Thursday, January 21, 2010

Information Regarding the Gorilla



Great apes, gorillas seem to have evolved from lesser apes nearly twenty million years ago. They are currently divided variously into species and subspecies, though four distinct subspecies seem to be somewhat agreed upon: Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Beringei), Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Diehli), Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) and Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Graueri).

Physical features vary amongst subspecies with Mountain Gorillas being the largest and hairiest of the four. They also are the darkest in color. Lowland Gorillas have longer arms and lighter coloration, being in the range of brown to gray in case of the Western Lowland Gorilla. Males of the species are bigger with weight averaging around four hundred pounds, though larger individuals of over five hundred pounds have been recorded in the wild and more often in captivity. Height is between five and a half to six feet. Females are nearly half that size with an average body weight of two hundred pounds and height generally under five feet. Overall body structure is bulky in case of both genders and upper body is very well developed including wide chest and strong shoulders with long and powerful limbs. Gorillas have opposable thumbs and move on all fours in a form known as knuckle-walking. The have been documented to use tools like chimps in the wild. Head is big with a prominent sagittal crest and strong jaws, including well developed canines. Eyes are small and brown and nose is uniquely patterned like human finger prints.

Despite their display in certain films and media as aggressive, dangerous beasts, gorillas are totally harmless and calm animals. They live in small groups headed by an adult male 'silverback' gorilla, named after a saddle shaped pattern of silver hair on the back. Younger 'blackback' males at times support the leader who makes all the choices regarding foraging and eating. They live in tropical and subtropical forests in equatorial Africa, usually occupying limited ranges of a few square kilometers per tribe. They spend their day eating leaves, twigs, fruits, branches, shoots, bamboos and even insects. Silverback leads them to their daily place of feeding and also takes care to supervise and protects its tribe. In case an intruder threatens to invade the group's space, silverbacks show aggression through roaring, beating of chest, breaking and throwing of bamboos and objects and charging. Though gorillas can climb trees, they spend most of their time on the ground. Every evening they prepare nests in which to spend their night. These nests are distinct and enable researchers to accurately predict the numbers of gorillas in a locality by simply counting of the nests.

Gorillas are seen in countries of Central and West Africa. Mountain Gorillas are seen at high altitudes in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Lowland Gorillas reside in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately unstable political climate and the war like atmosphere of these parts has not been conductive towards the great apes in the past and as a result, gorillas exist in small pockets today on the map of Africa.

Maturity is reached in gorillas at nearly ten years of age. Females give birth after every three to four years, following a gestation period of near eight and a half months. Mothers look after the young for up to three to four years. As adulthood is reached, the young often move off to establish their own families. Silverbacks are older than twelve years.




































































































Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Pet Goldfish



it's hard to escape the charm of a goldfish. This member of the carp family is one of the oldest fishes to have been domesticated. The goldfish that we commonly have today in our aquariums trace their origins to the brown/olive/dark-gray variety of goldfish in East Asia. Despite its name, selective breeding has created a variety of goldfish of different colors and which can be kept in ponds as well as in aquariums. However, the ones that are of the more fancy type aren't usually able to stand wide temperature fluctuations that they may be subjected to if they are kept outside in a pond. So for those who want own a goldfish as a pet or already have one, need to choose the right variety depending upon where they are going to keep it. Whether it is kept as an aquarium fish or in the pond, pet goldfish care is important to ensure that these flamboyant fishes add to the beauty of your home. Pet Goldfish Care Type of Goldfish Though there is a wide variation as far as color of goldfish is concerned, broadly, there are two types of goldfishes. One type is the egg-shaped body goldfish and the other is the flat-body goldfish. The latter are hardier than than those with egg-shaped bodies and hence are an ideal choice for beginners. Therefore, avoid choosing any of the egg-body shaped goldfish types that include the oranda, pearlscale, telescope-eyed, black moor, ranchu, bubble-eye and others, to be kept in a pond. (Fantail, ryukin, and black moor however, are exceptions to this rule). The flat-body variety includes the common goldfish, comet, wakin, and shubunkin goldfish. Fish Tank Whatever the size and age of your pet goldfish, ensure that it has enough space to move around freely. The ideal goldfish tank is an all glass, silicone sealed aquarium that should be as big as the owner can afford. However, the fish tank should never be smaller than 24 x 12 x 12 inches in size for housing two large goldfish at the same time. A tank of this size would approximately hold 50 liters of water that besides providing enough space for the fishes to move, is also enough to dilute the ammonia that they excrete. The next aspect of goldfish care is where to place the aquarium. Choose a spot that would not expose the tank to direct sunlight. Also keep the tank in a low noise area of the house. The sunlight factor is important from the point of view that goldfish are cold water fishes and do not adapt well to wide temperature fluctuations. This is specially true of the fancier varieties as already discussed. The ideal temperature of a goldfish tank is anywhere between 65 to 68º F. Despite the fact that being a cold water fish, they do not need a thermostat like tropical fishes do but it is important to ensure that the temperature of the fish tank never drops below 50º F. Cleaning Cleanliness of the environment is important for proper pet goldfish care. Avoid using tap water to fill the aquarium. However, if you have to fall back on tap water, then be sure to treat it with water conditioner to reduce the chances of introducing contaminants to your fishes' environment. Though many people use bottled water, distilled or ionized water is a strict no-no for goldfish aquarium. As far as aquarium care is concerned, never use soaps or detergents to clean the fish tank or accessories used to decorate it. It is best to use a 10% bleach solution and soak the aquarium paraphernalia in it for 15 minutes and then wash them thoroughly. Let them dry completely so that no trace of bleach residue is left on them. Goldfish tend to pollute their water frequently hence, water in their tank should be changed regularly. For this, do a partial water change once every week or at least once in every two weeks. Never change more than 25 to 30% of the fish tank water at a time. When you add fresh water, ensure that it is de-chlorinated, or that the water has sat overnight for enough oxygen to dissolve in it. Another useful goldfish care tip is to use a water filter and ensure proper aeration in the aquarium. Feeding Goldfish are omnivores, i.e they eat both plants and worms and the good news is that they love variety too! Dry pellets available at the local pet store is a good choice. However, before feeding your fish with these, soak them in aquarium water for a couple of minutes so that they expand before the fish eats them. Goldfish also love eating frozen, live or gel based foods. However, while feeding live foods to your fish, you also expose it to the risk of ingesting parasites which are sources of goldfish diseases. Hence, the freeze dried varieties are safer than the live ones. Blood worms, shrimps, meal worms and daphnia are some of the favorite items on the goldfish menu. Besides feeding them the right type of food, it is also important to give goldfishes the right amount of food. Goldfish owners always run the risk of overfeeding their pets which may spell serious trouble for the fish. Feeding the fish once a week is sufficient. Also do not add more food to the tank than what the fish eats within the first 5 minutes. Anything more than that may lead to overfeeding the fish as well as polluting the aquarium.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Hamsters as Pets for Children


Children are fascinated by pets and many parents are confused about choosing the right pet for their kids. Most of the kids, who are under the age of ten, may go for small, hairy, cuddly animals, like, teddy bear hamsters as pets. This is the reason why most kids pester their parents for a hamster as pet. Hamsters are very popular as pets and are considered as the best small pets for children. But, are pet hamsters good for small children? While most parents have speculations about why hamsters make the best pet for kids, there are others, who readily succumb to the pestering of their kids. Hence, it is better to have a fair idea regarding hamsters as pets for children.

