When most people heard the word spider, they freak out! Let alone the word, Tarantula. This Arachnophobia, is a natural phenomenon that occurs in most of us. From a young age, most of us are taught to fear these creatures because of how intimidating and scary they can look (for good reason too). However, this is only caused by the limited knowledge that we have of these tarantulas. Although there is a huge database of information out there for these crawlys, very few bother with it because of this inherent fear. There are in fact over 900 species of Theraphosidae, which is simply a category of spiders that tarantulas fall into. In this section, you will be either convince the burning conviction in you that tarantulas make a wonderful pet, or they are simply too much for what you intended to chew. Tarantulas in general are really hardy species and thus hard to mess up. These exotic pets have gotten more and more popular over the past years and have seen a significant growth in demand for it. Virtually noiseless creatures who do not require much space at all and inexpensive to feed. Most have a really docile demeanor, which makes handling one easy when necessary, however it is not recommended as it creates unnecessary stress on your pet tarantula. If you are looking to stand out from the rest, a pet tarantula would definitely fit the bill. The following things may be deal breakers: 1.) Live Prey is Required Does watching a prey being devoured alive bother you? For some pet owners, this might not be a concern, but for others, it’s not a pleasant thought. Tarantulas have to eat live prey (in very rare cases they feed on carcass, for instance when they are young), which you also will need to provide. You’ll need a reliable supplier of crickets or other live prey which I provide in the [Tarantula food section] to make feeding easier. It’s generally not a good idea to feed wild caught crickets, as like the name suggests these are wild, and things like pathogens can easily be found on these critters that may harm your pet tarantula. 2.) Cuddling is a No No Do you think touch and cuddle when you think of the word pet ? If you caught yourself in a definite yes to this question, you might do better with something else. Though common pet tarantula species are docile, they can easily spook if you are trying to handle them, and squirm from your hand. Falls are nearly always fatal for tarantulas, as their abdomens rupture easily. When tarantulas feel threatened, they kicks hairs by using its back pair of legs to repeatedly rub the abdomen and shake loose hairs. It will then flings these hairs in the direction of its attacker. This defense is enough to discourage most attackers. In humans these hairs can cause a painful, but temporary rash. In addition, tarantulas can and will bite you if they feel threatened. Although they are poisonous, the poison is meant for killing preys much smaller than them. 3.) Cool Tricks and Free Roam Do you want an active pet, one that does cool tricks and can be let loose in your home? Except when capturing and eating live prey, tarantulas spend a great deal of time doing absolutely nothing, I mean literally nothing. Though it appears sluggish in its terrarium, once your pet tarantula escapes it runs with lightning quickness to find a hiding place. Thus, it is always recommended to clean the cage in a confined area, so the resident spider can’t make a speedy retreat to some dark corner of the house. So unless you are certain you don’t mind observing a tarantula and barely interacting with it, a tarantula isn’t for you. Still Want a Tarantula as a Pet? Bear in mind these seven commandments that are vital to the best care possible that you will be able to provide your newly found best friend. You will thank me later.
Female Tarantulas live longer, a lot longer
Do not handle your Tarantula unless it is absolutely necessary
Do not touch any sensitive areas (eyes, nose) after physical contact with Tarantula
A fall can be absolutely fatal for a Tarantula
Food needs to be removed every 24 hours in contact with Tarantula
A water dish is very important
Bites are not fatal but can cause allergic reactions
Always rinse your hands after contact with a Tarantula
In the end, tarantulas do make great pets, however, because owning a tarantula is not so mainstream, the proper care and maintenance for these spiders are often hard to find. For those who do their due diligence and do sufficient research on a specific tarantula they are interested in, they are often rewarded with a healthy and fascinating pet.
Venus and her owner, Christina, appeared on Fox and Friends this morning. Since she's an Internet sensation, fans of the "two-faced" feline can actually buy a plush toy of her. Her owner explained that she and her husband fell in love with Venus after coming across a picture on Facebook. Venus had been a stray and was living on a North Carolina dairy farm. One of the theories behind the striking look is that Venus is her own twin. Christina said she has not taken Venus for DNA tests, adding she will only if it's medically necessary. And yes, Venus has a lot of fans, including more than 222,000 on her own Facebook page. She even posted a selfie from her New York City hotel after the interview.
