Many reptiles have specific needs when it comes to heat and light. Meeting these needs is essential to keeping these pets healthy, so it is important to understand why heat and light are so important. The Importance of Heat For all reptiles, providing appropriate temperatures is extremely important. Being ectothermic ("cold-blooded"-although they need warm temperatures) they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature.
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Gerbils are popular pets and, like hamsters, are small, inexpensive, and easy to care for. Gerbils are actually burrowing rodents that come from African and Asia; while there are several breeds of gerbils in the wild, most pets are Mongolian gerbils. While many people do enjoy gerbils as pets, they are not ideal for very young children: They can be injured if squeezed or dropped, and are capable or nipping or scratching if frightened....
Stunning in their brilliant yellow color, the golden conure (or Queen of Bavaria conure) is, without a doubt, a beautiful bird. They can also make a very nice and affectionate companion pet that is spunky, smart, and entertaining, though they are rare and expensive. One thing is for sure-these are very special parrots that seem to steal the hearts of every bird owner they meet....
Should you cover your bird's cage at night? It depends on the situation. Some birds prefer to remain uncovered during bedtime, and other birds simply cannot sleep without a "security blanket." On average, birds need about 12 hours of good, quality sleep each night to remain in peak condition. Much like people, their rest periods can be disturbed by noise and bright light....
The magnificent and rare shire horse is best known for its height and strength, holding records for being the tallest horse in the world. Appearing similar to a Clydesdale, these horses are absolutely massive with large hooves and feathering on their legs. But in spite of their imposing size, shire horses are typically calm, docile, and eager to please....
One of the most important tasks to attend to before bringing home a new cat is to organize a "safe room" for your new feline to stay in for the first few days. It should include all the necessities a cat needs for comfort and security. Although a designated room is essential if there are other cats in the house, a safe room does not always need to be separate....
The world is full of bacteria, in fact, our world would not exist as we know it without them. In 1884 a Danish physician, Christian Gram, discovered that bacteria could be separated into two distinctive groups, gram-positive and gram-negative. Using a particular staining process the bacteria could be determined either gram-positive or negative, depending on whether they retained (positive) or lost (negative) a violet color during this process....
Wobblers syndrome isn't common, but it's important to understand it because it can look similar to other diseases such as EPM. When a vet makes a diagnosis of wobblers syndrome, testing must be done to rule out other neurological diseases. Interestingly, dogs can also have a canine version of wobblers syndrome....
Known for their excellent temperaments and recognized for their beautiful feathering and eye-catching coats, Gypsy Vanner horses are quickly growing in popularity today. These horses may have been raised to pull caravans, but they also make great riding horses, too. With their calm nature, Gypsy Vanners can be well-paired with children, as well as with beginner and advanced adult riders....
Greyhound racing has been a sport-and a rightly contested one-in the United States since the early 20 th century. Today, only six states have active dog racing tracks, and one of those states, Florida, has recently enacted a ban on the sport, with all active Greyhound racing tracks set to close by January, 2021....
Feline seizures can be caused by many different diseases that cause the cerebral cortex (or at least part of the cerebral cortex) to function abnormally, leading to a seizure. This may result from diseases that actually cause changes in the brain itself or from diseases that originate elsewhere in the cat's body but affect the brain adversely by changing the way the brain's metabolism works or changing the electrical functions within the brain....
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Canister Filter: Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter at Amazon "It provides all three forms of filtration thanks to its large-capacity media trays....
Have you ever wondered if cats go through menopause as humans do, and if so, at approximately what age? To understand how feline heat cycles work and how they compare to human fertility, you must first understand that, since cats do not experience menstruation in the same sense that human women do, menopause is a moot point....
Toxoplasmosis is a disease process that may be more familiar to cat owners than dog owners. That doesn't mean dogs aren't at risk for infection, though. Thankfully, steps can be taken to not only prevent your dog from contracting the disease, but to treat it as well. What is Toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is the disease process that is caused by a protozoal (that is, single celled) parasite called T....
Adult Burmese pythons are massive snakes, both expensive to keep and potentially dangerous. Owners have died due to handling mistakes with these snakes; they are not suitable for beginners and are generally best left in the wild. It's not easy to find someone to take a large snake if you can no longer care for it, and Burmese pythons are relatively long-lived....
Cats kept inside for their own safety sometimes attempt the great cat escape and practice door dashing. Most house cats are not at all equipped to handle the sensory overload of being outside their comfort zone, though, and come back inside immediately. But some door dashers do escape and are never found again....
Dogs are known to get into all kinds of inappropriate items around the house. This is especially true for curious puppies and bored or hungry dogs. There are many hazardous chemicals and dangerous items in the average household. Among these are fabric softeners, both in dryer sheets and liquid formulation....
Most horses with sway backs weren't born that way. Most often, they occur because the horse has not been taught how to carry a rider properly. A horse that has a hollow or sway back will carry its head up, with its back concave or "hollowed." The horse will typically have a stiff, stumpy gait, and although the neck and head may look elegantly arched, the bend is not correct....
