Nov.13/2024

 

Top 5 Tips for a Healthy Cat

By Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP

Published 10/ 11/ 2022

Prevention goes a long way in staving off problems—especially when caring for a cat. By taking proactive steps to keep your fur baby healthy, you’re more likely to enjoy many happy years together (up to 14 or more, to be exact). Read on for some tips & tricks to maximize the years spent with your kitty.

Food Bowls

To be a successful cat parent, you need the right gear. Many of us think of no-brainers like food & water right away, but some things are more subtle—like nice, flat, wide bowls for that food & water so kitty doesn’t bump her whiskers while enjoying it. In place of a water bowl, you can opt for a cat water fountain— there’s some research that fountains make housecats healthier, too.

Litterbox

And then there’s the litterbox. Who likes small, cramped, smelly port-a-potties? Not us, & not our cats. Research has shown that cats like a litter pan that is 1.5 times the length of their body, including the tail—which is HUGE! And most cats seem to prefer a pan without a cover. They even have litter preferences: Most cats will choose a dust-free, scent-free clumping litter that’s about 1.5 inches deep in the pan. Who knew?

Cat Carrier

One item commonly overlooked is the cat carrier. Many people equate putting cats in a carrier with rides in the car & decide that, because Fluffy won’t travel often, they probably don’t need one.

But what if there’s an emergency & your cat is injured or seriously ill? It’s recommended to have at least one medium-sized carrier per cat, & one that loads from the top is often the quickest & easiest for a kitty that isn’t totally cooperative about getting inside. Why choose a top-loader? Gravity is on your side!

Cat Toys

And don’t forget that everyone, kitties included, needs a little fun. Many cats love to play with toys—some will even play fetch with stuffed mice or jingly balls.

Cat trees & perches located near windows go hand-in-paw with bird feeders outside to provide hours of entertainment (for humans & felines alike). Not to mention the joy of a laser cat toy.

Nutrition Is Key

An array of cat foods is available, so ask your veterinarian for help in choosing a diet plan tailored for your cat.

Veterinarians have found that, as a rule, cats do seem to be healthier when fed canned foods.  The risk of obesity, diabetes, & heart disease is lower when cats are fed portioned amounts of canned cat foods, namely because of the lower amounts of carbohydrates in these diets. 

Even “low-carb” dry foods have a lot of carbs compared to an average wet food, so these differences are important to consider. But this precaution doesn’t translate to “all dry foods are bad.” Just know that if you choose to feed your cat dry food, portion control is critical because it’s very easy for kitties to overeat on these carbohydrate-rich diets.

Most people choose to “meal feed” cats—in other words, put a portion down at a certain time & let the cat eat when he chooses to. At the next set time, another portion goes into the bowl. Having this set schedule prevents your cat from grazing all day long & consuming too many calories. But once a day isn’t enough, so if you choose this method, feed your cat a portion of her calories 2 to 3 times per day. Your veterinarian can help you to determine what an appropriate portion size is.

Keep the Litterbox Clean

No one likes cleaning the litterbox, but it’s an important role for all cat parents. Cats are picky about where they eliminate, & if the box is smelly & gross, they won’t want to go in. A dirty litter pan is the biggest reason why cats choose to turn other areas of your home, like the bathtub or that pile of laundry you’ve been meaning to put away, into their personal toilet. 

Keeping up with scooping can also alert you to medical problems. Are those puddles of urine getting bigger or smaller? Both can indicate a health issue. How about the stool—is it getting smaller? All kinds of answers can be found to medical questions in the litter pan, & it is easier to notice health problems more quickly if you pay close attention to the litter box.

So, how often should you clean the litterbox? Here’s a breakdown:

Scoop out all waste at least once per day.

Dump, wash, clean, & dry the box at least once per week.

Throw away the box & purchase a new one at least once per year, as plastic holds not-so-nice residues & smells that your cat will notice over time.

Stay on Top of Grooming

Cats are famous for grooming themselves, so why do they need any help from us when they already do such a great job? One big reason: hairballs.

When kitty grooms, all that hair has to go somewhere. And usually, that means into the stomach. Sometimes it will pass through into the stool, but other times it comes back up & you find a surprise on your floor. Save yourself future clean-up by brushing your cat with a soft, bristled brush.

