Nov. 29/2023

 

Funny Animals Pictures & Interesting Facts

June 2/2023 

by Active Wild Admin

activewild.com

Funny animals pictures and facts – a list of the world’s most amusing-looking species.

They may look hilarious to our eyes, but each of the animals on this page has developed its peculiar features in order to survive…

Axolotl

Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum

Family: Ambystomatidae

Found in: North America (Mexico)

IUCN Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The Axolotl is a fascinating amphibian known for its extraordinary regenerative capabilities & perpetual juvenile state, a condition known as neoteny. This means it retains its juvenile aquatic characteristics throughout its life, including external gills & a dorsal fin, although it is capable of reproduction.

The Axolotl is native to a series of lakes near Mexico City, but unfortunately, habitat loss & pollution have led to a significant decline in its wild populations, hence its critically endangered status.

Aye-Aye

Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis

Family: Daubentoniidae

Found in: Africa (Madagascar)

IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered

The Aye-Aye is a unique lemur species endemic to Madagascar. It is known for its unusual features, including large, bright eyes, elongated middle fingers, & bushy tails. Its middle finger is used to tap on tree bark to find larvae & then extract them, demonstrating an unusual form of percussive foraging.

The Aye-Aye is a nocturnal animal & primarily lives in Madagascan rainforests. Due to habitat loss, hunting, & persecution due to being viewed negatively by superstitious locals, it is considered endangered.

Bald Uakari

Scientific name: Cacajao calvus

Family: Pitheciidae

Found in: South America (Amazon Rainforest)

IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The Bald Uakari is a distinctive monkey species native to the Amazon Rainforest. Its most recognizable feature is its bright red, bald face, contrasting with its thick, fluffy coat, usually white or golden in color.

The redness of the face is an indicator of health & is thought to play a significant role in mate selection. Bald Uakaris are social animals, living in large groups, & spending most of their lives in the treetops. They are currently considered vulnerable due to habitat loss & hunting.

Blue-Footed Booby

Scientific name: Sula nebouxii

Family: Sulidae

Found in: Central & South America (Eastern Pacific Ocean)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

The Blue-Footed Booby is a marine bird known for its bright blue feet, which are used in elaborate mating rituals. It is found along the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly on the Galapagos Islands.

These funny birds are excellent divers, plunging from great heights into the sea to catch fish & squid. Despite their somewhat comical appearance, they are adept predators & strong fliers. Their populations are currently stable, & they are listed as least concern by the IUCN.

Dung Beetle

Family: Scarabaeidae

Found in: Worldwide, except Antarctica

IUCN Conservation Status: Varies by species

Dung Beetles are a group of beetles known for their unique behavior of consuming & utilizing animal feces. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, inhabiting various habitats, including grasslands, forests, & deserts.

Dung Beetles play a vital role in nutrient cycling & waste decomposition by breaking down animal waste, which benefits soil health & plant growth. The conservation status of Dung Beetles varies by species, with some facing threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, & other factors.

Flying Fish

Family: Exocoetidae

Found in: Tropical & Subtropical Oceans Worldwide

IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated

Flying Fish are a family of marine fish known for their ability to leap out of the water & glide considerable distances using their long, wing-like pectoral fins. This behavior is primarily a defense mechanism to evade predators.

Flying Fish inhabit warm oceanic waters worldwide & typically feed on plankton & other small marine organisms.

The peculiar fish have streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies, allowing them to swim at high speeds & launch themselves out of the water.

Frogfish

Family: Antennariidae

Found in: Tropical & Subtropical Oceans Worldwide

IUCN Conservation Status: Varies by Species

Frogfish are a family of anglerfish known for their unusual appearance & superb camouflage abilities. Their habitat spans the tropical & subtropical oceans worldwide.

Frogfish typically have a short, chunky body, a large mouth, & a modified dorsal fin that acts as a lure to attract prey.

These funny fish are benthic creatures, meaning they live at the bottom of the sea. They’re usually sedentary, preferring to lie in wait for their prey instead of pursuing it actively.

