"Hero Rat" Awarded Animal Bravery Medal for Sniffing Out Dozens of Landmines in Cambodia

A rat named Magawa has been given an animal bravery award for sniffing out dozens of landmines in Cambodia. Magawa received a gold medal from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom, on Friday, making him the first rodent in the nonprofit's history to earn the distinction.

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The Japanese Macaques, More Commonly Known as Snow Monkeys, Attract Many Tourists and Japan Natives Alike Every Year

The Japanese macaques, more commonly known as snow monkeys, attract many tourists and Japan natives alike every year.

Where are these monkeys found?

These monkeys are found in Yamanouchi in the Nagano prefecture within the Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen-koen) in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. They boast a large population of the monkeys, making it likely to spot them should you visit.

Due to the steep terrain and the steam coming up from the hot springs, giving the land an eerie look, the valley in which the park is located got the name Jigokudani or "Hell's Valley." Don't let the name fool you though! Although the environment may seem harsh, the land is also beautiful and serene, and especially in the colder seasons, becomes a snowy wonderland. Due to the cold, snowy environment, the monkeys love to bathe in the hotsprings, onsens, found there, and this becomes a popular sight for tourists to come see. There is something distinctly human about the way these monkeys take in and enjoy the warmth the rotenburo, outdoor onsens, offer them.

When is the best time to see them?

Although the monkeys are always close to the main park, in the warmer months, they are usually off  doing their thing deep within the national park. In the winter, they are more likely to be a greater number of them closer to Jigokudanai Monkey Park, bathing in the hotsprings. The monkeys survive off of seeds, berries, bugs, and fruit within the national park, but are also fed by the park attendants, making the probability higher that the monkeys will stick around close to the hot springs year-round, as there is always guaranteed food!

If Your Dog Swallows Any Of These 7 Common Household Items, Head To The Vet

Dogs “see” the world through their noses, and taste is closely tied into their sense of smell. Some veterinarians and animal behaviorists feel that this may be why pups eat items that are most certainly not food. Whether they swallow a dangerous substance out of curiosity, excitement or just by accident, seeking veterinary help quickly can make all the difference.

Here are some common materials pups have been known to eat that definitely warrant a visit to the vet.

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27 “Facts” About Animals You Have All Wrong

Spoiler alert: you may never order grilled octopus again.

Myth: Felines and canines are colorblind

Although it was long believed that our furry companions had limited vision and only saw certain colors, it’s not the case. Cats and dogs have much better color eyesight than we thought. Both can see shades of blue and green. In fact, cats have way more light-sensing cells or rods in their eyes than humans do, and that’s why they can see better in low-light situations. Of course that doesn’t explain why they sometimes act that way they do.

To read more on this story, click here: 27 “Facts” About Animals You Have All Wrong

Armadillo Lizards Look Like Baby Dragons

Looking like a miniature version of the dragons in “Game of Thrones,” these armadillo lizards are quite the unique little design of nature. Similar to their name, they come with an outer layering that is armored like an armadillo. Just like the armadillo, whenever these lizards are under threat, they curl up into a ball to be protected by their built-in armor. These little armored lizards like to hang out in the crevices and nooks of rocks.

They are also natives of South Africa and have adapted many ways of shielding themselves from the area’s harsh climate and predators. As a result, they’ve become quite adept at hiding. These unique little animals are lovers of sunbathing like many other reptiles, but unlike most reptiles, armadillo lizards don’t lay eggs.

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Determining the Best Age at Which to Spay or Neuter a Dog

In many parts of the world, due to cultural or economic prohibitions, bitches and dogs are not spayed or castrated unless they have reproductive tract disease. However, in the United States, virtually all bitches and dogs are rendered sterile by surgery at some point in their life. This better allows for reproduction control in animals no longer capable of or not considered desirable for breeding, and eliminates behaviors and physical changes related to presence of reproductive hormones that dog owners find objectionable. The surgeries most commonly performed are ovariohysterectomy (removal of the uterus and both ovaries), commonly called spaying, and castration (removal of both testes and the associated epididymes). Castration is commonly also called neutering, although that term most correctly can be used for surgery of either gender. Collectively, these surgeries can be referred to as gonadectomy, removal of the gonads or reproductive organs.

