Exotics Husbandry (Ex 1-7) Flashcards
this order includes parrots, macaws, cockatoos and a variety of parakeets
Psittaciformes
this is the most suitable structural material for a parrot aviary to prevent destructive behavior such as chewing
stainless steel
what element can parrots have toxicity to? may be develop with use of cheaper galvanized mesh wire
zinc (heavy metals)
what must a bird be able to do as the minimum size requirement of the cage?
extend wings in all directions
this is the ideal floor covering for an aviary and should be cleaned out daily with old foodstuffs and feces removed to reduce spread of infection
newspaper
potential food toxins to the parrot? (3)
avocado, bacon, chocolate
Housing birds permanently indoors can be responsible for this deficiency
vitamin D (exposure to natural sunlight or artificial UV-b can help)
are the majority of parrots monomorphic or dimorphic?
monomorphic
how to sex a parrot?
DNA analysis
at what age do most larger parakeets and parrots mature?
2-3 years
at what age to small psittacines become sexually mature?
6-12 month
what are the three main deficiencies seen in parrots?
vitamin A, vitamin E, and calcium
this vitamin deficiency in parrots causes squamous metaplasia of epithelial cells lining the respiratory, GI, and urogenital tract leading to hyperkeratosis, poor feathering and coloration, and repro/chronic Resp. infections
A
This deficiency in parrots can lead to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteodystrophy, pathological fractures, seizures, poor egg shell quality, and poor reproductive performance
calcium
cuttlefish bone and iodine blocks are frequently offered to these animals
small psittacines
feeding this to birds (especially smaller granivores) helps digestion by enhancing the grinding action of the gizzard - can also be a good source of minerals, especially calcium
grit
what is the wild diet of budgerigars, cockatiels, and small psittacines
granivore (native grass and seeds)
what is the wild diet of the grey parrot
florivore (seeds, fruit, flowers & nuts)
what is the wild diet of amazon parrots
frugivore
what is the wild diet of cockatoos
omnivore (seeds, plant roots & insects)
what is the wild diet of macaws?
frugivore & granivore (seeds, fruit, nuts, leaves, shoots, and bark)
How to sex a budgerigar?
color of cere on beak (male is blue, female is brown)
how to sex a cockatiel?
presence of wing/tail bars (females do, males do not)
how to sex a parakeet?
DNA (most are not dimorphic)
how to sex a grey parrot?
DNA (not dimorphic)
how to sex a cockatoo?
iris color (males have a black iris, females have red)
the basal metabolic rate of these birds is greater than others - small in size with large surface area
passerine birds
this type of passerine bird is graniferous and includes species such as canary, zebra, and Bengalese
finches
this is a potential consequence of feeding a poor quality seed based diet but is seen more commonly in frugivorous birds that have been exposed to moldy fruit
Aspergillus
these 2 deficiencies can be common in frugivorous and insectivorous passerine birds; can lead to hyperparathyroidism; appropriate supplementation necessary
calcium and vitamin D
this is the removal of the distal phalanges of one wing; may be required to control waterfowl
pinioning
2 categories of raptors
Falconiformes and Strigiformes
this category of raptors includes eagles, hawks, and falcons
Falconiformes
this category of raptors includes owls
Strigiformes
All perches for raptors should be covered with this to help prevent foot problems by dispersing the pressure on the feet
longleaf Astroturf
this is the main danger to a handler from a bird of prey is this
the talons
this is the main danger to a handler from a parrot
the beak
this is the name given to aquatic Chelonia (or Testudines)
terrapins
this is the name given to marine Chelonia (or Testudines)
turtles
this is the name given to terrestrial Chelonia (or Testudines)
tortoises
scaled reptiles, such as lizards and snakes belong to this order
Squamata
name 2 viviparous reptiles
boids and anacondas
can reptiles safely be housed alone?
yes
name the “5 freedoms” or 5 basic requirements of reptiles
space, substrate, heat, humidity, and light
this type of substrate should not be used for reptiles as it can irritate the eyes or cause GI impaction
sand (small particulates)
this type of substrate should not be used for a reptile was it may contain resin that is too irritant
wood chips/shredded wood
these two UV components are beneficial to reptiles
UV-A and UV-B
this component of UV is part of a reptile’s visual spectrum (‘see’ it with third eye/pineal eye)
UV-A
this component of UV is necessary for reptiles to varying degrees but may be necessary to synthesize Vitamin D3 precursors
UV-B
this disease will occur in reptiles without appropriate lighting and diet (also known as metabolic bone disease)
nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP)
most reptile diets are deficient in calcium, except for this reptile
snakes
this can be given to tortoises as a calcium source and to hep wear their beak
cuttle fish bone
this is the process where geckos can shed their tails
autotomy
How to sex a tortoise?
tail (long in male, shorter in female); cloaca position (closer to tail tip in M, closer to shell in F); plastron (concave in M, flatter in F)
How to sex a terrapin?
