Kritter Girl's Korner

Now We Know The Rest Of The Story ...

2012-01-10T17:45:00.000-06:00

An ancient message was found recently, with a short message, but one that explains everything:

Dear Noah:
We could have sworn you said the ark would be departing at 5pm.
Sincerely,
The Unicorns

Merry Christmas from Kritter Girl

2011-12-25T15:05:00.000-06:00

Fostering Rescued Miniature Pinschers at Door Peninsula

2011-01-24T18:39:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

I would like at this time to ask your help on behalf of all Min Pins ( Miniature Pinschers) that are currently in rescue and will be in future need in rescues to find their forever home.

I (we, my husband and son) are a foster home for Min Pins in need, through IMPS ( Internet Miniature Pinschers Service) for the Mins that are waiting for their forever home. Currently we have 2 fosters in addition to our 8 dogs! Tyson who is a 3 year old Manchester Min mix and Chico who is a 10 year old black/tan Min. They are both SWEET little love BUGS! You can find them at http://www.minpinrescue.org.

Go to dogs available, click on WI (Wisconsin) and look for them!

Our first foster Spyke, a 7 year old red found his forever home just on the other side of town from us. Since he was adopted he has come over to visit and play with all our dogs here. He is doing well and we are so happy that he is near by so we can see him and the progress that he is making in his forever home.

The Animal rescue site is offering grants to shelter/rescues that get the most clicks! It doesn't cost you anything but, a few minutes on line. The more click we get the better our chances of receiving their grant to help pups in need.

Please go to the link below and type in IMPS, state WI, town of Appleton and please vote to help us save these little guys/girls.

IMPS has only been around since 1998 and to date we have saved 16,261 Mins through our rescue. We currently have 611 in foster still in need of finding their forever home.

Please help us by CLICKING, it will not take any time at all while you are already on line.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelter challenge.faces?siteId=3

Thank you in advance for your support to do your best to try helping a critter in need.

Sharon/Kritter Girl

Trust: A Deadly Disease by Sharon Mathers

2010-09-07T05:45:00.000-05:00

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called "Trust."

You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!!

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder, you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.

At home the house was "puppy-proofed." Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the living room to keep at least one part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "Close the door!"

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes nine-tenths of a second after it was opened and that it is really latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "No!")

You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it, your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.

Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.

And then one of your friends suggest obedience classes, and, after a time you even let him run loose from the car into the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And, remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that disproves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in.)

Years pass - it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets in the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer. He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping out doors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running.....

Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever- Your heart is broken at the sight of his still beautiful body.

The disease is trust. The final outcome, hit by a car.

Every morning my dog bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car.

Please do not risk your friend and your heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter.

Please read this every year on your puppy's birthday, lest we forget.

Animal Rescue Site's "Click Here to Give"

2010-08-06T22:21:00.000-05:00

Readers have been wondering if The Animal Rescue Site was for real and legitimate charity – especially since it has a “Click here to Give” aspect and some have received email encouraging them to visit the site and click to help the cause.

Myth Blaster Verdict: Legitimate Charity.

The big feature of the Animal Rescue Site is that you click on a purple icon and for every click the organization gets funding. If you would rather give to the hungry, there is a tab to choose from, as well as breast cancer, child health, literacy and to save the rainforest. The site is a partner of the Petfinder website. However, the site claims that 100% of sponsor money goes to charity; which means the click method only. Items for purchase and other commercialization, however, helps the organization make profit, while some of the proceeds does go to charity.

Verification can be found at the Snopes site:

Sponsors become involved with this site (and others like it) as a form of advertising and public relations and thus are willing to pay for their messages to be viewed by consumers. The pay CharityUSA.com, the parent entity of the site, on a per-click basis; CharityUSA.com directs a percentage of the total and revenue collected towards animal shelters and sanctuaries and keeps the remaining funds. (The Animal Rescue Site is not a non-profit entity, so it shouldn’t be confused with a charity even though it does direct a significant portion of its revenues to those in need. It exists to make a profit, and that it’s still around proves it’s succeeding at it.)

Tyrannosaurus Relative to Modern Birds?

2010-08-02T22:58:00.001-05:00

New York Times, John Noble Wilford writes in his article Tests Confirm T. Rex Kinship With Birds …

In the first analysis of proteins extracted from dinosaur bones, scientists say they have established more firmly than ever that the closest living relatives of the mighty predator Tyrannosaurus rex are modern birds.
The research, being published Friday in the journal Science, yielded the first molecular data confirming the widely held hypothesis of a close dinosaur-bird ancestry, the American scientific team reported. The link was previously suggested by anatomical similarities.
In fact, the scientists said, T. rex shared more of its genetic makeup with ostriches and chickens than with living reptiles, like alligators. On this basis, the research team has redrawn the family tree of major vertebrate groups assigning the dinosaur a new place in evolutionary relationships.
… Dinosaur paleontologists were not surprised by the findings. An accumulation of fossil evidence in recent years had given them increasing confidence that birds descended from certain dinosaurs.

Also see article by Rick Weiss of the Washington Post.

Links:

Dinosaur - Wikipedia
Zoom Dinosaurs - Enchanted Learning
Walking With Dinosaurs - BBC
Dinosauria - University of California
Dinosaurs - National Museum of Natural History
List of Dinosaurs - Wikipedia
Types of Dinosaur - Dinosaur Jungle
Dinosaur Facts, Fossils and Information - dinosaurfact.net
Dinosaurs: Facts and Fiction - US Geological Survey General Interest Publication
Dino Directory - Natural History of Museum
Profiles of over 300 Dinosaurs - Dino Dictionary
Dinosaur Names - University of California
Strangest Dinosaur Names - NeatORama

So You Want a Pet: Conclusion of Series - Part 11 of 11

2010-07-27T19:12:00.002-05:00

I could go on and on about what type of pet you could possibly add to your family/home, but no matter what pet you choose I can’t say it enough - DO YOU RESEARCH.

I know you’re thinking good grief enough we get it! However you want to say it, gather your facts, do your homework, check things out or do your research. I’ve been only trying to say this in the most positive way I can because the bottom line is there are people that don’t. I’ve seen some of the effects after previously working almost five years at our local humane society. Countless numbers of animals come through the doors of shelters all across the United States some due to no fault of their own. Okay, maybe their fault if they ran away, but there are owners out there that won’t even go look for them. Sometimes genetics and over breeding can contribute to medical/behavioral issues and not all critters can be saved - no matter how hard you try to save them.

Some people may not have realized what they were getting themselves in for. Or they are moving and can’t take their pet with them. Oh PLEASE, this is supposed to be a beloved member of your family! A pet is supposed to be a commitment for the life of the pet. If you were moving to a place that didn’t allow children would you get rid of your kid? Of course not, you’d find a different place to live. So why can’t you do that for your pet? I never really understood that. Each and every one of our critters here are family. I understand that there are times when an owner takes ill and can no longer care for his/her pet and has no one else to turn to for help, or you have found a stray critter. This is when you contact your local shelter. Then there are some people who think it’s appropriate to just dump there critter off somewhere thinking that some nice concerned animal lover will just take over what WAS their responsibility.

That’s how we ended up several winters ago with our Mellow, a torte/patch calico cat, who was young, hungry, cold and flee infested and we thought pregnant. Turns out she wasn’t, it was just a false pregnancy. Look if you don’t want your critter anymore don’t just dump them any place. Contact your local shelter they are there to help provide for and re-home critters. You owe them at least that much.

You have an out of control pet, so get rid of it! Did you ever stop to think that it’s you and not the pet? Did you do everything to correct the situation? Talk to your veterinarian, a behaviorist, a trainer, go to training classes? There is a lot of information and help out there you just have to want to find it. You need to at least try to work out whatever behavioral problem/issues you are having with your pet after all they are suppose to be a member of your family. A bit harsh? Perhaps, but we have several dogs that came to us with a LOT of issues, some more than the others but issues. People had given up on them for one reason or another and I wasn’t.

I would say that our Valerie our Husky/Shepard mix was the most challenging. We became her sixth place to live (two of which were shelters) by the time she was a year old. SIXTH! She is intelligent, energetic, and curious - but was destructive! The first day she was here she was so out of control. My husband was beside himself and wanted to take her back, but I wouldn’t let him. We made the commitment and we were going to work though all of it. After all she had been bounced around so much already. Valerie has been with us now for a year and an half. Yes, she has tried our patience and was very frustrating at times but we didn’t give up on her. It has taken time, patience, lots of exercise, rules, and calm assertive consistency and she is coming along great! She has become a wonderful added treasure to our critter family. She has found her forever home. Sure she still has her days/moments but don’t we all.

Blue is our Border Collie/Husky. We became his third owner when he was just ten months old. He was young, energetic, intelligent and a stubborn pup with nipping, hoarding, protective and destructive issues. His first night here he decided that my son’s glasses was a good chew toy, he took them right off his night stand. $250.00 later, he is still here. Anything he could get his mouth on was to him a chew toy. He would also round up all the toy and bones in a pile to hoarding them all for himself, nipping at any other critter that came near. He tried his best to round up the cat too, but they wanted no part of that. Okay Border Collie - that’s their job, rounding up other critters, like sheep. Again with time, patience, exercise, rules, redirection and consistency from us he has learned to leave the cats alone. Plus I think he just decided to give up on them since they weren’t cooperating. He shares toys and bones now but, he still can be a bit protective (not aggressive, just a bit growly) when it comes to me. There are times when he just doesn’t want to share my attention. He is MY boy there is no doubt about it, we have a very special bond. Blue will be 4 this year.

Our Chance came from an abusive home where the people thought the only way to control him was to beat him on the head. He now must take medication to control the seizures. I don't understand how anyone could hit this dog - he the most lovable dog you ever met. Why would anyone treat him like that? He loves people and gets excited when we have visitors and wants to give them kisses on the face.

Then there’s Molly. Her previous owners gave her up because she didn’t stay in the yard and she brought back birds! Go figure isn’t that what Springers do? This is just a small fraction of reasons as to why critters are given up or abandon.

I do not claim to be an expert of any kind but I seem to have a way with animal always have, even as a kid - they are my passion. Some people think I’m crazy because I have so many critters, but to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. My whole life has been enriched and surrounded by critters and I have enjoyed every minute of it. So I continue to read, research, and talk to the experts to learn even more.

As your critter they will be nonjudgmental and give you unconditional love - even if you are in a bad mood. They will live in an apartment or a mansion. Critters don’t care whether or not -
I dust the house.
I take a different political view than others.
I don’t wear designer clothing.
I don't wear makeup.
I didn’t curl my hair or have no hair.
I squeeze the toothpaste in the center of the tube.
I don’t make a gazillion dollars.
I am gorgeous or ugly.
I listen to classical music or hard rock.
I drive a new car or old.
I have holes in my socks.
I am politically correct.
I have brown eyes or blue, light hair or dark, short or tall, light skin or dark, fat or skinny.

So, enjoy the critters in you life and the love you receive will be worth it.

So You Want a Horse - Part 9 of 11

2010-07-27T18:33:00.009-05:00

There’s nothing like the serenity just before dawn, the fresh air fills your lungs as you head to the barn. The smells of hay and grain, you horse nickers “hello” as the bond between you and your horse fills your heart. Brush, tack and go …An early morning hour long trail ride just as the day begins. The sun comes up; the birds begin to sing, you smile - what a way to start the day. If this sounds like something you might enjoy than maybe a horse is a good choice. [picture, left: Buck, my last horse]

Never ridden, but still want a horse? Then get started on the right foot - take lessons. Get comfortable with your riding abilities and know your limitations. Learn all you can before you go out and buy a horse. Plan on keeping your horse on your property? Call your insurance agent in regards to liability coverage under your home owner’s policy. You also need to check the zoning laws in your area; this will go for permits as well if you have to put up a shelter or barn. A horse need approximately a 10’X 14’ stall to be able to move around comfortably and approximately 1.5 acres for every horse or pony that is living in the field. If you are unable to keep you horse on your property you have the expense of boarding. The key to success, when deciding upon the type of accommodation that's right for your horse, is to ensure that he is happy, safe and warm.[1] So – (that’s right) do your research.

Owning a horse is a big responsibility. It requires a commitment of both time and money. The new owner should be prepared to spend time grooming, exercising, and caring for the animal, or assume the responsibility to see that the basic care will be performed daily. Unless the horse is kept on the owner's property, travel time to and from the stable must be considered. The costs of owning a horse can add up quickly as you provide shelter, feed, medical care, shoeing, and riding equipment.[2]

If you are a first time buyer it would be helpful to have a knowledgeable horseperson go with you. You want to observe the horse in the stall and pasture. Also how the horse behaves during catching, handling, loading and while being ridden by its current owner. Once you have found your dream horse, please don’t rush to buy. Call your veterinarian and schedule a pre-purchase exam. This is important, you vet will check the general condition, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, digestive system, along with soundness of muscles, limbs and conformation. Remember there is more to keeping a horse than just riding.

Like any other animal horses are individuals. Sure personality traits can be similar but no two horses behave same. So spend time with your horse and get to know him/her. The ability to understand and recognize your horses’ behavior and reactions to situations is beneficial during training and handling.

Communication is a big part of getting to know your horse. Horses rely on touch as a means of communicating. This is seen when riding - by seat pressure in the saddle, reins, and leg pressure. There is smell, which enables your horse to recognize you along with the fear scent that is given off be people. Body and facial language is a communication tool used for displaying fear, curiosity and aggression. There also is oral communication, snorting, nickering and the neigh which is the loudest and most commonly used form of communication. The neigh is used to announce its own presence or locate other horses; it is rarely an indicator of fear.

