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Hiya omsstravel.33333@blogger.com! Dr. Jungle says... "They could be too cute to be true, stunninginly beautiful,
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3 new articles in "Dr. Jungle's Pets and Animal Speak" Featured Pet of the Week: The Green Anole
The Featured Pet for this week is: The Green Anole I have always thought that anoles were fascinating little lizards. I had the privilege of caring for many of these little guys over the years when I was younger. One really neat feature they have is the ability to change colors (similar to chameleons) to different greens and browns. This can help them blend somewhat with their environment and serve as protection. Males often have very beautiful reddish dewlaps under their chins, which helps distinguish them from the females.  Holding anoles can be a precarious business. Because they are so small (only growing to a maximum size of 7 inches), they can be easily injured if handled incorrectly and/or squeezed too tightly. They will also lose their tails if they are pulled on too hard. However, some people do carefully and successfully handle their pet anoles regularly and with no problems – that is something you as a pet owner will need to decide if you want to hold your anole. Also, all reptiles can (but don’t always) carry salmonella, so if you do decide to hold your pet anole, make sure to use proper sanitation by washing your hands both before and after handling him. Green anoles are often praised as great first pets due to their hardiness, ease of care, and being relatively inexpensive. This makes them a great pet for a child – they fit both a child’s budget as well as their responsibility level. Anoles are also not generally aggressive and will usually scamper away rather than attack or bite. They usually live 3-5 years, but if given optimum conditions can sometimes live up to 10 years. I want to emphasize the proper care of anoles. Even though they are inexpensive and easy to care for, they still must be given a proper environment to thrive in, it is very important for their well-being. They are small, so generally one single anole can do very well in even a small 10 gallon terrarium or aquarium. The taller the aquarium, the better, because anoles love to climb and scale their habitats. If keeping more than one anole, you will definitely want to get an even larger habitat, and even larger if keeping several males. On the bottom of the aquarium you will want to put a substrate such as carpet or something such as crushed walnut shells, both of which can be purchased at pet stores. As I mentioned before, they love to climb because they are natural tree-dwellers, so be sure to include wood pieces like driftwood or grapevine for them to climb vertically on. Lighting and temperature requirements must be taken into consideration as well. Anoles need UVB exposure to keep their metabolism going and to help them synthesize Vitamin D3. And so even though they are more hardy than other lizards, they still must be provided with proper lighting to thrive. Repti-Sun and Repti-Glo are both good lights because they provide both UVB and UVA rays. They also need proper temperatures to regulate their bodies. To achieve this, simply provide a 50 watt daytime bulb in the "basking" area of the terrarium and make sure it is far enough away from the other end of the terrarium so that there is also a cooler area available for them at the other end. You will also want to mist your anoles daily with water. Feeding is relatively simple and is the main source of on-going expense for your anole. They are insectivores and therefore eat only insects, which includes crickets, mealworms and occasionally wax worms. You do want to make sure your anoles are getting enough calcium, so buy some calcium and vitamin powder to dust the insects in prior to feeding. Anoles are diurnal, so feed them their crickets/mealworms during the daytime. Also make sure to provide fresh water in a clean dish daily. If you enjoyed these tips on anoles, you can learn much more about anoles as pets by seeing the Green Anole page! Jasmine is a team member at Animal-World and has contributed many articles and write-ups.  When to Spay or Neuter your Pet
If you have one pet, then you are bound to have more especially if they are outdoor pets and not spayed or neutered. Here are some reasons that you might want to consider the procedure for your cat or dog. First things first: Spaying refers to removing the ovaries and uterus from your female pet. Neutering refers to removing the testicles from your male pet. Now that we have the terms, it's time to identify when to have the procedure performed. One Myth and Several Truths One common myth is that your male pet will lose all of his aggressiveness when neutered. For many owners, aggressiveness is a problem. Pets can be hard to train and manage with family and/or visitors to the home. This goes beyond a normal bit of playful stubbornness on the part of the family pet. Neutering won't make your dog a wimp. Beyond this reason that many don't have their pets "fixed" here are several reasons to do just that. 1. No unwanted pet litters – Pets who still have their reproductive organs always run the risk of having babies. Instead of just looking after one pet, you'll have to find homes for several more if your female pet gets pregnant. Unwanted litters can become strays in the neighborhood, leading to pet overpopulation. 2. Less territorial marking – Animals instinctively mark their territory to warn off other animals. This occurs more when they are not spayed or neutered. Females in heat will often mark their territory by urinating all over the place. This strong smelling urine can offend even the toughest noses. Save your carpet or hardwood floors. 4. Lower health risks – Cancer can be a problem for pets just like for humans. Male pets have a lower risk of testicular cancer when they are neutered which can prolong their lives. For female pets, spaying can help prevent breast and ovarian cancers from being a problem. Also, the procedure won't make your pet gain weight. Just like any other pet, with proper diet and exercise they can remain fit and trim into their golden years. Spay or neuter early. It is safer and less traumatic for your pets. They don't have the chance to develop disciplinary problems or any of the other issues that lead people to have issues with their pets. It really is the humane way to protect your animal, the community and the environment around you. The Best Pets for Apartment Dwellers
Just because you live in an apartment doesn't mean that you are limited in the pets you can own. If you want a cat or dog, it will help to know how to choose one who will love your third floor walk up or that first floor garden unit. Check your rental agreement The first place to go is to the rental office. If you are moving to another apartment, checking on their pet policy might want to be your first order of business. For your current apartment, reread your lease. Now that you want a pet, it will be imperative to know if it is even possible where you live. Some agreements have stipulations even when you are allowed pets so read the fine print. There could be weight limit or size limit. Owning fish may be limited to smaller tanks and not the larger ones you see in doctor's offices or restaurants. Don't forget the cost as well. To own a pet can add another one hundred dollars or more to your monthly rent. Increased cost is most likely due to the possibility of pet stains on rugs and damage to the apartment dwelling itself. Top Apartment Pets 1. Fish – These are some of the most unobtrusive pets. They amuse themselves by swimming all day and only need to eat at intervals. The size of your fish or the aquarium might be in question but generally fish are allowed as long as the tanks are well maintained. 2. Reptiles and amphibians – Snakes are not the only reptiles. Many apartments will allow them as long as they are non-poisonous and kept in a tank. But, there are also small lizards like newts and salamanders. Don't forget your friendly neighborhood turtle. 3. Birds – They can sing but don't let them squawk. Try to stay away from macaws, parakeets in large numbers, cockatoos and other vocal birds. Apartment walls are not thick enough to stop a loud bird from keeping the neighbors up all night. 5. Cats – This furry creature is usually not a problem in most apartments. They keep to themselves and don't make a lot of noise. 6. Dogs – Large dogs are not a good match for apartments because of the limited space during the day. Even small dogs need to be walked but they often fare better during the day when left alone. Just because you live in an apartment doesn't mean that you can't have a companion of the animal variety. Check with your landlord and then choose a pet to suit your needs. More Recent Articles
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