Pet Ferret Guide

I enjoy the sweet devious little ferret. Pet ferrets are loving and playful little animals. They are relatively quiet except for the occasional chuckles. They take up little space and use a litter box (most of the time). They should be caged or in an enclosed environment such as an extra bedroom, and let out when they are supervised. They are explorers and this can get them into mischief and can lead to serious injuries. Make sure your home is escape proof before bringing your new pet ferret home. They can escape out the smallest of holes. Some of their means of escape may be a dryer vent, a heat vent, or even a mouse hole. They aren't necessarily trying to escape they are just highly curious and every hole must be investigated.

I kept my ferrets in an extra bedroom. If you use ferret cages, let them out frequently for exercise and play. If they are housed in a ferret cage, make sure the cage is no smaller than 2 X 3 feet and 2 feet high. Add hammocks for them to sleep in. Ferrets require a high protein, high-quality food. There are commercial ferret foods available. However, in a pinch, they can be fed a high protein kitten good (not cat food) such as Iams. Ferrets require vaccinations.

Ferrets should be spayed and neutered and their scent glands removed. You will usually buy them de-scented and neutered. Check legalities before purchase. They are not legal in all places. Ferrets make outstanding pets.

Ferrets can be an ideal pet for the right person or people. However, many people are put off by their odor and the fact the can be quite destructive. Make sure you understand all ferret facts before purchasing ferrets as pets!

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Pet Rodent Guide

Maybe an ideal pet for you could be a pet rodent, though there is a great deal of difference between a rat and a hamster. Rats rarely bite and hamsters can be quite nippy. There are also guinea pig and a mouse to take into consideration. Rodents take up little space, do not need to be walked, and are very quiet. Rodents are very inexpensive to keep and require no vaccinations. However, they too can become ill, have accidents and can require vet care.

All rodents have similar care in that they need a safe secure cage. Of course, a rat will need a larger cage compared to the mouse. Rodents will need an exercise wheel, toys, chew toys to keep their forever-growing teeth worn down, water bottles, food, and non-toxic bedding.

In the wild, rats are highly social. I strongly suggest purchasing two rats of the same sex. While there are some social species of hamsters, most are not social and should be kept in separate cages. Hamsters react to stress much more acutely than rats. While hamsters are good pets for children when they are together, they should be supervised. Hamsters can become afraid and deliver a nasty bite to the child and children could accidentally injure the hamster.

Supervise your rodents play at all times. There are many harmful and dangerous perils in a home. As with birds and other exotic pets, toxic fumes can kill a rodent. There are also poisonous houseplants to watch out for, and places for the rodents to drown like open containers with liquid in them. Rodents are ideal for our urbanized society.

Do you have or have you had a rodent as a pet?

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How to Choose a Pet

Let's look at the most common pets and see if they are right for our own lifestyle. They may not be the right pets for us, but we do have other choices a large variety of exotic pets. I would like to compare the animals you're most familiar with.

Dogs

Man's best friend the loyal dog. All dogs require exercise. Large breed dogs need lots of room to run around. They have so much to offer. A dog that loves their owner is a loyal friend for life. Times have changed though in dog ownership. Neighbors are less patience with noise and not patient at all with the waste involved with dogs! Be prepared to follow behind Spot with a pooper-scooper! Times have also brought about innovations such as the dog litter box. Yes, you can now train your dog to use a litter box. This is for small breed dogs. I cannot quite see a Great Dane using an indoor litter box. Dogs get very lonely without human interaction. So lonely in fact it will cause behavioral problems that are very difficult to correct. Dogs can be rather costly. You start with the original purchase price and then add the cost for license, shots, booster shots, maintenance, and veterinary care.

Many illnesses and accidents can happen to a dog. Surgery, laboratory tests, and boarding costs just to name a few will add up into the thousands of dollars. A dog is a wonderful choice of pet if you have the time, love, and space to care for him. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing in the eyes of a dog the shine for the love and devotion of his owner.

Cats

Cats are an excellent choice in many households. If you have to spend a lot of time at work, cats are usually pretty forgiving, as long as you give him a lot of love when you get home. A bow or two to his grace could not hurt either.

