- -

Species Survival Plans

What is the mission of Species Survival Plans?
The mission of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZAs) Species Survival Plan program is

The mission will be implemented using a combination of the following strategies: as a hedge against extinction Cooperate with other institutions and agencies to ensure integrated conservation strategies

Conduct basic and applied research to contribute to our knowledge of various species Reintroduce captive-bred wildlife into restored or secured habitat as appropriate

What is an SSP?
erative population management and conservation program for SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically -

How are species selected?

How are SSPs administered?

Management committees composed of elected experts assist the coordinator with the conservation efinstitution holding an SSP animal has a representative who attends SSP meetings and coordinates relevant SSP activities at

The overall program is administered by the AZA Conservation and Science Demust adhere to AZAs Code of Professional Ethics and have appropriate facili-

What is an SSP Master Plan?

ing and other management recommendations are made for each animal with consideration given to

What are reintroductions?

While managed breeding for reintroduction is not a panacea for the endangered species introduction projects have been successful in returning certain species to their natural

Taxon Advisory Groups

What is a Taxon Advisory Group?
Established by the Association of Zoos and AquarEach TAG consists of representatives from AZAaquarium-based programs; establish priorities Taxon Advisory Groups assist in the selection of appropriate species for AZA conservation programs and provide a forum for discussing

What do TAGs do?

assist SSP coordinators in developing animal -

and Bird Life Internationals Taxonomic Speand sharing of information between AZA and other regional and international conservation

What is a Regional Collection Plan?

One of the TAGs primary responsibilities is to evaluate the present North American carrying capac-

maintain animals in populations large enough to ensure their long-term genetic viability and demo-

How are Regional Collection Plans created?

A number of criteria are involved in the The following criteria are often used as a starting point for case of amphibians and invertebrates groups that encompass thousands of speciescollection planning often tial may carry a greater weight in the selection of species than factors such as public appeal and ability to assist in Conservation status of species Existence of a viable North American managed population Number of other managed programs Husbandry expertise to manage the species Availability of potential founders Potential for managed population to affect conservation of the species or its ecosystem in the wild Reintroduction potential Exhibit value Education value Taxonomic uniqueness

management of captive populations and collectively contributing to the long-term conservation of

What do SAGs do?

From outlining priorities for future research to consulting at meetings focused on individual species or

Groups (SAGs)?
enough to allow for the differences between scienaquariums must work with each other and with other scientists to collaborate on the research activities of its member AZA Conservation and Science Department and various other committee chairs on technical issues related to their respective disciplines; Provide technical support and advice to AZA Conservation Program committees Groups and Conservation Action Partnerships) especially those that involve several AZA collaborating university scientists working aquarium community and the broader conservation community of which it is part;

made up of experts in a particular SAG members include veteriaquarium-based curators with and other outside scientists with a commitment to sharing their

What do SAGs contribute to conservation?

Zoo biologists were responsible for documenting the link between extinction and inbreeding in animal populations an extremely important insight for conservationists;

endangered species and their eventual reintroduction; has the potential to offer alternative methods of reducing and eventually eliminating populations of ecologically destructive exotic species or for controlling overabundant populations of indigenous animals;

species recovery efforts; and Genetic and demographic management strategies developed for managed populations are -

10

AZA Studbooks
What is an AZA Studbook?
An Association of Zoos and Aquariums studbook is It includes pedigrees of animals and a listing of the The studbook traces the entire history of each individual in a population; these collective histories are known as the populations genetic and demographic

information: data on the general biology and ecol-

What is the Purpose of a Studbook?

AZA studbooks are primarily used for monitoring and managing populations in can be used to make breeding decisions so that genetic variation can be retained

able tools in the routine management of many species whose wild populations and future studbook keepers track that animal and better understand its his(PMPs) supported by AZA use studbooks to manage species in participating

11

Which Species have Studbooks?

The AZA Wildlife Conservation Management Committee (WCMC) and Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs) have approved a list of studbooks (see AZA website to view the list) that form the basis for -

Who Decides to Begin a Studbook?

