Do You Really Know About Terrible Cobra

Cobra is the adjectives name for member of the family of poisonous snakes, Elapidae, particular for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras can be accredited by the hood they flare when disturbed or angry. The hood is created by the extension of movable ribs from the third to the thirteenth vertebrae behind the cobra's come first. The Spectacled cobra, Naja Naja, has a clearly, delineate black and white image on its nouns resembling eyeglasses or spectacles. Incidentally, Naja is derived from the Sanskrit word: Nage meaning snake. A full-grown cobra measures between 1.9 to 2.4 meters. The colouring vary, ranging from olive-grey, depressing or light brown to completely black. The latter one may enjoy lighter markings along the body. The throat is usually yellowish-white. Cobras are equipped with a "Jacobson's Organ" which is an extrasensory organ surrounded by the roof of the snake's mouth that sharpens it sense of smell. It consists of two hollow, highly sensitive saclike structures. The snake's acute odour perception allows it to track prey as okay as potential mates.

This cobra can be found within different habitats: grasslands, areas next to scattered trees, contained by the vegetation along watercourse, rice paddies, near poultry barns and also contained by dry wasteland where on earth they live in cavern or crevices.

The cobra's prey includes rats, mice, birds, lizards, frogs, toads, fish and bird eggs. They also raid poultry barns consuming eggs and chicks. An unusual feed trait is that they have long spines contained by their throat that pierce the egg allowing the contents to be swallowed but preventing the shell from passing through the throat.

They spit the shell out. They are not cannibalistic within the true sense of the word but when two cobras seize equal prey, the larger one will swallow the other along with the prey. Typically, snakes swallow their prey live; however, venomous snakes hang around for the toxin to kill the animal until that time swallowing it. The cobra is crepuscular.

Cobras live in pairs during the mate season, which occurs at different times of the year depending on the specific habitat. Copulation can finishing five hours or even, several days (with interruptions). Usually, twelve to twenty eggs are laid after two or three months, often surrounded by a hollow tree stump or termite hill. The womanly stays in the neighbourhood to defend her clutch of eggs but does not incubate them. The infantile hatch between fifty to sixty days. It takes them between three to six hours to hatch. An egg tooth help them to penetrate the eggshell. They are twenty to thirty cm long and weigh fifteen grams. The adjectives position and outspread hood of a threatening cobra is an innate behavioural pattern; even near their tail still inside the egg, the tiny cobra stands up and spreads the neck skin! Their first moult happen two to eleven days after hatching, up to that time the snake starts feeding. Even the bright hatchlings have potent toxin; a five week's old cobra can take out a mouse in a few minutes!

The fang of a cobra are in front of the mouth. These fang are firm but relatively short having a closed groove but near a deep indentation. As a rule, cobras produce neurotoxin, a audacity venom to be precise incredibly potent affecting the nervous system cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles. One gram is sufficient to kill any 140 dogs or 165,000 mice or 65 humans! However, their venom is human being used as an ingredient in painkillers such as "Cobroxin" and "Nyloxin" and even to combat positive cancers. Cobras can attack most effectively from above, since they can single strike in a forward, downward direction. The banded or zebra mongoose, their inherent enemy, jump around the cobra and also attacks from above, biting its head. Other enemy are the serpent eagle, large fishing owls, rats and even frantic pigs. The most important rival is man.

At present, there is no protective legislation within place. Cobra skins are one of the most highly prized exotic leathers, cobra meat is a prettiness in Hong Kong and folk medication in Asia make questionable use of the gall bladder and other organs for treating multiple ailments.

The Basic Knowledge About Frogs

Frogs are amphibians characterized by a short body, webbed digits (fingers or toes), protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Adult frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.

A popular distinction is often made between frogs and toads on the basis of their appearance, but this has no taxonomic basis. From a taxonomic perspective, all members of the order Anura are frogs, but only members of the family Bufonidae are considered "true toads".

Frogs are generally recognized as exceptional jumpers, and the best jumper of all vertebrates. The Australian rocket frog, Litoria nasuta, can leap over 50 times its body length.

A tree frog is any frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Tree frogs are usually tiny, as their weight has to be carried by the branches and twigs of their habitat. Typical for tree frogs are the well-developed discs at the finger and toe tips; the fingers and toes themselves as well as the limbs tend to be rather long, resulting in a superior grasping ability.

Many frogs are able to absorb water and oxygen directly through the skin,especially around the pelvic area. Some frogs have the ability to change color, usually restricted to shades of one or two colors. Tree frogs usually have smooth skin, enabling them to disguise themselves as leaves. Some frogs change color between night and day.

Many frogs contain mild toxins that make them unpalatable to potential predators. For example, all toads have large poison glands,the parotoid glands ,located behind the eyes, on the top of the head. Some frogs, such as some poison dart frogs, are especially toxic.

Poisonous frogs tend to advertise their toxicity with bright colors, an adaptive strategy known as aposematism. Some non-poisonous species of frogs mimic the coloration of poison frogs' coloration for self-protection.

Some frogs use their sticky tongues to catch fast-moving prey, while others capture their prey and force it into their mouths with their hands. Some frogs even protect their offspring inside their own bodies with pouches along their side. Some swallow their tadpoles, which then develop in the stomach. Some will put the tadpoles in their vocal sac for development. Some species of frog will leave a 'babysitter' to watch over the frogspawn until it hatches.

Here Are Some Facts About Sea Otter

Sea otter is the true marine animal that can spend its whole life in the ocean water without going on earth surface just for single time. It is famous for its fur that was once the cause behind rapid killing of this beautiful animal. Today, it is categorized in marine conservation. Here are some facts about sea otter.

1. Scientific Description

Sea otters belong to class mammalian. The family of sea otters is Mustelidae and genus Enhydra. The binomial name for sea otters is Enhydra lutris.

2. Species

There are three subspecies of sea otters that are named as E. l. lutris, E. l. nereis and E. l. kenyoni. The first specie is categorized as Asian sea otter. However, the second and third are also featured as southern and northern sea otters respectively.

3. Smallest Marine Mammal

Sea otter is ranked number one among all other marine mammals. However, when compare it with other family members of Mustelidae family, we found it heaviest one among all others.

4. Diet

Sea otters are carnivorous animals and their common diet is snails, mussels, sea urchins and even giant octopus.

5. Endangered Animal

Being having thickest fur among all other fur animals, sea otters remain mouth-watering animals for the hunters and traders since past three centuries. This thing became so much dangerous for sea otters that today, there are not more than 2000 sea otters all over the world. so sea otters are now a part of endangered animal list.

Know About The Common Knowledge About African Manatee

The African Manatee can be up to 14 feet long. They tend to be on the smaller side of the scale though when it comes to weight, around 750 to 790 pounds. When you consider other species of the manatee that weigh as much as 1,200 pounds then that is a significant difference.

African Manatee Description

The body of this species of manatee is very large and round. It starts to narrow towards the back as it becomes the paddle shaped tail. They are grain in color and have more hair than the other species. They may appear to be brown or green in color at times though due to the amount of algae that is found in their natural habitat. They also have some markings of brown or gray on the abdomen.

The only teeth that this species has are molars. They use them to grind up the food that they consume so that they can swallow it. They have a split lip that allows them to pick up food and they also use the nails on their flippers to assist with this process. They have wide eyes and a short, round snout.

African Manatee Distribution

The African Manatee is mainly found around the Western part of Africa. This range extends between Angola and Senegal. They are also found living around the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia. They are migrational and they will move based on the availability of food and the temperature of the water. If it is too cold their body can't handle the stress so they have to move to a warmer location.

There are all types of water that they live in too including murky brown water and clear rivers. They also live in salt water regions, but this is not very common. They tend to stick to the shallow areas regardless of the type of water they stay in. This diversity may be part of the key to their survival through evolution for millions of years. They are more diverse in terms of the types of water they can survive in than the other species of manatees. However, they do need frequent access to freshwater for drinking.

African Manatee Behavior

There is plenty still unknown about the behaviors of the African Manatee. However, most experts agree that they are very similar to the other species of manatee in this regard. They move very slowly in the water, at a rate of about 3 to 5 miles per hour. They are very social and will spend a great deal of time bonding. This occurs through touch, through verbal communication, and through smells.

They haven't been widely explored though so a great deal of what information we have about them stems from captivity settings as well as from correlation with other species. They live in small groups that often don't have more than 6 members. The bonds that they create with each other are very deep. They may move into larger groups as they migrate and go look for food or warmer water. The complexities of such larger groups are a mystery in many ways to researchers, but they seem to work quite well for the African Manatee.
 