Gharial

Scientific name: Gavialis gangeticus

Family: Gavialidae

Found in: South Asia (Northern India & Nepal)

IUCN Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The Gharial, also known as the Gavial, is a crocodile species characterized by its long, thin snout & rows of sharp teeth, which are adapted for catching fish, its main food source.

Gharials inhabit the river systems of Northern India & Nepal. Despite being one of the largest of all crocodilian species, Gharials are not a threat to humans, as their diet & anatomy are not suited to preying on large mammals.

The Gharial is currently listed as critically endangered, primarily due to habitat loss.

Greater Sage Grouse

Scientific name: Centrocercus urophasianus

Family: Phasianidae

Found in: North America (Western United States & Canada)

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

The Greater Sage Grouse is a large, ground-dwelling bird found in the sagebrush ecosystem of the western United States & Canada.

The species is best known for its elaborate courtship displays, in which males fan their tail feathers, inflate their chest sacs, & make a series of popping sounds to attract females.

The Greater Sage Grouse relies heavily on sagebrush for food, shelter, & nesting sites. It is listed as near threatened due to habitat loss & degradation, primarily from energy development, agriculture, & wildfires.

Hercules Beetle

Scientific name: Dynastes hercules

Family: Scarabaeidae

Found in: Central & South America

IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated

The Hercules Beetle is a large, rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of Central & South America. Males are known for their impressive horns, which they use for combat & to attract females.

Hercules Beetles are among the largest beetles in the world, with males reaching lengths of up to 17 centimeters.

Longhorn Cowfish

Scientific name: Lactoria cornuta

Family: Ostraciidae

Found in: Indo-Pacific Region

IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated

The Longhorn Cowfish is a peculiar species of boxfish recognized by the long, cow-like horns protruding from its head & its boxy, rigid body. Its vibrant coloration & amusing appearance make it a popular choice for aquariums.

Unlike most other fish, the longhorn cowfish doesn’t move its body when swimming, instead relying mainly on its pectoral (side) fins to propel itself through the water. This unusual swimming style – known as ostraciiform swimming – makes this funny-looking fish appear to be hovering. It’s such a slow swimmer that it can easily be caught by hand.

Inhabiting the coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region, the Longhorn Cowfish feeds on small invertebrates & algae. When stressed or injured, it can release a deadly toxin harmful to other fish in the vicinity.

Naked Mole Rat

Scientific name: Heterocephalus glaber

Family: Bathyergidae

Found in: Africa (East Africa)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

The Naked Mole Rat is a small rodent native to East Africa. It is known for its eusocial lifestyle, similar to bees & ants, with a single breeding queen & worker & soldier classes.

This funny mammal is practically hairless, has poor eyesight, & lives in elaborate underground tunnel systems.

Remarkably, naked mole rats are highly resistant to cancer & can live up to 30 years, a lifespan exceptionally long for rodents. The IUCN lists the Naked Mole Rat as of least concern due to its wide distribution & presumed large population.

Pangolin

Scientific name: Manis spp.

Family: Manidae

Found in: Africa & Asia

IUCN Conservation Status: Varies from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered

Pangolins are unique mammals known for their protective armor of overlapping scales made of keratin, the same material found in human hair & nails.

8 pangolin species are distributed across Africa & Asia, each displaying an anteater-like lifestyle using a long tongue to feast on ants & termites.

Unfortunately, Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to demand for their scales & meat, leading to severe population declines. As such, their conservation statuses range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

Pig-Nosed Turtle

Scientific name: Carettochelys insculpta

Family: Carettochelyidae

Found in: Australasia (Northern Australia, New Guinea)

IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The Pig-Nosed Turtle is the sole species in its family, distinguished by its pig-like snout & flippers reminiscent of sea turtles. It’s primarily found in freshwater rivers, lagoons, & pools in Northern Australia & New Guinea.

The species is omnivorous, consuming a variety of plant material & small animals. Over-harvesting for the pet trade, coupled with habitat loss & degradation, has led to population declines, resulting in its vulnerable status.

