Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Exotic Pets – Please Help Me - A Public Plea

I want to hear from you! Help me make a difference. I am making a plea to all exotic pet professionals, caregivers, and owners. I want people to become aware of the needs of all exotic pets. What are their personalities? What are the social issues and needs concerning your exotic pet? How do you deal with training? Is it an exotic pet that can be trained? Do you realize what a difference we could make if more people became aware of the true nature of exotic pets? To fully understand an exotic pet before acquiring or purchasing one!

Perhaps people would become more sensitive to exotic pet legislation. More alert to their health care requirements. The population would grow less susceptible to rumors and educated with facts. Do you realize what we could accomplish with this project?

Fewer people would buy on impulse. They would have more knowledge about the exotic pet before diving into attempting to care for a strange animal. Nontraditional animals have much different care needs than traditional animals.

We complain about the misinformation on many television shows looking for nothing but ratings and money. We can make a more significant impact than any television show. Instead of complaining let’s do something about it!

I want to hear from exotic pet rescues. Why do people give up their pets? I want to hear from exotic pet veterinarians. Why do some exotic pets die too young? I remember cockatiels and the short lifespan they were experiencing. As we have learned more, they are living much longer. I am sure that the professionals that deal with exotic pets know better to what questions need answering than I know what questions to ask.

I want to hear about your ideas on how to change many misconceptions. One that bothers me a great deal is a domestic skunk and the fact that lawmakers and the general population think each and everyone is a rabies carrier. The breeder I purchased my skunks from, has been a breeder for over a hundred years and has not had a single case of rabies. There are many fallacies concerning exotic pets. It is time to get the truth out; as far and wide as we can.

Are you with me on this project? I can’t do it on my own. I need you and your experiences! Email Diana Geiger

My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

PETA KILLS 95% of Adoptable Animals

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed 95% of the adoptable animals at their Virginia headquarters last year; in other words out of 2050 animals 1965 were euthanized (28 animals were adopted and 31 transferred to other facilities).

According to Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson, the majority of these animals were held less than 24 hours before being killed, giving few people the chance to adopt these animals.

PETA has published guidelines for running a humane shelter. Discovered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services during an inspection in 2010, 84% of all animals in their shelters were killed within 24 hours. PETA doesn’t meet the established, published guidelines on humane treatment that PETA created!

What did PETA do with their 30 million dollar budget last year? It wasn’t saving animals from slaughter. The hard earned donated dollars you contributed in good faith wasn’t used to help animals.

Why were so many animals destroyed? According to PETA spokesperson Daphna Nachminovitch, who is Vice President of PETA’s Cruelty Investigations Department, suggested they’d rather see the animals destroyed than have the potential of going to abusive homes. It was pet owner’s fault; until pets are spayed and neutered this atrocity would continue.

The 1965 animals that were killed are only the animals in their Virginia headquarters’ shelter, how many were killed in their other PETA shelters?

This example isn’t the first year PETA has killed thousands of animals. It has happened many times in the past. Check out my previous story, more enlightening dealings about PETA, and their dirty little secrets! PETA Death Squad - Kills Thousands of Animals

I am certainly not suggesting, not donating money or your time, to helping animals but PETA is not the answer; PETA is never the answer, at least not for many years. Where do you donate your money? To your no-kill local shelters!

My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Can Snake Propulsion save Lives?

I ran into a fascinating article on how snakes propel themselves. The subject interests me because my warped brother gave me a line of complete baloney when I was a little kid. We were traveling across the country and were in the desert in New Mexico. He told me a story about “hoop snakes.”

He told me that the snakes would grasp their tail with their mouth and propel themselves by rolling like a wheel. Of course, this is complete nonsense but, it did shut me up as I watched out the car window looking for rolling hoop snakes. My brother had a bit of peace and quiet from his little sister’s constant questions.

I ran into a study by David Hu on snake propulsion. We think of the snake’s ability to move forward using their strong muscles to push them forward. While the muscles are essential, the scales are more important. The way the scales are positioned resembles shingles on the roof of the house. The stomach scales can catch on the smallest of objects pushing them in a forward motion.

