Ferrets and Hedgehogs Flashcards
ferrets order/family
Mustela putorius
Mustelidae
ferrets relatives
mink, weasel, skunk (not in same family)
ferrets characteristics
originally domesticated for rodent control
not indigenous to US, came from Europe
american black footed ferret
not pet ferret
native to US
how are ferrets different from rodents?
no flat molars
canines, carnivorous
female ferret
jill
male ferret
hob
baby ferret
kit
neutered male ferret
gib
spayed female ferret
sprite
group of ferrets
business
female ferret size
1.5-3 lbs
male ferret size
3-5 lbs
sexual dimorphism
any noticeable difference between males and females
why should you descent and neuter a ferret?
reduce odor, associated with scent glands and reproductive cycle
why shouldn’t you have a wood ferret cage?
will absorb more of the odor
are ferrets social animals?
yes, good to have more than one
ferret diet
commercial ferret food/dry cat food
needs at least 32% protein, animal protein
limit treats, supplements
reproductive cycle type
induced ovulation
estrous 2x a year, can be very long, won’t ovulate w/o mating
ferret breeding type
long-day breeders (late-winter to late-summer)
ferret gestation period
6 week
ferret kits
4-8 per litter
altricial
wean by 6 weeks
male reproduction/breeding
seasonal
will fight with each other more, smell more during long days (December-August)
what would happen if a female (induced ovulator) failed to ovulate?
excess of estrogen
follicles will continue secreting estrogen
non-infectious diseases
intestinal blockage
urolithiasis
aplastic anemia
adrenal gland issues
cancers
aplastic amenia
low in red blood cells
in ferrets, high estrogen levels inhibit red blood cell production
2 solutions: spay or let her mate
urolithiasis
minerals crystalize in urinary tract (kidney, bladder stones)
adrenal gland issues
causes high adrenaline levels
hair and weight loss
ferret viruses
can vaccinate for most
ferrets, human infleunza
susceptible, can also transmit
ferret parasites
fleas
ear mites
heartworm
hedgehog order/family
Insectivora
Eulipotyphla
hedgehog characteristics
recent increase in popularity
omnivores
hedgehog senses
good smell, hearing
not good sight
hedgehog behavior
nocturnal
solitary
territorial
self anointing
if exposed to something new, will drool and lick saliva all over self
Jacobson’s organs (tasting smells)
hedgehog housing
kept individually
can be litter-trainable
70-80 F, colder temps encourage hibernation (discouraged in captivity)
hedgehog diet
omnivores
mealworms, bugs, commercial pellets, dry cat food
vitamin/mineral supplement if feeding insects
eat a lot
hedgehog reproduction
sexually mature at 1 year
hedgehog gestation
35 days
hedgehog litters
average 5
altricial
weaned in 4-6 weeks
hedgehog postpartum
not fully domesticated
disturbing a female postpartum can cause cannibalism
hedgehog diseases
common carriers of salmonella tilene (can make humans sick)
wobbly hedgehog syndrome
wobbly hedgehog syndrome
loss of balance
eventually paralyzed from back to front
possibly genetic