Platypus

Scientific name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Family: Ornithorhynchidae

Found in: Australasia (Eastern Australia, Tasmania)

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

No list of funny animals would be complete without the Platypus, an extraordinary mammal endemic to Eastern Australia & Tasmania. It is one of the very few venomous mammals (male platypuses have a venomous spur on their hind legs) & one of just 5 mammals that lay eggs (the other 4 are echidnas).

The Platypus is semi-aquatic & possesses a unique bill that is similar in appearance to a duck’s, a furry body like an otter’s, & webbed feet for efficient swimming. Its bill is highly sensitive & used for detecting prey underwater – the platypus can sense electrical fields produced by other animals.

This funny-looking Australian species is near threatened due to habitat degradation, predation, & the impacts of drought & wildfires.

Potoos

Family: Nyctibiidae

Found in: Central & South America

IUCN Conservation Status: Varies by Species

Potoos are a family of birds native to Central & South America, known for their cryptic plumage & unusual vocalizations. These nocturnal birds are superbly adapted for a life spent motionless on dead tree stumps, with their unique plumage blending perfectly into the bark.

The potoos’ large eyes aid in nocturnal hunting; these funny birds feed primarily on insects, which they catch in flight.

Potoos are elusive & rarely seen, leading to many local legends.

Proboscis Monkey

Scientific name: Nasalis larvatus

Family: Cercopithecidae

Found in: Asia (Borneo)

IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered

The Proboscis Monkey is a primate species endemic to Borneo’s mangroves, swamps, & riparian forests. Its most distinctive feature is the large, fleshy nose of the males, which is thought to enhance vocalizations & is a desirable trait for females. The species is also notable for its potbelly, a result of its unique diet of unripe fruits & leaves.

The Proboscis Monkey is endangered, with habitat destruction for palm oil plantations being the species’ main threat.

It may look comical to our eyes, but the Proboscis Monkey is fighting a very real battle for survival.

Red-Lipped Batfish

Scientific name: Ogcocephalus darwini

Family: Ogcocephalidae

Found in: Eastern Pacific (Galapagos Islands)

IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated

The Red-Lipped Batfish is a funny-looking fish found around the Galapagos Islands.

The species is known for its bright red lips & its unusual method of locomotion: it uses its pectoral fins to “walk” along the ocean floor.

Like other anglerfish, the Red-Lipped Batfish has a lure on its head for attracting prey.

Sea Cucumber

Scientific name: Holothuroidea (class)

Family: Various

Found in: Oceans Worldwide

IUCN Conservation Status: Varies by Species

Sea Cucumbers are a class of echinoderms found in oceans worldwide. Resembling their namesake in shape, these marine animals have leathery skin & an elongated body.

These unusual-looking invertebrates play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by breaking down detritus & recycling nutrients. Some species are also valued as a delicacy in many East Asian cuisines.

Shoebill

Scientific name: Balaeniceps rex

Family: Balaenicipitidae

Found in: Africa (Eastern Africa)

IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The Shoebill, also known as the whalebill, is a large bird found in the swamps of Eastern Africa. It gets its name from its massive, shoe-shaped bill, which it uses to catch & crush prey, including fish, amphibians, & small reptiles.

Despite its somewhat stork-like appearance, it is more closely related to pelicans. The Shoebill is known for its statue-like stillness when hunting. It is listed as vulnerable, with habitat destruction & disturbance being this funny animal’s primary threats.

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle:

Nov. 22/2023

 

Bearded Dragon Care Sheet

By Maria Zayas, DVM 

6/ 22/ 2023

Bearded Dragon Overview

Native to central Australia, bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizard species.

Bearded dragons are named for one of their natural defense mechanisms. When feeling threatened, bearded dragons can flare out the skin underneath their chin which then darkens in color to resemble a beard. Bearded dragons are affectionately nicknamed “beardies” by reptile enthusiasts. 

Bearded dragons are omnivores that consume a varied diet of insects, vegetables, & fruits. Younger bearded dragons need a protein-rich diet that primarily consists of live insects, while older, full-grown bearded dragons need less protein & should be fed more vegetation. 

All reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, including Salmonella bacteria, which is zoonotic (transmittable to humans). Always wash your hands before & after handling a bearded dragon or its contents.