Even the horrid litter box and the odor that comes along with the litter box is not much of a problem anymore. The new crystal litters are such a blessing to the cat owner. If you do work long hours, you might want to consider two cats. This way they can keep each other company when you are not home. Be sure to have a cat tower, scratching pole and green plants to chew on that way they will hopefully leave your stuff alone. Cats do like to scratch up walls and couches, they will most likely use a scratching pole, but do keep in mind they can destroy your beautiful couch while you are away. Declawing is never an option it is cruel.

Houseplants can also be a problem with cats. First many plants are poisonous to cats, and second, you could come home to find that your one big plant is now lots of little plants all over your floor. Cats also cost a great deal to keep. Some local governments require cat licenses. They also need shots and then booster shots each year. The cost of cat food is not cheap, and you should feed high-quality cat food. Serving your cat a low-quality food will cost you plenty of money in the end with a urinary tract infection and or problems that occur because of feeding the wrong food. Cats can have accidents and get sick, as with any pet, veterinary costs will always be involved in pet ownership.

There is also a wide variety of cats all with very individual personalities and needs.

Fish

Fish can fit into any lifestyle. They have their virtues in that they are quiet, need no vaccinations, and are utterly beautiful to watch. Starting cost can be quite expensive. First, you need to decide if you want saltwater or freshwater fish. Gather all the information you will need to care for them properly. You must know how to correct chemical imbalances and ph problems in the tank, this must be correct before the fish are introduced to the water. There are accessories you will need to purchase for the fish tank. You will need a filter plate, filter, and gravel, plants that will keep algae under control, a heater for temperature, a thermometer, and a de-chlorinator to remove chlorine, a hood, and a light. After the tank is together, add the water then adjust the temperature and adjust the ph levels.

Recheck the water in 24 hours to make sure the balances of ph are stable, and the water is the proper temperature for the variety of fish you want. You will need to learn about fish diseases and have the proper medications on hand. After the initial start-up cost, fish are not expensive to keep, food, chemicals, medications and the power to maintain the filtering, lighting, and temperature of the fish tank. Fish may not be cuddly, but they are excellent stress reducers.

Birds

One of my favorite pets is the bird. There are so many varieties and sizes of birds. Each bird variety is different in how you care for them. Pet birds range in size from the tiny little finch to the giant hyacinth macaw. The cost for the pet bird also ranges exorbitantly. The cost of a finch may be as little as $10 compared to the cost of a hyacinth macaw, which could cost $20,000, or more.

Small birds are good pets if you live in an apartment. Large parrots can also be pets for the apartment dweller if you have plenty of quality time to spend with the parrot. Parrots tend to be very noisy. Their deafening screeches will easily travel through apartment walls. Parrots are also very messy.

Parrots are highly social and extremely intelligent. They will need to spend plenty of time interacting with their owner. Parrots have a highly complex social structure in the wild. This socialization must be substituted for in the domestic bird. Parrots also need a large variety of stimulating toys to play with. Rotate the toys frequently to keep the bird from growing bored. Spend plenty of time each day talking to your bird; giving it supervised freedom from its cage, and playing with your bird.

Along with the initial cost of the bird, you will need to purchase a cage. Choose your bird's cage carefully. You do not need to spend thousands of dollars on a "bird entertainment system," but you do need to pick out a cage that is safe for your bird to live in, the larger the cage, the better. Watch out for small parts that can be ingested. Make sure that the cage is secure.

Parrots are master criminals and can escape easily from their cages. Make sure that the cage is primed and painted with a non-toxic substance. Birds do not need vaccinations, but they do get ill and can have accidents so make sure you have access to a good avian vet before purchasing a bird. Bird proof your house before bringing your new pet home. Most of the following advice will apply to small birds as well as large parrots. Your home has many risky things in it. Non-stick cookware can emit toxic, fatal odors into the air and kill birds. Many houseplants are poisonous and will make a bird very sick or even kill it. Open boiling pots on the stove have taken many precious pet's lives as do open toilets and open containers. Ceiling fans and fireplaces must be off and out before a bird is allowed to roam free. Parrots have extremely long life spans and may outlive you. Make sure you have plans if this should occur. Never let your bird out unless it is supervised. We have chosen to keep these creatures in our household, an unsafe place for birds, so it is our responsibility to make sure they are safe.

