6 Ferret Behaviors - Understanding Their Secret Language

Ferrets can be the wackiest animals due to their funny antics and behavior. They will never fail to make you laugh or even a snicker. Here are some of their behaviors worth noting.

Tail Wagging This behavior is made only by some male ferrets which have a more dominant, aggressive and mischievous personality. They do this when it is having a good time running after another ferret. When it has already cornered its playmate, there you'll see its tail wagging really fast. Now, talk about getting excited! So, when you see your ferret in this zesty mood, answer his challenge by scratching or thumping at the other end of the tube. Bring it on!

Running into Things Ferrets don't see very well but their sense of smell help them in finding their way. However, there will be times when you'll see them bumping into things especially walls. Because of this, be cautious when playing with them. Do not play on a balcony or a patio or anywhere they may fall. If you have an open balcony on second floor, cover the areas which the ferret can access. Despite their poor eyesight, some ferrets can see red, black and white.

Sneezing They sneeze because they sniff everything around, below and above them. Remember that ferrets have poor eyesight. That's why they use their sense of smell more often. This means, they sniff anything that may cause them to sneeze such as dust. However, be wary of a runny nose or lethargy because if this is the case, go to the vet to avoid making it worse with coughing or thick mucus discharge.

Stealing Yes, they steal your heart but they also steal anything that they can put their hands on. They will take your jewelry, watches, keys, food and anything else that catches their attention. Worse, they'll hide it in places where you may never see them again. What's the reason behind this behavior? For your ferret, anything is a toy. Their curiosity gets the best of them.

Chasing By now, you should now that ferrets love to play. Chasing is just one of the things they love when they want to play with you or other pets. When your ferrets start jumping back and forth in front of you or tugs your pants, you'll know they want to play. Give them what they want by getting down on your knees and chase him around. You'll tire easier than them but you'll have fun, too.

Obsession with objects They will get insane on a certain object for no apparent reason. They won't stop until they get their "object of desire" and when they get it, they'll hide somewhere. After a couple of days, they will get it from its hiding place and hide it in a new hiding place.If you'll just allow them to have the object their obsessing about, you'll be giving then a huge favor. Aren't they the funniest?

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on Understand your Pet Ferrets Behavior, please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com/

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Ferret Smell & Odor - 4 Tips to Deal With Your Ferret's Smell

They are funny. They are animated. And they smell. Yes, ferrets do have a distinct odor that makes them different from the other pets. They really do not stink as what others may assume but they have a "musky or cheap perfume smell" which some pet lovers do not like. If you are persistent on keeping your ferret, here are some ways on how to make then smell like flowers...well, almost.

Bathe Less Yes, you've read it right. Do not bathe your ferrets often. Doing so will only make their coat drier, thus producing more skin oil from their scent glands. The more often you bathe them, the more oil will be produced, the worse their smell will become. Bathe them at least once every two to three months or when they are already too dirty. Making use of shampoo that is specially made for ferrets would be better for your pet.

Keep 'em clean Cut down the odor by cleaning the cage and washing the beddings. Usually the musk odor sticks to the beddings, in the cloth, on the litter, around your house but not exactly on the ferret itself. Don't use air fresheners because these might irritate your pets and cause an unexpected allergic reaction. An alternative would be by using scented candles when you have visitors. Vacuum at least thrice a month and also include the place where your ferrets play on, in or under.

Ear ye! Ear ye! After making sure that their sleeping area is clean, it's time to check the ears. Ferret earwax also contribute to the musky scent. Clean your ferret's ears once a week. As part of good hygiene, it prevents ear mites and other problems in plaguing your pet. The best product to use in removing the waxy, smelly debris would be a product specially designed for ferrets.

Eat Right A poor-quality diet will result to an extra-stinky elimination. Foods with a lot of "preservatives, artificial colors and flavors and low-quality fats" will make your house smell worse than usual. One way of preventing this is by focusing on a diet with "32% protein, 18% fat and a maximum of 3% fiber". Never give your ferrets canned food or dog food.

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on how to rid your Ferret Smell & Odor please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com

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Ferret Care - 7 Tips Every Ferret Owner MUST Know!

Ferrets are wonderful creatures. They make great pets which make them one of the more popular pets in the world. So, what's the catch? They require more care and attention than a pet dog or cat. However, if you have already sworn your allegiance to ferrets worldwide, then this would not be so much of a problem. Here are some tips that can make owning ferrets a breeze.

Manna Ferrets need a balanced diet to get the proper amount of nutrition. They are "carnivores and cannot digest plant products properly." They need at least 34% of protein. Go with ferret food rather than cat food as a substitute. The latter may work temporarily but it doesn't have enough nutrients that your ferret needs. For ferret foods, make sure that it doesn't have corn meal or mineral oil. For supplements, consult your veterinarian. Do give your ferret treats but do not over feed them to avoid having an overweight ferret with health problems.