WACO, Texas – A dog’s touching farewell to his best friend is breaking hearts on social media. According to multiple reports, Joseph Scaramucci posted several pictures on Facebook of his pup Mattis, who was clearly heartbroken over the death of the family’s guinea pig. Otis the guinea pig reportedly died on July 28 after the family returned from vacation. Brittany Scaramucci told local reporters Mattis refused to leave his best friend’s side until his passed over the weekend. “When I went to pick up the cage and clean it up, he stayed right with me and then sat next to it and in it on the sidewalk,” Brittany said, via KFDA. “When I lifted the lid off, he made it pretty obvious that he knew something was wrong and just looked at me like ‘what is going on?’ It broke my heart.” The Scaramuccis report that Mattis is still mourning the loss of his friend of four years. “Even yesterday morning Brittany was commenting on how he wouldn’t eat,” Joseph Scaramucci added. “Mattis just seems to tolerate everything, so I was surprised.” The depressed canine probably shouldn’t surprise anyone. A 2014 study found that dogs pick up on emotions the same way humans do, so Mattis’ touching display for his dying friend was more natural than some might think.
Pets are a joy for most people. There are many benefits to owning a pet, from the pleasure you get from holding them to the exercise you get from walking them. If you are considering getting a pet, or curious how a pet may help you as you move along your multiple sclerosis (MS) path, here are some ways a pet can enrich your life. Calm your nerves Pets are more than just fun to play with. Studies have shown that they help you de-stress. If you regularly experience stress, a pet could help calm and relax you. Simply holding or stroking a pet can be calming to many people. A pet can also be someone you talk out loud to about how you feel that won't judge you. Stay active Taking a dog for a walk could be doing more than just giving you some fresh air. Dog owners who walk their pet regularly tend to do it for many years, and the extra exercise could be good for you. It's important to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise. It's also important to consider the type of animal you get. Some dogs are more active than others, while cats tend to be more relaxed in their physical activity. Do some research and look into the type of animal that's right for you. Also consider the activity level you'd like to have, and talk to your doctor about any exercise goals a pet could help you achieve. To read more on this story, click here:The Benefits Of Living With A Pet
Dumfries,Va. - A Northern Virginia woman said she and her family are being terrorized by skunks that have recently invaded their neighborhood. Bobbi Dewitt said her family has been held hostage in their own home in Dumfries by a family of skunks for the past three days. Cell phone video they recorded shows the mother skunk and her babies hanging out near their front door, which has made it hard to avoid a whiff of their powerful stench. “I don’t know if it’s the rain that is pushing them out, I don’t know if it’s their breeding season, but whatever it is, I am just ready to reclaim my house back,” said Dewitt. She said she has lived in the Forest Park development in Dumfries for five years, but this is the first time she has noticed holes dug under her front stairs where she believes the family of skunks live during the daylight hours. But at night, they come out and wreak havoc – tearing up the trash, people’s plants and spraying anyone who dares come close. “They are spraying up under the house so when the air conditioner system goes off, it travels through the whole entire home,” Dewitt said. "So now we have to change the filters, we have to wipe walls down, we have to shampoo carpet just to get the smell out.” Meanwhile, Dewitt is taking steps to rid her home of these unwanted guests. However, she worries it will not be enough as many of her neighbors are dealing with the same nightmare. “To eliminate it, everyone is going to have to do it collectively to seal up the steps so they won’t have anywhere to live,” she said. “All I want is to be able to come and go without having to watch my surroundings and hope and pray I don’t get sprayed.” Dewitt said her homeowner’s association is still looking into the matter. In the meantime, she has contacted pest control and will spend hundreds of dollars out of her pocket to trap and remove the skunks.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who raised a lamb named "Susie" in his farmhouse in the 1960s, said Wednesday he doesn't want cats and dogs slaughtered for meat in the United States. But U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, is opposing a federal ban on the killing of dogs and cats for human consumption, while two other Iowans in Congress — Reps. David Young, R-Van Meter, and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa City — are co-sponsors of legislation supporting such a prohibition. Grassley, a New Hartford Republican, was asked during his weekly teleconference with Iowa reporters about provisions in House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill pending in Washington, D.C., that would prohibit the slaughter of dogs or cats for human consumption. The provisions would also ban the transport of dogs or cats, or dog or cat parts, for human consumption. Grassley, a lifelong farmer, initially suggested he opposed such a ban, saying he has supported the slaughter of horses because people in some places in the world, such as Europe, may want to eat horse meat. "I don't want horse meat. I don't want dog meat. I don't want to eat cats, but if somebody wants to eat them, let them eat them," the senator said. But Grassley phoned the Des Moines Register shortly after the teleconference call to clarify his remarks. He proceeded to tell a story of how he doesn't even eat lamb meat, explaining how there were triplets in his farm's lamb flock in 1967 and one lamb named Susie had to be raised in his house. Susie lived to be 12 years old, but even when she was older, she wanted to come into the house, he said.
