Husbandry of exotic small carnivores Flashcards
What animal are ferrets derived from?
Polecats.
They are domesticated small mustelids
What does the diet of the polecat consist of?
Rabbits (85%)
Rodents
Amphibians
Birds (including game birds)
Earthworms
What are ferrets often kept as?
Vermin control (rabbits, rats)
Companion animals
What features allow ferrets to get into confined spaces/tunnels?
Tubular body and short limbs
What problems do albino ferrets often have?
Sight/hearing problems
What is the size difference between male and female ferrets?
Males = 45-60cm
Females = 30-42cm
What is the name used for a male ferret?
Hob
What is the name used for a female ferret?
Jill
What is the lifespan of a ferret?
6-12 years
When do ferrets become sexually mature?
A year after birth
How long do ferrets sleep for per day?
18-20 hours
When are ferrets most active?
At dusk they are highly explorative and playful
Where does the scent of a ferret come from?
Skin and anal glands
What do ferrets require when housed?
Need safe resting and hiding places that are dark and enclosed
Require high level of enrichment to stimulate activity and interest - prone to boredom
Compartmentalised spaces = sleeping, latrine, food storage larder, multiple escape holes
What weather conditions are ferrets susceptible to?
Damp and heat stroke
Don’t thrive about 30 degrees Celsius (no sweat glands in skin)
Ideal temperatures = 15-24 degrees
Need well ventilated, dry, draught-free
Ferrets have a tendency to fall. What does this mean for housing?
Tubes and ladders need to be secured
Need solid floor
What is the best bedding material for ferrets?
Cloth.
Multiple resting sites should be provided
Raised off ground
Out of direct sun
Describe water provisions for ferrets.
Need fresh water for drinking/paddling that cannot be knocked over
Describe the diet of a ferret.
Strict carnivore
Need high concentration of fat and easily digestible meat-based protein
Lactose intolerant
Vomit readily
Naturally eat little and often
What diet is generally considered best by specialists for ferrets?
Bones and raw food diet (BARF or whole prey)
Most balanced e.g. mice, rats & chicks, raw chicken wings, minced beef, small amount of fruit & veg
What is the problem with commercial diets for ferrets?
Insulinoma becoming very common
Most commercial diets do not indicate protein source/digestibility
What is the gestation period of a ferret?
40-44 days
When do kits eyes open from?
4 weeks
When do ferrets hit puberty?
9-12 months old
What does a Jill require to breed?
14 hour light period (Mar-Sep)
Induced ovulators
What happens if intact females are not mated?
Serious problems, death
Due to continuous oestrogen
Do otters hibernate?
Only specialist species hibernate
What is the diet of meerkats?
Small insects/other invertebrates, fruits, reptiles, small mammals, eggs
What adaptation do meerkats have that allows them to dig?
They have long claws on their forepaws
What is the gestation period of a meerkat?
10-11 weeks
Explain the heat required for meerkats when housing them in the UK and what happens if this isn’t provided?
They require heating in UK e.g. infrared lamps. Avoid drafts
Can lose tails from frost bite
What do meerkats require in their enclosure?
Look-out posts
Digging substrates e.g. soil, pebbles
Many bolt-holes
Safe nest site
Avoid objects moving overhead
