How To Build A Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
May 31, 2009
How To Build A Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
by: Jo Williams
Before starting this article about building a squirrel proof bird feeder, let me ask you this question, what’s with squirrels? We all know that watching these creatures roaming around the backyard lawn can be truly delightful. But they can also cause destruction to your birdfeeders and scare the birds away. Most squirrels like the foods intended for the birds. During winter, indomitable homeowners and squirrels are in a battle over bird food in numerous backyards. Other animals, like raccoons, steal bird food, but more often squirrels raid bird feeders. Ignoring the extremes of winter season, nothing beats the squirrel in persistently achieving its goal, they have enough agility and dexterity to be able to climb onto any surface that birds could reach, and most often squirrels succeed in adapting in the urban-suburban habitat that we humans created.
Actually there are two ways of keeping squirrels away from birdfeeders. First is preventing squirrels from entering the birdfeeders. There are quite a few ways in preventing these creatures from entering the birdfeeder. First step is to locate your bird feeder a good distance from tree trunks, limbs, and at least twelve feet away from any kind of object that a squirrel can leap from.
Building Your Own Humming Bird Feeder
May 30, 2009
Building Your Own Humming Bird Feeder
by: Jo Williams
We all know that taking a beautiful photo of humming birds is hard to obtain, even when they are inside cages. The only thing that you could do is buy a hummingbird feeder to bring these birds into photographic distance. But these ready-made hummingbird feeders are somewhat expensive. Worry no more, because you can make your very own hummingbird feeder for free. All you need to do is recycle used or old prescription vials for making nectar dispensers. Hummingbirds are known to feed on nectars.
The materials needed to make your own hummingbird feeder are clear prescription vials with a fitted cap, a few feet of thin wire or heavy thread and transparent tape or scotch tape. You may also need a sharp pointed metal object like an ice pick.
To start with this project, heat up the ice pick or whatever sharp pointed metal you are using and make a pair of holes on each side of the prescription vial, near the open end where the cap is placed. You have to make sure that they are close but not too close that the holes are covered with the bottom of the cap when it is placed on. The size of the holes should be small enough to keep the liquid inside the container.
Equine Tetanus - An Unnecessary Disease
May 29, 2009
Equine Tetanus - An Unnecessary Disease
by: Mark Andrews
Do you know anyone with a horse that has had tetanus? Probably not. Despite the fact that the organism responsible for the disease is often present in soil and horse manure, it is not a common disease. That is largely due to the widespread use of vaccination.
But that doesn’t mean you can be complacent. Tetanus is an ever present threat to the health of your horse. In many cases the disease is fatal.
Tetanus is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It produces spores, which are very resistant and can survive treatment with many disinfectants. In its active form, the organism thrives in conditions with little oxygen. So damaged tissue buried underneath the skin is an ideal habitat.
In horses, most cases of tetanus result from the organism getting into wounds. Contrary to what many think, it is not big gaping wounds that present the greatest risk. It is often the small puncture wounds that are the most dangerous. It takes between one and three weeks for signs of disease to develop after the animal has become infected. So the original wound has usually healed by the time the horse becomes unwell. Often the owner has not even noticed that their horse has had a injury.
Article On Ferrets
May 29, 2009
Article On Ferrets
by: Johanna McDaniel
First domesticated by the Egyptians in 3000 BC From the tenth to twelfth centuries the historians believe that Crusaders brought the working ferret to Europe. Romans used ferrets to drive away rats and to find rabbits, which they used food in 300 BC They took ferrets to other parts of Europe. More recently ferrets were used by contractors and utilities to run wire through conduit and pipes, in places to small for people to fit. Ferrets have flexible ribs, as a result they can squeeze through little holes and can flatten their bodies to crawl through the smallest spaces.
Ferrets are like cats and dogs. They are not rodents. They belong to the family called mustelids, which includes skunks, badgers, weasels, otters, and polecats. The ferret’s life span, generally is between eight and eleven years, sometimes up to fifteen.
Male ferrets are called hobs. Female ferrets are called jills. Young ferrets are called kits. Ferrets are curious animals. They love to dig and be around people.
Getting a New Dog? How To Chose One
May 28, 2009
Getting a New Dog? How To Chose One
by: Donnis Barron
Choosing a new dog might seem to be a very simple and one way task, but there are indeed a lot a factors to consider. And when one embarks on it, it could be quite confusing and exhausting. With proper information at hand, choosing a dog can be a lot of fun. The main point to consider is finding the kind of dog that would fit and complement you, the owner.
Among the things that will have to be considered and discussed before getting a new dog are:
1. Who will have the primary responsibility of caring for and training the dog?
2. The expenses to be incurred for food, dog care, and the rest of the dog’s needs like supplies, bed, crate, among otherthings.
3. The veterinarian that you will choose for your new dog.
Different breeds of dogs fit different peoples’s lifestyle. There are dogs that are suited for the elderly, dogs for people with active lifestyles, and dogs for families with children.