African Manatee Feeding

Even though all manatees are classified as herbivores, this species has a more diverse diet. The majority of it does come from various forms of vegetation. However, they are also known to consume clams, small fish from nets, and mollusks. They also find large amounts of their vegetation from trees and plants that hang over the water instead of being submerged in the water. They use their flippers to help them pull it down as the ends of them have nails. As a result, their diet is more diversified than other species of manatee. They spend many hours per day searching for food and eating it.

African Manatee Reproduction

Mating can start around the age of 3 for the females and closer to 10 for the males. The females will generally have one calf every 3 to 5 years. The females will go into estrus and that attracts the males. She will mate with several males during that period of time. It will take about 1 year for the single calf to be born, twins occur very rarely. It will instinctively know how to swim to the surface to get air. They are typically born tail first.

The bond that develops between the mother and her calf is very strong and something that experts are in awe of. The young are weaned from 12 to 18 months of age but they will remain with their mother until they are about 2 years of age. This results in a slow rate of reproduction and that can be a significant factor when you are talking about efforts to increase their overall population.

Choose The Best Cat Breed To Raise At Home

Choosing a new pet is not an easy task. Whoever told you otherwise is lying. In fact, the hardest part about getting a new pet is choosing it. And this is true, whether you are getting a dog or a cat.

Cats are a delightful pet to keep. But like people, not all cats are the same. There are several different cat breeds in the world and not all of them may suit you. That is why it is important that you exercise great care and discrimination when choosing cat breeds that are right for you.

But how? You might find yourself asking. Especially with so many cat breeds around. They all look so adorable; if you were allowed and if you could afford it, you'd take them all!

Okay, enough pipe dreams for now. Instead, let's focus on the dilemma staring you in the face: how on earth are you supposed to know which cat breeds are right for you? What are the factors to consider?

Well, aren't you glad you found this article? Because this is where you're going to get practical advice on choosing breeds of cats as well as some tips to help you tailor your new pet to your personal preference and lifestyle.

Cat breeders with years of experience in cat genetics have tried to develop healthy breeding stocks in order to stop the transmission of any more defective genes. Unfortunately, not all cat breeders are very concerned about their cats' genetic background. That's why there are still many cat breeds out there that carry the defective gene inherent in their breeds.

So what does this mean for cat lovers like you? Well, just be careful when choosing cat breeds and from which breeder you've decided to get it from. We always recommend getting your new cat from a breeder instead of your regular, run-of-the-mill pet store. With a breeder, it is easier for you to find out more about the cat's background, its pedigree, and history.

After checking out your cat's pedigree, the next important consideration is its personality. Often, a cat's temperament is reflected by its particular breed. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, you have to observe the cat yourself in order to determine its type of personality.

Bring along some cat toys with you when you go to a cat breeder's kennel to check out the new litter. How the cat reacts to the toy will help you see how playful a pet it's going to be. It will also help you find out how the cat reacts to strangers, whether it is naturally friendly or wary to the point of shy.

You can also try playing with the cat yourself. If it is a kitten, you can ask the cat breeder to take it away from its mother and the rest of its litter mates. This way, you can play with the kitten while evaluating its interest level.

Last on the list of basic concerns in choosing cat breeds is the level of maintenance you'll be dealing with. Long-haired cats obviously are more high-maintenance than its short-haired counterparts. You'll need to at least bath them once a week and brush their long manes frequently. If you have a lot of time in your hands, then you’ll have no problem. However, if you are busy with work, then you’ll be better off with a short-haired, low-maintenance cat.

How You Can Make Your Parrot Talk

If you have a parrot you may wonder how you can get it to talk. Do parrots talk on their own or do they have to be taught. Is your parrot smart enough to talk? So if you wonder how to train a parrot to talk, here is what you need to do?

Some people may be under the impression that the only parrots that know how to talk are Cockatoos, Macaws, and African Grey Parrots. But some may be surprised to know that that isn't true at all. Any parrot can talk with a little instruction and help from their owners. Just listening to an owner everyday repeating certain words will help parrots to imitate the sounds that it hears. Showing zeal when it comes to saying a particular word assists the parrot in repeating words.

Basically it is good to give the parrot a routine. And you want to speak using hand motions. Always say hello to the parrot in the morning and say good night to the parrot when it is night time. This gives the parrot a daily routine that it will start to follow in no time at all. And say goodbye to the parrot when it is time for you to leave.

You cannot rush a parrot to speak. They will speak when they are ready. As a parrot owner you should be very patient. Parrot owners will know that their parrot is ready to talk when the parrot gives the owner eye contact. If the parrot looks closely at the owner while the owners speak to the parrot, then the parrot is paying attention and learning. This is another trick on how to train a parrot to talk.

Once you are successful in training a parrot to talk, people will be amazed. A parrot owner can teach a parrot to say all kinds of funny things. Keep in mind that parrots learn quicker when owners use heightened emotions while talking. For example when owners are angry or happy this is when parrots learn to speak.

If you want to know another how to train a parrot to talk trick, then here it is. The location of the parrot cage is important. The parrot's cage should be placed in a part of the house where you hang out most often. As long as your parrot is surrounded with lots of talking, he should be able to talk real soon.

Making sure that your parrot hears your voice is very important. Having a lot of people or even a television or radio can be very distracting to your parrot. The parrot needs to zero in on your voice and your voice alone.

How To Care For Your Pet Cat

Cats might be known for having 9 lives and being able to deal with falls, fights and things that no other animal could possibly handle, however they do still need to be cared for like any other treasured pet – so much like caring for a pampered pooch, you will need to make sure that you have one fussed up feline that is eating, sleeping and looking healthy whether it is frantically chasing a ball of cotton around the house or is curled up in a ball beside the fire for the true definition of a 'cat nap'.

But how do you go about caring for your pet cat? With each cat being different, you could have more of a fussy feline than a fussed-up one, but there are always some good rules and practices to stand by throughout the lengthy 9 lives of your cat. What are they you ask? Read on and get your claws into each tip!

You might be reading this before even owning a cat, and if you are about to embark on becoming a first-time cat owner it is worth knowing that even though cats might not be in such definable breeds as dogs are, they definitely aren't simple 'shop-bought' items which all act the same, licking their paws, chasing a cotton ball and meowing over and over like in the adverts.

There are many different things to consider and before making your final choice, it is worth ensuring that all of their specific characteristics match up with what you want and your own personal lifestyle. For example, long-haired cats might look graceful, unique, cuddly, soft and all the other superlatives you could conjure up when scrolling through photos of them, however it is up to you to put in the time and the grooming to ensure they stay this way and that this fur doesn't become matted.

Other such considerations include choosing whether you want to take on the high-maintenance of a kitten or possibly go for an adult rescue cat, which may have its own characteristics and traits – then of course it's sex, breed, whether you would like an orange tabby cat to become your very own Garfield, a solid color black cat to be your Salem or instead something completely unique? There is so much to consider, so get researching before making the choice and moving into the years of love and care.

The first point of care should always be food and drink – just like it is with humans. You could be showered, your hair curled and sprayed, make-up on and wearing the most beautiful dress you've ever seen, however without food and water you will be nothing. It all starts with food and paying attention to your cat in this area is the best possible way to achieving a healthy, cared for cat. But what should you feed it?

The cat food industry is huge, seeing supermarket shelves lined with different brands and different choices which range between dry cat food, wet cat food and various treats or snacks, and while you might be blinded by the lights of the cute adverts with claims of an 'ultimate cat health solution' you need to be weary because at the end of the day, these are just promotional tools to make a profit. No matter what the adverts say, your cat will need meat to stay healthy and to avoid problems such as heart issues and even blindness – meaning that a diet of completely dry cat food is a definite no-no.

Always remember to regularly keep your cat eating meat and to provide it with an even mix between dry and wet food – and then just like with our eating habits, only save the treats for the special occasions!

Healthy eating will have a knock on effect as to how well your cat actually looks, however you will still need to groom it to ensure that people aren't mistaking it for a lion, like some people recently did with a rather large and fluffy Maine Coon in Essex. This level of grooming will of course depend on the type of cat you have chosen, with long haired cats requiring a regular brush, while short haired cats will still need a good going over.

