Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon Obesulus)

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Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon Obesulus) Husbandry Guidelines for the Photo: Bronny Read Southern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon obesulus I Author: Bronny Elise Read ([email protected]) Institution: Taronga Training Institute Date of Preparation: 8 July 2016 Taronga Training Institute ACM30310 Certificate III in Captive Animals TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 5 2 TAXONOMY .................................................................................................................................. 6 NOMENCLATURE ........................................................................................................................... 6 SUBSPECIES ................................................................................................................................... 6 RECENT SYNONYMS ...................................................................................................................... 7 OTHER COMMON NAMES ............................................................................................................... 7 3 NATURAL HISTORY .................................................................................................................... 8 MORPHOMETRICS .......................................................................................................................... 8 3.1.1 Mass and Basic Body Measurements ................................................................................... 8 3.1.2 Sexual Dimorphism ............................................................................................................. 9 3.1.3 Distinguishing Features....................................................................................................... 9 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ....................................................................................................... 10 CONSERVATION STATUS .............................................................................................................. 11 DIET IN THE WILD ....................................................................................................................... 11 LONGEVITY ................................................................................................................................. 12 3.5.1 In the Wild ......................................................................................................................... 12 3.5.2 In Captivity ........................................................................................................................ 12 3.5.3 Techniques Used to Determine Age in Adults ..................................................................... 13 4 HOUSING REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 14 EXHIBIT/ENCLOSURE DESIGN ...................................................................................................... 14 HOLDING AREA DESIGN .............................................................................................................. 14 SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................. 15 POSITION OF ENCLOSURES ........................................................................................................... 15 WEATHER PROTECTION ............................................................................................................... 16 TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 16 SUBSTRATE ................................................................................................................................. 16 NEST BOXES AND/OR BEDDING MATERIAL ................................................................................... 17 ENCLOSURE FURNISHINGS ........................................................................................................... 17 5 GENERAL HUSBANDRY ........................................................................................................... 18 HYGIENE AND CLEANING ............................................................................................................ 18 RECORD KEEPING ........................................................................................................................ 20 METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION ..................................................................................................... 21 ROUTINE DATA COLLECTION ....................................................................................................... 21 6 FEEDING REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 23 CAPTIVE DIET ............................................................................................................................. 23 SUPPLEMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 24 PRESENTATION OF FOOD ............................................................................................................. 24 7 HANDLING AND TRANSPORT................................................................................................. 25 TIMING OF CAPTURE AND HANDLING .......................................................................................... 25 CATCHING BAGS ......................................................................................................................... 25 CAPTURE AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES ...................................................................................... 25 WEIGHING AND EXAMINATION .................................................................................................... 28 RELEASE ..................................................................................................................................... 29 TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................ 30 7.6.1 Box Design ........................................................................................................................ 30 7.6.2 Furnishings ....................................................................................................................... 32 7.6.3 Water and Food ................................................................................................................. 32 Husbandry Guidelines for the Southern Brown Bandicoot Bronny Read 2 7.6.4 Animals per Box ................................................................................................................ 32 7.6.5 Timing of Transportation ................................................................................................... 32 7.6.6 Release from Box ............................................................................................................... 32 8 HEALTH REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................... 33 DAILY HEALTH CHECKS .............................................................................................................. 33 DETAILED PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ............................................................................................ 33 8.2.1 Chemical Restraint ............................................................................................................ 33 8.2.2 Physical Examination ........................................................................................................ 34 ROUTINE TREATMENTS ............................................................................................................... 35 KNOWN HEALTH PROBLEMS ........................................................................................................ 35 QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 39 9 BEHAVIOUR ................................................................................................................................ 40 ACTIVITY .................................................................................................................................... 40 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR .................................................................................................................... 40 REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR ........................................................................................................ 40 BATHING ..................................................................................................................................... 41 BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS ........................................................................................................... 41 SIGNS OF STRESS ......................................................................................................................... 41 BEHAVIOURAL ENRICHMENT ....................................................................................................... 41 INTRODUCTIONS AND REMOVALS ................................................................................................ 42 INTRASPECIFIC COMPATIBILITY ................................................................................................... 42 INTERSPECIFIC COMPATIBILITY ..............................................................................................
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