Exploring Other Specialty Animals

 HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on: (1) distinguishing between group and individual behavior, (2) identifying evidence supporting the outcomes of group behavior, and (3) developing logical and reasonable arguments based on evidence. Examples of group behaviors could include flocking, schooling, herding, and cooperative behaviors such as hunting, migrating, and swarming

 ABS Develop production and operational plans for an AFNR business. ABS b. Identify and assess alternative production systems for a specific agricultural product.

 Discuss kinds of birds and their management.  Discuss kinds of rodents and their management.  Discuss kinds of reptiles and their management.  Discuss kinds of other animals and their management.

 Cavies  Diurnal  Gerbils  Greenfood  Grit  Plastron  Reptile  Rodent  Scutes  Tortoise

Interest Approach  Find someone (student, teacher, friend) that has an unusual pet. Ask them if they could bring it in and answer questions from students about it. Pets may include but are not limited to turtles, snakes, pot- bellied pigs, insects, ferrets, reptiles, and spiders. Make sure the owner is trustworthy to know how to properly handle their pet so no possible injuries can occur.

 People like certain birds because of their colors or because they can talk.  Before selecting a bird be sure you have proper feed, supplies, and accessories to raise it properly.  Keep males away from females if you do not want babies.

 Commercial feeds are available for each species.  Green food Any vegetable that is not dried down like corn or carrots.  Grit Finely ground material similar to sand/small gravel. All birds need some grit. Promotes gizzard action/food grinding.

 Keep them well fed and out of harsh weather, that will keep them healthy.  Symptoms a bird is sick. not eating well feathers look ragged feathers are missing

Cockatiels and Parakeets  Similar to parrots.  Easy to train  Very colorful  Cockatiels prefer cereal grains, fruit, and many other things.  Both very friendly.  Enjoy being properly handled.

Finches  Come in several varieties.  Grow to 5 inches tall.  Eat standard birdseed.  Males produce unique songs.  Inexpensive birds that stay small.

Lovebirds  A type of parrot  Very colorful  Affectionate  Easy to tame  Do not talk  Like cereal grains, fruit, & green food  5.6 inches tall

 Brightly colored birds.  Prefer large cages.  Mainly eat seeds and some green food.  Grow to 5 to 7 inches tall.  Considered a singing bird.

Budgerigars  Native to Australia.  Very talkative.  Many have health problems.  Very colorful.  Eat a feed designed for them.  Up to 7 inches tall.

Amazon Parrots  Very talkative when trained to do so.  Good pets because they are affectionate.  Prefer large cages.  Grow up to 15 inches tall.

Macaws  Type of parrot.  Wonderful pets because- colorful, intelligent and playful behaviors.  Large birds.  Grow up to 36 inches tall.

Discuss kinds of rodents and their management.

 Cavies small rodents often called Guinea Pigs  They are calm  Easy to care for  Weigh about 2 pounds.  Live for 5 years.  Short or long haired>  Different colors and combination of colors.  Easy to feed just supplement Vitamin C.  Can’t synthesize their own Vitamin C.  Feed hay, grass, or a designed feed for them.  Require 2 square feet per animal for exercise.  Keep cage clean & dry.

 Nocturnal animals  Handled often to keep tame.  3 types Golden Hamster Angora Hamster Chinese Hamster  Like nuts as treats.  Feed fresh fruits and vegetables.  Avoid feeding raw beans, tomatoes, and green potatoes.  House in a wire cage, a plastic cage or an aquarium.  Line bottom with shavings avoiding cedar.  Keep clean & dry.  Needs a place to burrow and exercise.

 A quick and curious rodent.  Weigh 3 ounces at maturity.  Grow to length of 4 inches they are diurnal Animals that sleep during the night and are awake during the day.  Replace bedding at least once per week.  Tend to be shy.  Should be handled often but carefully.  Only eat 1 tablespoon of food a day.  Use a commercial feed.  Supplement with treats of fresh grass, lettuce or apples.  Have a spot for exercise and hiding.

 Make excellent pets.  They are friendly.  Can be trained to do various things.  Vary in color.  Need fresh water.  Can be fed seeds, nuts, bread, and other food.  Keep cages clean and dry.  Keep them healthy by disinfecting cages.  Give them something to gnaw on.

Discuss kinds of reptiles and their management.

 Reptile An ectothermic animal with lungs and dry scaly skin. Includes lizards, snakes and turtles for pets. Can live up to 20 years. Getting one as a pet is a long term commitment.

 Tortoise Common term used to describe terrestrial turtles.  Shells covered with scute.  Scute Large scale-like structures made of keratin and cover shells of turtles. Have nerve endings so can tell if something touches shell.  Plastron Found under the chest of turtles and is made of bony plates covered with scutes.  Reproduce by eggs.  Can pull in their head, legs and tail under shell for protection.  Can be very large and be very dangerous.

 Reptiles with long tails.  Not for everyone.  Several species can be used as pets.  Each have different environmental and nutritional requirements.  Garter and pythons are popular.  Housing must be secure to contain snakes.  Generally fed small-live rodents.

 Reptiles with tails, four legs, movable eyelids and ear openings.  Reproduce by eggs.  Come in many shapes, colors, and sizes.  Find out the size of lizard before purchasing.  Make sure the variety to be raised is not endangered etc.

Discuss kinds of other animals and their management.

What other animals could I keep as pets?  Many animals are kept as pets?  Some include; pot bellied pigs ferrets rabbits hedgehogs spiders

How do I raise pot bellied pigs?  Personable and intelligent pigs.  Require much time from their owners.  Easy to train.  Clean, quiet, and playful animals.  Live up to 18 years.  Weigh around 125 pounds.

 They are time consuming because they are very curious and can get into things because the bore easily.  Teach themselves to open refrigerator or cupboards.  Become aggressive when begging for food.  Hooves and tusks need to be trimmed often.  Check local regulations to legal to own in your area.

 Have quills covering their bodies.  They are not dangerous if properly treated and handled.  Weigh up to 3 pounds.  12 inches long  Rat worms including mealworms.  Also can eat commercial cat food.  Include exercise equipment  Keep bedding clean and dry.

 How do I raise birds as pets?  How do I raise rodents?  What kinds of reptiles make good pets?  What other animals could I keep as pets?