Sugar Gliders/Hedgehogs Flashcards
What is the infraclass and order of sugar gliders?
Infraclass = Marsupialia
Order = Diprotodontia
(T/F) Sugar gliders are not social, arboreal, nocturnal gliding marsupials that are illegal pets in a couple of states.
False - Everything correct except that they ARE social
Why do sugar gliders use their numerous scent glands for?
Marking their territory and individuals
Which digit in sugar gliders on the hind foot are partially fused to form a grooming comb?
Second and third digit
What is a GI anatomic similarity sugar gliders have with other pocket pets?
They possess an enlarged cecum
What is a patagium in a sugar glider?
Gliding membrane which extends from outside fifth finger to inside first toe
What do sugar gliders lack that usually marsupials have?
Lack of ossa marsupialia (eupubic bone)
Do we want to keep sugar gliders with other sugar gliders?
Yes - they are gregarous and social, never want to keep as a solitary animal
When do sugar gliders tend to be awake?
They are nocturnal - torporous during the day and extremely difficult to rouse
What do sugar gliders do to mark their areas in the house?
They mark with their scent and urine
How do sugar gliders communicate?
Communicate with yaps. chatterings and screams
Would you leave your wooden chair unattended with a sugar glider?
Only if you want it to get chewed - sugar gliders will readily chew wooden material
What do sugar gliders eat?
Nectar - insectivor diet
Honey, fruit, insects
What do you not want to feed sugar gliders?
Nuts, grains, and seeds
What do sugar glider housing require? (2 big things)
Elevated structures
Supplemental heat (one area of their enclosure need to have 75+ F temp)
What is the difference between a male and female sugar glider reproductive system compared to other pocket pets?
Male - bifurcated penis
Female - ventral abdominal pouch and two vaginae and two uteri
How long is the gestation for sugar gliders and why is it so short?
Gestation - 15-17 days
It is short because then the joeys go into the pouch for around 60-70 days
What can calcium deficiency cause in sugar gliders and what is the cause of this?
Secondary metabolic bone disease
Caused by inadequate vitamin D in the diet leading to low calcium diet (and high phosphorous)
If a sugar glider is lethargic, weak, limping, has swollen fingers and toes and muscle tremors what is the most likely cause?
Calcium deficiency
Why can joeys get cataracts?
Due to poor nutrition of nursing female
Why can joeys get eye infections?
Due to the mom having a pouch infection with either bacteria or yeast
What are some causes that lead to stress in sugar gliders?
Excessive handling, arousal from torpor, temperature fluctuations
What is Dr. Smiths sentiment on sugar gliders?
He likes them but he would never have one
What is the class and subclass of Hedgehogs?
Class = Mammalia
Subclass= Eutheria
How are hedgehogs and porcupines differ?
Hedgehog quills are not barbed
(T/F) Hedgehogs are easy to unroll when handling.
False - they are really difficult to unroll
What is self anointing in hedgehogs and why is it annoying?
Salivate excessively in presence of new food, odor or salt and they spread this all over their quills which will irritate and have an allergic reaction on people
(T/F) Hedgehogs are quiet, docile, and nocturnal animals with an excellent sense of smell.
True
What do hedgehogs eat?
Omnivorous/insectivorous diet
Juvenile hedgehogs (hoglets) have a membrane, do you need to take these off?
No the membrane that covers the pink/red in color quills will be lost in 24 hours
What are some skin problems that hedgehogs get?
Mites, bacterial dermatitis, fungal (ringworm)
If a hedgehog has a demyleniating paralysis with progressive loss of muscle control, what do we call this?
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome - progressive, degenerative, nuerological disease which leads to death in 18-25 months
What are some causes of diarrhea in hedgehogs?
Bacterial, change in diet, dairy products
Why do hedgehogs get facial and eye injuries mostly?
From rooting
