Species-Specific Care & Breed Knowledge Flashcards
7 cards from real CPP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Species-Specific Care & Breed Knowledge flashcards as text
What is the scientific term for the process by which snakes and other reptiles shed their outer skin?
Answer: Ecdysis
Ecdysis is the biological term specifically for the shedding of an outer skin layer in reptiles, allowing for growth and removal of external parasites.
Why is the nitrogen cycle critical when setting up a new aquarium?
Answer: It establishes beneficial bacteria that convert toxic ammonia into less harmful nitrates
The nitrogen cycle establishes colonies of beneficial bacteria that convert toxic ammonia from fish waste to nitrite and then to less harmful nitrate, making the water safe for fish.
What term describes the instinctive behaviors in dogs that were selectively bred for a specific working purpose?
Answer: Breed-specific behavior or breed drive
Breed-specific drives are instinctive behaviors selectively reinforced through generations of breeding, such as the herding instinct in Border Collies or the retrieving drive in Labradors.
What is the most critical consideration when housing multiple small animal species in the same facility?
Answer: Assessing species compatibility and predator-prey relationships
Housing natural predators near prey species causes chronic stress responses and can result in injury or death even without direct physical contact between the animals.
What is the primary biological purpose of basking behavior in tortoises?
Answer: Thermoregulation and UV-B absorption for vitamin D3 synthesis
Basking allows tortoises to raise their core body temperature for metabolic function and absorb UV-B radiation essential for vitamin D3 synthesis, enabling calcium absorption for shell and bone health.
Which characteristic defines a fish as a 'community fish' in aquarium management?
Answer: The ability to coexist peacefully with other compatible species in a shared tank
Community fish are species that can peacefully share a tank with other compatible fish, unlike aggressive or predatory species that threaten tankmates through territorial behavior or predation.
What is the recommended method for introducing a new cat into a household with a resident cat?
Answer: Use gradual introduction with scent swapping and visual barriers before allowing direct contact
A gradual introduction using scent swapping and visual separation allows both cats to acclimate to each other's presence without triggering defensive aggression, improving the likelihood of successful cohabitation.