If the snake is on a smooth surface, it would be unable to slither forward. The snake uses its muscles and weight to add to their speed and efficiency. They redistribute their weight much as we do when we walk. We use our legs and muscles, snakes use their scales and muscles.

This information has lead to “snake-bots” mechanical robots used for search and rescue and even medical procedures, one example would be the ever so popular colonoscopy.

Of course, snakes use other methods to slither and move. Examples of a few different techniques included folding and bunching up and forcing or throwing their head forward giving them some distance because the body follows. They can push off of rocks and other materials.

Learning more about animal facts gives us the opportunity to provide a better habitat for our pets. We have taken on the responsibility to care for our animals. The more we understand, the higher the care we can provide.

As I have written many times in the past, animals have, and will continue to teach us a great deal.

My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Exotic Pets Reader's Personal Stories

As of late, it seems like nothing is right in the world of exotic pets with the few selected horrific stories in the news of raids or a chimpanzee killing its owner. Nothing could be further from the truth. For every single tale of neglect or horror, there are literally millions of people and their exotic pets that have lovely, happy, and healthy relationships.

Every day I receive emails, texts, instant messages, and other forms of communication from readers telling me their personal stories about their pets.

We rarely hear the positive side of exotic pets and their human families from the media because it is not newsworthy, the stories that are never heard because they don’t include blood, shock, and gore.

I would like to introduce you to just a few of these remarkable people and their extraordinary pets.

Scott Hadley has had a wide variety of pets and recently discovered rats. Scott, as well as thousands of other people, learned how intelligent and personable rats are. Scott describes himself as a wholly transformed rat dad. About a year ago his first pet rat arrived, Cassie who he described as his ambassador rat. "Nothing prepared us for what rats would do to us,” said Scott. “They are the deepest hearted, loving pets ever and my only concern is their small size, ---and one must always take care not to sit or step on them, as they love human companionship almost as much as they need each other."

A couple of his first adopted rats were already well into the prime of their lives. He lost two of his rats within the first 11 months. He describes this first 11 months as a revelation, "we have already lost two, one adopted one who may have been nearly 100 in rats' years, (Rascal) and one who tragically left us just as he was transitioning from adorable angelic rat boy into man rat hood, but was taken by a horrible respiratory ailment (Mac)."

According to Scott, nothing prepared him for the experience of having rats; the rat’s ability to show warmth and the capability to love. Though primarily, Scott discovered how much he loved rats. "This is gut-wrenching stuff, folks. I'm a 57-year-old man and I forgot I could shed tears like that. These little beings grab hold of your heart, and take a piece with them when they leave."

They still have their first rat Cassie plus Rose and Dusty he describes as his three girls. Plus they have three boys from the same litter. Their rats mainly came from rat rescues. "My family and I have made the unexpected discovery of what wonderful pets rats are. Sentient beings like us, perhaps roughly in intelligence and compassion on par with dogs," said Scott.

Love goes beyond furry to the realm of reptile as Buck Smolow describes their pets Slick and Silly. Buck and his wife Jennie bought Slick and Silly at a reptile show in Tampa Florida.

Both Buck and Jennie loved snakes but had no intention of buying any animals. The only thing they couldn’t handle about snakes was feeding them rodents. That is until they happened upon a solution to their problem. "We came across a booth with tiny cute little snakes in margarine containers with clear lids, and they were so cute – squirmy worms, but with faces," said Buck. "We got talking to the guy, and he said they were Tanzanian Egg Eating Snakes- Dasypeltis Scabra."

They found out firsthand how little many breeders and merchants knew little about the animals they were selling."He didn’t seem to know much about them, and we knew that we could learn and take good care of one of them," said Buck. So they set out to learn as much as they could. “He went from being a skinny worm-like, a few inches long, to nearly 4 feet long."

