Module 8 quiz: Rodents & Ferrets

Rodents belong to what order

Rodentia (to gnaw)

Most rodents are what type of feeders

Omnivores

What is the gap between incisors and cheek teeth called

Diastema

Rodents commonly consume what

Fecal pellets

Rat and mouse protein requirements are:

Low

Feed intake increases how much during lactation

4-5 times

Typical litter size

6-10 pups

Rat incisors do what continuously

Grow continuously

What gland produces red secretions when stressed

Harderian gland

Mice should always have what available

Unlimited water

Most common pet gerbil species

Mongolian gerbil

Gerbils drink approximately how much water daily

4-7 mL

Gerbils can survive without water for:

45 days

Gerbils commonly overconsume what

Sunflower seeds

Gerbils protein requirement

~16% or less

Gerbils are susceptible to deficiency of:

Magnesium

Signs of magnesium deficiency

Seizures, twitching, alopecia

Guinea pigs are strictly

Herbivorous

Guinea pigs consume

Cecotropes

Guinea pig protein requirement

18-20%

Guinea pigs cannot synthesize what vitamins

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for

Connective tissue synthesis and wound healing

Good source of Vitamin C

Fresh dark greens

Most common pet hamster

Syrian (golden) hamster

Hamsters possess what structures for food storage

Cheek Pouches

Hamsters develop what cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerosis

Hamster require vitamin D supplementation

false

Hamster are described as:

Granivorous

Hamster commonly do what with food

Hoard Food

Hamster protein requirement

17-23%

Hamster crude fiber requirement

6-8%

Chinchillas are

Hindgut fermenters

Chinchillas require what type of diet

High-fiber diet

Chinchillas are sensitive to

Dietary changes

Chinchillas teeth do what

Grow continuously

Ferrets are what type of carnivore

Obligate carnivores

Ferrets GI transit time

3-4 hours

Ferrets possess a cecum

False

Recommended protein level

30-40% meat protein

Recommended fat level

15-20% fat

Ferrets should be fed dog food

False

Ferrets prefer bowl or bottle

Dish

Ferrets are considered

Finicky eaters

High carbohydrate diets may contribute to

Insulinoma

Vegetable proteins may contribute to

Bladder stones, poor coat, gastroenteritis

Whole prey diets may include

Mice, rats, chicks

First three ingredients in ferret food should be

Meat-based ingredients

Ferret treat should avoid

fruits, grains, vegetables, sweeteners

Acceptable ferret treats include

Raw liver, heart, muscle,egg and mouse