March 15/2023

 

30 Animals That People Are Scared Of Or Don’t Like When They Really Shouldn’t, As Shared In This Online Thread

Part 1

By Adelaide Ross & Kotryna Brašiškytė

boredpanda.com

What’s your favorite animal?..There’s an infinite number of animals out there to choose from (okay maybe not infinite, but there are millions!), but for some reason, we humans tend to be drawn to certain creatures more so than others. Why we usually prefer fluffy, soft, & squishy creatures to anything that has venom, fangs or talons, I’m not quite sure. But everyone in the animal kingdom serves a unique purpose, & each creature deserves to be celebrated.

One curious reddit user recently asked others to share what animals have bad reputations that they don’t deserve, & hundreds of commenters came out in defense of these awesome creatures. We’ve gathered some of the best responses down below, featuring misunderstood animals who get their fair share of bad publicity. 

#1 Pigs

Pigs are highly intelligent animals, some outperforming 3 year old toddlers. “Pig” is used as an insult to men/ cops, but it’s a really gross comparison because they’re smart, sweet, & just wanna decorate their little area with flowers... 

#2 Honey bees

People are terrified but the last thing a honeybee wants to do is sting you. They just want to work. They are gentle creatures with personality & moods.

#3 Wolves! 

They help regulate buffalo, eagle, deer, & other animal’s populations. People see them as vicious, dangerous, & rabid animals... There’s only roughly 94 red wolves left in the Yellowstone National Park (located in the USA)... Wolves are now on the highly endangered animals list...

#4 Black cats 

They are even more adorable than the other cats & I don't understand why they have become the most known symbol of bad luck.

#5 Possums 

They are very disease resistant. They are unlikely to carry rabies, because their body temperature is too low for the rabies virus to thrive.

#6 Greyhounds

People breed them & keep them in concrete cages & abuse them & the only interactions they get is being made to chase a fluffy thing to activate their prey drive to win their owners money.

And people wonder why they're nervous dogs who chase anything resembling a bunny, including cats & small dogs...

Source: i fostered rescued racing dogs

#7 Foxes

Even in children's fairy tales, we were shown that foxes are cunning & greedy. However, in life they are like dogs with the habits of a cat & make cute sounds...

#8 Ravens 

People think they're evil just because sometimes they're scavengers, & they were known to pick at bodies when public executions were still a thing, & because of that, they're forever the symbol of death & many people think they're evil.

#9 Bats

They eat more insects in one night than a spider will in a month. And they're rarely aggressive.

...Bats aren't harmless. They are a carrier of rabies, which is deadly to humans & animals alike. You should definitely be *wary of them. They are wild animals, & though they aren't usually confrontational, that doesn't make them friendly, either. All I ask is if they are not bothering you, leave them alone...

#10 Moths! 

There are some absolutely gorgeous species of moths that are even prettier than butterflies. They are also pollinators.

#11 Snakes

They are trying to do their snakey thing & then some a*****e blamed them because some woman ate a piece of fruit.

#12 Sharks

Humans taste disgusting apparently & sharks prefer something with blubber like seals or whales. Sharks have very very poor eyesight so they often mistake surfers for seals (imagine someone laying down on a surf board, it looks like a seal from below) They aren’t entirely sure what humans are & sometimes they’ll do a test nibble to check. Then will go away once they realize that it’s not a seal. Unfortunately their test nibbles aren’t very gentle but also aren’t fatal as long as no major arteries were hit.

You’re more likely to be killed by a cow than a shark... 

#13 Wolves

...they are vital to ecosystems & if you leave them alone they will do the same, if you save its life it'll remember years later, & its tragic they have such a huge negative stigma against them.

#14 Spiders

They're just doing their thing being good people & eating the true pests.

#15 Rats! 

Everyone says they’re nasty, but they’re extremely clean. They’re also very intelligent!

Also the black plague was caused by fleas that infected the rats, not the rats themselves.

To be continued...

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March 8/2023

 

Fun Facts About Rabbits That You Probably Didn’t Know!

Catherine Boeckmann

1/25/2023

Happy Year of the Rabbit! How much do you know about our furry friends? Rabbits are an ancient source of folklore; in some Asian countries, they see a rabbit in the Moon, not a man in the Moon! 

Where Do Rabbits Come From?

Sure, rabbits have been around for thousands of years, but they were originally found only in Africa & Europe—& especially in Spain, where there was an early overabundance of the animal! 

Get this: Spain’s name comes from the Latin word Hispania, which means “the land of rabbits!”

Until about 400 years ago, rabbits were kept for food & fur. Then people started to keep them as pets, too.

Where Do Rabbits Sleep?

Wild rabbits live in forests, thickets, meadows, prairies, & deserts, usually underground in clusters of burrows, called warrens, where they sleep. The warrens are dug by the does & also help to protect rabbits from their enemies. Rabbits are prey to numerous predators, such as foxes, hawks, owls, wolves, & even raccoons.

Also, rabbits usually give birth at night!

                                       

Twitchy Noses & Long Ears

To escape danger, rabbits use their keen sense of smell! They can twitch their nose up to 150 times per minute to smell out dangerous predators that they can’t yet see or hear.

What about those long rabbit ears? Rabbits also have excellent hearing because of these long, flexible ears which are their best defense. They can detect even the slightest sounds.