North American Breed Poster

Nutrition is also very important, horses that are not in hard work during the summer months most likely don’t require supplement feeding as long as they can freely graze. During winter months, when grass provides little nourishment, horses should be fed a supplement of hay on a regular basis to help maintain body temperature. Young horses require more protein and should be fed grains, as well as those in hard work. When it comes to feeding you must also consider your horse’s temperament. High-strung horses do best on cool mix feeds, the more sluggish could benefit from heat feed such as oats. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins and clean water are essential nutrients.

Golden Rules for Equine Nutrition
• Clean water should be available at all times.
• Feed small amounts as often as possible and stick to regular feeding times.
• Feed the correct proportion of bulk and concentrates, depending on your horse's workload.
• Leave four hours between feedings.
• Always provide salt 'free choice,' particularly during the summer and especially for horses in hard work.
• Leave at least an hour between feeding and exercise.
• Feed a fruit or vegetable, such as apples and carrots, every day.
• Never interrupt a horse while it is eating.[3]

Let’s not forget there’s also veterinarian care.

Vaccinations for influenza and tetanus should be given to all horses. These should be followed up with annual boosters. A horse that is a frequent traveler to shows and competitions, for instance, should also be vaccinated against additional diseases, such as strangles. If in doubt, take precautionary measures and discuss the risks with your local vet. Deworming is another vital aspect of your well horse health program. Without regular treatment all horses become hosts to worms that can cause lasting internal damage. There are many different types of worms that can infect your horse. Some worms are more prevalent in certain regions, and weather or seasonal conditions. In order to ensure that all worms are completely eradicated, it is essential to administer a broad spectrum dewormer according to the label directions. If you are unsure about developing your own program ask your vet to recommend a deworming protocol.

General Deworming Rules of Thumb
As a matter of routine, all new arrivals on a yard should be dewormed and isolated for 24 hours. Similarly, all horses should be stabled for 24 hours following deworming to prevent contamination of pastureland.[4]

Besides housing, feed and veterinarian care there are other things you will need. Like tack which includes saddle, blanket, halter, bridle, bit, and all the grooming supplies. All of this can add up rather quickly. Sure it can cost you some money, but I found it worth it. I have owned three horses in my life time, currently none, and if I was to get another horse I would seriously consider the cutest little Tobiano paint filly that I have ever seen. (picture, left: Skye and mom - Dusty; owner Tara at JTM Boxers) Like with any other pet you are considering to add to your family - do your research. It’s a commitment for the life of the pet. Enjoy

Morgan

AMAZING FACT: All Percheron bloodlines [above] can be traced back to a single horse named Jean Le Blanc, who was foaled in Le Perche, France, in 1823. [Source: http://www.abc.net.au/creaturefeatures/s1672911.htm]

MORE INFORMATION:

Buy a Horse Check List
http://www.horseweb.com/
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/about_horses/horse_pony_breeds.htm
http://www.equisearch.com/breeds/
http://www.equiworld.net/
http://www.equusite.com/
http://www.allhorseinfo.com/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/rabbit_horse_and_other_pet_care/general_horse_care_guidelines.html
http://www.infohorse.com/

[1] Care For My Horse

[2] AVMA

[3] Care For My Horse

[4] Care For My Horse

PASO FINO VIDEO

So You Want a Pet:Pot-Bellied Pigs - Part 8 of 11

2010-07-27T18:17:00.005-05:00

“Dogs look up at us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals”
Sir Winston Churchill , 1946.

[Photo: Ebsco Book Services] A few years back my son and I was considering a pot-bellied pig, we did our research. Went to the local book store and purchased a book on pot-bellied pigs, Pot –Bellied Pet Pigs by Kayla Mull and Lorrie Blackburn, D.V.M. a very informative book covering before you get you pig to vaccinations, medical management and even car rides. We also surfed the internet for more information. We found a reputable local breeder, and were ready to add a pot-bellied pig to our menagerie. Sorry no little piggies left. Oh well, we thought maybe it just wasn’t time to add to our family. About six months later I was informed of a pig in need. It turned out that its current owner was having difficulties with zoning. After speaking with the owners I was having a difficult time with the relocation of their precious pet, Ellie May - they really loved her. I did all I could to reassure them that Ellie May would get nothing but the best of care. I had even spoken with my Vet to see that she would be taken care of. I was getting really excited as I counted down the days to the newest member of my menagerie was to arrive.

The day before Ellie May was to be with us her owner called with good news, their zoning issues were resolved. I was both happy and sad that day. I was so looking forward to having Ellie May come live with us but, I was happier for her owners who could keep her. It was better for Ellie May that she could stay in her home where she was raised. To this day she is a happy, well cared for loving member of their family. Some day I would still like to add a pot-bellied pig to our family, well I guess that will all depend on what my editor has to say. :) We have so many rescues now (5 cats, and 6 out of our 8 dogs) thanks to previous owners not doing their research.

ORIGIN

The Vietnamese miniature pot-bellied pigs originated in Southeast Asia and China millions of years ago. They have an inherent need for social companionship, so domestic tendencies developed early on in their evolution. In China/Asia, pigs have always been held in high regard, and were often raised as members of the family. The "Year Of The Pig", which occurs every 12 years on the Chinese calendar, represents prosperity. Of course, there's also the American piggy bank, and wouldn't you know, there are more pot-bellied pigs in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world. Miniature potbellied-pigs didn't start arriving in North America until 1985, but their popularity quickly exploded. In 1990, Vogue magazine named the pot-bellied pig, "Pet of the Month", which probably helped launch their reputation as trendy, upscale pets, and justified the high price tag for registered piggies. It is estimated that there are over 35,000 pot-bellied pigs in the U.S. today. (Source http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/3402/origin.html)

There is no doubt that given the proper expectations as well as care and training, a pot bellied pig can make an interesting and much-loved addition to the home. However, many people find that pigs are demanding pets and are overwhelmed by their needs - as shown by the abundance of shelters overflowing with pigs (one such shelter PIGS, a Sanctuary, PIGS, a Sanctuary houses more than 200 pigs at times. (source: http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/potbelliedpigs/a/pbpexpect.htm)

Once again I must say DO YOUR RESEARCH. Before you even go out and purchase that cute little piggy, check the laws in your area. In some areas miniature pot-bellied pigs are still considered livestock and zoning restrictions may apply. If zoning isn’t a problem you need to check with your veterinarian because pot-bellied pigs also require routine preventive health care along with vaccinations against common diseases seen in domestic pigs. Periodic trimming of tusks (if present) and hooves is also required. They should be brushed daily to help control seborrhea and flaking. Fleas are not a problem, since they have no where to hide; but their skin is sensitive to sunlight and cold temperatures. If exposed to long periods of direct sunlight a SPF-30 sunscreen is recommended.

There are many pros and cons when it comes to owning a pot-bellied pig here is some of them as provided by: (http://www.pigs.org/article.asp?article_id=3)

Pros:
Pigs are intelligent and have been placed fourth on the intelligence list (humans, primates, dolphins/whales, pigs).
Pigs that have been neutered or spayed are generally sweet natured and sensitive animals. In fact, pigs are so sensitive that you can hurt their feelings.
Pigs can be litter box trained. Outside pigs generally use one corner of the yard as the bathroom.
Pigs generally enjoy hardy health. Pigs should receive yearly vaccinations, yearly hoof trimmings, and a yearly physical. Due to the size and difficulty in transporting, a vet willing to make house calls is recommended.
Pigs have bristle like hair. People allergic to dog and cat fur may have no reaction to the hair of a pig. NOTE: We have received a few calls about allergies to the pig or the dust from the pig food.
Pigs are generally clean, odorless animals.
Cons:
Because of their high level of intelligence, pigs that are kept as FULL time house pets can become bored easily and are often destructive when finding ways to entertain themselves. It is not uncommon for them to root up carpeting or linoleum floors, eat drywall, over turn house plants and root through the dirt.
Pigs are herd animals and have a pecking order similar to that of chickens. Each member of the herd has a particular standing in a pecking order and a pig will usually vie to be "top pig" in the herd. When raised in the house the family members will become the pig's herd. At around 18 months of age, the struggle for "top pig" will begin. To determine the order standing, pigs fight. They will charge their opponent, snapping and swinging their head. When the opponent is a family member or a guest that has come to visit, this can be quite dangerous.

There is no approved rabies vaccine for a pig.
Pigs do root. Anyone desiring a perfectly manicured lawn should not have a pig. Placing a ring in their nose is cruel as rooting is a natural instinct for pigs. By rooting, they obtain necessary vitamins and minerals from the ground as well as food. They have been known to eat worms and grubs and also will root to find acorns or truffles.
Pigs are very susceptible to pneumonia. The biggest cause of pneumonia is weather, but it can also be brought on by stress. Pigs can "stress out" quite easily. Because of their small lung size, bronchitis or pneumonia can kill a pig quickly.
Finding a vet knowledgeable in the health care of potbellied pigs can prove difficult. Vet care can be expensive, depending, of course, on your particular area and the health condition of your pig. Emergency treatment and/or specialized surgery can be especially expensive. Pot bellied pigs should not be treated as domestic farm hogs. Also spaying a pig is quite different from a dog or cat.
Pigs need a pool or puddle for cooling off in hot weather. They do not sweat and must have a way of lowering their body temperature when they become over heated. They need plenty of bedding in their sleeping area during the colder months. In the winter, they love to bury themselves under straw and blankets.

FACTS: (source: http://www.swbg-adventurecamps.com/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumet)

Description: The pot-bellied pig has black skin with scarce hair, short erect ears and a short snout. It also has a sagging abdomen and the very loose skin gives a wrinkled appearance. A true pot-bellied pig has a straight tail that attaches high on the rump. If the tails curls at all, this is a sign of cross breeding.
Size: Approximate shoulder height of 35-45 cm (14-18 in).
Weight: Up to 67.5 kg or 150 lb.
Gestation: Gestation lasts approximately 114 days; usually has 6 piglets.
Diet: Omnivores – includes grasses, eggs, frogs, snakes, and fish.
Sexual Maturity: Approximately 5-7 months.
Life Span: 10-20 years, is able to live up to 30 years.
Range: Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Inhabits open woodlands.
Population: Global.

So, now you understand why I stress doing research. For more information

http://www.pigs.org/article.asp?article_id=3

http://www.pigpalssanctuary.com/health/health_care_articles.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4696.asp

http://www.swbg-adventurecamps.com/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumet

So You Want a Pet: Aquatic Life - Part 6 of 11

2010-07-27T17:39:00.002-05:00

So, you are thinking about being an Aquarist. Whether just for a hobby or seeking to be a professional, the keeping and maintaining of aquariums, whether it is a 5-gallon or hundreds of thousands of gallons for public display, you must first of all – “do your research.”

In a Wikipedia entry:

Aquarium keeping is a popular hobby around the world, with about 60 million enthusiasts worldwide. From the 1850s, when the predecessor of the modern aquarium was first developed as a novelty, the ranks of aquarists have swelled as more sophisticated systems including lighting and filtration systems were developed to keep aquarium fish healthy. Public aquaria reproduce the home aquarist's hobby on a grand scale – the Osaka Aquarium, for example, boasts a tank of 1.4 million U.S. gallons and a collection of about 580 species of aquatic life, whilst the planned National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats in England would be at 40-hectares the world’s largest aquarium. A wide variety of aquaria are now kept by hobbyists, ranging from a simple bowl housing a single fish to complex simulated ecosystems with carefully engineered support systems.

Two types of aquarium classifications are available – fresh water and marine [salt water], which I will address here briefly about both systems. The classification of fresh water and salt water are further broken down to types of fish that live in either a tropical or a cold water temperature environment – fresh and salt water. In either case, the serious aquarist, or I should say the responsible one, will ensure that their aquarium is maintained so that its ecology is a microcosm of the natural habitat of fresh and salt water fish. This is especially true of the salt water aquarist who may have fish that are sensitive to salt and temperature changes, fish breeds that are commonly found in the reef oceans and seas of the world.

Wikipedia provides an interesting history of the aquarium and aquarists …

The keeping of fish in confined or artificial environments is a practice with deep roots in history. Ancient Sumerians were known to keep wild-caught fish in ponds, before preparing them for meals. In China, selective breeding of carp into today’s popular koi and goldfish is believed to have begun over 2,000 years ago. Depictions of the sacred fish of Oxyrhynchus kept in captivity in rectangular temple pools have been found in ancient Egyptian art. Many other cultures also have a history of keeping fish for both functional and decorative purposes. The Chinese brought goldfish indoors during the Song dynasty to enjoy them in large ceramic vessels. The concept of an aquarium, designed for the observation of fish in an enclosed transparent tank to be kept indoors, emerged more recently. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact date of this development. In 1665 the diarist Samuel Pepys recorded seeing in London “a fine rarity, of fishes kept in a glass of water, that will live so forever, and finely marked they are, being foreign.” The fish observed by Pepys were likely to have been the paradise fish. … In the 18^th century, the biologist Abraham Trembley kept hydra found in the garden canals of the Bentinck residence ‘Sorgvliet’ in the Netherlands, in large cylindrical glass vessels for study. The concept of keeping aquatic life in glass containers, then, dates to at latest this period. The keeping of fish in an aquarium first became a popular hobby in the United Kingdom only after ornate aquaria in cast-iron frames were featured at the Great Exhibition of 1851. … One feature of some 19^th century aquaria that would prove curious to hobbyists today was the use of a metal base panel so that the aquarium water could be heated by flame. … by the turn of the century Hamburg became the European port of entry for many newly seen species. Aquaria became more popular as houses became almost universally electrified after World War I. …allowing artificial lighting as well as the aeration, filtration, and heating of the water. Popularization was also assisted by the availability of air freight, which allowed a much wider variety of fish to be successfully imported from distant regions of origin … the hobby has the strongest following in Europe, Asia, and North America. In the United States, a large minority (40%) of aquarists maintain two or more tanks at any one time.

