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Not just koalas, but other animals in Australia are dying from these fires.
Tag: Pretty
Weekly Story: On the French Island of Corsica, the ‘Cat-Fox’ found recently may be a new species
Recently, a mammal with stripes on the front legs, and dark stripes on the back legs was spotted on the French Island of Corsica. It resembled a domestic cat in some ways, like it’s wide ears, short whiskers, and developed canine teeth. What makes this possibly new species interesting is it’s dense, silky coat, repellent to fleas, lice and even ticks.
You might be thinking about why it’s referred to as a ‘Cat-Fox’. It has the fox after cat in it’s temporary name because of their size in contrast to a foxes size is very similar. The Cat-Fox name is also used because of it’s large bushy tail, just like a foxes’. Pierce Benedetti, chief environmental technician of the National Hunting and Wildlife Office stated,”We believe that it’s a wild natural species which was known but not scientifically identified because it’s an extremely inconspicuous animal with nocturnal habits.” To sum it up, this interesting mammal could be the next new species.
Weekly Story: Gray Whales Washing up on the Pacific Coast
Did you know that more than 60 gray whales have washed up on the Pacific Coast? That’s not all, this problem has started from the beginning of the year. Why has this been happening?
Well, before we get there, we need more information on this problem. To start off, on Sunday, the Seaside Aquarium posted, “A 23 foot female gray whale washed ashore just south of the Sunset Beach approach Friday afternoon.” The post also stated, “A necropsy was performed but nothing too telling was found.” Scientists have pointed out that whales can provide environmental quality indicators. It means that whales can tell us a lot about what’s happening in the ocean. In fact, a recent post nearly solving this case was on facebook, it explained how whales could be exhausting their energy this year before they can reach the Arctic to resume feeding. This theory could be the answer, although it has not been confirmed, this could be an answer to this mystery.
Adopt a Pet, don’t Shop for One
Adopt Don’t Shop
Each year 2.7 million innocent cats and dogs are euthanized, simply, because too little people consider adoption rather than buying from a breeder. Shelters are constantly facing overcrowding because too many pets are being abandoned and found in terrible conditions roaming the streets. It is crucial that you get a shelter pet rather than a breeded pet.
In the first place, you aren’t just saving one, but two animals when you adopt. One pet freed to a new home, and the other to take its place while the money goes towards a good cause, saving more animal’s lives by giving them a place to stay in a good environment until they are adopted and brought home. On the other hand, buying from a breeder is supporting cruel puppy mills. According to the ASPCA, “Most shelter pets wound up abandoned or in shelters because of a human’s problem, not because the animal did anything wrong.” Additionally, when you adopt you are giving an animal a second chance, also helping it forget whatever trauma it went through when they were young. According to Lisa Fontaine of the Humane Society, “Shelter animals aren’t any more likely to be flawed in some way than pets obtained from breeders.”
\After all, adopting saves lives, and they are just as good as any other pet.
Secondly, you are saving tons of money and getting a good deal when you adopt. For instance, shelters charge adoptions fees, but considering legit pet veterinary costs, adoption can often save pet owners some serious money. To bring to light, there are more shelters than breeders for a reason. Even though 10,000 cruel puppy mills still stand, we can make a change with a single act. In another case, shelters often include vaccinations, microchipping, spay and neutering in the adoption fee, still costing less than breeders charge. Also, shelters have plenty of workers and assistants that can help you with any of your questions or concerns. Therefore, adopting should be your first choice for multiple reasons.
Although adoption should be your first choice, many argue about behavioral issues because of trauma when they were young. All things considered, a pet you adopt is more likely to be grateful than aggressive. Initially, many argue that pets at shelters aren’t purebred or “good enough”. Also, many people assume most of the pets at shelters are seniors or adults with health problems. Even though people say this is a reason not to adopt. Although, what they don’t realize is that 75% of animals in shelters are purebred and a selection of age and size.
To sum it up, even if you can’t get a pet, encourage others to adopt. You can also volunteer, foster, and attend local fundraisers. Donate money, food, toys as it all helps. We can’t let this huge problem keep going. Consider that 6.5 million dogs and cats enter shelters, 2.7 being killed in the U.S each year. Animals depend on us to take care of them, not to just abandon them. We can make a change. So at any chance you get, adopt, don’t buy from a breeder for many strong reasons that prove this point.