A Lizards Expendable Tail
May 27, 2009
A Lizards Expendable Tail
by: Lizard Lounge
Some lizards when confronted with a predator will voluntarily shed their tail. This process is called tail autotomy (self-cut). After the tail is detached from the body it will wiggle around on the ground for a few minutes. This provides a visual distraction and draws attention away from the vulnerable head and abdomen of the lizard. Usually this allows the lizard enough time to make an escape.
Not all lizard species are capable of doing this, the ones that can have fracture points in their vertebrae. The lizard’s blood vessels in the tail area rapidly constrict after autotomy to ensure minimal blood loss. The muscles in this area are also adapted to provide easy shedding of the tail.
After a lizard drops its tail it will start to grow back a new one, however the new one will not look the same as the original. It may have different colors, shape and size. Sometimes multiple tails will grow in the place of the one that was dropped. The new tail is able to perform all the functions of the original with the exception of autotomy. That’s because the new tail does not have any fracture points in the vertebrae. For some legless lizards their tail can make up almost 2/3 of their body length, so loosing it can be a stressful ordeal.
Hip Dysplasia
May 26, 2009
Hip Dysplasia
by: Sally Doyle
An Introduction to Canine Hip Dysplasia
What is Hip Dysplasia?
The hip joint consists of a “ball” on the femoral bone, and a “socket” on the hip bone.
Canine hip dysplasia simply defined is when a dog’s hips do not develop normally and the ball does not fit snugly into the socket.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia?
While there is no conclusive proof of the cause of hip dyplasia, there are 2 general schools of thought about its cause - 1) genetic or 2) environmental
These two differing viewpoints often place the dog breeders at odds with the dog owners, causing each to blame the other for the problem.
Genetic: The puppy is born with the problem
Environmental: The puppy is too heavy resulting in excessive growth and/or over or under exercising a puppy during its growth phase resulting in developmental problems.
The most common theory is that hip dysplasia is indeed genetic. Most breeders have their breeding dogs’ hips rated either by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (Penn-HIP).
Dogs And Pets Provide Health Benefits
May 25, 2009
Dogs And Pets Provide Health Benefits
by: Robert Benson
Do dogs provide health benefits? Believe it or not they do! Did you know that owning a dog and pet ownership in general, can help a person in many ways? Owning a pet can improve your mental wellness, reduce your visits to the doctor, improve your cardiovascular health and allow for faster recovery time from surgery as well as higher survival rates. Recent research suggests that dogs may be able to detect cancer on a person’s breath! Lets’ explore these amazing health benefits of pet ownership:
It has been proven that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. These factors, in turn, reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, just stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a study from the New York State University concluded that these benefits continue even without the pet being present!
Hospital studies have shown that senior citizens and recent post-op patients respond better to treatment and recover faster while in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Did you know that dog owners have a greater chance to survive a serious illness than non-dog owners? In fact, a study revealed that a pet affected a person’s survival rate even more than the presence or company of family members or friends!
How To Eliminate Your Puppy’s Love of Nipping
May 24, 2009
How To Eliminate Your Puppy’s Love of Nipping
by: David Silva
If you’ve ever been nipped by a puppy, you know those teeth can be as sharp as ice picks. While other dogs generally have thick skin and can handle a nip relatively undamaged, we humans are not quite so fortunate. And yes, a puppy bite can definitely break skin.
So how do you put a stop to your puppy’s nipping?
First, it helps to understand that he’s not biting maliciously. Biting and mouthing are natural activities for puppies and young dogs. They instinctively nip when playing with their siblings. This is the way they interact with the world around them. Left with his family, a puppy would soon be taught by his mother and siblings to control his bite. But most puppies are removed from their mothers before they’ve had a chance to learn this lesson.
Is Pet Dental Health Really Important?
May 24, 2009
Is Pet Dental Health Really Important?
by: Lori Matthews
Many veterinarians stress the importance of oral hygiene because tooth and gum problems are common medical conditions seen in pets. If left unchecked, an unhealthy mouth can affect the liver, kidneys, heart and even the brain.
So when you lean in to give your pet a smooch, ask yourself “Does my pet need a breath mint?” Studies show that 98% of pets with bad breath are suffering from severe plaque build up. Bad breath not only means that your pet’s mouth may be a warehouse for unhealthy bacteria, tartar and plaque, but it can also point to unhealthy intestines. In addition, the quality of your pet’s food can contribute to the status of your pet’s breath. Low quality food can cause digestive problems, thus promoting bad breath.
Can I Share My Toothpaste With My Pet? Absolutely not!
Pets aren’t like us: they swallow whatever you use to clean their teeth. Human toothpaste simply isn’t edible. Nor is the heavy minty flavor really desirable to pets. Human toothpaste can give your pet some serious stomach problems.
Did you know?
