LO2 - Small Mammals Flashcards
Factors to be Considered when Selecting an Appropriate Environment
- lighting
- temperature
-ventilation - space
- sleeping/hides
- companions
- safety/security
- bedding
- behavioural stimulation
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
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
Chinchillas: Social Groups
- single
- paired
- mixed sex groups
(neuter between 5-7 months)
Chinchillas: Nutrition
- herbivores
- pelleted food 15% protein/low fat
- fibre requirements 30%
- require fresh hay
- veg/fruit in small amounts 2x weekly
-caecotrophs
Rats & Mice: Appropriate Housing
- escape proof
- chew proof
- enrichment
- well ventilated
- bedding for burrowing
- levels for climbing
- temperature range 18-26*C
Rats & Mice: Social Groups
Rats
- single sex groups
- mixed groups
(neuter 3-4 months)
Mice
- females kept together
- males fight
Rats & Mice: Nutrition
- omnivores
- pelleted diet
- foragers
Hamsters: Appropriate Handling
- can use hamster ball
- cup in hands
- can use small tunnel or toilet roll
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
Hamsters: Social Groups
- single
- fighting is common between groups
Hamsters: Nutrition
- hamster mix 18% protein
- protein through meal worms, nuts, seeds, or boiled eggs
- feed in small amounts
- coprophagia
Gerbils: Appropriate Handling
- cup in hands
- keep at a low level
- secure room
(jump when frightened)
Gerbils: Appropriate Housing
- plastic or metal cages
- deep litter substrate for burrowing
- sand bath
- tunnels and other enrichment
- temperature 15-21*C
Gerbils: Social Groups
- singly
- female pairs
- neutered male, female pair
- male pairs commonly fight
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
