Species of the Day: Argus Monitor

Scientific Name: Varanus panoptes hornii
Family: Varanidae
Adult Size: 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet long with some rare instances of individuals growing to 6 feet in length
Range: Northern Australia
Habitat: Semid-arid to arid environments, also at home in moist forests

     Argus monitors are large, diurnal lizards from Northern Australia. These lizards are well-muscled and very attractive with their black and white/yellow patterned skin. Often seen basking near road ways or rapidly running across them, they are easily the Velociraptors of the monitor world for their surprising speed when chasing down prey and their habit of standing up on their back legs to survey their surroundings. In the wild, insects, fish, amphibians, snakes, birds or anything else it could overpower are on the menu for this powerful lizard. However, captive Argus monitors can easily adapt to pre-killed prey. Because of their large size, they can be difficult to handle and the sharp claws of this monitor are nothing to be taken lightly as they squirm if they are not properly supported. It's not advisable to keep Argus monitors as completely free-range pets as they are very fast and have a tendency to bolt if alarmed and could escape.
    Argus monitors just love to eat! For proper growth and bone health, babies should be free-fed as many appropriately-sized insects as they will eat, along with about an ounce of ground turkey or one or two pinky mice. You can alternate the days they receive these treats to keep variety in their diets. After the first six months of life you should start rationing out food items as obesity is very common among captive monitors. At the sixth month mark, they will start refusing insect prey for a steady diet of rodents, eggs or baby chicks given every other day, again alternating for a healthy variety. Be prepared though, as an adult Argus monitor can easily consume up to $100 in food every month.
    Argus monitors require a huge amount of space, with the best type of caging being a converted small bedroom or walk-in closet. An appropriately sized enclosure for an adult Argus monitor should be 8 feet in length, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high. Because of their fast growth rates, it is advised to simply start with an adult sized cage for them to grow into instead of constantly having to buy new cages every month. A good place to bask is definitely required for these cold-blooded lizards, and they like it very hot. They are from Australia after all and basking temperatures of up to 120 degrees F are the best for them. Fresh water in the form of being in a large soaking tub that allows for them to completely submerge their bodies should be provided at all times, along with a good place to shelter and hide to regulate their body temperatures when not basking. Now, Argus monitors love to dig, so a substrate mix of sand, untreated mulch and untreated potting soil kept slightly moist should be used. The depth of substrate should be 4 to 6 inches deep for babies, 8 to 12 inches deep for juveniles and at least 25 inches deep for adults to allow for digging, which can serve as good exercise for them. Although it has not been proven that monitors need UV lighting, it never hurts to keep one in the enclosure as long as it's on a 12 hour timer.

Video of the Day: Monitors in the House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86bxXlhO4ls

A free-ranging savanna monitor exploring his owners house with the family dog

Breed of the Day: American Curl

    Another of America's native breeds, the American curl is a medium sized cat with unique ears that curl out and back in a graceful arc, giving an bright and alert appearance to the cat. The swept-back ears give the cat a happy, perky expression that quickly brings a smile to everyone who sees them. The sophisticated head combined with a graceful body provide the American curl with a stylish and dynamic presence.
     The American curl's story begins on a hot sunny day in June 1981 in Lakewood, California when Joe and Grace Ruga found a stray black kitten with a long silky coat and unusual ears on their doorstep. The affectionate kitty quickly endeared herself to the Ruga's and was named Shulamith. In December 1981, Shulamith had her first litter of kittens and two of the four kittens had the same curled ears as their mother, beginning a world-wide discussion on the genetics of the unusual ears. 1983 saw cat-fanciers developing selective breeding programs to conserve the gene and develop a breed based on it. At the same time, the unique cats were presented to the cat fancy to showcase this rare new addition to the feline world.
    Roy Robinson, the renowned English feline geneticist, worked with the breeders and analyzed the data on 383 kittens from 81 litters. He confirmed the ear-curling gene was unique and that it was an autosomal dominant gene; that mean any cat with even one copy of the gene will show the trait. In an article published in the December 1989 Journal of Heredity, he reported that he had found no defects in any of the crosses that he had analyzed and this laid the foundation for a new and healthy breed.
    American curls are curious, exuberant and loving that greet each day with joy as they look for new challenges and adventures. They are exceedingly people-oriented and will head-butt you to get your attention as they want to include you in all of their activities. They want to be with you all the time whether sleeping in your bed at night or curled up on your lap as you watch your favorite tv shows. They adore children and adapt well to other pets and new situations. When introduced to their new homes, they are alert and inquisitive but will respect the resident occupants. These even-tempered, intelligent companions are devoted to their owners and follow them around to be sure they don't miss anything in your daily routines. Expect their help with all of your projects around the house! They have quiet voices and are not overly talkative however they make their wants known with gentle trilling and cooing sounds. Their kitten-like personalities have earned them the nick-name of the Peter-Pan of cats.
     American curls come in long-haired and short-haired versions and a myriad of colors. The coat is a silky, flat-lying coat with little undercoat. Consequently there is little shedding and the coat requires little grooming. While the curled ears are the major feature of this breed, other key characteristic of the American curl are its large, walnut-shaped eyes and medium-sized rectangular bodies.
    All American curls are born with straight ears. They start to curl back into a rosebud position at 3-5 days old, gently unfolding like a rose petal until they reach their final shape at about 16 weeks old. The degree of curl in the ear can vary greatly ranging from almost straight to an arc of 90 to 180 degrees. To ensure the health and genetic diversity of the breed, breeders do out-cross breeding to cats without curled ears. At least 50% of the kittens from these breedings will have curled ears. 100% of the kittens in a curl to curl breeding will have curled ears. The straight eared cats still have the personality of their curled-eared counterparts and make equally delightful pets. The gene that curls the ear affects the cartilage of the ear which remains firm to the touch; it should never be stiff or floppy. However, care should be taken with the ears so as to not break the cartilage and the ears should never be forced to curl.
    American curls are well-balanced, medium-sized cats with a rounded head, a substantial muzzle and distinct whisker pads. They have an elegant, alert appearance with a sweet, open expression with their remarkable ears. While both the long-haired and short-haired versions have soft-silky coats, the long-haired American curl also has a beautifully plumed tail.

