Animal Handling

Pick from the descriptions below the possible reasons for handling animals?

• Health Checks

• Grooming

• Transportation

• First Aid

• To cause stress

What statements below show how you would approach an animal for handling?

• Assess behaviour and body language

• Pick it straight up

• Quiet and confident

• Talk in a reassuring manner

Which is the correct description for how to handle a rat?

• Place hand firmly over the back and rib cage, restrain head with thumb and fore-finger immediately behind the lower jaw.

• Tail is firmly grasped at the base and the animal is lifted and cradled in the palm of the hand.

• Grasp the skin over the neck with one hand and support the hindquarters with the other

Tick those behaviours that can be seen when an animal does not want to be handled:

• Bite

• Kick

• Vocal discouragement i.e. bark or hiss

• Running away

• Defensive posture

Tick those behaviours that are associated with an animal that is happy to be handled:

• Animal approaches confidently

• Animal seeks attention e.g. by licking or snuggling

• Calm and happy posture

• Runs away

Which part of the body gives you the greatest control when handling an animal?

• Legs

• Body

• Head, neck and shoulders

Name the No. 1 successful technique for taming animals for handling?

• Food

• Love

• Vocal persuasion

Male rats are called?

• Stallion

• Buck

• Bull

Female rats are called?

• Mare

• Doe

• Heifer

A rat cage should be at least 50cm x 80cm floor space, by 50cm tall. How big should the cage be, at least, for 2 rats?

• 100cm x 80cm by 100cm tall

• 100cm x 160cm by 50cm tall

• 50cm x 160cm by 100cm tall