Jan. 26/2022

Do Chinchillas Make Good Pets?

"Chinchillas are small & energetic animals that sleep during the day & are active at night. They can make great pets if their activity level works for you.

...Over the years that you'll have a chinchilla as a pet, they will need regular visits to a veterinarian for wellness exams. Like any animal, they require a commitment to providing the proper diet & bedding, appropriate activity, & playtime.

How long do chinchillas live as pets?

Chinchillas typically live about 15 years, but living between 18 to 22 years is also not uncommon, says Pet Assured. This site also says that unlike cats & dogs, chinchillas do not need vaccines. But they can be spayed or neutered, which should be considered if you're keeping more than one together. Multiple females can get along well together, but males should be kept separately.

How much space do chinchillas need?

Chinchillas like to climb, so a tall cage with ladders & shelves is best. You can buy one or make your own chinchilla cage. Some people think that chinchillas are the size of hamsters, but Pet Assured says their body length can grow from 10 to 14 inches, & their height is 5 to 6 inches. When considering a habitat for your chinchilla, provide the biggest space based on what you have room for in your home with a minimum floor space being about 2 feet square.

Pet Assured explains that one of the things that makes chinchillas such desirable pets is their thick, soft fur. In the wild where they live in mountainous areas of South America this fur keeps them warm, but in a cage they can overheat. It's best to find a cool, quiet area for your cage with an ambient temperature under 80 degrees. Pet Care Veterinary Hospital says chinchillas need regular dust baths to help maintain their luxurious fur.

What do chinchillas eat?

Tex Vet Pets says chinchillas need plenty of roughage in their diet, which helps to keep both their teeth & gastrointestinal tract healthy. Offering as much fresh Timothy hay as they want to eat on a daily basis is essential. Pelleted food, which is also made of Timothy hay, is also a main part of the diet for adult chinchillas. To get the roughage, dark, leafy greens are best, & carrots can be considered an occasional treat.

Younger chinchillas under one year of age should eat alfalfa hay or alfalfa hay-based pellets. Pellet foods should be limited to 1 or 2 tablespoons but the pellets that contain nuts, seeds, or dried fruit should be avoided because they are low in nutrition & high in fat.

What are chinchilla personalities like?

Chinchillas are most active at dusk & dawn, & into the night... They also seem to be skittish creatures that generally do not like to be held, although they can become very attached to their owners if they are held regularly from a young age. Chinchillas are not unfriendly animals, they just have to be acclimated to human touch.

Chinchillas are very active & playful. Pet Care Veterinary Hospital says chinchillas love to jump & be up high & may even climb to the top of their food dishes for extra height. They can be trained to use an exercise wheel, although they do like to be let out of their cages. If you let them out, have them in a safe area where they can't get into trouble or get hurt or lost.

Can you train a chinchilla?

The website Little Pet Warehouse says chinchillas are highly intelligent animals that can be trained to do tricks. This website says it can be challenging to train chinchillas because although they are intelligent, they tend to do what they want rather than what the owner wants! Approach training using positive reinforcement, which can mean gentle handling & a treat they like, such as raisins, cut into small pieces (so they don't get too much).

They can be trained to use a litter box by placing some of the soiled substrate (cage bedding) into the litter area, & they can even recognize their name. To do this, say their name often, & when they come to you, give them a treat & praise. Approach it in the same way that you might approach training a dog: repetition, patience, practice, & rewarding behavior.

Bonding with your chinchilla

There's a website called Small Pet Select that talks about bonding with your chinchilla. Their best tips are to remember that in the wild chinchillas are prey animals, so their instincts are to be defensive. It can take time for them to learn to trust you. But providing food is often a great motivator for bonding!

Establish a routine for when you offer fresh food, water, fresh bedding, & dusting for baths. Say their name, & provide some treats. And remember, they will feel most comfortable if they are calm. Speak softly, move slowly, touch them gently, & be patient!"