Video of the Day: The Great Escape

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPFmCZAGuLY

A parrot's strong beak and high-intelligence are the perfect tools for escaping and causing mischief. Prospective owners beware!

Species of the Day: Amazonian Parrotlet

Scientific Name: Nannopsittaca dachilleae
Adult Size: A little over 4 1/2 inches
Adult Coloration: Both adults are mainly yellow/green in color; light-blue lores and crown; yellow-green cheeks and chin; olive wash to the mantle and lesser wing coverts. Pale pink beak and brown eyes.
Call: Described as high-pitched and piping, sounding very much like domesticated fowl chicks.

Not Found in Captivity

Range: Western Amazon river basin, eastern Peru, Loreto, drainages of  Rio Ucayali, Ucayali and Rio Manu, Madre de Dios, and along Rio Heath, La Paz and north-west Bolivia
Habitat: Found up to 984 ft in elevation in lowland forests near rivers and streams; tends to inhabit areas with high numbers of Calycophyllum sp. and Cecropia sp. trees and bamboo groves.
Wild Diet: Feeds on seeds of bushes, trees and bamboo plants; also eats fruits, Cecropia catkins and seeds of Vernonia and bamboo Guadua
Ecology: Social and active; forms small flocks of up to 12 individuals. Frequents mineral-rich river banks with other parrots. Nests in large arboreal bromeliads and epiphytes.
Threat Summary: Habitat has been subjugated to oil exploration , mining and some logging, and the resulting human encroachment
IUCN Rating: Near-threatened
CITES Rating: Appendix II

Video of the Day: Two Leopard Geckos and One Cricket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbZLmqXz6lI

Leopard geckos are enthusiastic eaters, but what happens when there's only one cricket left? Adorable happens!

Breed of the Day: Airedale Terrier

Country of Origin: Great Britain
Group:Terrier group; recognized by the AKC in 1888
Purpose: Badger/water rat hunter
Average Life-Span: 10 to 14 years
Color: Tan head, ears, legs, chest and belly, sides and upper body are black, dark gray or black with a red mixture
Grooming: Brush Daily. Should be clipped every two months and hand-striped three times a year.
Size: Approximately 23 inches tall at the shoulder

     The undisputed "King of the Terriers", the Airedale terrier is the largest and hardiest of all the terriers, and an all-around useful dog. The breed's coat is hard, dense and wiry with a softer undercoat, and comes in both black and tan and grizzle and tan. This breed was actually one of the first used for police work in Germany and Great Britain and has also been popular with a few U.S. presidents, including Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge.
    The Airedale terrier is thought to have originated in the Valley of Aire in England, descended from the now extinct black and tan terrier. The first Airedales looked completely different from how they appear today, and were known as working, waterside and Bingley terriers. Eventually, the Airedale became known as the dog that could do it all, and was used for war-time guard and messenger duty, rodent control and hunting birds and other game.
    The Airedale has a sweet disposition, but when challenged, is not afraid to stand up for himself. Obedience training is important for these fast-learning, intelligent dogs. That being said, be sure to keep training interesting- they can get bored easily. They are also very active dogs and a good run and ball-chase for at least an hour a day is recommended. Although relatively easy to maintain, their coats need regular brushing and hand-stripping of the outer coat, which, unless you have the know-how yourself, will need to be done by a professional groomer.