location
-family traffic
-security
-toxins
Companion birds operate on a ____cycle
Diurnal
Quarantine of companion birds involves:
-geographic separation of all new arrivals for 6 weeks
3 types of Aviaries
-full flight
-suspended
-combined
Location and size of aviaries is determined by (6)
-species
-number of birds
-space
-local government
-prevailing weather
-position of sun during the day
Outdoor aviaries should be pointed
Northward
Aviary furniture includes
-perches
-food/water bowls
-nest boxes
Aviary management includes these 6 concepts
-pest control (rats/mice, snakes, wild birds, insects, pets, children)
-cleaning
-feeding and watering (minimum once a day)
-parasite control
-quarantine
-diurnal cycle
Enrichment Plan for birds utilizes a combination of
-foraging
-physical
-sensory
-social
-occupational
The 20-80 rule of birds is
20% of the time socializing, grooming, sleeping
80% of the time searching for food
*in captivity this is reversed
Foraging Enrichment involves
Searching for and finding food
Physical Enrichment involves
-objects (toys, tree branches, etc)
-environment as a whole (size and design)
Sensory Enrichment involves
Utilizing the bird’s senses such as sight, hearing, smell, and touch
Social Enrichment can be
-indirect (bird can see or hear other animals)
-direct (cage mate -raining, social rooms, etc)
Occupational Enrichment includes
Items that elicit problem solving and learning
Define Herpetology
Study of reptiles
Define Herpetoculture
Keeping of reptiles
The class Reptilia has how many orders?
4
What are the four orders of the class Reptilia
- Testudines (turtles, terrapins, and tortoises)
- Sphenodontia (tuataras)
- Squamata (lizards, snakes, and worm lizards)
- Crocodilia (crocodiles, gavials, caimans, and alligators)
How may species of Tuataras are there?
2
Turtles are ____ while tortoises are ____
Water / semi aquatic ; land dwelling
Testudines are also known as
Chelonians
Testudines have ~ how many species
330
There are over ____ species of Squamata
9000
There are ____ species of Crocodilia
25
3 Unique features of reptiles include
-slow metabolism
-thermoregulation (ectothermic)
-UVB Radiation
Metabolism of reptiles is determined by (5)
-temperature
-body size
-species
-diet (herbivore vs carnivore)
-predation behaviour (ambush vs passive)
Are reptiles cold blooded?
No, they are ectothermic
Why can’t reptiles retain heat?
Lack of insulation
3 Advantages of thermoregulation include
-lower food requirements
-energy is not wasted
-ability to safely brumate (hibernate)
2 Disadvantages of Thermoregulation
-activity is limited by external temperature
-unable to sustain high levels of activity
What is UVB Radiation
-Ultraviolet Light B Radiation
-important for reptile behaviour and Vitamin D3 metabolism
Vitamin D3 in reptiles comes from ____ and is used for _____
The sun ; calcium metabolism (ie. bones, eggs, respiratory rate)
Three wavelengths of UVB Radiation are
-A (appetite)
-B (bones)
-C (cancer)
9 Primary husbandry factors for reptiles
-species
-the enclosure
-lighting
-heating
-humidity
-ventilation
-water quality
-hygiene
-biosecurity
4 Secondary Husbandry Factors for Reptiles
-food
-water
-brumation
-environmental enrichment
A normal part of reptile microflora is
Salmonella
Reptile enclosures should be (3)
-waterproof
-easy to clean
-no traps
Active at dusk/dawn
Crepuscular
Active during the day
Diurnal
Active during the night
Nocturnal
Two heat types used for reptiles
-radiant (above heat)
-convective (below heat)
Reptiles control their body temperature through three ways:
-cardiovascular shunting
-changing body shape
-behaviour
Most reptiles prefer humidity at
50-60%
Ventilation of reptile enclosures is important for (3)
-providing fresh air
-removal of ammonia
-prevention of overheating
The highest maintenance reptiles are
Turtles
Turtle enclosures require a ____ water change ____ per ____
10% ; once ; week
Biosecurity of reptiles is important for (4)
-keeping disease out
-minimizing potential stressors
-minimizing potential spread of disease
-identification and removal of sick reptiles
Ovulation in reptiles occurs after
Brumation
5 concepts of enrichment pans for reptiles include
- Foraging
- Physical
- Sensory
- Social
- Occupational
Three small animal orders of the class mammalian include
-Carnivora (ferrets)
-Lagamorpha (rabbits)
-Rodentia (mice, rats, Guinea pigs)
Which species are illegal to own in QLD
Rabbits and ferrets
The ____ rat is used for research while the ____ rat is used for companionship
Rattus rattus (black) ; Rattus norvegicus (brown)
Which rat is used for scientific research
Black rat
Rabbits and Guinea pigs are heat ____
Intolerant
The smell of ferrets comes from
Skin glands
7 considerations for the small animal enclosure are:
- Physiologic and Behavioural needs
- Social Interactions
- Hygiene
- Ventilation
- Food and Water
- Escape and Injury
- Privacy and Security
Guinea pigs are (4)
-social
-heat intolerant
-easily stressed
-prey species
Rabbits and guinea pigs can be housed
Outdoor or indoor
Small animal enclosures should not be placed
Directly in the sun
Most small animals except ferrets are active
At dawn / dusk (crepuscular)
Small Animal Environmental Enrichment involves
-foraging
-physical
-sensory
-social
-occupational
The most common pet are
Fish
How many species of fish are there
20,000 - 30,000
6 considerations for aquarium husbandry are
-water quality
-aeration
-lighting
-tank design and location
-stocking rates
-compatibility
Aquarium water quality is based on: (4)
-source
-changes
-filtration
-temperature
5 steps of the Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen is introduced via fish food
- Ammonia is excreted
- Nitrosomas bacteria convert Ammonia to Nitrite
- Nitrobacter bacteria convert Nitrite to Nitrate
- Plants use Nitrates as fertilizer
Nitrosoma bacteria convert
Ammonia to Nitrite
Nitrobacter bacteria convert
Nitrite to Nitrate
Specific gravity in a marine tank should be
1.023-1.027
Town water is
High in chemicals
In both freshwater and marine tanks, water should stand for ____ and one should use ______
12 hours ; use an airstone to agitate the water and release gas
How much and how often should water be changed in the aquarium
4-10% weekly
Filtration can be
-internal (cheaper option, inside the tank)
-external (pumps water out, filters it, and pumps it back in)
Filtration of aquariums does what?
