The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Monday, September 7, 2020

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.

To read more on this story, click here: Your Cat’s Pupils Can Signal What They’re Feeling

Sunday, September 6, 2020

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?



Thursday, September 3, 2020

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.

To read more on this story, click here: How To Care For A Pet Fiddler Crab: Species Profile

You may be interested in reading, Fiddler Crabs


Wednesday, September 2, 2020

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.

To read more on this story, click here: How to Attract and Raise Butterflies at Home


Tuesday, September 1, 2020

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.

To read more on this story, click here: Fiddler Crabs




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).

To read more on this story, click here:  Common Freshwater Tropical Fish Diseases