Vanessa Salvia  

6/2/2019

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Jan. 19/2022

 

18 Weird and Wonderful Turtle & Tortoise Species

"Turtles & tortoises are known for their slow pace, agreeable faces, & shells. They are distributed across every continent except Antarctica, from South Asia to Canada, & there are approximately 356 species of turtles, including 49 species of tortoises (i.e., turtles that live on land as well as water & have more rounded, domed shells). Although many turtle species look similar, they differ in both aesthetic & behavior...

Here are 18 of the most fascinating turtle species in the world.

African Helmeted Turtle

The African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa), also known as the marsh terrapin, is prevalent throughout Sub-Saharan Africa & Yemen. While its shell can vary from black to tan, it has distinctly wide eyes & a mouth that appears to be perpetually smiling. However, don't be fooled by its friendly demeanor: The African helmeted turtle is omnivorous & will eat almost anything, including carrion...

Mata Mata Turtle

The mata mata (Chelus fimbriatus) is perfectly camouflaged for its preferred habitat of slow-moving streams, stagnate pools, & marshes. With a carapace (hard upper shell) that looks like bark & a head & neck that resemble fallen leaves, this South American turtle is more capable of blending in with its surroundings, ready to sneakily suck up any fish that crosses its path. It has a particularly long & pointy snout that it uses like a snorkel, sticking it just out of the water to breathe.

Red-Bellied Short-Necked Turtle

The red-bellied short-necked turtle (Emydura subglobosa) has been nicknamed the painted terrapin because it has a bright-red belly when it's young, then the vivid hue fades to orange or yellow as it ages. Native to tropical Australia & New Guinea, it grows to be about 10 inches long & is popular as a pet.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

The spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) is one of the largest freshwater turtles found in North America — females can grow a carapace of up to 19 inches long. Found from Canada to Mexico, these turtles can live to be 50 years old & don't reach sexual maturity until 8 to 10 years of age. The species gets its name from the small spines that project from the upper front portion of its carapace, making it look even more like its late dinosaur relatives.

Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle

The Roti Island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) is one of the stranger looking turtle species, with its namesake elongated neck. Its most distinguishing feature can reach between 7 & 9 inches long, about the length of its carapace (taking up half of its body length). But this species is critically endangered. Its desirability in the pet trade has led to serious declines of wild populations. The 2 or 3 populations left are located in a tiny area of Rote Island, Indonesia, & they are still often illegally captured for trade.

Radiated Tortoise

Native to Madagascar, the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is distinguished by its high-domed shell featuring yellow lines fanning out from the center of each plate (hence the name 'radiated'). It can grow to be 16 inches long & weigh 35 lbs, Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute says. In addition to its geometric aesthetic, the radiated tortoise can live especially long — the oldest on record is Tu'i Malila, who lived to be an estimated 188 years old. The species is critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, &collection for the pet trade.

Leatherback Turtle

Not only is the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) the largest of all sea turtles, it also dives the deepest & travels the farthest. Unlike other sea turtles, it has no scales or hard shell; instead, its back is covered with rubbery skin & oily flesh — thought to be unchanged since the dinosaur era. Leatherbacks are real tough guys, too, apt to chase away sharks & other predators. And yet, like most sea turtle species, this one is threatened by fishing & plastic pollution, currently listed on the IUCN Red List as a vulnerable species.

Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle

Cantor's giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) is called 'giant' because it can be more than 6 feet long. Its broad head & flattened shell helps to camouflage it with the sand as it waits, motionless, at the bottom of freshwater rivers & streams, for a chance to ambush its prey. It surfaces only twice a day to breathe. The peculiar-looking turtle was only recently rediscovered in Cambodia in 2007. It's an endangered species.

African Spurred Tortoise

The African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) has impressive 'spurs' along its forelegs. Found along the southern edge of the Sahara desert, it is the third largest tortoise species in the world, & the largest mainland tortoise (both the larger Galapagos tortoise & Aldabra giant tortoise are island dwellers). They can grow to 2 to 3 feet long over their 50- to 150-year lifespan. Because they're popular in the pet trade, they are often removed from the wild & are, as a result, listed as a species vulnerable to extinction.

