records resource guide for keeper training w bookmarks

8/12/2019 Records Resource Guide for Keeper Training w Bookmarks

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What is the mission of Species Survival Plans?

The mission of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA’s) 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 variousspecies

• 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

-

-

-

Species Survival Plans

3



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

-

6



Taxon Advisory Groups

What is a Taxon Advisory Group?

Established by the Association of Zoos and Aquar-

-

-

Each TAG consists of representatives from AZA-

What do TAGs do?

Taxon Advisory Groups assist in the selectionof appropriate species for AZA conservation

programs and provide a forum for discussing

-

aquarium-based programs; establish priorities

-

assist SSP coordinators in developing animal

-

and Bird Life International’s Taxonomic Spe-

and sharing of information between AZA and

other regional and international conservation

7



What is a Regional Collection Plan?

-

One of the TAG’s 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-

-

A number of criteria are involved in the

case of amphibians and invertebrates—

groups that encompass thousands of

species—collection planning often

-

-

tial may carry a greater weight in the

selection of species than factors suchas public appeal and ability to assist in

The following criteria are often used as a starting point for

• 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

How are Regional Collection Plans created?

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-

-

-

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

Groups (SAGs)?

aquariums must work with each other and

with other scientists to collaborate on the

-

-

What do SAGs do?

From outlining priorities for future research to con-

sulting at meetings focused on individual species or

enough to allow for the differences between scien-

collaborating university scientists working

aquarium community and the broaderconservation community of which it is part;

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 ActionPartnerships)

especially those that involve several AZA

research activities of its member

made up of experts in a particular

SAG members include veteri-

aquarium-based curators with

and other outside scientists with

a commitment to sharing their

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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

-

-

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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 indi-

vidual in a population; these collective histories are

known as the population’s 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

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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

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

-

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

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Who can be a species manager?

The 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

Population Management Plans

-

Aquariums (AZA’s) Wildlife Conservation Management Committee (WCMC) created Population

PMPs are established for studbook populations that do not require the intensive management and

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 draw-

ing 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

Although population managers use the same

-

dations are often supplemented

-

propriate for the more inten-

PMP participation is completely

-

lines provide participating insti-tutions with options on how to

best manage their animal popu-

What is a Population Management Plan?

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How do you learn to run a

Population Management Plan?

Although there is no required training for popula--

gram 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 con-

-

-

ment administers the AZA Conservation Endow-

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Conservation Action Partnerships

It has been estimated that twenty percent or more of the world’s 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 habi-

are subject to increasing pressure and degradation from

-

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 spe-

-

ment and coordination of multiple conservation projects within and between given

A Madagascar CAP Project

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Horse Morphology

18

FishMorphology

Suborbital

Hoof



Insect Morphology

Spider Morphology

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Epigastric

Furrow

Patella



-

-

-

metal and plastic tags or bands (colored and/or

-

activity while others cannot be seen until the

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Global/International Studbook number:

Regional studbook number:

Old Studbook number:

Studbook name:

This is used in some studbooks as a way to manu-

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

Type in the location information

When writing a

This will help resolve inconsistencies with the

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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

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

-

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

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How to enter notching marks

-

How to Read Ear Notches

Determining an animal’s notch number:

- Always begin with the animal’s RIGHT ear

- Add the right ear notch numbers

- Add the left ear notch numbers

- Combine the two totals to get the animal’s notch number

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Section 3: ReproductionReproductive 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:

-

-

-



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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

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

FISH



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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

-

-



Gestation Periods

For additional gestation

the AAZK website.

http://www.aazk.org

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http://www.aazk.or/

http://www.aazk.or/



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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 today’s computers more data can be produced and

Section 4: Recording Information



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

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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**



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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:



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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:



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 lon-

gest rectrix to the point between the middle rectri-

Tarsus 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

-

-

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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



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 under-

--

tion has its own method for how the

data will be processed and entered

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2

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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

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Section 5: ShippingIATA Regulations

-

-

43



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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 insti-

The general recommendation is that the com-

-

The data transfer forms can be found on the

http://www.aazk.org/animalKeepersForum/

datatransferforms.php

The animal data transfer form provides infor-

-

-

The enrichment data transfer form provides in-

data on what types of enrichment have been uti-

-

The operant conditioning data transfer form pro-

vides background information on any training that

-

Be as detailed as possible so that the animal hus-

this information for the best quality care of the

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ANIMAL DATA TRANSFER FORM

1. Curator’s copy of information on new arrival

2. Keeper’s copy of information on new ar rival

receiving institution 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).

Date:Date:

Common Name:Common Name:

Copy of AAZK Enrichment Data

Transfer Form attached?

YES NO

Copy of AAZK Enrichment Data

Transfer Form attached?

YES NO

Present institution:Present institution:

Title:Title:Form Completed by:Form Completed by:

Copy of AAZK Operant

Conditioning Form attached?

YES NO

Copy of AAZK Operant

Conditioning Form attached?

YES NO

Phone/Fax:Phone/Fax:E-mail:E-mail:



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ENRICHMENT DATA TRANSFER FORM1.Quarantine keeper staff

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)

Date:Date:



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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 shouldn’t have, bad experiences, failed items):

Comments



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Keeper Vocabulary

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 microorganismsAntiseptic: Preventing infection; any substance preventing the growth of microorganisms

Arboreal: Tree-living or climbing

ARKS (Animal Record Keeping System):

~ A ~

52

Section 6: Resources



Arthritis:

Arthropod: An invertebrate animal with segmented body and jointed limbs and an external skeleton

in the form of a shell

Introduction of semen into the uterus or oviduct by other than naturalmeans

Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure certain desirable

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

~ 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

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 one’s 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 re-

sources

~ C ~

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:

~ D ~Dam: The female parent of an animal

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



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: de-

veloped so that it can live independently

Embryonic diapause:

when the situation for

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 ~

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



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

~ H ~

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

~ I ~

59



Implantation: The attachment of the tiny developing embryo to the wall of the mother’s 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

Keratin:

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-

-

~ J ~

~ K ~

~ L ~

60



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 organismMusk glands:weasels

Mutualism:

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 ~

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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

~ N ~

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 habi-

Order: -

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

~ O ~

Pair bond: The temporary or permanent association formed between a female and male animal dur-

ing courtship and mating

~ P ~

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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

Pheromonesame 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 ani-mals)

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

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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

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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

~ R ~

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 patho-

genic microorganisms and their toxic products

Sexual dichromatism:

~ S ~

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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; littermateSire: 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 theirspores

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:

66



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 deer’s 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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72



Animal Group Terminology

Aardvark -

Aarmory

Alligator -

Bask or

Congregation

Antelope -

Herd or Cluster

Ant -

Colony

or Army

Ape -Troop or

Shrewdness

Armadillo -

edentate or

edemata

Baboon -

Bear -

Sleuth or Sloth

Camel -

Cheetah -

Coalition

Chicken -

Battery

Chimpanzee

- Cartload

Crane -

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Kangaroo -

mob

Leopard -

Leap or Lepe

Lion -

Pride

Llama -

Herd or Flock

Meerkat -Gang or Mob

Pig -Herd or Drove

Polar Bear -

Aurora

Rhino -

Crash

Sheep -Flock or Herd

Tiger -

Ambush

Wolf -

Pack or Rout

Zebra -

Zeal

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Animal Gender/Age Terminology

76



Drugs by Generic and Brand Name

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79



80



Frequently Misspelled Words

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82



84



85

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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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

Bibliography

records resource guide for keeper training w bookmarks

Documents