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What is the Most Diverse Animal Organ?

flatworm penis

They’re bigger, they’re stronger, and some of them come in multiples. Some animals use them to hunt, swat flies, or grope things. Some animals even shed them entirely and grow another. Yes, the penis is a versatile organ, far more so than human experience would lead most of us to believe. In fact, it could even be considered to be the most diverse animal organ. The animal kingdom, from insects and worms to the mighty elephant, shows an extreme amount of versatility and range in the genital region. Flatworms may be small but they have mighty genitalia. These worms are hermaphroditic, which means that they have both male and female sex organs. Two worms will face off and literally fence with their penises. They stab at each other with the organ. The winner is the one whose stab penetrates the other, depositing his sperm. The loser has to carry the eggs ...

Tips for Keeping your Baby Safe Around Dogs

keeping your baby safe around dogs

Most dog lovers would never dream of giving their beloved pup to someone else, but these feelings can change quickly when there is a baby on the way. While kids and dogs can be compatible, there’s no denying that canines, especially larger ones, are a legitimate risk to young children. Even the nicest dog will bite when he is frustrated by an unwitting toddler, and a playful pup may knock the baby over if he gets too excited. While some new parents find a new home for their dog rather than take the risk, that doesn’t mean you have to send the pooch packing. With a little preparation and supervision, you can safely keep your best furry friend after having a baby. Here are some suggestions and tips for keeping your baby safe around dogs. The dangers of dogs around babies You and your dog see different things when looking at a newborn. ...

What is Pet Insurance & Do I Need It?

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pet insurance

A lot of people scoff at the idea of pet insurance. They equate it to pet spa treatments, pet massages, and pet pampering. But would they still scoff if they realized that in 2010, $13 billion was spent on vet care. $13 billion! The average annual vet expense is $200, with an average surgery costing $400. Here’s one more statistic: One in two pets will experience a major illness or injury. With those figures floating in your mind, you might begin to consider pet insurance. But before you run out and spend your money, there are some things to consider. Why you may want to get pet insurance Pets do the darndest things, don’t they? They jump off couches, they hop onto counters, they eat their food, our food, and something that perhaps once resembled food 3 years ago. They also experience the aches and pains of normal life: ear infections, skin infections, even cancer. Treating ...

Meet Wisdom – The Oldest Living Wild Bird

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wisdom the bird

Wisdom has done it again. Believed to be the oldest living wild bird in the world, Wisdom is a Laysan albatross. She is at least 62 years old and recently hatched her sixth chick in a row, possibly her 35th chick in her lifetime. She has travelled two to three million miles in her life and she is still going strong. Wisdom was first banded at the US Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in 1956 by Chandler Robbins. Along with several other Laysan and black-footed albatross, she was nesting. Laysan albatross do not begin to nest until they are at least five years old and sometimes not until they reach their 8th or 9th year. So, Wisdom may be older than 62. Until they begin to nest, albatross live at sea. After that they return to land to nest at most once a year when they will lay a single egg. ...

Running With Your Dog – Races and Tips

running with your dog

There are so many benefits to running with your dog. First, it’s healthy for both of you. Second, it’s a sure fire way to bond with each other. Third, It’ll tire out your dog like nothing else. Fourth, if you need some motivation to run a little farther, or push a little harder, your dog is a great workout partner. For those of you in winter-laden areas, spring is just around the corner. This is a perfect time for you and your dog to entertain the idea of becoming running partners. But before you strap on your running shoes, there are some things to consider to make sure you don’t hurt yourself, or your dog, when you hit the pavement.  Tips to help you run safely, and happily, with your dog  Don’t start too young. Dogs’ bones need time to grow and set, so if you intend on doing long-distance running with your ...