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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!

Guide to Pet Kinkajous

The kinkajou is a nocturnal rainforest mammal that lives in trees and is able to grasp trees with their prehensile tails. Kinkajous come from the rainforests of South America (the northern part), Mexico, and Central America. They are related to the North American raccoon, red pandas, coatimundi and other animals from the procyonid family. The pet kinkajous can be a lovely animal. They are also known as the honey bear.

They have a very docile and friendly personality for a procyonid. They can get aggressive if not spayed or neutered. They are capable of biting. Remember they are nocturnal, don't insist on waking kinkajous. Plan your play and activity period for when they are awake. There is little worst than an upset procyonid. They can also get aggressive and bite if you don't spend a couple of hours a day with them. They are not an animal to ignore, they are a high maintenance pet.

Use your head when approaching these animals. If you have the scent of strange dogs stay away from them. and anything else of this order in your behavior, it will make them nervous and upset and even possibly nip.

You never yell at or hit a procyonid - ever. You spend months and years building a loving a trusting relationship. They can be a challenge and if given an opportunity be plenty destructive. They are brilliant animals. The key, lots of loving attention and keep them engaged, busy, and plenty of exploration during their awake period - nocturnal. These animals need plenty of room in their kinkajou cage.

They do live a relatively long life of 20-24 years (average they have been known to live a long life) in captivity. They may outlive you, look for kinkajous for adoption.

They are not an overly large animal about the size of a small cat 3-8 pounds or 1.36 kilograms to 3.63 kilograms.

Health and Vaccinations

Find a veterinarian familiar with kinkajous is critical before you consider acquiring one. Several vaccinations are essential even including one that is a vaccination for a bacteria that can be contagious to people and dogs for that matter. If you want kinkajous and also have a dog, please discuss the Leptospirosis vaccination with your veterinarian. The vet may suggest giving the vaccination to the dog as well.

The kinkajous will also need a combination canine distemper/ parvovirus/ hepatitis series with boosters, rabies vaccinations with boosters, and feline panleukopenia with boosters.

Kinkajous can also have internal parasites including a roundworm called baylisascaris. Baylisascaris is also called the raccoon roundworm. It is highly contagious to humans and can cause serious damage.

Procyonids can also get salmonella, please stay away from fresh raw meats.

They can also get severe dental problems because of their soft diet. Stay on top of their teeth by having regular physical and dental check-ups with your veterinarian.

Kinkajous can get quite aggressive with sexual maturity. They can bite. They should be spayed or neutered before they reach sexual maturity. Males will reach sexual maturity around 1 1/2 years (18 months) and females around 2 1/2 years (30 months). They should not be fixed too early on account of health risks but don't wait too late. Plan accordingly with your veterinarian.

It is cruel to remove the claws from any animal of the procyonid family, and this includes the kinkajous. They would be crippled and disfigured, and it is nothing short of animal abuse. The same with removing any teeth.

The kinkajous mainly eat fruit but will supplement their natural diet with nectar, bark, insects and other proteins like eggs and vertebrates, along with flowers and some plants. However, they are primarily fruit eaters. one of their favorite foods is hibiscus flowers and leaves.

A Diet for a Kinkajou

Avoid citrus fruits, avocados, and strawberries though I doubt the strawberry allergy problem. Don't feed fat sugary foods like honey.

Monkey biscuits work fine for a base diet anywhere from four to twelve depending on the size and age of the animal. Some of the biscuits can be soaked in fruit juice and offered throughout the day. Remove wet foods that haven't been eaten so that the animal doesn't become ill. Offer fruits and other fresh produce (papaya, mango, apricots, peaches, apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, and other similar foods and dried fruit a few example dates, figs, dried papaya, apricots, and so forth should be offered throughout the day. They will get the majority of their protein from the monkey biscuits. They will love you forever if you are able to grow and provide hibiscus flowers and leaves. Make sure there is no chemicals or insecticides on these plants.

