Ferrets and Hedgehogs

Question 1

ferrets order/family

Answer 1

Mustela putorius
Mustelidae

Question 2

ferrets relatives

Answer 2

mink, weasel, skunk (not in same family)

Question 3

ferrets characteristics

Answer 3

originally domesticated for rodent control
not indigenous to US, came from Europe

Question 4

american black footed ferret

Answer 4

not pet ferret
native to US

Question 5

how are ferrets different from rodents?

Answer 5

no flat molars
canines, carnivorous

Question 6

female ferret

Answer 6

jill

Question 7

male ferret

Answer 7

hob

Question 8

baby ferret

Answer 8

kit

Question 9

neutered male ferret

Answer 9

gib

Question 10

spayed female ferret

Answer 10

sprite

Question 11

group of ferrets

Answer 11

business

Question 12

female ferret size

Answer 12

1.5-3 lbs

Question 13

male ferret size

Answer 13

3-5 lbs

Question 14

sexual dimorphism

Answer 14

any noticeable difference between males and females

Question 15

why should you descent and neuter a ferret?

Answer 15

reduce odor, associated with scent glands and reproductive cycle

Question 16

why shouldn’t you have a wood ferret cage?

Answer 16

will absorb more of the odor

Question 17

are ferrets social animals?

Answer 17

yes, good to have more than one

Question 18

ferret diet

Answer 18

commercial ferret food/dry cat food
needs at least 32% protein, animal protein
limit treats, supplements

Question 19

reproductive cycle type

Answer 19

induced ovulation
estrous 2x a year, can be very long, won’t ovulate w/o mating

Question 20

ferret breeding type

Answer 20

long-day breeders (late-winter to late-summer)

Question 21

ferret gestation period

Answer 21

6 week

Question 22

ferret kits

Answer 22

4-8 per litter
altricial
wean by 6 weeks

Question 23

male reproduction/breeding

Answer 23

seasonal
will fight with each other more, smell more during long days (December-August)

Question 24

what would happen if a female (induced ovulator) failed to ovulate?

Answer 24

excess of estrogen
follicles will continue secreting estrogen

Question 25

non-infectious diseases

Answer 25

intestinal blockage
urolithiasis
aplastic anemia
adrenal gland issues
cancers

Question 26

aplastic amenia

Answer 26

low in red blood cells
in ferrets, high estrogen levels inhibit red blood cell production
2 solutions: spay or let her mate

Question 27

urolithiasis

Answer 27

minerals crystalize in urinary tract (kidney, bladder stones)

Question 28

adrenal gland issues

Answer 28

causes high adrenaline levels
hair and weight loss

Question 29

ferret viruses

Answer 29

can vaccinate for most

Question 30

ferrets, human infleunza

Answer 30

susceptible, can also transmit

Question 31

ferret parasites

Answer 31

fleas
ear mites
heartworm

Question 32

hedgehog order/family

Answer 32

Insectivora
Eulipotyphla

Question 33

hedgehog characteristics

Answer 33

recent increase in popularity
omnivores

Question 34

hedgehog senses

Answer 34

good smell, hearing
not good sight

Question 35

hedgehog behavior

Answer 35

nocturnal
solitary
territorial

Question 36

self anointing

Answer 36

if exposed to something new, will drool and lick saliva all over self
Jacobson’s organs (tasting smells)

Question 37

hedgehog housing

Answer 37

kept individually
can be litter-trainable
70-80 F, colder temps encourage hibernation (discouraged in captivity)

Question 38

hedgehog diet

Answer 38

omnivores
mealworms, bugs, commercial pellets, dry cat food
vitamin/mineral supplement if feeding insects
eat a lot

Question 39

hedgehog reproduction

Answer 39

sexually mature at 1 year

Question 40

hedgehog gestation

Answer 40

35 days

Question 41

hedgehog litters

Answer 41

average 5
altricial
weaned in 4-6 weeks

Question 42

hedgehog postpartum

Answer 42

not fully domesticated
disturbing a female postpartum can cause cannibalism

Question 43

hedgehog diseases

Answer 43

common carriers of salmonella tilene (can make humans sick)
wobbly hedgehog syndrome

Question 44

wobbly hedgehog syndrome

Answer 44

loss of balance
eventually paralyzed from back to front
possibly genetic