It is the responsibility of the appropriate AZA Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) to determine AZA Conservation and Science Department can provide assistance

What is a Studbook Keeper?

A studbook keeper is an individual who compiles and maintains a pedigree and demographic database

Studbook keeping requires keen insight and the ability to link disparate and obscure pieces of infor-

How does One Learn to Keep Studbooks?

tive of this course is to teach studbook keepers to prepare and publish a comprehensive and accurate

12

Population Management Plans

Aquariums (AZAs) Wildlife Conservation Management Committee (WCMC) created Population PMPs are established for studbook populations that do not require the intensive management and

What is a Population Management Plan?

PMPs provide basic population management sure the long-term survival of the captive pop-

The population manager is responsible for monitoring the captive population and drawing attention to management options that will increase the genetic and demographic health the same genetic and demographic protocols required to contact an advisor from the Small Population Management Advisory Group (SPMAG) to assist with compiling breeding

Who can be a species manager?

Although population managers use the same dations are often supplemented propriate for the more intenPMP participation is completely lines provide participating institutions with options on how to best manage their animal popuThe studbook keeper for a species is often the sory Groups (TAGs) encourage individuals with an interest in population management to guide proved unless they are associated with either an

a form and sending it to the relevant TAG and to

13

How do you learn to run a Population Management Plan?

Although there is no required training for populagram provide professional development and training

to the Members Only section of the AZA Web site and download the relevant forms from the Conservation

Conservation & Science Programs

The AZA Conservation and Science Department

700 cooperative conservation and management Through these programs AZA assists its members in managing their captive populations and conment administers the AZA Conservation Endow-

14

Conservation Action Partnerships

It has been estimated that twenty percent or more of the worlds biological diversity may be lost and Aquariums (AZA) have made it their highest priority to help conserve wildlife through public

The AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) program has long played a crucial role in the demographic established Conservation Action Partnerships (CAPs) to focus attention on and help address the con-

What Is a CAP?
designed to help coordinate the conservation and scien-

focused on regions abundant in unique wildlife and habiare subject to increasing pressure and degradation from A Madagascar CAP Project Many of the species managed by AZA Species Survival Plans are native to such -

Why Are CAPs Important?

For AZA to address the special needs of such biologically diverse regions on a spement and coordination of multiple conservation projects within and between given

15

17

Fish Morphology

Suborbital

Horse Morphology

Hoof

18

Insect Morphology

Spider Morphology

Patella Epigastric Furrow

19

Avian Morphology

Rectrices

Crocodile Morphology

20

metal and plastic tags or bands (colored and/or activity while others cannot be seen until the

21

What could the tag/bands say?

r Could say Color and number Could say number only Could say Institution name and number only Example: SD-WAP Green 417 plastic (right leg) For example:

Old accession number: An identifying number previously assigned by an Global/International Studbook number: Regional studbook number: Old Studbook number: Studbook name:

Type in the location information When writing a

This is used in some studbooks as a way to manu- This will help resolve inconsistencies with the

22

How to enter transponders

The transponder number should be recorded exactly as it would appear when read with the transpon-

Write the date the transponder was placed in There are two types of transponders: Trovan __-____-____

---------A

How to enter tattoos:

The location of the tattoo should be entered in your records; enter the upper and lower case characters as they

Entering Locations:
R for right L for left RL/LL means right leg/left leg RW/LW means right wing/left wing I for inner O for outer

Reporting house names

House names should be passed on to the Registrar via the daily report so it can be

If an animal comes from another institution with a house name and you change it to -

23

How to Read Ear Notches

Determining an animals notch number: - Always begin with the animals RIGHT ear - Add the right ear notch numbers - Add the left ear notch numbers - Combine the two totals to get the animals notch number

How to enter notching marks

24

25

Section 3: Reproduction
Reproductive information is important for demographic and genetic management on a local and glob-

The sperm cell carries half of the genetic information needed for reproduction and the egg cell car-

Reproduction can be prevented by two methods: Permanent: -

26

Animals can be grouped into those which give birth to living offspring and those which lay eggs that