More About Hamsters
We all know that hamsters are tiny, hairy creatures that resemble rat and mice. They are mammals that belong to the class of rodents. The word hamster is derived from a German word, meaning 'to hoard'. They have the habit of hoarding food with the help of their cheek pouches. In their natural habitat, they run around in search of food and once they find it, they store it in their cheek pouches. This food will be stored in their burrows for later use. These nocturnal animals come in different colors and attractive markings. The most popular pet hamster is the six-inch Syrian hamster, which is otherwise known as the golden hamster. There are many other species, like, Roborovsky’s Djungarian, Chinese hamster, White Russian (Siberian) dwarf hamster, Campbell's Russian dwarf hamsters, etc. While the Syrian hamsters are bigger in size as compared to others, they have a good lifespan too. The lifespan of Syrian hamsters ranges between two to three years, whereas others live up to 12 or 18 months. Now, you have a basic idea about hamsters, so, we shall take a look at the various aspects of hamsters as pets. Read more on the facts about dwarf hamsters.

Advantages of Hamsters as Pets
There are many reasons behind the popularity of hamsters as pets. They are one amongst the inexpensive pets category and are often called as 'pocket pets' for their small size. Hamsters are perfect as pets for those people that find it difficult to afford expensive pets and also for those that have a shortage of space for larger pets. They are sure to win the hearts of your kids with their antics, as hamsters love to roll on the ground, like small, soft balls, and they climb tunnels and make funny movements. They are quite entertaining and require minimal care, which includes, food, water, bedding, some toys, vitamins and minerals. The hamster house has to be cleaned regularly and fresh water and food should be provided on a regular basis.

Hamsters as Pets for Kids
Selecting the right animal as a pet for your kids is a difficult task. Children may have their own priorities, but before giving in to their pestering, you must have some idea about these pets. If you kid wants a hamster, you must get some information about these animals, their habits, requirements, compatibility with kids, and you must also know about how to care for your pet hamsters. You are already aware of the advantages of hamsters as pets. But, this animal has many disadvantages too. In general, hamsters have short lifespans, they are nocturnal, can bite, can escape easily, take time to socialize, chew on everything, breed rapidly and the males have urine that has a strong smell. Now, coming to hamsters as pets for children, we shall make two categories – kids under the age of five and those who are above that age. For the second category, hamsters can be good pets, as they are entertaining, of small size, require less care, etc. But as these animals are nocturnal, they will be active during the night time, when your children sleep. You will also have to wary of its bite, especially when they are awakened during the day or when handled improperly. These animals are so fragile, that the kids have to be gentle while handling these tiny, furry creatures. You can also opt for hamsters as classroom pets. Read more on the hamsters life span.

For a child, who is under the age of five, hamsters are not a good choice. There is no point in adopting a nocturnal animal as a pet for small children. Apart from that, the biting tendency of hamsters may hurt your child and small kids may not be able to handle these small creatures gently and properly. Above all, like some other "nontraditional" pets, like turtles, hedgehogs, lizards and baby chicks, hamsters too carry harmful and deadly germs that can cause infections in small children. Even though, others are also exposed to this risk, kids under the age of five are more prone to infections, because of their still-developing immune systems and their habit of putting their hands in their mouths. According to health experts, hamsters can also carry harmful germs that can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps in small children. You have to be extra cautious of your kids when they handle hamsters and the hamsters should be cleaned regularly and properly, along with their shelter. Precautions like regular hand washing are also advisable. Read more about hamsters.

Now, you are aware of the pros and cons of hamsters as pets for children. Pets are good for children, but make sure that you keep infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers away from pets, especially the non-traditional ones, in order to avoid the risk of infections. Or else, you can consult the veterinarian about the specific risks associated with your pet and adopt measures to minimize or eliminate the risks. You can also wait for your child to get older and then bring your favorite pet into your home.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Take Care of Your Horse’s Smile

Here are some facts about the cutting edge of equine dentistry. You may think horse dentistry is a new fad, but there is nothing new under the sun. When our livelihoods depended on equines, horse dentistry was a lively profession for practitioners in every county. Well-known in Europe in the fourteenth century, the observation of horse's teeth goes back at least two thousand years. For the past couple of centuries, Europeans have had a particularly strong interest in horse's teeth. The tools which were being made by the end of the nineteenth century would still not be out of place in a modern horse dentist's set of tools – although diamond technology has brought advances in cutting, burring and grinding tools, which uncannily grind tooth enamel while leaving softer tissues such as the inside of cheeks unscathed on contact. There are currently about 25 horse dentistry tool manufacturers in the U.S.