Agua Next to the air we breathe, water is the second most important element for humans to exist. Ferrets are no different. They also need fresh water to avoid dehydration. Use distilled water when unsure of the tap water cleanliness. Always wash the water bowl or bottle properly to avoid any bacteria or algae growth.

To Cage or Not to Cage Ferrets are not caged animals. They prefer to play around freely. However, let's say you need to go somewhere else or if you have visitors, it is good to protect your ferrets by putting them in a cage. Think big when buying cages (this includes size and price). Make sure that your cage has enough space so your pet can play comfortably. It should also be large enough for the litter box, large water bottle and other cage accessories.

Vet Visits! Prevention has always been better than cure. Ferrets need to have regular vaccines and check-ups. Rabies and canine distemper (which is an airborne disease) are preventable diseases. As a heads up, ask your vets for other diseases. Let him check your pet for any lumps, dental problems, skin irritations or any other health conditions that are not common in ferrets.

Spaying and Neutering It is highly suggested that a ferret be altered (spayed or neutered) when thinking of owning one. A male ferret which hasn't been neutered is more aggressive and will have a very unpleasant odor. Females, which are not spayed, will not survive if they would not be able to mate and breed. "If they are not brought out of heat, they will die of anemia." Do not make it your personal duty to breed your ferrets. Breeding ferrets should be taken care of professionals.

Holding and Handling Pick your ferret around the midsection using both of your hands. Be firm and gentle when holding him/her. Never grab them by the leg or tail. Hold the ferret by the scruff (the skin at the back of the neck) to relax him especially during nail trimming and ear cleaning. If it grabs one of your fingers and doesn't want to let go, gently flick the tip of the nose with your finger.

Toys! When you are not always around to play with them, ferrets get bored easily. "Boredom leads to stress and stress can lead to health problems." Give them toys to occupy their time. Toys include "boxes, paper bags, cloth bags, PVC pipes, balls" or common toys given to cats, dogs and parrots. Please do not give them plastic bags. Though it may seem like the ferrets enjoy them, it isn't safe because it will cause suffocation. Do not also give them small objects that they can swallow accidentally. Check for any lead content for this is dangerous even to you.

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on Ferret Care please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com/

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Russian Dwarf Hamsters Make Great Pets

There are several different species of hamster that are considered to be Russian dwarf hamsters. The three different types are the Winter White Russian dwarf hamster, the Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster, and the Roborovski's Russian dwarf hamster. All three of these kinds of hamsters are incredibly small. The Winter White and Campbell hamsters are both around the same size. They are both about three to four inches in length. The Roborovski on the other hand is about two inches in length. You can see why Russian dwarf hamsters are such popular pets, they are so small and so cute you can't help but love these adorable creatures.

Among the two larger kinds of Russian dwarf hamsters (the Winter White dwarf hamster and the Campbell's dwarf hamster), the Winter White is harder to find. If you go to a pet store, it's more likely that they'll have the Campbell hamster as opposed to the Winter White hamster. If you do find the Winter White Russian dwarf hamster at a pet store, they are usually sold in pairs and usually of the same sex. The reason they are sold in pairs is because they live best in pairs. Dwarf hamsters enjoy company and are happier when living with a roommate. The reason they're sold in same-sex pairs is because these guys mate like, well, like hamsters. And although there is a time for breeding, that time isn't ALL the time.

Back on the topic of the Winter White, this species is such an amazing kind of dwarf hamster because they change color during the winter (guess what color). The Winter White dwarf hamsters will change from a darkish grey color to white. This is a trait that was developed in the wild. By changing into a white color, they adapt their color with the color of the snow. Even if you don't have any snow in your dwarf hamster cage, they will still change color! The one thing you will need though, is sunlight. The winter white's coat changes color in tune with the amount of sunlight it receives (the sun is out less in the winter). So you may not be able to see this change for yourself if your dwarf hamster is living inside with you.

The Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster is easily found in pet stores. They may have been called Russian hamsters but these hamsters are technically Mongolian. That's right, they are from Mongolia, more specifically a region called Djungaria. To be fair they're also known as Djungaria hamsters. These hamsters may not be able to change the color of their coat like the winter white, but they do come in a variety of color combinations and patterns. Among the varieties of colors and patterns they can be found are spotted and mottled with colors of brown, black, and even slight shades of blue! The reason there's such a variety of Campbell's Russian dwarf hamsters is because for a long time now they've been bred as pets and over time the cooler patterns have been matched together to create the patterns you can find in pet stores today.

The third and final kind of Russian dwarf hamster is the Roborovski. Roborovski Russian dwarf hamsters can be found in Mongolia and China. As already mentioned, they are ridiculously small. They are so small that a lot of hamster cages wouldn't fit them properly so if you plan on adopting a Roborovski, make sure to get a cage where the gaps are small enough. One final thing about these hamsters, their coats are a mix of brown and gray.

