An advanced course relating animal physiology and nutrition to wildlife ecology and management.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Additional reports must be submitted by graduate students.
Athena Title
Wildlife Physiology Nutrition
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
WILD(FISH) 3000 or WILD(FISH) 3000W or WILD 1100E
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will explain physiological mechanisms involved in the adaptation of wildlife species to their environment.
Students will explain the usefulness and application of physiological principles and techniques in the management of wildlife populations.
Students will critically evaluate published literature on wildlife physiology and nutrition.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction
A. Introduction to physiology and nutrition
B. Photoperiodism
II. Reproduction in mammals
A. Reproductive physiology of males
B. Reproductive physiology of females
C. Fetal development, parturition, and lactation
D. Fertility control in mammals
III. Reproduction in birds
A. Reproductive physiology of males
B. Reproductive physiology of females
C. Eggs
D. Fertility control in birds
IV. Nervous system
A. Vision
B. Hearing
C. Chemical senses
V. Physiological stress
A. Adrenal physiology
B. General adaptation syndrome
C. Density stress and population regulation
D. Genetic/behavioral population regulation
E. Physiological indices
VI. Nutrition
A. Digestive anatomy and physiology of mammals
B. Digestive anatomy and physiology of birds
C. Nutrient requirements
D. Assessing nutrition and mammalian populations
E. Assessing nutrition and bird populations
VII. Seasonal metabolism, hibernation, and molt
A. Seasonal metabolism
B. Hibernation
C. Molt
VIII. Physiology and nutrition of reptiles and amphibians
A. Reproduction
B. Respiration, circulation, and thermoregulation
C. Feeding and digestion
D. Senses
IX. Animal care and use in research and management
A. Capture and handling
B. Sampling
C. Marking
D. Rehabilitation
E. Euthanasia
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
