8 Pets You Don't Want to Bring Home

Turtles, and tigers, and kinkajous, oh my! Find out which animals should go back to where they came from — the wild.

There are dog people. There are cat people. And then there is another breed of pet owner entirely — exotic-pet people.

Under the right circumstances (and with the right kind of animal), owning an exotic pet might be okay — but more often than not it’s bad for the animal, not to mention downright dangerous and unhealthy for the human. “Just because a certain animal is sold as a pet does not mean it should be,” says Gene Pavlovsky, DVM, chief of staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Champaign, Ill.

Here are eight types of pets you shouldn’t get.

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The living dead: Wood frogs across Alaska will soon be frozen solid

Their bodies cooling with the October air, wood frogs are now snug in leafy blankets all over Alaska.

Down there inside those thumb-size frogs, even smaller creatures are hitching a ride. These tiny parasites have the power to make frogs develop up to a dozen extra legs, or no legs at all.

Don Larson just defended his University of Alaska Ph.D. thesis on the fate of wood frogs that are at this moment becoming camouflage ice cubes. While taking a course in physiology of northern creatures, he became fascinated with the parasites attached to some wood frogs. How could a creature that leeches off another organism endure that animal freezing solid?

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Four fascinating ways animals survive the winter

There are a lot of things humans can do to make the colder months more comfortable, thanks to technology. But wild animals don't have access to boots, or scarves, or fireplaces to keep them cozy at night.

They have, however, evolved fascinating characteristics that allow them to get through the harsh winter months -- when food is scarce and the temperatures are frigid.

Here are four fascinating tricks animals use to survive the winter.

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10 Best Small Rodents to Keep as Pets

There is a range of small rodents commonly kept as pets. Some are fairly easy to tame and enjoy human interaction while others are more timid. Several tend to be more active at night, which might not fit with some people's lifestyles. Still, they are fairly low-maintenance pets if you provide them with the appropriate housing, exercise, and diet. If you're looking for a small, furry companion, here are 10 of the best small rodents to choose from.

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The 15 Most Expensive Cat Breeds (That Are Worth Every Penny)

Owning pets isn’t cheap. Cats will cost you roughly $630 per year, according to the ASPCA. Two cats? Twice the money (roughly). Bigger cats? Bigger bills. The first year of cat ownership will usually cost more than the average, too, depending on how fancy you get with food and gear, and whether you have to pay for spay/neuter surgery or vaccinations. On top of these routine annual costs, some cat breeds require you to dig very deeply into your pockets, just to take them home. We’re talking thousands of dollars for the world’s most expensive cat breeds! Intrigued? Keep reading.

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Rare snowy owl seen flying over Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — A rare owl has been spotted touring the iconic monuments of Washington, D.C. for the last week, bringing out bird enthusiasts anxious to get a glimpse of the animal.

The snowy owl was first spotted on Jan. 3, and has since been seen at Union Station, the National Postal Museum, Senate buildings, and Capitol Police headquarters, The Associated Press reported.

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Your Cat Knows Where You Are Even When They Can't See You

Pet cats have been found to "mentally map" the whereabouts of their owners when they are out-of-sight, scientists have found. Researchers found that cats track their owners' movements by creating mental representations linked to vocal signals.

The researchers, led by Saho Takagi from the Department of Psychology at Kyoto University, Japan, conducted a series of experiments on cats, using vocal cues from either their owners or strangers.

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Six Fascinating Facts About Rabbits

Rabbits are wonderful creatures, with adorable ears, faces, and paws. Many people assume rabbits are all the same, but they are unique, complex, and enchanting animals. Beyond the twitchy nose and soft fur, there are many delightful and interesting secrets to uncover about rabbits. Here are six fascinating facts:

They have distinct personalities

Gentle and cuddly, or feisty and opinionated, bunnies each have their own unique and individual personality. For example, some rabbits like to be patted, while others are very independent. Long-time rabbit owners know that each domestic rabbit has its own personality that shapes the way they interact with their owners.

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