Handling Flashcards
Why must care be taken when handling chinchillas?
If handled wrongly, they slip their fur and develop bald patches. The may also urinate on handler when scared.
What should be done to reduce stress in chinchillas when handling?
Dim lights
Reduce noise
Pick up calmly and quickly
Describe the correct way to handle a chinchilla
Minimal restraint.
One hand behind front legs, one hand around back end.
Make sure feet feel secure.
Which make better pets, rats or mice? Why?
Rats require more entertainment, but are easier to handle. They are very active and smart. They are however nocturnal.
Mice are fiercely territorial and may bite, but they are active during the day.
Why don’t hamsters make great pets for children?
Kids don’t know how to handle them properly and they end up squeezing them.
Tend to bite and hold on
Nocturnal
Why should care be taken when handling hamsters?
If held too tight, eyes can prolapse
Are gerbils good pets?
They are content not having any interaction with their owner (good for kids who lose interest)
More docile than hamsters, but will bite if frightened.
Easily dropped as jump when frightened.
Can be active during day and/or night
What is a Jird? Are they good pets?
Essentially a large gerbil - very similar requirements.
They are friendly and curious and rarely bite
Easier to hold, not as fragile
Do ferrets make good pets?
Bright and inquisitive
Good for older children
Urine is very pungent and must be contained if kept indoors
Why should snakes be handled gently?
Susceptible to bruising
How should you handle a small, docile snake? And a small aggressive snake?
Support them as they coil around the arm
Lifted gently by a hand under their lowest part
If aggressive use a towel or gloves and gently restrain behind head
if a snake is known to be very aggressive, it should be sedated before handling
How should you restrain a snake for examination of the mouth and head?
Support the snake just behind the head
Can open its mouth by inserting a flat instrument in the labial notch
How should you handle a very large snake
Never drape around neck.
2 or 3 people to support the snake
How should lizards be handled?
Small lizards should be picked up around the pectoral girdle
*NEVER by tail!
How should you handle iguanas?
Use a towel or gloves
One hand round the shoulders and other holding the thighs along side the tail.
