LO2 - Small Mammals Flashcards by Eva Brown

Factors to be Considered when Selecting an Appropriate Environment

lighting
temperature
-ventilation
space
sleeping/hides
companions
safety/security
bedding
behavioural stimulation

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Chinchillas: Appropriate Handling

dim light to reduce stress
low noise levels to reduce stress
pick up calmly and quickly
minimal restraint should be used, however hold firmly
can suffer from fur slip through poor handling
one hand supporting around shoulder area and the other the rump

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Chinchillas: Appropriate Housing

vertical height to climb
minimum 2 cubic metres
require dust bath
levels, branches, ramps, tunnels
temperature shouldn’t exceed 22*C
provide nest box
wire mesh construction, as they can gnaw through wood
bottom of cage should be bare to prevent moisture buildup

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Chinchillas: Social Groups

single
paired
mixed sex groups
(neuter between 5-7 months)

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Chinchillas: Nutrition

herbivores
pelleted food 15% protein/low fat
fibre requirements 30%
require fresh hay
veg/fruit in small amounts 2x weekly
-caecotrophs

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Rats & Mice: Appropriate Housing

escape proof
chew proof
enrichment
well ventilated
bedding for burrowing
levels for climbing
temperature range 18-26*C

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Rats & Mice: Social Groups

Rats
- single sex groups
- mixed groups
(neuter 3-4 months)
Mice
- females kept together
- males fight

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Rats & Mice: Nutrition

omnivores
pelleted diet
foragers

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Hamsters: Appropriate Handling

can use hamster ball
cup in hands
can use small tunnel or toilet roll

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Hamsters: Appropriate Housing

tunnels for exploration and privacy
bedding for burrowing
peat or sawdust
wheel
ceramic food bowls
sand baths
solid wall cage
temperature 19-23*C

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Hamsters: Social Groups

single
fighting is common between groups

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Hamsters: Nutrition

hamster mix 18% protein
protein through meal worms, nuts, seeds, or boiled eggs
feed in small amounts
coprophagia

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Gerbils: Appropriate Handling

cup in hands
keep at a low level
secure room
(jump when frightened)

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Gerbils: Appropriate Housing

plastic or metal cages
deep litter substrate for burrowing
sand bath
tunnels and other enrichment
temperature 15-21*C

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Gerbils: Social Groups

singly
female pairs
neutered male, female pair
male pairs commonly fight

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Gerbils: Nutrition

omnivores
foragers
16% protein
5% fat
gerbil specific food

Jirds: Appropriate Housing

similar to gerbils but require more space
deep litter substrate for burrowing
sand baths
plenty of enrichment

Jirds: Social Groups

females kept singly
males can be kept in pairs

Ferrets: Appropriate Housing

wired mesh enclosure
large space
levels, tunnels, hard toys for enrichment
escape proof
substrate: wood shavings or shredded paper
temperature 15-21*C

Ferrets: Social Groups

pairs
if kept in groups males may fight

Ferrets: Nutrition

carnivores
high protein and high fat diet
less than 5% fibre
ferret specific food
cat food
require calcium
fed 2x daily

Factors to Consider when Transporting

use of travel carrier
escape/gnaw proof
big enough for some movement, but small enough for catching
hiding place for security
lined with absorbent materials

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Hospital Environment

away from other species
quiet area to reduce stress
close to the ground
escape and gnaw proof
small enough for capture
normal habits eg. toileting systems

Rabbits: Appropriate Housing

best kept in groups of 2 or more
best pairing is multi-sexed (both neutered)
females kept together as easier than males
regular cleaning required
enclosures must be large

Rabbits: Appropriate Nutrition

herbivores: indigestible fibre is essential
fibre should make up majority of diet
hay should make up 85% of diet as its high in fibre, aids gastrointestinal mobility, and ensures sufficient dental wear
(amount given roughly same size as animal)
greens, vegetables, herbs make up 10% of diet
(given in moderation)
commercial pellets make up 5% of diet as these are rich in vitamins and minerals, small quantities should be offered
(roughly 1 egg cup)

Guinea Pigs: Appropriate Housing

large accommodation
comfy bedding, with regular cleaning
require company
neophobic, the fear of anything new, don’t like change and can be stressful

Guinea Pigs: Nutrition

herbivores and crepuscular (mainly feeding at dusk and dawn)
require plenty of Vitamin C (as unable to synthesise in their gut)
hay, fresh veg, fresh fruit, commercial pelleted food
most water requirements come from greens in wild but must be supplied with water
water bottles should be checked regularly

Avian: Appropriate Housing?

birds should be able to fully extend wings in all directions
should be mimic their natural environemnt
should be able to exhibit normal behaviours
when settling in to aviary should initially be isolated, allow the bird to exit box on its own and make food and water easily accessible

Avian: Factors to consider when selecting a Cage?

Escape proof
Strong durable material
Height and width
Horizontal bars(climbing birds), Vertical bars(flying birds)
Bar width and door width
Non-toxic materials
Easy to clean
Species of number of birds being housed
Protection from elements
Lighting

Avian: Additional Cage Accessories?

Perches - should be clean and comfortable for bird to stand on, right diameter for birds foot, need to be washed down no chemicals used, shouldn’t be over water/food
Toys - robust, for mental stimulation, should be rotated, encourages exercise and beak wear, bells/mirrors/blocks
Bird Bath - natural activity which should be encouraged, keeps plumage clean, 2-3x a week
Substrate - paper is best for safety and convenience, foraging birds cage bottom should be solid not mesh
Location - living room, placed securely, easy to clean area, low traffic area, avoid kitchen (fumes)

Avian: Nutritional Requirements?

birds classified according to diet as hardbills or softbills
water intake depends on diet, dry=more water, veg/fruit=drink less
quality monitoring of water is essential, birds can defecate or drop food into bowls leading to bacterium festering in the water
vitamins and minerals can be added to water

Avian: What are Seed Eaters?

good source of carbohydrates and fats
if only fed seed diets can become deficient in Vitamin A
require minerals, vitamins, veg, fresh clean water
dry seed mixes, cereal seeds (oats), oil seeds (peanuts or sunflower seeds)

Avian: Supplements that can be provided?

Calcium - cuttlefish bone
Veg
Fruit
Greens
Minerals - iodine block
Grit - aids in digestion

Avian: Delivery Methods?

Water - open bowl, plastic cup, tube drinkers

Feed - ceramic, metal, plastic, perched, hoopers, c shape

Avian: What can be fed to Parrots?

parrot mix
fresh fruit and veg
cuttlefish
peanuts (high in fat)

Avian: What can be fed to Budgies/Cockatiels?

breed mix with millet
millet sprays
supplement Vitamin A

Avian: What can be fed to Softbills?

fruit
nectar
softbill complete pellets
no citrus fruits or avocados

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LO2 - Small Mammals Flashcards

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