ABCs of Animal World

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Brightly Colored Snails: Beautiful Aquarium Pets

Brightly Colored Snails: Beautiful Aquarium Pets

Pick your aquarium pet among these pretty snails.

Snails are members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells in the adult stage. This article focused on colorful land and freshwater snails. Yes, believe it or not there are species of colorful snails. Here they are...

Trivia:

*Giant Apple Snail orPomacea maculata is the largest freshwater snail, with a diameter of up to 15 cm and a mass of over 600 g.

*Syrinx aruaanus is the biggest of all snails. It is an Australian marine species which can grow up to 77.2 cm or 30 inches in length and 18 kg 40lbs in weight.

Spike-topped Apple Snail

Spike-topped Apple Snail also commonly called Mystery Snail is definitely of of the most beautiful snail on Earth. Scientifically named Pomacea bridgesii, is a South American species of freshwater snail with gills. It is endemic to Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Peru. Like other colorful species of snail, it is often keep as an aquarium pet because of its wide range of shell colors, lack of appetite for live plants, and ease of care.

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Unique Breeds of Fancy Rats for Pet

Rats are becoming popular pets any where in the world. Go to a pet shop and you will surely encounter a rat for sale as pet. Fancy Rats are domesticated brown rats which are the most common type of pet rats. The name Fancy Rat derives from the idea of animal fancy or the phrase, "to fancy" which means to like, or appreciate.

1.) Dumbo Rat

Dumbo Rats are unique fancy Rats because of their unusual appearance. These variety of rat have ears located lower than their head. They were named for their resemblance to “Dumbo” the Elephant.

2.) Zucker Rat

Oversized or overweight pets look amazing. One of them is the Zucker Rat which was bred to be a genetic model for research on obesity and hypertension. These fancy rats are capable of weighing up to 1 kilogram which is more than twice the average weight.

3.) Hooded Fancy Rat

This variety of fancy rat is called Hooded Fancy Fat which is name for its appearance.

4.) Himalayan Rat

Like Himalayan Cats and Guinea Pigs, Himalayan Rats are cute-looking animals for pet. These tiny mammals have a unique color and marking variation.

5.) Black Rat

Black Rat or Rattus rattus is a common long-tailed rodent that originated Asia and became widely distributed in Europe in Roman Times. It can grow to a length of up to 46.4 cm and a weight of up to 340 g. Despite its name, the Black Rat exhibits several color forms. It is usually black to light brown in color with a lighter underside. There is also an unusual green tinted variety.

6.) Sprague Dawley Rat

The Sprague Dawley Rat is a popular fancy rat pet. It is an out-bred multipurpose breed of albino rat used extensively in medical research. They are well-like for their calmness and ease of handling. It can attain a weight of up to 520 g and a length of up to 10.5 cm. Sprague Dawley Rat can live up to 31/2 years.

7.) Albino Lab Rat

The Albino Laboratory Rat is a breed of rat with red eyes and white fur. It is an iconic model organism for scientific research in a variety of fields.

8.) Wistar Rat

Another awesome-looking albino breed of fancy rat is the active Wistar Rat. It was developed at the Wistar Institute in 1906 for use in biological and medical research. This breed of rat is presently one of the most popular rat strains used for laboratory research. It is characterized by its wide head, long ears, and having a tail length that is always less than its body length. The Long-Evans and Sprague Dawley Rat strains were developed from Wistar Rats.

9.) American Blue

This fancy rat is a cool-looking fancy rat. The American Blue is one of several standardized coat colors.

10.) Hairless Fancy Rats

Some pet enthusiasts prefer hairless pets due to allergy reasons or for their unique appearance. Even though this rat is hairless, the markings on its skin indicate that it is a hooded rat.

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The Most Amusing and Bizarre Facts and Traits of Mammals II

Some mammals are simply amazing.

1.) Tiger

Tigers are the strongest and largest of all cats in the world.