Removal of the ovaries eliminates secretion of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Removal of the testes eliminates secretion of the hormone testosterone. Elimination of these hormones obviously leads to decreases in behaviors and physical changes associated with their secretion, such as heat behavior, swelling of the vulva, and estrous bleeding in bitches, and mounting and roaming in dogs. However, reproductive hormones have effects on other tissues in the body and removal of those hormones may inadvertently impact those systems negatively. Other, less obvious, hormone changes also occur after gonadectomy, including persistent elevation in hormones that control the secretion of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Whether these other hormone changes affect other systems positively or negatively often is unclear.

To read more on this story, click here: Determining the Best Age at Which to Spay or Neuter a Dog

Artist Turns Old CDs Into Amazing Lifelike Animal Sculptures

We all talk about recycling and repurposing, but one young artist is walking the talk by transforming broken, discarded CDs and DVDs into gorgeous animal sculptures.Sean Avery is an art teacher in Western Australia who began experimenting with CD and DVD art while he was still at university. He has created dozens of the brightly colored, sparkling sculptures since then.

To read more on this story, click here: Artist Turns Old CDs Into Amazing Lifelike Animal Sculptures

Why Your Dog Should Learn to Wear a Muzzle? - Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Muzzle

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, that if you teach your dog to accept one, a muzzle can be an effective, humane tool for managing your dog’s behavior. For most situations, we recommend a basket muzzle. Although a dog wearing this kind of muzzle looks more frightening than a dog wearing a snug-fitting nylon muzzle, the basket style is safer because it allows the dog to pant (which is how dogs regulate their body temperature) and to drink water. The wire basket muzzles sold at www.morrco.com are sturdy and come in a wide range of sizes and shapes to fit any breed.

This Pilot Has Saved Thousands Of Animals From Euthanasia By Flying Them To No-Kill Shelters

Dr. Peter Rork isn’t just using his pilot’s license as a hobby; he’s using it to save animals. Sparked by tragic loss and his passion for animals, an occasional trip to help transport rescue dogs and cats to no-kill shelters turned into a weekly venture that’s now saved thousands of animals. 

Rork started the nonprofit Dog Is My CoPilot  in 2012 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, after he safely packed 20 to 30 rescue dogs and cats in his single-engine plane — “like a game of Tetris,” he said. He transferred those animals from shelters where they were considered “code red,” or on the verge of being euthanized, to no-kill shelters.

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Koi Story: A Beginner’s Guide To Raising Koi Fish

Congratulations! You're made the most excellent decision to start raising koi fish of your own. Although it can be a little daunting at first to take on a new pet, you'll soon discover how easy it is to raise these hearty fish. Koi Story has put together this little guide to jump-start your knowledge on your fish pond/habitat, koi care and other general koi  knowledge.

RAISING KOI FISH IN A POND

Koi are a hearty member of the carp fish family and can handle quite a bit if the conditions of your koi carp pond are right. Seasonal ponds should be at least a 1.5 deep (half a meter) while year-long ponds should be at least 4.5 feet (1.5 meters). Water should be kept between 60 and 75 degrees F (about 15-25 degrees C)

Beyond depth and temperature, your koi/carp/fish need a few important things in a pond habitat:

To read more on this story, click here: Koi Story: A Beginner’s Guide To Raising Koi Fish 

Parrots Can Be Amazing Companion Animals, But Do They Really Make Good Pets?

It is estimated that there are 11 million birds living as pets within the United States. Parrots are now thought to be the fourth most common household animal after dogs, cats, and fish. So do they make good pets? You may be surprised to learn that for many Americans the answer is no.