Forty years ago, feline hyperthyroidism was virtually nonexistent. Now it’s an epidemic — and some scientists think a class of everyday chemicals might be to blame. Most days, the back room of the Animal Endocrine Clinic in Manhattan is home to half a dozen cats convalescing in feline luxury. They lounge in their own individual “condos,” each equipped with a plush bed, a raised perch and a cozy box for hiding. Classical music plinks softly from speakers overhead. A television plays cat-friendly videos — birds chirping, squirrels scampering. Patients can also tune in to the live version: A seed-stuffed bird feeder hangs directly outside each window. One afternoon in April, a jet-black cat named Nubi assumed a predatory crouch in his condo as a brawny pigeon landed on a feeder. Dr. Mark Peterson, the soft-spoken veterinarian who runs the clinic, opened the door to Nubi’s condo and greeted the 12-year-old tom in a lilting, high-pitched voice. “How are you?” Peterson asked, reaching in to scratch his patient’s soft chin. Nubi, who typically is so temperamental that his owner jokes about needing a priest to perform an exorcism, gently acquiesced, To read more on this story, click here:The Mystery of the Wasting House-Cats
Did you know that the presence of guinea pigs in a room can increase social behaviors in children with autism? Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia recently published a study demonstrating a significant measurable increase in talking, smiling, laughing, looking at faces, making tactile contact and social approaches when children with autism and their peers played with 2 guinea pigs in a classroom. Sooner or later, most families of children with special needs begin to think about adopting a pet for therapeutic reasons. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to every type of pet. Sometimes a pet is not logistically possible, but any pet has the potential to enrich family life. Here are ten of the most popular pets for beginners, along with the pros and cons for each one. If your family wants to adopt any type of pet, large or small, consider a rescue organization such as those listed on petfinder.com. To read more on this story, click here:How to Choose the Right Pet for a Family with Special Needs
Greenfield, WI - Scott Schach, like many homeowners, had spied coyotes around his home a few times over the years. The dog-like predators can be jarring to see wandering around your yard, but they also tend to keep to themselves. That’s not what happened this time, when Schach found himself locked in a battle with two coyotes who attacked his dog Princess on his own property in Greenfield, Wisc., The Journal Sentinel reported.
Princess
“At first, I didn’t even know that it was coyotes. I just heard the ruckus,” he told WISN. Then he said he realized what was going on: Two coyotes had descended on his 90-pound German shepherd, Princess — and Princess was in trouble, the station reported. Schach plunged right into the fray. He kicked and punched at the coyotes, but they were caught up in the frenzy and didn’t flinch. He tried something else. “Somehow I got a hold of one of their tails, turned around (and) she bit my arm, got a hold of her leg and I just flung her, just gave her a fling, she bounced off my pickup truck, went up the front windshield into the night and that’s the last I saw of that one,” he told CBS 58. Princess hadn’t been able to take both of them, but with only one left, she got the upper hand. Schach told WISN he turned to find Princess pinning the other coyote down as it whined and yipped at her. He told her to let it go. “She let go and sat down, and the other one took off up the driveway, up the road,” he told the station. That was the last he saw of either coyote. Police said the dog came away with no injuries and the fight only lasted about half-a-minute, the Journal-Sentinel reported. “I was just scared. I was scared for her. I had a buddy of mine up in Greendale that lost a dog a couple of years ago to coyotes. And I was just worried about her being all bit up and such,” Schach told CBS 58. Schach told WISN the bite he got during the scuffle didn’t actually break any skin, and that he comes out with a baseball bat these days just in case. The Humane Society says coyotes have become used to humans because it is easy to find food around populated areas. But if you see “brazen” coyotes wandering fearlessly through your yard, you should take some precautions and encourage them to move along. The best method is to haze them repeatedly, according to the Humane Society. That means yelling at them, chasing them away, throwing small rubber balls or cans at them, or spraying them with water. Eventually, they will learn they are not welcome in that area.