Enclosure for the Kinkajou - Kinkajou Cages

The enclosure for the kinkajou should be the size of a small room with considerable height. They will need climbing branches and vertical shelves. Supply a hide box. (To feel safe in the wild they will hide in hollow spots in trees; dead trunks/branches)If you can't keep them in a suitable enclosure, don't get one. You will need to spend considerable time socializing with the kinkajou. Keep the enclosure clean. Make sure they always have plenty of fresh filtered water.

Remember they have very sharp claws, and plastic water bottles don't survive those claws. Use heavy crocks that are firmly attached. They do enjoy playing in water so expect to change the water frequently. Many of these animals love to swim.

They will need plenty of toys rotated frequently. Bring in a somewhat shallow tub of water to play in. Hide toys in tubs with leaves or mulch hiding the toys. The kinkajou needs to be kept busy to avoid behavioral problems. They will grow bored easily, and it is your job to keep them busy with plenty to do. Keep the kinkajous busy with containers holding hidden food. Give them plenty of opportunities to explore.

Many procyonids can learn to use a litter box including the coati and the raccoon. However, the kinkajou usually doesn't learn to use the litter box. If you choose to have the enclosure inside it is up to you to keep it clean, the kinkajou has no interest in cleaning.

The species is from a warmer climate, and you can't expect to keep it outside without warmth and protection from the elements. Use a safe heat source.

To find kinkajou breeders and kinkajous for sale try the different exotic pet or pet classified sites. Be very wary of who you buy from. Don't forget to look for exotic pets for adoption or kinkajous for adoption. They do live a long lifespan, and you may have a delightful surprise.

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My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

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Pet Rat Guide

Urbanization has caused the pet rat to be the perfect pet perhaps. When space or locale eliminates the possibility of a dog or cat, the rat can be ideal. Pet rats are very inexpensive to keep and require no vaccinations. Very little living space is needed to house a rat. Rats as pets have been domesticated for over 100 years. The domestic rat is unlike their wild relatives. They have sweet personalities and are very affectionate. However, they do have one small quirk: they are terrible little kleptomaniacs. They love to steal and stash!

Rarely let your rats run free. If you do allow your rat run free, supervise your pet 100% of the time. Many calamities that can strike a rat can be found in a typical household. Some of these dangers include being trapped under reclining chairs and rocking chairs. They can escape out of the smallest of places. The rat will find holes they must investigate. You have to consider if the people that lived in your house previous to you had hidden rat poison in an out of the way place, like behind the stove. When you do let them down on the floor, supervise their play very carefully.

Picking out Your Pet Rat

In the wild rats belong to colonies and are very social. They like to play together and cuddle up and sleep together. It is a good idea to purchase two rats instead of one. It should be two rats of the same sex for obvious reasons.

Make sure you pick out a healthy and happy rat. Check to be sure that the rat is friendly. A friendly rat will be curious. Rats rarely bite, though baby rats will nibble your fingers. Nipping is very reasonable and is not biting. If a rat comes up and licks your hand, you have found a lovely rat.

Check out the rat's coat, is it glossy and healthy looking? Make sure there is no discharge coming from the nose, mouth, or eyes. Is the rat listless or hunched up with a ruffled looking coat; this is an unhealthy rat. Go to another pet store. Male rats are bigger than the female rat. The rat's lifespan is from 2-3 years.

Always supervise young children around the rat. They may hold the rat too tight and injure the rat, resulting in a severe bite to the child. All pets and children visits should be supervised. The cage should have a lid that locks if you have young children, children that visit your home or have an animal that may attack the rat, for example, a cat. In my opinion, rats are the best pets for kids. Pets for kids have to be sweet, friendly, not nippy, just a good pet! You, however, have to determine the maturity of your child so that the rat nor the child is injured.

