Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key"

Revision as of 18:07, 30 October 2006

A black and white Dutch rabbit

The Dutch rabbit, easily identifiable by its characteristic color pattern, was once the most popular of all rabbit breeds. However, after dwarf rabbits were developed, the popularity of the small rabbit dwindled. Nevertheless, the Dutch rabbit remains one of the top ten most popular breeds worldwide.

It is thought that the Dutch rabbit was first developed in the lowlands of the United Kingdom with ancestors from Holland and Belgium. In the beginning of the 19th century, the Dutch rabbit was imported into England where it continued to thrive as a meat breed.

Appearance

The Dutch rabbit is a fairly small breed, weighing between 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds. Despite its popularity, the Dutch rabbit has not changed much over the years. The most striking aspect of the breed is the marking pattern, and it is available in eight different colors and a few unique multi-colored versions.

The front of the face, front part of the body, and rear paws are white. The cheeks, ears and belly are colored. The saddle line to the tail and down the back legs are also colored. This pattern of white and colored fur is very important and must be maintained in order for the rabbit to be considered a true Dutch.

The fur of this breed is dense, short and lustrous. The ears are erect and well-furred. The colored fur of this rabbit can be black, blue, chocolate, tortoiseshell, pale gray, brown gray, steel gray or yellow. Of these choices, the black/white and blue/white are the most popular.

In the 1960s a tricolor Dutch rabbit was developed and thought by some to be a cross between the Harlequin rabbit breed and the Dutch rabbit. Later, a harlequin color version of the Dutch rabbit was developed, thought to be produced from the tortoiseshell Dutch.

Housing and Care

Due to the size of the Dutch, it requires less space than most rabbits and is a favorite among rabbit owners.

Feeding

As with any rabbit, hay or grass should make up around 80% of the Dutch's daily intake. Unlimited hay should be available at all times. Pellets should be offered as a supplement only. Exclusively feeding a rabbit pellets can lead to life-threatening dental disease - only by chewing hay or grass can a rabbit wear down their back teeth sufficiently (their teeth grow constantly, as with rodents).

Meadow hay or Timothy hay is ideal - but Alfalfa hay should be avoided, as it is too rich in calcium for a rabbit's digestive system.

Supplement with a small cup of greens or other vegetables each day - rabbits can eat a wide variety, including flowers and herbs. Fruit can also be given as a treat, but no more than 2 teaspoonfuls a day.

Although rabbits graze throughout the day, they take most of their food at dawn and dusk, so it's best to provide 2 regular meals - one in the morning and one in the early evening.

Housing

Many rabbits do very well in the home. They can be litter box-trained and are quite fastidious groomers. Be aware that rabbits love to chew, so make sure all wires are safely hidden or in protective plastic covers and understand that some of your furniture may be nibbled. If the Rabbit nips or bites you it is probably only out of curiosity. If you choose to cage your rabbit, make sure the cage is at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet. If the cage has a wire bottom, make certain you give the rabbit a plank or sea grass mats to stand on so his feet won’t get damaged from being on the wire all the time. Provide a hide box or shelter and plenty of straw for bedding.

Common Diseases and Disorders

As with other rabbits, Dutch rabbits do not do well in high or low temperatures. They are prone to hairball obstructions and matted coats if not cared for properly. Rabbits need daily grooming to remove loose hair. Other health concerns include earmites, Pasteurella, respiratory disease, dental problems, urinary bladder stones and fractured backs. Be quick to notice any changes in diet or litter box habits and contact a rabbit veterinarian immediately.

The average life span of a breeding Dutch rabbit is 5 to 6 years. By spaying or neutering early in life, you can increase their life expectancy to around 10 years!