So, what does an equine dentist do, and which horses could benefit from their practices? An equine dentist basically equilibrates a horse's teeth in a number of ways. Horses in the natural state do not usually require dentistry, the same as they do not require a furrier. Free-roaming horses eat a lot of hard plants with a high woody content, as well as grasses with silicates. These are abrasive substances, which wear down the incisors as the horse tears at the grass stalks. Hay-fed horses do not need to use their incisors in the same way, with the result that these do not get worn down and eventually get so long that the horse cannot close its mouth sufficiently to use the molars to grind its food.

All horses could benefit from the services of an equine dentist, although only a small proportion receives them. Even if your vet checks your horse’s teeth every half year, the chances are very high that there are points on the outside of the upper premolars and molars which are causing either constant discomfort or digging ulcerations in the cheeks. A thorough oral examination requires the use of a full-mouth speculum and a mild sedative or relaxant.

The most discerning owners tend to call in a specialized dentist as standard procedure, because it can improve a horse's performance dramatically and prolong active life for up to a decade. Dental work always improves the horse's digestion, and better food uptake means better performance. Over and above that, a surprising proportion of horses suffer from tooth maladies which affect the way they take the bit. A tendency to resist turning in a particular direction is, for example, a strong indication that the horse has some kind of problem on that side of its mouth. If turning is uncomfortable, the horse is going to act up. It may be simply a question of getting the bit to sit more comfortably to cause an immediate change in the behavior of the horse.

Many horses have persistent problems which cause uneven eating, distortions of facial muscle development and a build-up of pressure, which in turn can lead to constant headaches. When the horse first experiences relief from this, typically during the first session of dental treatment, under mild sedation, the effects can be dramatic. Have you ever seen a horse smile?

Friction can arise between dental practitioners and standard vets, who have very different approaches to dental problems. Typically, a vet is called in to file down teeth when they become long, but tends to do so in a very uniform manner, which does not take into account the natural variations in the horse's own way of grinding, or the angles of the teeth necessary for comfortable eating. Incorrect filing can radically change the angle of impact and effectively prevent the horse from eating.

There is unfortunately no accredited certification program for equine dentistry through veterinary organizations. Ironically, only veterinary practitioners are legally empowered to practice equine dentistry, although many are not capable of the most basic form of it. Vets sometimes act in conjunction with a highly specialized and trained lay-dentist. The equine dentists themselves are a rare breed. Because of the problems they are up against in terms of training programs and chances to practice freely, they tend to be fierce animal lovers with a high commitment to their chosen profession and an almost evangelical passion to spread the word. There is a worldwide network of practitioners, who are in constant consultation for problem-solving and sharing new techniques and findings. A visit from and equine dentist can be as rewarding an experience for the owner as it is for the horse.

For pet portrait paintings let portrait artists like Jerry Carpos do the job. They will turn any ordinary pet photo into oil painting horse portraits.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Top 10 Most Common Backyard Birds


You probably hear birds chirping and singing every day, but did you ever stop to identify what bird you were hearing? Birdwatching, also known as birding, has become an increasingly popular hobby in many parts of the world. Fortunately you don’t have to travel to remote locations to observe birds in their natural habitats. Often, all you need is a window in your home to peer out or a bench in your backyard to observe from. Field guides with pictures and bird descriptions are helpful and so are binoculars, but they are not necessary for the beginning bird watcher. Here is a list of the most common backyard birds across America:

1. American Goldfinch: These small finches are active in spring and early summer and are bright yellow with a black forehead and black wings. They can be quite acrobatic and fly with a flouncy pattern and often call while in flight, drawing attention to themselves. During the winter they turn a drab, streaked color and often come out to the feeder more often. They feed primarily on sunflower and nyjer seeds.