Another brush or comb you want in your grooming kit is one designed specifically to remove matted hair. Most cats develop the occasional tangle, & it’s much easier to use a brush while the mess is small rather than wait until it becomes unruly. Severe tangles often need to be shaved off, so catching them early is easier for you & your cat.

Flea combs are also important. If you aren’t already treating your cat monthly with flea prevention (which is strongly recommended), use a flea comb on your cat every week to catch any fleas.

The other critical aspect of grooming is nail clipping. Although cats will remove the sheaths from their nails & sharpen them, nails can (& do) overgrow, resulting in painful ingrown nails that often become infected.

Kitties with extra toes are especially prone to this problem.  Overly long nails can also get stuck in things when a cat tries to stretch or scratch on a post, & she can accidentally scratch you during playtime. Keeping those nails short are in everyone’s best interest, so trim them weekly.

Stay Consistent with Veterinarian Appointments

Don’t forget the cornerstone of a healthy kitty: finding problems early! Your feline friend may look healthy to you, but would you notice if she lost a few ounces over the last year? Probably not, but your veterinarian should.

What about if he developed some dental tartar, a lump on a nipple, or a cyst in the ear?  All these things are common in cats, & exactly the type of things veterinarian look for in routine veterinary appointments.  And all of them are much easier—& cheaper—to treat when caught early. 

Taking your cat to annual wellness exams goes a long way in keeping her healthy. Your vet will check kitty from head to tail tip & administer vaccines, heartworm medications, & flea & tick control as needed. The veterinarian will also be able to help advise you on any necessary diet adjustments or other concerns.

On average, most cats under the age of 7 can go into the veterinary hospital just once per year (once they have finished their kitten vaccines & checkups, that is). Once turning 8, most cats should see a veterinarian twice per year. Your kitty may need to be seen even more often if there are any specific health concerns that need to be managed.

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle:

Nov. 6/2024

 

13 Fun Facts About Orioles! (#7 is my favorite)

By Lindsey Dahle

First, these birds are absolutely beautiful. Their fiery orange & yellow plumage makes them look like they belong in a tropical rainforest! And their beautiful songs are a cheerful addition to any backyard. 

Additionally, even though orioles are not rare, they are uncommon to see. I know many people who have NEVER observed an oriole as these shy birds tend to stay high up in the trees. I love showing someone orioles at my feeders for the first time & witnessing how they can’t believe these birds exist near us!

#1. Orioles love the color orange.

Orioles are attracted to the color orange because it mimics many of the native flowers they drink from. Unfortunately, many backyard birders make the mistake of putting orange coloring in their oriole nectar, but this isn’t necessary. Instead, you can use an oriole feeder with an orange cap or base.

In addition, orioles also love to eat fruit, & oranges are one of their favorites! Try placing halved or quartered oranges in your backyard for them to consume. My favorite oriole feeder is the Ultimate Oriole Buffet. It has nails for hanging orange halves & cups for grape jelly, another favorite of orioles!

#2. Orioles can’t resist caterpillars.

Although many people associate orioles with nectar & jelly, they mostly eat these foods to replenish their strength after migrating. However, once orioles have started to nest, they switch to eating insects & spiders almost exclusively. Their favorite insect types are caterpillars like gypsy moth caterpillars, cabbage worms, & tent caterpillars. They even eat spiny & hairy caterpillars, which most other birds avoid!

Orioles also eat spiders, wasps, crickets, & grasshoppers, so if any of these critters are causing problems in your yard, try attracting orioles! Just make sure not to use pesticides because you’ll be killing their primary food source.

#3. Orioles have a sweet tooth. 🙂

Orioles enjoy eating sugar. And I mean, can we blame them?

Specifically, these birds enjoy sugary foods during & directly after their long migration north & south. The sweet, high-energy treats provide them with much-needed energy. Naturally, orioles drink nectar from flowers & look for fruit.

But luckily, bird feeding enthusiasts can attract orioles to their feeders in spring using the following sugary foods:

Jelly

When it comes to feeding orioles jelly, the grape flavor works best.

Jelly that is made for humans is fine for feeding orioles. Just head to your local grocery store & buy an inexpensive brand.

My preference is buying jelly that comes in a squeeze bottle to avoid the mess of scooping it out with a spoon! And make sure you purchase jelly & not jam.

Nectar

Like hummingbirds, orioles enjoy drinking sugar water for an instant energy burst!

You can purchase pre-made nectar, but it’s easy to make your own! Just mix 4 parts water with 1 part table sugar, & you’re done!