External links

American Rabbit Breeder's Association

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Taxobox
+[[Image:Random 006.jpg|thumb|250px|A black and white Dutch rabbit]]
-| color = pink
-| name = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster
-| image = Phodopus_sungorus2.jpg
-| image_width = 250px
-| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
-| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
-| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
-| ordo = [[Rodentia]]
-| subordo = [[Myomorpha]]
-| superfamilia = [[Muroidea]]
-| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
-| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
-| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
-| subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
-| subdivision =
-*''Phodopus sungorus''
-*''Phodopus sungorus sungorus''
-(see text)
-}}
-'''Winter White Russian hamsters''' are a species of [[hamster]] in the genus ''[[Phodopus]]''.  They are typically half the size of the better-known [[Syrian hamster]], and therefore called dwarf hamsters along with all ''Phodopus'' species. Features include a typically dark gray dorsal stripe and furry feet. The tail is so short that it hardly shows when the hamster is sitting. As winter approaches and the days get shorter, Winter Whites' dark fur greys until it is almost completely white (hence the name). In the wild, this adaptation helps them evade predators in the snow covered Steppes of winter. They live mainly in [[Siberia]] and are also found in [[Dzungaria]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Mongolia]] and [[Manchuria]].
-Up until recently, it was debated whether the Winter White hamster was a [[sub-species]] of the [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbell's]] (''Phodopus campbelli'') or not; however, it has now been proven that the Winter whites are of their own species, ''Phodopus sungorus''.
+The '''Dutch rabbit''', easily identifiable by its characteristic color pattern, was once the most popular of all [[rabbit]] breeds. However, after [[dwarf rabbits]] were developed, the popularity of the small rabbit dwindled. Nevertheless, the Dutch rabbit remains one of the top ten most popular breeds worldwide.
-==Winter White Russian hamsters as pets==
+It is thought that the Dutch rabbit was first developed in the lowlands of the [[United Kingdom]] with ancestors from [[Holland]] and [[Belgium]]. In the beginning of the 19th century, the Dutch rabbit was imported into England where it continued to thrive as a [[meat]] breed.
-They are often found on the [[pet]] market, in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] more so than in the [[United States|U.S.]]. They are rarely found in pet stores in Canada. Care is similar to that of the Campbell's [[hamster]]. Winter White hamsters generally make excellent pets.  However, a larger Syrian [[hamster]] would be more suitable for younger children as they can be handled more clumsily. Winter White hamsters should not be fed food containing sources of [[monosaccharide]]s because of the risk of developing [[diabetes mellitus]].
-Winter Whites, other than their close relatives, the Campbell's, often cannot be housed together in groups. Although quite some pet owners report that their winter white hamsters enjoy each others company, it is much more common that --after reaching sexual maturity--, they start fighting violently, causing serious injury to each other. Hence, it is usual (though not undisputedly) recommended to keep them solitary. Although if two females are introduced at a young age they will live happily together.
+== Appearance ==
-The above is not true. Winter whites have a 90% sucess rate of living together and have the same results as Campbells do!
+The Dutch rabbit is a fairly small breed, weighing between 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds. Despite its popularity, the Dutch rabbit has not changed much over the years. The most striking aspect of the breed is the marking pattern, and it is available in eight different colors and a few unique multi-colored versions.
-In general, dwarf hamsters typically have more of a family structure than the Syrian hamster.  Dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the young, but some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups will rarely get along well, as they wouldn't live together like that in nature. Frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to deadly incidents. This is in contrast to the Campbell's species and remains an item of dispute among hamster owners.
+The front of the face, front part of the body, and rear paws are white. The cheeks, ears and belly are colored. The saddle line to the tail and down the back legs are also colored. This pattern of white and colored fur is very important and must be maintained in order for the rabbit to be considered a true Dutch.
