Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Test

Which statement regarding the handling of diurnal animals is true?

1. Capture should occur during the night when they are most active

2. Handling must be conducted at any time without consideration of activity

3. Capture and handling should be done during the day when they're less active

4. Animals can be safely moved at any hour

The correct answer is: Capture and handling should be done during the day when they're less active

The handling of diurnal animals is best conducted during the day when they are less active. Diurnal animals are those that are primarily active during daylight hours, while they typically rest or become less active at night. By performing capture and handling tasks during the daytime, wildlife rehabilitators can minimize stress for the animals, as they are in their natural resting cycle. Capturing these animals at night, when they are more alert and active, can result in increased stress levels and make the capture more difficult. This can lead to potential injuries, either from the stress of the capture or from an attempted escape. It is also important to consider the well-being of the animal and their psychological state, as handling during their active hours might disrupt their natural behaviors. Ensuring that handling occurs when the animals are less active supports both the safety of the animal and the effectiveness of the handling process.