Professor: Dr. Darlene Jones
Semester: Spring, odd years
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: AVS 101 or permission of instructor.

Catalog Description: Principles of the care and management of exotic ruminant and monogastric animals. Emphasis will be on handling, care, feeding, breeding, behavior, and disease prevention. Participation in field trips.

By the end of the semester students will have:

• developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for the complexity of caring for exotic animals
• a more informed understanding of the career opportunities available to in this exciting field.

Class Topics

• Introduction to "exotic animal management"
• Anatomy of Ratites
• Ratite Nutrition
• Restraint and Handling of the Ostrich and Emu
• Reproduction of Ratites
• Diseases and Parasites of Ratites
• Anatomy of Llamoids
• Llamoid Nutrition
• Restraint and Handling of Llamas and Alpacas
• Diseases and Parasites of Llamoids
• Reptile and Amphibian Husbandry, Restraint and Diseases
• Ferret Husbandry, Restraint and Diseases
• Pet Rabbit and Rodent Husbandry, Restraint and Diseases
• Pet Avian Husbandry, Restraint, Health Maintenance and Diseases

Grades will be based on the following criteria:

• Exams
• Assignments
• Final exam

Darlene Jones, DVM
Lecturer, Animal Science
University of Rhode Island
Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science
25 Woodward Hall
Kingston, RI 02881
Office: (401)874-4623
Fax: (401)874-7575
djonesdvm@uri.edu

Dr. Jones has recently joined the Department of Animal Science as a full-time lecturer. Prior to coming to the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Jones owned a mobile veterinary practice specializing in companion animal medicine. She also instructed various courses in animal anatomy, physiology, parasitology and biology at several local universities. Dr. Jones' veterinary expertise makes her a unique addition to the department.

Education

• B. S., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
• D.V.M., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

"There aren't many courses that can cover such a broad range of topics as effectively as this one did. Take this course. Even if you are not interested specifically in exotics, there are so many things you can learn about the world of animal science. You learn how animals are cared for, how zoos handle problems like nutrition, education, and marketing, and some of the problems that face animal science as a whole. If you are interested in exotics, this course is perfect, and it's the only one of its kind at URI." -Sabrina

"I took this class because I wanted to learn about animals that I was not normally exposed to on an every day basis. This course was very rewarding. Many efforts were made to bring in professional guest speakers to complement lecture topics. This is a very enlightening course and I highly recommend it." -Danielle

• The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA)
• The Shape of Enrichment
• Mystic Aquarium and the Institute for Exploration
• Roger Williams Park Zoo