The first public aquarium opened in London’s Regent Park in 1853. P.T. Barnum introduced the first American public aquarium that opened on Broadway in New York. Many major cities now have a public aquarium – Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chattanooga, and most recently in Atlanta, Georgia – and other cities. Most public aquaria are located close to the ocean, which gives a steady supply of natural seawater for the marine displays. The most famous inland aquarium and the pioneer of such a type is Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium that gets seawater shipped by rail in special tank cars. The Philadelphia Aquarium (1911) was built in the abandoned water works structure and had to switch to treated city water when the nearby river became too contaminated. The recently opened Georgia Aquarium filled its tanks with fresh water from the city’s water system and salinated its salt water exhibits using the commercial salts and mineral additives that home aquarists use.

In January 1985, Kelly Tarlton began construction of the first aquarium made with a large transparent acrylic tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand, and took 10 months to build at a cost of $3 million (NZ dollars). The 110-meter tunnel was built from one-ton slabs of German sheet plastic that were shaped in an oven. A moving walkway now transports visitors through, and groups of school children sometimes have sleepovers there beneath the swimming sharks and rays. The best public aquaria are affiliated with oceanographic research institutions or conduct their own research programs. [See also: List of Aquaria]

Freshwater aquaria are the most popular because of their lower cost and the ease in which they can be maintained without the complexities required of marine (salt water) aquaria.

Fresh water aquarium “kits” are available with most of the important items required to set up an aquarium – filtration system, artificial lighting (incandescent and fluorescent), an air pump for added aeration of the water that the filtration system doesn’t fulfill, and a thermostatically-controlled heater. The filtration systems that are common today are both biological and mechanical systems and are designed to remove dangerous chemicals generated by the waste of the fish that make up nitrogen and phosphates that can build up and cause a health issue with your fish. Filtration systems, especially for salt water, are complex and come in several designs.

One particular high-tech filtration system is the Protein Skimmers – designed to remove proteins and other waste materials from the tank. One in particular is called the Berlin System that is used in marine aquariums mostly, but also fresh water aquarists who have a large collection of fish. I mentioned thermostatically-controlled heaters, but today there are also available devices called “coolers” that is designed to keep the water temperature colder than room temperature for those species found in the cold water regions of the world.

The aquarium’s design is mostly up to the person who purchases it, and if you have visited a pet center, you have seen they come in different sizes and shapes, some being quite exotic complete with wooden frames and enclosed cabinets to house the equipment and supplies required to maintain an aquarium. Then there are the decorative items, such as cave and rock structure creations that provide a natural atmosphere, as well as a place for fish that seek cover from open water. Then there are live plants and artificial plants available, once again the preference of the aquarist. These and the lighting/heating factors are important for the survival of the critters in the aquarium, as well as providing a natural environment that they are accustomed to so that the aquarist can observe the species natural behavior.

Water quality is important, in both marine and fresh water aquariums.

Wikipedia –

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of nitrogen from input via food, through toxic nitrogenous waste produced by tank inhabitants, to metabolism to less toxic compounds by beneficial bacteria populations. … Failing to provide these conditions may invite fish diseases.

Most aquariums kept in the home are the maximum size of 300 gallons to a minimum of two gallons. The maximum size of an aquarium is usually because of the weight – fresh water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon, and salt water is denser and thus heavier. If you add the weight of the empty aquarium and all the accessories and decorations, more than 300 gallons would require it to stand on steel reinforced flooring for obvious reasons.

When selecting the species to place in your fresh water or marine tank, it is important to educate yourself in determining the aggressive or community breeds. Aggressive breeds, such as the popular Oscar, are kept in separate tanks. Most aquarists who keep Oscars feed them inexpensive live gold fish found at the local store (about 28-cents each), so it is obvious that one wouldn’t want to put fish like Tetras and Guppies in the same tank with Oscars. Indeed, this would hold true with some breeds and sizes of goldfish.

In addition to the fish, an aquarist must consider invertebrates and aquatic plants to add to his/her ecosystem aquarium. The rule of thumb as far as how many fish to put into a tank is usually two fish per gallon, based upon the average species of fresh water aquarium fish found at the local pet store or specialty shop. On this, you can usually get sound advice from your local aquarium dealer.

Species selection for your marine aquarium also may include a special category called the reef aquarium. The latter is a complex reef ecosystem, sort of like having a miniature Caribbean reef in your home. It would include a variety of sea life with invertebrates that live with fish found on reefs around the world. This system was developed in the 1980s, which by placing creatures like sea anemones, corals, live rock, mollusks, and crustaceans, a reef ecosystem can be developed thanks to the technological improvement of filtration systems and other equipment that make this possible. A reef aquarium is considered the most difficult and requires special attention and maintenance by the aquarist who wishes to keep such a system.

Fish, plants, crustaceans come from many places in the world and are mainly transported by ship from European and American ports. Tropical fish, both fresh and marine, are caught and exported from places like Manaus, Brazil, Bangkok, Thailand, Jakarta, Indonesia, the Netherlands Antilles, Kolkata, and India. But because of massive collecting from the natural habitat has caused concerns of destroying the environment, the aquaculture industry has turned to breeding the most popular aquarium fish in order to lessen the impact upon the environment. The bad side of the popularity of aquarium fish and plants is that it has introduced invasive fish and aquatic plant species in the lakes and rivers of America and causing problems with native species there, as well as the ecosystems.

Wikipedia:

Ideal aquarium ecology reproduces the balance found in nature in the closed system of an aquarium. As an example, a balanced predator-prey relationship is nearly impossible to maintain in even the largest of aquaria. Typically an aquarium keeper must take steps to maintain balance in the small ecosystem contained in his aquarium. Approximate balance is facilitated by large volumes of water. Any event that perturbs the system pushes the aquarium away from equilibrium; the more water that is contained in a tank, the easier such a systemic shock is to absorb, as the effects of that event are diluted. For example, the death of the only fish in a three gallon tank causes dramatic changes in the system, while the death of that same fish in a 100 gallon tank with many other fish in it represents only a minor change in the balance of the tank. For this reason, hobbyists often favor larger tanks when possible, as they are more stable systems requiring less intensive attention to the maintenance of equilibrium. Of primary concern to the aquarist is management of the biological waste produced by an aquarium’s inhabitants. Fish, invertebrates, fungi, and some bacteria excrete nitrogen waste in the form of ammonia (which may convert to ammonium depending on water chemistry) which must then pass through the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia is also produced through the decomposition of plant and animal matter … Nitrogen waste products become toxic to fish and other aquarium inhabitants at high concentrations. A well-balanced tank contains organisms that are able to metabolize the waste products of other aquarium residents. … In addition to bacteria, aquatic plants also eliminate nitrogen waste by metabolizing ammonia and nitrate. When plants metabolize nitrogen compounds, they remove nitrogen from the water by using it to build biomass. However, this is only temporary, as the plants release nitrogen back into the water when older leaves die off and decompose. Although informally called the nitrogen cycle by hobbyists, it is in fact only a portion of a true cycle: nitrogen must be added to the system (usually through food provided to the tank inhabitants), and nitrates accumulate in the water at the end of the process, or become bound in the biomass of plants. This accumulation of nitrates in home aquaria requires the aquarium keeper to remove water that is high in nitrates, or remove plants which have grown from the nitrates. Aquaria kept by hobbyists often do not have the requisite populations of bacteria needed to detoxify nitrogen waste from tank inhabitants. This problem is most often addressed through two filtration solutions: Activated carbon filters absorb nitrogen compounds and other toxins from the water, while biological filters provide a medium specifically designed for colonization by the desired nitrifying bacteria. New aquariums often have problems associated with the nitrogen cycle due to insufficient number of beneficial bacteria. Therefore new tanks have to be “matured” before stocking them with fish. There are two basic approaches to this: the fishless cycle and the silent cycle. No fish are kept in a tank undergoing a fishless cycle. Instead, small amounts of ammonia are added to the tank to feed the bacteria being cultured. During this process, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are tested to monitor progress. The silent cycle is basically nothing more than densely stocking the aquarium with fast-growing aquatic plants and relying on them to consume the nitrogen, allowing the necessary bacterial populations time to develop. … The largest bacterial populations in a tank are found in the filter. Therefore efficient filtration is vital. …it is recommended to rinse mechanical filters in an outside bucket of aquarium water to dislodge organic materials that contribute to nitrate problems, while preserving bacteria populations. … Biological loading is a measure of the burden placed on the aquarium ecosystem by its living inhabitants. … Physically, only a limited size and number of plants and animals can be fit into an aquarium while still providing room for movement. … Perhaps the most popular [rules of thumb] is the “7mm per liter of water” which dictates that the sum in cm of the lengths of all fish kept in an aquarium (excluding tail length) should not exceed the capacity of the tank measured in Liters (one-inch per U.S. gallon). … For goldfish and other high-waste fish [Oscars], many aquarists recommend doubling the space allowance to on inch of fish per every two gallons and others debate the usefulness of the “inch per gallon” rule because it fails to consider other important issues such as fish temperament, activity, compatibility with other tank mates (i.e. two male betas shouldn’t be kept together) dimensions of aquarium, and the filtration capabilities of the aquarium. … The true maximum or ideal biological loading of a system is very difficult to calculate, even on a theoretical level.

When you feel you are ready to set up an aquarium of your own, be sure you read some books on the subject, as well as web sites available on the Internet. The following are links provided by Wikipedia and some that I have discovered while surfing the Net:

FRESHWATER AQUARIUM

List of freshwater aquarium fish species
List of freshwater aquarium plant species
List of freshwater aquarium invertebrate species
Community tank

MARINE AQUARIUM
List of marine aquarium fish species
List of marine aquarium invertebrate species
Reef aquarium
Nano reef

GENERAL AQUARIA INFORMATION
List of aquarium diseases
List of aquaria
Fishkeeping
Macquarium
Marine mammal park
Marine park
Terrarium
The Pet Professor – Keeping Tropical Fish
Aquarist Handbook (online)
The Skeptical Aquarist

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Complete Aquarium ; Peter W. Scott (1995). [Also a DVD Collection]
Setting up a Freshwater Aquarium ; Gregory Skomal (1997).
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists ; (Paperback); Robert M. Fenner.

AQUARIST RESOURCES
PETCO Online
Premium Aquatics
ThatPetPlace
Aquarium Guys
Marine Depot
Aquarium Pros
Dr. Foster Smith
PetSmart Online
Aqua Direct
Pets Warehouse
Fish.com
Aquatic House
The Reef Shop

GENERAL SEARCH LISTING [Google]
Aquarium Fish
Aquarium Lighting
Aquarium Decorations
Aquarium Tanks
Aquarium Gravel

Wisconsin and Canadian Lynx

2010-07-27T15:42:00.000-05:00

Canada lynx have never been common in Wisconsin. Northern Wisconsin forms the southern edge of their historic range. A breeding population may have existed in the state, but declined as trappers caught lynx for the fur trade and loggers and settlers destroyed the northern forests. In addition, lynx suffered from the prevailing prejudice against predators. Beginning in 1865, a state-financed bounty encouraged the killing of lynx. It is thought that by the early 1900s, lynx no longer bred in Wisconsin. However, the bounty was not lifted until 1957.[1]

The Canadian Lynx was placed on the Wisconsin Endangered Species List in 1972 than later taken off the list in August of 1997; by 1998 they were listed as Protected Wild Animals. Two years later the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified all lynx south of Canada as threatened.

Once they roamed throughout the Rocky Mountains and northern U.S., the lynx is now struggling to survive. The loss of their habitat is due to improper forest management along with the impact of some winter recreational activities play. The creation of exposed areas by the cutting and clearing of trees done by forest management have left the lynx reluctant to cross these areas let alone inhabit them. Another threat is roads and trails that fragment their habitat and isolate their population. Contributing also to their mortality is hunting, trapping and motor vehicles.

Since 1900, lynx sightings in Wisconsin have occurred when the 10-year cycle of snowshoe hares in Canada has crashed. When this happens the animals have to wander farther to find food. Some of their wanderings bring them to Wisconsin. Biologists don't think that the lynx are breeding in Wisconsin, so all the sightings are probably just visitors, not residents. Lynx research consists of monitoring reports of sighting and deaths. The last dead lynx found in Wisconsin was picked up near a highway in 1992. That same year a hunter mistakenly shot a lynx in northern Wisconsin. This was the last time lynx have been reported in the state. It was also at a time when the snowshoe hare population in Canada had dropped. Since the hare/lynx populations are on a 10-year cycle and the last time lynx were spotted was 1992, we may start to see a few lynx wandering in Wisconsin again. [2]

The Canada Lynx weighs about 20-30 pound with longer hind legs, a short solid black tipped tail, large well-furred paws and tufted ears very similar to the bobcat. They are solitary nocturnal animal that avoid people. Because of this they are seldom seen and little is known about their daily habits.