Do Indoor Felines Need Cat Vaccinations?

cat vaccinations

Many cat owners believe that so long as their indoor cat remains indoors, they’ll never have to worry about rabies, distemper, and other viruses that are often prevented through vaccines and shots. But is this true? While outdoor cats are exposed to the elements, and, obviously, benefit from annual checkups and shots, can the same be said for an indoor cat? Do they need cat vaccinations too? Regular cat vaccinations It’s recommended that cats receive rabies shots regularly as well as the three-in-one FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus - feline distemper). Some vets recommend rabies every three years (if it’s a strictly indoor cat) whereas other vets recommend every year. In fact, some states require all cats (indoor or not) to receive annual rabies shots. Other optional cat vaccinations include: FIP (feline infectious peritonitis, which is rare but often fatal) Ringworm Feline leukemia Bordatella   But just because many cats get these shots regularly, does that ...

Singing Dog Photographed for the First Time in 20 Years

singing dog

Tom Hewitt, of Adventure Alternative Borneo Tours, as well as he group he was guiding, saw a rare sight while high on the Mandala Mountain in West Papua, Indonesia. They managed to photograph a New Guinea singing dog. This was the first photograph of a wild singing dog taken in over twenty years. Many had feared the animal might even be extinct. There are 200 of the New Guinea singing dogs, Canis dingo hallstromi, in captivity in zoos and homes across the world. Almost all are descended from less than ten wild singing dogs caught in the highlands in New Guinea in the 1950s and exhibited at a Sydney, Australia zoo. This means that the genetic diversity of the captive populations is quite low and they have begun to develop fertility issues. A wild population represents an opportunity to increase genetic diversity, if scientists can find them. New Guinea is the second ...

Preventing Pet Bad Breath with Standard Tooth TLC

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dog bad breath

Bad breath can be as bad for pets as it is for humans. The accumulation of bacteria in the narrow spaces between teeth and gums can lead to the appearance of diseases, and, if pets are left without any proper care for their teeth, they can be affected by more than just bad breath. Cats and dogs do not floss, what can owners do? For humans, it is easy to care for their teeth, with the plethora of dental care oriented products existing on the market. However, your pet cat or dog cannot do the same thing. Guess what? It is you that must be in charge of cleaning their teeth. While it may sound strange cats and dogs can make great use of a thorough brushing, just like humans do. Admittedly, cats are more difficult to convince to have something stuck into their mouths, but dogs can easily be trained to stay ...

Pudsey, Britain’s Beloved Dancing Dog

pudsey

Pudsey was just getting started when he and owner Ashleigh Butler, 17, won 2012`s Britain`s Got Talent show. Their audition for Britain’s Got Talent can be seen on YouTube and has over 12 million viewings so far. This seven year old, mixed breed dog is on a roll. Pudsey recently added author to his list of accomplishments with the publication of “Pudsey: My Autobidography”. Pudsey was a Christmas gift to Ashleigh from her mother when she was eleven years old. She had wanted a dog for some time and the family felt they were finally ready to take on the commitment to caring for a dog. Tightly bonded to one another, they began competing in agility and canine freestyle and did extremely well. Canine freestyle is a sport that involves choreographed movements and tricks done to music. Most people who are involved in canine freestyle start off in obedience and agility as ...

Help! My Dog’s Afraid of Everything. Global Fear in Dogs and What to do?

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global fear in dogs

A lot of dogs are afraid of something. Just like you may be afraid of heights, snakes, or your Aunt Bertha’s cheek-pinching ways, dogs can experience these same “tiny fears.” But there’s a difference between a tiny, isolated fear, and a global fear. What happens if your dog has a fear of virtually everything? If he trembles, is off-standish, and looks like he wants to jump out of his skin at every moment? Fear is a deep-rooted, carnal instinct. When we, as humans, are afraid, we have the ability to reason with ourselves. But fear in a dog (or any other animal) can, and often does, evolve into something more dangerous, such as aggression. This makes it that much more important that you help your dog if he suffers from global fear. What do you do when your dog’s afraid of everything? This is a question I’ve asked myself recently. I volunteer at a ...