Displaying items by tag: basic response

FORMS

	Level A Form   Click here to download
	The official Human Interaction Assessment Form Authors: Katie Touhey Moore & Susan Barco Virgina Aquarium and Marine Science Center   Click here to download

REPORTS
	The 10 Year Prescott Program Report   Click here to download9.82 MB
	The official Human Interaction Assessment Report Authors: Katie Touhey Moore & Susan Barco Virgina Aquarium and Marine Science Center   Click here to download

TRAINING DOCS
	Speaking with the Public About Strandings: A template for inclusion in stranding volunteer training materials Authors: Robin Dunkin & David Casper Long Marine Lab, U.C. Santa Cruz   Click here to download
	Guide to Identification of Pinniped Skulls Authors: California Academy of Sciences     Click here to download
	Guide to Identification of Dead Pinnipeds Authors: California Academy of Sciences     Click here to download
	Guide to Identification Neonatal Pinnipeds in California Authors: California Academy of Sciences     Click here to download

LINKS
	Marine Mammal Radiology A rich resource of CT scans and other imaging modalities for marine mammals. Authors: Dr. Sophie Dennison

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Him or Her? Gender is one of the most important elements of the level A form and determining he or she is quite different in a cetacean than pinniped. In general, most cetaceans do not have the obvious secondary sexual characteristics such as the raised bony CREST that you find on the forehead in male California sea lions. Cetacean males also do not have a baculum, or bone in the penis, which is readily distinguishable even after extreme decomposition. Rather, body size tends to be the biggest difference between male and female cetaceans and often even this is not readily distinguishable. Thus, gender determination in cetaceans usually relies upon examination of the ventral body surface.

In cetaceans, length is usually the first and main clue as to the relative age of an individual and this will of course be species specific. At the bottom of this page you can find standard lengths for various age classes for Atlantic harbor porpoises from the published literature.

Preparing for sample collection ahead of time can save you a lot of effort during the necropsy. Sample collection is critical for collecting useful data that will later be used by the pathologist as well as researchers and others who may use the data you collect.

When collecting standard weights and morphometric (physical) measurements from an animal standardization is key to good data collection. When you consider that thousands of people all over the United States and even across the globe collect these measurements, the only way they are useful is if standard techniques are used by all!

Trying to determine the age of an animal can be difficult. There are certain features that can assist in this determination, however, many researchers will rely on straight length to place animals in a life history category (an age class).  At the bottom of this page you can find standard lengths for various age classes for California sea lions from the published literature. However, with experience you will be able to pick out many of the other features that will alert you to whether an animal is a neonate, an adult, or somewhere in between.

He or She? Sometimes gender is easy to distinguish even at a distance and sometimes you have to get up close and examine the animal. In many pinnipeds there are a number of features that often make gender ID fairly straightforward even when the animal is rather decomposed. For example, adult male California sea lions have a bony ridge called a sagittal crest which gives them a very prominent forehead. This secondary sexual characteristic is only found in adult males and thus, can help you determine both age and sex at a distance.

Transporting a carcass can be tricky business. Larger animals pose particular difficulties. Logistical issues that must be considered include safety of volunteers, staff, and the public as well as the location of the animal, the tidal schedule, and beach access.