The lynx primary food (approximately 75% of their diet) is snowshoe hare, but they will also eat red squirrels, some birds and other small mammals including grouse. It has been estimated by biologists that, on average, a lynx can eat 150-200 hares a year - that’s killing every other night with 1 to 10 misses. So, behind rock, bushes and even in trees you will find these solitary hunters stalking their prey mostly at night. Very capable of covering extremely long distances in search of food from 5 to 94 square miles.

After mating season in late January or February the male and female separate and leave all the rearing of the young to the female. Approximately two months after mating birth occurs, average litter is two to four kittens. The kittens will start eating meat as early as one month old, but will not be weaned until around three months. They will spend their first year with their mother until about mid winter when she will drive them away as the next denning season nears. For a short period of time after leaving their mother, the young lynxes will stay together. Currently it is unknown whether lynx are breeding in Wisconsin, but they are presently exist in Canada, Alaska, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The lynx is just one of the rare mammals the DNR conducts several snow track surveys for with no specific management plan put in motion. Recommendations have been made by biologists to have large tracts of forest maintained to help enable their survival along with other Wisconsin carnivores. Significant threat to their future in this state still remains with the increase access of human in forest. With more people in the forest the more likely a lynx will encounter people. Sometimes resulting in the death of the lynx either unintentional or intentional shooting, trapping or being hit by a car. Public education is important to their survival in Wisconsin. So you may ask - what can I do?

The DNR invites people to get involved in their Trapper Alert Program.

The Trapper Alert Program informs trappers that if they do capture a Canada lynx or other endangered species, they should notify their local DNR wildlife manager, who will assist them in releasing the animal. The trapper will not be prosecuted and no questions will be asked. Through the Trapper Alert Program, trappers help DNR researchers monitor populations of endangered species and gain important information about individual animals[3].

You can also get involved with the volunteer carnivore track surveys, if you see a lynx, please report it to your local DNR this helps them to track the lynx movement.

Other sources:

http://lynx.uio.no/jon/lynx/p-usa03.htm

http://www.nwf.org/cats/catsGreatlakes.cfm

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/lynx.htm

[1] Wisconsin DNR

[2] Wisconsin DNR

[3] Wisconsin DNR

Extinct Critters: Dodo

2010-07-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

I couldn’t fly because my wings were too weak you see,
On an island off Madagascar in the forest is where I use to be.
I lost my home and predators came so I am no longer alive,
Maybe if people were looking out for me I could have survived.

The Dodo bird ...

About 560 miles east of Madagascar on an island call Mauritius was the only home of the Dodo bird.

What we know about the appearance of the Dodo today is based on the diaries and writings of captains and sailors who landed on Mauritius and the drawings done from the few humans who saw them. The Dodo was a large plump soft-grey feathered bird weighing up to 50 pounds a bit bigger than a full grown turkey and a member of the Columbidea or pigeon family. With a nine inch hooked bill one of its most distinguishing features, small sharp eyes and enormous stomach, stubby wings and stumpy short legs. Its home was in the forest even though many stories and pictures place them on the shores.

Dodos ate seeds and fruits, readily available on the forest floor in Mauritius. With a generous food supply on the ground and no predators, Dodos didn't need to fly. At one time it was thought that Calvaria trees were dependent on the Dodo for reproduction: the Dodos ate the seeds and cracked the seed coat, passing viable seeds in their feces. The theory has been discounted however, and Calvaria trees are still with us.[1]

It is believed that a group of Portuguese sailors who were on their way to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa were blown off course by stormy conditions and ended up on Mauritius in 1507. The Dodo was a source of food for the sailors when they were running out of supplies, it’s been said that the meat wasn’t very tasty. In 1644 Mauritius was colonized by the Dutch, with the people the ships also brought cats, dogs, and swine. The domestic animals brought disturbance to the woods, trampling the Dodo’s nest frightening the birds, eating their eggs and the young birds. The domestic animals along with the over killing of the Dodo for food led to its total extinction by 1681.

The dodo probably died out in 1690, nearly 30 years later than the last confirmed sighting of the bird.
Some of the flightless birds survived unseen for decades, according to a statistical analysis by scientists reported in the journal Nature. The last confirmed sighting of the dodo was in 1662 on Mauritius. By then the species had long been in decline, driven to extinction by humans and the predators they took to the Indian Ocean Island. All that remains of the dodo now are the odd skeleton and other body parts, such as head and feet, scattered around the world in museums. Fragments of DNA have been extracted from the bones, shedding light on its evolution. "But when a species becomes increasingly rare before its final extinction, it may continue to exist unseen for many years - so the time of its last sighting may be a poor estimate of the time of extinction[ii]

In October 2005, part of the Mare aux Songes, the most important site of dodo remains, was excavated by an international team of researchers. Many remains were found, including bones from birds of various stages of maturity, and several bones obviously belonging to the skeleton of one individual bird and preserved in natural position. These findings were made public in December 2005 in the Naturalis in Leiden. Before this, few associated dodo specimens were known, most of the material consisting of isolated and scattered bones. Dublin's Natural History Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, among others, has a specimen assembled from these disassociated remains. A Dodo egg is on display at the East London museum in South Africa. The most intact remains, currently on display at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, are one individual's partly skeletal foot and head which contain the only known soft tissue remains of the species.

These are the remains of the last known stuffed dodo, which had been kept in Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. By the mid-18th century, the specimen - save the pieces remaining now - had entirely decayed and was ordered to be discarded by the museum's curator or director in or around 1755[3].

[1]Mysterious Extinct Dodo

[ii]BBC News

[3] Wikipedia

VIDEO

Giraffe

2010-07-27T15:05:00.002-05:00

My favorite John Wayne movie Hatari came to mind when my boss and owner of Pet Expressions told us of her upcoming trip last summer of going on an African safari. I was so excited for her. Okay, maybe not exactly Hatari since they weren’t capturing the animals for the zoos, but nonetheless what a wonderful opportunity to ride along through the Savannah and see wild animals so close in their natural habitat. I couldn’t wait for her to come back and tell us all about it. When she did return she shared all her wonderful pictures with us. With so many critters to choose from who live on the wooded grasslands of the African Savannah, I chose the one and only animal that can be found there and no where else and just happens to be the tallest animal in the world - the giraffe.

For a change, I decided to just list the facts …

* Giraffe species name – Camelopardalis.

* The word "giraffe" comes from an Arabic word, "zirafah", which means "the tallest of all.[1]

* There are nine giraffe subspecies with a verity of skin patterns.

* Giraffes have spots in their entire body except their underbellies.

* The male giraffe can range from 16-18 feet tall to the tip of their horns, females are about 2 feet shorter.

* Giraffes weigh between 1700-4200 pounds for the males. The females weigh less.

* They have the same number of cervical vertebrae in their neck as humans do.

* Their tongue is a blue-black color which protects it from getting sunburn.

* A giraffes tongue is about 18 inches long.

* They can clean their own ears with their tongue.

* Their heart can weigh up to 24 pounds and be about 2 feet long.

* Their heart pumps about 16 gallons of blood per minute.

* They have the highest blood pressure of all animals due to the size of their heart and their height.

* They are non-territorial.

* Giraffes are social animals living in varied herds from 10-20 giraffes and have been seen in herds up to 70.

* The giraffe spends on average 16-20 hours a day eating.

* Giraffes can eat 140 pounds of twigs and leaves a day.

* Main food Acacia tree leaves but also eat bark, seed pods, stems, nut, fruit and flowers.

* They will also eat soil in areas where the savanna floor is full of mineral or salty.

* They are ruminants (cud chewing) with a 4 chambered stomach.

* In one sitting the giraffe can drink 12 gallons of water.

* They can go longer without water than a camel can, up to 2 weeks..

* Giraffes are the only animal born with horns.

* They have the shortest sleep requirement of any mammal, between 10 minutes and 2 hours in 24 hours.

* Giraffes rest standing up.

* Giraffes are host to ticks.

* The Oxpecker bird rests on their backs to remove the ticks.

* Gestation average 457 days, offspring. 1

* Baby giraffes drop about 6 feet to the ground landing on their head when they are born and on their feet fifteen minutes later.

* Baby giraffes are 6 feet tall and weigh about 120 pounds at birth, weaned on average at 12-18 months.

* Only 25-50% of baby giraffes reach adulthood.

* Sexual maturity at 3-4 years for females and 4-5 years for males, usually not breed until the age of 7-8.

* The lions are the giraffe’s main predators but also fall prey to the leopards, hyenas, African wild dogs, crocodiles (at watering holes) and humans.

* Their predators mostly target the young, sink and old.

* Giraffes are hunted for their meat and hide.

* Buckets, whips, harnesses, reins, and straps are made from their hide.

* Life expectancy 20-25 years in the wild, 28 in captivity.

Giraffa Camelopardalis populations seem to be stable throughout parts of their range and are threatened in other areas. Giraffes are hunted and poached for their skin, meat, and tail. Habitat destruction also impacts giraffe populations. Giraffe populations remain common in east and southern Africa but have drastically fallen in West Africa. In Niger, conservation of giraffes has been made a priority. In other places where large mammals have disappeared, giraffes have survived. Their survival could be because their height diminishes competition with domestic mammals.[2]

I would love some day to have the opportunity to see for myself the wonders of the animals of Africa; to feel the experience of what it must have been like on the set of Hatari.

SOURCES:

http://www.wildanimalsonline.com/mammals/giraffe.php

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/631.shtml

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art16541.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe

http://www.alltrivia.net/facts/giraffes.htm

[1] Wicked giraffe

[2] Giraffa camelopardalis (on line)

The Wonderful Little "Hummer"

2010-07-27T14:10:00.000-05:00

Sure I’ve seen them in pictures, on the television and in statue form but never live up close and in person until I moved to Door County, Wisconsin. You may wonder what I’m talking about. Its nature’s itsy bitsy little wonder - the hummingbird. One day while watering my back garden I heard this buzzing, I immediately froze. Oh no, I thought, it’s one of those GIANT bumble bees.*

Standing as still as I could, I started surveying the area. There right in front of me, getting a drink from my garden hose, was the most beautifully colored tiniest bird I have even seen.

Being the critter curious person that I am, I was compelled to do some reading, and here’s what I found:

The oldest historical mention of hummingbirds dates back to the Taino Native Americans, around the time of Columbus. The Taino believe that hummingbirds are the spreaders of life on Earth, and their warriors were known as Colibir or Hummingbird warriors, because they are a peaceful bird that will defend their territory with the heart of an eagle.[A]

There are approximately 330 different types of hummingbirds and they are a migratory species. The Bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world weighing only 0.06oz. (1.8gr). Other species weigh in at about 3-4gm; to give you an idea of weight a nickel is about 5gm. They are about 3.5” long from tip of bill to tail. Depending on the species of hummingbird they flap their wings 50-80 times per second producing a hum hence their name. Along with their rapid wings the heart must beat accordingly. The heart beat of hummingbirds that are at rest is approximately 50-180 beats per minute, and about 1220 beats per minute in flight. The hummingbird is the only bird with the ability to hover in mid-air. Besides hovering the hummingbird can fly backwards, vertically and sometimes even up side down. Their average lifespan is 3-4 years. In 1976 one specimen was banded and later captured again in 1987, so sometimes they live longer.

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the most recognized for its iridescent feathers. Its unusual coloring in part is caused by light refracting through its feather, some of which are not pigmented. With each changing angle of light upon its feathers along with movement, the colors we see change.

With the exception of insects, hummingbirds while in flight have the highest metabolism of all animals, a necessity in order to support the rapid beating of their wings.[B]

So to support this high metabolism they must eat at least 5 to 10 times an hour, consuming at least two thirds of its own body weight each day. Their diet consists of flower nectar, tree sap, occasionally pollen and tiny insects, but mainly its sugar. At night during rest the hummingbird is able to lower its body temperature to conserve energy.

Good choices of food producing plants for hummingbirds includes such trees or bushes as Azaleas, Mimosa, Weigela, Cape Honeysuckle and Flowering Quince. Another semi-permanent attraction is a perennial bed with Bee Balm, Columbine, Lupine, Coral Bells and Canna. You can also plant a wide range of annuals like Fuschia, Impatiens, Petunias and Firespike, but consider growing some of your own plants from seed, as many flowers that are nursery grown, tend not to have as much nectar.[C]

You can also put out hummingbird feeder which you will find are mostly red because that is the color of flower they are most attracted to. They say never put honey it can ferment a dangerous bacteria, but my editor could not find any source to back this up, see Wikipedia. So play it safe buy either commercial formula or make your own.

Here is the recipe for hummingbird nectar: One part white granulated sugar to four parts water, boil for two minutes, let cool, and store fridge. Remember to only fill your feeder about one third or to the halfway mark since it will take many birds to empty it. Don’t forget to clean your feeders every few days to prevent mold.

Currently here at the home of Kritter Girl's Korner we have planted butterfly bushes this spring to help attract more Hummers (hummingbirds), as well as butterflies to our yard.

Now for some interesting myths, culture and trivia

The Aztec god Huitzilopochtli is often depicted as a hummingbird.
One of the Nazca Lines depicts a hummingbird.
The Ohlone tells the story of how a Hummingbird brought fire to the world. See an article at the National Parks Conservation Association's website for a recounting.
Trinidad and Tobago is known as "The land of the hummingbird," and a hummingbird can be seen on that nation's coat of arms and 1 cent coin.
Many popular songs have been written under the title "Hummingbird", including separate works by B.B. King, Wilco, Leon Russell, John Mayer, Frankie Laine, Cat Stevens, Seals and Crofts, Merzbow and Yuki.
Canadian company CHC Helicopter Corporation uses a hummingbird as its corporate logo[D]
The hummingbird is so small, that an insect, the Praying Mantis is its natural enemy.
They are the only bird that can hover, and fly backwards as well as straight up or down
Hummingbirds can't walk
The average life of a hummingbird is 3-4 years, although one specimen was caught in 1976 in Colorado, banded, and captured again in 1987[E]

So for those of you who have the right flower or put up a feeder, enjoy this beautiful, delicate bird of nature.