2. Baltimore Oriole: These birds are black on top with orange underbellies and black wings with white stripes. If you wish to attract these birds try placing orange halves or grape jelly in a fruit feeder in early spring.

3. Belted Kingfisher: These blue-gray birds are on the larger side at 12 to 14 inches long with a dramatic crest on their heads resembling a Mohawk. They build their nests in tunnels near the banks of their fishing territory.

4. Blue Jay: These colorful birds are bright blue with white faces and streaked white wings. They are typically around 9 to 12 inches tall and can be a bit of a bully at the bird feeder. If you wish to attract these birds to your yard try a hopper style feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds.

5. Cardinal: One of the most admired birds in the backyard the Cardinal has been named the state bird of seven US States. This 8 inch long bird is bright red with a pointed crest on top of the head. The females are mostly brown; however, both sexes have small black masks on their faces. They enjoy black oil sunflower seeds and tend to feed and mate together. Some Cardinals even mate for life.

6. Carolina Wrens: These small brown birds are often have light brown bellies with dark brown backs and wings. They also have a bright white line above the eyes that looks like a pronounced eyebrow that helps to identify them. These birds often mate in pairs for life like the Cardinal.

7. Mountain Bluebird: These birds struggle to find nesting sites and often benefit from the placement of birdhouses. They are approximately 7 inches long and are bright blue all over. Females are grayish with blue heads and tails. Their song is robin-like with a slightly higher pitch.

8. Red-headed Woodpecker: These aggressive birds are bright white and black with bright red heads and prefer to feed from suet feeders. Their primary diet consists of insects they catch in mid-air; however, they will feed on black oil sunflower seeds.

9. Robin: These red-breasted birds are the largest of the thrush family and are often found in backyards even through the winter, as long as it is mild. Robins feed from fruit left on trays in ledge feeders and prefer to line their nests with mud. Robins also live for about 14 years providing they make it through their first year.

10. Starlings: These birds are quite populous all over the country so their habits can be easily studied. They are around 8 inches long with a short stocky build and a square tipped tail. Their bills are yellow in the summer and black in the winter with an all over dark colored plumage.

Top 10 Most Common Backyard Birds

You probably hear birds chirping and singing every day, but did you ever stop to identify what













































































































































































































































































































































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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Considerations When Looking to Castrate a Horse


Whether quite young or later on in life, a colt may be castrated for one or many reasons. The horse may be hard to manage or perhaps isn’t considered valuable as a stallion and so the decision is made to geld it.

There are generally two options put forward by a vet regarding how to go about gelding the horse. A standing castration carried out where the horse resides is one possibility while sending the male horse into an equine hospital to go under anaesthetic is the other option. Either way, the horse needs to be at an age where both testes have descended through the inguinal ring and are palpable by a vet.

A Standing Castration can be Appealing on a Financial Level

  • the horse doesn’t have to be transported to a vet hospital which can cost or take up valuable time
  • there isn’t the expense of putting the horse under anaesthetic or other hospital associated costs

There will probably however be expenses associated with the vet having to make a call out. If the vet is already frequenting the farm for other reasons – mares getting lined up to be bred, perhaps – then this may not be an issue.

Others prefer the option of sending the horse in to be gelded under anaesthetic. This can be appealing to the owner who isn’t sure about post operative care or hasn’t a decent place on the property for the horse to be castrated.

Management of the Recently Gelded Colt

Post operative care of a horse that has been castrated should be pretty low maintenance. It’s not uncommon for the male horse to be swollen around the sheath area and this should be noted and monitored. Any concerns can be raised with the vet but the swelling should diminish over the short term


Read more at Suite101: Considerations When Looking to Castrate a Horse: When to Geld a Colt and What Process to Undertake http://horse-breeding.suite101.com/article.cfm/considerations_when_looking_to_castrate_a_horse#ixzz0cWaTHzpR

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Popular German Shepherd


German Shepherds are a well-loved and popular dog breed. They are strong, agile and muscular animals. German Shepherds are beautiful dogs with distinct personality characteristics. They usually adapt well to training and are admired for their intelligence.

