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Small Mammal 1
Question | Answer |
---|---|
What are the characteristics of a mammal? | • Fur • Lactation • Vertebrates • Warm blooded or Endothermic • Give birth to live young (some exceptions) |
Nocturnal | Active at night. Ex: Bats |
Diurnal | Active during the day. Ex: Humans! |
Crepuscular | Active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. Ex: Deer. |
What are the characteristics of Altricial Young? | • Young born unable to move around on their own, basically helpless. • Usually short gestation period • Fast breeding prolific animals tend to have this type |
Which of the small mammals we studied have altricial young? | Hamsters, mice, rabbits, etc... |
What are the characteristics of Precocial Young? | • More alert and mobile following birth • Longer gestation periods |
Which of the small mammals we studied have precocial young? | Guinea pigs, chinchillas |
Rodentia | “Gnawing mammals.” Rodents. |
Lagomorpha | Rabbits and Hares. |
Carnivora | “Meat eaters” or carnivores. Ferret, cats, etc... |
Eulipotyphla | Insect eaters.” Hedgehogs. |
Mammalogy | the study of mammals |
What types of special adaptations and acute senses do carnivores have that enable them to capture prey? | •Speed, agility, sharp claws, and specialized teeth. •Acute senses of sight, smell and hearing that enable them to detect and capture prey. |
What are examples of domesticated carnivores? | Ferrets, cats, and dogs. |
Mustela putorius furo | Ferrets |
What were ferrets bred from and for in Europe? | European polecat for the purpose of hunting then as a household pet. |
What is the average lifespan of a ferret? | 5-8 years |
What time are ferrets active . | Crepuscular, Sleep up to 20 hours/day |
Ferrets smell really neutral and good T/F? | False, they have scent glands used for marking and they are smelly. |