Unfortunately, you typically can’t use your existing hummingbird nectar feeders for orioles. That’s because their beaks are too big to fit into the tiny ports that typical hummingbird feeders possess.

#4. Orioles don’t eat birdseed.

 

Unfortunately, your regular bird feeders won’t attract orioles at all. This is because they don’t eat any typical feeder foods, like sunflower seeds & peanuts.

In addition to grape jelly, oranges, & nectar, one food that MAY attract orioles to your feeding station is dried mealworms. Since they’re insect larva, mealworms fit into the natural diet of orioles.

#5. They’re extremely sensitive to pesticide use.

Pesticides are just about the worst thing you can use if you want to attract orioles!

Here’s why:

A. Orioles eat pests! Their diet is made up almost entirely of caterpillars, spiders, & insects that pesticides are designed to kill. If all these creatures die, the orioles will have nothing to eat. Since they don’t eat birdseed or other common bird foods, they’ll have to move on to find a meal.

B. Pesticides can contaminate other sources of food. For example, when Orioles arrive at their breeding grounds after migration, they eat fruit & nectar for quick energy. Pesticides can easily blow onto fruit trees & berry bushes, contaminating this food source & making the orioles sick.

Additionally, orioles may be better at controlling pests than the chemicals anyway! One of the best facts about orioles is that they eat many insects that cause damage to gardens but leave beneficial insects & pollinators alone. So, skip the pesticides & invite an oriole to dine in your backyard instead!

#6. Every oriole has a unique song.

All orioles sing clear, flutelike songs & whistle loudly. But each individual has a unique song that other orioles can identify!

They use songs & calls for many different purposes. For example, male mating orioles usually sing long, melodic songs, while warning calls are short, sharp “chucks.”

If an oriole is defending its territory or competing with another bird, it’s likely to make a series of staccato chirps that sound like “ah-ah-ah.”

#7. Oriole nests are incredible structures!

Orioles are the master engineers of the bird world!

This is my favorite fact about orioles. I find their nests to be truly amazing! They create intricately woven baskets that hang from tree branches. The materials can vary, but generally, orioles prefer long fibers pulled from immature trees or other hardy plants.

The baskets have 3 distinct layers. The outer layer is made of tough, durable fibers woven together like a basket. A second layer is made of springier materials like grass or bits of leaves. Finally, the interior is lined with downy material like cottonwood or cattail fluff, feathers, or delicate plants.

This complex nest is so durable that up to 85% of oriole nests are still hanging the next spring! Despite their durability, orioles rarely reuse a nest. However, they will take materials from existing nests to build new ones.

#8. Not all orioles are bright orange.

When most people think about orioles, they picture the bright orange & black of a Baltimore or Bullock’s Oriole. But the truth is, many orioles are yellow, burnt orange, or even brown!

Female & juvenile orioles have muted colors that range from grayish-brown to yellow. Even though they aren’t as bright, they’re still beautiful!

Orchard Orioles are another species that isn’t typically orange. They have a black hood & back similar to a Baltimore Oriole but a burnt orange or chestnut color on the chest. Some species like the Hooded Oriole & Scott’s Oriole are bright yellow.

#9. Orioles are members of the blackbird family.

This is a fact about orioles that many people find hard to believe.

Despite their bright coloring, orioles are members of the family Icteridae, which are blackbirds. Other members include grackles, red-winged blackbirds, & Brewer’s blackbirds.

Orioles were given their genus name from the Latin word aureolus, which means “golden.“ Their colorful feathers are all the more beautiful when you consider they’re actually blackbirds!

#10. There are 8 oriole species in the United States!

It might surprise you to learn how many different types live in the USA because many of their ranges don’t overlap.

For instance, we only have 2 types here in Ohio, Baltimore & Orchard Orioles. But in California, there are 3 completely different species.

There are 33 species of oriole, but most of them stay in South America & Mexico year-round.

#11. There is a pro baseball team named after an oriole!

It’s true! The Baltimore Orioles are named after the popular bird that migrates to Maryland during the summer. It might seem like a simple connection, but actually, the history is complicated & fascinating!

The original leader of Maryland & the namesake of Baltimore was Lord Cecil Calvert Baltimore, & the colors of his family crest are orange & black. So, residents of Maryland began calling the Baltimore Oriole the “Baltimore-Bird” after Lord Cecil’s colors. The Baltimore Oriole has had a rich history in Maryland since well before the Major League Baseball team was started!