* - Bumble Bees are the most gentle, non-aggressive (black-yellow banded) of the bee species, and normally isn't a threat.

[A] Wild Bird Watching

[B] Wikipedia

[C] Wild Bird Watching

[D] Wikipedia

[E] Wild Bird Watching

Microchip Your Pet

2010-07-27T13:30:00.001-05:00

I’m Lost.

I never thought I would ever lose one of my pets, but it happened. Several years back while playing with Cobain (our black cat), Yoko was pushed out of the living room window screen and all. Luckily she didn’t wonder far. Being the scared cat she was she wouldn’t come when called like the other cats. We notified all our neighbors to be on the look out. It took 3 days, a live trap and tuna to finally get her. I was very glad she had her collar on like all our pets, with rabies tag and a tag with our name and phone number on it. Her collar like our other cats is a safety cat collar, the kind that will break free if they get hung up on something. So there is a chance once outside she could have lost her collar.

Last summer we had another scare, yard break!! The dogs got out of the fence. They managed to squeeze through under the car gate, by digging in the soft ground. One dog getting loose is bad enough but 7! That’s a pack of trouble. Thanks to fast action on my husbands and sons part they were able to round up five of them. Valerie and Blue were still running, the youngest of our group and the best of buds always together. As Keith (husband/editor) and Alan (youngest son) were on the search in the car I was on the phone. I called all my neighbors, the local shelter, local radio station, our town constable and the vets, giving them all a description of our 2 missing dogs. I worried because we have not had these 2 dogs but a little over a year, both rescues and the only time they have ever been out of the yard was on leash, this was not good. Every time a call came in of a spotting I would call Keith on his cell he and Alan would be off to the latest spotting.

We were all beginning to worry, I knew they had their collars on with the identifation tags (rabies and county license) but still, we don’t live that far form one of the major highways up here. We took turns driving the neighborhood while to other stayed home in case someone called. We got lucky once again, a guy who lives on a farm about ten miles from our house had found our dogs! I was never so relieved, the tears began to flow, I love all my critters equally but these two have a soft spot in my heart. He was able to keep them contained until we got to his house. It was a very long nerve racking day and our two remaining dogs were finally back home 8 hours after the yard break. The worry had been lifted. Now our work was cut out for us to make sure they never got out of the yard again. Keith and Alan poured concrete all long the gate where they had dug so they couldn’t dig there again. Since then we have no break outs, thank God, I wouldn’t want to go though that stress again. After they finished the concrete job I got to thinking what else can I do to ensure that my pets get back home, if they every make a break for it again. We double checked all their tags to make sure they were secure, took a permanent magic marker and wrote our phone number on the inside of their collars incase they lost their tags. We also made sure we had current pictures of them that we could show them around and use for flyers. There are two more things we can do - have our pets micro chipped or tattooed. This is another way to protect your pet. Tags can be lost, tattoos can fade but micro chips are a permanent form of identification, and can be implanted in any animal. Owner information can be accessed immediately and the lost pet can be rapidly returned. The micro chip is a tiny capsule about the size of a grain of rice and is injected under the flap of skin at the back of the neck no more difficult than a routine injection, with no adverse side effects to the health of the animal.

Most local veterinarians and shelter are provided scanners that will read the micro chip implant in the event a lost animal is brought in. People who find you dog hopefully with its tags still on its collar will be able to call a toll free number (on the tag) to get your animal home again. Now don’t think this process only applies to you dogs, cats even if they are strictly indoor cats can get out, just like our Yoko did. Check with you veterinarians and see what service they provide as to micro chipping. It’s another way to insure that your beloved pet returns home. There are several companies out there AVID, Microchip Express, Home Again, AKC Companion Animal Recovery Program, AWOL Pet which is on the back of our dogs rabies tags. For a small fee we can register our dogs with the first web based, one tag pet protection and registration system that use search engines to match our pet’s rabies tags, license tags etc with us.

Most manufacturers are now making Universal Scanners and which can detect the presence and often read tags made by other manufacturers.[i]

It’s not a law in the United States to have your pet micro chipped like it is for rabies. You would have to think it’s worth it when only 3% of lost cats and 16% of lost dogs are returned to their owners.

Doesn’t it make sense to provide your pet with something that will reassure they will get back home?

We think so.

[i] Home Again

The Oxpecker

2010-07-27T13:26:00.000-05:00

Back in the article posted about Giraffes I mentioned the back riding tick remover, the Oxpecker. Well here’s what I found out about those bug eaters …There are two species: Red billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) and Yellow billed Oxpecker (Buphagus Africanus). Both are passerine birds in the starling and myna family. The yellow billed is slightly larger than the red billed. The red billed Oxpecker is more common than the Yellow billed.

By 1920 the yellowed billed Oxpecker in South Africa was considered extinct as a breeding species. Over-hunting of buffalo and rhino in the late 1800’s was the main cause for its disappearance.

The Red billed Oxpecker is distributed in a discontinuous belt across the eastern half of the continent. From Eritrea in the north through to South Africa’s Kwa Zulu-Natal Province.

The Yellow billed Oxpecker enjoys a more extensive range across the Savannah areas of West Africa and a patchy occurrence in east and southern Africa[1].
Preferred habitat is open country and live in flocks.
The Red billed Oxpecker is about 9 inches long with a short thick red bill and red eyes that have a bright yellow circle surroundings them. Their tail, wings, neck and head are a brown gray, while their underside is a pale yellow.
The yellow billed Oxpecker is colored the same as the Red billed, except for its bill which is yellow with a red tip and has no yellow circle around its eyes.
The Red billed Oxpecker scissors though the hair of their host while the Yellow billed Oxpecker pecks at it.
Their host animals are Giraffe, Warthog, Impala, Rhino and buffalo. This is not bothersome to them at all, but welcomed.
Oxpeckers are a parasite cleaning service, so to speak, to their hosts. They pick off such parasites as ticks, fleas, botfly larvae and others which lodge in the skin of their hosts. But the Oxpeckers favorite food is blood.
An adult Oxpecker will take more than 100 engorged female Boophilus decoloratus ticks or 13,000 larvae in a day[2].
The Oxpecker also pecks at the hosts wound this keeps the wound open to more parasites and disease thought to be a cooperative relationship, but may be a parasitic relationship at the same time.
Nesting in tree holes that they find, they line their nest with hair plucked from their hosts.
Oxpeckers are co-operative breeders which means only one pair in a large group breeds the other members of the group gather nesting materials.
They lay 2-5 eggs in each clutch, average 3 eggs; only the dominant pair incubates the eggs.
Non-breeding Oxpeckers will roost on their hosts at night.
They are still listed as vulnerable.

SOURCES:

Wikipedia

http://www.zoomwhales.com/paint/subjects/birds/printouts/Rboxpeckerprintout.shtml

http://www.african-safari-pictures.com/oxpecker.html

[1] Encounter

[2] Answers.com

Extinct Critter: Giant Teratorn

2010-07-27T13:09:00.001-05:00

Here’s another critter from the past - the largest flying bird of prey argentavis magnificens, called the Giant Teratorn. Other names of the bird: Argentavis and Argentinian Teratorn. Personal Data:

Wingspan: 19-28 feet

Length: 3.5m (137.79 inches)

Height: 1.8-2m (70.87-78.74in., 5’9”-6’6”)

Weight: 65-100kg (143-220lbs.)

The Teratorn is an ancestor of the Giant Condor that still exists today, although it was feared it also would be extinct without human intervention.

Today, if you look to compare to the living birds and the largest wingspan, the Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans, 3.5m./137.179-in. approximately 11.5’) would be at the top of the list. A not-to-distance relative is the Andean Condor (vultur gryphus), which is among the largest land birds with a wingspan of about three meters. Like with other extinct species, not much is known about their behavior. It is believed that they flew by soaring, depending on the wind, especially during takeoff. Having wings that were too long for flapping they had strong legs that helped them with a running or jump start to get off the ground. They are believed to have been active predators with eagle like beaks that were able to swoop down on their prey from high above, grabbing, killing and swallowing without even landing. Even though it was able to do this it probably preferred to scavenge for carrion. They covered a territory of about 500 square km (193 square miles).

When comparing to other extinct birds, it is believed that they laid one or two eggs that were about 1kg (2.2lbs.) ever two years, with incubation over the winter months. Both parents shared in the duties of incubations. The babies became independent after 16 months but weren’t fully mature until they were about 12 years old.

Mortality must have been very low, with an estimated 2% of birds dying per year being close to the maximum possible while maintaining a viable population, but Argentavis suffered hardly any predation, thus mortality was mainly from old age, accidents and diseases. [a]

Argentine scientists' have unearthed the fossil remains of what seems to be the world's largest known flying bird, Argen- tavis magnificens. The bird lived between eight and five million years ago, in the late Miocene era. With a wingspan of 25 feet, the bird measured' 11 feet from beak to tail, and weighed in at l6 to 170 lbs. Its first wing bone, the humerus, was approximately 22 inches long. [b]

Further expeditions are planned to Argentina to search for additional fossils of this most magnificent bird.

Coatimundi

2010-07-27T10:47:00.000-05:00

This particular critter comes as a request from my editor. He was telling me how he had seen these critters when he was in the service and stationed in
Panama, and was told how even some of the locals kept them as pets. Having never heard of this critter I had to look it up, you know, do my research. J I just had to see what it looked like.

Now I don’t know about you but if you ask me I find this critter a bit odd. To me it looks like part possum and part skinny raccoon. What do you think? So as it goes one thing leads to another and here I am writing about the Coatimundi (coati for short), so for those of you, like myself, who have never heard of this critter - here’s what I found:

Coatis range all through Central and South America, and are quite common in Belize with most of them living in the forests. They are also found in southwestern United States and Mexico. Common names are coati, brown –nosed coati, South American coati, ring-tailed coati, southern coati. Nicknames include coon cat and Brazilian weasel. They are members of the raccoon family but they look a bit different. Coatis have long noses, that are very flexible which enables them to curl their snoot and poke into crevices to find food, long hair, shorter ears and smaller eyes. But have the same dark tail band markings. Their bodies are approximately 2 feet long this does not include their tail which is almost the same length. Adults can range in weight form 6 to 30 pounds males weigh almost twice that of females, standing 8 to 12 inches high at the shoulder. Coatis also have strong claws and forelimbs to help them climb and dig for food under rotten logs. They have the ability to reverse the joints of their anklebone which enables them to descend trees headfirst. They are excellent swimmers and can run up to 15 miles per hour. Depending on the species the coati’s colors can vary from a brown to black coat. In the wild their lifespan is about 7 to 8 years, in captivity up to 15 years.

Coatis, being excellent climbers, can be found playing and resting in the trees. On the ground is another story. With their excellent sense of smell they go along sniffing the ground and will stop to dig up prey making a ditch with their claws. They also push the dirt around with their snout, rooting much like a pig. They are very active hunters and hunt in what they call bands this is a large group of coatis up to as many as 30. This is why farmers are not fond of them because they uproot their crops. In the wild they eat vegetables, eggs, roots, fruit, nuts, leaves, insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, small birds and even dead critters, yuck!

I think you get the basics here about the coati in the wild. They are NOT domesticated animals so they are not really recommended as a house pet. But I actually found a website Julie's Jungle that sells them as pets! Okay so you think you dog that has several issues is a handful, well it’s nothing compared to a coatimundi. They are active, mischievous, intelligent, selfish, and destructive. They are constantly trying to improve their hierarchy status in the house which could imply aggressive confrontations and they do not accept authority well, can we say big time alpha here. From what I read they seem to be far needier than my cockatoo. They require a lot of attention especially the young coatis less than 6 months of age. They need maternal assurance day and night and will suffer without it. People who own them find them interesting and fun. But they are a handful requiring constant supervision so they might not be the right choice for everyone.

Apart from a big cage, the presence of a spacious garden should be imperative for the good keeping of a coatimundi; excursions into the owner's house or garden must ideally be the animal's daily routine to allow for exercise, climbing and digging. Strict cage or room captivity is not to be considered an option. Declawing or removing the canine teeth is not recommended, and is considered superfluous under good keeping conditions.
Although male coatis have impressive canine teeth, they tend to be less irritable and aggressive than females, which can become exceedingly difficult to handle during their breeding season. It is recommended that male Coatimundis are neutered if they are not to be bred; an unneutered male Coatimundi may become difficult to handle with age.
Broken dishes, stolen food, urine stains on the carpet, feces behind the sofa, minor or even serious lesions (e.g., bitten hands or scratches on the owner's face) are typical accidents when keeping a tame coatimundi at home. A sturdy pair of leather gloves is a good protection in the case of interest conflicts between coati and human.
Strong-smelling chemicals like wood varnish, oil paints, soaps, thinner, acetone, diesel, etc., must be kept out of reach. These scents attract tame coatis, which then try to perfume their tails with the chemicals, putting the animal in danger.
Although coatis are territorial to a certain degree, the risk of the animal leaving the owner's property is high due to its curiosity, predatory interests and agility. This behavior can result in very serious fights with the neighborhood pets. [1]

Personally this is one critter I would not add to my group unless I had a zoo.