Bearded Dragon Characteristics 

Difficulty of Care -----Beginner 

Average Lifespan----- 8–10 years with proper care 

Average Adult Size-----Up to 24 inches long, with half of this length being their tail 

Diet -----Omnivorous 

Minimum Habitat Size -----20 gallons for juveniles; 40+ gallons for adults 

Bearded Dragon Supply Checklist

To keep a bearded dragon happy & healthy, pet parents should have these basic supplies on hand: 

-Appropriately sized habitat (20 gallons for juveniles; 40+ gallons for adults) 

-Bearded dragon food  

-Live reptile food 

-Treats  

-Substrate 

-Moss  

-Food & water dish  

-Mealworm dish  

-Hideaway place 

-Climbing décor  

-Plants  

-Heat light  

-Heat fixture  

-Under-tank heater  

-UVB lighting & fixture  

-Multivitamin supplement 

-Calcium supplements with & without vitamin D 

-Cricket keeper  

-Cricket food  

-Cricket quencher  

-Thermometers  

-Humidity gauge 

-Mister 

Bearded Dragon Habitat

Choosing the Right Enclosure 

Juvenile bearded dragons need a tank that’s 20 gallons or larger. You can increase the size of the tank as they mature & grow. All enclosures should have a screened lid to allow for proper ventilation & prevent escape. 

With proper care & nutrition, bearded dragons enter adulthood within one year. A single adult bearded dragon should be housed in a breeder tank that’s at least 40 gallons so the lizard can run & exercise comfortably. Always provide the largest habitat possible. 

Setting Up Your Habitat 

Only one male bearded dragon should be housed in an enclosure; never add more than one male. Doing so can promote aggression & competition between the 2 reptiles. While more than one female may be housed together, females kept in the same enclosure should be monitored initially to be sure that they are compatible. Be sure they are given adequate space to live together, keeping in mind the 40-gallon tank/adult bearded dragon rule of thumb for space. 

Pet parents should keep in mind that opposite-sex bearded dragons will likely reproduce if kept in the same habitat. Females should not be housed with males until they are at least 2 years old because younger bearded dragons may have difficulty laying eggs. Never keep different species of animals in the same habitat. 

Temperature 

Bearded dragons need a thermal gradient in their enclosure so they can warm up & cool down as needed. The recommended temperature for the warm end of a bearded dragon’s habitat is 100 F, while the cooler end should be kept at 75 F.  

Check the temperatures  of their habitat daily. 2 thermometers—one in the warm area & one in the cool area—should be placed in the enclosure so that both zones can be checked at once. A digital point-&-shoot thermometer can also be used to read habitat temperatures instantly. 

Lighting & Heat Support 

Like all reptiles, bearded dragons are ectotherms that rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. An incandescent light or ceramic heater should be added to one end of a bearded dragon’s tank to create a basking area for the lizard to use during the day. The wattage needed for the bulb depends on the size of the enclosure, the distance of the bulb from the reptile, & the ambient temperature of the room in which the enclosure is kept. Adjust the wattage of the bulb to maintain the recommended temperature gradient within the tank.

Aside from heat, bearded dragons need UVB light to help them absorb vitamin D & calcium. Supply a bearded dragon’s habitat with a full-spectrum UV light. Bearded dragons need about 10–12 hours of UV light daily.  

Since UV lights differ in intensity, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on bulb placement relative to your beardie.

Replace lights every 6 months as their potency wanes over time. 

Humidity 

Although bearded dragons are native to Australia, they still need humidity in their environment to keep their lungs & skin healthy. The ideal humidity range for a bearded dragon’s habitat is 30% to 50%. A bearded dragon will have difficulty shedding its skin if their environment’s humidity falls below this ideal range. 

You can increase humidity in a bearded dragon’s environment by misting the lizard & its habitat décor regularly or by adding non-toxic live plants to the enclosure. If you need to reduce the habitat’s humidity, ensure that the tank is well-ventilated so that humid air can escape. Use a hygrometer to measure the enclosure’s humidity every day. 