Parrots can be amazing companion animals. They are highly trainable, they can be cuddly and affectionate, and if treated correctly they will form very strong bonds with their care takers. The flip side is that they are such social and intelligent animals that they demand a huge amount of attention and mental stimulation in order to thrive. 

Many people eventually find that they can’t give enough time and energy to

Lorikeet

their pets, especially in the long run when the joy of a new pet begins to ware thin. To make matters worse, many parrots can be aggressive, especially once they become sexually mature. A parrot bite is not a fun thing to endure.

If you want to get a parrot of your own, there are several things you should consider before purchasing. Read through the 5 following questions and answer them honestly to your self to see if a parrot is the right fit for you.

1. Can I afford a parrot?

If you get a small parrot the cost can be fairly cheep. A budgie Parakeet will only cost you about $20 in the US and a decent sized cage for the bird probably won’t cost over $50. Larger and less common parrots demand a higher price. You should expect to pay anywhere between $400 and $10,000 for a larger parrot and then you will need to spend about the same on a cage.

Once you get the parrot you will need to spend more money on food, replacement toys, replacement perches, veterinary care and other continual costs. The price for the average small bird (parakeet or love bird) will cost between $315 – $500 a year to keep alive and well. A large parrot like a Macaw will cost about $650 – $1,275.

Are you honestly willing to spend that kind of money on a pet? If not, I suggest you look for a different kind of pet.

2. Do I have time to take proper care of a parrot?

The average parrot needs 2 – 6 hours of direct interaction outside the cage from you or one of your family members every day in order to maintain mental health. Remember that depending on the species, your parrot could live to be 80 years old or more.

Can you consistently dedicate that kind of time to your parrot in the long run?

When you go on vacation you will need to leave your parrot with someone who is also willing to give your bird all the special attention he needs. Even then, things may not work out. 

Sun Conure

One alternative to one on one interaction is to build a large aviary and get several parrots that will interact with each other. Keep in mind that these birds may bond strictly to each other and can become aggressive to people unless they are constantly socialized to humans. Parrot that live together in groups can also become aggressive to one another. Make sure you know what you’re doing before creating a multi-parrot aviary.

Parrots also need enrichment exercises to stimulate their minds. 

Tip – Make as many friends with other parrot owners as you can! This way you can take turns watching each other’s birds when needed and you can share tips on how to better care for your parrots.

3. Do I have the patience to be a parrot keeper?

Parrots have all sorts of strange behaviors that can be very annoying. Sun Conures are great parrots, they are playful, loving, loyal, beautiful, and easy to train but they come with a voice so loud that the entire block knows when one gets upset. Sun Conures are so loud that they can easily get you evicted from your apartment and because of this they often end up in bird rescue shelters after their owners decide they just can’t stand the noise.

Quaker Parrot

Other species of parrot have different problems. The Quaker Parrot, for example, becomes extremely territorial of his cage during breeding season and the Lorikeets have a way of shooting their poop all the way across the room when relieving them selves after a meal. 

Parrots are wild animals and don’t naturally know how to behave appropriately around humans or inside of houses. You are the one the decided to take them from their natural habitats and place them in your home, it is your responsibility to put up with the problems that are bound to arise as a result of this decision.

With careful training and loving patience, your bird can be taught many house manners and can become a wonderful member of your family but this takes time and lots of hard work. Are you truly up for it?

4. Can I handle getting bitten by my parrot?

Even the nicest birds will have a moment where they feel threatened or mistreated and will decide to attack.

Parrots tend to get most aggressive during breeding season (breeding season varies from species to species) and a parrot that used to be perfectly tame can suddenly seem to go crazy. This of course is true of virtually all pets but the signs of aggression are particularly hard to see with birds. An attack can seem to come out of nowhere from a bird who is usually very loving.  As a result, people tend to develop phobias of their own parrots after just one incident.

