Rodents

Question 1

What does the word rodent mean?

Answer 1

mammals with continuously growing incisors

Question 2

What are some examples of animals that are rodents?

Answer 2

mouse
rat
hamster
gerbil
guinea pig
chinchilla

Question 3

What are reproductive characteristics of rats and mice?

Answer 3

Gestation is 3 weeks

can breed again almost immediately after

Question 4

Are mice and rats nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular?

Answer 4

nocturnal - but will adjust to human scedule

Question 5

What are different coat types available for rats?

Answer 5

standard or normal
rex - curly
silky or satin - extra soft
hairless or sphinx

Question 6

Are wire cages good for rats and mice?

Answer 6

Rats are better with wire cages

Mice are better with solid cages

Question 7

What types of bedding should be avoided with rats and mice

Answer 7

dusty stuff - can get in lungs

Question 8

What is an important thing to consider when purchasing an exercise wheel for rodents?

Answer 8

make sure there are no holes - solid edge

make sure back doesn’t bend when running

Question 9

What is malocclusion?

Answer 9

teeth grow past each other and will not wear down

happens in all rodents

Question 10

Why are tumors an important concern in rat keeping?

Answer 10

primary cause of death

• usually mammary or pituitary
• prevent with spaying and nutering

Question 11

What is bumblefoot?

Answer 11

Bacterial infection of the bottom of the heel - hock

Question 12

What are the common causes of rodent health problems?

Answer 12

management problems

mostly lack of exercise and enrichment

Question 13

What is the most common type of pet hamster?

Answer 13

syrian or golden hamster

dwarf hamsters

Question 14

Are hamsters seasonal or year round breeders?

Answer 14

Seasonal: April to October

Question 15

What is the typical diet of a hamster?

Answer 15

omnivores

seeds, grains, fruit, roots, greens, invertebrates

Question 16

Are hamsters or gerbils more social?

Answer 16

Gerbils are more social

Question 17

What are some common behavioral characteristics of hamsters?

Answer 17

dig and burrow

nest builders

Question 18

What is the most common type of pet gerbil?

Answer 18

Mongolian gerbil

Question 19

Are gerbils seasonal or year round breeders?

Answer 19

Seasonal

Question 20

How can you tell a male and a female gerbil apart?

Answer 20

difference in anus and genital area

larger for males than females

Question 21

What are some common behavioral characteristics of gerbils?

Answer 21

Jumping to warn others or when excited

Question 22

What type of cage is best for gerbils?

Answer 22

wire cage

Question 23

What are some common health concerns for gerbils and hamsters?

Answer 23

Trauma
Tumors
Wet tail - awful diarrhea
Bladder stones - hamsters
Tail slip - lose tail when threatened
epilepsy - from inbreeding - gerbils

Question 24

How do you handle tame gerbils

Answer 24

often and carefully with stability

Question 25

What were guinea pigs domesticated for?

Answer 25

food source | they were herbivores and could eat human scraps

Question 26

What is the natural habitat for guinea pigs?

Answer 26

Andes | - no longer found in the wild

Question 27

What should the habitat of guinea pigs in captivity include?

Answer 27

cages with solid floors enrichment other guinea pigs

Question 28

What are some common behaviors of guinea pigs

Answer 28

``` scare easily freeze for long periods of time "stampede" small jumps can't climb good swimmers purr wistle ```

Question 29

How do guinea pigs communicate?

Answer 29

``` whistle purr chutting or whine squeal or shriek chirp ```

Question 30

What is to toxemia? What species does it hurt the most?

Answer 30

Guinea Pigs build up of ketone bodies first few pregnancies and obese pigs

Question 31

What is the breed organization for guinea pigs?

Answer 31

American Cavy Breeder's Association

Question 32

What should be included in the captive guinea pigs diet?

Answer 32

Hay/grass food pellets vitamin C

Question 33

What is caprophagy?

Answer 33

when an animal eats it's own feces technically called cecotropes a way to put the stomach after the cecum to help further digestion