Spend out a little and invest in a specialised metal brush, cat nail clippers and a flea comb, then from an early age make the process of grooming something that isn’t a chore but instead enjoyable and relaxing for the cat. Practice caution, brush gently along with constant fuss and know when enough is enough – then you will have one gorgeously groomed cat.

Educate Your Dog As Successfully As You Can

Training your dog may seem like an uphill combat, yet it is really simple once you know particularly what you really are undertaking. By using these recommendations it is possible to discover what your pet requirements for him to learn how to be described as a fantastic part of your loved ones.

The very best blunder any dog operator will make during instruction is giving up. Stopping too quickly and too quickly implies that you've abandoned on the dog's skills. Your dog requirements time, patience, and uniformity to grow. Continue concentrating on behaviors in small dosages. Your pooch is eager to you should, so allow him to job alongside you. Searching for ways towards effective training?

Take into account your dog's personality as you commence your training curriculum. Make sure to commence slowly and gradually in case your pet has intense tendencies. If you try to put in power over your dog that prefers to be superior, the family pet may possibly react vigorously in the direction of you and derail your instruction strategies.

The body terminology is really a resource that can help you as you commence instruction your pet. More than words, the way you take action conveys your pet a good deal about what you want. Cease conversing as much and initiate exhibiting your animal what behaviors are crucial to you personally.

By no means compensate bad behavior. A lot of pet owners have problems instruction their pet. Each time a lengthy training session has ended and there has been no improvement, they could end up tempted to compensate their dog anyways. Even when you really like your pet dearly, never compensate their awful or unfavorable behavior.

Enabling your brand-new dog gradual entry to all areas of your residence will considerably assist you in instruction and may free harm to settees, boots and flooring surfaces. For your dog understands to refrain from doing things like leap, mark, and chew, open up far more entrance doors to him. A lot of make your blunder of allowing total reign of all the bedrooms, which actually just supplies the dog far more possibility to perform the improper point.

In case you are obtaining a new dog, and you wish to coach it, look for a youthful dog. The previous proverb "You can't instruct an old dog new tricks" is somewhat proper here. Youthful canines are more responsive to prominence from your pack head and may learn quickly in order to you should. Yet another additionally to this is the fact that fresh canines love learning interesting things, much like youngsters do.

In case you have an old dog, this individual become grouchy and tense. Simply because more mature canines often drop their vision, ability to hear, or sense of scent. This will cause them to sense unsure and vulnerable. Be sure to maintain points steady to your old dog. Put in place a comfy place in which he is able to usually rely on locating his comfortable bed, favored toy along with a recipe of food and water.

In case you are obtaining a new dog, and you wish to coach it, look for a youthful dog. The previous proverb "You can't instruct an old dog new tricks" is somewhat proper here. Youthful canines are more responsive to prominence from your pack head and may learn quickly in order to you should. Yet another additionally to this is the fact that fresh canines love learning interesting things, much like youngsters do. Need to learn a lot more about how to train a springer spaniel?

Know More Information About Shih Tzu Dog

The Shih Tzu is a small and vigorous dog. It has a Wide and rounded head. Its nose is small, squared and black. Its hanging ears are quite long they are all covered with hair. It has big, rounded and dark eyes. Its chest is wide and deep. The Shih-Tzu ´s legs are strong and short. The tail is tall, very populated with tall hair. The peculiarity of this dog is that some hair falls from its head to its chin and sideburns. Over the nose the hair grows upside falling together over the chin. The coat is straight its colors are brown, sand and with different tones of white.
Size and Weight

The ideal height for both genders is from 9 to 10.5 inches at the shoulder but no less than 8 inches and no taller than 11. They range in weight from 9 to 16 pounds. Shih Tzus should be slightly longer than they are tall.
Coat and Color
The Shih Tzu's double coat is made up of a thick, wooly undercoat and a long, abundant, silky topcoat. They begin to trade their puppy fluff for their adult coat between 10 and 12 months of age. They may be any color of the canine rainbow, but a white tip on the tail and blaze on the forehead are highly desirable traits.
Grooming Needs
Grooming a Shih Tzu is a time-consuming endeavor. Daily brushing and combing is a must to remove tangles, and bathing is usually necessary once per week. Brushing must reach all the way down to the skin in order to properly prevent tangles and mats. Owners who do not show their Shih Tzu often opt to clip the hair short to avoid the constant upkeep. Clipped dogs require trims every six to eight weeks.
Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease. Small dogs are prone to dental problems later in life, so brushing more often is a good idea. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally.

Tips on Raising Cocker Spaniel Puppies

1. As with any breed of dog, during the first few days and months, it’s best to invest as much time aside as possible in bonding with your dog. The Cocker spaniel has a deserved reputation as a loving, loyal dog so these first couple of months will be precious in developing your relationship. Cocker spaniel puppies are also extremely excitable, so it’s important to allow them plenty of opportunities to burn off steam.

2. A healthy, balanced diet needs to be encouraged from an early age, as a poor exercise regime and inappropriate feeding can lead to obesity. Therefore, if you’re contemplating whether to buy a Cocker spaniel for sale, you should be aware of the amount of commitment needed to ensure these dogs get plenty of fresh air and exercise. These lively dogs can prove a challenge to tire out, so walks may take up more of your time than you might initially think.
3. These energetic puppies can cause havoc if not closely monitored, so you may need to consider crate training these dogs. In the early stages of ownership, it’s best to install puppy gates around the house so you can keep a close eye on a Cocker spaniel puppy’s movements, especially when you’re trying to introduce a dedicated training programme.
4. In relation to other breeds, the Cocker spaniel has a relatively high level of intelligence so training techniques should prove fairly easy to implement. However, one of the major challenges any Cocker spaniel puppy owner will have to face is the problem of chewing. Use a chew toy to wean a puppy off the temptation to chew anything and everything.
5. While Cocker spaniel puppies are generally calm in temperament, their behaviour can become a little unpredictable if the puppies are excited, so it’s important to remind young children of the dangers of winding these puppies up. Remember, although Cocker spaniel puppies are amongst the best dogs as family pets, any puppy can react negatively to anything it perceives as a threat.

African Elephants Are One Of The Largest Animals

The elephant and mainly the African elephant, African bush elephant, or the African forest elephant is one of the most feared, loved, adorable dangerous animals and the most spectacular animal while on an African safari or just at the zoo any where in the wild or in captivity. Nowhere in the world are there many elephants other than the beautiful African Savannah lands of southern and eastern Africa.

These great animals of the plains and jungle of Africa you find that the elephants of the genus Loxodonta, known collectively as African elephants, are mainly found in 37 countries in Africa notably Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa which together account for the highest number of elephants.

These African elephants are found in their natural habitat where elephants are protected in the national parks, game reserves and private ranches where elephants are raised as well. Many people wonder as to why the African elephants are different from the Asian elephants.

With a great deal of comparison and different elephant physical features, the majestic members of the Big five African elephants are distinguished from Asian elephants in several ways.

As the biggest animal on land, the African elephant is larger than the Asian elephant and has a concave back. While poaching of elephants is very rampant in both Asia and Africa, these beautiful elephants are poached because e of their lovely trunks. The Asian elephants have trunks but only for the male elephants while in Africa both male and female elephants have trunks and are less hairy than the Asian elephants.

With many animal safari tourist or travelers going on safaris to Africa to see the African elephant which is one of the Big Five and the most respectable animal in the African Savannah, these giant elephants of the Africa jungle have seen their good days and bad days as well. African safari travelers have captured very good elephant pictures while in their best behavior and breath taking moments which only take a nano second to get an elephant image of a life time.

What You Must Know If You Plan To Keep A Snake As Pet

You may think that snake is so dangerous that you can not be close to it, but there are also some people choose snakes as their pets. However, snakes are obviously not the right pets for everyone. They have unique requirements and should only be kept by those with the commitment to understand and meet their needs.

If you also want to try to keep a wild snake there are many things you must consider. A snake you know you can keep, are willing to care for, and would like to keep temporarily as a pet, then the consideration start. Do note that I said temporarily: please only keep a wild-caught snake for a short time while you learn about it. As soon as the fascination with it starts to wane please release it back into its NATURAL habitat.

If you are new to pet snakes, find out what you should consider before deciding on a pet snake, and what species are the best snakes for beginners.

When choosing a snake, you are making a long term commitment - many can be expected to live longer than 20 years. You must be willing to feed prey animals to your snake (though frozen, pre-killed prey is the best choice), and you will probably have to devote some freezer space to frozen prey items.

