rodents and small mammals

Question 1

what should you feed a wild mammal in the case of emergency captivity for rehabilitation

Answer 1

• the most appropriate food availible
• for carnivores and omnivores: road killed wildlife and earthworms or bough in chicks, mice etc
• insectavores: earth worms, maggots or meal worms
• herbivoresL weeds or bought in salad/veggies, seeds, grains, etc
• mimic natural diet as much as possible

Question 2

what should you consider before releasing a wild mammal

Answer 2

• are they able to avoid predators or danger
• can they hunt or forage for food
• can they find and defend territory
• adapt to weather conditions
• reproduce
• hibernate
• migrate
• are the native? if not may be illegal to release
• is the location of release safe?

Question 3

what are the legalities around release of wild mammals

Answer 3

wildlife and countryside act 1981 is for the protection and management of wild animals
- schedule 9 however outlines species tha CANNOT be released or allowed to escape as they are not native
- certain schedule 9 animals can be re released after a brief period of rehabilitation under a general license

Question 4

list normal behaviours of captive rodents

Answer 4

• gnawing (have pair of continuously growing incisors on each side of jaw)
• burrowing and nest building
• foraging
• sandbathing
• exercise
• jumping and climbing
• social interaction
• thigmotaxis
• food carrying (hamsters)
• torpor/hibernation (hamsters)

Question 5

list daily husbandry requirements of captive rodents

Answer 5

enclosure:
- gnaw proof
- easy to clean
- multiple levels
- solid floors with dust free non irritant susbtrate
- well ventilated and humid
- good lighting

enrichment:
- encourages natural behaviours
- places to hide
- substrate to burrow in
- nest building materials
- wheels (solid)
- feeding mothods (scattering and hiding vs bowls)
- ability to compartmentalise

nutrition:
- pellets

Question 6

list common health problems for captive rodents

Answer 6

• trauma (fighting, poor handling, enclosure design/maintenance)
• bumblefoot (surfaces, hygeine, obesity)
• resp disease (mixed infections such as mycoplsma pulmonis, streptococcus pneumoniae, viral infections, ventilation and cleanliness issues such as ammonia levels being too high, dusty bedding, not quarantining new arrivals)
• dental disease
• GI disease