Posted under
Pet Tips by oahupet on January 24th, 2009 2:49 pm
Author: Joshua Park
Congratulations, you have a new box turtle. But how do you take care of your precious new friend? Taking care of a box turtle can take some work, but there are simple steps to ensure that your box turtle is happy in his new home.
First you must decide housing for the turtle. Will you keep it indoors or outdoors? If you decide to keep the turtle outside, make sure that the area is similar to the turtle’s natural habitat. There should be plenty of sun since box turtles are reptiles, but also shade in case the turtle becomes overheated under the constant heat of the sun. Provide water for your turtle so that it is deep enough for swimming. The home should have weed-like plants and insects for consumption. An outdoor setting is probably the home a turtle would choose. However, an indoor home properly made will keep your box turtle just as happy and safe.
If you build your turtle a home indoors, use a container like those made by Rubbermaid. The best option is to have a large, dark container that the turtle cannot see through. A turtle can become perplexed and frightened looking out of a clear container. One of my box turtles constantly tried to climb through the wall of his clear container, so I had to move him. The container should be large and filled a few inches deep with a substrate such as “Bed-a-Beast.” Then provide a hiding place for the turtle such as a hollow log. You should make a pool for the turtle since that is where a turtle usually poops. I used the plastic lid of a container for food. Make sure that the pool is not too deep. Every day, keep the entire tank moist by spraying the surfaces of the home.
Inside the home of the turtle, keep the temperature fairly warm in the lighted area- about 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Use UV-B light to keep the turtle healthy and active all day. Another option is to take your turtle outside to soak in the sun for about an hour a day. The natural sunlight is tremendously healthy for your turtle, although he may not enjoy it at first. Just remember, you know what’s best for your turtle. Keep an area away from the light so that the turtle can rest there when he’s had enough light. This is why it is important to have a container that is large enough for two distinct areas.
Identifying Box Turtles — powered by eHow.com
The food a turtle eats is obviously very important to its health. A person must watch his or her own diet. It is your responsibility, however, to feed your turtle healthy foods. A turtle will eat almost anything, from fruits and vegetables to insects and worms. Another factor you should consider is providing edible materials with high calcium levels such as boiled eggshells or a cuttlebone that you can buy at any pet store. One final hint to feeding your turtle- have fun with it. Be creative in feeding your turtle from day to day because you do not want to create an addiction to one food by feeding it the same thing each day. Keep the turtle’s diet balanced with half plant and half meat.
I have a few final hints below on how to take care of your new box turtle.
1. If your turtle does not eat, try soaking the food in water first. Or, if you are constantly there watching your turtle, he may never come eat the food. Unfortunately, you can easily frighten turtles, so leave your turtle alone to eat peacefully.
2. Change the water in an indoors home every day to keep it clean since that is the most likely place a turtle will defecate. When coaxing a turtle to do this, use warm water to help him.
3. If a turtle burrows deep into the substrate and does not come up for a few days, don’t worry. This is completely natural since turtles enjoy being in tight spaces. However, make sure that your turtle gets enough food.
4. Feed your turtle on a rock because this will help him scratch away extra-long toenails.
Just follow the easy tips above, and you will be an expert caretaker for your new turtle. Do not neglect your turtle since it is helpless without you. Be responsible and enjoy your friendship.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/box-turtle-care-172457.html
About the Author:
Joshua Park loves sports and music. Currently, he lives in the Chicago area. To learn more about turtles or to read other articles written by Joshua Park, visit http://www.true-money.com/jpj28574
Posted under
Pet Tips by oahupet on December 7th, 2008 10:55 pm
By Azmi Adnan
To have a talking bird, it is preferable that you purchase a young, hand raised bird between the ages of two and six months. Older birds will not learn as fast and wild or untrained birds will be more difficult to train as they have already got used to the sounds ingrained in their heads. If you can only purchase an adult bird, you will need a lot of patience to train it to talk as it will take a much longer time, but it is not impossible.
The ability for your bird to mimic the human spoken words depend largely on the species, the character of your bird, your technique and how tame your bird is. You will need to work on taming your bird first and build its confidence in you as its master before you can succeed at training it to talk, so you have to work on that part. You will know that the bird is ready to be trained to talk if it is calm and looks at you confidently when you approach it.
