Title: (Optional) Describe nutritional needs of, and feeding procedures for, common exotic animals.
Course: Veterinary Science I (18105-I) > Section: Handling Common Exotic Companion Animals

Description should include

- the natural diet of teacher-selected species of exotic animal
- nutritional needs of teacher-selected species (e.g., vitamin C for guinea pigs, calcium and vitamin D for reptiles)
- nutritional needs of teacher-selected species based on digestive physiology (e.g., herbivore/carnivore, cecotrophy)
- common feed types (e.g., seeds, pellets, hay, fresh vegetation) and the pros and cons associated with each
- standard feeding practices for teacher-selected species
- how life stages and/or overall health may affect food intake (e.g., changes in appetite during nesting, molting, shedding)
- the importance of monitoring food and water consumption
- foods that may cause toxicity issues in specific species (e.g., avocados in certain birds and oxalate-rich plants in reptiles).

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why are senior diets lower in protein and higher in fiber than maintenance and growth foods?
- Why are some animals placed on prescription foods regardless of age?
- What type of diet should pregnant or lactating females eat?