Once Major League Baseball started a franchise in Baltimore, it seemed only fitting that they would be named after the state bird, so the Baltimore Orioles were founded.

But, for a while, the baseball Orioles were the only Baltimore Orioles that existed! Believe it or not, from 1973 to 1994, Baltimore Orioles (the birds) were lumped in with a western relative, the Bullock’s Oriole, & called the Northern Oriole.

In 1995, the 2 species were split, & since then, 2 types of Baltimore Orioles come back to Maryland each spring. 🙂

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle:

Oct. 30/2024

 

Halloween 😈 Animals List: Scary Animals Pictures & Facts Part 2

by Active Wild Admin

10/ 23/ 2023 

Pacific Viperfish

Scientific name: Chauliodus macouni

Type of animal: Fish

Conservation status: Unassessed

The Pacific viperfish is a deep sea fish found up to 5km below the surface. Despite only having a maximum body length of around 30 cm (1 ft.), the Pacific viperfish’s immense fangs are enough to put anyone off going into the water!

Scorpions

Like spiders, scorpions are arachnids. There are around 1,750 species of scorpion. Together they make up the order Scorpiones.

Whereas some spiders have a venomous bite, it’s a scorpion’s tail you need to be careful of. All scorpions have a venomous stinger located at the end of the tail. This is used both to capture prey & as a defense against predators.

Very few scorpions possess venom strong enough to be deadly to humans. Unless you suffer from specific allergies & no medical help is available, you’ll generally survive a scorpion sting.

The deathstalker scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus inhabits deserts & other dry habitats in North Africa & the Middle East. Its powerful venom & speedy strike make it one of the world’s most dangerous scorpions.

Sharks

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” These are the words famously spoken by Roy Scheider’s character Chief Brody after seeing the huge killer shark in the movie Jaws.

Even before the release of classic 70s movie, sharks were regarded as truly terrifying animals; the film just took fear of sharks mainstream.

One of the largest sharks (& the star of Jaws) is the great white shark Carcharodon carcharias. This fearsome ocean predator can reach lengths of 20 ft (6 m).

All sharks are equipped with special sense organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini. These enable a shark to detect electrical fields produced by the muscles of other animals.

Sharks have several rows of teeth. These are continuously replaced during a shark’s lifetime, with new teeth moving from the back to the front. There’s little chance of a shark missing a meal due to toothache!

If you’re in the water & you see a great white shark approaching, it’s a good idea to get in a boat. A big boat.

Slugs

It’s probably because we’re mammals ourselves that we can relate to other mammals such as cats & dogs better than we can to animals such as slugs.

… Or maybe it’s a slug’s slimy skin, tentacles, & sticky trails that puts us off!

Slugs belong to the mollusk class Gastropoda, which also includes snails. Although slugs don’t have visible shells, most species have a much-reduced shell located under their skin.

A slug’s slimy skin prevents its body–which is made mainly of water–from drying out.

Most slugs have 2 pairs of tentacles, both of which are retractable. A slug’s eyes are located at the ends of the top pair of tentacles. The lower tentacles provide a sense of smell.

Snakes

Snakes are limbless reptiles in the suborder Serpentes. Their closest relatives are lizards. Both snakes & lizards are members of the reptilian order Squamata.

The first snakes appeared during the Late Cretaceous period; perhaps 30 or 40 million years before the first primates.

The fear of snakes is known as Ophidiophobia. Scientific research has found that an instinctive fear of snakes may actually be something we’re born with. In other words, snakes are scientifically proven to be scary animals!

There are around 3,600 species of snake divided between 18 families.

The snake family with the largest number of species is Colubridae. Snakes in this family are generally quite small & non-venomous.

The largest snakes are found in the families Boidae (the boa family) & Pythonidae (the python family). Snakes in these families are nonvenomous & use constriction to overcome their prey.

Well known families of venomous snakes include Viperidae (the vipers) & Elapidae, which includes Cobras, mambas, & taipans.

Spiders

Spiders are arachnids belonging to the order Araneae. With over 48,000 known species, Araneae is the largest order of arachnids.

Not only are there an awful lot of different spiders, they’re also found in virtually all land habitats, & on every continent except Antarctica. That’s bad news if you happen to suffer from arachnophobia! (Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders.)

