Happy Pets

Unless you are about to become the proud owner of a Sphynx, which has no hair at all, if you buy nothing else in the way of grooming equipment, you should at least invest in a comb that has been specially designed for felines (not a human one) to help your cat to keep its coat tangle-free. Human-assisted grooming is vital for longhaired cats to prevent their coats from becoming so drastically matted that the only solution is a trip to the vet’s to have the solid clumps of fur shaved away. (more…)

Even if your new feline is going to be an outdoor cat, you’ll still need to buy a litter tray for it to use while it settles into your household, when you should keep it house-bound until you are certain that knows where home is. Once you have given it permission to roam, your cat will regard your garden as a giant litter tray, but there will nevertheless be occasions when you’ll have to resurrect the real thing: (more…)

If you intend your feline to be an outdoor cat, think about how it is going to gain access to the great outdoors.

With your special skill as a door-opener, are you prepared to be miaowed at every time, day or night that your cat wants to be let in or out? If not, and you don’t want to restrict your cat’s movements, fitting a cat flap into a wall or door (for which some DIY expertise will be required) is probably the answer. (more…)

Members of this family are bottom-dwelling fishes, and may be recognized as such by their flat ventral profile and underslung mouths, complete with barbels. In the aquarium, Loaches may be nocturnal, although some soon lose their shyness and venture around the tank during its illuminated periods. The fishes often make hiding places themselves by burrowing under rocks or into a tangle of aquarium plants. Most prefer to live in a community rather than as solitary specimens. The majority of Loaches have erectile spines, a defence weapon mainly, and these may catch in the aquarist’s net. There are many varieties to choose from, each with a differing colour pattern or body form, but they are all difficult to catch with a net. (more…)

Short-bodied Catfish

Brochis splendens (coeruleus) 76 mm 3 in. South America : slow-moving waters. Has a flat ventral profile and an arched back. The dorsal fin is long- based. The fins are brownish, and the body colour bronze/green. Very similar to the Corydoras genus but generally larger; the length of the dorsal fin is conclusive evidence. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods; worms relished. Breeding: has been bred ; probably follows Corydoras pattern. (more…)

It does seem that the younger the bird, the easier he is to tame; however, all birds, of all ages, will eventually respond to kindness. The major problem is getting his confidence in you. His fear of new surroundings, lack of companions and strangeness of a new cage are all contributing factors to his wild behavior when you bring him to your home. He will undoubtedly bite when handled, cower in the corner and hiss and strike at your extended hand. Patience is the key word here along with slow, cautious movements. Speak softly each time you approach the cage, and keep the cage near you while you do your chores. (more…)

Both the male and female Cockatiel learn to talk quite proficiently, and although their voices are somewhat shrill, the words they learn are quite distinguishable. The male does much more whistling and can be taught to repeat complete bars of certain tunes. The female is not so adept at this, but she can wolf whistle, and is as quick at learning as the male. (more…)

Before you welcome your cat or kitten into your home, you will need to prepare for its arrival by assembling the following cat-care basics.

A carrying basket

The first item that you’ll need is a carrying basket in which to transfer your cat or kitten from its existing home to yours. Don’t imagine that you will be able to carry it home in your arms: your feline is a creature of habit who will regard its previous place of residence as a safe haven, so as soon as you — after all, (more…)

The young of these fishes develop inside the body of the female until they have absorbed the yolk-sac and are then released. Most livebearing fishes are easily sexed : male fishes have the anal fin modified into a rod-like structure called the gonopodium, through which the fertilizing spermatophores are introduced into the female. Gestation is approximately 3o days and broods may number from 20 to 200. It is possible for the females of some species to deliver successive broods without a repeat mating with the male. (more…)

On the 18th or 19th day after the egg has been laid, a tiny hole appears in the side of the egg. At this time the chick can be heard chipping at the shell and making his very first “chirps.” Just a matter of hours later, the chick emerges from the shell. The parents clean the baby, for there is a kind of afterbirth encrusted on his body. Shortly thereafter they will feed the little one by regurgitating food into its mouth. It is best to leave the chicks with the parents for a few days. They do seem to get a better start by doing this. (more…)