Substrate 

Add substrate or reptile carpet to the bottom of their bearded dragon’s habitat. Gravel, wood chips, & walnut shells are not recommended because these types of bedding are indigestible if consumed & can lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. 

If the pet parent chooses to use a loose substrate, such as sand, in their bearded dragon’s enclosure, be sure to feed the lizard in a dish or feeding tank. Loose substrate is not digestible & can obstruct the bearded dragon’s gastrointestinal tract if ingested.  

Décor & Accessories 

Food dishes: Rather than placing it directly on the habitat’s floor, offer food in a shallow dish or feeding tank to lessen the chance of the bearded dragon accidentally ingesting their substrate.  

Worm dishes & cricket feeders are designed to keep live prey in one area. 

Hiding area: Bearded dragons should have access to at least 2 hiding areas—one on the cool end of their enclosure, & one on the warm end of their enclosure. Aside from offering privacy & security, hideouts allow bearded dragons to have a space away from their enclosure’s direct basking area. 

Monitor your bearded dragon’s behavior to be sure they are not spending all their time in hiding areas, as they won’t have a chance to benefit from UV exposure. 

Climbing branches & basking rocks: Add at least one basking rock or sturdy branch to your bearded dragon’s habitat so they can climb & bask during the day. 

Basking branches must be large & sturdy enough to support the bearded dragon’s body. Otherwise, the branch could topple over & potentially cause injury. 

Moss: Moist sphagnum moss can be added to the inside of a hideout box kept on the warm side of a bearded dragon’s enclosure to create a humidity hide. Moss holds moisture well & can aid in healthy shedding. Moss should be replaced often to prevent mold from forming. 

Plants: Adding non-toxic live plants to a bearded dragon’s enclosure can help increase the habitat’s humidity level & enrich their environment. 

Cleaning & Maintenance for Bearded Dragons

Pet parents should spot-clean their bearded dragon’s habitat daily, removing any soiled material & discarded food. Water & food bowls need to be washed daily to prevent bacteria from forming. 

A bearded dragon’s habitat must be disinfected & cleaned thoroughly at least once a week (or more often if more than one bearded dragon lives in the same habitat). Always wash your hands before & after handling a bearded dragon or its habitat’s contents; all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases. 

To clean a bearded dragon’s habitat, take these steps: 

Move the bearded dragon to a secure environment. Remove any old substrate, décor, & accessories from the habitat. 

Scrub the empty tank & any furnishings with a reptile habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution. The bleach solution should stay on the habitat for at least 10 minutes to ensure that the surfaces are disinfected properly. If using a commercial habitat cleaner, follow the manufacturer's instructions. 

Rinse the habitat & accessories thoroughly with water, making sure to remove any trace amounts or residual smells left by the cleaning agent or bleach solution.  

Allow the habitat & its contents to dry completely before placing new substrate & clean accessories into the habitat. 

Return the bearded dragon to the clean habitat. 

Bearded Dragon Diet & Nutrition

Bearded dragons enjoy a range of foods, including insects, vegetables, fruits, & the occasional treat. Juvenile bearded dragons need more insects in their diet, while adults eat more plant matter. Bearded dragons need to be fed daily & should always have access to fresh, clean water. 

A nutritious & well-balanced diet for a juvenile bearded dragon consists of: 

Gut-loaded (recently fed) insects & worms, such as crickets, mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, calciworms, roaches, & superworms. Insects should make up about 70% of a young bearded dragon’s diet. 

Never offer more insects than the lizard can consume in one feeding session. Any uneaten insects should be removed from the lizard’s habitat. Otherwise, they may chew & damage the lizard’s skin. 

Any insects fed should be no bigger than the space between the bearded dragon’s eyes. 

Vegetables, fruits, & treats can be offered in limited quantities, & should make up the remaining 30% of a young bearded dragon’s diet. Offer a variety of fruits & vegetables to ensure they recieve a good balance of nutrients. These may include:

Kiwis, mangoes, bananas, papayas, cantaloupes, watermelons, & apples are all beardie-safe fruits.  

Deep leafy greens, parsley, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, squash, carrots, green beans, Bok choy, escarole, cilantro, endive, & prickly pear make nutritious vegetable staples in a bearded dragon’s diet. 

Fruits & vegetables should be sliced into bite-sized pieces. 

Discard any uneaten fruits & vegetables after 10 hours, as they may spoil & cause infection if eaten. 

Because fruits are naturally high in carbohydrates, excess fruit in a bearded dragon’s diet can cause unhealthy weight gain. 

Vitamin supplements: before feeding, dust your bearded dragon’s insects with a powdered supplement. Bearded dragons need 3 vitamin supplements in their diet: a calcium supplement with vitamin D, a calcium supplement without vitamin D, & a multivitamin powder designed for reptiles. 

Calcium supplements should be alternated daily. Pet parents should use a powdered calcium supplement with vitamin D on one day & then use a calcium supplement without vitamin D the next.  

A multivitamin powder should be used once a week. 

To dust insects quickly & efficiently, place insects in a bag or disposable plastic container along with a powdered supplement. Then, shake the bag lightly until the insects are coated evenly in powder. 

Fresh, clean water: water should always be available & replaced daily. Since reptiles absorb water through their skin to stay hydrated, water dishes should be large & shallow enough for the lizard to soak in if needed. 

Once they enter adulthood, bearded dragons need less fat & protein. An adult bearded dragon’s diet should consist of 70-80% fruits/vegetables & 20-30% live insects. Pelleted food like Mazuri Bearded Dragon Food can be used to supplement a bearded dragon’s diet. 

Do not allow bearded dragons to consume fireflies, onions, or mushrooms, as they are all toxic & can cause death or serious illness. High-oxalate foods like avocados, beet greens, spinach, & rhubarb should also be avoided as these foods bind up calcium, & don’t absorb into the lizard’s body.

Bearded Dragon Feeding Guidelines 

Before being fed to a bearded dragon, live insects must be ‘gut-loaded’ with a nutrient-dense insect supplement to improve their nutritional value. Gut-loading diets are fortified with vitamins & minerals to help provide optimal nutrition to the reptiles that feed on them.  

Bearded Dragon Grooming & Care

Shedding: Bearded dragons shed their skin regularly, so it’s important to keep their habitats’ humidity levels between 30% to 50% to encourage healthy shed cycles. 

As reptiles stay hydrated by absorbing water through their skin, you can soak your bearded dragon in a large, shallow container of warm water to help them shed their skin more easily. The water container should be wide enough to allow the lizard to submerge its entire body while keeping its head above water.  

Nail care: Most bearded dragons will not need to have their nails trimmed. However, if a bearded dragon is handled often, they may not have a chance to wear their nails down on their habitat & need an occasional trim. Consult a veterinarian if a bearded dragon’s nails seem too long or if you find a broken/damaged nail. 

Bearded Dragon Veterinary Care

Annual Care

Bearded dragons should be seen by a veterinarian once annually. They can be transported using a cat carrier or a travel cage. It is helpful to take pictures of your beardie’s enclosure, diet, heaters, & lights in case you or the veterinarian have any questions. Always be sure to bring a fecal sample to your dragon’s annual exam unless your vet prefers to collect a fresh sample themselves.

Signs of a Healthy Bearded Dragon

Clean, clear eyes

Intact skin with no ulcerations or stuck shed

Good appetite

Bright, alert personality

Clean vent

No swellings or bumps

Ability to achieve an upright posture easily

Appropriate basking behavior

Good body condition score/weight

When to Call a Vet

Eyes are swollen, sunken, stuck shut, or have discharge

Pink ulcerations or other lesions are seen on the skin

Refusing food (do keep in mind seasonal variances in appetite)

Failing to bask

Lethargy

Discharge around vent

Lumps or bumps

Cannot ambulate or posture appropriately

Belly appears sunken

Shed is stuck, especially around the toes, & extra especially if any are swollen

Common Illnesses in Bearded Dragons

Intestinal parasites

GI impactions

Metabolic bone disease

Dystocia (stuck eggs)

Eye infections & ulcerations

Respiratory illnesses

Skin Infections

Trauma

Bearded Dragon FAQs

Do bearded dragons cuddle with humans?