If you are an arachnophobe, you should probably stay away from these guys:

Redknee tarantula Brachypelma hamorii (a large, hairy spider found in Mexico)

Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus, (a highly-venomous spider found around Sydney, Australia)

Brazilian wandering spider (a large South American species that competes with the Sydney funnel-web spider for title of ‘most venomous spider’)

Redback spider Latrodectus hasselti (another highly-venomous Australian species, recognizable by the red hourglass marking on its otherwise all black abdomen).

Tasmanian Devil

Scientific name: Sarcophilus harrisii

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Endangered

The Tasmanian devil is the largest living carnivorous marsupial. The size of a small dog, this Australian mammal has a powerful, squat build & large head. It has one of the strongest bites in relation to body size of any animal.

The species is only found on the Australian island state of Tasmania. The ‘devil’ part of its name refers both to the bloodcurdling screams emitted by this nocturnal animal as it feeds, & its aggressive temperament.

Sadly, in recent years this distinctive animal has been badly affected by a disease that has caused its population to plummet. This scary animal now finds itself on the endangered list.

Thorny Devil

Scientific name: Moloch horridus

Type of animal: Reptile

Conservation status: Least Concern

The ‘Moloch’ part of the thorny devil’s scientific name refers to an ancient god whose followers took part in human sacrifice. The ‘horridus’ part means, well, horrible.

The thorny devil’s scary name is due to the lizard’s fearsome appearance. With horn-like scales on its head & spines running along its back, tail & legs, this desert reptile resembles a mini dinosaur.

A ‘false head’ behind the lizard’s real head–which provides protection from predators–only adds to the animal’s bizarre appearance.

In fact, the thorny devil is well-adapted to the hot, dry climate of the Australian outback. Tiny channels between the scales carry water that has condensed on the animal’s skin to its mouth.

Toads

Type of Animal: Amphibian

Order: Anura

Toads are amphibians &, along with frogs, belong to the order Anura.

Biologically, there isn’t a great deal of difference between frogs & toads; species with dry, warty skin tend to be named “toads”; whereas species with smooth, moist skin are known as “frogs”.

Toads are included on this list of scary animals due to their association with witches & witchcraft. No self-respecting witch makes a potion without at least one toad in the recipe.

This association may have begun due to the fact that toads in the “true toad” family Bufonidae secrete poison from parotoid glands behind their eyes.

Being amphibians, toads hatch from eggs laid in water, & spend the first stage of their lives as tadpoles. Their bodies then undergo a process known as metamorphosis. During this time toads develop lungs & limbs. In their adult form, toads breathe air & are able to leave the water.

Perhaps the scariest toad of all is the cane toad, a species native to South America. This insect-eating amphibian was introduced to Australia to protect crops.

The plan backfired. The cane toad failed to control crop-eating insects, & its introduction was extremely harmful to several much-loved Australian species, including quolls & goannas.

Vampire Bat

Scientific name: Desmodus rotundus

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Least Concern

The common vampire bat is one of 3 species of vampire bat (the other 2 are the hairy-legged vampire bat, & the white-winged vampire bat). The diet of all 3 species consists entirely of blood.

The common vampire bat targets mammals–usually livestock–while they are sleeping. It either swoops down directly onto the animal, or lands nearby & crawls over before jumping onto its victim.

Using special heat sensors in its nose, the vampire bat is able to locate where its victim’s blood is flowing closest to the skin. It bites through the skin with razor-sharp teeth, while chemicals in its saliva prevent a scab from forming as it feeds.

Although the vampire bat’s bite is non-fatal, the species is known to carry rabies.

Vampire Squid

Scientific name: Vampyroteuthis infernalis

Type of animal: Mollusk (spelt Mollusc in British English)

Conservation status: Unassessed

The vampire squid, despite its name, is not a true squid. Instead, it is the only living member of the order Vampyromorphida, & is more closely-related to octopuses.

This deep sea species lives in depths of 3km or more. If threatened, it will open its webbed legs & expose fearsome-looking (but harmless) spines.

This scary animal has got an equally scary scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, which means ‘vampire squid from hell’.

This scary animal’s scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, means ‘vampire squid from hell’, which to us sounds like a good name for a heavy metal band.

Wolf

Scientific name: Canis lupus

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Least Concern

Few, if any, animals have inspired as many myths & legends as the gray wolf. It is an animal of the wilderness which, unlike its cousin the coyote, doesn’t live happily near humans.