You may as well get your coffee now, dredge up any cuss words you think you’ll want to call me and be prepared for the truth, because if you did not get it in the prior blog article on kids and dogs it will be explained again here but a little differently. If you got it, good for you! Okay, so last time I talked about going over the rules of teaching your kids to respect a dog’s space and while I was referring to dogs that are adopted and older, this week I’d like to talk about kids and puppies. Puppies that nip, chase, and bite your little ones, until your little ones are screaming all the time and have become so petrified of the puppy that it makes you just want to pull your pull hair out! Trainers get so many complaints over this problem and if you have not read my previous blog about teaching your children how to respect dogs, then please do so before moving forward here. 95% of the puppy’s actions are not the puppy’s fault, so take that newspaper and hit yourself over the head for not being more aware of what to expect and how to handle the two together. If you have any uncertainties about the training of a dog, set up classes and be ready to learn before the little love bug occupies space in your home. Maybe pre-puppy kindergarten class needs to be taught before puppy kindergarten! You know, similar to how the public school system analyzes your kid to see if he/she is ready to join the ranks of daily learning and torture! This way we can weed out the puppy parents that are not truly ready to have a puppy live with them. So why did I go with 95% and not 100% of bad behavior being the puppy’s fault? Well, because due to bad breeding there are a percentage of mentally unstable pups who due to neurological problems can act out. And 95% is just my guess based on the amount of questions I deal with on a daily basis. To read more on this story, click here:Kids and Puppies, The Chasing the Nipping, the Jumping
Bucharest, Romania - A notorious gangster known as Nutzu the Pawnbroker has been indicted for heading a gang charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, blackmail and illegally possessing weapons, but the public seems to be more interested in his pets: four lions and two bears. Press reports, not confirmed by authorities have claimed that Ion Balint - his real name - use the lions to intimidate rivals and victims. When he rode away from prison on a black stallion in 2010, Balint played up that fearsome image. "You said I fed men to the lions?" Balint can be heard saying on a tape heard by The Associated Press. "Why don't you come over and I'll give you some lions!" Authorities won't speculate about why Balint kept lions and bears, as well as thoroughbred horses and canaries, at his high-walled and heavily guarded estate in the poorest part of Bucharest. "Many untruths are being reported," Balint's son-in-law Marius Vlad told The Associated Press on Wednesday, referring to other rumors of a torture chamber. Bystanders and relatives who gathered near the gates of the estate described Balint, 48, as a good neighbor and an animal lover, and said they weren't bothered by roaring lions. "We can hear them every day but only when they're hungry or the female is in heat," said Gabriela Ionescu, 36, robed in a dressing gown and clutching her toddler daughter's hand. "They don't disturb us at all." Authorities allege that Balint and his brother Vasile headed a criminal network which controlled much of the underworld activity in Bucharest, a city of 2 million. Some 400 police and detectives were involved in the investigation which led to the arrest last week of 67 suspects, including the Balint brothers. In 2009, Balint was convicted of human trafficking, violence and pimping, and sentenced to 13 years in prison. That was reduced to six years but Balint was free after a year. On Wednesday, the four lions and two bears were sedated, put in cages and removed Wednesday by environmental authorities and the Vier Pfoten animal welfare charity. The animals, which generally appeared in good condition, will be temporarily housed in a zoo and may be eventually relocated in South Africa, animal welfare officers said. Mircea Pupaza, commissioner of the National Environment Guard, told The Associated Press that Balint had no documentation or health records for the animals, which he's kept illegally for 10 years. He could face a year in prison and a hefty fine for illegally keeping wild animals. "The lions are a status symbol for him," said Livia Cimpoeru, a Vier Pfoten spokeswoman. She declined to speculate whether they had a more sinister purpose.
Lions sit in a cage on the estate of Ion Balint in Bucharest. The animal welfare charity Vier Pfoten removed four lions and two bears that were illegally kept on the estate.
A bear chews on the bars of a cage at the estate of Ion Balint. He was convicted in 2009 for human trafficking, violence and pimping and sentenced to 13 years in prison. The sentence was later reduced to six years, but Balint was freed after serving one year.
A sedated lioness is removed from the estate of Ion Balint. He had no documentation for the animals, which police say he's kept illegally for 10 years.
The federal government has issued more than three dozen permits allowing hunters to import lion trophies from two African nations since 2016, according to copies of the applications obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The documents, obtained by the group Friends of Animals, provide insight into the often secretive permitting process to import threatened or endangered species killed abroad during luxury hunting trips. Thirty-three Americans were issued permits to import 38 lion trophies between 2016 and 2018, at least half of whom have donated to Republican lawmakers or are affiliated with the hunting lobby Safari Club International. It’s unclear how many permit applications are currently before the agency or how many were issued in past years. In a statement, the Fish and Wildlife Service said that all permit applications are carefully reviewed and granted only if they meet several legal standards in accordance with international treaties and other requirements of the country in which the animal was hunted. “Legal, well-regulated hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit the conservation of certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation,” the statement read. To read more on this story, click here:Dozens Of Lion Trophy Permits Issued To Hunters As Trump Rolls Back Import Hurdles
The loyal pup risked his snout to protect his owner from being bitten by a rattlesnake. Paula Godwin, from Anthem, Arizona, was on a hike Friday morning when she almost stepped on the dangerous viper, she wrote in a Facebook post. But Todd swooped in and saved her, she said. “He jumped right in front of my leg where I surely would have been bit,” she wrote. Todd, who is less than a year old, tackled the rattlesnake but ended up getting bitten on the nose. “This is what a hero looks like,” Godwin wrote, along with a picture of Todd’s enlarged nose. “Please say a little prayer for my sweet hero.” Godwin started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $500 that she said will go to help other dog owners in the area with similarly brave pets pay for antivenom treatment. On Sunday, Godwin wrote on Facebook that Todd was doing well and healing.
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Pattaya, Thailand - A dead man has been found half eaten by his beloved pet dog – who chewed his master’s face “down to the skull.” Glenn Pattinson, 62, was eaten by his hungry pet, Cujo, after he died at his home in Thailand up to ten days ago. The 5-year-old dog, who shares his name with the rabid killer dog in Stephen King’s psychological horror film, “Cujo” had blood dripping from his mouth when he was found sitting by the Canadian man’s side. Rescue workers were only alerted last Friday when neighbors began to complain about Cujo’s constant barking and became suspicious that he wasn’t being taken for a walk. Paramedics who arrived found Pattinson’s face had been chewed down to his skull and his ribs were exposed from where his torso had been eaten. After police arrived at the property, in the Sattahip district near Pattaya, officers posed for a bizarre picture, in which they pointed accusingly at the confused dog. Resident Bell Suchin, 34, said: “The foreign man had lived here for about three years and he was friendly. He loved his dog, he took him for walks every night. “He lived alone but he had a lot of different women visitors coming to the house. So I think he was happy, he always was happy when he was outside walking.” Medics said that Pattinson had been taken to hospital two weeks ago and later discharged to return home. They said that a number of diabetes-related tables were found in the room. Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious. Police Lt. Col. Pasawat Siripon Noppakun said: “Mr. Glenn Stanley Pattinson was found not wearing any clothes. “He had been dead for between seven and 10 days. The male dog was by his side and did not have water for several days. There were no signs of fighting or the room being ransacked. We know that the dead man lived alone.
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