exotics and pocket pets

hystricomorph rodents

Evolved in South America; strict herbivores, long gestation and estrous cycles; precocial young; litter bearing; unique zygomatic bone and masseter muscle connection (allows forward-back chewing); ex. chinchillas, guinea pigs

guinea pigs and chinchillas digestive system

monogastric herbivores; enlarged cecum (colonic separation method)

colonic separation method (mucus trap strategy)

bacteria suspended in mucus in colon; fiber particles excreted; reverse peristalsis retains bacteria (increase fermentation time); coprophagy

coprophagy

eating feces; some B vitamins, enhances fiber digestion, digest bacteria

colonic separation methods

guinea pig lifespan (pets)

5-6 years

guinea pig sexual maturity

females: 2 months; males: 3 months

guinea pig estrous cycle length

15-17 days

guinea pig gestation

~68 days

guinea pig litter size

~2-4

guinea pig weaning age

21 days (bw = 180g)

guinea pig reproductive characteristics

vaginal plug; dystocia common

guinea pig vaginal plug

coagulated ejaculate; helps sperm go to uterus; falls out hours after mating (evidence)

elodont

teeth that always grow

guinea pig husbandry

social animals; poop a ton; keep cool in summer; unaccepting of diet/water changes; will not jump or climb out

Vitamin C

not naturally produced by guinea piga; lack L-gulonolactone oxidase

vitamin C sources (guinea pigs)

fortified feeds (oxidized ~90 days after manufacture date); water drops (half volatilizes in 24 hours); fruits/vegs (peppers, tomato, broccoli)

chinchilla villain origin story

Andes mountains (arid, high elevation); hunted for dense, warm fur; active (need a large cage

Chinchilla lanigera

long-tailed breed; domesticated

Chinchilla life span (pet)

10 years (>20 years possible)

Chinchilla sexual maturity

8 months

Chinchilla estrous cycle length

30-50 days

Chinchilla gestation length

~111 days

Chinchilla litter size

~2

Chinchilla weaning age

6-8 weeks

Chinchilla reproductive characteristics

seasonally polyestrous (Nov. - May); placentophagic (blood on nose/mouth indicates parturition over)

Chinchilla husbandry

nocturnal; eat 70% of food at night; cecotrophic; keep cool

cecotrophic

consume nutrient-rich material from cecum; large cecum, sacculated large intestine

chinchilla dust baths

daily or several times/week; reduces lipids on fur; DO NOT GET WET (thick, dense fur)

chinchilla pellets (diet)

16-20% protein; 2-5% fat; 15-35% fiber

chinchilla diet

requirements unknown; pellets; treats (1 tsp/day); slim tree branches, other chews

chinchilla safe treats

grains, dried apples, raisins, figs, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds

components of a proper diet for small herbivores

high-quality, high-fiber grass hay; high-fiber uniform pellets; fresh or dried greens; treats; unlimited fresh/clean water

high-quality, high-fiber grass hay

70-75% of diet; available at all times; may also be used as bedding, which should be differentiated; ex. timothy, orchard, meadow, oat hay

high fiber uniform pellets

15-20% of diet; should be grass hay or alfalfa-based (depending on life stage); always feed recommended amount based on characteristics (ex. weight, age, health); avoid added seeds, fruits, or vegs

fresh or dried greens

5-15%; only appropriate green plants, should be carefully cleaned

treats

0-5%; low-sugar, high fiber treats are recommended

rodent pocket pets

gerbil, hamster, mice, rats

non rodent pocket pets

ferret, hedgehog, sugar gliders

crepuscular

active primarily during the twilight period

gerbil/hamster sex based terms

male: buck; female: doe

mice/rats sex based terms

male: sire; female: dam

ferret sex based terms

male: hob; female: jill

hedgehog sex based terms

male: boar; female: sow

omnivore pocket pets

gerbil, hamster, mice, rates, hedgehog, sugar gliders

pocket pets that can be litter box trained

ferrets, hedgehogs

nocturnal pocket pets

hamsters; mice; rats; hedgehogs, sugar gliders, chinchillas

crepuscular pocket pets

guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, some hamsters

diurnal pocket pets

gerbils

gerbil life span

3-5y

hamster life span

2-3y

mice life span

1-2y

rats life span

2-3y

ferret life span

7-10y

hedgehog life span

~4-7y

sugar glider life span

10-14y

rodere

to gnaw