The gray wolf is the largest member of the dog family, Canidae. It is found throughout much of the northern hemisphere, & has many subspecies, including the Eurasian wolf, Arctic wolf, northwestern wolf, & the domestic dog.

The long, eerie howls produced by a pack of wolves are among the most spine-chilling of all animal sounds.

Cute Halloween Critters: 

Weekly Chuckle:

Oct. 23/2024

 

Halloween Animals List: Scary Animals Pictures & Facts Part 1

by Active Wild Admin

10/ 23/ 2023 

To celebrate Halloween we’ve made a list of some of the world’s scariest animals. Continue reading… if you dare!

Aye-Aye

Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Endangered

The aye-aye is a lemur found on the African island of Madagascar. Local people believe that the aye-aye brings bad luck, especially if it points at you with its skeletal finger (the species uses its elongated middle fingers to prize grubs out of nooks & crannies).

There are around 100 species of lemur. Lemurs are only found on Madagascar, where they evolved independently of other primates such as monkeys & apes. The aye-aye lives in the rainforests on the eastern side of the island.

The aye-aye is the world’s largest nocturnal primate. This endangered animal hunts using echolocation. By tapping on trees, it is able to tell from the sound if food is present under the bark.

Bald Uakari

Scientific name: Cacajao calvus

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Vulnerable

The hairless red head of the bald uakari gives this small monkey an almost human-like appearance. This bizarre-looking primate is found in the western reaches of the Amazon Rainforest in South America.

Sadly, hunting & habitat loss mean that the bald uakari now has a conservation status of ‘Vulnerable’.

Bears

Type of animal: Mammal

Animal Family: Ursidae

There are only 8 living species of bear: polar bear, brown bear, American black bear, spectacled bear, sloth bear, sun bear, Asian black bear, & giant panda.

Together these 8 species make up the family Ursidae.

Most bears are omnivores, although some, such as the giant panda & spectacled bear, mainly eat plants. The sloth bear is a specialist insect eater.

The polar bear is the most carnivorous of all bears, & on average the largest, although the Kodiak bear (which is a subspecies of brown bear) can be even larger.

They may be cute as cubs, but as adults bears are big, powerful, & well-armed. They’re likely to attack if they think you’re a threat–or, in the case of brown bears & polar bears–if they’re hungry!

The insect-eating sloth bear is surprisingly aggressive given its diet & even the giant panda has been known to attack humans!

Bears make many appearances in myths & legends. 2 constellations–Ursa Major (the great bear) & Ursa minor (lesser bear)–are named after bears.

Camel Spider

Order: Solifugae

Type of animal: Arachnid

Camel spiders are a group of arachnids that are mostly found in deserts & other arid habitats.

Being arachnids, camel spiders have 8 legs, along with 2 additional pairs of appendages on their heads.

In camel spiders, these additional appendages take the form of long, leg-like feelers, & freakishly large, fearsome-looking mouthparts.

Cockroaches

Type of Animal: Insect

Insects aren’t particularly well-liked animals at the best of times, but cockroaches have a particularly bad reputation.

More “gross animals” than “scary animals”, cockroaches are associated with dirty, unhygienic surroundings. They’re known to transmit disease, & can cause an unpleasant odor in buildings in which they are present.

The German cockroach Blattella germanica is the most commonly-encountered cockroach in the United States. It is one of around 4,600 cockroach species, all of which are members of the order Blattodea.

Cockroaches are closely related to termites, which are also members of Blattodea.

The German cockroach is a survival expert. This hardy insect is found on all continents except Antarctica, & can reproduce faster than any other “pest” cockroach. Some people think that, in the event of a nuclear war, cockroaches would be the only species to survive!

Dracula Parrot

Scientific name: Psittrichas fulgidus

Type of animal: Bird

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Pesquet's parrot has been given the alternative name of "Dracula Parrot" due to its black & red plumage (which resembles the cloak worn by the fictional vampire), large size, featherless face, & long bill.

The distinctive parrot's bill & bald face give it a vulture-like appearance, & because of this the species is also known as the vulturine parrot.

The Dracula parrot is found in the mountain forests of New Guinea. Despite its fearsome looks, the species is a frugivore (fruit-eater). Instead of drinking blood, it uses its large, powerful beak to open hard nuts & fruits; its favorite food being figs.