Russian dwarf hamsters are incredibly adorable and make amazing pets. To learn more about dwarf hamsters and take the first step in adopting your own visit http://www.dwarfhamstercare101.com

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Things to Consider Before Buying Ferret Pets

Ferrets has been quite popular these days. Although they have not replaced our favorite household pets like cats and dogs. Ferret pets can co-exist with these pets as well as our children. Ferrets are warm, cute, friendly and cuddly. Generally, ferret pets are lovable and make wonderful pets. However, people should know some important things before buying ferret pets. Ferret pets are not like the cat or dog. So here are some things before you buy ferrets.

Time - well, ferrets are wonderful and excellent pets for those people who have time to bond with these kinds of animals. Ferret pets are naturally friendly, quiet, intelligent, companionable and intelligent. At a certain point of day they are active and needs supervision for a reason that they are playful and want to explore. That is why when you wanted to have ferret pets be sure to have enough time because they do require interaction and attention from their owners.

Legalities - ferret pets are not like some of the other domestic pets out there because this animal requires a paper or a legal document for the reason that ferrets are considered to be endangered species. The city or state or a military regulations can dictate whether it is legal or not for you to own and breed ferrets in the area where you live. The best thing to do is to consult first your local Wildlife so that they can advice you on your permit and license requirements.

Food & Shelter - your ferret pets need plenty of fresh water as well as a diet high in protein and fat. For some pets like cats and dogs they do have some foods that are especially made for them. Although ferret pets food are just a few. You can try Kaytee - a good ferret's food that is specially formulated for their nutrition. If you didn't find that one you can try cat or kitten food but keep in mind that you must avoid fish or a fish flavored food because it can trigger or create an odor problem. Aside from that it is also essential that you should provide them with a cage that is big so that they can roam around and be comfortable.

Compatibility - when you are planning to own a ferret be sure that they are compatible with your kid as well as the other pets in the house for the reason that it is not ideal to have ferrets if you have a baby or a child younger than 6 to 7 years old.

Peter Dee is a ferret owner. For more great ferret pets tips visit http://ferret-info.com

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How to Care For a Pet Chinchilla

Chinchilla's are wonderful little creatures that almost always get referred to as another type of animal. There really aren't a great deal of people who really know what a chinchilla is or what it does for that matter. Some people mistake them for bunnies, while others may even think they resemble a squirrel. The care of a chinchilla is not a particularly hard process, but there are a few things one must remember when caring for a chinchilla.

One of the most noticeable, and possibly the most annoying habit that chinchillas possess is the inability to control their chewing instinct. A chinchilla will literally chew almost anything, as this is its way of exploration. Some take annoyance from this habit, but it can be quite a cute thing to see when the chinchilla uses its hands to hold the object it nibbles so furiously at. This habit can be much more bearable if you keep items around that are safe for the chinchilla to chew, and present them to him purposely.Feeding a chinchilla this chewing habit, but as this process is natural for him, it cannot be totally contained.

Another care tip to remember is that chinchillas must have a dust bath on a regular basis to keep their fur healthy and protected. Dust baths must not be ignored, as they are an important heigenic maintenance procedure. Much in the same way that we fulfill our own needs for a bath, we must maintain the heigenic needs of our pet.

The socialization process is also important no matter the animal involved in the process. All pets need certain levels of social interaction to really get accustomed to their new homes. This can be done by simply holding them while they eat and letting them explore the house in a supervised manner. If you do decide to let your chinchilla venture about the house, it's a good idea to set up barriers around the area safest for your chinchilla to explore. A playpen can work great, just remember the chinchilla's chewing habit!

By following all of these pet chinchilla care steps you will not only have a fantastic relationship with your chinchilla you will also have a healthy pet. They really are amazing creatures and great pets to have. So make sure to treat your chinchilla properly.

http://chinchillacareguide.com

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Hermit Crabs - Where to Purchase

For anybody, adolescent through the senior age, the land hermit crabs make great pets for several reasons, one being the fact that they are real easy to take care of. Unlike some other pets like the fish, cats and dogs, the hermit crabs are regarded to be one of the most popular, low maintenance exotic pets sold today. Perhaps one reason why so many people may select hermit crabs as their pets is because they last for a very long time. Some hermit crab pets could live from a few years at the very least and about 30 years the most.

A unusual variety of the household pet, hermit crabs are viewed to be one of the few on the list of exotic pets which any pet owner may own. Also, having an inexpensive set up and low cost maintenance for this great pet, hermit crabs are hypoallergenic, real clean, quite, easy to maintain and might be taken in and out of their habitat for some bonding time with the owner, which is very different and unlike the fish. Just as these pets have advanced in popularity among people who are searching for a different kind of pet, there can be a lot of enjoyment from observing the hermit crab behavior. For individuals living near the ocean or beach area, it is simple to find a crab that be be taken to your home. Hermit crabs may be found wandering by the sea-coast. Given for instance that you live in the city or someplace far from the ocean, hermit crabs for sale could be purchased from pet shops.