Below is a table of the vertebrates which shows which groups are viviparous and which groups are

FISH

Amongst the invertebrates there are many which are oviparous but a few are vivipa-

27

Gestation

which is released by the ovary moves down the oviduct -

Gestation that is not completed may occur as a result

Reproductive behavior
range of animal reproductive modes is matched by the variety of reproductive behavio -

28

Gestation Periods

For additional gestation the AAZK website. http://www.aazk.org

29

30

Section 4: Recording Information

Value of Records

2) Government requirements regarding information that must be made available to them;

both directly through animal care and by planning 4) Public relations: Zoos are part of our cultural heritage and

With todays computers more data can be produced and

31

Why Do We Need Training Sessions for Daily Reports?

Critical to maintaining and managing any animal collection or any species is having quality animal -

**See Page 68 in the Resources section for Daily Report examples**

Record Keeping Systems

ARKS (Animal Records Keeping System) -Software developed by ISIS (International Species Information System) -Allows an individual institution to record local history on a specimen or for a group in their collection in an electronic format -is used to submit institutional data to a global central database SPARKS (Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System) -Software developed by ISIS (International Species Information System)

or subspecies from many institutions in a standard format -provides a demographic and genetic view of the population for further analysis by population managers MedARKS (Medical Records Keeping System) -Software developed by ISIS (International Species Information System) -Allows an individual institution to record local medical history on a specimen or for a group in their collection in an electronic format -Is used to submit institutional data to a central database for sharing with other institutions ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) -Web-based database that is a cooperative effort of ISIS (International Species Information System) -Will allow recording of a local observation/history and medical history for a single animal or group that can be shared immediately with other institutions via a globally shared application REGASP (Regional Animal Species Collection Plan) - Software developed by ISIS (International Species Information System) used by many facilities for collection planning and management

32

Groups

Accessions

Birth: An animal that has been born or hatched at an institution and is owned by the institution An animal that has been born or hatched

An animal that has been born or hatched

Loan in: An animal that arrives on the grounds of an Donation:

Purchase: Trade: Loan returned to us: An animal that was out-on-loan at another institution is returned Retrieval of theft:

33

Recapture from the wild: Appeared: Wild animals that appear on property at your institution and are determined appropriate Wild caught: Term free:

Deaccessions
Deaccessioning is the recording of a disposition by an

Sale: money is received from the purchasing institution Trade: specimen is sent in exchange for a current

Donation: the specimen is sent as a gift or gratis Loan Transfer: a specimen that is in on loan that is transferred to a third party at the request of the owner Loan Return: specimen is sent back to the loaning institution Loan To: Death: Theft: Escape: a specimen leaves the collection and returns to the wild without intentional intervention by the staff Disappeared: Release: the deliberate freeing of a specimen into the wild by staff Term-free Disposition:

34

Measurements - Weights and Lengths

Weight and length measurement can provide important information on the health and development of

Measurements for Mammals

These measurements are taken as follows: Total Length: specimen should be placed on its back so that the backbone the rostrum extending straight forward in the same plane as

Tail Length: Bend the tail up at a right angle to the body and measure the distance from the angle to the distal end of Hind Foot Length: Measure from the back

Ear Length: Measure from the notch at the base of the ear to the furthermost point on Tragus Length (bats): Forearm Length (bats): Fold the wing and measure from the outside of the wrist to

35

Measurements for Birds

lines: Total Length: The distance from the tip of the bill to Wing Length: The distance from the bend in the vature is not straightened and the measurement is Tail Length: The distance from the tip of the longest rectrix to the point between the middle rectriTarsus Length: The distance from the point of the joint between the tibia and the metatarsus to the

Bill Length: This is measured from the tip of the upper mandible in a straight line to the base of the

Measurements for Amphibians and Reptiles

36

length and width are also recorded by many at the mid-front of the carapace and follows along the contour of the shell to the mid-rear for measuring turtles should be noted as a

Converting weight and length measurements to the metric system

Weight conversion factors:
1 kg = 1000 grams

Convert pounds to grams with the

1 lb

1 pound = 0.5 pounds

37

1 lb To convert 120 pounds to grams: 1 lb To convert grams to kg: 5 1 kg 1000 g

Length conversion factors:

1 m = 1000 mm 1 m = 100 cm

1 in.

