Critter Care - by Elizabeth Henderson
2010 and 2009 Columns
April, 2010 Wascally Rabbits'
Rabbits come in a wide range of sizes and colors. They are intelligent, social, and interesting animals. As with any pet, rabbits require a time commitment, living quarters, veterinary care, toys, and nutritious food. Rabbits can make excellent, long lived pets provided they are given the proper environment and care. Because they are naturally prey animals, they may frighten easily making them a poor choice as pets in homes with children under the age of seven.
February, 2010 So You Want a Pony . . .
Owning a pony can be a rewarding and educational experience. Teaching a child to properly care for any animal encourages responsibility, confidence, and, when it comes to equine ownership, good work ethics as well as providing some fresh air and exercise. Owning a pony is a lot of work, but for those of us that love horses and ponies the work is well worth it. However, before you rush out and get a pony, it's important to make sure that your child has the time, interest, and dedication, and that you have the financial means to properly care for a pony. Keep in mind that ponies can live for more than 30 years and that the cost of owning a pony is larger than the purchase price.
January, 2010 Graceful Seahorses
Seahorses are beautiful and peaceful marine aquarium inhabitants often overlooked as pets. Though they do require some special care, with a little knowledge and time seahorses can make wonderful home aquarium inhabitants. There are over fifty species of seahorse and most are found primarily in shallow coastal waters around the world, often in beds of sea grass, mangrove stands, and coral reefs. They range in size from as small as one inch up to about one foot in length. Seahorses have the ability to change their coloration depending on their mood and surroundings and are social in nature.
December, 2009 Rats!
When most people think of rats, their minds conjure up images of disease carrying pests that live in sewers. While rats can, like any animal, carry disease, and some wild rats do live in sewers or steal grain when they are hungry, domesticated rats make wonderful pets. Domesticated rats have been selectively bred for thousands of generations and, though still the same species, have many differences from their wild counterparts. They are calmer, come in a variety of beautiful colors, live longer, are generally healthier, and are more comfortable around humans.
November, 2009 Holiday Pet Safety
The holidays are just around the corner and should be fun and safe for everyone, pets included. Most of us love festively wrapped packages, delicious holiday foods, and twinkling lights. While these things are great, it’s important to remember that even fun things can cause problems if not handled properly. Some common sense and a few safety tips can help keep your pets safely enjoying the holidays at home and out of the emergency vet’s office this holiday season.
October, 2009 Loveable African Greys
African Grey Parrots are highly intelligent, loyal, and long lived companions. They have been kept as pets for centuries and were prized by the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Though they may not be as common as dogs or cats, they make excellent pets. Their ability to mimic voices is astounding and they generally form a tight bond with their owners. They have even been known to scare off intruders.
September, 2009 Cute and Cuddly Chinchillas
Chinchillas, commonly called "chins," are cute, furry rodents hailing from the Andes
Mountains in South America. They make excellent, out-
August, 2009 The Beautiful Rhinopias
Our oceans are filled with truly amazing creatures of all shapes and sizes. From the majestic blue whale to the tiny Irukandji jellyfish, there seems to be no end to wondrous variety of life in the sea. While many of these amazing animals are best left in the wild, others can make fascinating, beautiful, long lived pets.