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EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE CLINICIAN S QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO SELECTED CAPTIVE Exotic Species Contributors Ariana Finkelstein, DVM Southeast Animal

Serviços de Natureza e Ambiente, Lda. Lisbon, Portugal Helen E.

Florida Jeffrey S. Stillie, DVM Healthy Paws Veterinary Center Little Elm, Texas Michelle L.

Feline Whispering Pines Pet Clinic Magalia, California With the advent of the Internet, if you have a mailing address and a credit card, you

The species available with the click of a computer mouse are astounding, and new, fad species appear to be popping up every day.

of misinformation about the care and husbandry of these pets.

that would provide me with some quick, basic facts on some of the species in which I am not as well-versed.

6), contributors to Exotic DVM Magazine have compiled information about several less commonly seen exotic species kept as pets.

2 EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE CLINICIAN S QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO SELECTED CAPTIVE Exotic Species Contributors Ariana Finkelstein, DVM Southeast Animal Hospital San Antonio, Texas Jennifer Franklin, DVM Riverside Veterinary Hospital Londonderry, New Hampshire Filipe Martinho, DVM Nyctea - Serviços de Natureza e Ambiente, Lda. Lisbon, Portugal Helen E. Roberts, DVM Aquatic Veterinary Services Orchard Park, New York Kristin Sinclair, DVM Broward Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital Pompano Beach, Florida Jeffrey S. Stillie, DVM Healthy Paws Veterinary Center Little Elm, Texas Michelle L. Ward, BSc, BVSc (Hons I), DZooMed (Mammalian), MRCVS University of Edinburgh Scotland, United Kingdom Niklos Weber, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Canine and Feline Whispering Pines Pet Clinic Magalia, California With the advent of the Internet, if you have a mailing address and a credit card, you can purchase anything from an anole to a serval. The species available with the click of a computer mouse are astounding, and new, fad species appear to be popping up every day. While the easy availability of designer exotic species on the Internet brings business to exotic animal practitioners, it also brings a wealth of misinformation about the care and husbandry of these pets. As a private practitioner with a limited library on exotic pets readily available in my clinic, I often wish I had a text or two to glance at that would provide me with some quick, basic facts on some of the species in which I am not as well-versed. In talking with my colleagues, I know I am not alone in this desire. To try to meet this need (and as a follow-up to Volume 8.6), contributors to Exotic DVM Magazine have compiled information about several less commonly seen exotic species kept as pets. While this information is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to promote these species as pets, it provides practitioners with an easy-toread list of important facts. With these pages, exotic animal veterinarians will at least have some reference material at their fingertips the next time an anole or serval walks in their clinic door. Carol Lynn Yeisley, VMD Berks Mobile Veterinary Service Fleetwood, Pennsylvania Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP - Avian Practice Guest Medical Editor EXOTIC DVM VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 5

EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE Flying squirrel (Glaucomys spp.

southern Appalachian and Rocky Mountains FREE-RANGING HABITAT Most commonly, they inhabit boreal coniferous or mixed coniferous/ deciduous forests, but they have also been found in deciduous forests

SUITABILITY AS PETS Flying squirrels require intensive owner interaction from a young age to make acceptable pets. They can be difficult to handle as juveniles but can be tamed with patience.

3 EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE Flying squirrel (Glaucomys spp.) Kristin Sinclair, DVM SPECIES Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) ORIGIN Alaska, Canada, northern United States with population pockets in the southern Appalachian and Rocky Mountains FREE-RANGING HABITAT Most commonly, they inhabit boreal coniferous or mixed coniferous/ deciduous forests, but they have also been found in deciduous forests (particularly in their southern range). They typically nest in tree cavities, woodpecker holes and bird houses and will also make nests of twigs and leaves. SUITABILITY AS PETS Flying squirrels require intensive owner interaction from a young age to make acceptable pets. They can be difficult to handle as juveniles but can be tamed with patience. The cage and home must be squirrel-proofed, as they can be destructive chewers. Lifespan averages 4 years in the wild, years in captivity. A northern flying squirrel ADULT SIZE inches (26-30 cm) in length (including tail) g body weight PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS The tail is long (80% of head and body length) and flat. The hair coat is dense with a silky texture. The coat is gray over the dorsum with a red to brown hue. Ventrally, the coat is grayish or buffy white. The eyes are large and prominent. Fully furred patagial folds extending between the carpus and tarsus bilaterally allow the flying squirrel to glide from one tree to the next. Dental formula: I 1/1 C 0/0 P 2/1 M 3/3 = 22 BEHAVIOR These squirrels are nocturnal and tend to be crepuscular (most active a few hours after dusk and before dawn). While known for their gliding ability, they also climb branches and trees and move along the ground. Reported gliding distances average 65 feet (19.7 m) (range feet [ m]). Northern flying squirrels are social animals, often found nesting in small groups (2-8 individuals in a nest). However, they are not known to form the large winter nesting groups (as many as 50 individuals) as reported for the southern flying squirrel. Vocalizations include warning chirps and clucks. Females can carry up to 2 litters a year, with 2-4 offspring in a litter. Gestation is days, and the offspring are weaned at approximately 2 months. A southern flying squirrel An enclosure for a flying squirrel should contain plenty of vertical space. 8 EXOTIC DVM VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4

