alternative animals
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Alternative Animals. Animal Science I Unit 48. Objectives. Describe the origin, history and general characteristics of bison Describe the characteristics of the bison industry Discuss the characteristics and origin of ratites - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Alternative Animals
Animal Science IUnit 48
Objectives• Describe the origin, history and general
characteristics of bison• Describe the characteristics of the bison
industry• Discuss the characteristics and origin of
ratites• Disucss the history of and getting started
with llamas and alpacas• Describe the characteristics of llamas and
alpacs
Bison
American Bison• Bison bison• A member of the Bovidae family– Includes cattle, sheep, goats
• Believed to cross the Bearing Strait land bridge from Asia to N. A. approx. 20,000-30,000 years ago
• Related to the European bison, Bison bonasus– A species that is almost extinct
History of Bison• Important to the Plains Indians because
they provided food, skins, bone and fuel• At the time of European arrival in North
America it is estimated there were 30-60 million head ranging the western part of the continent
• By the end of the 19th Century—300 head–Why?
History of Bison• During the 20th Century a slow rebuilding of
Bison populations began.• 1929-3,385• 1980’s-80,000• Currently-125,000• 15% of the bison in North America are currently
maintained on Public Lands• Some of those best know for saving Bison herds
from extinction are – James “Scotty” Philip
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bison
Description & Characteristics
• Hump over the front shoulders• Horns that curve outward and up from the head
– The bulls are larger than the cows• Large head and the body narrows down toward the hindquarters• Long, dark hair covers the head and forequarters• Hindquarters are covered with shorter, lighter hair• Bulls have a black beard that is about 12” long• Mature bulls weigh 1,500-2,000, stand 6.5 ft at the hump and 9-
12 ft in length• Mature cows weigh 1,000• Bison have 1 more pair of ribs than cattle• 13-cattle, 14-bison• Territorial• Able to flourish in a wide range of environments
Characteristics of the Bison Industry
• Small compared to other enterprises• Several options for ownership– Absentee ownership– Hobby– Small producer–Medium-size ranches– Large ranches
Ratites
Introduction• Interest in the U.S.• Commercial production of ostriches began
in 1800’s in South America• After WWII a market for meat and leather
developed• South Africa retains a virtual monopoly on
the commercial production of ostriches• In the U.S. the ratite industry involves
ostriches, emus and rheas
Ratites• Group of flightless birds that includes– Ostrich– Emu– Rhea– Cassowary– Kiwi
Ostrich• Largest ratite, largest bird• 7-9 ft in height, 200-350 lbs• Capable of running 30-50 MPH for up to 30
minutes• Stride of 15-20 feet, depending on size• 2 toes• Long neck• Small head• Large eyes• Short, flat bill
Ostrich• Male– Black feathers with white on the wings
and tail– Feathers become brighter during the
mating season• Female–More drab– Light gray to grayish brown feathers
Domestic Ostrich• Result of cross-breeding several
subspecies • All belong to the species Struthio
camelus• Initial purpose of the crossbreeding
was to improve feather quality• Emphasis of breeding today is meat
production
Emu• Second largest bird• 5-6 ft tall• 125-150 pound
– Males are slightly smaller than females• Female is dominant• Capable of running 30 MPH• Three toes• Head and neck are grayish blue, black feathers on
the head and molted brown feathers on the body.• Plumage is course and hairlike
Rhea• Similar to ostrich but is smaller and has
3 toes• Mature Rhea– 5 ½ feet tall– Weighs 44-55 pounds
• Fast runner• Feathers are pale gray to brown • Head & neck are completely feathered• No tail feathers
Cassowary• 4-6 ft tall• No plumage on the head or neck• Brightly colored skin in combinations of blue, red
and yellow• Large bony crest on the top of the head• Hairlike feathers are brownish black• Capable of running up to 30 MPH• Long sharp toenails on the inner toe that are used
for defense• Found in forrested area rather than the open plain
Kiwi • Small about the size of a chicken• 3 species
– Brown Kiwi, Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi• Larger species are about 20” long, smaller 16”• Weigh 2 ¾-9 pounds• Stand up to 1 foot tall• Females are larger than males• Brown or gray hair-like feathers that may be streaked or
barred• Small heads• Long slender bills with the nostrils near the tip• No tail feathers• Short legs with 3 toes on the feet
Ratite Products• Meat• Leather• Oil• Feathers• Other by-products
Llamas & Alpacas
Introduction & History• Imported to the US in the late 1800s to be exhibited
in zoos• Interest in raising llamas and alpacas increased in
the 1970s with the emphasis being on raising and selling breeding stock
• In addition to breeding stock llamas are used as/for– Pack animals, fiber production, guard animals for sheep
herds, show animals, pets• Alpacas are used for
– Breeding stock, fiber production, investments and as pets.
– They are generally not used as pack or guard animals
Investment Cost• Varies across U.S.• Breeding stock– Females $350-$6,000+ –Males $500-$3,000+– Stud Fees $700-$1500
• Trained Pack Animals $2,500-$3,000
Registry• International Lama Registry (ILR)• Closed – This means both parents must be
registered in order for offspring to be registered.
Characteristics: Llama• Wool color – Usually white but may be black– Shades of beige are also seen– A variety of patterns from spotted to solid
are also seen• Mature weight- 280 to 450 pounds• Long necks• 5.5-6 ft at the head, 4 ft at the shoulder• Life span 20-25 years
Characteristics-Alpaca• 22 distinct natural colors• 2 types based on the fleece they produce• Huacaya fiber
– Fiber is dense and crimped• Suri fiber
– Usually white, not crimped, hangs straight down and is curly
• An adult Alpaca produces about 4 lbs of fleece per year
• Weight- 100-175 lbs or about ½ the size of a Llama• Height- 4.5 ft at the head, 3 ft at the shoulder• Life span of 20-25 years
Characteristics• Six incisor teeth on the front bottom jaw• Hard dental pad on top• 5 molars on top and bottom• Split upper lip that allows them to grasp
forage when grazing• Feet are two toed with a broad, leathery pad
on the bottom that gives them excellent footing on many types of terrain
• Scent glands on the side of each rear leg and one in between the toes