Rodent Husbandry Flashcards
Myomorph dentition
1/1 0/0 0/0 3/3
Hystricomorph dentition
1/1 0/0 1/1 3/3
What do guinea pigs need supplemented in their diet?
Vitamin C
Which rodents are social? (Mice/rats, gerbil, guinea pig, chinchilla, hamster, degu)
Social: mice/rats, gerbil, guinea pig, degus
Singly house: chinchilla (unless breeding pair)
Hamsters can be kept as pairs, but they can become aggressive to each other, so need to keep watch
Which hamsters hibernate?
Syrians do, russian/chinese don’t
Around what age should you breed guinea pigs?
12 wks (later=dystocia)
Sexing rodents
Females: nipples
Males: testicular bulges (rats, mice, gerbils)
Guinea pigs: shape of opening (male=round, female=v or y)
Chinchilla: males have greater anogenital distance and no scrotum; females have short anogenital distance, large urethral process
degus: use anogenital distance
What is the bio data for mice?
Life:1-2.5y Maturity: 3-4 wks Estrus: q 4-5 days Gestation: 21d Weaned:21days
Rat Bio data
Life:3y Maturity: 6 weeks Estrus: q 4-5d Gestation: 21d Weaned: 21d
Gerbil bio data
Life:1.5-2.5y Maturity: 10-12 wks Estrus: q 4-6d Gestation: 24-26d Weaned: 21-28d
Syrian hamster bio data
Life:1.5-2y Maturity: 6-10 wks Estrus: q 4d Gestation: 15-18d Weaned: 21-28d
Russian/Chinese hamster bio data
Life: 1.5-2yr Maturity:6-10wks Estrus: q 4d Gestation: 19-22d Weaned:21-28d
Guinea pig bio data
Life: 4-7y Maturity: 4-5 wks or 8-10wks Estrus: q 15d Gestation: 65d Weaned: 21d
Chinchilla bio data
Life: 10-15y Maturity: 8 mo Estrus: q 30d Nov-May Gestation: 111d Weaned: 6-8wks
Degu bio data
Life: 7y Maturity: 3-6mo Estrus: q 21d Gestation: 87d Weaned:4-6wks
What teeth are open rooted and constantly growing in chinchillas, guinea pigs and degus?
Premolars and molar
Mice/rat housing
Metal or glass cage Small mesh Enrichment Wood shavings and paper nesting Social house (not male pairs)
Mice/rat feeding
Omnivore
Rodent pellet
Veg
High fiber supps
Hamster housing
Simple wire and plastic
Tunnels
Exercise
Burrowers
Hamster feeding
Omnivore Rodent pellet Leafy veg Sprouting seeds Hoarders
Gerbil housing
Social Glass or plastic tank No sand Nesting and wood No direct sun Burrowers
Gerbil feeding
Rodent pellet
Limited sunflower seeds
Guinea pig housing
Social Control temp as not hardy Wooden hutch Daily exercise outside if possible Bolt hole No rabbits!
Guinea pig feeding
NEED VIT C
Hay ad lib
Limited pellet feed
Green veg
Chinchilla housing
Indoors All wire cage large as possible Nest box Dust bath No female pairs Single or breeding pair
Chinchilla feeding
Hay
Chinchilla pellets
Avoid sugar rich treats
Degu housing
Social
Burrowers
Chinchilla sand can be used
Degus feeding
Grass/hay
Leafy veg
Rodent block