Snakes are very adept escape artists, so make sure you have an escape-proof tank, keeping in mind that snakes are persistent about finding and squeezing through any small gaps.

Get a captive bred snake from a reputable breeder, if at all possible. Wild caught snakes tend to be more stressed and prone to parasites and disease, and more difficult to tame. For more about the advantages of captive bred reptiles, see Should I Get a Wild Caught or Captive Bred Reptile?

You will also want to do a cursory exam of your snake to check for any signs of illness: see Choosing a Healthy Reptilefor areas and signs to look at. It also doesn't hurt to ask for a feeding demonstration, to make sure your new snake is readily taking pre-killed prey and feeding well. Ball pythons are somewhat notorious for having feeding problems, so this is especially a good idea with ball pythons (though if you get a captive breed ball python it seems less likely that feeding problems will crop up).

Get An Overview Of Some Basic Features Of The Black Rhinoceros

Today, these animals are on the verge of extinction, thanks to years of relentless poaching but rhinoceros, even today are probably one of the most majestic animals to walk the earth. The fact that these animals have been around since the Miocene era, million of years ago, only adds to their aura. But, these animals are today almost extinct with almost ninety percent of the population being killed and poached since the 1970s. There are five species of rhinos existent in the world today and the black rhino is one of them. In this article, we will give you some facts that will help you understand more about this animal that once ruled sub-Saharan African jungles.

Facts about Black Rhinoceros

There is a lot to learn about this mammal. But before we take a closer look at how its appearance is, where it lives, what its diet is and other such details, let us get an overview of some basic features of the black rhinoceros.

AppearanceWhile they are categorized as black rhinoceros, it is important to understand that even the species of white rhinoceros is actually gray in color. The difference between the two actually lies in the shape of their lip, with the black rhinoceros having a pointed upper lip. This shape of the lip is an adaptability to allow the animal to feed on twigs, leaves, herbs and shoots. This species of rhinos have two horns, with the one in front being more prominent than the other. Rhino horns grow about three inches every year. The horn of the rhino is made of thick hair that is matted. It grows from the skull with absolutely no support from the skeletal system. While male rhinos use horns to battle predators, females use it to protect their children. Rhinos have eyelashes and have hair on their ears and at the tip of their tail. If you study the different facts about rhinoceros, you will learn that like every other species of the rhino, even the black rhinoceros is odd toed and has three toes on each foot. Many are surprised by the fact that a black rhino is actually very fast and can run at a speed of almost 50 kilometers per hour.

Behavior
Rhinos are known to be solitary creatures which prefer to roam around alone than in a herd. They tend to interact with each other only when they mate and when the mother is raising its calf. They are territorial animals that defend their areas fiercely. They have a very sharp sense of smell and also have a keen hearing power. Despite being a large animal with a lot of power, the fact remains that it is not a natural predator which is what makes it an easy prey for humans. But, these animals tend to be aggressive and attack not out of an actual threat but normally out of fear and confusion. They often have been known to attack tree trunks and termite mounds and this is generally a result of their poor eyesight.

Habitat and Diet
The black rhino normally stays in areas that have a dense and woody vegetation. These mammals feed at night and often lie around in a water hole with wet mud, so as to coat their skin with the mud which acts as a bug repellent and a sun block. The vegetation that a black rhino feeds on includes buds, shoots, leaves, bushes and trees.

As mentioned before, these animals are often solitary and do not mingle in herds but they have a close relationship with their calves that lasts for two to four years. Black rhinos are extremely intriguing animals that tend to awe you by their sheer presence, but their numbers are fast depleting due to a high demand for their horn. If something is not done and their depreciating numbers are not reversed, the black rhino may soon join the ranks of extinct animals.

Cobra Bites Are Fatal In About 10% Of Human Cases

This guy literally has one of the world's most dangerous jobs, he has to clean the cobra pit at the zoo. In this video he fearlessly picks up the snakes from their napping spots and tosses them to the side like their rubber toys and sweeps up their dried egg shells and poop.

The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is one of Africa's most dangerous snakes and feared in East, Central and Southern Africa. It's aggressive when cornered and will not hesitate to strike. It can reach speeds of up to 12 mph (20 km/ph). It's the largest venomous snake in Africa with adults reaching an average of 8 feet in length (2.5m). Black Mamba's are not black at all, but brown/olive skinned. Their mouths are inky black which they show when threatened. Black Mambas live in savanna, scrub, tree hollows, and sometimes people's homes. If a Black Mamba encounters prey it can strike up to 12 times, each time delivering enough neuro and cardio-toxic venom to kill a dozen men within 1 hour. Without anti-venom, the mortality rate is 100%.

Cobra bites are fatal in about 10% of human cases. it's because of their VENOM that acts as a defense mechanism and also a way by having their pray or food be caught.

Any of several highly venomous Elapids snakes that expand their neck ribs to form a hood. They are found in warm regions of Africa, Australia, and Asia. Cobras feed primarily on small vertebrates. The Indian cobra (Naja naja) kills several thousand people annually, mostly because it enters houses to catch rats. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's largest venomous snake, often more than 12 ft (3.5 m) long. Some African cobras can spit their venom more than 6 ft (1.8 m). Cobras are favourites of snake charmers, who, by their movements rather than their music, tease the deaf snakes into assuming the upreared defense posture.

Any of several highly venomous Elapids snakes that expand their neck ribs to form a hood. They are found in warm regions of Africa, Australia, and Asia. Cobras feed primarily on small vertebrates. The Indian cobra (Naja naja) kills several thousand people annually, mostly because it enters houses to catch rats. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's largest venomous snake, often more than 12 ft (3.5 m) long. Some African cobras can spit their venom more than 6 ft (1.8 m). Cobras are favourites of snake charmers, who, by their movements rather than their music, tease the deaf snakes into assuming the upreared defense posture.

The Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) has a powerful venom and is one of the deadliest snakes in Southern Africa. Cape Cobras grow to an average of around 4 feet. Cape Cobras are particularly dangerous because they tend to be nervous and aggressive. Without treatment, the mortality rate in humans is 60% and death normally occurs 2-5 hours after being bitten, usually as a result of respiratory failure due to the onset of paralysis. The Cape Cobra is a beautiful looking snake some are yellow, some copper/mahogany colored and some are purplish/black. The Cape Cobra loves to hunt for rodents and can climb trees to raid weaver bird colonies. The Cape Cobra is common throughout dry regions in Southern Africa.

A Nightingale Is A Poet Who Sings In Darkness To Cheer The Solitude

Apart from its habitat, dietary habits, temperament and life span, you might not know much about a nightingale. In fact, there are a few facts about them that you might not have heard about:
 　　
* The term nightingale stands for "night songstress". According to this, one might assume that it is the female bird that sings. However, in reality, it is the opposite. The high-pitched melodious voice is actually of the male.

* At the time of when the egg hatches, a male nightingale will stop singing. It does this in order to avoid gaining any attention towards itself and its kids. However, it may whisper little chirps to the female to let it know of their safety or any potential danger.

* It is very difficult to differentiate a male nightingale from a female. This is because the differences in between them are too slight to be noticeable. The male has slightly a yellowish, brown upper part, goes reddish near the head, and goes even darker around the main feathers. As for the lower part, it has a gray-white streak which extends till the tail. The female, on the other hand, is a little smaller in size. However, it has the same colors of the feathers. Moreover, it does not stand as straight as the male, and has smaller eyes than the male.

They are a road map that point you in the right direction. Each message is filled with instruction, right down to the very last detail, providing you with insights and ways on how to escape from your current state of misery.

You can change all this if you decide to visit the Cotswold Water Park for a Cotswold break towards the end of April. On Wednesday 28th April there will be a special event in the park which will bring you closer to the lesser spotted nightingale.

The event is called the Nightingale Symphony, which should go a long way towards telling you what to expect on the night. The event starts at half past seven in the evening, so you will have all day to enjoy the delights of the Cotswolds before going along to enjoy this event. The Cotswold Water Park website states that advance booking is necessary, since only a small number of people will be able to attend. This makes sense as too many people could frighten the birds off and make it impossible to hear them sing.

The nightingale is slightly larger than the European Robin, at 15–16.5 cm (5.9–6.5 in) length. It is plain brown above except for the reddish tail. It is buff to white below. Sexes are similar. The eastern subspecies L. m. hafizi and L. m. africana have paler upperparts and a stronger face-pattern, including a pale supercilium.