Not all pet stores offers the hermit crab or the supplies and equipment. However, there are pet stores that stock a large array of hermit crab accessories from the cage to the hermit crab gravel. Among the most fundamental of all supplies is the hermit crab food. Even though hermit crabs are born scavengers and will eat almost anything, avoid giving them foods that contain the added preservatives and chemicals, as these could harm their digestive system. Hot, spicy and preserved foods are not recommended for these pets. Along with the crab food that may be purchased in the pet supplies of your favorite pet store, you can also add krill, fresh shrimp, worms and different seafood. Fish is also a favorite as well as fruits like banana, apples, grapes, pears. Having a hermit crab as a pet is not a complicated project. If you have ample food and a suitable shelter, your land hermit crabs will have everything he needs to survive and flourish.

The hermit crabs for sale at you local pet store will make a great pet for almost anyone, any age. But if you live near the ocean, you may be able to pick up the hermit crab for free while walking along the beach. And also, most of the souvenir shops along the beach will offer the hermit crabs supplies as well as the hermit crab for sale.

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The Facts About Your Ferret's Diet

The main thing you need to know about your ferret's diets is simple: meat, no plants. The diet should consist of at least 30-40% protein, with 20-30% fat, less than three percent fiber, and low in carbohydrates. Ferrets simply cannot process protein from plants.

Your pet ferret's diet should ensure that food is available at all times, too. Ferrets have a very fast metabolism and a short digestive system, so they need to eat often. Often means at least every three to four hours. It is much easier, and better for your pet, to just leave food out constantly, along with fresh water. As a rule ferrets will eat only enough to meet their immediate needs, so you don't have to worry about them getting fat. If they do appear to be getting fat, take your pet to the vet to see if there is some medical problem. Lacking that, exercise is the best way to keep your ferret in tip-top shape.

The most important part is going to be your vigilance. You have to read the labels and understand what they are saying. The closer to the beginning an ingredient, the more there is of it. So if meat meal comes first, there is more of that than any other item. Beware, though, of split products, like soy flour and soy meal. You have to add the two together to get the true proportions in the food.

There are several quality ferret foods available now, but you have to read the ingredients. The better the diet, the more expensive it is. But it is worth it to see that your ferret has the best diet available to keep him happy and healthy.

Any time you want to change your ferret's diet, you must do so gradually. It's best to mix in the new food with the old and gradually increasing the new foods as a percentage of the whole meal. It is often best to begin your pups on a mixture of foods to avoid the 'new food negatives' later on. It is just good common sense to have two foods on hand that your ferret will eat, in case one of them is suddenly unavailable.

Treats should only be given in moderation, and those should be vitamin supplements and hairball remedies which ferrets love and which does them some good at the same time. Don't use them too often, but they can come in handy for training aids. Other treats that ferrets like in their diet are hard-boiled or scrambled eggs and little pieces of cooked meat. The only time you should use commercial treats is if they are meat based. You want to stay away from treats that are based on grains, vegetables, and sugars any time. Ferrets love sweets, but you have to be careful and not give sweets to them, even raisins and other fruits. Sugar is not good for ferrets, period.

If you cannot find a quality ferret diet locally, you may want to go online. Barring that, premium cat foods will suffice. But you have to make sure and use a kitten food that is high in protein. Once your ferret is four years or more, you can switch to regular adult cat food. Again, it is up to you to be vigilant and use only premium brands with the right mixtures of protein, fats, fibers, and carbohydrates. As a general rule you should avoid generic (or 'house') brands, since these are generally not up to the quality you need for your loving pet.

Scot Reinheart is a ferret enthusiast and author. He resides in Centerville, MD. He spends his time teaching others how to raise and properly care for ferrets. For more tips on ferret diet, visit his site by clicking here.

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Gel Ant Farms - A Space Race Spin Off

Gel ant farms are just one of the hundreds of spin-off from the space program. We've always thought of space research as being a bit wacky. Ever since the Russians launched Laika the dog into space for no apparent reason (other than to get one over on the Americans) and since Alan Shepard used a six iron to hit a golf ball on the moon, we've been wondering what space research is all about.

Well, it turns out that ant farms also feature high on Nasa's list of worthwhile experiments. Since the space program began there have been dozens of experiments devised to discover how processes that rely on gravity, or are affected by gravity, operate when freed from that ubiquitous force.

From seeing how unfortunate spiders manage to spin webs to the growing of perfect crystals, they've all been tried. Some are successful and some aren't. But that's science, of course.