1 foot = 0.17 ft.

1 ft : 1000 mm 1m

38

Enclosure Moves

Enclosure history

time of conception are potential parents)

behavior when housed in this exhibit?)

are housed in the Aviary) The following information should be recorded: to

affected by the move Here is an example: moved from the hospital (AP45) t

A general recommendation is if the animal is housed in the enclosure overnight an reasons the enclosure moves needs to be kept up to date is so the veterinarians can

39

chart
It is helpful for your staff to undertion has its own method for how the data will be processed and entered

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2

40

Permits

Federal Permits include: Endangered Species/Whooping Crane Endangered Species/Red Wolf Waterfowl Sale and Disposal Eagle Exhibition Captive-Bred Wildlife Each state has its own permits in addition to federal permits: Florida state permits include: Wildlife Rehabilitation Wildlife Possession Wildlife Possession/FL/Panther

41

42

Section 5: Shipping
IATA Regulations
-

43

44

Data transfer forms

There are three data transfer forms that are used as tools that provide detailed information about the animal(s) being shipped from your instidata on what types of enrichment have been utiThe operant conditioning data transfer form provides background information on any training that The general recommendation is that the comBe as detailed as possible so that the animal husThe data transfer forms can be found on the this information for the best quality care of the

http://www.aazk.org/animalKeepersForum/ datatransferforms.php The animal data transfer form provides inforThe enrichment data transfer form provides in-

45

ANIMAL DATA TRANSFER FORM

1. Curators copy of information on new arrival 2. Keepers copy of information on new arrival
Date:

receiving institution name Common Name: Zoo ID# House Name Sex Hatch/Birth Date* Tattoo Band/Tag# Weight* Transponder Studbook # (Regional/ International)

*Note if it is actual or estimated

DIET:

REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY:

MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL HUSBANDRY: Contact.

HUSBANDRY DATA:

Please send a copy of this form to shipping institution and state condition of animal(s).
Copy of AAZK Operant Conditioning Form attached?
Present institution:

YES

NO

Form Completed by: E-mail:

Title: Phone/Fax:

Copy of AAZK Enrichment Data Transfer Form attached? YES NO

46

ENRICHMENT DATA TRANSFER FORM

1.Quarantine keeper staff Date:

Institution: Contact Person: Common Name: House Name: Sex: Age:

Behavioral and medical problems, general behavior: Reactions to Keepers (shy, likes males vs. females): List: How severe: Duration: Triggers:

How often: General Background Information (check all that apply)

47

Naturalistic/Exhibit Enrichment: (when offered or provided, please list or check where applicable) Static:

Rotating:

Olfactory: (snake sheds, hot rocks/cooling/misting, etc.): Food Enrichment (variety, presentation, style, please list or check, includes diet and food enrichment)

(rawhide, popsicles, blood trails, etc.): (check and list)

(chain, rope, bungee):

Safety Concerns (eats plastic or cardboard, items animals shouldnt have, bad experiences, failed items):

Comments

48

OPERANT CONDITIONING DATA TRANSFER FORM

Date:

Species common name: Institution: Contact person

GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TRAINING SPECIFICATIONS:

tactile

49

50

 --

51

 --

51

Section 6: Resources
Keeper Vocabulary
~A~
Aborted fetus: Abortion: Any spontaneous expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it is viable Abscess: Accession: collection Ad libitum: Adaptation: Any aspect of structure or behavior that has evolved to suit its present environment Adipose: Fat Aerosol: Transmission dispensed through air Aestivation: reduced metabolism and activity as a result of excessive temperatures usually occurring Albino: An animal that as a result of a hereditary anomaly has no pigment and is either white or transparent Altricial: care Amplexus: Anesthetic: A substance that deadens feeling and produces a state akin to sleep without affecting the vital functions Annual: Living for a single year or something done once a year Anomaly: An abnormal condition or conformation involving an organ Anorexia: Loss of appetite; refusal to feed Antenna: Anterior: body Antibiotic: A substance that arrests growth or causes the death of pathogenic microorganisms Antiseptic: Preventing infection; any substance preventing the growth of microorganisms Arboreal: Tree-living or climbing ARKS (Animal Record Keeping System):