German Shepherds make good guide dogs for the blind. They are often recruited by law enforcement officials and trained as police dogs. They are helpful companions for the handicapped as well. If you’re looking for a courageous, loyal companion, these dogs make a good choice. They are both protective and devoted companions.

German Shepherds are medium size dogs, neither small nor overly large. They are robust and muscular in structure yet they are graceful in their movements. Their fur can be either short or long in length with a somewhat wavy or wiry texture. German Shepherds can have variations in the color of their coats ranging from the standard tan and black to solid black, or white. There are also German Shepherds with tri colored coats such as the tan, black and white combination.

These dogs have an average weight of seventy-five to ninety-five pounds. Although they are strong, sturdy dogs some German Shepherds may be prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies and eye or ear problems though such health problems are usually due to poor breeding.

German Shepherd dogs were originally used to herd sheep and cattle. Their natural guarding instinct made them very good at their job. Even as household pets and companions these dogs are very protective and tend to guard the family flock. German Shepherds are very energetic and active dogs. They need plenty of room to run. The German Shepherd’s ability to get along with other pets in a household depends on factors such as breeding and training though typically when raised with other pets they will do well.

The average lifespan of the German Shepherd breed is ten to thirteen years. The popular and sociable German Shepherd can be a wonderful addition to any family. They can provide you with years of love, loyalty and protection and you will come to respect your companion for his intelligent, dependable nature. A German Shepherd companion will become a loveable, lifelong friend.

Labrador Retrievers: Perfect Companions?


Most retrievers are renowned for being generally outgoing, happy, highly energetic, and eager to please. Labrador retrievers have long been the most popular breeds in America, loved for their exuberance and for being highly responsive to their owners. Would a Lab make an ideal pet for you? Quite possibly, if you happen to be the rugged outdoor type – and if you can tolerate a somewhat chaotic environment at home.

These dogs have energy and a strong will to match. Their powerful tails can scatter everything on your coffee table with ease. They can be single-minded at times; once they’re set on doing something, you might have a difficult time persuading them not to. The primary question to ask yourself before you bring a Lab into your home is this: can you provide it with a good outlet for all that energy and enthusiasm? If you’re accustomed to a lifestyle that involves a lot of T.V. or quiet reading, you might be better off with a Pug or other dog with similar sedentary tendencies.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy forays out into the woods, up and down mountain trails and into the water, then a Labrador retriever might be the perfect companion for you. Labs relish the outdoors; they love to run, fetch, and swim. Above all, they love to interact with their owners as much as possible. Tell your Lab to retrieve something for you, and then praise it for a job well done, and it’ll want to repeat this activity with you again and again. Gregarious perhaps to a fault, Labs can be content with nearly anything except being cooped up or left alone.

Labs make obedient and responsive pets if they’re trained early in life either by you (if you plan on adopting a puppy), or by a breeder (if you will be adopting a full-grown dog). Obedience training gives them a measure of self-discipline, which is essential lest these powerful dogs wreak havoc with your home life. Well-bred and trained Labs can follow simple orders and exhibit patience and restraint around children. Even so, they are prone to eat with abandon; so their diet (measured feeding as opposed to self-feeding) and level of exercise should be monitored throughout their lives.

Labs that have received adequate obedience training make ideal pets for owners with active lifestyles. Because they’re filled with a lot of passion and zest for life, they tend to remain enthusiastic and faithful companions so long as they’re provided with a steady outlet for their energies. If you enjoy jogging around the park, hiking the backcountry and/or going out to the lake for the afternoon, you’re likely to discover that a well-trained Lab is the ideal friend to take along with you.