The Most Popular Types of Pet Turtles

Kids always want pets to call their own. If you are not so keen on a dog or cat, choose a pet that they can easily take care of with little assistance from you. How about a turtle? Here are some of the most popular types of turtles.

Turtle Facts

Turtles are amphibians. This means that they are equally at home on land and in the water. They carry their home on their back which makes it quite convenient for moving. Their softer body is integrated into the shell which makes it great for balance. They don’t move fast but they do get where they want to go.

Turtles have a long life span, longer than many think. It is not uncommon for them to live 60 years or more. What a turtle enjoys most is freedom to move. When they have a vast enough surrounding environment to eat, sleep and sunbathe, they are happy.

Turtles make great pets for kids who are just discovering pets because they are quite low maintenance. As long as you provide for their basic needs, they are content.

Turtles do nip and bite. To avoid this spend time with your turtle and allow them to get to know you. They may be apprehensive when you first get them home, but with increased handling they will start to trust you and the biting will lessen if not stop completely.

Popular Turtle Types

1. Terrestrial Turtles

The most common and popular terrestrial turtle is the box turtle. These turtles are green and brown with yellow markings on their shells and underbelly. If you can see their eyes, they are also green in color.

They love grass, dirt and warm temperatures. If you have a fenced in back yard with shade trees, this is the ideal place for them to live. Be sure to create a sunning space for them (like a rock that is easy for them to climb on) to soothe their cold-blooded bodies. Box turtles usually eat small bits of fruit, bugs they can catch and vegetables. They will eat dog and cat food if you give it to them.

2. Aquatic Turtles

Another popular turtle is the slider. It is an aquatic turtle. This means that they are more comfortable in the water than on land. They have greenish brown shells with yellow stripes on their heads. As with box turtles, they can roam free in the back yard as long as you have a fenced in property to protect them from predators for their own safety.

A slider likes any place that is warm and has a permanent water feature. Outdoor ponds with foliage and rocks can suit a slider to a T. keeping the water clean is essential to preventing bacterial problems with their shells. They love to dig in the mud and gravel, so provide loose earth for them to bury themselves in a sunny spot. They often eat whatever they can find like vegetables, worms, small fish and commercial turtle food.

Want a turtle? The two most popular types are box turtles and sliders. Once you gain more experience, you can try raising other types as pets as well.

To learn more about turtles and tortoises, check out Animal-World’s Turtle and Tortoise Care page!

The Green Hairy Mushroom

Green Hairy Mushroom
"I’m called ‘green’, and I often am, but I can be pink and brown and a combo of colors too. But no matter how you paint me, I’m still a whole bunch of hairy!"

How could you not want a Green Hairy Mushroom in your coral reef?

The Green Hairy Mushroom is a very popular mushroom to have. It is part of the Rhodactis genus and almost everyone with an coral reef aquarium has one or wishes they had one. They are very pretty, easy to take care of, relatively inexpensive to buy, and usually abundant in pet stores or online… Read More

How to Care for your Pet Rabbit

Rabbits are cute and fuzzy but require a lot of care. Whether you plan on keeping them inside with the family or outside in a hutch, know how to make them a happy addition to the group.

Choosing your Rabbit

Any potential rabbit owner needs to look beyond the fuzzy fur and look closely at the animal before purchasing him. Look for obvious signs of illness like bald patches, runny or rheumy eyes, discharge in the ears, fecal matter in the hind fur and problems walking. Also, look at teeth to be sure they are even and not overgrown.

If you don’t plan on breeding then buy same sex rabbits to share the same hutch. Mixing will undoubtedly result in a bunch of little baby bunnies running around.

The Rabbit Cage

A rabbit needs a suitable place to stay. The cage or hutch needs to be large enough for them to move around and get exercise. Also, they need a place to burrow and eat and also to do their business. If you use an outside hutch, make sure that the rabbits are well-protected from the elements should it rain, snow or get too hot outdoors. You may consider having a space in the garage where you can bring the hutch inside in inclement weather.

Cleaning is not fun but it is a necessary evil. On a daily basis, remove any soiled hay from their cage. Half eaten fresh food should also be removed before it rots. Inspect water bottles or bowls and change water daily.

Check litter boxes daily. If you have more than one rabbit, you may definitely need to empty it each day. Litter training your rabbits will make cleaning easier throughout the life of your pet. You will still need to make a habit of regular cleaning to avoid their strong urine smell and your rabbit getting sick.

Feeding your Rabbit

Bugs Bunny might only eat carrots but your bunny will need a bit more. Rabbits can eat pellets that are commercially sold but need fresh vegetables to supplement their diet. Choose a variety of greens (mustard, kale, dandelion, turnip and spinach). Avoid rhubarb, iceberg lettuce, potatoes, beans and cauliflower.

Hay is also a good source of roughage for their diets. Choose grass hays like oat. Alfalfa is a good nutritious hay for baby bunnies. When they are older, you can switch to other grass hays.