Oh wait some people already think I do.

SOURCES:

hthttp://www.blackpineanimalpark.com/Animals/coati_mundi.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/coatimundi

http://asterix.ednet.lsu.edu/~edtech/rainfor/coat/coatimun.htm#facts

http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/mammals/coa/coa1.html

Photo Source: www.gopetsonline.com

[1] Wikipedia

Latin American Critter: Kinkajou

2010-07-27T10:34:00.002-05:00

[National Geographic Photo] From southern Mexico to Brazil in the warmth of the tropical forests you will find this critter that looks like it belongs in the monkey family, but in fact is another member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae).Never seen eating honey in the wild but in captivity they will, because of this and their coat color they are sometimes called the honey bear. In Belize they are known as the night walker. The Kinkajou Potos flavus) comes in various sizes and there are 14 subspecies.These little cousins to the Coatimundi and Red Panda, weigh approximately 4-8 pounds on average for adults. The Kinkajou has a thick soft coat with a long body which length is 16-25inches not including its tail. Their tail which is prehensile (fitted for grasping) is used as a fifth hand for climbing and balance it adds another 15-20 inches to their overall body length. Believed to be solitary, they do have a social structure where they sleep together and groom each other, usually foraging alone. Kinkajou are small, agile, and nocturnal tree huggers spend most of their life in the canopy of the rainforest with peek activity between 7p.m. and midnight, and the hour before dawn. They spend their days curled up in a ball hidden in hollow trees and thick foliage sleeping.

Kinkajous do not like to be awake during the day, and dislike noise or sudden movements. If they are agitated too much, they may emit a scream and attack, usually clawing their victim and biting deeply. Their bites are particularly dangerous as their saliva contains a tenacious, species-specific bacterium - Kingella potus, first identified by Dr. Paul Lawson of the University of Oklahoma. Socialite Paris Hilton used to carry her pet kinkajou, named "Baby Luv", on her shoulder to parties and clubs. In August of 2006, Hilton was taken to an emergency room when Baby Luv bit her on the arm. During the night, it is possible to hear the Kinkajou vocalizing; their shrill calls resemble a woman's scream. For this reason, one folk name for the kinkajou is "la llorona," which translates directly from the Spanish language into "the crying woman.” [1]

Like the coatimundi the Kinkajou is classified as carnivores (meat-eater) but in fact they are primarily frugivorus (fruit-eaters). In the wild the Kinkajou feeds on fruit, figs, nectar and sometimes eggs, insects, frogs, plants and blossoms when the opportunity arises. Their main source of fluids comes from the fruit but they also drink water that has pooled in the trees and on the leaves.

Kinkajous are important pollinators - an ecological role which is filled by no other carnivore. Kinkajous' tongues are long (up to 6 inches or 20 cm) and flexible, and can be used to extract nectar from flowers. As the Kinkajou feeds, pollen adheres to its face and is subsequently deposited on other plants as the animal moves from blossom to blossom in the jungle canopy. [2]

Becoming sexually mature around 2 ½, the female will leave home, unlike most mammals. Breeding season is April to December; with the female in season about ever 3 months. Their litter size is usually 1 with a gestation of 98-120 days. About 2-6 weeks after being born their eyes and ears open. The nursing of the young lasts between 3-5 months. The wild Kinkajou populations is declining because of loss of habitat, hunting and illegal pet trade. Their average life span is 20-26 years, but one of the Honolulu Zoo’s previous Kinkajou lived to be 40. Now they say they can be kept as pets just like the Coatimundi. If you hand raised them they can make a wonderful pet, but keep in mind they are wild critters. Curious and active, during the night they like to get into things when left outside their cage so supervision is needed. They are known to be quiet, docile, gentle and non aggressive for the most part. They say if you spend a lot of time on the ground playing with them and socializing them during the day they will sleep at night. There isn’t much luck with litter training these guys though they get in the habit of going in the same location they are clever escape artist as well. So like any other pets there will be housing, feeding and financial responsibilities. If you think you would like a Kinkajou I found a site that offers them: Julie’s Jungle. Now if it was me, I would choose the Kinkajou over the Coatimundi because the Kinkajou seems to be less confrontational, the latter critter always trying to improve its hierarchy status.

[1] Wikipedia

[2] Julie’s Jungle

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0310/feature2/?fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com&fs=plasma.nationalgeographic.com

http://technorati.com/claim/v7y7sjpj9" rel="me">Technorati Profile

Red Panda

2010-07-27T10:27:00.000-05:00

Forty eight years before the Giant Panda was found, the Red Panda or original panda was first described in 1821.

Their Nepalese name Nigalya poonya means “eater of bamboo”. The Chinese name is hunho or firefox, because of their color and they are about the size of a fox.

Here’s one for all you internet surfers, did you know that the web browser Firefox was named after this critter!

They are also known as the Small Panda, Lesser Panda, Himalayan raccoon, Fox Bear, Panda Chico and Cat Bear, because it was thought to be related to a small bear and it washed its entire body by licking itself like a cat does.

The Red Panda, weighing in at 7-13 pounds are 20-26 inches in length from head to end of its body and has a long thick soft red fur with cat like face markings, with black legs and stomach which makes it difficult to see them from below. Their colors are a great camouflage in the trees. Its long bushy tail which makes up two thirds of the length of its body (12-20 inches) is marked with brown and buff rings. Their tail is used for balance while in the trees. The soles of their feet are covered with dense white fur which helps to protected them from the cold and hides scent glands. Their claws are sheathed and semi-retractable. They also have what they call a false thumb with is actually an extension of the writs bone, just like the giant panda. Even though the red panda looks more like a raccoon than a bear or a panda its closest relative is the Giant Panda that we all know. The red panda is currently a member of its own family the Ailurdea.

Their lifespan is about 8 years in the wild and up to 15 in zoos.

These shy solitary nocturnal mammals are native to the Himalayas in India, Nepal and southern China, sharing their rainy forest habitat with the giant panda but with a wider range. They prefer mountainous forest areas at altitudes up to 4,800 meters and generally not below 1,800 meters. Spending most of their day high in the trees draped over branches or resting the hollows with their tail covering their face during the hot noontime since they cannot tolerate temperatures over 25º C; their optimal temperatures are between 17º and 25º C. They are most active at dusk, dawn and during the night.

Red Pandas begin their activity with a ritual washing of their fur, again and again, with the utmost care by licking their front paws. They also scrub their back and belly along the sides of trees or a rock. They then patrol their territory, marking it with a strong musk-smelling secretion from their anal gland and with their urine If a Red Panda feels threatened or senses danger, the red-brown mammal will try to scamper up into an inaccessible rock column or a tree. If they can no longer flee, they stand up on their hind legs, which makes them appear somewhat more daunting and on allows them the possibility of using their razor-sharp claws on their front paws, which can inflict substantial wounds. Red Pandas are friendly, but they are not helpless, and know quite well when to resist if threatened.[1]

The red pandas diet in the wild is mostly bamboo shoots and leaves (about 80 pounds a day) but they also eat berries, fruit, blossoms and occasionally insects, young birds, bird eggs and rodents. In captivity (at the zoo) they eat grubs, a variety of fruit and berries along with apple-fiber biscuits. They are mostly vegetarians even though they are classed as a carnivore. With a simple stomach and short intestines their digestive system is like other carnivores, meaning it is really not designed to digest plant matter. Because of this they can not properly digest the bamboo so they get very little nutrition from it. To deal with this problem the red panda has a low metabolic rate and therefore they spend most of the day eating.

The Red Panda is predominantly a loner who only comes together for mating at the end of December to the middle of February. After a gestation period of 112 to 158 days the female gives birth to one to four blind cubs weighing 110-130 g. This occurs between the end of May to the beginning of July, and always sometime between 4 P.M and 9 A.M. during its activity period. A few days before the birth the female begins to collect material, such as brushwood, grass and sheets, to use for the nest. The nest is normally located in a hollow tree or a rock column. After the birth the mother cleans the cubs and in this way can immediately recognize each by knowing its smell. After one week the mother leaves the nest to clean herself. The cubs start to open their eyes about 18 days later, but not fully till 30 to 40 days. The eyes are first grey, and after six weeks slowly start to turn dark in color, becoming fully darkened in about 70 days. The new litter remains at the nest for twelve weeks. Fourteen days after they leave the safety of the nest, they start the process of learning to care for themselves but can only do so after about five months. Near the beginning of the next mating, the cubs are abandoned by the mother. The males only very rarely help with the raising of the new generation, and only if they live in pairs or in a small groups. Red Pandas start to become sexually mature at about 18 months of age, but not fully until 2-3 years.^[2]

Known predators of the red panda are martens, snow leopards and humans. Their numbers are declining because of deforestation of their natural habitat which effects their nesting sites and their source for food. As well as increased agriculture and pressure from the continual growing population. They are also occasionally targets of game hunters or found in traps. Mostly for its tails the red panda is hunted in southwest
China. Hats are made from their highly valued bushy tails. These hats are considered good luck charms by Chinese newlyweds.

Conservation Status:

Red pandas are protected and listed in Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Threatened and Endangered Species, and were declared endangered in March 1988[3]

SOURCES:

http://www.facts-about.org.uk/animals-red-pandas.htm

http://www.nationalzoo.com.au/newpandas.htm

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AsiaTrail/RedPanda/

http://www.thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/mammals/Carnivora/Ursidae/Ailurus/Ailurus-fulgens.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/J003182/redpanda.htm

[1] Wikipedia

[2] Wikipedia

[3] Ailurus fulgens (on line), Animal Diversity Web

Armadillo

2010-07-27T10:15:00.002-05:00

The question for the day what mammal is the only one known to give birth to four identical babies (all the same sex) that all develop from the same egg and share the same placenta?

I had no clue but found out it’s the Armadillo! The Nine-banded Armadillo to be exact.

I have also listed here for you some other interesting facts I found:

* Armadillo is Spanish for “little armored one”.

* Armadillos are mammals.

* There are 20 different species of armadillos, distinguished by the number of bands on their armor.

* Many of the armadillo species are either threatened or endangered.

* Of all the species only the nine-banded is increasing in numbers.

* In the 1800’s the armadillo first made it way to the United States from Mexico crossing the Rio Grande into Texas.

* The Nine-banded Armadillo is the only armadillo found in the United States, in the central southernmost states like Texas.

* 1849 was when the first recorded nine-banded armadillo was seen in the U.S. in Texas.

* The Nine-banded Armadillo can jump 3 - 4 feet straight up in the air when startled.

* Most nine-banded armadillos are brown and gray.

* The nine-banded armadillo doesn’t hibernate.

* Their closest relatives are the sloths and the anteaters.

* Their most recognized feature it its shell.

* All armadillos have shells which are made of true bone.

* Most armadillos have plates or bony rings that protect their tails.

* Most armadillos eat ants, termites, beetle, grubs and some plants.

* They can weigh from 41-71 pounds and are 32.7-37.8 inches long.

* Lifespan 12-15 years.

* Armadillos like to swim.

* They can stay under water for as long as 6 minutes.

* They must inflate their stomach with air or they will sink because of the weight of their shell.

* Armadillos are great diggers and have strong claws to open ant nests and rotten wood.

* To escape danger they rely on the digging ability or speed.

* They have a very low metabolic rate and do not have any fat reserves so they have to forage for food daily.

* Armadillos can not tolerate extreme cold not even for a short period of time.

* They forage in the early morning and evening.

* They have long sticky tongues to slurp up bugs.

* They have very few teeth and their teeth have no enamel (the hard other covering).

* Armadillos have poor eye sight but are not blind.

* Armadillos have a keen sense of smell.

* Wild armadillos can carry leprosy, transmission to humans is rare.

* Armadillos are often used in leprosy studies because of their unusually low body temperature which makes them a good host to the bacterium.

* It’s illegal to own an armadillo in the state of Maine.

* Many species of armadillos are either threatened or endangered.

* Most species dig burrows and sleep up to 16 hours a day.

* With the exclusion of humans the Armadillos are the only land mammal that mates face to face.

* Armadillos are monogamous.

* Armadillo’s area born with their eyes open.

* Only the three-banded armadillo can roll itself into a ball.

MORE READING:

http://worldwildlife.org/action/areasproject/research_mammals.cfm

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/acounts/dasypus/d._novemcinctus.html

SOURCES:

http://www.everwonder.com/david/armadillo/facts.html

http://www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillo

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/armadillo.html

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/armadillo.html

http://bss.sfsu.edu/geog/bholzman/courses/fall99projects/armadillo.htm

So You Want a Pet: Part 7 of 11 - Birds

2010-07-27T09:30:00.000-05:00

So you have decided on a bird now the question is what type?

Now you really have to think about this pet choice. They have a very long life span, who will care for them once you are gone? Also keep in mind that some of the species like the larger parrots can be REALLY NOISY. We know this too well here at Kritter Girl's Korner besides sharing our home with our 10 dogs, 6 cats, duck, gecko - we have an Umbrella Cockatoo. Yep, one of the loudest parrots out there. She may be loud but she sure loves to cuddle. When I say loud I mean LOUD on a nice sunny summer day when all the windows are open in the house and we are outside at furthest point of our acre and a half you can hear her clear as day. Baby, now 10 years old who can live at least another 50 years enjoys screaming for attention, playing with all her toys and keeping up with the local news (see photo at left).