The African Grey parrot, Greater Indian Hill Mynah and the Javan Hill Mynah are perfect talking birds to have because they are easier to train and very proficient. The tonal qualities and pronunciation may differ between these species but overall they are the more popular birds among bird lovers.
These birds can live for many years and bring much joy and companionship to you as you build their vocabulary and work on their tonal quality. Parrots may take in more words and be able to retain them as they have a stronger memory than the others.
Train your bird to talk every morning before you take off the cage cover. Repeat a word or phrase over and over again and make it a ritual. Your bird will be able to concentrate on the sounds in the dark and will try to respond to you with the same sound it hears. Do this also at different times of the day and especially during feeding time or when giving it its favorite tidbit. When the bird gets used to this, it will use the same sounds to get your attention while you are out sight when it is hungry or needs attention. When you hear this, reply back with the same words as affirmations, but do not approach the cage. When the bird tries to make a different expression, add in other words and phrases. This indicates that your bird is ready to learn new words to add into its vocabulary.
You can also use a recording to train your bird to talk or mimic sounds. Most bird parks use these method as a form of training as different bird trainer has different tonality or pronunciation. Make a recording on tape or CD and use words and phrases with clarity. If you do not have a good voice, ask someone you know to do it for you, or purchase a CD from a bird shop. Play the recording at different times of the day as this will surely have a great impact on your bird.
If you are making your own recording, do not put too many words and phrases in it as the bird has a small brain capacity. Ever heard of the phrase “bird brain” that is used so often on people? Expose your bird to a few words and phrases at a time and be patient about this. Your bird, if a parrot, can live beyond forty years, so what do you have to lose? If you intend to introduce new words and phrases, do this on another recording on tape or CD, and incorporate the older words in this new recording as well as a form of revision. This works very well in keeping the previous words permanently in your bird’s vocabulary.
Posted under
Pet Tips by oahupet on December 5th, 2008 1:11 am
By Debbie Foster
There is a financial cost to owning a pet. For those who have owned pets before, the cost of adding another pet isn’t anything new. However, if you’re a first time pet owner, or have only had low maintenance pets, you may be in for a surprise.
Of course, you can’t put a price on the unconditional love and loyalty you receive from owning a pet. Those who have owned pets know this. One look at those longing eyes and you’re hooked. It doesn’t seem to matter about the cost of cat carriers, dog crates, pet beds, food, medicine or vet visits, you’re all in.
In today’s economic times, it really is important to know the financial impact of owning a pet so that you’re sure you can handle it. Too many pets have been abandoned at shelters because their owners could no longer care for them.
So what is the financial impact? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) gives some guidance on the subject. These costs are based on expected costs of pet ownership and do not include any unexpected costs, which should also be taken into consideration. Expected costs include standard items like food, normal medical care, toys, pet beds, collars, leashes, dog crates, cat/dog carriers, and other miscellaneous supplies. Many of these items, such as dog crates and carriers, are one time expenses typically purchased during the pet’s first year, so the cost will be higher in the first year. As your pet matures costs typically increase, so plan to spend a bit more during their senior years.
see more puppies
So what does the ASPCA have to say? Here are their guidelines:
Small Dogs: Little dogs cost less for food, but expect to spend $1,314 a year for a 5 to 20 pound dog.
Medium Dogs: Pounds increase from 20 to 45 and spending increases to $1,580 per year.
Large Dogs: 45 or more pounds cost $1,843 annually.
Cats: Costs are less than with dogs. Typical cost per year is $1,035.
Guinea Pigs: These little guys actually use more litter than cats and annual costs are about $705.
Rabbits: Approximately $1,055 the first year.
Gerbils/Hamsters: About $340 per year.
Small Birds: One of the least expensive pets. Around $270 the first year.
Fish: Although their needs are different, costs run about $340 annually.
So if you’re considering becoming a first time pet owner, you now have some figures to make an informed decision. Please don’t get a pet if you can’t make the financial commitment for the long haul. If times are tight, use your money on the essentials like food and vet visits rather than extras. Spend time daily giving love and attention to your pet. That goes a long way by itself, and it doesn’t cost a penny.
Debbie Foster is the owner of http://petbedsunlimited.com where you’ll find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, large dog beds, cat beds, cat carriers, pet strollers and more.
