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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 terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates may include: | crickets freshwater lobsters, shrimp and snails giant cockroaches large spiders (e.g. tarantulas) beetles (e.g. rhinoceros) stick insects (e.g. goliath and titan) scorpions. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to: the species, breed, developmental stage and sex of the animals the time of day or night behaviour characteristics associated with different species: activity levels at certain times of day or night feeding behaviours fight or flight social interaction reproductive behaviours the other animals in that environment defensive behaviour: defending territory, other animals or food hiding or retreating. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | developmental stage, sex and size skin or shell colours and texture markings and patterns tags. |
Indicators of poor water quality may include: | colour odour unsuitable water chemistry parameters. |
Water quality adjustments may involve: | correcting chemical imbalances partial water change raising or lowering pH or hardness. |
Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour may be identified by: | daily observation and visual examination is the best way to establish the appearance of a healthy invertebrate and at the same time allows detection of changes from normal. These observations will include: posture and attitude activity level response to stimuli including handling assessment of body condition assessment of state of hydration appetite and dietary history presence of external organisms. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental: aeration rates and supply biological control of waste cleaning routines and methods correct humidity levels day/night cycle lighting drainage and weather protection electrical safety escape proofing filtration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target species housing furniture and compatible plants lighting, ventilation, temperature, heating and cooling requirements water flows and currents housing requirements: compatibility of species housed together food and water distribution location and security considerations longevity and sturdiness of materials maintains ambient temperature conditions for the specific species provides continuous access to water free of ammonia or chlorine provides generous ventilation and is safe from fumes and vapours: insecticides cleaning agents required floor area, vertical and/or horizontal space for specific species suitability for specific species species-specific options for animals to hide or rest substrate appropriate to the specific species designs that allow for species-specific activity, feeding or socialising social options: solitary pairs single sexed groups polyandrous/polygynous groups mixed species. |
Enrichment needs may include: | food or food-related enrichment physical enrichment items: plants and foliage retreats rocks or artificial rocks social enrichment: levels of contact with other animals of the same species mixed species exhibits to encourage positive inter-species interactions. |
Welfare of animals requirements may include: | adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels compliance to appropriate/relevant state or territory legislation and regulations enrichment opportunities the absence of predators, pests and vermin the compatibility of species and breeds. |
OHS risks when working with animals may include: | animal bites, envenomation, scratches and crush injuries biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal electrical hazards enhanced by the presence of water handling of chemicals and medicines gas leakage inhalation of aerosol particles intraocular contamination manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting needle pricks and cuts from other sharps release of infective agents (animal and human) slippery or uneven work surfaces zoonoses. |
Equipment to catch and handle invertebrate may include: | equipment: isolation tanks or enclosures plastic bags soft gloves soft knotless hand nets traps handling of invertebrates should: always be minimised as excessive handling could result in stress or injury be undertaken slowly and gently undertaken with care as many invertebrates are venomous and some can make humans or other animals sick or die. |
Common health issues may include: | environmental hazards: contamination of the water due to presence of toxins exposures of extremes of water quality exposure to the elements humidity and ventilation inadequate activity temperature extremes infectious diseases caused by: bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoa internal and external parasites non-infection diseases: nutritional imbalances and disruptions metabolic neoplastic physical traumas chemical toxicities and allergies zoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-up control of parasites temperature, humidity, heat and light requirements for specific species quarantine and isolation procedures water quality. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features relevant to the specific species physiological features: eating processes nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods waste elimination feeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the species potential digestive system malfunctions or problems water needs. |
Food source considerations include: | captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to: minimise the impact of captivity stimulate normal digestive function maximise development of natural survival techniques food sources will vary widely subject to the specific species. |
Feeding hazards may include: | animal movement and handling shelf life of foodstuffs manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources organic and other dusts possibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates may include: | accident and incident records chemical and veterinary supplies register detailed and accurate records for each animal (or group of animals): species and sex of animal identification and history feeding, health and treatment records diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records equipment use, damage and repair register OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records provisions records of current stock and items used and items required stock control records water chemistry and quality records water change frequencies and amounts. |