How To Care For A Pet Fiddler Crab: Species Profile

The term "fiddler crab" refers to about 100 species and subspecies of crabs from the genus Uca. They’re found along beaches and brackish (a mixture of saltwater and freshwater) waterways around the world. Male and female fiddler crabs are easily distinguished by looking at their claws. The females have small claws while the males have one distinctive large claw. This large claw, held in such a way that it resembles a fiddle (violin), is how fiddler crabs got their name. Fiddler crabs are fun to watch and fairly easy to keep as pets, with few health concerns and docile personalities. Their housing takes up minimal space, and there are many commercial foods available to provide them with a balanced diet.

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Baby Albino Turtle Born With Her Heart Beating Outside of Her Shell Defies the Odds

Hope has a condition so rare, there isn’t even a name for it.

According to Caters New Agency, the albino pinkbelly sideneck turtle was born with her heart exposed. In humans, this condition is called ectopia cordis, but in veterinary medicine there is no name for the life-threatening genetic defect.

Even with her heart beating outside of her shell, the baby turtle, named Hope, has defied the odds and survived.

Hope lives with her owner Michael Aquilina in New Jersey. Aquilina, known as AquaMike on Instagram, was given the turtle by a friend who felt Aquilina had the passion and experience to give Hope the longest, happiest life possible.

To read more on this story, click here: Baby Albino Turtle Born With Her Heart Beating Outside of Her Shell Defies the Odds

How to Attract and Raise Butterflies at Home

Even if you don’t love bugs, you probably love butterflies! These winged beauties are important pollinators, like bees and hummingbirds, and there’s nothing sweeter than watching them flutter around your garden on a summer morning, sipping from flowers or sunning themselves on rocks. These beautiful insects actually are covered with tiny overlapping scales, like the shingles on a roof. With more than 700 species native to North America, you’ll see many different types in your own back yard, especially if you plant flowers that attract butterflies. Each region of the country has at least 100 species found locally. You even can buy butterfly kits to raise them yourself. Watching these creatures grow can be an educational (and fun!) experiment for the whole family.

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Fiddler Crabs

Fiddler crabs are small crustaceans with a distinctive enlarged claw. They live on beaches, mud flats and marshes throughout the Chesapeake Bay.

Appearance

Three species of fiddler crabs can be found in the Chesapeake Bay region: the red-jointed fiddler crab, Uca minax, the marsh fiddler crab, Uca pugnax, and the sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator.

Fiddler crabs vary in color from tan to brown. Sand fiddler crabs are lighter than the other two species. Males have one enlarged claw that can grow to 1.5-2 inches long while females’ claws are equal size. The carapace (shell) is squared with rounded rear edges. The red-jointed fiddler crab’s carapace has a groove behind each eye. Male marsh fiddler crabs have a royal blue spot on the center of the carapace, while male sand fiddler crabs have a blue or purplish carapace. Carapace varies in size from less than an inch wide to 1.5 inches wide. The marsh fiddler crab is the smallest fiddler crab in the Bay region and the red-jointed fiddler crab is the largest. Fiddler crabs have four pairs of walking legs.

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Common Freshwater Tropical Fish Diseases

Learn about common fish illnesses and how to effectively treat them.

Looking into your aquarium and seeing one of your fish ill for the first time can be alarming for many hobbyists. Unlike cats and dogs, you can’t just hop in the car and take them to the vet. Moreover, because of the delicate nature of tropical fish, if not treated quickly, the illness may not only kill the infected fish, it could spread to the rest of the tank potentially harming your entire population.

So the obvious question for fish owners when their fish is infected is, “What illness does my fish have and how can I treat it?” The good news is that many of the most common aquarium fish diseases are treatable and if done properly, your fish has a good chance of survival. Moreover, many of the treatments are relatively simple to perform (and a lot cheaper than taking a cat or a dog to the vet).

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Deworming Your Pet Bird

Worms, mites, and lice are the most common parasites in pet birds. Although you can use store-bought products, you can also use home remedies.

Birds are sensitive to and can be easily harmed by different pathogens and allergens. Pet birds need proper preventative medicine and good hygiene in order to be healthy.

The most common parasites in pet birds

As mentioned above, several internal and external parasites can affect pet birds. Despite their small size, these creatures can cause numerous illnesses and serious damage to the health of all pets.

Below, is a list of the most frequent parasites in canaries and other pet birds.

Worms: Internal parasites, generally called worms or maggots, that get lodged mainly in the digestive system of their hosts. They usually reach the bloodstream and spread to other organs.

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Where Do Birds Go During a Hurricane?

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA– Storms come every year to the gulf south and every storm has the potential to do great damage. Have you ever wondered how birds survive hurricanes and where they go?