Fresh fruit can be given as a treat but not too often. Try one or two tablespoons a day. Commercial treats are not necessary to their diet and can make them overweight.

Rabbits love the company of their families even if they don’t like to be picked up much. Learn to care properly for your rabbit so they can enjoy a long healthy and happy life.

For general rabbit care, check out Animal-World’s Rabbit Care page!

Dog Breeds: The Doberman Pinscher

Are you looking for a dog that will not only make a good companion but a good working dog for your property? You may have to look no further than a Doberman Pinscher. Keep reading and find out more.

History

The Doberman breed was developed in Germany in the later 1800s by a man named Louis Dobermann. An all-purpose dog, it was tasked to do everything from standing guard to chasing vermin to herding sheep. In the United States, this dog is an official combat dog of the marine corps.

Since that time, they have been used in physical positions due to their elegant lines and muscular build. With a face to match, they are fierce in dangerous situations, protecting their families and property.

Temperament

Even with the countenance of a hardened soldier, Doberman Pinschers are loyal and devoted to their owners. This dog is courageous, resourceful and quite intelligent. They work well with a single owner but also thrive in a family setting. It is not uncommon for the Doberman to become closer to one family member than the others.

This breed does best when alone as far as other pets are concerned. They do not get along well with other animals in the home setting. As for children, older children who are respectful and well-behaved make good companions for the Doberman. Constant attention is important as they don’t do well if they are left alone for long periods of time without contact with their owners.

Care

Good news for owners: Doberman Pinscher breeds require very little grooming. Their hair is short and close to the skin. usually just a wipe with a damp cloth every once in a while will manage their coats. Speaking of coats, most are black and shiny with brown, red, blue or black patches above the eyes, on the muzzle, neck, legs and under the tail.

To keep your Doberman in tiptop shape, here are a few tips. Cut and trim nails regularly to keep them short. If he requires a bath, use dry shampooing for odors and a wet bath if he is visibly soiled. Dobermans are prone to a few diseases to watch out for: Wobbler syndrome, von Willebrand’s disease, congenital heart conditions, bloating and hip dysplasia.

Training

When it comes to training this dog needs a firm, but fair, hand. Bullying them to get them to obey doesn’t work. Try positive reinforcement. From the time they are pups, a dominant owner can train their Doberman to be fierce, well-mannered and obedient. Without it, they can become shy and timid, not good combinations for guard dogs.

A Doberman Pinscher could be in your future if his characteristics fit the bill for you. Hopefully, this information will help you make an informed decision. For more information on the Doberman Pinscher, check out Animal-World’s Doberman Pinscher page!

Animal-World’s Featured Pet of the Week – The Red Eyed Tree Frog!

Animal-World’s Featured Pet for this week is: The Red Eyed Tree Frog!

Did you know that the Red Eyed Tree Frog, Agalychnis callidryas, changes to several different colors, from different shades of brown to different shades of green! They have fascinating bright red eyes, which suits their name well. They are a fairly popular pet frog, especially among the exotic tree frogs. I used to love looking at them, and my favorite part of taking care of the reptiles and amphibians was watching them jump after and eat their crickets at feeding time!

As far as pet appeal, they have lots! Obviously, they are amazing looking little animals that just about anyone would agree with. They are fairly easy to keep, with some continuous low maintenance requirements. They are nocturnal and usually wake up at night, so when the whole family is home in the evenings they can watch them move about and eat! They do well by themselves or with friends, so you can feel free to keep more than one if desired! They are small (up to 3”) and can be handled carefully if you wish. However, you must wash your hands before handling them, as red-eyed tree frogs absorb many substances through their skin. This is critically important for their well-being to keep them safe and healthy!

They do have some special care requirements that must be noted and brought into action to keep them thriving and alive. The biggest requirement they have is the humidity in their environment. They should have the substrate in their enclosure damp at all times and the whole enclosure should be misted approximately three times a week to keep the humidity between 30% and 50%. There must be adequate ventilation as well, to help keep the humidity and temperature in balance. The temperature should ideally be kept between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They also do well with tall enclosures that have lots of plants and vines that they can climb on. This is because they are naturally tree dwellers and feel much more comfortable when able to climb up high on plants.

Their feeding should also be taken on with care. Their diet in captivity generally consists of crickets and house flies. Frogs in general can be prone to calcium and Vitamin D3 deficiencies, so it is important to make sure the crickets they are fed have enough of these nutrients in them to nurture the frog. The best way to achieve this is to feed the crickets a “gut load” diet that can be purchased at most pet stores and to dust the crickets with vitamin and calcium powder, also available at pet stores. They also should be provided fresh water every day. Both the water their enclosures are misted with as well as the water in their bowls must be chlorine and chloramine free. These chemicals can harm the frogs. Options to make sure no chemicals are in the frogs water include using dechlorinators in the water or buying purified or distilled water.

As mentioned above, frogs must be fed a proper diet with the correct nutrients. This is because they are prone to a metabolic bone disease which can and will kill them if not taken care of. The best way to avoid this problem is by gut loading the crickets and dusting them with calcium/vitamin powder.