They eat bears, birds, crocodiles, deer, domestic cattle, elephants, fish, frogs, gaurs, leopards, mice, monkeys, moose, pythons, rabbits, turtles, water buffalo, wild boars and wild dogs.

2.) Beaver

Beavers are great cutters and builders. They cut trees with their teeth and build their own huge dams.

3.) Mouse

Mouse is one of the scariest animals in the world. According to a survey, one out of three American women has a fear for mice.

They are fast breeders and their population grow very fast because there can be 16 mice in a litter, which makes a swarm.

4.) Dog

Dogs are intelligent animals. They can understand a few hundred words and phrases.

They are dangerous too. They bite 4,700,000 Americans annually.

5.) Elephant

Elephants are strong animals. Their trunk can hold up to 600 pounds and carry 20,000 pounds.

Female Elephants get males to fight for them and she gives birth to a 140 kg baby after a 22-month pregnancy – the longest gestation period in the animal kingdom.

6.) Gorilla

Gorillas are strong creatures. They can lift 4,600 pounds which is equivalent to two family cars.

In the movie King Kong, he is depicted as a carnivore but in reality, gorillas are strictly herbivorous.

7.) Naked Mole Rat

Naked Mole rat’s teeth are very tough. Its incisor bite can go through a cement wall little by little.

Like ants and termites, one queen Naked Mole Rat, controls hundreds of Naked Mole Rats.

8.) Orangutan

Mother Orangutans are very caring and passionate mothers. They build beds every night for them and their youngster.

They swings over 61 m high in the trees on a limb while baby Orangutan hangs on their mother for dear life.

Orangutans are smart animals. They have found a way to escape the rain by putting a large leaf on top of their heads.

9.) Platypus

Platypuses have beaks of ducks, flippers of Otters and tails of beavers. They can detect the electrical impulses given off by its prey.

Male Platypuses hind limbs are venomous.

10.) Hippopotamus

Male Hippopotamuses are yucky animals. They fling dung or spread their poops everywhere with their tail.

They are mighty biters. They can open their jaw up to 170° and snap a crocodile in half.

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Fascinating Facts About the Gorgeous Guinea Pig

Here are some important facts and things to remember if you have a Guinea Pig.

1.) Guinea Pigs, if handled correctly early in their life, become amenable to being picked up and carried, and seldom bite or scratch. It will even sleep in your lap.

2.) These cute furry animals are timid explorers and often hesitate to attempt an escape from their cage even when an opportunity presents itself.

3.) These rodents, however, show considerable curiosity when allowed to walk freely, especially in familiar and safe terrain.

4.) Guinea Pigs are fantastic pets. Ones they become familiar with their owner they will whistle on the owner's approach.

5.) These small mammals will also learn to whistle in response to the rustling of plastic bags or the opening of refrigerator doors, where their food is most commonly stored.

Abyssinian Guinea Pig

Two parti-colored Abyssinian guinea pigs

6.) Guinea Pigs don’t like to be alone. They should be kept in pairs or, preferably groups.

7.) A Guinea Pig should be put in isolation only for reason of medical condition.

8.) A Guinea Pig in solitude is more likely to suffer from stress and depression.

9.) For the abovementioned reason, it is illegal in Sweden to sell a lone guinea pig to a buyer who does not have any other guinea pigs.

10.) It is a common misconception that male guinea pigs cannot be kept in groups; male guinea pigs can make excellent companions, especially when introduced from a young age.

Satin Peruvian Guinea Pig

A lilac, orange and white Satin Peruvian guinea pig (show-length coat)

11.) Generally, aggression would only occur if there was limited space or resources or a higher ratio of males to females.

12.) Guinea Pig compatibility relies more heavily on personality than on gender.

13.) Guinea Pigs are not related to pigs at all. They are actually called Cavies. They eat a lot that’s why they were so named.