Indian Flapshell Turtle

The Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) has many folds of skin that cover its limbs when it retreats into its shell & are thought to help protect it from predators. As an omnivore, this turtle dines on anything from frogs & fish to flowers & fruit. And while it prefers living in streams & ponds, it can tolerate a certain level of drought by burrowing & traveling to other water holes. Those flaps of skin can also help it survive through dry weather.

Alligator Snapping Turtle

The largest freshwater turtle in the world based on weight, the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) can reach 150 lbs or more. It's found in the southeastern U.S. & gets its name through both its primitive, gatorlike looks & its ambush-style hunting technique. Its mouth is camouflaged & it has a wormlike appendage on the tip of its tongue to lure in fish, snakes, water birds, & other turtles.

Big-Headed Turtle

The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) has a head so large it can't retract it into its shell for protection, but it makes up for this with its powerful jaws. It also uses its jaws — as well as its rather long tail — to climb trees & bushes. The species occurs in southern China & throughout Southeast Asia, where it is sometimes captured for food. Being hunted for food markets & the pet trade has caused the big-headed turtle to be endangered.

Yellow Blotched Map Turtle

The yellow blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) is one of several species of map turtle, called so because of the maplike markings on its carapace. Map turtles have ridges that run along the backs of their shells, which is how they got the name 'saw-backed' turtles. This species has a very small range — it is only located in the Pascagoula River of Mississippi & its tributaries. That, combined with a low reproduction success rate (due to human disturbance & crow predation), has caused the species to be vulnerable to extinction.

Galapagos Tortoise

One of the more well-known terrapins, the giant Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the world's largest living species of tortoise, sometimes living for more than 100 years in the wild. In fact, one captive Galapagos tortoise lived to be 170. The biggest Galapagos tortoises on record were more than 6 feet long & weighed 880 lbs. The species is native to the Galapagos islands, & subspecies are found on 7 of the islands in the archipelago...

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is found throughout the Pacific, Atlantic, & Indian Oceans. It gets its name from the sharp point at the end of its upper jaw, resembling a raptor's bill, which helps it gather food from the crevices of coral reefs. Despite its critically endangered status, hawksbill eggs are still collected for food, & they are still caught for meat & for their beautifully colored shells, often made into jewelry & trinkets. There are only around 20,000 nesting females left, & even those only nest every 2 to 4 years.

Ploughshare Tortoise

The ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora), also known as the angonoka tortoise, is a critically endangered species native to Madagascar. With fewer than 600 left in the wild & still declining, it is considered to be one of the rarest tortoises in the world, predicted to go extinct within 2 decades...

Pig-Nosed Turtle

The pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) is unique not just because of its snout, but also because it's the only freshwater turtle with flippers like sea turtles.

It's found in streams, lagoons, & rivers in the Northern Territory of Australia & in New Guinea. Sadly, the species has experienced a population decline of about 50% in recent decades, due mainly to the exotic pet trade. The species is known for its territorial behavior & thus high levels of aggression when in captivity, so captive breeding isn't an option for most pig-nosed turtle owners.

Leopard Tortoise

The leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) is known for its distinct shell markings, most defined early in life. Found in the savannas of eastern & southern Africa, it spends its days grazing on grasses & succulents. Despite its heavy-looking shell, the leopard tortoise is speedy, & can even climb. Its toenails give it a solid grip on porous surfaces, like wood & rough stone."

Jaymi Heimbuch

March 30/2021

treehugger.com

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Jan. 12/2022

 

Betty White Challenge: How to donate to animal shelters, organizations in her honor on Jan. 17

"LOS ANGELES - Betty White, the legendary TV actress known for her iconic roles in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' & 'The Golden Girls,' also had a passion off-screen: animals.

Fans, along with many organizations, plan to pay homage to the late actress & comedian on Jan. 17 -- what would have been her 100th birthday -- by donating to an animal shelter or rescue mission in her name.

The movement, which has been dubbed the #BettyWhiteChallenge on social media, will pay tribute to White while also helping animals in need. The challenge asks fans to pick a human society, local rescue or animal shelter in her memory & donate $5 in her name.

