The Sand Cat

During our trip to the zoo, we saw sand cats. And they are A. Dore. Able! They also were constantly moving, so the only in-focus picture I could get was of the back of its head. But here are some better pics.

The sand cat ranges from northern Africa through the Arabian Peninsula and into central and southwest Asia. They live in sandy and stony deserts with little vegetation.

Sand cats eat hares, reptiles, birds, rodents, and pretty much any small animal that resides in the desert. Since there is very little water in the desert, sand cats obtain moisture from their prey. They hunt alone at night, and shelter by day in a burrow or under a rock.

Sand cats have about three kittens after a gestation period of about 66 days. The babies reach maturity by about 14 months of age.


Source: http://www.arkive.org/sand-cat/felis-margarita/#text=Biology

The Scarlet Macaw

The scarlet macaw is a type of parrot; they are very intelligent and quite the talkers. (Polly want a cracker?) Macaws are often kept as pets.

Macaws eat nuts, berries, and fruits. In captivity, they will also eat corn, fresh vegetables, dark leafy greens and cooked root vegetables.

Scarlet macaws are native to Central and South America. They nest in tall deciduous or evergreen forests.

Scarlet macaws mate for life and are very dedicated parents. They care for their young until the chicks reach maturity. During the day, the pairs of macaws are rarely seen apart. At night, they roost in large groups for protection from predators.

Macaws are some of the most beautiful birds found in South and Central America, but its beauty has also led to its decline. poachers, traders, and habitat destruction have caused the macaw population to dwindle. They are endangered, and many governments have taken steps to protect them.


sources: http://www.avesint.com/ScarletM.html
http://www.anywherecostarica.com/flora-fauna/bird/scarlet-macaw
http://www.wildernessclassroom.com/students/archives/2005/03/macaws.html

animal groups!

We all (mostly) know that there is a pack of dogs, a herd of horses, a flock of sheep, etc.
But DID YOU KNOW:

A group of alligators is called a congregation
A group of butterflies is called a flutter
A group of cats is called a glaring
A group of cockroaches is called an intrusion
A group of crows is called a murder
A group of ferrets is called a business
A group of goldfish is called a troubling
A group of hippos is called a bloat (ha!)
A group of owls is called a parliament
A group of pheasants is called a bouquet
A group of porcupines is called a prickle
A group of storks is called a mustering
A group of tigers is called an ambush
A group of turkeys is called a rafter
A group of wombats is called a wisdom


Note: Some of these animal groups have more than one name.

Source: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/got_questions_groups_list.html

Happy Valentine's Day!

For Valentine's Day this year, we're gonna look at some interesting facts about the hearts of animals. (Yes, I know it's kinda nerdy.)

Did you know:
~Octopuses have three hearts~
~The hearts of pythons beat faster at mealtime~
~The heart of the blue whale is as big as a car~
~The smaller the animal, the larger the heart rate~
~A zebrafish can regenerate its heart~
~A manatee's heart rate slows down by half during a long dive~


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!


sources: http://blog.nwf.org/2008/02/10-animal-heart-facts-for-valentines-day/
http://www.cardio-research.com/quick-facts/animals

Dog Breed of the Month: The Border Collie

The border collie is an intelligent, hard-working dog. They thrive on praise, and are the leading competitors in agility, herding, and obedience. Borders are very energetic and have good stamina.

My dog Dutchess is a border mix. This is a picture of her. Here are some pics of pure bred borders (who are cute, but not even close to being as cute as my Dutchy)

Border collies are good with childeren provided they get enough exercise. They need consistant leadership, daily romps, and a job to keep them occupied. They wouldn't be very good for apartment life. They live about 12-15 years and have an average of 4-8 puppies per litter.


Source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bordercollie.htm