Housing and Accessories

Housing your rattie is an important consideration. Over the years often aquariums were used. Back then the wire cages were awful, rusted, could break the little limbs off our beloved rats. Because rats are so susceptible to breathing problems because of their sensitive respiratory systems – even with a mesh top, ammonia can build-up quickly. The rat can become overwhelmed and succumb to death quickly. Many rodents get upper respiratory infections (URI) because of aquariums. Aquariums should never be used.

There are new wire cages made especially for rats and other rodents. The pens should have multiple layers and provide more space for the rat and their belongings. These cages are also easier to clean and sanitize. Do make sure the cage is big enough for a rat they need room to exercise and to relieve boredom. The bar spacing should be no more than .5- inch. Here is an example.

They need room for their little sleeping house, a running wheel, feed dishes, and a water bottle and, plenty of additional room to run around. Remember that the rat is intelligent and needs toys and exciting things to do. There should be plenty of air-flow through the cage.

Bedding material has to be non-toxic. Never use cedar or pine as it will cause damage to the rat’s respiratory system and can cause severe damage to his vital organs. Some great hardwood shavings are safe for the rat’s use. Aspen is one of these hardwood shavings. They also like to take an old cloth to make into bedding.

The food dish needs to be heavy enough so that it does not tip over. The water bottle should have a chew guard designed for a rat. An excellent bed for your pet is a Quaker Oats box. Be prepared to change it periodically since the oats box can be magically transformed into bedding.

Rats like to chew. Rats have to chew; chewing will wear down their teeth. Their teeth incisors never stop growing. If the teeth get too long, they will be unable to eat. A very painful result of teeth not being worn down would be that the teeth would grow through the top of their mouths. Rat gnawing blocks are great to grind down teeth. You can also use dog biscuits, rawhide bones, and cooked soup bones.

Your rat will need an exercise wheel, make sure it is big enough for a rat, about 14 inches in diameter. Don’t use the old wire wheel. Many rodents have been injured getting their little feet and tails caught. Make sure the cage is not in direct sunlight or too hot of a location. Mainly if the rat is housed in a glass container, it gets hot, quick, very much like a car with the windows closed.

Sanitize the cage once a week. Clean and sanitize the food and water containers once a day. The rat's bedding should be changed every couple of days if your rat wants you to or not. If he has a stash of essential stuff, you can sort it out for him and return it to the cage. Do not use pine cleaner or any cleaner that can injure your pet’s respiratory system. Ask the pet store or the pharmacy what would be a safe sanitizer to clean your rat's cage and accessories. Some people use peroxide and vinegar combinations; this combination works great in the kitchen too.

Toys are essential to your rat; they are much more complex and intelligent than some people give them credit. Toy’s such as ladders, PVC tubes, wooden bird toys, and boxes are great toys. My rats just loved the bird toys that had a treat hidden inside. It takes them a while to figure the puzzle out, but they will get it. Small balls, ping pong ball size, are great fun to push around.

Feeding your Rat

There are plenty of specialty foods formulated with the health of the rat in mind. The formulated food is the correct nutritional requirement for the rat and should be available for him all the time. You should supplement the rodent food with fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens. Make sure you wash all fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also give your rat whole grain bread. If in a pinch you do not have access to rodent food you can feed a portion of very high-quality dog food, make sure the fat percentage is not over 8%. Cat food is too high in fat and protein for a rat. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water. Change it daily.

Bonding and Training

The first couple of days leave the rat in his cage but spend small amounts of time talking to him. After he adjusts to his new home start, begin offering him treats with your hand; treats like banana or cheerios. It may take a little time before he will take the food from you. Speak his name when offering him food. He will get to know his and will come to you when called. After a while, you can begin training him to come when called. Put him down on your bed or floor, a short distance away. Take a treat and hold it out to him, calling him by name. Soon you can substitute some of the treats with hugs and kisses, and he will be every bit as delighted.

Summary

Rats are sweet natured and intelligent. They are easy and inexpensive to keep as pets. Pet rats are perfect for the urban home since they require very little space. Rats make sensational pets for children. Especially the 8-12-year-olds that really need a trusted companion to share his life. A rat is a good pet to teach your kids responsibility. Treat the rat with love and you will have a wonderful little companion. Above all, enjoy your pet rat!

