Weaseling their way into your heart.

Ferrets

Terms Jill- A female ferret Hob- An intact male ferret Gib- Neutered male Sprite- Spayed female Business- a group of ferrets Dook- a sound a ferret makes when

excited Musk- odor produced typically by males

Ferrets

Ferrets are also a very popular companion pet. A ferret lives six to eight years on average and

weighs about 3 pounds. Female ferrets are called jills, while male

ferrets are called hobs. Neutered males are called gibs Spayed females are called sprites

Ferrets

Ferrets are extremely active, curious pets that like to explore and play in their surroundings. Instinctively, ferrets like to sleep

most of the day and are most active in the dawn and dusk hours.

The name "ferret" is derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief"

Ferrets

One notable quality of ferrets is their musky odor. Males produce more musk than females,

but spaying and neutering can help eliminate it.

Some people find this odor offensive, while others hardly notice it.

Most ferrets come de-scented (meaning they’ve had their scent glands removed).

Diet

By nature, ferrets are carnivores. Their food is very similar to cat food and

can be interchanged, but cat food is unsuitable for ferrets, because of their low protein content and high fiber

Although they enjoy grains and sweets like bananas and peanut butter, many experts discourage feeding it due to diseases similar to diabetes

Housing

Ferrets are very curious by nature. A multi-level cage is usually adequate,

but if left bored, they’ll find a way out to roam the house.

A litter box can be used, but ferrets are not always 100% successful in litter training.

Housing

Because they are so curious, it is best to have hammocks for them to sleep in and plenty of toys to entertain them.

Ferrets do not like to be cold, so avoid drafts and cold areas of the house.

Reproduction

A baby ferret is called a kit. Gestation- 6 weeks 3 weeks into the kit’s life you should start

holding and socializing it to people. Also you can start weaning it by giving it

regular food moistened with water. Weaning is complete after 6 weeks since

birth

Reproduction

Jills come into heat when there is more daylight than night.

If they do not breed, they may go into a prolonged heat that can last 6 months and can result in anemia. This can kill her, so hormone injections or

mating with a neuter male might be needed.

Medical Care & Conditions

Ferrets should be seen by a vet every 6 months for proper evaluation.

Annually they should receive a rabies and a canine distemper vaccine.

By law they must receive the rabies vaccine in Delaware.

Medical Care & Conditions

Adrenal disease can be caused by unusual growths on the adrenal glands.

Symptoms include rapid hair loss, irritation, difficulty urinating and defecating, and increased grooming practices.

Medical Care & Conditions Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a

common disease where the body’s immune system attacks itself and causes growths on organs.

Although flexible, many ferrets are seen by vets for fractures and broken bones due to mishandling.

Weasel War Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE8JFqlDUNg&feature=related

Rats, mice, and more!

Small rodents in all shapes and sizes

Terms

Rodent Hamster Gerbil Mouse/Mice Rat Muroid Diurnal Pinky

Rodents

Rodents are mammals with two large front teeth, such as mice, gerbils, hamsters, and rats.

They make good pets in confined areas due to their size.

Rodents

Rodents come from the order Rodentia and typically the family Muridea or superfamily muroid.

Larger muroids are commonly referred to as rats, while smaller ones are called mice.

Typically, rodents seek food and store it until it is eaten.

Rodents

All rodents are prey animals and naturally like to hide.

Typically they reproduce quickly and have many offspring.

Babies are often called pinkies. Their gestations are short and estrus

occurs frequently.

Hamsters

Hamsters are nocturnal rodents that should be handled often to keep them tame. Some common types

are dwarf, golden, Angora, and Chinese hamsters.

All hamsters like nuts as treats but should be fed a commercial feed designed especially for them. You can also feed your hamster fresh fruits and

vegetables, but raw beans, tomatoes, and green potatoes should be avoided.

Hamsters

You can house your hamster in a wire cage, a plastic cage, or in an aquarium. Line the bottom with shavings, but avoid

cedar ones. Always keep their living

environment clean and dry. You should also provide

your hamster with places to burrow and exercise.

Storing food

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK6t8wZ6nxk

Gerbils

Gerbils are quick and curious rodents that grow up to 4 inches long and weigh 3 ounces at maturity. They are diurnal, which means they sleep

during the night and are awake during the day.

Gerbils tend to be shy and should be handled often but very carefully.

Gerbils

Feeding gerbils is inexpensive because they only eat a tablespoon of food per day. Use a commercial feed, but supplement it

with fresh grass, lettuce, or apples. When choosing a home for your gerbil,

make sure it provides the rodent with exercise and hiding spots.

Bedding should be replaced at least once a week.

ESCAPE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D4VoIxKsHc

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats are rodents that make excellent pets because they are friendly and can be trained to do various things. They come in many different colors.

Mice and rats need fresh water and can be fed seeds, nuts, bread, and other foods.

Always keep cages clean and dry.

Mice and Rats

To keep them healthy, disinfect their cages and give them something to gnaw on.

Mice and rats are nocturnal. It is common for them to run in an exercise

wheel or explore their cages for food during the night.

Rats LAUGH! …and more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myuceywaOUs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NoguHxGVqc&feature=related

The only marsupial exotic pet in this area.

Sugar Gliders

Terms

Marsupial- mammals that give birth early and have the offspring stay within a pouch or attached to the mother until finished development.

Patagium- flap of skin that stretches from the ankles to the wrists.

Joey- baby glider Bifuricated- divided in two

Anatomy

Sugar gliders are marsupials. They can literally glide a fair distance

by using the patagium and steering with their tails.

They have sharp nails and can cling tightly like velcro to almost any surface.

Anatomy- A visual

Reproductive Anatomy

Being marsupials, females have pouches to hold young as they grow and develop.

Females have a double uterus in which they can usually hold 1 joey in each.

Males have a bifuricated penis in which that use to mate with both vaginal openings in the female.

Reproductive Anatomy

Reproductive Cycle

Gliders are sexually mature at about 7-10 months of age.

Reproduction happens at night because they are nocturnal.

Estrus is about 28 days long. Females give birth early at 16 days

after conception.

Reproductive Cycle

After giving birth, the joeys make their way to the pouch where they stay, attached to a nipple, for 10 more weeks to finish development, then comes weaning (by 12 weeks).

The father should stay with the female during this time since he will care for the babies while the mother finds food and exercises.

Diet

Gliders are omnivores, meaning they eat meat and vegetation.

A typical diet for gliders includes mealworms, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and other insects.

There are pelleted foods that are nutritionally balanced.

Good or Bad?

Good Pets or Bad?

There is a lot of controversy over this topic.

First, gliders are HIGHLY social and can die if left alone, so it’s best to have a pair instead of one.

Also, you should play with your glider at least one hour a day to bond appropriately.

Good Pets or Bad?

Odor- male gliders during times of mating due produce a strong odor from scent glands.

Otherwise gliders smell no worse than any other animal if their cage is kept clean.

Noise- the biggest con is the variety of noises that they make.

Sounds of the Glider

Singing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwLZU2j1Gug

Crabbing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IpS8ZBeZRw&feature=related

Happy noises: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Hqe7op9OWzY&feature=related