Nightingales are named so because they frequently sing at night as well as during the day. The name has been used for well over 1,000 years, being highly recognizable even in its Anglo-Saxon form – 'nightingale'. It means 'night songstress'. Early writers assumed the female sang when it is in fact the male. The song is loud, with an impressive range of whistles, trills and gurgles. Its song is particularly noticeable at night because few other birds are singing. This is why its name includes "night" in several languages. Only unpaired males sing regularly at night, and nocturnal song is likely to serve to attract a mate. Singing at dawn, during the hour before sunrise, is assumed to be important in defending the bird's territory. Nightingales sing even more loudly in urban or near-urban environments, in order to overcome the background noise. The most characteristic feature of the song is a loud whistling crescendo, absent from the song of Thrush Nightingale. It has a frog-like alarm call.

During the Romantic era the bird's symbolism changed once more: poets viewed the nightingale not only as a poet in his own right, but as “master of a superior art that could inspire the human poet”. For some romantic poets, the nightingale even began to take on qualities of the muse. Coleridge and Wordsworth saw the nightingale more as an instance of natural poetic creation: the nightingale became a voice of nature. John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" pictures the nightingale as an idealized poet who has achieved the poetry that Keats longs to write. Invoking a similar conception of the nightingale, Shelley wrote in his “A Defense of Poetry".

"A poet is a nightingale who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds; his auditors are as men entranced by the melody of an unseen musician, who feel that they are moved and softened, yet know not whence or why."

Prepare An Owl Box For An Owl And Let It Inhabit Where You Live

The owl is among the most skilled of bird predators in the world. You won't find many birds that are more interesting.Many people are surprised to find out that owls cannot see in color. They see things around them in black, white, and shades of grey. In addition, the eyes of owls are fixed in their head. This means that, if they want to see from side to side, they have to literally rotate their head. As luck would have it, they can do this better than any other bird. It is estimated that owls can rotate their heads as much as 3/4 of a turn. This lets them virtually see 360 degrees around themselves by moving their head alone. Furthermore, each of their eyes move independent from the other. This gives them the unusual ability to simultaneously monitor and focus on 2 items of interest at the same time.

One of the main thing that owls are famous for is their impressive stealth hunting abilities. They primarily dine on tiny mammals, from time to time other birds, and field mice and other rodents. Its wings are formed in such a way that they dampen sounds in flight. This means that they can be remarkably silent when they attack. Prey often depends, to an extent, on sounds to give them warning of an impending attack. But, due to its stealth flight capabilities, the owl's prey often never know an attack is coming until it's too late.

Nature is one way which will help to make people feel much more alive. By getting close to nature, many feel that problems in everyday life can melt away - or at least be viewed in a greater perspective. The sound of the birds singing, or small animals scurrying around you whilst sitting in the great outdoors can be a truly comforting experience. In order to bring this to your home people could build a sanctuary for wildlife within their own back garden. This way, from the comfort of the home, you are able to sit and relax with a cup of tea and get pleasure from observing birds as well as other wildlife come and go.


With the increase in the number of fast-moving vehicles and the simultaneous development of road building technology, roadside bird mortality has become an increasingly important environmental issue. 554 owls of four species, namely Marsh Owls, the Red Data listed Grass Owl, Barn Owl and the Spotted Eagle Owl were collected on the stretches of the R550 and N17 roads in the rural areas between Springs and Devon in the East Rand of Gauteng Province during the period between October 2001 and September 2003. It was found that higher traffic speeds definitely having an increasingly detrimental effect on the owl mortalities. Weather conditions also play a role in mortality counts, with the mortalities being significantly negatively correlated to rainfall. Gravel roads had very low incidences of owl mortalities with the highest mortalities recorded along tarmac roads that are bordered by open grasslands or cattle grazing paddocks. Another factor influencing the road mortalities of the owls is grain that is spilled on the road during transport. This initially seemed to be the major factor in attracting granivorous rodents to the roads, and in turn, attracting the owls to prey on them.

So, if you're a wildlife enthusiast and are aware of owls that currently inhabit the location where you live, perhaps an owl box is a perfect solution to entice yet more wildlife to your garden! You too could enjoy the wonderful sight of owls in your garden as well as the pleasure of watching them grow as well as perhaps even have young. An owl box is a fantastic way to get to see more wildlife whilst feeling relaxed and refreshed as well - you too could feel your problems disappear as you watch the spectacular beauty of the owl!

Giant Panda Bears Live In The Edge Of Danger

Is there really anything better in the annimal world than a giant panda bear? You would be hard pressed to find something else, though everyone does have their own favorites. If you translate all those wild animals into the world of plush toys, next to the real thing, a giant stuffed panda is pretty terrific too.

Wild, giant pandas live only one place in the world: three provinces of mountain ranges in central China. They can be found at elevations of 5,000 and 10,000 feet where their preferred food of bamboo is located in heavy clouded and rainy forests. 99% of a pandas diet is made up of bamboo and they also supplement the remainder [of their diet] with grasses, and the occasional small rodent or musk deer fawn. A little more than 160 pandas also live in zoos and breeding centers around the world though most of them are in China.

They were previously existed in lowland area, but the forest clearing and other growth activities made them to restrict their living in mountains.Usually there are two kinds of pandas, the giant white and black panda. But there is another rare species called red panda which is comparatively lesser in number. The giant pandas body structure is similar to that of bears. The whole body is white except for ears, legs, shoulders and eye patches which are black in color. Panda is covered with thick coat which keeps helps it to survive in the cool forest. Pandas have molar teeth and robust jaw muscles to break and crush the hard bamboo. Even though, this chunky species is liked by all, it is equally dangerous as other bears.

As scientists struggle with the pandas' dilemma, the good news is that impotence in humans is curable most of the time. Treatment options are varied and limited by your imagination. The easiest and safest to use is Erectasil, a lotion that helps impotent men rise to the occasion. 

Interesting Facts About Black Bear And Relationship With Humans

The Black Bear (also known as the American Black Bear) is a medium sized species of bear that is found inhabiting a variety of forested habitats across North America. The Black Bear is not only the most widespread bear on the North American continent but it is also the most numerous bear species in the world with there thought to be double the number of Black Bear individuals than all the other species put together. The Black Bear is also one of the only two out of the eight bear species that is not listed by the IUCN as being endangered as extensive conservation efforts added to their versatility has led to healthy populations throughout much of their remaining natural range (providing that there is a good source of food). There are sixteen recognised sub-species of Black Bear found across North America today, which vary mainly in their size and fur colour along with the region in which they live.

Black Bear Anatomy and Appearance
Despite their name, Black Bears can range in colour from black to dark red or brown and can even be a lighter tan in certain areas. They have short thick fur covering their heavily built body and have a pointed muzzle, small eyes and larger and more pointed ears than their Brown Bear relatives. Along with being a great deal smaller, there are a number of other notable differences between the two species including the Black Bear lacking the distinctive shoulder hump of their larger cousins. They also have shorter legs and claws which makes the Black Bear a much more agile climber than the Brown Bear so in areas where the two exist in the same place, Black Bears are able to escape danger by digging their claws into the tree trunk and pulling themselves up. Like all bear species though, the Black Bear has an excellent sense of smell which is used to detect food and less developed hearing and sight, due to their relatively small ears and eyes.

Black Bear Distribution and Habitat
Although the Black Bear is still widespread throughout much of North America today, their historical range once covered the entire continent where they would have been found in every inhabitable patch of forest. Today they are found from northern Canada, throughout western and parts of eastern USA, and down into northern Mexico. Providing there is a forest habitat of some description these incredibly adaptable animals will try their best to survive successfully there and they are actually found in a number of very diverse regions. Black Bears are known to inhabit the hot and dry, shrubby forests of Mexico and the steamy, hardwood swamps of the south-eastern USA, right up to the coniferous forests of Canada and Alaska and the barren treeless tundra even further north. Despite local populations in some areas being affected by loss of their natural habitats, the resilience of the Black Bear means that populations in most areas are actually increasing.

Black Bear Behaviour and Lifestyle
The Black Bear is a largely solitary and nocturnal hunter, that may occasionally tolerate the presence of other individuals when a number gather around an ample food source. Black Bears spend the majority of their waking life searching for food in the surrounding forest and must eat vast quantities of plant matter every day to ensure that they build up a decent fat reserve for the coming winter. When the hostile winter conditions set in, Black Bears retreat into a den under a hollow tree or in a burrow, where they semi-hibernate through the cold months ahead. Although this is not true hibernation as their body temperature only drops minimally, it means that they are able to wake up and venture out in search of a light snack to break up their long slumber. In hotter regions in the south Black Bears may not bother denning over the winter at all (with the exception of pregnant females), but in the most northerly parts of their range they may not emerge until 8 months later.

