- -  AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM  - -

(CLF3000)  Advanced Core Cluster:  ANIMAL SCIENCE

  (CLF3450)  Unit Title:  SMALL ANIMAL PRODUCTION
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  (CLF3451)  Topic:  TYPES OF SMALL             Time          Year(s) 
                     ANIMALS                    2 hours       3 / 4        
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          Topic Objectives:  Upon completion of this lesson, the student 
                             will be able to:

          Learning Outcome #:

            (H-1)  -  Identify six species of small animals that are of
                      importance to agriculture and list common breeds
                      within each species.

          Special Materials and Equipment:  Supplemental Worksheet #1,
                      various types of small animals for display and 
                      discussion.

          References: Cheeke, Peter R. RABBIT PRODUCTION.
                      Mosesson, Gloria R., Scher, and Sheldon. BREEDING 
                        LABORATORY ANIMALS.

          Evaluation: Quiz by instructor and completion of Supplemental 
                      Worksheet #1.


TOPIC PRESENTATION:  TYPES OF SMALL ANIMALS

A.  Mouse

    1.  Scientific name - Mus musculus

        a.  Albino variety:

            1)  Is pure white with pink eyes and skin.

            2)  Is preferred in most laboratory situations because they 
                contain a higher percentage of homozygous genes which
                
                a)  makes them genetically similar, and

                b)  decreases the differences (variations in response to 
                    the testing) seen between animals in experiments.
                    (i.e., because they are genetically similar, they 
                    respond to testing in similar ways


        b.  Colored varieties, are sold as pets or as food for reptiles.

            1)  may be solid colors such as black, tan, or brown,

            2)  or may be spotted.

    2.  The mouse is the most commonly used laboratory animal.  Scientists 
        prefer it for a wide variety of research projects for the following 
        reasons:

        a.  small size,

        b.  early sexual maturity,

        c.  high percentage of fertile animals,

        d.  short gestation period, and

        e.  relatively high position on the evolutionary scale, which 
            makes research on them applicable to humans.

B.  Rat

    1.  Scientific name - Rattus norvegicus

        a.  Albino variety:

            1)  This variety is pure white with pink eyes and skin.

            2)  It is the most frequently used rat for laboratory purposes.

        b.  Hooded variety:

            1)  This one has black or tan coloration about the head and
                shoulder region, may have a colored stripe down the back.

            2)  This type is commonly used as a pet.

        c.  Solid colored varieties:  Black and brown domestic rats 
            resemble their wild ancestors too closely in coat color to be 
            sold as pets, so they are sold as food for reptiles.

    2.  The rat is the second most popular laboratory animal.  although it
        is much larger than the mouse, rats resemble the mice in appearance, 
        and are closely related to them.

        a.  The domestic rat cannot be compared to its wild relatives.

        b.  Countless generations of breeding and handling in the lab have
            eliminated many of the wild rats' undesirable characteristics.


C.  Hamster

    1.  Scientific name - Mesocricetus auratas (Syrian Hamster)

        a.  Syrian or Golden Hamster:

            1)  has a golden color over most of its body with white patches
                on its cheeks, front legs, and hind feet;

            2)  is popular as a pet; and

            3)  is increasing in popularity as a laboratory animal.

        b.  Angora (Teddy Bear):

            1)  has long, fuzzy hair covering the body;

            2)  is available in many colors, usually in lighter shades of
                tan, gray, or white; and

            3)  is most popular as a pet.

        c.  Chinese (Black Hamster):

            1)  has short hair like that of the Syrian hamster;

            2)  is usually solid gray or black; and

            3)  are not very popular as pets because of their resemblance to
                wild rodents.

    2.  The hamster is a nocturnal animal that has the advantages of
        being small, attractive, easy to handle, and has little or no
        unpleasant aroma, which makes it attractive as a pet.