52

Arthritis: Arthropod: An invertebrate animal with segmented body and jointed limbs and an external skeleton in the form of a shell means traits are represented Asexual: Asexual Reproduction: Relating to produced by or involving reproduction that occurs without the Aspirate: ) Atrophy: Wasting of tissue or an organ Introduction of semen into the uterus or oviduct by other than natural Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure certain desirable

~B~
B.I.D.: Medical shorthand meaning two times a day Banding: Method for individually identifying birds by placing numbered bands on their legs or wings Bifurcated: Forked Bilateral: Pertaining to two sides; usually pertains to halves of the body as divided by the spine or spinal column Biodiversity: The variety of living things Biopsy: Removal of tissue from a living body for diagnosis Biotic: Pertaining to living organisms Brood: The birds hatched from one clutch of eggs Brooding: The act of sitting over the newly hatched young to keep them warm; done by the parents in the nestling phase Broodpatch: Patch of skin on the ventral area that loses most or all of its feathers throughout the the eggs Browsing: on grass Budding: like cell that separates and begins an independent existence Bushmeat: lected and traded in an uncontrolled way -

53

Call: of year

~C~
The act or means of disguising something to deceive a predator

Canine (teeth): The sharp teeth situated between the incisors and the premolars in carnivores Cannibalism: Eating ones own kind Carapace: Carnivore: An animal that eats other animals Carrion: Casque: Bony extension of the upper mandible (usually in birds) Castration: Removal of the male gonads in animals Catheter: Caudal: Pertaining to the tail or towards the tail or rear Cere: Cervical: Pertaining to the neck Chrysalis: An insect pupa Class: Cloaca: A cavity in the pelvic region into which the alimentary canal and the genital and urinary ducts open (usually in birds and herps) Clone: An individual derived by asexual reproduction from a single ancestor; one of a population of genetically identical individuals Clutch: A series of eggs laid on successive days by the same female Colic: Acute abdominal pain Collection planning: Collection: The total accessioned inventory of animals that are owned by or are on the premises of an institution Colony: A community of individuals of the same species that live together Commensalism: A relationship betw Commissure: Competition: Ecological relationship between organisms that require the same food and other resources

54

Conservation: Preservation from loss Considered to belong justify division into subspecies of the same species Constipation: Contaminant: Contraceptive: Agent or device intended to prevent conception or pregnancy by interfering with the process of ovulatio Coprophageous: Eating feces Copulation: The act of sexual intercourse Crop: A thin-walled extension of the foregut of birds and some lower animals Courtship: Crepuscular: Active during or just prior to twilight and/or dawn Crustacean: crabs Cyst: Dam: The female parent of an animal

~D~

Deaccession: The process by which a specimen is permanently removed from the collection due to death or physical and/or title transfer Debridement: To cut away tissue; the cutting away of dead or contaminated tissue from a wound to prevent infection Deciduous: season or age Dehydration: The condition resulting from excess loss of body water Delayed fertilization: species Demographics: Dermatitis: Dermis: The skin Dewlap: A loose fold of skin hanging from the throat of certain animals Diarrhea: Excessive and frequent evacuation of watery stools Died-in-shell or dead-in-shell: (prior to hatching)

55

Diet: Digit: Digitigrade: canids are digitigrade Disarticulation: Separation at a joint Disease: Disinfectant: A general term for an agent that frees surfaces of bacteria Display: excitement Diuretic: Diurnal: Animals that become active during the day Domesticated: Dorsal: Dyspnea: Dystocia: -

