Exam 2: Rabbits and Hares

Animal Sciences 200 with Ron Kean at University of Wisconsin - Madison

About this deck

By: Katie Schoofs
Created: 2011-03-04
Size: 38 flashcards
Views: 22

About StudyBlue

STUDYBLUE makes things that make you better at school. Things like online flashcards with photos and audio. Things like personalized quizzes and friendly reminders about when (and what) to study next. Think of it as a digital backpack™: access to all of your study materials online and on your phone. STUDYBLUE exists to make studying efficient and effective for every student, for free. Join us.

“I have been getting MUCH better grades on all my tests for school. Flash cards, notes, and quizzes are great on here. Thanks!”
Kathy

Sign up (free) to study this.

Rabbits and Hares

Order: Lagomorpha

Family: Leporidae

Characterized by large front teeth, but with small teeth behind the uppers and large flat molars

Rabbits and Hares: Teeth

Characterized by large front teeth, but with small teeth behind the uppers and large flat molars

Rabbits: offspring

altricial

generally, more compact body shape

Hares: offspring

precocial birth

generally, longer and thinner body shape

Jack Rabbit

hare

Belgian hare

Rabbit

male

buck

female

doe

young

kits

young (hares)

leverets

Senses: hearing

very good

just look at its ears

(rabbits are prey animals)

Senses: smell

very good

nose is always twitching

~100 million receptors (humans have ~ 5-6 million)

Senses: Sight

probably not great, as we think of it

very wide range of vision

poor ability to focus (or for depth perception)

poor color recognition (probably)

good ability to detect motion, predators = very important as a prey animal

Sizes

4-8 lbs is average

range from 2 to 20+ pounds, depending on the breed

females are large than males

Colors

Agouti: each individual hair is striped

Colors

Himalayan pattern

Hair Types

Normal: guard hairs are longer than under-hairs

Rex: guard haris are same length as under-hairs, all hairs are about 1/2 inch long, gives velvety appearance and feel

Hair Types

Satin: strands of hair are flattened, gives an extra sheen

Angora: very long hair, can be used for cloth, shed

Management: Handling

support body

scruff it and support body

Need to be careful; because the rabbit has very strong legs and can break their back from kicking

Shelter

outdoors is fine, need to acclimate appropriately

may be better than indoors

protect from predators

keep them dry

keep them out of direct wind

Shelter

wire floor is good

may want to have a solid area for resting

good to put wire on the inside of the wood frame

Food

herbivores

example diet might have: 50 % alfalfa, 25% corn, 25% oats, and a salt block

can feed some fresh vegetables

"pet" diet will generally have less grain and more grass hay

Coprophagy

well developed cecum for fiber digestion

eating cecal pellets

excellent source of B-vitamins

perfectly natural and healthy

Reproduction

induced ovulator

parturition is "kindling"

female will pull hair from her front before kindling to make a nest

milk is very concentrated-may only nurse one or twice a day

does cannot retrieve kits if they get out of the nest

Myxomatosis

viral disease

interesting, historically: Australia used the disease to kill unwanted rabbits

transmitted by mosquitoes and fleas (also direct contact)

causes fever, swollen eyelids, lips, face, swollen vent, scrotum

"big head disease"

no treatment

kill the animal and burn it

Snuffles

bacterial: Pasteurella multocida

probably most common disease

first symptom is often wet front feet

often a problem if ventilation is not goo

hard to cure with antibiotics

should not use for breeders, usually

if P. multocida gets to inner ear --> get wry neck

Mastitis

inflammation of the mammary glands

often Staphylococcus aureus

treatable with antibiotics

Coccidiosis

protozoal

need to keep cages clean so fecal pellets are not ingested

Ring worm

fungal

contagious to humans (zoonotic)

circular patches of lost hair, sores

Ear mites

parasite

watch for excessive scratching, sores behind the ear

need to massage in a treatment oil

Mange mites

parasite

Worms

parasite

Malocclusion

buck teeth- teeth do not line up

can trim so the rabbit can eat

don't breed affected animal

Sore hock and urine burn

hocks: flat part of foot that they sit on

due to poor management

urine-soaked hair in cage can cause irritation

Antibiotic use

can cause problems with bacteria in GI tract

cecum is very important for the rabbits

Hairballs

some can be passed by giving mineral oil

pineapple juice can help break them down

may need to be surgically removed

House Rabbits

becoming more common-treat rabbit more like a cat

House Rabbit Society

need to "rabbit-proof" your house

litter box training may be difficult with some rabbits

still suggest having them caged when you are not around

Easter Rabbits

common to give as a gift

not generally a good idea

About this deck

By: Katie Schoofs
Created: 2011-03-04
Size: 38 flashcards
Views: 22

About StudyBlue

“I have been getting MUCH better grades on all my tests for school. Flash cards, notes, and quizzes are great on here. Thanks!”
Kathy