Black Bear Reproduction and Life Cycles
Male and female Black Bears will briefly come together to mate in the summer, after which time they will become solitary once again and both will begin to start feasting to prepare for winter. After a gestation period that lasts for around 7 months (although this includes an almost 5 month long period of delayed implantation), the female Black Bear gives birth to between one and five cubs at the end of winter in her den. The hairless cubs are incredibly vulnerable and rely on the warmth created in the den from their mother's body heat to help them to survive the early days. Black Bear cubs remain with their mother until they are nearly two years old, learning the skills that they need to survive on their own, and will even share her winter den over their first winter. After around a year and a half, the female Black Bear will again be looking to mate and cubs are often eventually scared away from her by increasingly aggressive, mature males.

Black Bear Diet and Prey
Despite being technically classed as a carnivore, the Black Bear has a diet that is mainly comprised of plant material. Between 75% and 95% of their diet is vegetarian (depending on the food available in different locations) and it is also greatly varied. Black Bears forage for fruits and nuts in the trees which they pluck off the branches using their prehensile lips, along with eating grasses, roots and bulbs on the ground and supplementing their diet with small animals like insects and rodents. Depending on the region and therefore the prey available, Black Bears are also known to hunt young Deer, eat carrion and can also master the art of catching fish in rivers (a skill that is particularly used in areas where they are no Grizzly Bears to compete for food). Due to their large body size though, Black Bears must spend the vast majority of the night eating and will spend an average of 12 hours a day trying to build up it's fat reserves for winter.

Black Bear Predators and Threats
Due to the relatively large size of the Black Bear, fully grown adults have few natural predators within their native habitats with the exception of Grizzly Bears in some areas. However, the Black Bear has evolved to have shorter claws and legs than their enormous and aggressive cousins, making them far more adept at climbing trees and giving them a good chance of escape. Young cubs however, are much more vulnerable and are threatened by a variety of different predators including Foxes, Birds of Prey and even other Black Bears. Although Black Bears and Humans do tend to have a relatively peaceful relationship, they are often persecuted by farmers who fear for their livestock in areas where growing Human settlements are encroaching on their natural territories. A number of isolated populations are also threatened by loss of their habitats mainly due to deforestation for logging.

Black Bear Interesting Facts and Features
Bears differ from other carnivores as the special molar teeth that they possess have not specially adapted to shearing meat, but to instead grind down vegetation. However, for such a large animal to sustain itself successfully on a predominantly vegetarian diet the Black Bear must spend an enormous amount of time eating and is known to consume tens of thousands of nuts and berries in a day. As they spend around half of the day foraging for and eating food, the average Black Bear consumes a nut or berry every second of this time. Although Black Bears normally move around slowly on all fours on the flat soles of their feet, they are not only able to run at speeds of up to 30mph but when they feel threatened, Black Bears will stand up on their hind legs to make themselves look even bigger in an attempt to intimidate a predator or rival, which leads to aggressive fighting if neither side backs down.

Black Bear Relationship with Humans
Black Bears would have once roamed throughout every forested area on the North American continent but although they are still widespread today, the hunting of them by people and the loss of their natural habitat in some areas has led to declines in population numbers. However, these incredibly versatile and adaptable animals have managed to continue surviving successfully and their placid nature has led to them not being scared of people, they have adapted to living close to growing settlements and have been known to raid cars and outbuildings in search of food. Black Bears are also common in a number of national parks with raids on camp-sites by Black Bears sometimes causing problems when food is left in or around tents. Although the shooting of Black Bears is legal in many states, it is said to be so well-regulated that populations throughout much of their natural range appear to actually be increasing.

Black Bear Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the Black Bear is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in it's natural environment in the near future. Although a few remote populations are threatened by increasing levels of both hunting and habitat loss, Black Bears remain common and widespread throughout much of North America's forest. The regulation of Black Bears is also well-managed and although between 40,000 and 50,000 individuals are killed every year (depleting up to 20% of the population in some areas), the general population trend is increasing.

Dusky Dolphin Is One Of The Most Intelligent Animal

The Dusky Dolphin is a small species of dolphin that is found inhabiting the cooler waters along continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere. This distinctive looking cetacean is closely related to other large marine animals including other dolphins, porpoises and whales but despite their fish-like appearance Dusky Dolphins are true mammals that both breathe air in and out of their lungs and also suckle their young on milk produced by the mother's mammary glands. Dusky Dolphins are widespread throughout the southern hemisphere with three species being recognised that have been grouped by their geographical range, with one found off the coast of South America, one near South Africa and in the Indian Ocean and another inhabits deeper waters close to New Zealand. Sadly however, despite being locally common in certain areas Dusky Dolphin populations have declined throughout much of their natural range primarily due to threats caused by increasing levels of human activity.

The Dusky Dolphin is the smallest of the world's 33 different species of dolphin growing to under two meters in length and generally weighing less than 100kg. Like other species of cetacean, Dusky Dolphins have a smooth and hairless, streamlined body that helps them to glide through the water and is powered by their two tail flukes which lay horizontally rather than vertically like those of fish. The upper-side of their bodies is either dark grey or blue-black in colour and is separated from their light grey to white under-side by a grey line which runs from their beak to the base of their tail. Dusky Dolphins also have two light grey lines which run diagonally from their tail to their dorsal fin which is tall and curved to help them to change direction quickly in the water. The beak of the Dusky Dolphin is black and more rounded in shape than those of other dolphin species and contains between 24 and 36 pairs of sharp, cone-shaped teeth that are ideal for catching slippery and fast-moving prey.

Dusky Dolphins tend to be found in cool to temperate waters (10 - 18 degrees centigrade) close to continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere, and seem to prefer shallower rather than deep water regions (although this can vary depending on the location and time of year). Although they are not generally known to participate in seasonal migrations, Dusky Dolphins can travel vast distances across the ocean and at great speed in search of food. The three Dusky Dolphin species have been classified by the regions in which they live with the highest populations found off the coast of South America, South-Western Africa and around New Zealand. There are also populations known to occur in the waters close to Argentina along with around the Falkland Islands further south. Despite their wide range and distribution throughout the southern hemisphere Dusky Dolphin populations have been decreasing mainly due to interaction with humans including being hunted for their meat and getting caught in the nets that are used to catch the shoaling fish which the Dusky Dolphins hunt.

The exact behaviours and habits of Dusky Dolphins depends on the species and where they live however, they generally spend time close to the shore resting during the day in small groups that consist of between ten and twenty individuals. As night falls, these small groups begin to travel further away from land to feed and form pods consisting of up 1,000 individuals that includes both male and female members in order to work together to corner shoals of fish. Dusky Dolphins are incredibly sociable animals and can be seen playing, grooming and leaping together after feeding before breaking up into their smaller groups again to return closer to the coast to rest. Although they are able to dive for up to 90 seconds at a time, like other marine mammals Dusky Dolphins must keep returning to the water's surface to breathe, and expel old air and water from their lungs via the single blow-hole that is located on the top of their heads. They are highly intelligent animals and are often seen leaping out of the water before diving back in after gliding through the air for a few seconds. This technique is known as porpoising and enables the Dusky Dolphin to breathe but without having to slow down when chasing prey.

Despite being relatively wide-spread across the southern hemisphere, the fast moving nature of the Dusky Dolphin has meant that it can often be hard to study these animals in the wild and quite little is therefore known about their lifespans in general. Most Dusky Dolphin calves tend to be born towards the end of the winter and in the early summer months between October and February when the female gives birth to a single offspring after a gestation period that lasts for around 11 months. The Dusky Dolphin calf is fed on the nutritious milk provided by it's mother until it is then taught to hunt by her after about a year. Calves tend to remain close their mother until they are around three years old when they leave to join a pod of their own (males with often form bachelor groups), and the female is then able to mate again. Dusky Dolphins are thought to be able to first breed when they are between the ages of four and five and are thought to live for an average of 20 years.