Squirrels preferentially should be housed in groups or at least in pairs. ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE / HUMIDITY Ambient household temperature is acceptable.

4 CAPTIVE HOUSING A wire mesh cage, minimum size 3 x 2 x 2 feet (90 x 60 x 60 cm), is an acceptable enclosure. The mesh should not be larger than ½". The squirrel should be provided with a nesting box affixed to the side of the cage. Vertical space and climbing room is important. Squirrels preferentially should be housed in groups or at least in pairs. ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE / HUMIDITY Ambient household temperature is acceptable. If the cage is kept outdoors, ensure that it is kept sheltered from temperature extremes (heat and cold), as well as adverse weather. Flying squirrel MOST COMMON DISORDERS Hypocalcemia Ectoparasites Self-mutilation Stereotypic behavior (check environmental enrichment) None required VACCINES ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL There are reports of typhus fever (Rickettsia prowazekii) and leptospirosis in humans associated with contact with flying squirrels. ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT Hide boxes, climbing branches and rodent chew toys should be provided. Some individuals will use rodent exercise wheels. DIET Free-ranging flying squirrels consume large amounts of fungi and lichens and have been observed ingesting tree sap. Recommended captive diet consists of pelleted rodent diet supplemented with approximately 10% vegetables, seeds, acorns and other nuts. A few insects may be offered. RESTRAINT Calmer individuals can be restrained with a hand towel or washcloth, but more fractious animals may require sedation or anesthesia for a complete examination. ANESTHESIA Inhalation anesthesia is recommended. The squirrel can be induced in a small chamber or a large dog anesthesia mask, and maintained via mask. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CAUTIONS Owners may require a permit to keep this animal, depending on local and state laws. Two subspecies are listed as endangered: G. s. coloratus and G. s. fuscus (Carolina northern flying squirrel). REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Appalachian Northern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus and Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) Recovery Plan. Newton Corner, Massachusetts. 1990, 53 pp. 2. Wells-Gosling N, Heaney LR: Glaucomys sabrinus. Mammalian Species, No J Mammology, 1984, pp Accessed September Accessed September Linzey DW, Alicia V: Growth and development of the southern flying squirrel. J Mammalogy, 16(3): , Accessed September Reynolds MG, et al: Flying squirrel-associated typhus, United States. Emerging Infectious Dis 9(10): , Kawabati H, et al: Leptospirosis in squirrels imported from United States to Japan. Emerging Infectious Dis 12(7): , JOIN THE DISTINCTIVE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR AVIAN PRACTITIONERS INNOV Quality educational publications and programs Opportunities for comradeship and networking Chance to impact avian conservation and research Association of Avian Veterinarians PO Box , Boca Raton, FL fax aavctrlofc@aol.com Advancing and Promoting Avian Medicine and Stewardship EXOTIC DVM VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 9

5 Contact us for veterinary pricing. Supplements from Nature

9-4 cover.qxd 12/5/ :05 AM Page 1 $20.00 (US)

9-4 cover.qxd 12/5/ :05 AM Page 1 $20.00 (US) $20.00 (US) EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE CLINICIAN S QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO SELECTED CAPTIVE Exotic Species Contributors Ariana Finkelstein, DVM Southeast Animal Hospital San Antonio, Texas Jennifer Franklin,