AN SCI 200 EXAM 1

Most popular U.S. companion animals

Freshwater fish, dogs, cats, and birds.

Most common pets by number of homes

Dogs, cats, freshwater fish, then birds.

Largest pet expense category

Food and treats, followed by veterinary care.

Three classes of fish

Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes.

Agnatha

Jawless fish; generally a problem as parasites.

Chondrichthyes

Cartilaginous fish, including sharks and rays.

Osteichthyes

Bony fish.

Approximate number of living fish species

About 25,000.

Freshwater fish osmoregulation

Drink very little and urinate a lot.

Fish heart

Two-chambered.

Labyrinth organ

Primitive lung-like structure that lets some fish gulp air at the surface.

Swim bladder

Buoyancy organ present in some, but not all, fish.

Fish thermoregulation

Most fish are heterothermic.

First domesticated fish

Carp in China; later developed into goldfish and koi.

Most aquarium fish today

Tropical fish.

Fish reproduction: oviparous

About 97% of fish species lay eggs that hatch outside the body.

Fish reproductive methods

Egg scattering, scooping, mouth brooding, bubble nests, and ovoviviparity.

Snail reproduction

Some are hermaphroditic; fertilization may be internal or external.

Cephalopods in aquariums

Difficult to keep; short lifespan of about 1–2 years.

Cephalopod reproduction and death

Males die after mating; females die after laying eggs.

Crabs as pets

Semi-terrestrial and may drown if submerged continuously.

Hermit crab care

Need shallow water, shells, and an omnivorous diet; breathe with gills.

FLAWS aquarium setup mnemonic

Feed, Light, Air, Water, Space.

Aquarium feeding

Feed what fish can eat in about 5 minutes, once daily unless juvenile.

Aquarium lighting

Mostly for viewing, but especially important for live plants.

Aquarium air/temperature

Maintain proper temperature; tropical fish usually 72–78°F.

Goldfish temperature

Below about 60°F.

Aquarium water

Maintain good water quality.

Aquarium space

Provide liberal water surface area.

Three types of aquarium filtration

Mechanical, chemical, and biological.

Mechanical filtration

Uses materials such as gravel, wool, or floss.

Chemical filtration

Uses activated charcoal.

Biological filtration

Uses bacteria.

Best aquarium water source

Tap water is usually best.

Adding fish to an aquarium

Add a few at a time so bacteria can multiply.

Introducing new fish

Feed old fish first and float the new fish bag 20–30 minutes.

Foul aquarium odor

Bad sign caused by decomposition of feces, plants, or fish.

Partial aquarium water changes

Do every 2 weeks.

Marine aquarium salinity

About 35 ppt salt.

Marine aquarium pH

About 8.0–8.3.

Marine aquarium calcium

Use calcium carbonate sources.

Marine aquarium filtration concern

Very susceptible to ammonia toxicity.

Marine aquariums and metals

Avoid metals.

Marine aquarium monitoring

Water monitoring kits are probably needed.

Coral reef tank lighting

Requires strong lighting.

Coral reef tank water movement

Some corals require wave motion.

Coral-algae relationship

Many corals have a symbiotic relationship with algae.

Six general nutrients

Protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.

Proteins

Made of amino acids; animals require specific amino acids.

Amino acid R group

The R group differs in each amino acid.

Amino acid nitrogen group

Nitrogen is present in the H2N group.

Fats

Some are essential depending on species; carry fat-soluble vitamins.

Energy from fats

Fats provide 2.25 times more energy per unit than carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates

None are essential; digestibility varies among species.

Carbohydrates as feed

Common, inexpensive energy source.

Plant fiber

Many plant fibers are indigestible.

Vitamins

Involved in many body functions.

Minerals

Inorganic nutrients.

Water

Arguably the most important nutrient.

Functions of water

Structure, nutrient/waste transport, solvent, and heat regulation.

Mouth digestive function

Mastication and saliva with enzymes.

Stomach digestive function

Acid, enzymes, storage, and some mixing.

Small intestine function

Digestive enzymes and absorption.

Liver digestive role

Associated with gall bladder and bile.

Large intestine function

Water resorption, microbial digestion, vitamin/salt and fatty acid absorption, storage.

Diet digestibility

A highly digestible diet is very important.

Why aquatic species need less energy

Streamlined movement, less resistance to gravity, and thermal control.

Herps

Amphibians plus reptiles.

Amphibian skin

Skin without scales.

Amphibian thermoregulation

Heterothermic.

Amphibian heart

Three-chambered.

Amphibian life cycle

Gills when young, metamorphosis, lungs as adults.

Amphibian reproduction

Almost all are oviparous.

Amphibian ideal temperature

About 68–72°F.

Amphibian cooling

Use evaporative cooling and may burrow into soil.

Amphibian dormancy

May hibernate or aestivate.

Amphibian water intake

Adults absorb water through skin rather than drinking.

Amphibian diet

Nearly all are carnivores.

Common amphibian foods

Mealworms, crickets, sowbugs, flies, and pinky mice.

Calcium and insect diets

Calcium usually needs to be added.

Gut-loading

Feeding nutrients to the prey animal before it is eaten.

Amphibian handling

Limit handling because thin skin absorbs lotions and chemicals.

Reptile metamorphosis

Reptiles do not undergo metamorphosis.

Reptile thermoregulation

Heterothermic.

Reptile heart

Usually three-chambered; crocodiles have four chambers.

Reptile body covering

Scales.

Reptile respiration

Breathe air.

Reptile habitat

Primarily terrestrial; secondarily aquatic in some species.

Reptile reproduction

Mostly oviparous; some ovoviviparous.

Reptile eggs

Can incubate outside water.

Reptile fertilization

Internal.

Reptile parental incubation

Rare.

Reptile incubation period

Depends on environmental temperature.

Typical snake lifespan

About 10–20 years.

Snake temperature

About 75–90°F; 70–75°F at night.

Snake temperature gradient

Provide a hot side and a cooler side.

Snake feeding frequency

Do not need daily feeding.

Snakes during molting

Often do not eat.

Snake fasting ability

Can live several months without feed.

Lizard sexual maturity

Around one year old.