-Winter White hamsters used to be only available in their typical brown/black "normal" color, but they are now available in a variety of colors. Colors include at least normal (dark gray/brown), pearl normal, sapphire and pearl sapphire variations. However, these colors may be difficult to find, and the number of available colors is much smaller than in the dwarf Campbell's hamster.
+The fur of this breed is dense, short and lustrous. The ears are erect and well-furred. The colored fur of this rabbit can be black, blue, chocolate, tortoiseshell, pale gray, brown gray, steel gray or yellow. Of these choices, the black/white and blue/white are the most popular.
-Winter White hamsters, also called Siberian hamsters, come from the steppes of Siberia and Kazakhstan and possess an adaptation not seen in Campbell's; they can moult into a white winter coat.  This camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name.
+In the 1960s a tricolor Dutch rabbit was developed and thought by some to be a cross between the Harlequin rabbit breed and the Dutch rabbit. Later, a harlequin color version of the Dutch rabbit was developed, thought to be produced from the tortoiseshell Dutch.
-This moulting is brought on by the amount of sunlight, if the hamster is kept in a dark environment, they will change into their "winter" coat.
-When in the winter coat, Winter Whites will become infertile.
-[[Image:Phodopus_sungorus.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color]]
+==Housing and Care==
-== External links ==
+Due to the size of the Dutch, it requires less space than most rabbits and is a favorite among rabbit owners.
-*[http://www.hamster-heaven.com Hamster Heaven]
+====Feeding====
-*[http://www.xander.it/video.htm Xander.it] - Winter White video gallery
-*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_winter_white_russian_hamsters.htm PetWebSite pages on Winter Whites]
-*[http://www.furrycritters.co.uk FurryCritters]
+As with any rabbit, hay or grass should make up around 80% of the Dutch's daily intake. Unlimited hay should be available at all times. Pellets should be offered as a supplement only. Exclusively feeding a rabbit pellets can lead to life-threatening dental disease - only by chewing hay or grass can a rabbit wear down their back teeth sufficiently (their teeth grow constantly, as with rodents).
-[[Category:Hamsters]]
+Meadow hay or Timothy hay is ideal - but Alfalfa hay should be avoided, as it is too rich in calcium for a rabbit's digestive system.
-[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
-[[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
+Supplement with a small cup of greens or other vegetables each day - rabbits can eat a wide variety, including flowers and herbs. Fruit can also be given as a treat, but no more than 2 teaspoonfuls a day.
-[[es:Phodopus sungorus]]
-[[fr:Hamster russe]]
+Although rabbits graze throughout the day, they take most of their food at dawn and dusk, so it's best to provide 2 regular meals - one in the morning and one in the early evening.
-[[it:Phodopus sungorus]]
-[[he:אוגר סיבירי]]
+====Housing====
-[[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
-[[ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター]]
+Many rabbits do very well in the home. They can be litter box-trained and are quite fastidious groomers. Be aware that rabbits love to chew, so make sure all wires are safely hidden or in protective plastic covers and understand that some of your furniture may be nibbled. If the Rabbit nips or bites you it is probably only out of curiosity. If you choose to cage your rabbit, make sure the cage is at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet. If the cage has a wire bottom, make certain you give the rabbit a plank or sea grass mats to stand on so his feet won’t get damaged from being on the wire all the time. Provide a hide box or shelter and plenty of straw for bedding.
-[[pl:Chomik dżungarski]]
-[[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
+====Common Diseases and Disorders====
-[[zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠]]
+As with other rabbits, Dutch rabbits do not do well in high or low temperatures. They are prone to hairball obstructions and matted coats if not cared for properly. Rabbits need daily grooming to remove loose hair. Other health concerns include earmites, [[Pasteurella]], respiratory disease, dental problems, urinary bladder stones and fractured backs. Be quick to notice any changes in diet or litter box habits and contact a rabbit veterinarian immediately.
+The average life span of a breeding Dutch rabbit is 5 to 6 years. By [[spaying or neutering]] early in life, you can increase their life expectancy to around 10 years!
+==See also==
+*[[Rabbit]]
+*[[Domestic Rabbit]]
+==External links==
+*[http://www.arba.net American Rabbit Breeder's Association]
+[[Category:Rabbits as pets]]