Meteorologist Scot Pilie noticed something very interesting in Hurricane Laura’s graphics, August 28th, saying “this is remarkable.  This is known as our correlation coefficient product.  the reason we use this is to detect debris in tornados.  Last night it captured something remarkable.  Those are actual birds detected in the eye of Laura as it made landfall near Cameron Louisiana.”

To read more on this story, click here: Where Do Birds Go During a Hurricane?

An Army Dog Who Charged Through a Hail of Machine-Gun Fire and Tackled an Al-Qaeda Fighter is to Receive the Animal Equivalent of a Medal of Honor

• A dog who took on an Al-Qaeda insurgent amid a hail of machine-gun fire awarded the animal equivalent of a Medal of Honor.
• Kuno, a Belgian Shepherd Malinois, accompanied British and local forces on a raid on an Al-Qaeda compound when an insurgent pinned them down, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
• Kuno's attack saved lives and enabled the operation to continue, but he received injuries to his back legs and had a paw amputated.
• Now retired with prostheses, he is due to receive the PDSA Dickin Medal for Valour, considered the highest military honor for animals.

A dog who braved a barrage of Al-Qaeda machine-gun fire to save soldiers' lives is to be given the animal equivalent of a Medal of Honor.

To read more on this story, click here: An Army Dog Who Charged Through a Hail of Machine-Gun Fire and Tackled an Al-Qaeda Fighter is to Receive the Animal Equivalent of a Medal of Honor

CDC Warns Against Using Masks On Pet Animals, Says It 'Could Harm' Them

KEY POINTS

• According to CDC, there's no evidence that animals can spread COVID-19 to human being
• CDC's recent tweet urged people not to put masks on their pet animals
• The federal health agency recommends limiting contact with sick people to protect pets from COVID-19

People have been following various preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 from individuals to their pets. These measures include buying face masks for their pet dogs to wear while on walks during the pandemic. But the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against it and says it could harm the animals.

"DYK it’s not safe to put a mask on your pet? While pets can get #COVID19 from people, the risk of pets spreading COVID-19 is low. Instead, protect your pet by limiting their contact with sick people and people outside the household," read CDC’s recent tweet.

To read more on this story, click here: CDC Warns Against Using Masks On Pet Animals, Says It 'Could Harm' Them

Considering a Small Pet? Hamsters and Gerbils Make Great Pets: Do You Know the Difference?

Many decide that a hamster or gerbil is the best choice as a small pet in the home. There are a few noted differences between the two, which can help one make the decision about the best individual choice.

One of the primary differences between the hamster and the gerbil is socialization needs. Gerbils in the wild live in groups for the most part. A solitary pet in the cage may be quite unhappy. Thus if one is choosing a gerbil, it is best to purchase more than one to prevent loneliness. However, when buying more than one, it is wiser to get younger gerbils, as they will naturally bond.

If one wishes to avoid a gerbil family, choose two males. Females tend to be more aggressive with each other, but males tend to get along fairly well. This is particularly the case if they are littermates or are housed together at a young age.

The hamster, conversely, tends not to need a friend in captivity. So if one is looking for a single small pet, this may be the better choice. Females tend to be aggressive with each other, as well. So one should avoid housing two female hamsters together. Two males are ideal.

Another big difference between the animals is sleeping patterns. Hamsters are nocturnal, and will spend most of the day sleeping. The captive gerbil is diurnal, and thus will not disturb one’s sleep by shuffling or digging around in a cage. They are also more up for play during the day, while the hamster may not be quite as happy to wake up and play.

The two animals eat basically the same diet. However, the gerbil is more likely to be gassy or have diarrhea if given an excess amount of green vegetables or fruit. Most enjoy a small amount of fruit and veggies, but it should remain a small amount.

The gerbil also has a slightly different personality than the hamster. It tends to be a little more active, and a little more hyper. Both animals need lots of exercise, but a wheel in a cage should never have wires or slots. Both animals can catch a foot in a wheel, and the gerbil can catch its tail. This can result in broken bones, so choose a wheel with a smooth surface for either animal.

The two also differ in appearance. The gerbil has a soft tail, and enjoys standing on its hind legs. The hamster has no tail. Many consider the gerbil to be more rat or mouselike in appearance because of its longer snout. It is more closely related to these rodents than the hamster. Those who enjoy rats and mice may find the gerbil more visually appealing. Those who are not fond of rats and mice may find the hamster has the most appeal.

The gerbil has a higher risk of overheating. If one does not have air conditioning, then the pet should have a temperature-controlled cage that protects the animal from overheating. Care guides for them do suggest a cage or aquarium type enclosure be temperature controlled between 68° to 77° F (20° to 25° C) because gerbils can get dehydrated in hotter temperatures.

Both can be gently raised to not bite. However, the hamster is a little more prone to biting. This can occur if the pet is suddenly startled or if it is suddenly woken from a deep sleep.