Removes solid waste and chemicals
Filtration devices can be (4)
-physical
-chemical
-biological
-all of the above
Aquariums need to be ____ and marine tanks need to be ____
Heated ; cooled
Water monitoring involves 6 parameters
-temperature
-pH
-ammonia
-nitrites
-nitrates
-hardness
Ammonia in water should not exceed
0 ppm
Nitrates in aquarium should not exceed
160 ppm
Nitrites in aquarium should not exceed
0 ppm
Aeration is ____ and is caused by _____
Dissolved oxygen ; decaying food, too many plants, high temperatures
Aeration can be increased by
-ripples on the water surface via air stones / spray bars
Fish need a ____ cycle
Diurnal
Water weighs
1 kg per L
High number of fish in a tank can lead to (3)
-increased oxygen consumption
-increased waste
-spread of disease
Stocking density is determined by
Surface area
Tropical freshwater surface area is
75 cm^2
Cold freshwater surface area is
180 cm^2
Tropical marine surface area is
300 cm^2
Fish divide themselves into
3 strata
Successful handling depends on these 4 factors
-knowledge of the animal
-experience of the handler
-correct technique
-appropriate tools/chemicals
Restraint can be
-physical
-chemical
-psychological
The desire / instinct to conceal signs of pain or injury from predators is called
The Masking Phenomenon
In birds of prey, the front talons ___ while the back talon ___
Holds ; kills
One of the most common birds seen by vets are
Backyard Poultry
Define Chick
Young chicken
Define Pullet
Young hen <6 months ; hen that has yet to lay eggs
Define Cockerel
Young rooster
Define Hen
Female chicken that has laid eggs
Define Rooster/Cock
Male chicken >6 months of age
Define Layer
Hen >20 weeks of age that is laying eggs
Define Point of Lay
A pullet that is old enough to lay but has not done so yet (usually 16-21 weeks of age)
Define Broiler
Meat chicken that has reached slaughter weight (around 30-60 days)
Define Bantam
A miniature version of a recognized chicken breed
Define Broody/Clucky
A hen that is ready to lay or sitting on eggs
Define Candling
Examining an egg - used to assess fertility
Define Poult
Young turkeys <6 months of age
Define Frizzle
A chicken breed where the feathers curl
Define Hackles
Feathers on the neck of the rooster
The red appendage on the top of a chicken’s head is called
The Comb
The fleshy appendage hanging on either side of the lower beak of poultry is called
Wattles
Code of Practice for husbandry of poultry is
Minimum floor/run area of 3m^2 for housing up to 6 bantams or 3 large birds
-increased enclosure size per additional bird
1 nest box can house ____ chickens
2-3
Chicken perches should be
-150mm in length per chicken
-500mm above ground
Weight gain occurs when
Energy in > energy out
5 nutrients, their source, and their role for chickens are
- Protein (animal/vegetable) - growth, feathering, eggs
- Carbohydrates (grain) - energy
- Fat (grain) - energy, hormones
- Vitamins (vegetables, fruits, supplements) - chemical processes
- Minerals (grit, supplements) - bones, egg shells, chemical processes
Starter feed is for ___ and contains ____
-Hatchlings up to 6 weeks
-22% protein
Grower feed is for ____ and contains ____
-chickens 6-18 weeks
-14-16% protein
Layer feed is for _____ and contains _____
-chickens over 18 weeks
-15-18% protein
Three types of commercial feeds for chickens are
-Starter
-Grower
-Layer
Which chicken commercial feed. Obtains the most protein
Starter
4 feed types are
-scratch (treat)
-crumble (chicks)
-pellet
-mash (bit of everything; layers)
Grit can be
-insoluble
-soluble
Legal requirements of kitchen scraps for chickens
NO animal matter or other waste contaminated by animal matter is allowed to be fed
Unwell chickens will overeat _____ which causes _____
Grit ; blockage
A chicken should be fed
120-160g per day
A chicken should have how much water
Up to 500mL per day
Cockfighting for sport is
Illegal in Australia
Weekly water change in aquariums is recommended to
Decrease Nitrate levels