White was a lifelong animal lover who worked tirelessly to raise money & support various causes. White died from natural causes on Dec. 31 at age 99.

The cultural icon said her parents, who were 'tremendous animal lovers,' instilled in her a kinship toward all creatures from a young age.

'They imbued in me the fact that, to me, there isn't an animal on the planet that I don't find fascinating & want to learn more about,' White told Smithsonian Magazine in 2012.

'Betty's love for animals as she says started in the womb....She had an uncanny way of communicating with all types of 4-legged creatures...The animals just knew through Betty's voice & body movement that she meant no harm,' Jeff Witjas, White's agent told FOX Television Stations Group. 'In fact, there may have been a few times she would make a funny face & the animal would show signs of smiling....Betty always knew how to work her audience. I plan on Betty's birthday to do a number of personal & private things to celebrate her fabulous life.'

Before pursuing a lengthy career in Hollywood, White even aspired to become a forest ranger -- but at the time women were not allowed in the profession. The U.S. Forest Service later made her an honorary ranger in 2010.

In 1970-1971, she wrote, produced, & hosted a syndicated TV show, 'The Pet Set,' to which celebrities brought their dogs & cats. She wrote a 1983 book titled 'Betty White's Pet Love: How Pets Take Care of Us,' & , in 2011, published 'Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo,' described as 'a love letter' to zoos, dedicated workers, & the animals who live in them.

Her devotion to pets was such that she declined a plum role in the hit 1997 movie 'As Good As It Gets.' She objected to a scene in which Jack Nicholson drops a small dog down a laundry chute.

In her 2011 book 'If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't),' White explained the origins of her love for dogs. During the Depression, her dad made radios to sell to make extra money. But since few people had money to buy the radios, he willingly traded them for dogs, which were housed in kennels in the backyard, at times numbered at as many as 15 & made White's happy childhood even happier.

The Humane Society of the United States said there are numerous animal rescues, organizations, & shelters to which you can donate as a way to honor the iconic actress.

'These are challenging times for the thousands of extraordinary local animal shelters & rescue groups across the United States, & there could be no better tribute to Betty White than to support them directly with donations, volunteer time, & other commitment,' Kitty Block, the president & CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement. 'For decades, she was one of the nation's most visible champions of animal adoption, enhanced veterinary care, humane education, & the benefits of pet-keeping, & she understood the deep reliance of local groups on the generosity & engagement of a sympathetic public. We are excited about what the Betty White Challenge could mean for these deserving organizations.'

Lindsay Hamrick, the director of Shelter Outreach, Engagement & Training at the Humane Society of the United States, echoed Block's sentiment during an interview with FOX.

'If there was ever a time to support them, it's during this pandemic, which has been really critical for the animal shelters in your community to be able to support the members of the public & the pets that they love,' Hamrick said. 'Even $5 is going to help ensure that they have programs to help homeless animals & to provide services to the community such as low-cost veterinary care or vaccinations.'

Hamrick added: 'I hope that this challenge really encourages folks who have never connected with their local animal shelter to reach out & find out about the work that they do.'

...White supported many causes, such as the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to advance veterinary medicine & research.

She was part of the foundation's family for more than 50 years, where she served as a trustee, board president, donor, spokesperson, & other roles.

'It is hard to imagine a world without Betty in it. She was a tremendous animal advocate who tirelessly supported the work of Morris Animal Foundation to improve the health of animals globally. All of us at the Foundation are mourning the loss of this amazing woman,' said Tiffany Grunert, President/CEO of Morris Animal Foundation... 'We will miss her wit, her intelligence &, most of all, her love of animals & commitment to advancing their health. She was a true inspiration to our staff, her fellow trustees & all of our supporters.'

Over 150 years, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it has worked tirelessly to put an end to animal abuse & neglect. The organization offers animal rescue, protection, & placement.

'In addition to her legendary status as an actress, comedian, & producer, Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters & animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting & protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, & personally adopting many rescued animals,' Matt Bershadker, ASPCA's president & CEO told FOX in a statement. 'Betty was a constant & compassionate advocate for vulnerable animals across the country, & the ASPCA encourages people to honor her by participating in the #BettyWhiteChallenge & donating to local animal shelters & rescue organizations.'