The hamster and gerbil have the same average life span, about three years. Different varieties may have a slightly longer life span. Some can live for up to seven years, though this is unusual.

A Unique Species Of Orchid Bare A Striking Resemblance To Monkeys

The Dracula Simia or “Little Dragon Monkey” as its translated are a quirky orchid found in the forests of Ecuador, according to the American Orchid Society. Martha Stewart's website says the flowers grow best at altitudes around 6,500 feet.

Besides the hike to see these little guys, the Dracula Simia flowers look like monkeys which is why they were aptly named. Eeerkia Schulz, an amateur photographer, saw the orchids at a flower show in Germany. She told Caters News Agency as cited by The Huffington Post, “When I found these flowers I couldn’t believe how much they looked like monkeys. I can’t believe how lovely they are and everyone that I show pictures of them to are instantly surprised just like me.”

To read more on this story, click here: A Unique Species Of Orchid Bare A Striking Resemblance To Monkeys

What To Do (And Not Do) When You Find A Stray Kitten

Finding a stray kitten curled up under your deck or meowing plaintively on the side of the road can feel as exciting as finding a $100 bill on the sidewalk. Those tiny triangle ears! The blue eyes! Stray kittens are undeniably cute, but finding one outside by itself brings up a long list of questions—not to mention potential problems you now need to solve. How you choose to move forward could be the difference between life and death for that innocent little kitten. Whether you want to make the little one part of your family or not, there are steps you need to take to help that kitten survive.

To read more on this story, click here: What To Do (And Not Do) When You Find A Stray Kitten

A Dumped Dog's Prayer

I did not write this poem, the author is unknown. I am posting it hoping that it will touch someone who is thinking about abandoning their pet(s). I am hoping that they will try and find a place for them before dumping them in the streets.

Times are hard now for all of us, and some people can no longer care for a pet. Please consider checking with family, friends or your local animal shelter before leaving your pet behind.

                                              A Dumped Dog's Prayer

Don't close the door! Don't push me away. Why are you leaving? Don't make me stay. Slow down the car, I can't keep up. This pavement is hot and my pads are cut. I've got to quit running or my heart will pop. Every muscle is aching. Why don't you stop? I'm so hungry and thirsty. Darkness is near. But I shouldn't leave, he will come for me here.

Several weeks have passed, I am dead on my feet. They call me a nuisance because I eat off the streets. Every car that passes, I chase it to see If it's my master coming for me. Though I approach those that come near With trust in my eyes and no sign of fear. With hate in their voices and a cold, heartless stare, They threaten to kill me - they don't even care. Batter my body with rocks that they throw, I will not leave, he will come, don't you know? Overtaken with weakness, my body is numb. I'm sick and so lonely. Oh please, let him come! I will go back where he first threw me out. I'll wait for him there, he will come, no doubt.

My thoughts are fading. My chest feels like lead. I'm sleepy, so sleepy - I can't lift my head. It's so quiet, so peaceful -- all remains still. There is my master at my home on the hill. Yes, I can see him, he's calling my name. His voice is so gentle, his hands are the same. He decided he wants me. Things will be fine. I really do love him, that master of mine. My tail wags with pleasure. I can't catch my breath. He came in my dreams, but so did my DEATH!

Author Unknown

                                                 He found a place to sleep.

Does Your Pet Have Allergies? – Do You Know The Symptoms?

Does your pet have allergies? Did you know that they have some of the same symptoms that we do? Depending on the type of allergy, your pet may have different symptoms. Although pets occasionally exhibit watery eyes and some sneezing, the most common reaction is scratching. Constant scratching may lead to raised infected welts, open sores, and loss of hair. Ear infections are also common in dogs with allergies.

Although seasonal allergies in dogs and cats are common, they don't usually manifest in pets the same way they do in humans. We humans will sneeze, cough, and get congested, but dogs and cats tend to get skin problems, even when they inhale allergens.

The most common form of allergy in dogs and cats is called atopy. Atopy is often seasonal. If a pet is allergic to ragweed, symptoms occur in the fall. Pets who are allergic to spring tree pollen will show signs in April and May. If a pet is allergic to dust mites, the symptoms may be most dramatic in the winter, when more time is spent inside. Signs of atopy include:

• Chewing at the feet
• Constant licking of the flank (side) and groin area
• Rubbing of the face
• Inflamed ears or recurrent ear infections
• Recurrent hot spots in dogs and pinpoint facial scabbing in cats
• Asthma-like wheezing and respiratory problems is more likely in cats

Cats:
There are four known types of allergies in the cat: contact, flea, food, and inhalant. Each of these has some common expressions in cats, and each has some unique features.

Contact - flea collars or to types of bedding
Flea - irritation in response to flea bites
Food – General cat allergens are soy, wheat gluten, corn, and fish. They can be allergic to just about anything though.

Inhalant - Cats may be allergic to all of the same inhaled allergens that affect us.