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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!

You are Utterly Alone - Animal Cruelty

I would like for you to play a role. I want you to get into this role with all your heart. I want you to imagine that you have been kidnapped and are being held captive in a cage; a cage just big enough to allow the slightest bit of motion.

However, it is not big enough to stretch your legs or arms, or to move your body into a comfortable position; not even to perform natural bodily functions. You sit in your own waste. You are fed and provided water but the food is the same thing every day and the water is old and nasty.

The area around the cage does not differ in the least from day to day. You can't tell if it is night or day. There is no window to see the outside world.

You never see another human being like yourself. You are completely and utterly alone.

After a very short while, you become very lonely. How would you feel in a week? How about a month? A year? Would you feel fear, depression, and anger? Would you act out by screaming, clawing or pulling at the cage? Would you even perhaps pull your hair?

How would you react or behave if you were in this situation for a length of time? How would you react Be honest with yourself? Would you scream, cry, or tear your hair out? WHAT would you do?

Humans are very social beings and so are many animals including birds, ferrets, skunks, and many many other animals, pets and exotic pets. How do you think these caged animals would feel in the same predicament? You are alone, in a cage not big enough to move around in, sitting in our own excrement. You only have stinky foul water to drink. There is nothing different to see, to touch, or to feel. No one at all to talk to, to laugh with, to hug, no interaction with no one. Some species of animal that is non-human comes in and puts food in the cage but never interacts with you.

Do you realize how many animals are sitting in cages, right now, going through exactly what I described? Animals have pretty much the same needs that we as human beings do. We need the basics, food, water, cleanliness, and socialization. If it is socialization with an animal of its own kind, or you as its caregiver, that animal needs socialization.

The results would be no different if it were a dog on a short leash stuck in a corner of a shed or yard somewhere.

Thankfully the decent and good pet owners far outweigh the bad pet owners. But please don't turn a blind eye when you see these acts of cruelty. Don't put yourself in danger, contact the proper authorities.

However, some people don’t realize they are being cruel. They don’t understand the social needs of the pet they have housed in their home. Each and every animal has different needs but we all need some form of socialization. If these pets lived among their own kind they would have the same ideals and understood social roles two simple examples would be a pack of wolves or a flock of birds.

There is more to keeping a pet than keeping a cage clean and giving the animal food and water, much more. It is up to you to learn what this animal’s social needs are and for you to provide this animal those needs.

For that matter, should the animal even be caged? Caging is detrimental to many animals. One example of such an animal would be a domestic skunk.

Wild animals have a lot to do each day that keeps them busy. Think of the boredom of being stuck in a cage day and night. Please make sure your pet is healthy and happy. Unhappiness directly affects the health of any human or animal.

Please be aware of the animals around you.

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!

Earth Day - How Have Humans Impacted the Earth?

How can I have an impact on bringing awareness; encourage appreciation, and help preserve our beautiful planet? We as humans have destroyed so much and have given back so little. To make this worst many people are denying that there even is a problem. At least in their own minds, I believe they know better, it is only because of their agenda, and knowing that things like ignoring climate change would benefit them. If they deny that it exists, people would be less inclined to remedy the situation. We can discuss this a bit later.

Let’s look at how the subject of exotic pets impacts the earth. First and foremost are all the compassionate and considerate people that are aware of the near extinction of many animals, just one example; the tiger. Because of political agendas, I doubt there will be a reversal in the extinction of the wild tiger. Thankfully, there are many live tigers in the hands of exotic pet owners to preserve the very species of this animal.

This is true of many endangered and near extinct animals. The species will survive the money grubbing, power hungry politicians that have brought about their near demise. It isn’t just one country, it is many. There would not be poaching if these officials didn’t sanction poaching or turn a blind eye to poaching for their own gain. Do your part, find exotic pets for sale from exotic pet breeders, which are home-grown or captive bred. Of the three top black market trades, exotic pets are number three, drugs and weapons are one and two.