~E~
Eclipse plumage: become covered at the close of the breeding season Ecology: The study of the interactions of plants and animals with their environment Ecosystem: The unit formed by a community of plants and animals and their environment Ectoparasite: A parasite that lives outside the body of the host Ectothermic: Edema: ing Egg tooth: The egg tooth falls off after hatching Emaciation: Excessive leanness; a wasted condition of the body Embryo: veloped so that it can live independently Embryonic diapause: when the situation for de-

56

Endangered species: A species designated as being in danger of extinction Endemic: Typical of and exclusive to a given place Endoparasite: A parasite that lives inside the body of the host Envenomation: The process by which venom is injected into some animal by the bite of a venemous animal Environment: Everything surrounding an organism Epidermis: The outer layer of skin Estrus: The period during which female mammals are sexually receptive to males Ethology: The study of animal behavior Etiology: The cause for some condition Euthanize: Ex situ: seed store) Exotic: Extant: Extinct: No longer in existence Extirpated: tion or populations Extirpation: Extinction of a species in a particular geographical area Exudate: -

~F~
Family: Fauna: The collective assemblage of animal life of a particular area or time Fecal sac: nestling and carried off or eaten by the parents (applicable to birds) Feces: The excretions of the bowels Fecundity: The rate of reproduction Feral: Fertilization: The union of a male sex cell and a female sex cell during the reproduction process Fetus: An animal embryo during the later stages of its development in the womb or in the egg Fission: Asexual reproduction by a division of the cell or body into two or more parts of roughly equal

57

Flanks: Sides of the body Flatulence: The presence of excessive amounts of air or gas in the stomach or intestines Fledge: Fledge date: Fledgling: A young bird that has left the nest but is still dependent on its parents for some or all of its food Flight feathers: Flock: A group of birds remaining together for social reasons Flora: The entire plant life of any geographic area and/or time Forage: To search for food Fossorial: Fraternal twins: two sperm Frugivorous: Feeding on fruit Fry: Fungicide: Any substance that destroys fungi

~G~
Gamete: Genetic Engineering: sirable characteristics or to produce desirable new ones Genus: The name for a group of closely related species Gestation: The carrying and developing of young in the uterus from conception to birth Gills: invertebrates also have gills The mucous membranes and underlying soft tissue surrounding a tooth; the gums Gland: A small organ that produces secretions for use in or for release from the body Granuloma: surrounded by dense connective tissue; often follows an abscess Gravid: Carrying eggs or developing young Guano: -

58

~H~
Habitat: Hallux: The innermost digit on the hand or foot of certain vertebrates or the hind toe of birds Hemorrhage: Heavy bleeding Herbivore: Hermaphroditic: an organism with both male and female functional reproductive organs; may or Herpetology: The study of amphibians and reptiles Heterothermic (or poikilothermic): See ectothermic Hibernation: Hierarchy: The behavioral pecking order of dominant animals in a population Holding Institution: owner of the specimen Home range: Homoiothermic: An animal that controls its own body temperature by means of mechanisms within its own body Hopper: Husbandry: The care and management of captive animals or plants Hybrid Hydration: Fluid replacement Hygienic: Sanitary Hyperactivity: Excessive abnormal activity -

~I~
Ichthyology: Identical twins: IM: medical shorthand for intramuscular Imago Immobilize: To prevent the movement of; to keep in place by the use of drugs or other means of restraint

59

Implantation: The attachment of the tiny developing embryo to the wall of the mothers uterus Imprinting: Type of learning that takes place during a critical period in early development; enables Incubation: the act of incubating or keeping eggs warm so that development is possible Incubation period: the time required for eggs to develop from the start of incubation to hatching In situ: In a species usual wild habitat In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which one or more Inbreeding: Reproduction of the same or closely related genetic material; mating among related individuals Indigenous: Infection: An injurious invasion of the body of a plant or animal by disease-producing organisms Infertile egg: therefore no embryo will develop pain Insectivore: An animal that feeds on insects Invasive species: A species which out-competes native species for space and resources; usually exotic or introduced but native invasive species also exist Invertebrate: An animal without a spinal (vertebral) column IV: Juvenile: A young animal differing variously in form or feature from an adult