size (males are smaller) & males have elongate nails on forelimbs
how to sex a lizard?
femoral pores (more prominent on males) & tail base (wider in males)
how to sex a snake?
tail length (longer in males); cloacal spurs (prominent in males); sub caudal scales (greater number in males)
these two reptiles have ‘hemipenes’ which are paired copulatory organs that are stored within internal pockets on either side of the tail base and evaginate during reproduction
lizards and snakes
a health examination is advised this often for reptiles, including a complete physical examination and fecal analysis for endoparasites
annual
this is the cut off in scale length that the probe inserted into the cloaca of lizards and snakes must pass to assume it is a male
6 scales
this species of tortoise has a tubercle on its tail and NO spurs on the thighs
Hermann’s Tortoise
this species of tortoise has spurs on the back of its thighs and NO tubercle on its tail
spur-thighed tortoise
this species of tortoise has a tubercle on its tail AND spurs on its thighs
Horsfield tortoise
this species of tortoise has double leg spurs but NO tubercle on its tail
Leopard tortoise
this act makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met (includes: suitable environment, diet, normal behaviour patterns, housed with/without other animals as necessary, protected from pain/suffering/disease)
improved welfare act
rabbits belong to this order
lagomorphs
true or false? rabbits are a species of rodents
false
how do rabbits live socially in the wild
groups of females and immature males
a series of tunnels connected by burrows where wild female rabbits live
warrens
average life expectancy of a rabbit
6-10 years
age of sexual maturity in rabbits
4-8 months
average gestation period of rabbits
28-32 days
average adult weight of a rabbit (species dependent)
1-10 kg
normal body temp of a rabbit
38.5 C
how to sex female vs male rabbit
shape of preputial/vulval opening (male round, female V)
the preputial opening in a male rabbit has this shape
round
the vulval opening of a female rabbit has this shape
V-shape
this is a major problem caused in rabbits when fed a concentrate diet where energy requirements are met rapidly
dental disease
the majority of a rabbit’s time is spent doing this
feeding/grazing
alfalfa is high in this mineral
calcium
too much calcium in the rabbit’s diet can cause this
urolithiasis (UT stones)
not enough calcium in the rabbit’s diet can cause this
bone and dental disease
the rabbit’s digestive system must have this in order to function properly
grass and hay
these are the softer moist pellets produced by rabbits which it eats directly from its bottom
caecotrophs
a minimum of this percent of a rabbits diet should be made up of grass/hay per day
78%
this is how much leafy green vegetables a rabbit should be fed daily
1 handful twice a day
pellets should make up this percent of a rabbit diet
2%
dental formula for rabbit
2/1 0/0 3/2 3/3
which teeth in a rabbit are open rooted and constantly grow throughout the rabbit’s life
all of them!
rabbits are this, meaning they eat their own faeces
coprophagic
do rabbits have a common or separate vaginal and urethral opening
common
this is the minimum hutch size for small/medium sized rabbits
6ft x 2ft x 2ft
a rabbit hutch should be fully cleaned out at least this often
weekly
best combination to keep rabbits as pets in a social group
neutered male and neutered female
why is it not advisable to keep rabbits and guinea pigs together?
rabbits bully guinea pigs
what are the two techniques for lifting rabbits
bagpipe technique and rugby ball technique
this technique of lifting a rabbit involves sliding one hand under the thorax, with another hand under the bottom to support body weight. Once lifted, the rabbit is cradled into the handler’s body for security
bagpipe technique
this technique of lifting a rabbit involves sliding one hand under the thorax, with another hand under the bottom to support body weight. Rabbit is then held with the head tucked into the crook of the elbow of the handler
rugby ball technique
common/most serious risk factors with inappropriate handling f rabbits
spinal and limb fractures
this is a trance-like site that certain rabbits can be induced into by placing them in dorsal recumbency - highly stressful for the rabbit and should be avoided
tonic immobility
what are the 3 diseases vaccinated against for rabbits in the UK
myoxmatosis, RHD-1, RHD-2
neutering of all non-breeding female rabbits (at 4-6 mo) is strongly recommended to prevent this
uterine adenocarcinoma
male rabbits (>4 mo) are often neutered to prevent this
behavioral problems and breeding
is routine worming in rabbits necessary?
no
which rodents are of the suborder Myomorpha (only incisors grow continuously)
rat, mouse, gerbil, hamster
which rodents are of the suborder Hystricomorpha (all teeth are continuously growing)
guinea pig, chinchilla, degu
where do guinea pigs originate from
South America
what are the 3 main breeds of guinea pigs
english, Abyssinian, Peruvian
guinea pigs should never be kept alone, what 3 ways should they be kept?
single sex groups, pairs, or harems
which teeth are open-rooted and constantly growing in guinea pigs, degus, and chinchillas
all of them!