If you think Red Eyed Tree Frog is a fascinating animal and are considering keeping one as a pet, feel free to check out Animal-World’sRed Eyed Tree Frog page for more detailed information!

Jasmine is a team member at Animal-World and has contributed many articles and write-ups.

The Waving Hand Coral

Waving Hand Coral
Anthelia sp.
"How about a coral in your tank that greets you? I can do that! Can you feel the love?"

The Waving Hand Coral has long tentacles coming from its polyps, which look like

fingers!

The Waving Hand Coral or Anthelia sp. is an encrusting genus, which is the main thing that separates it from other Xeniids. They have an encrusting mat which their long and cylindrical polyps grow from. At the top of these polyps they have eight pinnate (feathering) tentacles which are very long. Other names this coral goes by include the Feather Coral, the Glove Coral, and the Pulse Coral… Read More

A Bird Guide to Amazon Parrots

Amazon Parrots – Bird Guides
"Information and bird care galore for pet Amazons. Amazon Parrot bird guides for all types of Amazon birds!"

Amazon Parrots are amazing talkers and can make great companions!

The Amazon Parrots, simplified to Amazons, are one of the more common of the larger pet birds. These parrots belong to the Amazona genus and are medium to large in size. Originally they were just called Green Parrots. Most of them are green in color with various other colors on their tails, wings, and heads depending on the type. In proper environments they have a lifespan of around 50 years (or more)… Read More

The Elephant Ear Mushroom

Elephant Ear Mushroom
"What’s big, leathery, wavy or folded, and can take over the center of a large reef aquarium? That’s right!… ME!"

The Elephant Ear Mushroom has a shape similar to an elephants ear – hence it’s name!

The Elephant Ear Mushroom, or Rhodactis mussoides, is a fairly large mushroom, especially in its genus. They do very well in large aquariums because they can reach up to 15″ (40 cm) in diameter and have a very leafy appearance. Many people believe it is an elegant way to fill an aquarium and is impressive to look at… Read More

Purchasing a Hedgehog

Pet Ownership: Purchasing a Hedgehog

They look cute on the cartoon and quite harmless. We are speaking of hedgehogs. They are not your traditional pet so make sure that you do some research before you buy one as a pet.

Hedgehogs are becoming more popular as pets these days. They are small animals that have pointed noses and whose skin is covered in quills. They remind people of porcupines only more compact.

Even though they are small, owning one is not a walk in the park. Here are several tips that can help you know before you buy if a hedgehog will make a good pet for your lifestyle and family situation.

What to Know before Buying a Hedgehog

1. Check the Laws – Know the laws. Hedgehogs may not be allowed as pets inside city limits in all areas. If they are allowed, you may need a special permit. Don’t get your heart set on one until you know that it is a possibility.
2. Hedgehogs are solitary animals – This means that they don’t get along well with other animals sharing their space, especially another hedgehog. Putting two together can be disastrous as they will fight.
3. Hedgehog females can breed early – As early as eight weeks a female can have a litter. It is best for them to wait until they are at least five months of age.
4. Know how to house them – Besides being alone, hedgehogs need a solid walled cage that they can exist in. An aquarium can work or you can build a habitat for them. When you first bring your hedgehog home, it is important to let him stay in his cage so he can become familiar with the surroundings. Hedgehogs also need very warm temperatures to feel comfortable (75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit). If they become too cool it can induce a partial hibernation state which can be deadly for your pet.
5. Know how to feed and entertain them – They can play with plastic toys made for dogs or even blocks of wood or flowerpots. It is good to create a habitat with hiding places so they can slip out of view. Also, they eat vegetables, some fruit, insects, worms and also foods of other animals such as cats and dogs. Don’t feed them too much or weight will become a problem. Hedgehogs need regular exercise. They can get them by themselves but will welcome you to play with them if you do so consistently.
6. Know how to care for them – Hedgehogs need to have their quills cleaned. Also be careful if they are losing too many quills outside of the times when they shed them naturally. It could be a sign that they are sick or are not getting enough nutrients in their diet. Their habitat needs regular cleaning and daily litter box changes. They also don’t like too much noise at all.

If you want a hedgehog as a pet, go into it with your eyes open. They are small but delicate and need a lot of regular care.

Keeping Serval Cats as Pets!

Serval Cats as Pets
"So… you think you want a wild cat as a pet? Well a Serval is one of the best, so here’s all the in’s and out’s – what it takes and what you need to know!"

Servals can live long lives if taken care of properly, and make amazing pets!

The Serval Cat, or African Serval is actually known to make a very affectionate pet, and can turn into a wonderful experience for dedicated cat keepers. However, these cats have particular care requirements above and beyond normal domestic cat care and an owner must be prepared for that.

Serval kittens are quite adorable and if you purchase one, it will one day think of you as their owner and companion. To begin your life with a Serval Cat, you will want to understand everything you can about the breed, “African Serval”… Read More

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