    3.  In research, it has been used in studies of blood-vessel physiology,
        genetics, hibernation, and immunology.

D.  Guinea Pig

    1.  Scientific name - Cavia porcellus

        a.  English strain:

            1)  has short, smooth hair, and

            2)  is found in a wide array of solid colors and color 
                combinations.

        b.  Peruvian strain:

            1)  has short, rough hair (the hair stands up in different 
                directions like "cow-licks"), and

            2)  is found in a wide variety of colors.


        c.  Abysinnian strain:

            1)  has long hair, and

            2)  may be a solid or mixture of colors.

    2.  Guinea pigs are used as food animals in some parts of Central 
        and South America.

    3.  They make excellent pets and are very responsive to the type of 
        care they receive.

    4.  The guinea pig has been used over an entire range of medical
        research - nutrition, pharmacology, allergies, radiology and
        immunology.

E.  Rabbit

    1.  Scientific name - Oryctolagus cuniculus

        a.  There are over 39 breeds of rabbits recognized by the American
            Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), 5 of the most common breeds
            are listed below:

            1)  New Zealand White - albino in coloration, a mature weight of
                10-12 pounds, is the most common laboratory rabbit, and can
                also be used for meat.

            2)  Californian - white body with a brown nose, feet, ears and
                tail, a mature weight of 9-10 pounds, and is very popular as 
                a meat breed.

            3)  Rex - seen in a large variety of solid colors and two-tone
                colors, mature weight of 8-9 pounds, and is known for its
                dense mink-like pelt.

            4)  Netherland Dwarf - brown, agouti, tan, and other solids,
                usually dark colors, characteristically has very short ears,
                a mature weight of 2-3 pounds, and is commonly raised as a 
                pet 

            5)  Mini-Lop - many colors, both solid and two-tone, has droopy 
                ears a mature weight of 5-6 pounds, and most is commonly 
                raised as a pet.

    2.  Rabbits are used for meat, (Californian), breeds are used for their
        hair (Angora) and pelts (Rex).

    3.  Certain breeds are exclusively raised and sold as pets and show 
        animals (Lops and Dwarf breeds).

    4.  As laboratory animals, rabbits require more space and thus are
        more expensive to maintain than mice or rats.  Rabbits are 
        primarily used in the lab for the production of antiserum for
        toxicity testing of drugs and biologicals.


F.  Gerbil

    1.  Scientific name - Meriones libycus:

        a.  is an Egyptian desert rat half the size of the hamster and
            slightly larger than the mouse; 

        b.  has a fur covered tail;

        c.  is found in a variety of solid colors; and

        d.  is destructive to crops and native wildlife, hence, they are 
            currently illegal to own in California as a pet or for research.


          __________________________________________________________
          ACTIVITY: 
 
          1.  Complete Supplemental Worksheet #1.

          2.  Observe some of the animals discussed in lecture, and
              have students determine the species, variety, breed,
              or strain that each animal represents.  (Animals may
              be obtained on loan from pet stores, feed stores, 
              biology classes, or from student projects.)           
          
          __________________________________________________________



SUPPLEMENTAL WORKSHEET #1                     SMALL ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Name_____________________

Date_____________________

Per._____________________

Answer the following questions on small animals:

1.  Which species is illegal for use as a lab animal or as a pet in 
    California?  Why?





2.  Why are albino animals preferred in laboratories?



3.  Why are brown rats and mice often sold as reptile food rather than as
    pets?


4.  List four reasons why the mouse is the most commonly used laboratory 
    animal:




5.  Identify a drawback by using the rabbit as a lab animal?



6.  Fill in the following blanks:

a.  Three breeds of rabbits: _____________________,  ______________________, 

    and _______________________

b.  Three strains of Guinea pigs:____________________, ____________________,

    and _______________________

c.  Three varieties of hamsters:____________________, _____________________,

    and _______________________

d.  Two varieties of rats:_________________________, _______________________

e.  Two varieties of mice:_________________________, _______________________

5/10/90sg


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