14.) Guinea Pigs originated in South America where they were domesticated by the Incas.

15.) The most common breeds of Guinea Pig includes the Himalayan, the Abyssinian and the Peruvian.

See also

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Fast Facts About the Charming Chinchilla

… and things to remember if you have a Chinchilla pet

Chinchillas can live up to 20 years.

1.) Chinchillas can be found in a variety of colors but the only color found in nature is standard gray.

2.) The most common other colors are white, black velvet, beige, ebony, violet, sapphire and hybrids of these.

3.) There are only 2 known species of Chinchilla – the Long-tailed Chinchilla and the Short-tailed Chinchilla.

4.) If you plan to have a Chinchilla, you should remember that they require extensive exercise.

5.) Chinchilla teeth need to be worn down as their teeth grow continuously and can prevent the chinchilla from eating if they become overgrown.

6.) Wooden sticks, pumice stone and chew toys are good options for Chinchillas.

7.) Conifer and citrus woods like cedar or orange should be avoided because of the high content of resins, oils and phenols that are toxic for Chinchillas.

8.) Safe woods for Chinchillas to chew include birch, willow, apple tree and manzanita or kiln-dried pine.

9.) If temperatures get above 25°C or 80°F, Chinchillas could get overheated and may suffer from heat stroke because they lack the ability to sweat.

10.) Chinchillas dissipate heat by routing blood to their large ears, so red ears signal overheating.

11.) Chinchillas are great leapers. They can jump up to five feet above their head..

12.) Chinchilla fur is considered the softest in the world and is thirty times softer than human hair.

13.) Chinchillas have more than 50 hairs from a single follicle. Humans have a single hair in a follicle.

14.) For every cm² of the Chinchilla’s skin, there are more than 20,000 hairs making it the highest fur density of any land animal.

15.) It takes about 250 chinchillas to make one fur coat. It is the very reason why Chinchillas were exploited causing their numbers to decline rapidly.

The 2 species of Chinchilla...

Long-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

The Long-tailed Chinchilla is one of two species of rodents called Chinchilla. It is endemic to Chile and can be found in Peru also. It is also known for a variety of common names like Chilean, Coastal, Common Chinchilla, or Lesser Chinchilla.

Short-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla chinchilla)

The Short-tailed Chinchilla is an endangered rodent species. It can be found in the Andes Mountains of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The rodents were exploited for their luxurious fur, causing their numbers to dwindle greatly. It is also called the Bolivian, Peruvian, and Royal Chinchilla.

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The Glamorous Gerbil + Fast Facts

Here's a dozen interesting facts about Gerbils...

1.) Gerbil has been recently introduced to the pet industry.

2.) There are many colorful varieties of Gerbil available in pet shops.

3.) Mongolian Jird is the most widely known species of Gerbil.

4.) Today, there are more 20 different coat colors in the Mongolian Gerbil.

5.) Mongolian Gerbil has been captive-bred the longest.

6.) Gerbils diet includes almost any plant items like sunflower seeds, peanuts, fruits, and vegetables, along with insects.

7.) Gerbils are popular because they are typically non-aggressive and they rarely bite unprovoked or without stress.

8.) They are small and easy to handle, since they are sociable creatures that enjoy the company of humans and other gerbils.

9.) Gerbils also have adapted their kidneys to produce a minimum of waste to conserve body fluids which makes them very clean with little odor.

10.) Gerbils will pound both their hind legs on the ground when they are excited or stressed.

11.) Gerbil babies are born blind, deaf and hairless.

12.) Gerbil can survive without water for a few days.

Notable species of Gerbil...

Fat-tailed Gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi)

Fat-tailed Gerbil or Pachyuromys duprasi is a cute-looking rodent which is also known as Duprasi Gerbil. It is the most docile species. Other common names of this rodent include Fat-tailed Jird, Fat-tailed Rat and Beer Mat Gerbil. It has a fluffy and soft fur and it is a very new on the pet market.

Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The Mongolian Jird or Mongolian Gerbil, which is formally named Meriones unguiculatus, is the most widely known species of Gerbil. It is also the usual or most popular gerbil species to be kept as a pet or experimental animal.

Like the Golden Hamster, it was first brought to the United States in 1954 for use in research. There were 44 pairs caught originally from Mongolia and brought to England. They were described as "squirrel colors with long furry tails." It is also formerly as the Domesticated Gerbil.

Persian Jird (Meriones persicus)

The Persian Jird a rodent species that can be found in many Asian countries like Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and other neighboring countries. This rodent is about 6 inches long and has a brush-tipped tail that is slightly longer than the body. They are wild brown with white bellies. It feeds on dry plant material and grains, with small insects as a supplement. Some people keep Persian Jird as a pet. It has a lifespan of up to 7 years. Prospective buyers should remember that it needs a large cage that allow climbing and leaping.

Sand Rat (Psammomys obesus)

The Sand Rat, also known as the Fat Sand Rat, is a gerbil that is mostly found in North Africa and the Middle East. It can easily acquire diabetes mellitus when it is fed a normal rodent diet of grains. Therefore it has been used as an animal model for studies on diabetes.

See also

The Cutest Hamsters in the World

A Hamster is a rodent and is a popular pet. There are 25 known species of Hamster. It is nocturnal, which means they are active at night. Its diet includes a variety of foods such as dried food, berries, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Hamsters are easy to breed in captivity and are often used as Lab animals. Here are some of the cutest species of Hamster for you to choose from if you are planning to have one.

1.) Teddy Bear Hamster

The Teddy Bear Hamster, which is also known as "Angora" Hamster or Longhaired Hamster” is a hamster with short velvety fur that comes in many different colors. Male Teddy Bear Hamsters usually have much longer fur than the female variety. It is the second-largest hamster breed, measuring up to 18 cm long.

2.) Golden Hamster

The neat-looking and beautiful Golden Hamster is a very popular species of hamster. This popular pet’s binomial name is Mesocricetus auratus and is also commonly known as Syrian Hamster. It can grow up to 18 cm in length and will usually have a lifespan of up to 5 years.

3.) Djungarian Hamster

The cute-looking Djungarian Hamster or Phodopus sungorus is a ball-shaped and typically half the size of the Golden Hamster hence it is called a dwarf hamster.

It is also commonly known as the Siberian Hamster or Russian Winter White Dwarf Hamster.

The Siberian Hamster is more rounded than the Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster. It is shaped more like an egg.

4.) European Hamster

The European Hamster, scientifically known as Cricetus cricetus, is endemic to Western Europe, Russia and many more. It is the largest species of hamster measuring up to 34 cm in length, not including a short tail of up to 6 cm. It is also known as the Black-bellied Hamster or Common Hamster.

5.) Chinese Hamster

The Chinese Hamster or Cricetulus griseus originated in the deserts of Northern Chna and Mongolia. It can grow up to 9 cm in length and can weigh up to 43 grams. It has a lifespan of 3 years on average. It has always been kept as a pet and as a laboratory animal.

6.) Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster

Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster or Phodopus campbelli is a dwarf species of hamster. The Campbell's Dwarf is also native to the steppes and semi-arid areas of Central Asia, the Altay Mountains and the provinces of Heilungkiang and Hebei in Northeastern China.

7.) Roborovski

Roborovskis or informally named Phodopus roborovskii is the smallest of all hamsters averaging 2 cm at birth, and rarely 7.5 cm during adulthood. Roborovskis lack any dorsal stripe which is commonly found on the other members of the Phodopus genus.

Like many hamster species, it has a lifespan of 3 years. It is also called Desert Hamster. A Roborovski Hamster is fast, agile and naturally timid or shy. It is generally recommended as "look but don't touch" pets.

See also

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