Wong Keng Liang of Malaysia, family, and cohorts are perhaps the most notorious animal smugglers that ever existed. To this day his home country sanctions his illegal activities, I am sure the country (politicians) are benefiting greatly. There are many more smugglers and countries, but if you want to find out how easy it is for criminals such as Liang to get away with what he has done, do some research. Then realize how many other people and governments sanction the black market exotic pet trade.

Another reason for the extinction or near extinction of many animals is another biggie, habitat loss. We know what that is; we drained millions of acres of wetlands to build houses and shopping centers. Many countries, most countries are just as destructive. All countries strip trees, wetlands, grasslands, and more for more money. Money brings power, power brings more corruption.

When I think of all the plants and animals that are extinct or near extinct it makes me think of the movie Medicine Man (1992). I wonder of all the life that is lost forever if we have lost the opportunity to find a cure for cancer or even the common cold and many other illnesses that afflict us.

Now back to the first paragraph. Why would people deny climate change exists, how could it possibly benefit them? They want to keep using and selling oil and oil byproducts until there is no more. Be darned the consequences.

Do you have any idea how close we are to our own destruction? We may survive, at least the people willing to work extremely hard, don’t mind extreme discomfort, because we won’t be surviving with oil, or the automobile, tractors, and the zillion of other things that come from oil and petroleum products. Not just creature comforts would be gone, but we would be back to living with extreme hardships. The seven billion people on earth won’t all survive, in fact only a very small percentage.

Go to your kitchen and open just one cupboard. I will do the same. I opened the cupboard that has rice, wheat, cereals, and other like products. Let’s think about the simple product wheat, how much oil did it take to get that wheat into our cupboard? Also, what is the product in cardboard or plastic? Cardboard is made from trees and uses oil, plastic is made from oil.

First of all, the farmer gets up in the morning, puts on his or her clothing (takes oil to make and transport clothing), he or she eats breakfast (takes oil to produce and transport his breakfast). He then heads to his pickup truck, which is filled with petroleum. Each tire is made from oil; a car tire takes seven gallons, more for a pickup truck. Then you add the fossil fuel it takes to transport the tires, transport all the other materials that go into a tire. Each tire ends up using a barrel of oil; how many gallons of oil in a barrel - 42 gallons. Look at plastic parts, all plastic parts are made from fossil fuels. He stops at the barn to get his tractor. Look at those huge tires! How much petroleum product could be in those massive tires? Again, many other components on the tractor made from oil. He stops and fills up the tank with fuel, obviously from oil. Now he heads to the field to plow. It takes a long time to plow a field for wheat. A lot of petroleum spent. Now he has to fertilize the field, usually before and after seeding. Now he plants the field so that the wheat will grow. He irrigates the field of wheat, more oil/energy (all energy produced uses massive amounts of oil in some way – even wind power). The wheat grows, more oil is used to cut the wheat then harvest the wheat. Trucks use oil to transport the wheat to companies that produce wheat products such as the cereal in your cupboard. It takes more oil to transport it to the store, yet more oil for you to go to the store and buy the wheat. For one product that is a lot of oil.

What happens to humans when the oil is gone? Don’t kid yourself it is sooner than you think. In the year 2005 eighty-four million barrels were used in a day worldwide a lot more now. Oil is not a renewable resource unless they really get good at extending life, it takes about 10-million years for a dinosaur to turn into oil, and darn we're out of dinosaurs. We are definitely on the downswing of the climax of oil. Yes, there is new technology, we find new reserves but is bringing the planet to its knees.

Now, what does this have to do with exotic pets, to animals, to vegetation, to our children? Oil is a huge dependency, the use of oil and oil byproducts have caused a tremendous amount of pollution. There have been oil disasters, some of which have made the news, many have not. Pipelines are going in today, with political influence; the one coming from Canada going through South Dakota was approved using substandard materials.

Earth Day is just one day of the year, people jump on the bandwagon, at least some people, and then they forget about the trouble we are in - for the rest of the year. Does this mess we have made of our earth affect our children, our pets, our exotic pets, you bet it does? Every day needs to be earth day.

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!