husbandry of small mammals Flashcards
mammalia has how many orders
3
order carnivora
ferret
order lagamorpha
rabbits, hares
order rodentia
mice, rats, giunea pigs
origin of rabbits
european rabbit
purpose of rabbits
pets, food, clothing
legality of rabbits
illegal to own in QLD but vets do NOT have to report it
rats and mice origin
india and SE asia
rats and mice purpose
pets, food, scientific research
legalities around owning rats and mice
none
guinea pig origin
south america
purpose of guinea pigs
pets, food, scientific research
legalities surrounding guinea pigs
none
ferrets origin
European polecat (been domesticated for 2500 years and next to no wild populations left)
purpose of ferrets
pets, hunting rabbits
legalities of ferrets
illegal to own in QLD and vet MUST report it (unless referral from other state)
in terms of what they eat, ferrets are ____
carnivores
where does ferret smell come from, what reduces the smell
sebum glands in the skin (NOT anal glands)
castration reduces the smell
good husbandry provides
environment, housing and care that permits animals to grow, mature, reproduce and maintain good health
ferret order and family
carnivora
mustelidae
rabbit order and family
lagamorpha
leporidae
rats and mice order and family
rodentia
muridae
guinea pigs order and family
rodentia
caviidae
good husbandry requires knowledge of
animal’s specific requirements
their physical capabilities
their normal behvaiours
guinea pigs characteristics
- social
- easily stressed
- heat intolerant
- prey species
rabbits and guinea pigs are both
heat intolerant
what do rabbits and guinea pigs need in terms of enclosure
- large enclosure
- privacy
- hygiene
- security
- cool and well ventilated
- exercise
- fresh bedding
- natural light
- protection from weather and predators
- hides, ramps, bowls, hay racks, litter for rabbits
rats and mice are very ____ animals
clean
when positioning a rats enclosure what should you think about
usually indoors, not under direct sun, keep away from bathroom (toxins)
what 2 things should you avoid for rabbit and guinea pig husbandry
wire flooring and electrical wires
ferrets are very ____ animals
active
what do ferrets need in terms of enclosure
plenty of space, supervision, play items, sleeping areas, cool temps
which of the small mammals are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk)
rabbits, rats/mice, guinea pigs
ferrets are nocturnal
describe how rabbits live in the wild
- in warrens, in colonies
- feed in groups
- don’t travel far from warren
- crepuscular
- needs shelter, food and water
- feed at night, sleep in afternoon (this is flipped in captivity)
in wild vs in captivity when do rabbits feed and sleep
in wild
feed at night sleep in afternoon
in captivity
sleep at night and feed in afternoon
- their daily behaviour is flipped
describe rats and mice in the wild
- very social
- chew and burrow
- vision not great, rely on smell and hearing
- crepuscular
- groom
what are pressures on wild guinea pig
- habitat availability (thick grass w low shrub) and predation
what kind of habitat do wild guinea pigs need
thick vegetation habitat needed, not diggers or burrowers, live in tunnels in vegetation
describe guinea pigs in the wild
- crepuscular
- live in small groups in defined territories
- males incompatible
- feed in short bursts
- communicate by scent marking and vocalizations
do wild ferrets exist
not really since been domesticated for so long, more so “feral ferrets”
describe ferral ferrets
- live in dens
- solitary animals in territories; exclude same sex
- territory size determined by gender, age and food
- nocturnal
how long do domestic ferrets sleep for
18-20 hours a day (more diurnal than feral ferrets)
difference between feral and domestic ferets
- more social, less territorial
- more diurnal
5 freedoms and 5 domains
- freedom from hunger and thirst : nutrition
- freedom from discomfort; environment
- freedom from pain, injury and disease; health
- freedom to express normal behaviour; behaviour
- freedom from fear and distress; mental state
what does maladaptation look like in small mammals
- hiding most of time
- aggression
- chewing on cage
- over grooming
- changing feeding/ toileting habits
- drinking too much water/ playing w water bottle
- reluctant to move
- repeatedly circling enclosure
- sitting hunched
types of enrichment
- foraging (food)
- physical (environment resembles wild habitat)
- sensory (senses)
- social
- occupational (choice, learning, problem solving)