Due to habitat destruction & hunting (for its feathers, which are used in ceremonial dress by indigenous peoples), Pesquet's parrot is rated "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.

Gila Monster

Scientific name: Heloderma suspectum

Type of animal: Reptile

Conservation status: Near Threatened

The Gila monster is one of only 2 venomous lizards found in North America (the other being the closely-related Mexican beaded lizard). Although the species feeds mainly on eggs, its venom helps it to subdue live prey such as small birds, mammals, & reptiles.

The Gila monster's venomous bite, together with its warning coloration, help protect it from predators.

This large, black / orange lizard grows to a maximum length of around 56 cm (22 in). It is found in deserts & scrubland in the southwestern United States & Mexico.

Although the Gila monster had a fearsome reputation among early settlers, its bite, although extremely painful, is rarely fatal.

Hellbender

Scientific name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Type of animal: Amphibian

Conservation status: Vulnerable

A true ‘river monster’, the hellbender is one of the largest amphibians in the world, & the largest found in the Americas. The species reaches a maximum length of around 74 cm (29 in).

The hellbender lives in fast-flowing rivers & streams. Unlike most other amphibians, it lives in the water even after having reached maturity. The species is entirely carnivorous, preying on crayfish, mollusks, & fish.

Although the hellbender has lungs, it also obtains oxygen from the water via its slimy, wrinkled skin.

Horned Lizards

Type of animal: Reptile

Horned lizards are reptiles in the genus Phrynosoma. With armored plates, rows of spines running along their sides & backs, & horn-like spines on their heads, horned lizards resemble miniature dinosaurs.

Due to their squat, rounded appearance horned lizards are also known as horny toads.

Horned lizards don't tend to move very fast & rely on their excellent camouflage to keep out of the way of predators.

Why are horned lizards included in this list of Halloween animals? It's not their dinosaur-like appearance, but something even more terrifying; when threatened, these little reptiles squirt a stream of blood from their eyes & mouth!

The blood also contains foul-tasting chemicals, so if the sight of the blood itself wasn’t enough, its taste may make a potential predator think twice about eating the lizard.

Found in the southern United States & Mexico, the Texas horned lizard is the most widespread horned lizard. It grows to around 10 cm / 4 in. in length.

Iberian Ribbed Newt

Scientific name: Pleurodeles waltl

Type of animal: Amphibian

Conservation status: Near Threatened

The Iberian ribbed newt is the largest newt found in Europe, but that’s not why it’s on this list of scary animals. We’ve included this terrifying amphibian because of the unique way in which it defends itself from predators.

When threatened, the Iberian ribbed newt is able to puncture its own skin with its sharp ribs. While doing so it also secretes poison from its skin, meaning that an animal picking up the newt in its mouth would get a mouthful of sharp, poisonous spines.

You may think that piercing its own skin with its bones would cause the Iberian ribbed newt serious harm, but in fact the skin quickly grows back, leaving the amphibian seemingly unaffected.

Komodo Dragon

Scientific name: Varanus komodoensis

Type of animal: Reptile

Conservation status: Endangered

Growing to 3 meters (10 ft.) in length, the Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard. This Asian species is found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, from which it gets its name, & 2 other neighboring islands.

With its lumbering gait, the fearsome Southeast Asian lizard would at first glance seem unable to catch nimble-footed prey. Don’t be fooled; the Komodo dragon is capable of a surprising burst of speed. The species is also thought to produce venom that makes its bite even more potent.

Owls

Type of Animal: Bird

Owls are birds in the order Strigiformes (an “order” is a group of related animals).

Nearly all owls are nocturnal; their large eyes are an adaptation for seeing at night.

Owls also have excellent hearing; the stiff feathers that surround their round faces help to direct sound towards their ears. In addition, special feathers help owls to fly silently.

Because owls are active at night they are often associated with the supernatural. You’ve probably seen a film or TV show that uses an owl’s cry to set the atmosphere for a spooky nighttime scene.

Instead of a pleasant ‘twit-twoo!’, a barn owl emits a bloodcurdling range of screeches & hisses. In some areas it is known as a ‘screech owl’ on behalf of its terrifying call.

In addition, the silent, ghostly form of a barn owl flying through the night has led to superstitious people giving it names such as ‘demon owl’, ’death owl’ & ’ghost owl’.

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle: