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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
Commonly available placental mammals may include: | captive animals:exotic placental mammals, carnivores, primates and ungulatesdomestic animals:cows, sheep, goats, pigs, cats and dogspets and research animals:mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, sheep and pigs. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to:the breeding seasonthe species, breed, age and sex of the animalsthe time of day or nightbehaviour characteristics associated with different species:activity levels at certain times of day or nightfeeding and foragingfight or flightsocial interactionfeeding behavioursdefensive behaviour:biting, kicking, charging or spittingdefending territory, other animals or foodgrowling, barking, hissing or screaminghair on topline being raisedthrowing itemsdominance gestures:attempts to hump handler's leg or other animalattempts to get higher than handler or other animalshunting or stalking gesturesstereotypical behaviour:repetitive patternsself-mutilationrestlessnesssubmissive gestures:lowering bodyrolling onto backtail between legsturning away from handler or other animals. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | age, sex and sizecoat or skin colours and textureeye colourmarkings, patterns and permanent scars toe nail colourmicrochip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands. |
Signs of distressed mammals may include: | aggressive behaviourinappetancesubdued behaviourtremblingvocalisation. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental:biological control of wastecleaning routines and methodsdrainage and weather protectiongeneral animal housing securityhousing furniturelocal council requirements related to:limits to numbers and types of animals allowednoise controlpest controlrestricting access to animalswaste managementventilation, heating and cooling requirementshousing design:housing options:cagedfully enclosedindoormoatednaturalisticoutdoorhousing requirements:compatibility of species housed togetherfood and water distributionsecurity considerationslongevity and sturdiness of materialssuitability for specific speciesspecies specific options for animals to hide or restdesigns that allow for enrichment activities or species specific exercise, feeding or socialisingsocial options:solitarypairssingle sexed groupspolyandrous/polygamous groupsmixed species. |
Enrichment needs may include: | food or food-related enrichment:giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substratesgiving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)physical enrichment items:gnawing manipuladahide boxes, tunnels and laddersnest building or bedding material:shredded paperstrawsubstrate or wood shavingsnon-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys (e.g. balls, bells, puzzles and mirrors)perches, roosting shelves and nest boxessocial enrichment:levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breedsocial interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate. |
Welfare of animals requirements may include: | adequate housing, nutrition and stock levelscompliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulationsenrichment opportunitiesthe absence of pests and verminthe compatibility of species and breeds. |
OHS risks when working with animals may include: | animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuriesbiological hazardous waste and sharps disposalhandling of chemicals and medicinesgas leakageinhalation of aerosol particlesintraocular contaminationmanual handling, including carrying, lifting and shiftingneedle pricks and cuts from other sharpsrelease of infective agents (animal and human)slippery or uneven work surfaceszoonoses. |
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain mammals may include: | cages, yards, pens and bagscollars, leads, halters and harnessestreats and toys. |
Methods used to approach and catch mammals may include: | calling animal by nameencouraging animal to approach by offering a treatquietly approaching animal, slipping on collar and attaching lead or catching and holding animal with handsrunning animal into a small enclosure. |
Common health issues may include: | behavioural disordersenvironmental hazards:ventilationtemperature extremesexposure to the elementsinadequate exerciseinfectious diseases caused by:bacteria, virus, fungus and mouldinternal and external parasitesnon-infection diseases:nutritional imbalances and disruptionsgenetic disordersmetabolicneoplasticphysical traumaschemical toxicities and allergieszoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-upcontrol of parasitesgroomingimmunisation/vaccinations, as requiredinsect controlquarantineroutine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features:mouth and teeth structuresdigestive chemicals and bacteriaalimentary canal and stomachintestines, rectum and anusphysiological features:eating processesnutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods waste eliminationfeeding patternspotential digestive system malfunctions or problemswater needs. |
Feeding hazards may include: | animal movement and handlingshelf life of foodstuffsmanual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipmentcontamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sourcesorganic and other dustsexcessive noisepossibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of mammals may include: | accident and incident recordsanimal feeding, health and treatment recordsanimal identification and historychemical and veterinary supplies registerdiary, rosters and task completion and timeframe recordsequipment use, damage and repair registerOHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other recordsprovisions records of current stock and items used and items requiredstock control records. |