According to Buck, Slick spends time buried in his aspen shavings but knows how to ask to get out of his cage.“Sometimes he’ll be out and about sniffing around the door opening, “said Buck. “All we have to do is open the door, and he comes out for a look around.

Slick loves the opportunity to explore. “He’ll go anywhere we let him. He’ll ‘walk’ across the floor, up the side of the couch. He’ll climb around the stuff on the coffee table, “said Buck. “ We keep an eye on him of course, but he seems to enjoy exploring.”

Silly is the second pet they had no intention of buying at the reptile show. “When you see Silly, it’s obvious why someone would want her. She’s adorable – with her little ‘eyelashes’ she’s so cute,” explained Buck.

However, already smitten the salesman’s daughter made sure they were hooked. “She was a good salesperson but we’d pretty much already fallen for the gecko,” said Buck. “Silly was a little speck of a thing in a margarine container with a clear lid (just like Slick).”

Buck said Silly became an instant source of hilarity. “She jumps like a grasshopper – from anywhere to anywhere. It’s pretty impressive."

Buck explained how the new little gecko got the name Silly. “She has the worst gecko skills in the world. She forgets to grab onto things and slides off. While she is trying to regain her footing she has a look of what’s happening here?”

Silly is a Crested Gecko, and she had a prehensile tail, “It had a little paddle at the end, and she’d use it as a hand or finger. It felt so soft when she’d hold onto you with it.”

They had read stories that adult Crested Geckos didn’t have tails. They also learned that Crested Geckos can lose their tails if frightened. One morning they found the tail and a bloody end, a reminder where the tail had come from. “Throughout the night, she’d done something to scare herself so badly that she dropped it,” explained Buck. “We felt horrible to think of her getting that scared. Sadly, Cresties don’t grow their tails back like other geckos, so now she’s even more silly and clumsy than before.”

Perhaps we need to take note of the horrible stories, accept them for what they are worth, rare occurrences and usually, they happen for a reason, a reason that you will never know. Recognize that for every single ghastly story there are thousands of stories that will warm your heart and soul.

My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Pet Weta - What is a Weta?

What is an exotic pet where some of the species can be as large as your hand, sings, and hides their ears near their knees? It’s a weta of course! One species of weta can be three times as big as a mouse, the giant wetas.

A weta image can be found at the end of the article.

The weta is from the family Anostostomatidae and is found primarily in New Zealand though can be found in other areas in the southern hemisphere. They are much like cricket, katydid, or grasshopper.

The weta is an ancient breed of insect, a kind old enough to have seen the dinosaurs. The weta is also known as a weta cricket.

The giant weta is among most massive insects on earth. Only the African goliath beetle competes in size and weight. Weta is flightless. They are nocturnal. Most weta is entirely passive though they can inflict injury biting with their mandibles. They can also leave a scratch with the spikes on their lower legs.

People keep weta crickets as pets. Though it is uncommon to find pet weta in the United States. They are more likely perceived as pets in China or even the United Kingdom.

The female weta has a tube on her rear end; it looks like a stinger but is, in fact, an ovipositor. It is a tube that the female uses to lay eggs.

The weta is an omnivore eating vegetation and other insects.

There are many different species of weta, Tree weta, Cave weta, and Giant weta, Ground weta, and Tusked weta.

Each species has different care requirements and needs. You should keep your weta in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible.

Wetas can be kept in reptile housing or aquariums. The shelter should have plenty of ventilation. Make sure they are not held in the sunlight. Use a metallic mesh instead of a plastic mesh otherwise, the weta can chew through and escape. Make sure the lid is secure.

Excessive temperature or humidity can kill the weta. 15C or 59.0 F to 20C or 68.0 F is an optimum temperature. Below the minimum they become inactive; a higher heat is intolerable to many species of weta.

The optimum humidity levels for tree wetas is in the range of 60-70%. The giant weta and ground weta need lower humidity levels, around 40-50%. You can achieve the desired humidity levels by misting the enclosure every two to five days. Use a humidity gauge to accurately make the desired levels.