They sure do! Bearded dragons make great pets, especially for kids, because they often love being held & handled. Petting them looks a little different from a dog but they typically love the cuddles all the same.

Is a bearded dragon a good pet?

Bearded dragons make fantastic pets. They have goofy, inquisitive personalities, require minimal daily upkeep or space, love interacting with their humans & are great with kids. They rarely bite, scratch, or become stressed while being handled.

Are bearded dragons easy to keep alive?

Bearded dragons do great in captivity & usually live long, healthy lives. Once their enclosure has been designed correctly & an appropriate diet plan has been created, their care becomes very simple.

How many bearded dragons should be kept together?

Only one male bearded dragon should be kept per enclosure but several females can be kept together if you have the space. It is also not recommended to mix males & females unless you are specifically breeding them.

Does a bearded dragon bite hurt?

Bearded dragons rarely bite & if they do it’s unlikely to hurt much—it’s more startling than anything. Only adult bearded dragons have the bite force to hurt at all but it’s still unlikely to break skin or be painful once they release or you pull free.

Do bearded dragons like to be held?

With regular practice, most bearded dragons like to be held & have been known to happily let children carry them.

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle:

Nov. 15/2023

5 outstanding facts about the amazing shoebill

4/29/2020

by Ashes to ashes

quizzclub.com

This extremely large bird resembles a cross between a pelican, a stork, & a dinosaur. Not only does the shoebill have an intimidating look, this creature can really stand up for itself. Let's learn more about this terrifying yet gorgeous bird.

Some quick shoebill facts:

they are endemic to the swamps of Eastern Africa;

they feed on fish, frogs, snakes, & baby crocodiles;

shoebills are classified as vulnerable: they suffer from habitat loss, hunting, & capture for the zoo trade; in the wild, they can live up to 25-30 years.

#1 An adult shoebill stands around 1.1 to 1.4 meters (3.6 to 4.5 ft) tall

The tallest recorded individuals reached the height of around 1.5 meters (almost 5 feet)! Despite their large size, shoebills have light bones & weigh between 4 & 7 kg (9 to 15 lbs).

#2 To carry their enormous bodies, shoebills have incredibly large wings

The shoebill's wingspan can reach 2.5 meters (8 feet). Such wings are great for soaring, & the shoebill flaps them only around 150 times per minute, which is one of the slowest flapping rates of the avian kingdom. Shoebills usually don't fly far.

#3 Their bills with sharp edges are deadly tools

This shoe-shaped bill may look funny or ridiculous, but it's actually a lethal weapon. While hunting, shoebills act very cruelly. They can stay still in the swamp for long periods, for which they are often compared to statues. When the prey is ambushed & taken into the bill, the shoebill decapitates it & swallows the rest of the body.

#4 They only raise the strongest chick

Shoebills are monogamous birds which live in breeding pairs. Though more than one chick is hatched at a time, the shoebills will raise only the strongest one, which is usually the eldest. The chicks start fighting each other very early to be selected.

#5 Being widely known as the 'shoebill stork', the shoebill belongs to the same order as pelicans, not storks

The hamerkop, another very strangely looking bird, is the closest relative of the shoebill.

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle: 

Nov. 10/2023

 

Listen Up to These Fascinating Facts About Your Cat's Ears

Jamie Lovejoy, DVM 

petmd.com

2/8/2023

Though they look like soft, fuzzy triangles, a cat’s ears are actually highly specialized & fine-tuned to

do much more than our own. Along with hearing, cat ears are made for hunting, hiding, & communicating. Here are some facts that may surprise you about your cat’s ears.

1. Cats Have Excellent Hearing

Anyone who has opened a can of cat food & had their kitty run to the kitchen from across the house won’t be shocked to learn that cats have much better hearing than people do.

When not being served by humans, cats must find & stalk small, fast prey, often in low light. This requires not only listening for very quiet sounds, but also those with a higher pitch. According to a review published by Louisiana State University, cats can usually hear sounds pitched almost 2 octaves higher than what humans can hear–& one octave higher than what dogs can detect. No wonder a mouse squeak is no trouble for them to hear!