The Dusky Dolphin is a carnivorous animal that only feeds on other animals in order to gain the nutrients that it needs to survive. By congregating in large groups Dusky Dolphins are able to trap vast schools of fish so that they have the best opportunity to feed, by travelling through the waters in a line and pushing the shoal into an area where it is trapped. Prey depends largely on the area in which the Dusky Dolphins are feeding but they most commonly consume anchovies, sardines and mackerel in shallower waters, squid at mid-depths and larger prey including hake and octopus in deeper ocean. Although Dusky Dolphins have excellent hearing and are able to see remarkably well through the water, it is actually a specially evolved system that these animals use which both helps them to locate prey and to also avoid upcoming obstacles. By producing a rapid series of clicking noises, the Dusky Dolphin's brain is then able to translate the clicks that bounce off things ahead (such as fish) into a mental sound map of the surrounding area and therefore knows exactly where to find food.

The relatively large size, sociable nature and sheer speed of the Dusky Dolphin means that it has very few predators that hunt it in it's natural environment. Pods of Killer Whales (to which they are related) are the main predators of the Dusky Dolphin along with some large species of shark that venture into the shallower, coastal waters. The biggest threat to the world's Dusky Dolphin populations though is people encroaching more and more on their natural habitats usually in the form of commercial fishing. As humans are fishing for the same shoaling fish as the Dusky Dolphins it often leads to them being caught up in vast nets where they can quickly become trapped. Other reasons for the decline in Dusky Dolphins include the fact that they are also hunted in some areas (particularly Peru) for their meat and are injured by large boats that hit them.

The Dusky Dolphin is thought to be one of the most intelligent animal species in the world and even communicates with other individuals using their own language which consists of a series of whistles, clicks and squeaks. The unique body shape of the Dusky Dolphin means that it is incredibly flexible and in fact, the most agile species of dolphin in the world. They are often seen leaping out of the water both when swimming and playing and the noise that is caused by them diving back into the water is able to travel for up to 1km through the water and up to 3km through the air. Dusky Dolphins are known to be incredibly sociable animals with sick or injured individuals helped by others that push them towards the surface so the vulnerable individual is able to breathe. Along with being seen together in their own pods, Dusky Dolphins are also known to interact with other cetaceans including Common Dolphins, which they feed alongside.

Despite being one of the most intelligent animals in the world, the increasing amount of man-made obstacles such as boats and rigs that litter the sea has led to a decline in Dusky Dolphin populations as they are often hit by them. Populations around South America have also suffered greatly from hunting by people for their flesh which is used both as bait for fish and for human consumption. A study carried out between 1991 and 1993 revealed that 7,000 Dusky Dolphins were captured each year and although the hunting of dolphins has been recently banned, they are still commonly hunted as food. The issue however that most affects all Dusky Dolphin populations is the fact that they are often caught by accident in large fishing nets that are targeting the same fish that the dolphins are. However, in an growing number of places around the world watching the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and bringing awareness to the threats that they face.

Dusky Dolphin Is One Of The Most Intelligent Animal

The Dusky Dolphin is a small species of dolphin that is found inhabiting the cooler waters along continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere. This distinctive looking cetacean is closely related to other large marine animals including other dolphins, porpoises and whales but despite their fish-like appearance Dusky Dolphins are true mammals that both breathe air in and out of their lungs and also suckle their young on milk produced by the mother's mammary glands. Dusky Dolphins are widespread throughout the southern hemisphere with three species being recognised that have been grouped by their geographical range, with one found off the coast of South America, one near South Africa and in the Indian Ocean and another inhabits deeper waters close to New Zealand. Sadly however, despite being locally common in certain areas Dusky Dolphin populations have declined throughout much of their natural range primarily due to threats caused by increasing levels of human activity.

The Dusky Dolphin is the smallest of the world's 33 different species of dolphin growing to under two meters in length and generally weighing less than 100kg. Like other species of cetacean, Dusky Dolphins have a smooth and hairless, streamlined body that helps them to glide through the water and is powered by their two tail flukes which lay horizontally rather than vertically like those of fish. The upper-side of their bodies is either dark grey or blue-black in colour and is separated from their light grey to white under-side by a grey line which runs from their beak to the base of their tail. Dusky Dolphins also have two light grey lines which run diagonally from their tail to their dorsal fin which is tall and curved to help them to change direction quickly in the water. The beak of the Dusky Dolphin is black and more rounded in shape than those of other dolphin species and contains between 24 and 36 pairs of sharp, cone-shaped teeth that are ideal for catching slippery and fast-moving prey.

Dusky Dolphins tend to be found in cool to temperate waters (10 - 18 degrees centigrade) close to continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere, and seem to prefer shallower rather than deep water regions (although this can vary depending on the location and time of year). Although they are not generally known to participate in seasonal migrations, Dusky Dolphins can travel vast distances across the ocean and at great speed in search of food. The three Dusky Dolphin species have been classified by the regions in which they live with the highest populations found off the coast of South America, South-Western Africa and around New Zealand. There are also populations known to occur in the waters close to Argentina along with around the Falkland Islands further south. Despite their wide range and distribution throughout the southern hemisphere Dusky Dolphin populations have been decreasing mainly due to interaction with humans including being hunted for their meat and getting caught in the nets that are used to catch the shoaling fish which the Dusky Dolphins hunt.

The exact behaviours and habits of Dusky Dolphins depends on the species and where they live however, they generally spend time close to the shore resting during the day in small groups that consist of between ten and twenty individuals. As night falls, these small groups begin to travel further away from land to feed and form pods consisting of up 1,000 individuals that includes both male and female members in order to work together to corner shoals of fish. Dusky Dolphins are incredibly sociable animals and can be seen playing, grooming and leaping together after feeding before breaking up into their smaller groups again to return closer to the coast to rest. Although they are able to dive for up to 90 seconds at a time, like other marine mammals Dusky Dolphins must keep returning to the water's surface to breathe, and expel old air and water from their lungs via the single blow-hole that is located on the top of their heads. They are highly intelligent animals and are often seen leaping out of the water before diving back in after gliding through the air for a few seconds. This technique is known as porpoising and enables the Dusky Dolphin to breathe but without having to slow down when chasing prey.

Despite being relatively wide-spread across the southern hemisphere, the fast moving nature of the Dusky Dolphin has meant that it can often be hard to study these animals in the wild and quite little is therefore known about their lifespans in general. Most Dusky Dolphin calves tend to be born towards the end of the winter and in the early summer months between October and February when the female gives birth to a single offspring after a gestation period that lasts for around 11 months. The Dusky Dolphin calf is fed on the nutritious milk provided by it's mother until it is then taught to hunt by her after about a year. Calves tend to remain close their mother until they are around three years old when they leave to join a pod of their own (males with often form bachelor groups), and the female is then able to mate again. Dusky Dolphins are thought to be able to first breed when they are between the ages of four and five and are thought to live for an average of 20 years.

The Dusky Dolphin is a carnivorous animal that only feeds on other animals in order to gain the nutrients that it needs to survive. By congregating in large groups Dusky Dolphins are able to trap vast schools of fish so that they have the best opportunity to feed, by travelling through the waters in a line and pushing the shoal into an area where it is trapped. Prey depends largely on the area in which the Dusky Dolphins are feeding but they most commonly consume anchovies, sardines and mackerel in shallower waters, squid at mid-depths and larger prey including hake and octopus in deeper ocean. Although Dusky Dolphins have excellent hearing and are able to see remarkably well through the water, it is actually a specially evolved system that these animals use which both helps them to locate prey and to also avoid upcoming obstacles. By producing a rapid series of clicking noises, the Dusky Dolphin's brain is then able to translate the clicks that bounce off things ahead (such as fish) into a mental sound map of the surrounding area and therefore knows exactly where to find food.

The relatively large size, sociable nature and sheer speed of the Dusky Dolphin means that it has very few predators that hunt it in it's natural environment. Pods of Killer Whales (to which they are related) are the main predators of the Dusky Dolphin along with some large species of shark that venture into the shallower, coastal waters. The biggest threat to the world's Dusky Dolphin populations though is people encroaching more and more on their natural habitats usually in the form of commercial fishing. As humans are fishing for the same shoaling fish as the Dusky Dolphins it often leads to them being caught up in vast nets where they can quickly become trapped. Other reasons for the decline in Dusky Dolphins include the fact that they are also hunted in some areas (particularly Peru) for their meat and are injured by large boats that hit them.