They are nocturnal and should have places to feel safe and hide during the day. Dry bark shelters are ideal places for the weta to hide.

Make sure you remove food before it spoils or any material that may turn moldy. Feed the weta fruit, vegetables, and small insects. Make sure their food is free from all chemicals.

Make sure the weta has fresh water. Use shallow containers an example would be jar lids.

Keep their enclosures clean. Remove old waste material. Fresh fecal pellets should be left in place. These new pellets are chemical markers that assist the weta in navigating their enclosure.

Provide your weta with chemical-free branches, twigs, and other climbing material.

The sounds of the weta are similar to the cricket and can be heard through the night. They flick their hind legs against their abdomen. They make other noises using their bellies. The sound is a saw-like rasping sound.

Enjoy your exotic pet weta, but please learn everything there is to know about your pet before you obtain one as a pet. No animals are throw away pets and should be treated with the utmost respect and the best of care.

Giant Weta



My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Fat Pets – Obesity

Share how you keep your pet's active. What methods have you used to help your pet's lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight?

According to a news report, our pets are fat. So what else is new? We’re fat, our kids are overweight, and it just stands to reason our pets would suffer from obesity too. We are creating an obese society causing severe health and mental issues.

Sixteen to thirty percent of kids are obese, around thirty percent of adults, and around fifty percent of our pets? What is going on? I think examining the reason for obesity is the key though I suppose that is kind of a no-brainer.

Our physical activity levels directly associate with our obesity levels, if were inactive we tend to go for easy when it comes to food. If we're idle, we feel mentally defunct and find a cure in eating. We are inactive, and our pets are lethargic. Someone has to walk and or play with the pets. The obesity situation in pets isn’t just dogs or cats it is exotic pets as well.

Animals weren’t born to be in cages or stuck in a house or in a fenced yard for that matter. They searched or hunted for their food. They were active.

The less we want to move the more weight we gain. Our joints start hurting causing us to want to move even less. It is no different for our pets. They begin to experience pain too. We already know the obesity causes all kinds of health problems from diabetes to heart disease. But let’s stick with just obvious discomfort for now. The more sedentary we become, the less we want to more. We become depressed our mental facilities slow. When we grab the pets and kids and get moving the rush of adrenal and oxygen is terrific.

During my younger years, I’d turn up the stereo, not enough to hurt anyone’s ears, grab the kids and animals and we’d all dance to the music. Even the birds would tag along bobbing their heads as they brought up the rear. Everyone’s eyes would shine you could feel the euphoria in the air. It was catchy the more you danced, the more you wanted to. The happier you became, the more weight loss. This is just one example of the multitude of things you can do with your entire family, kids, adults, exotic pets and pets, to keep you moving without having to plan a ballgame. Though, a ballgame would be fun.

Does our diet affect our physical activity or is it the other way around. Do we grow so sluggish that we don’t want to take the time and energy to make healthy meals? Are we to lethargic to learn what a healthy meal is? We just grab what is quick and easy from a fast food hamburger full of fat, sugar, and salt or the fastest food we can find in the kitchen. When we get into this vicious circle, we grow lazy when it comes to our pets. Do we just put out a bowl of food so that the pet can free range whenever it wants to eat?

Take the time to learn what a healthy diet is for your exotic pet. Learn how much and how often your pet ought to eat. Put what you have learned into action. Then get active!

Our lack of physical activity directly relates to our pet’s obesity. Get up, grab the kids and pets, move around, and get reacquainted with that feeling of exhilaration. Weight loss becomes much easier.

Share how you keep your pet's active. What methods have you used to help your pet's lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight?

My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Carnivorous Plants - Plants That Eat Animals

Carnivorous plants have become popular exotic pets found in many households. So popular they are being poached by the thousands. You'll see the fascinating plants in action in a YouTube video. Carnivorous plant photos. This is a interesting article you will enjoy reading. Check it out. Plants That Eat Animals - Carnivorous Plants