Best Friends Animal Society is an organization, operating the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals. The nonprofit does outreach nationwide with shelters, rescue groups, & members to promote pet adoption, no-kill animal rescue, & spay-and-neuter practices.

'Betty White was a champion for animals & Best Friends Animal Society was lucky enough to receive donations from her for over 20 years,' Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, told FOX. 'She was always thinking & caring for pets in need & this challenge is a beautiful way to support your local shelter & honor her legacy. We are so thankful for everything she has done for animals & we are so grateful for all who are donating to help save them all.'

The Animal Cares Center of NYC (ACC) rescues, cares for & finds loving homes for homeless & abandoned animals in the New York City area...

For the past 145 years, American Humane said it is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, & well-being of animals.

Since White's passing last month, the organization said it has seen traffic quadruple 'along with a significant increase in donations from animal lovers who want to honor Betty White's legacy of love.'

'We are so grateful for Betty's longtime support & she will be dearly missed,' the nonprofit wrote in a statement.

On its website, American Humane asks the public to join in honoring the late actress's memory 'to make the world a better, kinder place for animals.'

The iconic actress served as a trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for nearly 40 years.

Tom Jacobson, the president of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, told FOX Television Stations Group White joined the board in 1976 & was immediately an advocate for many different species.

'The first thing she did when she joined our board was create a television special to introduce our zoo to the Los Angeles community,' Jacobson told FOX. 'She advocated for a new gorilla habitat, which is one of the best in the country.'

Jacobson continued: 'She was really well educated about the roles of zoos in nature & in the world. We're so grateful for her for telling everyone what zoos do to save species from extinction.'

The president said there has been a noticeable uptick in response to donate after the passing of White on Dec. 31.

'It's been pretty incredible, actually, & very hard to miss,' Jacobson continued. 'Many, many people have reached out spontaneously, even before this nationwide campaign, to make gifts in memory of Betty.'

Jacobson said the money will be put into a Betty White tribute fund, & once the money is collected, staff will figure out the appropriate use for the funds to pay tribute to the late actress.

Jacobson said the zoo plans to honor White on Jan. 17 with a number of events at the park & online, including a walk through the zoo in White's 'footsteps' with several displays of her & her love for specific exhibits.

'We had been working with Betty on how we might plan that day & celebrate a milestone, & we're still going to celebrate it. It's just going to be a celebration of her whole life,' Jacobson added. 'When someone like Betty loves animals & loves zoos, that influences other people in a really positive way.'

Tubi, the largest online library of free TV shows & movies, also has Betty White fans covered on Jan 17.

Life with Elizabeth (1952): White became the first woman ever to produce a sitcom with this 1952 gem, in which she played a newlywed adjusting to the trials & tribulations of married life.

Date with the Angels (1957): Another jewel in Betty White's sitcom crown, this one starred White as Vickie Angel, a woman newly married to an insurance salesman. Watch this one for a glimpse of the unbeatable timing that made her a sitcom icon.

Betty White's Pet Set (1971): Betty White, a legendary champion for animals, interviews some furry friends & some less furry but more famous ones in this brief series. Her sit-down with friend & co-worker Mary Tyler Moore is not to be missed.

Betty White: Champion for Animals (2011): Emmy-winning actress Betty White visits zoos, parks, & aquariums to share unforgettable encounters with amazing creatures from around the world.

The Retrievers (2001): When the Lowrys' newly adopted stray golden retriever gives birth, they give away her litter &, in the process, learn what it means to be a family.

Fathom Events also announced plans last month to show a film titled "Betty White: 100 Years Young -- A Birthday Celebration" on Jan. 17.

After her death on New Year's Eve, Fathom mourned White's death & announced it would move forward with its plans to distribute the movie.

'We will go forward with our plans to show the film on January 17 in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life -- & experience what made her such a national treasure,' producers Steve Boettcher & Mike Trinklein said..."

fox35orlando.com

Jan. 10/2022

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