To read more on this story, click here: How to Attract and Raise Butterflies at Home
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
How to Attract and Raise Butterflies at Home
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Fiddler Crabs
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
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
Top 10 Reasons Ferrets Make Good Pets
Ferrets Are Cute
With mischievous eyes and sweet faces, ferrets are undeniably adorable. They are a small size and can provide your family with a sweet long-term pet. Most ferrets live for about six to eight years, though some pet ferrets can live up to 12 years. Females ferrets usually grow to 13 to 14 inches long and weigh anywhere from three-quarters of a pound to two and a half pounds. Male ferrets are often slightly larger. They typically grow to 15 to 16 inches long and weigh two to three and a half pounds if neutered. They can grow larger (four or more pounds) if they are not neutered.
To read more on this story, click here: Top 10 Reasons Ferrets Make Good Pets
Celebrate National Pet Bird Day on September 17
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bird Enjoyment & Advantage Koalition (BEAK), a concentrated effort to educate on and grow responsible bird ownership, is excited to announce the 2nd annual National Pet Bird Day, which will take place Thursday, September 17, 2020.
Pet bird owners are encouraged to share stories, photos and videos of their birds using the hashtag #NationalPetBirdDay, while others can learn more about the joys and benefits of bird ownership.
To read more on this story, click here: Celebrate National Pet Bird Day on September 17
Deworming Your Pet Bird
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.
To read more on this story, click here: Deworming Your Pet Bird
Where Do Birds Go During a Hurricane?
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?
Monday, August 31, 2020
When Experts Ran Tests On This Bizarre Creature, They Uncovered A Curious Secret In Its DNA
This curious beast has been a source of entertainment and speculation ever since it was first encountered by Europeans in the 18th century. Its thick shell and broad, flat face twisted in a permanent smile makes it look like a creature from another world. But instead of an alien planet, this reptile inhabits the waterways of countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.
To read more on this story, click here: When Experts Ran Tests On This Bizarre Creature, They Uncovered A Curious Secret In Its DNA
Authorities Rescue a Wild Orangutan Who’d Been Captured and Held Captive by a Group of Local Villagers
Rather than bearing the coloring her species is known for, this orangutan’s hair was blonde and her eyes were a striking shade of blue.
According her new caretakers from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, a medical team determined that the rescued primate has albinism — a rare genetic anomaly affecting her pigmentation.
Fortunately, despite the differences in her appearance, and the fact that she’d been captured, the rescuers are optimistic that the albino orangutan will be able to return to the wild where she belongs:
“We will continue to observe her and conduct routine health tests,” the group wrote online. “She was held captive by local residents for two days and still displays wild behaviors, meaning there is a good chance she could soon be released back to a natural habitat.”
Visit the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation's website to find out how you can help support rescues like this one.
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
- 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?
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.
Saturday, August 29, 2020
Tiny Squirrels That Look Like Pokémon Can Only Be Found On Remote Japanese Islands
These incredible creatures can only be found on Honshu and Kyushu islands, remote locations in Japan. While there are around 50 different species of flying squirrels all around the world, these ones – known officially as Pteromys momonga – are one of only two ‘Old World’ species.
They’re rather small, measuring out at between 14 and 20 centimetres and weighing between 150-220g. Also, while other many other flying squirrels have one mating cycle per year, the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel has two.
To read more on this story, click here: Tiny Squirrels That Look Like Pokémon Can Only Be Found On Remote Japanese Islands
Horse Plays Dead Anytime Someone Tries To Ride Him
To read more on this story, click here: Horse Plays Dead Anytime Someone Tries To Ride Him
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