The mystery of underground navigation

And one of these experiments was the now famous Gel Ant Farm. Quite how ants manage to build and navigate their way through subterranean tunnels has always been something of a mystery. So, to try to discover exactly how they did it, scientists at NASA began a project to develop a transparent medium in which ants would be able to build tunnels, just as in soil but, all-importantly, through which they could also be seen actually doing it.

The gel also needed to be sufficiently stable to withstand the high G-forces associated with launch and re-entry. Any sand tunnel would collapse under these unusual forces. High G wouldn't affect the ants, of course, they are easily strong enough to take such forces in their stride.

Up it went the Gel Ant Farm on a space shuttle and the ants started tunneling in their transparent gel. As I understand it, the tunnels were a somewhat more wiggly than ones made in the same gel by the same species on earth so gravity was thought to play a part in the ants' subterranean efforts. But, as far as I know, we didn't find out much else.

Never mind though, the good thing is that we now have a fantastic selection of gel ant farms that are just great for kids to study and learn from. Some people say that non-stick frying pans are the only good thing ever to come out of the space program - not so - we now have gel ant farms as well!

Discover for yourself the fun you and your kids can have with a gel ant farm at http://www.antfarmcentral.com/gelantfarms.html

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Ferret Supplies

Once you are sure that you want to own a pet ferret, you will need to get yourself some ferret supplies. This is a short listing of items you will want to have to keep your ferret safe and healthy.

You will definitely need to get a quality ferret cage. Although Ferrets sleep a lot, when they are awake, they are extremely curious and will get into anything if left alone. A metal cage with an opening that can be securely latched shut is a must. You should not force your ferret to stay in cramped living conditions. The cage you purchase should have plenty of room for your pet ferret to run around and play but still have access to its food and a bathroom area. There are a variety of styles available in ferret cages. Some are single level and some are multilevel. What you purchase will be up to you, but remember if you're getting more than one ferret you will need more space. Also remember that you should set up your ferret cage in an area where it can see its new family. Don't lock it away in a separate room unless you want a stressed out pet.

Inside the cage, you will need some type of bedding that separates your ferret from the metal floor. You will want bedding that he can snuggle down into but nothing that he can manage to destroy and eat. You will also need food and water supplies as well as toys. All of these can be purchased at a pet store either online or at a retail outlet near you. Depending on where you are located, specialty ferret supplies may be easier to find on the Internet than near your home. Personally, I recommend food dishes that attach to the side of the cage and water bottles to avoid spills caused by playful ferrets.

There are many other Ferret supplies available, but these are some of the basics. You can always add more after your ferret has come home, but these few essential items should be waiting before he ever arrives.

You might also enjoy reading these articles about ferret supplies and ferret cages on my website.

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Feeding Behavior in Ant Farm Ants

Ant food

The ants that you'll receive when you send off the voucher that comes with your ant farm will almost certainly be harvester ants. The name suggests that they might be vegetarians but that's not necessarily the case. They will consume pretty much anything that contains protein and carbohydrate. They will eat plant seeds in abundance however, most of these are likely to come from grasses. Some grass species will actually grow on the soil that has been excavated from the tunnels by the ants, so the ants don't have to go exploring to find their food. Harvester ants will also eat the seeds, pollen and nectar from many other plant species.

Carnivores

A large number of carnivorous behaviors is has been seen in harvester ants. These include the queen feeding unhatched eggs to her first brood of offspring and, in the case of the Florida harvester, she feeds special sterile eggs, which have been laid by the workers, to juvenile ants. These sterile eggs are called trophic eggs and this behavior has only been seen in the Florida harvester.

I am unaware of any cases of cannibalism in harvester ants so the occupants of your ant farm should be quite safe from each other... What else do harvester ants eat? Well, termites, many castes of which are soft-bodied and quite defenseless, comprise roughly sixty percent of their meat intake. Bigger insects, such as grasshoppers and crickets form the remainder* (see below), usually the ants will extract the soft tissue from the inside of the insect's exoskeleton if it is too big to be removed to the nest.

Foraging for food

By far the most common foraging strategy is called individual foraging. Using this strategy, individual workers will leave the nest to hunt on their own. This is believed to be the most basic of the hunting strategies and, because it is the least sophisticated, it is the strategy that is likely to result in the highest rate of failure and loss. An individual ant is much more likely to be eaten by another animal than is an organized group.

Ants foraging as a group is undoubtedly one of the most interesting phenomena in the insect world. Many ant species, such as the Florida, western and red harvester ants all display this behavior and this is one of the reasons for their success. Occasionally, columns of ants over a hundred feet in length and two inches wide can be seen and any small animals that stand in their way are almost certainly doomed if they do not escape in time. When a group attack takes place the insect (it's usually an insect) is cut up and taken back to the nest. Often different ants will assume different roles when dealing with prey, from attacking, to dismembering and even digging underneath large prey to make it easier to move. Although the armies of harvester ants on the move are a fearsome sight to many animals, it should be remembered that not all foraging trips are successful. They only come back with food about sixty percent of the time. So the ants in your ant farm ought to be eternally grateful that you are providing them with food without their having to move from their doorstep.

