Primates 5

Question 1

What are the two suborders of primates?

Answer 1

1. strepsirhines: resemble first primate order

2. Haplorhines: substantial differences within the group e.g humans

Question 2

What categories can the primate diet be split into?

Answer 2

Gummivorous- gum eating
Frugivorous- fruit eating
Insectivorous- insect eating
Folivorous- leaf eating

Question 3

Why do keepers chop food?

Answer 3

Reduces aggression- all members can obtain the food
Food can be scattered easier
Prevents wastage from animal taking one bite of a whole food item

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of cutting food?

Answer 4

Takes up large amount of keepers time
More bacterial contamination
Nutrient loss

Question 5

What is enrichment?

Answer 5

Involves any change to an animal’s life or environment which is beneficial for welfare, and which provides for appropriate and naturalistic behavioural opportunities

Question 6

What are some primate stereotypical behaviours?

Answer 6

Pacing 
Self biting 
Self directed sexual activity 
Abnormal maternal care 
Abnormal feeding behaviour

Question 7

What is the golden rule of feed enrichment?

Answer 7

Always take out of the normal daily diet the feed used for enrichment- do not add on top as this can lead to obesity

Question 8

What is the recommended time, especially wild caught primates, to be kept in quarantine?

Answer 8

90 days