~J~

~K~
Keratin:

~L~
Lactation: Secretion of milk by the mammary glands of a female mammal Lamellae: water Larva: A stage in the development of many animals when they are not yet mature and have a fun-

60

Lateral: To the side Lavage: The irrigation or washing out of an organ Lethargy: Life span: The longest period of time that a particular individual is expected to live Litter: A group of offspring born from the same dam at the same time Loaning Institution: the facility which has title to a specimen but permits another facility to be in actual possession of the specimen Longevity: The length or duration of a life of a species Longitudinal: Extending along the length

~M~
Malnutrition: Poor nourishment resulting from improper diet or inability to digest food Mandible: Lower jaw Fishes that live in seawater Maxilla: Maxillary: Pertaining to the upper jaw Medial: Metamorphosis: The process of transformation undergone by an animal at the larval stage in order to reach the adult stage Miscarriage: developed to survive Middorsal: Located in the middle of the back Migration: Mimicry: Mobbing: Molt: Monogamous: Each male of a species mates with only one female Morphology: The form of an organism Musk glands: weasels Mutualism:

61

~N~
Nares: Natural selection: The process whereby animals most adapted to their particular environment

Naturalized: Adapted to living in a different region from that in which an organism originated Necropsy: Examination of a dead animal by dissection Necrosis: Neonate: A newborn Nestling: A hatched bird that remains in the nest and is cared for by the parents or other adults New World: Niche: for survival; the role a species plays in its community Nocturnal: sed to describe animals that become active during the night

~O~
Ocular: Of or pertaining to the eye Old World: Olfaction: The sense of smell Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and animals Ophthalmic: having to do with the eye Opportunistic species: A species with a rapid reproduction rate not adapted precisely to any habiOrder: cause of similarities Oviparous: opment and hatching take place outside the maternal body Ovoviviparous: Eggs are retained and hatch in the female; hatchlings emerge from mother as live births Ovulation: The release of follicles from the ovaries into the oviducts -

~P~
Pair bond: The temporary or permanent association formed between a female and male animal during courtship and mating

62

Palpate: To examine by touching Parasite: An organism that lives at the expense of another and is usually incapable of an independent existence Parasitism: other is harmed Parthenogenesis: s Parturition: Pathogen: A disease-causing organism Pedigree: tion Pelage: The hair or fur coat of a mammal Pelagic: Penis: The male copulatory organ of an animal Perching bird: ally living mainly in trees or shrubs Perennial: Living more than a single year Permits: activities for a stated period of time Pheromone same species Photo-period: Hours or change of hours of light and dark (day and night) to which an animal is exposed (lengthening of the diurnal photo period often plays a role in the reproduction of many animals) Phylum: Pigment: A substance that gives organisms their color Pinion: ing its pink skin Pinna: The external ear Pip: Piscivore: Fish eater Plantigrade: Refers to an animal that walks with the whole sole of the foot (or palm of the hand) on -

63

Plumage: the covering of feathers of a bird Polyestrous: Polygamous forming a strong pair bond with one mate Polyp: The living part of a coral Population: many facilities Postmortem: After death Precocial: requiring little parental care Predation: A relation between animals in which one captures and feeds on others Predator: An animal that feeds on other animals Preening: Actions by which a bird grooms its plumage and maintains it in good condition by use of bill and claws Prehensile: Premature birth: birth of a fetus after the period of viability but before full term Prey: An animal that is killed and eaten by a predator Primary feathers Progeny: Children; descendants; offspring Prolapse: the anus or cloaca Pupa: and undergoes internal changes by which larval structures are replaced by those typical of the imago Purulent: Pus: -

~Q~
Quarantine: incubation period of most diseases for which they may have been exposed Q.I.D.: medical shorthand meaning four times a day