* The header picture at Ant Farm Central shows a green cricket being dismembered by ants.
Find out why ant farms are a great educational choice for kids at http://www.antfarmcentral.com

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Hermit Crabs Information

Ever heard of Hermit Crabs? Hermit Crab are a type of crustacean, and these may be either land or water-dwelling. These crabs are somewhat different than true crabs; they have softer vulnerable abdomens and are in the habit of looking for abandoned shells to seek protection from possible enemies. Once it finds a suitable shell, the hermit crab carries the shell everywhere till the time it finally outgrows that particular shell. After that, it would seek a larger shell. However the crab native to the South Pacific prefers a burrow to a shell.

Along the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the country of West Indies, giant and striped hermit crabs are quite common. In Florida and West Indies, these crabs are also sold as pets. In this article we try and provide information about the hermit crab to better your understanding about it.

WHY DOES A HERMIT CRAB HUNT FOR AN ABANDONED SHELL?

The hermit crab does not have a hard shell; therefore it needs the protection of a discarded snail shell against enemies. Since the body of a hermit crab is flexible, it can easily fit into the interior of the shell. Once the hermit crab outgrows the shell, it goes out looking for a larger one. Hermit crabs also carry other organisms on their shells for camouflage in order to protect themselves from predators.

HOW DO HERMIT CRABS SELECT SHELLS?

Hermit crabs are extremely picky and are always on the look-out for the perfect shell. A certain kind of hermit crab called the Dardanus; moves into a shell and also decorates it by placing sea anemones on the shell. The anemones get leftover food from the crab and a free ride at the same time.

HOW TO TELL WHEN A HERMIT CRAB IS ABOUT TO MOLT?

Some hermit crabs may not show any signs that sound the alert about them being ready to molt. Other crabs may act strange or look different; here below are some signs that can help you determine if a hermit crab is ready to molt:

" The crab may dig a lot
" The crab may eat or drink more than usual
" The eyes of the hermit crab may get cloudy

If the hermit crab shows such signs, you need to place it in a warm and humid tank. You can supply food and water dishes and it is a good idea to lightly spray it with mist, if the crab is molting above ground. After it has molted, you may let it consume the old exoskeleton for the essential nutrition it provides.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SHELL

A hermit crab consists of two pairs of antennae and round eyes on the ends of eyestalks. These crabs have ten legs but only 6 legs show. These 6 legs are known as walking legs while the rest i.e. back legs are folded inside the shell.

The world's largest land crab must be the coconut crab. An adult coconut crab can weigh as much as 9 pounds. But it can get very difficult for this particular species hermit crab to find a shell big enough to fit.

In conclusion, in all their variety, Hermit crabs are wonderful crustaceans that can make great pets. Hopefully the details mentioned above helped improve your knowledge about these amazing creatures.

Shane is a hermit crab enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on hermit crab care, visit http://www.hermitcrabsite.com.

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The Key to Tree Frog Care is Regularity

Tree frogs, unlike the common ground frog, are any frog that spends the majority of its life in an arboreal state. Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees.

If one is interested in caring for tree frogs they will most likely need a vivarium (Latin, literally for "place of life") is a usually enclosed area for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research. This artificially controlled area can often rather successfully mimic the natural environment of the tree frog.

Sufficient planning and care is required if one is to care for amphibians in the home environment as tree frogs are easily stressed if subjected to unnatural conditions. Therefore equipment to further enhance the quality of life of the tree frog in this artificial environment has been created. Conditions such as relative humidity levels and temperature must be kept as constant as possible to successfully care or breed tree frogs at home.

In order to achieve this some automated systems have been created to seamlessly integrate with your vivarium to make tree frog care a breeze.

If you are a first time frog keeper then to not be alarmed by the exact figures required, keeping tree frogs at home is by no means supposed to be scientific.

To give you a little story of how getting caught up with the finer details can stop you taking the plunge and getting some tree frogs as a feature for you house.

When I first attempted to brew beer at home, I thought that the temperature had to absolutely stay between about 21 to 27 degrees Centigrade. When I actually gave it a go and I found that you could in fact successfully brew great homemade beer below that temperature.

If you happen to own a frog now and are looking for ways to give your tree frog a better life try these tips.

Frogs like regularity -

Say you have the tank in which your frog lives in your bedroom. Lets say that you leave the light on and don't go to bed until three in the morning. As you can imagine, this can be very confusing for your frog. Its body is telling it that it should be dark and out hunting. However its light sensing organs are letting it know that it is still day. Maintaining regular lighting patterns will make sure that you reduce the stress that you tree frog will live a happy life.

Here is another example, Let's say your frog lives in the living area. You get cold in the winter to you put the fire or heater on. I think you know where I am going with this one. What do you think that the frogs head is thinking when it is so hot in the middle of winter?