I myself have adapted to Baby's screaming for attention, and I ignore it, unlike my editor who just hasn’t been able to yet. By her fourth scream he is at her cage telling her NO. Well you guessed it the next word she picked up - NO! Her vocabulary isn’t very large she can say hello several different ways, and her name but, her favorite these days NO. Soon to be ENOUGH, I think. Baby does much better at imitating sounds, like the pager on the phone, the meow of our cats, the squeaks from the dogs’ toys. She can also wolf whistle but she adds her own variations to that at times. She’ll hang upside down in her cage, bopping up and down. One day when my son was playing some Beatles music we saw her swaying back and forth to the music. So now when ever there is music on in the house we ask Baby to dance, most of the times she will. She’ll also run her beak across the bars of her cage like a prisoner does a cup. I find her very entertaining, and good company. My editor on the other hand…..well…… we won’t go there.

For those of you who have never heard an Umbrella’s scream, go to website to hear what a louder version of Baby’s scream is like (don’t forget to have your volume turned on).

Now you have to remember there are a lot of different things you have to consider besides noise when choosing your bird.

Birds are sensitive to sudden temperature changes and many household fumes, can develop life threatening diseases, and need a balanced diet, water, light, suitable caging, and proper sanitation. A bird won't sing or talk if it is lonely, malnourished, stressed, or confined in too small of an area.
(source: http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/petselection/birds.asp)

Health is not magical. It is something you achieve through conscientious care and love. When parrot owners follow a few "golden" rules they can have healthy, happy parrots:

1. Offer a well-balanced healthy diet
2. Give clean, fresh water ALL day
3. Let your parrot exercise and play
4. Don't let him or her become a TERROR - an out-of-control bird is NOT happy, even if he is getting you to do what he wants.
5. Give her a large enough cage so she can flap her wings, climb, and play with toys - but also, don't imprison your bird all day long in a cage - parrot towers and trees give them a way to climb, exercise, and satisfy their wild side.
6. Offer fun safe toys - make sure your bird isn't BOORED
7. Talk to your bird - they are vocal by nature.
8. Be gentle with your bird and offer positive reinforcement for good behavior, not punishment for bad behavior.
9. Make your parrot part of the family - not relegated to a back room or basement.
10. Treat your bird like a bird - don't expect your parrot to be a person - respect your parrot's "bird-ness" (Source http://www.parrotparrot.com/healthhut/)

Remember to talk to your Veterinarian; they are a great source of information if you’re considering an exotic. But not all Vets care for exotic pets so if your Vet doesn’t perhaps he/she can recommend one to you that does. Remember when you choose to have a pet it is for the LIFE of that pet. So again I must say DO YOUR RESEARCH and find the best bird to suite your life style and enjoy!
For more information:
http://www.birdsandmore.com/healthTips.html
Here is where you can find a very helpful chart on the different types of birds comparing from noise level to average size: http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/parrot-species-comparison-chart.html
The top 5 popular bird species:
http://birds.about.com/od/breedsofbirds/tp/topbirds.html http://exoticpets.about.com/od/birds/bb/Choosingabird.htm)

Top 10 bird killers
Finding an avian vet
Adopting a Bird
Parrot-Parrot
Birds and More
http://www.birdsandmore.com/healthTips.html
Midland Parrots

Where do Sea Gulls Go in Winter?

2010-07-27T09:20:00.000-05:00

Several week ago while on a 3-mile walk with one of my client’s dogs I heard them, Seagulls. Hmm they’re back!

I wondered if they like other birds and some people head for warmer weather the winter so being the curious critter person I am I had to find out. In answer to my editor’s question and mine, they do migrate. Here Door Peninsula the most common seagull you will see is the Herring Gull. Here is some other interesting facts I found:

Seagulls belong to the family of Laridae.
The Laridae family contains about 88 different species of birds, and 54 of them are gulls.
They are found worldwide except in tropical deserts, jungles and on some central Pacific islands.
They are a migratory bird.
All gulls are about the same shape and size with varied coloration.
Male and females are colored the same; the only difference is the males are slightly larger.
Size ranges from 11-32 inches.
The largest gull is the Great Black-Backed, with a wing span of about 63 inches.
The smallest is the Little Gull which is about the size of a pigeon, with a wing span of about 24inches.
The larger species can take up to 4 years to attain full adult plumage.
They have webbed feet and hooked bills.
They swim well on the surface of the water but can not swim under water or dive.
The most widespread and familiar gull is the Herring gull, commonly call the seagull.
The Herring gull hunt, migrate and feed together, they are social birds.
The Herring gull is 25 inches long with a wing span of about 60 inches.
The Herring gull in captivity hold the recorded for longevity, 44 years and in the wild 36 years.
Gulls usually raise 2-3 young at a time.
The gull is best known as scavengers, found in large noisy flocks around garbage dump, parking lots, fishing boats, picnic grounds and in freshly turn fields, where ever food is available.
Gulls are opportunist and will eat just about anything like, insects, worms, fish, the eggs and young of other species, grubs, carrion, and garbage.
In the fields they eat large amounts of destructive pests like grasshoppers and mice.
Some gulls rely on kleptoparasitism (stealing) to get their food. An example is the Adult Laughing gulls who steal food from young brown Pelicans.
Breeding start between the ages of 3 to 7.
They can nest on cliff ledges, hollow scrape on the ground to the unwanted rooftops. Preferably nesting on islands where there are usually no predators.
Parents take turns sitting on the eggs, for about 20-30 days.
Nesting gulls area very protective.
Gulls usually raise 2-3 young at a time.
The hatched chicks are fully covered in down and fed by both parents.
If a nest is abandoned or a parent is killed, other gulls will take over caring for the chicks left behind.
Laughing Gulls nest in colonies as large as 25,000 pairs.
Ring-billed Gulls "play" by dropping objects while in flight, then swooping down to catch them. This playful behavior may be practice for catching and retrieving prey.
Western Gulls will sometimes follow seals, sea lions or dolphins to join large feeding groups (including other sea birds such as pelicans, cormorants, murres). They feed on squid and fish that are forced to the surface by the mammals. They will dive into water or scoop with their beaks if sitting on the water's surface.
Black-backed Gulls feed in small groups (usually pairs) over foraging blue fin tuna, eating fish and squid that are forced to the surface by the tuna.[1]
The State bird of Utah is the California Gull.
Seagulls of Utah migrate to the Pacific Coast.
Europe gulls spend time together segregated by age and locations.

Sources:
http://www.flyingmobiles.com/html/mobiles/bd07.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagullshttp://www.swamphen.net/birds/lists/usa/wi.htm

For More Information
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/stcroix/laridae.htmhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/urbanbirds/BirdGuide/ubs_GUPGuideHerringGullSP.htmlhttp://www.imperial.edu/birds/h-gull.htmhttp://weaselhead.org/profile/index.php?s=141

[1] http://www.flyingmobiles.com/html/mobiles/bd07.htm

Sloth: "I'm In No Hurry"

2010-07-27T09:11:00.000-05:00

Hanging upside down on average 15 hours a day you will find this camouflaged critter in the tropical rainforest canopies of South America.

As you guessed by the picture it’s the sloth.

My son once said he wanted one of these little critters. Now I’m not against having a bunch of critters as you know, but a sloth? Why on earth could he want a sloth? Well I figured it out once I started reading about them. They are about 21-29 inches long and only weigh between 9-17 pounds. That puts them in the range of about the size of our largest cat at the time. Okay I thought that’s not too big, would take up less space than our dogs. They have fur that runs from their stomach to their back so the rain can run off, kind of like their own built in rain coat.

During the rainy season in their natural habitat the hair is often covered with greenish algae which provide them with camouflage against predators. They have long curved claws which allow them to hang and move from branch to branch which makes sense since they live in trees, trees of the rain forest. Now that might be a problem I don’t know if we have enough humidity and rain here in Wisconsin for them. Maybe that won’t be too big of a problem for it since a sloth’s body temperature depends on the temperature around it. They do live in zoos so I guess we could figure something out. Oh wait, trees might also be a problem since most of our trees in our yard are soft needle pine. I guess he would have to build it a special home like we did for our iguana. Okay, I thought we could do that. I found out that they are pretty much vegetarians much like our iguana was, so that shouldn’t be a problem mainly eating leaves, shoots, nuts, berries, bark, and fruit.

They have compartmented stomach muck like that of a cow and it can take a month or more for their food to pass through their digestive system. Hence they only pass urine and feces about once a week. There it is I found the reason for him wanting a sloth! Once a week clean up! Okay I have to admit that would be lot less work than cleaning up after our dogs or our 3 times a day litter pan scooping for our cats. But come on, there has to be more to it than just that. They do everything in the trees, most things upside down like eat, sleep, mate, and give birth. The only come down out of the trees to eliminate and change trees in search of food. Well we wouldn’t have to worry about the mating part since we would only have one and they are a solitary animal. But did you know that their gestation is about 10 months babies are born with claws, and weigh about 12oz. They are good swimmers so maybe we’d have to set the pool up for it. We wouldn’t have to worry about predators since it would be caged, but in the wild they fall prey to large snakes, jaguars and ocelots while on the ground because they move very slow. In some zoos sloths have reached the age of 30 some even as old as 40.

The whole idea of having a pet sloth seemed rather interesting to my son. But there are so many other factors that have to be taken into consideration. Like local/state zoning laws and permits, they are wild animals, not domestic pets. Sure they are kept in zoos where they are cared for by the experts, but in our back yard it’s not the proper place for them. That is unless one day we obtain enough property along with the necessary licensing and permits to properly house them along with other exotics. In addition, we would also need the experts for their veterinarian needs and to teach/help us with their care.

SOURCES:

http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/set/1478/sloth.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twotoed_sloth

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/fact-sloth.cfm

http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/126.htm

http://ladywildlife.com/animal/twotoedsloth.html

Coggins Test

2010-07-27T09:05:00.000-05:00

While on the phone the other night with a good friend talking about horses we got on the subject of the Coggins test. I asked her what is the Coggins test and why do we do it? I don’t recall ever having this test done way back when I had my horses.

We talked a bit more about it and then she suggested it to be an article here at Kritter Girl's Korner. So with that in mind I started searching for information.

In the 1970’s a veterinary virologist, Dr. Leroy Coggins of Cornell University developed the Coggins test also know as the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. This serum test is reliable and detects the presence of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) specific antibodies in the blood. EIA is also known as Swamp Fever, because the disease has been associated with wet, warm regions, note EIA is NOT limited by geography. A negative reading means no detectable antibodies at that time, positive indicates the horse is infected and a carrier of the virus. The Coggins test was made the official test for EIA by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1973. You ask why this test is so important. Well it’s because Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a serious, contagious, viral disease with no cure and no horse has ever recovers from it. EIA affects the horse’s immune system and threatens horses worldwide. EIA has been around for centuries, reported around the globe.

At risk are horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and zebras, and once they are infected they are infected for life. EIA is a slow-acting virus in the family of the lenti-retrovirus group related to the viruses that cause bovine leukemia, feline leukemia and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) in humans. EIA was first identified back in 1843 in France, in 1881 reported in Canada and a single case in New Zealand and also in Wisconsin in 1888. Two major outbreaks occurred in 1901, Wyoming suffered an epidemic and in 1947 New Hampshire’s Rockingham Park was the site of another outbreak resulting in 77 horses dying or having to be euthanized because of EIA. The EIA virus circulated throughout the body, reproducing in the blood cells. The immune system via antibodies attacks and destroys the infected red blood cells. This reduces blood count causing anemia, vital organs like the liver can become damaged by the associated inflammation. Other organs this virus attacks are the spleen, kidneys, and lymph nodes. Because the immune system is impaired the horse may also become susceptible to secondary infections like bronchopneumonia. Horses infected by EIA usually die from the virus or from secondary infections. EIA is difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary and it can mimic other diseases plus some horses may show no obvious signs at all. There are three forms of EIA acute, Chronic, and in apparent.

1. Acute, during which the virus is active, multiplying and harming the immune system and other organ systems.

2. Chronic, during which the animal may vacillate between remission and disease states. The horse may be thin or in poor body condition, and may suffer recurring bouts of clinical signs, as seen in the acute phase.

3. In apparent, during which the horse carries the virus but shows no apparent symptoms. Stress or disease may bring on an acute episode[a].

Acute EIA
While acute responses to EIA infection are rare in natural situations where blood-feeding insects transmit low doses of the virus, it is useful to describe this scenario.
Unfortunately, the clinical signs of acute EIA are rather nonspecific. The predominant symptom is fever, which may appear rapidly but last less than 24 hours. Even vigilant horse owners and veterinarians might miss or incorrectly diagnose the fever because it can be short-lived and because fever is also a response to many other equine diseases (like influenza, also known as flu, and equine encephalitis, also known as sleeping sickness). In some cases death can occur within two to three weeks.Possibly the horse will survive this first acute attack and appear to recover... maybe even without having been diagnosed as ill. If the horse escapes detection at this stage of the infection, he may continue to move freely among other horses; this is risky.
The first indication that the horse was exposed to and infected with EIAV may well be a positive test result on a routine annual test.

Chronic EIA
The horse that survives the acute phase may have recurring episodes of the disease. These bouts are thought to be caused by new mutant EIAV strains generated in the infected horse. Signs can include very high fever (105 - 108 degrees), tiny spots of hemorrhage on the mucous membranes, depression, weight loss, edema of the lower body, irregular heartbeat, and anemia. It is during the acute phase or recurring episodes that the horse is most infectious.