64

~R~
Rainforest: Evergreen tropical forest that depends on constant rainfall throughout the year Range: The area of the world where a species occurs Rectrix (pl. rectrices): Flowing back Regurgitation: The return of food from the stomach to or toward the mouth Reintroduction: An attempt to re-establish a species in an area which was once part of its historical collections Relict: group Reproduction: process whereby all living organisms produce offspring Reticulated: Having a network of lines forming an irregular web-like pattern Roost: To rest or sleep usually in trees or elevated locations (applicable to birds) Ruminant: aid more complete digestion Rump: are closed; the hinquarters of four legged animals Rut: females); also the period when this occurs

~S~
S.I.D.: medical shorthand meaning one time daily Scat: Fecal pellet or dropping; feces Scrape: Scute: An external bony or horny plate; refers to some reptilian scales Secondary feathers: Secondary Sexual Characteristics: age differences) A disease spread throughout the body via the bloodstream by pathogenic microorganisms and their toxic products Sexual dichromatism:

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Sexual dimorphism: trait) according to gender Shed: Shipping Papers: All documents required for the transportation of specimens to or from another facility Sibling: Brother; sister; littermate Sire: The male parent of an animal Solitary: Spawning: The laying of eggs by aquatic animals Species of special concern: A species that is not yet threatened or endangered but its population numbers are declining and its overall status is of concern for the future Species: offspring and which cannot breed in nature with individuals of other such groups; a group of species forms a genus Specimen: An individual animal Sterile: Infertile; incapable of reproducing; free from all live bacteria or other organisms and their spores Stillbirth: The birth of a full-term dead fetus Studbook: Sublingual: Below or beneath the tongue Subdermal: Below or beneath the skin Subocular: Below the eye Sustainable: ing its contribution to society Symbiotic: Synergistic: Working together Systematics: -

~T~
Taxonomy: Terrestrial: Adapted for living on dry land Territoriality: -

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Thermoregulate: The ability to regulate body heat Threatened species: A species whose numbers have declined to the point that they may eventually become endangered TID: Medical shorthand for three times a day Torpid: A state of being dormant or inactive Transaction: the transfer of title to a specimen and/or shipment of a specimen to or from another Translocation: Deliberate movement of wild animals from one part of their range to another Tumor:

~U~
Ulcer: An open sore on the skin or mucous membrane or on an internal organ which often discharges pus

~V~
Vagina: The female reproductive canal used for copulation and birth Velvet: The soft furry covering on a deers growing antlers Ventral: Relating to the underside of the body or any other organ; the belly Vertebrate: An animal with a backbone Vibrissae: Viviparous: Producing live offspring Vulnerable species: A species whose numbers have declined to the point where it may become threatened

~ W, X, Y, Z ~
Waterfowl: Wattle: often capable of being enlarged in display Zoonotic disease: Zygodactyl: Birds having two toes directed forwards and two backwards

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Animal Group Terminology

Aardvark Aarmory Baboon -

Alligator Bask or Congregation

Bear Sleuth or Sloth

Antelope Herd or Cluster

Camel -

Ant Colony or Army

Cheetah Coalition

Ape Troop or Shrewdness

Chicken -

Battery Chimpanzee - Cartload

Armadillo edentate or edemata

Crane -

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Crocodile Bask

Frog Army

Deer Herd

Gibbon Flange

Eagle -

Goat Herd

Eel Swarm

Gorilla Band

Elephant Herd

Hippopotamus Bloat

Horse Herd or Harras Fox Leash or Skulk

Hyena Pack or Clan

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Kangaroo mob

Polar Bear Aurora

Leopard Leap or Lepe

Rhino Crash

Lion Pride

Sheep Flock or Herd

Llama Herd or Flock Tiger Ambush Meerkat Gang or Mob Wolf Pack or Rout

Zebra Pig Herd or Drove Zeal

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Animal Gender/Age Terminology

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Drugs by Generic and Brand Name

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Frequently Misspelled Words

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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This list was obtained during a 2004 Institutional Record Keeping course. Organization names, abbreviations, and acronyms have not been updated and are subject to change.

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Bibliography
American Zoo and Aquarium Animal Records Databases Lincoln Park American Zoo and Aquarium Association Professional Development Program American Zoo and Aquarium Association Professional Development Program

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