The Dusky Dolphin is thought to be one of the most intelligent animal species in the world and even communicates with other individuals using their own language which consists of a series of whistles, clicks and squeaks. The unique body shape of the Dusky Dolphin means that it is incredibly flexible and in fact, the most agile species of dolphin in the world. They are often seen leaping out of the water both when swimming and playing and the noise that is caused by them diving back into the water is able to travel for up to 1km through the water and up to 3km through the air. Dusky Dolphins are known to be incredibly sociable animals with sick or injured individuals helped by others that push them towards the surface so the vulnerable individual is able to breathe. Along with being seen together in their own pods, Dusky Dolphins are also known to interact with other cetaceans including Common Dolphins, which they feed alongside.
 
Despite being one of the most intelligent animals in the world, the increasing amount of man-made obstacles such as boats and rigs that litter the sea has led to a decline in Dusky Dolphin populations as they are often hit by them. Populations around South America have also suffered greatly from hunting by people for their flesh which is used both as bait for fish and for human consumption. A study carried out between 1991 and 1993 revealed that 7,000 Dusky Dolphins were captured each year and although the hunting of dolphins has been recently banned, they are still commonly hunted as food. The issue however that most affects all Dusky Dolphin populations is the fact that they are often caught by accident in large fishing nets that are targeting the same fish that the dolphins are. However, in an growing number of places around the world watching the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and bringing awareness to the threats that they face.

African Wild Dog Reproduction And Life Cycles

The African Wild Dog (also known as the Painted Dog and the Cape Hunting Dog) is a medium sized species of canine found across sub-Saharan Africa. The African Wild Dog is most easily identified from both domestic and other wild Dogs by their brightly mottled fur, with it's name in Latin aptly meaning painted wolf. The African Wild Dog is said to be the most sociable of all the canines, living in packs of around 30 individuals. Sadly however, this highly intelligent and sociable animal is severely under threat in much of it's natural habitat, primarily due to habitat loss and having been hunted by Humans.

African Wild Dog Anatomy and Appearance
The most distinctive feature of the African Wild Dog is it's beautifully mottled fur which makes this canine very easy to identify. The fur of the African Wild Dog is red, black, white, brown and yellow in colour with the random pattern of colours being unique to each individual. It is also thought to act as a type of camouflage, helping the African Wild Dog to blend into it's surroundings. The African Wild Dog also has large ears, a long muzzle and long legs, with four toes on each foot. This is one of the biggest differences between the African Wild Dog and other canine species as they have five. They also have a large stomach and a long, large intestine which aids them in more effectively absorbing moisture from their food.

African Wild Dog Distribution and Habitat
African Wild Dogs are found naturally roaming the deserts, open-plains and arid savanna of sub-Saharan Africa where the range of the African Wild Dog has decreased rapidly. It is thought that the African Wild Dog was once found in nearly 40 different African countries but that number is much lower today, at between 10 and 25. Now most African Wild Dog populations are primarily restricted to National Parks across southern Africa, with the highest populations found in Botswana and Zimbabwe. African Wild Dogs require large territories to support the pack, with pack sizes having in fact dropped in number with their decreasing home-ranges.

African Wild Dog Behaviour and Lifestyle
African Wild Dogs are highly sociable animals that gather in packs of generally between 10 and 30 individuals. There is a strict ranking system within the pack, led by the dominant breeding pair. They are the world's most sociable Dogs and do everything as a group, from hunting for and sharing food, to helping sick members and assisting in raising young. African Wild Dogs communicate between one another through touch, movement and sound. Pack members are incredibly close, gathering together before a hunt to nose and lick each other, whilst wagging their tails and making high-pitched noises. African Wild Dogs lead a crepuscular lifestyle meaning that they are most active during dawn and dusk.

African Wild Dog Reproduction and Life Cycles
In African Wild Dog packs, there is usually only one breeding pair, which are the dominant male and female members. After a gestation period of around 70 days, the female African Wild Dog gives birth to between 2 and 20 pups in a den, which she remains in with her young for the first few weeks, relying on the other pack members to provide her with food. The African Wild Dog cubs leave the den at between 2 and 3 months old and are fed and cared for by the entire pack until they are old enough to become independent and generally leave to join or start another African Wild Dog pack. It is thought that the more looked after the pups are, the higher their chances of survival.

African Wild Dog Diet and Prey
The African Wild Dog is a carnivorous and opportunistic predator, hunting larger animals on the African plains in their big groups. African Wild Dogs primarily prey on large mammals such as Warthogs and numerous species of Antelope, supplementing their diet with Rodents, Lizards, Birds and Insects. They are even known to hunt much larger herbivores that have been made vulnerable through sickness or injury, such as Wildebeest. Although the African Wild Dog's prey is often much faster, the chase can last for miles, and it is this Dog's stamina and perseverance that makes them so successful, along with their ability to maintain their speed. Hunting as a pack also means that the African Wild Dogs can easily corner their prey.

African Wild Dog Predators and Threats
Due to the relatively large size and dominant nature of the African Wild Dog and their pack, they have few natural predators within their native habitats. Lions and Hyenas have been known on occasion, to prey on African Wild Dog individuals that have been separated from the rest of the group. One of the biggest threats to the African Wild Dog are farmers that hunt and kill the African Wild Dog in fear that they are preying on their livestock. A drastic decline in their natural habitats has also pushed the remaining African Wild Dog populations into small pockets of their native regions, and they are now most commonly found within National Parks.

African Wild Dog Interesting Facts and Features
The long large intestine of the African Wild Dog means that they have a very efficient system for absorbing as much moisture from their food as possible. This gives these canines an advantage in such arid climates as they do not need to find such a regular supply of water. African Wild Dogs are therefore able to go for long periods of time without needing to drink. Unlike many other carnivores, African Wild Dogs kill their prey by starting to bite it when it is still alive. Although this may sound cruel, the animal actually dies more quickly and less painfully than if it was killed in the generally preferred way.

African Wild Dog Relationship with Humans
African Wild Dog populations have been declining rapidly across the southern African countries mainly due to loss of much of their natural habitat and the fact that they are commonly hunted by farmers in particular. The slightly savage nature of the African Wild Dog has led to a great deal of superstition regarding it, with locals having almost wiped out entire populations in certain areas. The loss of their historical ranges generally due to growing Human settlements has also led to drastic declines in populations throughout much of their environment. Although the majority of the African Wild Dog population is today confined to National Parks, they tend to require much larger territories and come into conflict with Humans when they leave these protected areas.

African Wild Dog Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the African Wild Dog is listed as an Endangered species as African Wild Dog population numbers have been rapidly declining, particularly in recent years. There are thought to be less than 5,000 individuals left roaming sub-Saharan Africa today, with numbers still declining. Hunting, habitat loss and the fact that they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of disease by livestock, are the main causes for the continent's African Wild Dog loss.

What Is A Domestic Cat

I am thoroughly confused about the definition of a "domestic cat." Aren't all cats domesticated these days? What is the difference between a domestic cat and a mixed breed cat? I thoroughly understand your confusion, and don't feel alone. Many people feel disappointed or feel that their cat has been slighted by being described as a domestic cat. Yes, the cats we enjoy as pets today are all domesticated, in that they all descend from those original cats in Africa, the Mediterranean and middle east regions.

Domestic cats, no matter their breed, are all members of one species. Felis catus has had a very long relationship with humans. Ancient Egyptians may have first domesticated cats as early as 4,000 years ago. Plentiful rodents probably drew wild felines to human communities. The cats' skill in killing them may have first earned the affectionate attention of humans. Early Egyptians worshipped a cat goddess and even mummified their beloved pets for their journey to the next world—accompanied by mummified mice! Cultures around the world later adopted cats as their own companions.

Like their wild relatives, domestic cats are natural hunters able to stalk prey and pounce with sharp claws and teeth. They are particularly effective at night, when their light-reflecting eyes allow them to see better than much of their prey. Cats also enjoy acute hearing. All cats are nimble and agile, and their long tails aid their outstanding balance.

Cats communicate by marking trees, fence posts, or furniture with their claws or their waste. These scent posts are meant to inform others of a cat's home range. House cats employ a vocal repertoire that extends from a purr to a screech.

Domestic cats remain largely carnivorous, and have evolved a simple gut appropriate for raw meat. They also retain the rough tongue that can help them clean every last morsel from an animal bone (and groom themselves). Their diets vary with the whims of humans, however, and can be supplemented by the cat's own hunting successes.

If you have a domestic cats who has honored you with his or her presence in your home, my best advice is to love your kitty unconditionally, as he will love you. In the long run, it really doesn't matter what his heritage is, the most important thing is that he is home with you where he belongs.