Well it most likely does not know that season in your country but frogs like regularity and this means a regular temperature to. Keep the temperature constantly warm and humid for your tree frog to ensure a long life. Ramping the temperature right up so it's hot and dry right after a cold period will be very stressful for your pet.

I am just here to be of any assistance that I can. I have a 14 day ecourse ready for you at treefrogcenter.com to kick start your tree frog keeping.

This course is Absolutely free and will guide you along the road of taking action. As well as through the steps Required from being a complete newbie to frog care to having a full vivarium of tree frogs will full ability to feed them at very low cost, as well as have automated systems in place such that your tree frog caring becomes easy and rewarding.

All I ask is that you give this a go. I am not selling you anything here, merlely asking you to hop over to treefrogcenter for a complete Free 14 day e course on tree frog care and more great frog facts

You have absolutely no obligation to buy anything, this is just some free information I want to give you in the hope that tree frog breeding and care will further enrich your life like it has done mine.

Happy frog keeping :-)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Williums

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Exotic Pets and Exotic Diseases

Each year literally hundreds of millions of legally imported exotic pets flood into the United States and Europe. Many of these animals can be happily hopping, swimming or crawling in the wild in South America, Asia or Africa one day, and find themselves in a cage in some child's bedroom in say, Ohio, less than a week later. Very often many of these pets are not subject to quarantine or any form of screening and come straight from the bush into our homes. Unfortunately many exotic pet owners are completely ignorant of the risks these animals may pose to their health.

Zoonotic Diseases

A zoonotic disease is one that can jump from animals to humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that these types of diseases account for 75% of all emerging infectious threats. Here is just a small sample of the diseases your exotic pet can pass on to you.

* Cowpox - In a recent case in France four people were infected by cowpox after being scratched by pet rats that were all bought from the same pet store. In three of the cases surgery was required to treat the disease.(1)
* Salmonella - The majority of Salmonella infections originate from contaminated food. However it is estimated that 5 % of infections are linked to pets. It is believed that around 90% of reptiles, especially iguanas and turtles, carry Salmonella. The CDC estimates that 70,000 people in the USA are infected with Salmonella by pet reptiles every year. Between 2003 and 2004 many people in ten states all over the USA were infected with a drug-resistant form of the disease which was subsequently linked to pet hamsters and other rodents. (2)
* In 1994 African Pygmy Hedgehogs were linked to a rare form of Salmonella (S. tilene), when a 10 month old girl became the first human to be documented with this serotype in the USA. The girl's family kept a breeding herd of 80 hedgehogs and significantly she had not been in physical contact with them herself, only with a family member who had handled them. The same serotype was later diagnosed in 10 hedgehog owners in Canada. (3)
* Psittacosis - According to the CDC there are about 50 confirmed cases of Psittacosis each year in the USA, although they believe there may be many more cases that remain misdiagnosed or unreported. The disease is transmitted by pet birds such as parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels. Psittacosis can cause severe pneumonia and there have been several fatalities.(4)
* In New England in 2005 three transplant patients died after receiving organs from a human donor who had been infected with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus by a pet hamster. (5)
* Monkeypox - In 2003 there was an outbreak of Monkeypox in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Monkeypox is related to Smallpox and its symptoms include fever and the development of a papular rash. In all cases the people with the disease had been in contact with pet prairie dogs that had all come from the same source. (6)
* Ringworm - Despite its name ringworm or Tinea is actually a fungal skin infection. One source of ringworm is known to be pet and wild hedgehogs. Over the past few months the author's own blog has been covering a story where three people were infected with ringworm by two hoglets bought from the same breeder.This story is all the more disturbing as the breeder in question somehow managed to circumvent the UK's stringent quarantine laws and import several African Pygmy Hedgehogs directly into the country from Germany. She claims that the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) allowed her to "home quarantine" the hedgehogs. It later transpired that the German breeder's herd was infected with ringworm. While at the breeder's home this infection was spread from the "German" hedgehogs to the "parents" of the two hoglets that later infected their new owners and a family member. It should be noted that Defra state that "home quarantine" would not be allowed under any circumstances. (7)
* Another recent CDC study lists an alarming number of confirmed and potential zoonotic diseases that pet and wild hedgehogs can carry. The confirmed diseases include Salmonella, Yersina, pseudotubercolosis, Mycobacterium marinum, Herpesvirus including human herpes simplex and Rabies. The potential diseases include Yersina pestis (also responsible for Bubonic plague) and hemorrhagic fever. (8)

What can you do to reduce the risk of infection?

Many researchers in the field of infectious diseases actively discourage ownership of any kind of exotic pet. However, exotic pet ownership is a fact of life and millions of them share our homes all over the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have several web pages that provide some excellent advice about reducing the risk of infection and information about the diseases themselves: http://www.cdc.gov/HEALTHYPETS/browse_by_animal.htm.