For lower pitches, humans & cats seem to have similar limitations, though cats can hear these lower frequency sounds from much farther away because they have greater sound sensitivity. Due to their small size, cats are also at risk of becoming prey themselves, & this sensitivity allows them to detect threats that a human or dog might not pick up on.

2. The Feline Ear Is Made of 3 Parts

A cat’s ear has 3 parts: the outer, middle, & inner ear.

The outer ear is the visible portion: the pinna & the ear canal. A cat’s ear canal is much deeper than a human’s, funneling sounds trapped by the pinna down into the ear drum more efficiently. This is the most common part to be affected by an ear infection (otitis externa).

The middle ear is an air-filled chamber (bulla) separated from the outer ear by a thin membrane called the tympanic membrane or ear drum. It contains 3 small bones that transmit vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear. It’s also connected to the back of the nose by a pathway called the eustachian tube, allowing the air to stay at a reasonable pressure.

The inner ear takes information from the middle ear & transmits it to the brain. It’s also the home of the cat’s vestibular (balance) system, which is incredibly sensitive & much more developed than a human’s ear, allowing them to be much more agile (& more likely to land on their feet!).

3. Cats Have Mobile Outer Ears

Humans have 6 muscles in our outer ear (pinna). Cats have 32. This anatomy lets them rotate their ears a full 180 degrees! Not only does this allow cats to use their ears to express themselves, they can point their ears towards faint & far-away sounds to hear them more clearly.

4. Cats’ ‘Henry’s Pockets’ Are a Mystery

One structure that is particularly obvious in cat ears (although bats, weasels, & some dogs have them as well) is the cutaneous marginal pouch. Also known as a Henry’s pocket, this is the thin flap of skin on the outside of the ear, & its significance isn’t clear. There is a theory that this skin flap helps them detect higher-pitched sounds, but it may also serve no function at all. But mites & parasites love this location, so your vet will routinely check it during a physical exam—especially if your cat has been itchy.

5.  Cats Are Born Without Ear Canals

When kittens are born, the ear canal is closed & cannot transmit sound from the outer ear to the ear drum. This means that until they are at least 1 week old, kittens can’t hear anything at all!

This cat ear anatomy likely protects them in the birth canal. Once the ear canal opens, the rest of their systems begin to mature, & they can hear progressively quieter sounds.

6. Deafness Is Common in White Cats With Blue Eyes

White cats with blue eyes are frequently completely deaf. The most common gene to be involved in this coat & eye color combination also seems to cause degeneration of the inner ear structures early in life. White cats with one blue eye are also commonly deaf in the ear on the side of the blue eye. There are a few genes that can lead to white coats & blue eyes, so not all cats with the combination are affected—but it is suspected that up to 80% are!

Monitoring your cat’s behavior around household noises may be the most effective way to try & determine if your cat is deaf. Unless there is an obvious structural abnormality, cats are very difficult to evaluate in the clinic for loss of hearing. Your vet can make noises & look for responses, but there can be many complications with this approach:

One-eared deafness cannot be assessed

A cat may choose not to respond

Cat whiskers are so sensitive that they may respond to vibrations & not just sound

A Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test can be performed at some facilities to test a cat’s hearing. During this test, electrodes are placed in a way that they can pick up electrical signals from the nerves bringing information from the inner ear to the brain. This testing can be informative, but it’s not very practical in most situations.

7.  Normal Cat Ear Canals Are Self Cleaning

Unless instructed by your veterinarian, don’t clean away that normal waxy debris from the ear canal! Wax is produced in the canal to trap dust & pathogens that might affect the sensitive ear drum. Mammalian ear canals have specialized cells with hairs that automatically bring these pathogens away from the ear drum & toward the outer ear, where a cat’s normal grooming habits will dispose of them.

Putting unwarranted cleansers in your cat’s ear canal can damage this cycle & cause more harm than good. But if you are instructed to clean your cat’s ears, make sure you are using a product designed for the ear canal to avoid irritation.

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