Archive for » August, 2009 «

Adopting a Pharaoh Hound: An Exotic Dog

If you’re looking for a more unusual common pet, then you’ll want to look for more “exotic” breeds of dogs, cats, birds or fish. The Pharaoh Hound is a great example of an exotic breed of dog that is domesticated and a fabulous pet and part of the family. Pharaoh Hound History and origin: The Pharaoh Hound is an ancient breed of hound, going back to the Phoenician empire. They took these hounds with them when they set up residence at Malta and Gozo. They are medium sized and generally used for hunting by Egyptian nobility, they hunted everything from rabbits [ ... ]

Hanging Out with Squirrels in the Trees

One of the simple joys in my life is watching the squirrels in the trees play around the neighborhood. They do vex our crew of dogs at the house, but they’re so fun to watch at the same time. They chase each other, run up and down the trees, and they’re so busy with all of their chores, like cleaning themselves, watching out for predators like dogs and cats, and tending to their meals. Today, I took a look out of the window to see a squirrel actually lazing around in this midday Texas summer heat! I’ve never seen this before. He was just [ ... ]

Mock Chameleons in Texas

I have a little lizard friend that comes by my window and walks along the fence running the length of our home in Dallas. He’s a cute little guy – maybe 10 cm from nose to the end of his tail and is a khaki color. When he sees me looking through the window, he starts showing off by forcing this rounded fan-like piece of skin out from his throat area. It turns a beautiful bright, ruby red color surrounded by sunshine yellow. Now, I think he’s showing off to me. He’ll bob his head then thrust his beautiful fan out, walk a [ ... ]

How Much do Clownfish Cost?

One of my readers – “Buy clownfish” asked me the question: How much does that book on clownfish cost? I would like to know more on that fish. I wanted to address that so that others out there are aware too, not only of the book, but about how much clownfish cost to purchase for your own aquarium. The book he’s talking about is from my previous post about Clownfish. The book costs $15.16 and is all about them. Actually, clownfish can range from around $14.99 for extra small ones that are more common…On the left is an example of a small Sebae Clownfish [ ... ]

Brand New Species of Deep Sea Worms – The Green Bombers

Exotic Animal Newsflash: Seven brand new species of deep ocean worms were discovered that actually cast green glowing body parts when they’re disturbed or attacked. The team was led by Karen Osborn of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Thought to be used as a defense mechanism to confuse predators, which are unknown as of yet, theĀ  appendages glow green when they’re cast by the worm, and they will actually continue to be “let go” as they’re more and more disturbed. It’s hypothesized that Yup, that's right! I have always wanted to start an animal refuge of [ ... ]

Spirulina in Fish Food for Colored Fish

When you read the ingredients on the back of food packages, it’s often we all get “lost”…to say the least. Well, multiply that by 10 when you’re talking about pet food…pets eat things we don’t… So, how often do you actually look on the back of your turtle food container and question the ingredients…Not often, I suspect. Same goes for gerbil food or bird food. Well, I have information on one ingredient in some fish foods you might want to include in their diet. If you have fish that aren’t white (and supposed to be white), then Spirulina is a great supplement in some fish [ ... ]

Eco-Friendly Travel in Switzerland – An Environmentally Friendly Country

Did you know that Switzerland is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world? They are interested in a sustainable Switzerland! That’s important to me, as you all know. Being from Canada, we are so environmentally conscious and have been recycling for decades now, since I was about 6 or 7 years old, as well as other environmental measures. When I travel for vacation, this is also a factor in where we plan to go. Not only do we appreciate being able to have access to organic food to eat, but we enjoy eco-friendly travel and tourism too while we’re away. Switzerland [ ... ]

Keeping a Horny Toad as a Pet in Dallas

Well, as we all know, TCU’s (Texas Christian University’s) mascot is the horny toad. Actually, it’s also called a horned lizard. They are ridiculously adorable and are great, placid pets, that are even great with children. The problem with the Texas horned lizard, native to Texas, is that their food supply is waning. Even as a lizard owner, it’s gotten tougher and tougher to find natural sources for their food. What Do Horned Lizards Eat? A typical horned lizard should eat between 20-100 harvester ants per day. This is necessary because harvester ants provide this horned lizard with the formic acid it needs to [ ... ]

Hammerhead Sharks on Shark Week

One of the neatest varieties of shark is the Hammerhead Shark! Why? Well, because it’s head actually looks like a hammer with their head flattened and that extends laterally to make that strange shape. The hammerhead’s eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the hammer extensions. Wow – How neat is that? The largest hammer on a hammerhead shark is the winghead shark. These sharks use their heads to sweep for prey and since all sharks have electroreceptory, hammerheads have an advantage because these pores along their “snout” are more extensive than other sharks. Although they have a “big head”, hammerhead sharks have relatively small [ ... ]

Sand Sharks are Different From Other Sharks – Shark Week

Sand sharks aren’t often spoken of – they’re not the Great White Shark, nor an interesting Hammerhead Shark, but they’re so interesting nonetheless! Why Are Sand Sharks Different? Sand sharks are different because they’re know to come to the surface for gulps of air. Why? Because they actually have a rudimentary swim bladder like other fish do, but very unlike other sharks. Although this is strange, it helps them have exceptional Yup, that's right! I have always wanted to start an animal refuge of my own...If you would like to help me start my animal refuge, please Click Here! Live Exotically!AKPC_IDS += [ ... ]