In apparent Carriers
By far the majority of horses who test positive for EIA are carriers that appear healthy. They may have low or high amounts of the virus in their blood (and it is not easy to determine which is the case). In general, the chances of transmission from an in apparent carrier are lower than from a horse with clinical signs of EIA.In apparent carrier horses, when stressed, can begin to exhibit clinical signs. Stressors may include the environment (severe weather or drought), hard work (overexertion over time), or by other disease (encephalitis, etc.). Prediction of which in apparent carrier is likely to exhibit clinical signs is difficult. When exhibiting clinical signs, in apparent carriers pose an increased risk to other horses.[b]

Now you wonder how my horse gets EIA. Well it is transmitted by blood via blood sucking insects like the horse fly, deer fly, stable flies and sometimes human using hypodermic needles. Horse flies are considered the highest risk carrier due to their large size. According to the Penn State College of Agricultural Science department, research has shown that flies are unlikely to travel more than 200 yards when feeding. As a result, when horses are quarantined for EIA, the USDA mandates the minimum distance is 200 yards for keeping infected individuals apart from healthy animals.[c] The blood sucking insects bites an infected animal and carries the residual blood which contains the virus on its mouth parts as it travels about from one host to the nest spreading the virus. EIA can also be spread by humans in the same why by using a single needle when giving injections on multiple horses. It can also pass in utero from mare to foal.

The risk of transmitting the disease is greatest when an infected horse is ill, as the blood levels of the disease are high enough to infect the blood-feeding insects.[d]

EIA is not transferable to humans because it is not directly contagious from one horse to another, it can only be spread through contaminated blood.There are several factors that can put your horse at risk such as exposure events like horses shows and sales where health care regulations are not enforced and a negative Coggins certificate is not required. Damp swampy area pastures where insects are abundant, and the close proximity to regions where EIA outbreaks have occurred. There is no effective treatment for EIA and no vaccine to prevent it, so prevention is the best way to protect your horse. Here are some things you can do:Use disposable syringes and needles when giving medications and vaccines. Sterilize dental tools and other instruments before using them on another horseAll stable areas should be kept dry, clean and waste free. Remove manure and provide adequate drainage to discourage breeding sites for pests in your pastures.Have your veterinarian perform a Coggins test on your horse annually.Before bringing a new horse onto your property make sure it has been tested beforehand and has a negative Coggins.Only board your horse where a negative Coggins test is required of all horses at the facility.Only participate in shows and events where negative Coggins is required.

FEDERAL & STATE REGULATIONS

The USDA requires that horses being imported from foreign countries test negative to the Coggins test, along with other tests. Within the U.S., each state drafts its own specific requirements regarding EIA and the movement of horses interstate, intrastate, and in change of ownership. Learn what is required in your state and states you will be visiting. Be aware that laboratory results take time, and plan to have your horse tested in time to get results before you must transport your horse. By law, EIA is a reportable disease. All positive cases must be filed with the state veterinarians and the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office.[e]

All horses that test positive for EIA are also required by law to be permanently identified by either branding, tattooing and to be quarantined.

Stopping the spread of EIA is everyone's responsibility. If you suspect a horse has EIA, call your Veterinarian or state animal health agency immediately. They can assess the animal and initiate the required tests. Owner compliance with Coggins testing and the destruction of most known reactors has aided in a marked decline in EIA cases in the last 20 years. Today fewer than 1 percent of the 1 million horses tested annually are found to be carriers. But with an estimated 6.6 million horses in the U.S., more widespread screening is needed. Even backyard horses that never leave the property will benefit.[f] By having your horse tested, you will be doing yourself and the entire equine industry a favor. The cost is minimal; the price well worth the peace of mind.

SOURCES: http://www.eqgroup.com/Library/coggins.
htmhttp://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/coggins.
htmhttp://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/articles/0696eia.shtm
lhttp://www.wiwfarm.com/coggins.htm

[a] http://www.dclahdvm.com/articles/anemia.htm

[b] http://www.eclectic-horseman.com/newsletter/EIA.php

[c] http://www.oddsonracing.com/docs/EIACogginsTest.cfm

[d] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_infectious_anemia

[e] http://www.dclahdvm.com/articles/anemia.htm [f] http://www.dclahdvm.com/articles/anemia.htm

The Largest Eagle Ever

2010-07-27T08:54:00.000-05:00

This massive eagle once lived on South Island, New Zealand became extinct around 1500 along with its main prey the Moa.

Haast’s Eagle also known as Harpagornis Eagle and the Giant Eagle. ...

The Haast’s Eagle was endemic to New Zealand, which means it was only found in New Zealand.
The Haast’s Eagle was the largest eagle ever to have lived and the only eagle in the world to have been top predator of its ecosystem.
They occupied territories up to several hundred square kilometers in pairs.
They had a lifespan of about 20 years.
This bird was first classified by Julius von Haast who named it Harapagornis moorei after George Henry Moore, the owner of the Glenmark Estate where bones of the bird had been found.[i]
Females weighed 22-30 lbs. and the males weighed 20-22 lbs.
They had a wingspan of about 8-10 feet, short for a bird of this weight, but better designed for flapping flight and not for soaring, since they were a forest bird that was use to flying quickly through thick vegetation.
Massive flight muscles and strong legs enabled them to take off with a jump start from the ground; their 20 inch long tail also provided additional lift.
Their total body length was about 4.5 ft and they stood slightly over 3ft.
They preyed on large flightless bird species including the Moa.
They attacked their prey at speeds up to 50mph.Seizing its prey with the talons of one foot and killing it with the other by a blow to the head.
Their talons were as large as tiger’s claws, about 2 ½ inches long!
The first bones were discovered in 1871.
There has been three complete set of Haast’s Eagle skeletons found, the most recent was in 1989 in a cave near Nelson, held by the National Museum in Wellington. The youngest set of bone is about 500 years old.
No fossils of eggs or chicks have been found.
Fossils have been found all across South Island, New Zealand.
DNA research shows that the Haast’ Eagle may have evolved for the little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnaides) the world’s smallest eagle from Australia and New Guinea that weighed less than 2 lbs. and the booted eagle ( Hieraaetus pennatus) between 700,000 to 1.8 million years ago.
Its weight increase by 10 to 15 times in that period is the greatest and fastest evolutionary increase in weight of any known vertebrate[ii]. Scientists believe it was the absence of other predators that was the key factor driving the size increase.
Images of the Haast’s Eagle are found in rock painting drawn in the 13^th and 14^th century.
It was thought that when people arrived in New Zealand the Haast’s Eagle may have mistaken them for Moa and thus attacked and eaten them, but there is no evidence of this.
Scientists believe they died out within two centuries of human settlement of New Zealand, about 700 years ago.
Forest fires destroyed their habitat and humans killed off their food supply, the Moa, some evidence also suggests that they were also hunted.

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haast's_eagle

http://www.answers.com/topic/haast-s-eagle

http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Kids/NZBirdsAnimals/HaastsEagle/

http://www.kcc.org.nz/birds/extinct.asp

http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/haastseagle.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4138147.stm

[i] Wikipedia

[ii] http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/haastseagle.htm

In the News: New Zealand Bird Eaten to Death! (1100 AD-1500 AD)

2010-07-27T08:46:00.001-05:00

This giant Moa (Dinornis giganteus) a member of the ratite family (the same family as the kiwi, emus and ostriches) and met its demise around the 13^th century. They were living a happy life on a remote island that was isolated from the rest of the world with only one predator the Haast's Eagle, also now extinct. That is until the island was discovered by the Polynesian ancestors of the Māori, and colonized. They burned and cleared the forest and scrublands of New Zealand and hunted the obvious source of food, the moa. Sources say that the Māori enjoyed the delicious meat of the upper leg or tibia (drumstick) of the giant moa which was almost 1m (39.37in.) long.

It’s been reported that there were about 11 different species of Moa and it was the largest bird that ever lived weighing in at about 500 pounds and as tall as 13 feet! It’s also been noted that the female moa was much larger than the males about 1.5 times bigger and weighing 3 times as much as the males.

They were the only known bird to have NO wings.

They say they had small eyes and head, flattened beak, long neck and hefty body with no trace that they ever had wings. They ate fruit, twigs and leaves and like other birds ate stones to aid their gizzard in the grinding of their food. They may have had as much as 5kg (11lbs.) of stones in their gizzards. The giant moa's egg measured about 10 inches long and about 7-inches wide and they only laid one or two eggs at a time. Scientific research has found that according to new studies done on their bones they have the similar ring markings to that found on tree stumps. This is an indication that it took several years for them to grow to their full size, unlike our modern birds that are full gown at a year. The Māori destroyed their home and over hunted them until all that remains are the bones that the scientists are studying.

It’s sad because this reporter would have liked to seen one.

Peregrine Falcon

2010-07-26T23:56:00.000-05:00

PEREGRINE FALCONS have been called nature's finest flying machine. They are nature's fastest fliers: Peregrines have been clocked diving, or stooping, at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour! Peregrine falcons feed primarily on birds they take in the air: their prey includes ducks, pheasants, and pigeons.

FALCONRY IS an ancient sport. It was practiced in China before the year 2000 BC: falconry is also the subject of some of the oldest Egyptian wall paintings. English play write William Shakespeare was a falconry fan who introduced falconry terms into popular speech: the word "Hag" or "Haggard" is the term for a mature wild hawk or falcon. Horus, an Egyptian god, was a Peregrine falcon: the "Eye of Horus" is clearly a stylized Peregrine falcon's eye.

At one time, the type of falcon an Englishman was allowed to own marked his rank. A king, the gyr falcon; an earl, the peregrine; a yeoman, the goshawk; a priest, the sparrowhawk; and a servant the kestrel. Notable falconers and enthusiasts include Frederick the Second (who wrote what some consider the first book of ornithology), William Shakespeare, Marco Polo, and Genghis Khan.

Scientific name: Falco Peregrinus meaning Falcon Wanderer. Some of the subspecies include: F.P.pealei found year around on the coasts of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. F.P. anatum found nesting in Southern Alaska, Canada, United States and Mexico.

It was reported that nearly the entire population of Peregrines was wiped out in the 1960’s because of the use of DDT a pesticide and DDE a metabolite of DDT. Peregrines suffered from the accumulations of DDE by eating contaminated prey. This prevented the normal calcium deposition during formation, causing eggshell to be thin making the eggs susceptible to breakage during incubation. DDT was banned in the early 70’s and the American peregrine was declared an endangered species. The experts at handling, training and flying birds of prey known as Falconers help scientists re-established the species in the United States.
Editor's Note: This has proven to be junk science, changes in climate was also blamed for their alleged endangerment. The alleged destruction of wildlife concerning DDT was based upon one person's book (Rachel Carson), not a laboratory controlled/field study performed by scientists. Incorrect dosage/overuse by farmers has been the primary cause of problems with DDT]

Their wings can span more than three feet and weigh about 32-34 ounces for the females and 18-20 ounces for males adult - peregrines are about the size of a large crow. For their first year their feathers are a chocolate brown with lighter steaks on the belly. Adults have slate blue backs with black and white speckling on their breast with small black stripes under each eye. Even though both male and female are colored the same it’s possible to distinguish the sexes by size.Peregrines are monogamous with exceptions, like if one mate dies. They also breed in the same territory or area for their entire life. Beginning breeding at about two years after about a one month courtship the female will lay three to four eggs which will hatch in 32 to 35 days. Covered with soft white down and open eyes the baby chicks at birth weigh about 1.5ounces and grow rather quickly because they each so much that they double their weight in six day. After three weeks they are ten times their birth weight. After fledging feathers necessary for flight which occurs in about 42days the chicks still rely on their parents for food until they learn to hunt, this takes about a month and a half.
The first year of life is treacherous for young falcons; about 6 of every 10 peregrines hatched will die in their first year of life. Although they have a high mortality rate, peregrines have been known to live as long as 15 years. Inhabiting the wildest and least accessible terrain with nests on every continent except Antarctica they are among the most widely distributed birds. Being a migratory species their winter vacation ranges from Arkansas to Argentina. If there is enough open water and food supply they will winter at power plants. When searching for a site to build their nests the peregrines seek out cliffs, rock walls, and tall buildings, in the Midwest the tall stack of power plants. They need access to water, open country and open skies. They will defend the sky within a radius of about 500 feet from their nest. Peregrines hunting territories can measure up to 20 square miles. With long sharp-cut wings designed for speed natures fastest on earth the peregrines pursue their prey in the air. With diving speed over 200 miles per hour and level flight they can reach 60 miles per hour. They feed mostly on other birds such as pigeons, starlings, blackbirds, doves and even ducks. But sometimes they will hunt small mammals such as bats, rats and rabbits. A small part of their diet includes insects and reptiles. The will also eat their one chick when starving.Consuming about 2.5 ounces of food each day, which is about the size of two medium birds.

The eastern population of the American peregrine falcon was gone and the populations in the west had declined by as much as 90 percent below historical levels. By 1975, there were only 324 known nesting pairs of American peregrine falcons. There are between 2,000 and 3,000 breeding pairs of American peregrine falcons in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The eastern population of the American peregrine falcon was gone and the populations in the west had declined by as Thanks to the increase in peregrine falcon population, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was able to remove the species from the Federal list of threatened and endangered species effective August 25, 1999.

For more information: http://www.raptorresource.org/facts.
htmhttp://www.nps.gov/hafe/naturescience/peregrine-falcon-facts.
htm http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/pefafs.html

http://www.raptorresource.org/facts.htm

http://134.456.98.1/falconcam/facts.htm
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/peregrine/QandA.html#predators