Exotic Pets

Front 1

List some defining characteristics of the Chinchilla.

Back 1

--originally from Andes mountain range in South America
--have been bred for their fur (extremely soft)
--primarily nocturnal animals
--almost odor free
--they take "dust baths"
--gestation period is 111 days
--they average 2 babies per litter

Front 2

Approximately, how many hairs are in 1 hair follicle in the chinchilla?

Back 2

100-1000 per hair follicle

Front 3

What is the average lifespan of the chinchilla (in the wild)?

Back 3

10 years

Front 4

Chinchillas should NOT be exposed to temps over ___degrees F due to heat exhaustion.

Back 4

80 degrees F

Front 5

How many chinchillas should be allowed per cage and why?

Back 5

--only 1 per cage, b/c they are likely to fight (it's ok to socialize them together for a bit, but separate when gone)

Front 6

What kind of powder do chinchillas take a bath with, in the wild, and why do they do this?

Back 6

--they use volcanic ash in the wild
--it rids their fur of excess oils and moistures

Front 7

Name the exotic pet: This one is the most researched and the best choice for a happy and healthy pet.

Back 7

Chinchilla

Front 8

Chinchillas are sensitive to this "stimulant". What is it? (Hint: found in coffee and sodas)

Back 8

Caffeine

Front 9

Name the exotic pet:
--very primitive
--insectivores (eat a variety of insects)
--nocturnal
--practice an annointing behavior
--burrowing animals

Back 9

Hedgehog

Front 10

Name the 2 most common Hedgehogs that are kept as pets.

Back 10

European and African Hedgehogs

Front 11

Name 3 other mammals that are closely related to the Hedgehog.

Back 11

1--moles
2--voles
3--shrews

Front 12

This exotic pet gained its popularity due to a 1980s cartoon character.

Back 12

Hedgehog

Front 13

What is the average weight for a Hedgehog?

Back 13

250-600g (454.6g = 1lb)

Front 14

What are some common ailments seen in the hedgehog?

Back 14

--obsesity
--constipation
--mites
--lungworms (snail/slug vectors)

Front 15

What insect is a favorite treat of the hedgehog?

Back 15

mealworms

Front 16

What is a defense mechanism of the hedgehog?

Back 16

its spines

Front 17

What is the annointing behavior that hedgehogs do?

Back 17

Annointing refers to the hedgehog using its saliva as sort of a body lotion; used for grooming purposes.

Front 18

What is the average lifespan for a hedgehog?

Back 18

10 yrs

Front 19

Name the exotic pet:
--social animals; they do NOT do well when housed alone
--diurnal
--average weight is 1-5 lbs
--love to burrow and hide; pvc pipe tunnels

Back 19

Prairie Dog

Front 20

What type of commercial chow is ok for prairie dogs--if you cannot find PD food?

Back 20

rabbit chow

Front 21

What type of forage should prairie dogs NOT have as an adult?

Back 21

alfalfa

Front 22

What are some common diseases of the Prairie Dog?

Back 22

--obesity
--dental disease
--respiratory disease

Front 23

Name the exotic pet:
--native to Australia & New Guinea
--can glide up to 150 ft
--high social mammal

Back 23

Sugar Glider

Front 24

What is the average lifespan of the Sugar Glider--in captivity?

Back 24

12-14 years

Front 25

What is an interesting fact about a sugar glider's tail and fingers/toes?

Back 25

--the tail is NOT prehensile, but they do have opposable fingers and toes

Front 26

Why must sugar gliders be housed together, and NOT alone?

Back 26

Sugar Gliders are social animals. They do best when housed together. If kept seperate, they wil display self-destructive behaviors.

Front 27

Name a few common health issues associated with the Sugar Glider.

Back 27

--nutritional stress
--cataracts
--skin problems

Front 28

Name the exotic pet:
--originally from Chile
--aka the "brush tail rat"
--very social animals
--determine their heirarchy by the size of their stick pile

Back 28

Degu

Front 29

What 2 kinds of research are Degus typically used for?

Back 29

Diabetes and Cataracts

Front 30

What is the average lifspan for Degus? (wild & captivity)

Back 30

wild: 15 years
captivity: 10-13 years

Front 31

Degus have very good vision and have a special sensitiviy to UV light. True or False?

Back 31

True

Front 32

Degus are born relatively mature. True or False?

Back 32

True

Front 33

List some defining characteristics about Degus.

Back 33

--social animals that live in burrows
--herbivores that practice coprophagy
--determine their hierarchy based on the size of their stick pile

Front 34

What is the one food that Degus should NEVER have?
What is the one "stimulant" Degus should NEVER have?

Back 34

food: sugar
stimulant: caffeine (its fatal)

Front 35

Name a health condition that Degus are prone to.

Back 35

Diabetes

Front 36

Name the exotic pet:
--resembles a raccoon
--originally from central & south america
--have large talons and sharp teeth

Back 36

Coatimundi