guinea pigs have an absolute requirement for this vitamin
vitamin C
how often is oestrus in the guinea pig
every 15-17 days
do guinea pigs have a separate or common vaginal and urethral opening
separate
what is the gestation of a guinea pig
63 days (long)
why must guinea pigs be bred when young (ideally 12 weeks) and before 1 year?
pubic symphysis fuses (birth canal will become too narrow)
how to sex guinea pigs
shape of the preputial and anogenital area (male round, female Y)
shape of the preputial orifice in male guinea pigs
round
shape of the anogenital area in a female guinea pig
Y-shape
where are chinchillas originally from
South America (Andes)
how often is oestus in the chinchilla
every 30-50 days
how will chinchillas live socially
monogamous pairs or harems
length of gestation in a chinchilla
111 days (long)
how to sex chinchillas
anogenital distance (greater in males)
shape of vagina in chinchillas
slit-like
how many pairs of nipples in a female chinchilla
3 pairs
what must be provided to chinchillas to keep the fur in good condition
dust bath
where are degus from
South America (& Chile)
how will degus live socially in the wild?
small groups of 5-10 individuals
how often is oestrus in the degu
every 3 weeks
how long is gestation in the degu
87-93 days
are degu pups altricial or precocious
altricial
are guinea pig pups altricial or precocious
precocious
are chinchilla kits altricial or precocious
precocious
are rabbit kits altricial or precocious
altricial
how to sex a degu
anogenital distance (greater in male)
dental formula of degu, chinchilla, and guinea pig
1/1 0/0 1/1 3/3
average life expectancy of guinea pigs
4-7 years
average life expectancy of degu
7-9 years
average life expectancy of chinchilla
10-15 years
normal body temperature for guinea pig, degu, and chinchilla
38 C
which teeth are continuously growing in myomorph rodents (mouse and rat)
incisors
how often is oestrus in rats and mice
every 4-5 days
are rat and mouse young altricial or precocious
altricial
3 ways to keep mice/rats socially
single sex groups (females), breeding pairs, harems
how often should bedding of mice/rats be cleaned out
2-3 times per week
this is the most commonly kept hamster
golden/Syrian hamster
how should hamsters be kept socially
solitary, will fight
these 3 hamster species are social and do not hibernate
Chinese, Russian, and Roborovski
how to sex a hamster
anogenital distance (greater in males) & visible nipples (female) or large testicles (male)
how often is oestrus in hamsters
every 4 days
how long is gestation in hamsters
15-18 days
are young hamsters altricial or precocious
altricial
this is a desert rodent originally from Mongolia
gerbil
how should gerbils be kept socially
single sex groups or a breeding pair
how often should the gerbil system of burrows be cleaned out
2-3 times a year (very little urine)
how often is oestrus in the gerbil
every 4-6 days
how long is gerbil gestation
24-26 days
are gerbil young altricial or precocious
altricial
ferrets are domesticated from this wild animal
polecat
Genus and species of the ferret translates to this (Mustela putorius furo)
smelly little thief
ferrets sleep this many hours a day
18 hours
lifespan of a ferret
5-8 years
gestation period of ferrets
42 days
normal heart rate of a ferret
200-300 bpm
dental formula of ferrets
3/3 1/1 3/3 1/2
ferrets are biologically and anatomically very similar to these species
dogs and cats
gastrointestinal transit time of a ferret
4-6 hours (short)
ferret heart is situated over these ribs
6-9th rib
are ferret kits altricial or precocious
altricial
is the current UK recommendation to neuter ferrets or keep intact?
keep intact (hormone therapy to avoid oestrogen toxicity in females)
neutering ferrets can lead to this disease
adrenal gland disease
shape of os penis in male ferrets
J-shaped
how to sex ferrets
anogenital distance (greater in males) and obvious prepuce in males
how should ferrets be kept socially?
single sex or mixed sex pairs, or larger harems
are ferrets carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores?
carnivores
what should ferrets be vaccinated against
Distemper virus
what is the diet of African Pygmy Hedgehog
insectivore
average lifespan of the AP hedgehog
5-7 years
gestation period of AP hedgehog
34-37 days
how often is oestrus in AP hedgehog
3-17 days
dental formula of hedgehogs
3/2 1/1 3/2 3/3
are hedgehog hoglets altricial or precocious
altricial
how to sex a hedgehog
anogenital distance (very short in females)
how do sugar gliders live socially in the wild
colonies of 6-10
average lifespan of sugar gliders
10-15 years
gestation period for sugar gliders
16 days, then 70-74 days in the pouch (marsupials)
dental formula of a sugar glider
3/1 1/0 3/3 4/4
how to sex a sugar glider
large, pendulous scrotum situated pre-penile in the male
are sugar gliders carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores?
omnivores
are sugar gliders carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores?
omnivores
what 4 things should be in a sugar glider diet
insects/insectivore diet, nectar, fruit, periodic leafy greens
what 2 supplements should be given to a sugar glider
multivitamin and calcium