Rearing, Management and Feeding of Non-Conventional Pet Animals

The course is aimed to supply the basic knowledge on husbandry, breeding and nutrition in unconventional pets: birds (Galliformes, Anseriformes, Psittaciformes, Passeriformes) and mammals (Lagomorphs, Rodents, Mustelidae) and reptiles (Chelonia. The main topics of the course will be: species classification, morphology, husbandry and welfare, behavior and management, reproduction.
This will include the basics of nutrition, handling around exotic animal species, including pet birds, small mammals, amphibia, reptiles and fish. The knowledge of the different species will be oriented to a responsible breeding in accordance with animal behavior and welfare.

The student must acquire knowledge and skills necessary to breed and manage the different unconventional companion animals' species focusing on the behavioral, reproductive and nutritional specie-specific characteristics together with a correct socialization.
The student will be able to formulate complete and balance diets for exotic animals, according to the age and to the life-style of the considered animals. The choice of the ideal diet among the several industrial and home prepared solutions will be determined using critical points acquired during the course.
The student must learn the correct scientific and technical terminology and must be conscious of the importance of animal welfare in human-pet relation, based on scientific knowledge.