If you do decide to purchase an exotic pet buying it from a reputable breeder rather than a pet store or pet distributor, should provide you with more guarantees about the animal's origins. While the risk of catching some terrible disease from your pet is relatively small, owners must be aware that it does exist. If you follow the advice given on the CDC web site that risk is greatly reduced.

References:

1. Ninove L, Domart Y, Vervel C, Voinot C, Salez N, Raoult D, et al. Cowpox virus transmission from pet rats to humans, France. Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 May; [Epub ahead of print]
2. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - May 6, 2005 / 54(17);429-433
3. Journal of Clinical Microbiology Nov. 1997, p. 2786 - 2790 Human Salmonellosis Associated with Exotic Pets; David L Woodward, Rasik Khakhira & Wendy M Johnson National Laboratory for Enteric Pathogens, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
5. Margaret Ebrahim and John Solomon Associated Press Article - Nov. 27, 2006
6. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionJune 13, 2003 / 52(23);537-540
7. Author's blog
8. Patricia Y. Riley and Bruno B. Chomel Emerging Infectious Diseases www.cdc.gov/eid Vol. 11, No. 1, January 2005

Get more tips and information about keeping and caring for pet hedgehogs at http://www.hedgehogsaspets.com
You can also read about the ringworm story mentioned in the article here: http://www.hedgehogsaspets.com/one-ringworm-to-rule-them-all/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_S_Murphy

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Facts About Frogs - A Frogs Life

The tree frog as its name states spends most of its time in the trees and only comes to the ground to breed and spawn. The term arboreal means tree dwelling.

As many of the species of tree frog have little defence against their predators (bats, spiders snakes and birds) tree frogs have adapted green colourations on their back.

Like the red eyed tree frog, during the day it lays dormant, covering up its amazing bright colours under its legs. Closes its bright red eyes with its green shaded eyelids to ensure that it is not seen. If this does not work it tries to mimic a poisonous mammal and shows its vivid purple and red in a last ditched effort to not get eaten. Although it has been suggested that bright colours function as sexual signals. This particular hypothesis is still up for debate.

Tree frogs can actually change its colour to a remarkable extent. So much so that if on a leaf it will be green but when on bark can change its colour to brownish grey. This is the importance the tree frog places on not being seen during the day. Because if they are discovered it is likely they will die.

The structure of the tree frog needs to be able to be carried by all kinds of branches and twigs. Unlike the ground aquatic frog or toad, the tree frog has to be able to efficiently move from branch to branch. However not all "tree frogs" are not necessarily forest dwellers. The closest that the European tree frog will get to a rainforest would likely be a sunny forest edge.

The European tree frog will more likely be seen in such places as wet gardens camping areas and parks with wetland areas nearby. This very reason is why the European tree frog is reasonable well known as they are frequently within human contact.

Crickets are the most commonly talked about foods that the tree frog eats but being carnivorous tree frogs have a wide food range to choose from. This is dependent on where they live and the particular species as to what is on offer. Frogs are known as opportunistic hunters and are not known to actively seek out prey rather sit in a good position and wait for insects to pass. Common foods are moth's flies crickets and any other species of insects that it knows are not poisonous.

The greatest threat to the tree frogs survival is not necessarily pollution or though that is a problem but habitat loss and degradation of agriculture and crops.

As far as reproduction goes, the tree frog reproduces slightly differently than ground dwelling frogs and each species is different. If we were talking about the red eyed tree frog specifically what happens is the male attracts the females with a call and then the female carries him on her back for a few hours. Instead of laying eggs directly within the water the red eyed tree frog lays its eggs on a leaf above the pond so that the tadpoles can hatch and drop into the water below.

The often dangerous life of the frog starts off even harder as the tadpoles are predated on by dragonflies, water beetles and fish amongst other things.

The transition period between the tadpoles to frog stage is the most stressful in the frogs life cycle. A lot of frogs are susceptible to predation or death here when the frog is consuming its own tail as the frog moves out of the water into an arboreal life.

I am just here to be of any assistance that I can. I have a 14 day ecourse ready for you at treefrogcenter.com to kick start your tree frog keeping. For you will need quality tree frog care advice from a guy who as done it.

This course is Absolutely free and will guide you along the road of taking action. As well as through the steps Required from being a complete newbie to frog care to having a full vivarium of tree frogs will full ability to feed them at very low cost, as well as have automated systems in place such that your tree frog caring becomes easy and rewarding.

All I ask is that you give this a go. I am not selling you anything here, merely asking you to hop over to treefrogcenter.com for a complete Free 14 day e course. It will also cover all aspects of frogs and frog facts

You have absolutely no obligation to buy anything, this is just some free information I want to give you in the hope that tree frog breeding and care will further enrich your life like it has done mine.

Happy frog keeping :-)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Williums

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