Rabbit eyesight is also excellent. They can see in the dark & long distances really well which helps with predator defence. Sometimes they sleep with their eyes open!

Hopping & Thumping

Rabbits’ hind legs, which are longer than their front legs, help them to hop up to 15 feet—& communicate. Fur padding on the bottoms of their hind feet helps to reduce the shock of landing after a leap. 

When a rabbit is alarmed, it will warn other rabbits of the danger by thumping its hind feet. If a rabbit feels safe, it may lie on its stomach with its legs outstretched. If it screams or grinds its teeth loudly, it may be in pain, but quiet grinding usually signals contentment, much like a cat’s purr.

What Do Rabbits Eat?

Rabbits have sharp front teeth called incisors, plus peg teeth, which are additional incisors behind the front teeth. Peg teeth are used mainly for grabbing & cutting food.

Being herbivores, rabbits feast on plants for food, usually preferring their sprouts & stems. They like clover, dandelions, & other weeds, as well as brussels sprouts, celery, grass, hay, herbs, oats, peppers, &, of course, carrots. 

In the winter, when food is in short supply, rabbits nibble on tender tree bark. After eating in the morning, rabbits produce mushy, partly digested droppings, which they eat. This provides them with extra nutrients.

Rabbits Versus Hares

Many people think that hares & rabbits are the same, but they are not. Hares are larger than rabbits & have longer legs & ears. When hare kits are born, they have a lot of fur & their eyes are open. When rabbit kits are born, they have no hair & their eyes & ears are sealed shut. 

Confused? Here’s more news: Jackrabbits are hares & the Belgian hare is a rabbit!

Man—er, Rabbit—in the Moon?

Many countries have a tale about what images appear in the full Moon. In Japan, people see a rabbit making mochi (a sticky rice cake) with a big wooden hammer.

Rabbit, Rabbit

If someone wishes you “rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit” first thing in the morning on the first day of the month, say “thank you”. A common superstition holds that receiving this greeting bestows good luck for the rest of the month. The exact origin of the tradition is unknown, but it can be traced to 1420 in England.

Names for the Rabbit Family

A male rabbit is called a buck.

A female rabbit is called a doe.

Baby rabbits are called kits. When they are born, they weigh about 1 ounce.

Any rabbit can be called a bunny. (It’s like calling a cat a kitty.)

A group of rabbits is called a herd.

A group of baby rabbits is called a litter, or nest.

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March 1/2023

 

What Can Hamsters Eat?

By Melissa Witherell, DVM

Feb. 16/2022

petmd.com

Proper diet & nutrition are crucial to keeping your hamster fit & healthy for as long as possible. A hamster’s diet should consist mainly of the same commercially produced pelleted rodent diet that mice & rats eat. 

Pet parents also have the option of buying a commercially available hamster seed diet. Be aware, however, this diet should not be your hamster’s primary source of food, as it may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, & amino acids. 

What Do Hamsters Eat?

A healthy pelleted rodent diet for hamsters should contain approximately: 

15-25% protein 

35-40% carbohydrates 

4-5% fat  

5% crude fiber 

Work with your veterinarian to determine your hamster’s caloric needs based on their size & health, but most hamsters require ⅛-⅓ cup of pellets per day. Because they are nocturnal, the majority of hamsters eat at night. 

Some hamster diets are mostly made up of seeds. These foods should only be used to supplement a pellet diet, or not given at all. Hamsters fed only seed will have nutritional deficiencies in vitamins & minerals, specifically vitamin E & calcium. Seed diets also contain a lot of sugar & fat, which may lead to diabetes & obesity. You can also supplement your hamster’s diet with vegetables & small amounts of fruit as treats. However, their primary food should be pelleted rodent food. 

Fresh water should be provided to your hamster every day. Hamsters drink approximately 10 milliliters of water per 100 grams of body weight per day. It is best to provide water in a bottle with a stainless-steel sipper tube.

What Human Foods Can Hamsters Eat?

All human foods should be fed in moderation & are not necessary if you’re feeding your hamster a well-balanced pelleted diet. Foods that are safe for hamsters include: 

Sugarless breakfast cereals or grains 

Greens 

Seeds 

Carrots 

Apples 

Raisins 

Peas 

Pepper 

Cucumbers 

Avoid giving your hamster dried fruits & vegetables, as they are high in sugar content. 

Foods for Hamsters FAQs  

Can Hamsters Eat Grapes? 

Yes, but in moderation or just as an occasional treat because they are high in sugar. 

Can Hamsters Eat Bananas? 

Yes, but in moderation or just as an occasional treat because they are high in sugar. 

Can Hamsters Eat Apples? 

Yes, but in moderation or just as an occasional treat because they are high in sugar. Do not feed your hamster apple seeds or skins. 

Can Hamsters Eat Carrots? 

Yes, but in moderation or just as an occasional treat because they are high in sugar. 

Can Hamsters Eat Celery? 

Yes, celery can be fed occasionally, but not too much to prevent diarrhea. 

Can Hamsters Eat Lettuce? 

Yes, leafy greens can be fed, but not too much to prevent diarrhea. 

Can Hamsters Eat Broccoli? 

Yes, broccoli can be fed occasionally, but not too much. 

Can Hamsters Eat Oranges? 

No, it is not recommended to feed oranges or other citrus fruits to hamsters. 

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