No matter how sweet and wonderful your bird may be, no matter how good of a bird owner you think you are, You will get bitten…and it will hurt! 

If you own a small parrot this may mean a simple little puncture wound. If you own a mid sized or large parrot, stitches (or worse) may be needed.

At the Knoxville Zoo they have all sorts of dangerous animals in their bird show: hawks, owls, a vulture, a crane, and a giant African Ground-Hornbill but the one bird that has sent the most staff members to the hospital is their Scarlett Macaw – one of their only birds that can legally kept as a household pet. He bit one trainer on the mouth and tore her lip open so far that plastic surgery was needed in order to properly heal the wound. She was a pro bird handler working with an animal she saw every day. If it can happen to her under the best of circumstances, it can happen to anyone.

Can you forgive a bird after receiving a bite like that and then be willing to continue working with and loving your parrot? If your answer is no then you really need to consider a different hobby. Parrot keeping is not for you. Once a parrot owner develops a fear for their own bird, the bird will be left inside his cage all the time and will suffer. This is not good for your bird or for you.

Tip- The smaller the bird, the weaker the bite. If you have a low tolerance for pain, get a small parrot. There is no shame in this and there is an amazing selection of small parrots to choose from. You would be amazed to discover just how much personality, beauty, and charisma these small parrots really have. You don’t need to go out and buy the biggest macaw you can find.

5. Am I willing to study and learn about parrot keeping?

Most of us have never had much contact with birds before. We know how to deal with cats and dogs but as soon as we get our hands on a bird we quickly realize we have no clue what we are doing. As a result you need to be willing to study and learn.

There is a lot to learn and you are a busy person. Are you willing to make the sacrifice of time needed in order to learn about your birds needs?

The Joy of Parrot Keeping

For those of you who actually do have the money, time, patience, pain tolerance, and the desire to learn that is needed for the life long hobby of parrot keeping, the joy associated with the hobby is unlike anything else you have ever experienced. Your parrot will change your life and the way you view the world.

Your Cat’s Pupils Can Signal What They’re Feeling

For us cat lovers, we love to try and figure out what it is that they are thinking. Our cats are not as hard to decode as we realize. Cohabitating with them and studying their body language can tell us so much about what’s going on inside that mind of theirs. We know that cats talk to us humans with their meows. And those tails? They tell us a lot, too. But did you know that your cat’s pupils tell you a lot about what they’re feeling, too?

First, knowing the structure of your cat’s eye might help. Your cat’s eyes differ greatly from ours in the way that they respond to light. Compared to a human, a cat’s eyes are much larger in comparison to their size. And these large eyes? Well, it’s what allows them to see better as they can absorb more light.

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8 Scorpion Facts To Make Your Skin Crawl

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Scorpions become more active in Arizona once the temperature rises above 70 degrees. So you'll see more scorpions from March through October in the Phoenix area.

Outside your home, or inside the house, these creepy-crawly creatures can be found anywhere.

Here are 8 terrifying and amazing facts about scorpions. Apologies in advance for any nightmares you might have. Ready?

To read more on this story, click here: 8 Scorpion Facts To Make Your Skin Crawl

Why Do Cats Like To Put Their Butts In Your Face?

Petting your cat is all head scratches and cuddles until their butt ends up in your face. Don’t worry cat parents, we’ve all been there. You’re reveling in your cat’s shifting spotlight and all of a sudden, BAM! You’re confronted with an unobstructed and up-close view of your cat’s backside. It’s not the most pleasant part of your day, and yet your cat seems perfectly pleased with the revealing situation. So what’s the deal?

You can avert your eyes and hold your breath, but you also know it’s bound to happen again. Every time you get cuddly with your cat, there’s risk of that unwelcome exposure. But while you’d be more than happy to never see your cat’s butt in that much detail again, your cat has an entirely different train of thought.

To read more on this story, click here:  Why Do Cats Like To Put Their Butts In Your Face?