Works Cited
“Eight Reasons to Adopt-Not Buy”2019.peta.org.Web.March 2019
“Ten Reasons You Must Adopt from Shelters”2017.thisisinsider.com.March 2019
“Thirteen Signs to Think Twice About Adoption”2015.rd.com.Web.March 2019
“To Not Adopt-Is a Step in the Right path” 2018.blog.allpointsmarketing.com.Web.March 2019
“Top Reasons to Adopt”2018.www.humanesociety.org.Web.March 2019
“Why to Adopt Your Next Pet”2016.petsforpatriots.org.Web.March 2019
LEARN: Gorillas
Habitat
Although some of their most common habitats are in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Nigeria, Angola, and Gabon, you can find them in other diverse locations depending on their subspecies.
Appearance
All Gorillas’ arms are longer than their legs and sometimes walk on all four limbs, also known as “Knuckle Walking.” They can be a sort of grayish-brown in color but are more commonly a more blackish coat. Mountain Gorillas have thick long hair coats. Lowland Gorillas have shorter, more delicate hair and have no tail. However, they share similarities with humans, like walking upright for an extended period and more developed brains.
Diet
An adult Gorilla can consume 40 pounds of vegetation per day. They rarely drink water because the plants they eat are mostly made up of water. They also eat fruits, and bananas are ordinary in their habitats, so they tend to eat lots of them.
Birth & Growth
The young are called “Black Backs,” and there is typically only one baby born. When they are born, they weigh around 4 pounds and learn to crawl at around two months. After 8 or 9 months, they start to walk, and once three years have passed, they become independent.
Trumpeter Swan
Habitat
Trumpeter Swans live in ponds, lakes, and large rivers by coastal bay. They prefer fresh water more than salt water. The trumpeter swan is very endangered. The scientific name is “Cygnus Buccinator”. Trumpeter Swans gather at sites near open water.
Appearance
Trumpeter swans weigh over 26 pounds. Their wingspan is 79 .9 inches. Adult Trumpeter Swans are entirely white with a black bill and black legs. Babies are gray-brown and are small and very furry. Heavy bodies and long necks.
Diet
Trumpeter Swans mostly eat leaves, seeds and many types of pond weeds. Also, they eat corn and grains such as bread, like most birds. Trumpeter swans are mostly vegetarian and they sometimes eat small fish and fish eggs. In the winter they eat cranberries and blueberries.
Birth and Growth
They lay 4 to 6 eggs at a time. The eggs are incubated for 32 to 37 days. The egg looks creamy to dull white. After hatching eyes are partially open, and are covered in gray and occasionally white down. They leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching and have the ability to swim.
Margay Cat
Habitat
Margay cats live in Northern Mexico to Uruguay. They also live in northern Argentina. They spend most of their time in trees and hardly ever come down to the ground.
Appearance
The Margay’s eyes are very large and shine brightly at night. The Margay cats coat is brownish-yellow with black spots, stripes and blotches. The belly, chest, throat, chin and the insides of the legs are snowy white. An average Margay cat weighs 9 to 11 pounds.
Diet
They mimic the sounds of monkeys. They eat climbing rats, squirrels, opossums, small monkeys and sloths. They also eat tree frogs, lizards and birds. Occasionally they will eat insects, grasses and sometimes even fruit.
Birth and Growth
Mostly there is only one kitten but very rarely there could be two. The kitten weighs 85 to 170 grams at birth.
Cheetah Facts
Habitat
Cheetahs live where it’s hot. They live mostly in Africa and Asia. Very few of the cheetahs live in Iran. Cheetahs sleep in high trees so that no predators try to hurt them. Cheetahs are nocturnal, “nocturnal” means sometimes they sleep in the day and they hunt at night. So only sometimes they sleep in trees.
Diet
Cheetahs feed mostly on Antelope, Springbok, Steenbok, and Gazelle. When cheetahs hunt, they put their belly to the ground, they walk slow and then pounce.They bite the throat first causing the animal to suffocate.
Appearance
Cheetahs are tan colored with black spots. Cheetahs nostrils are bigger so after running they can breathe easier. They have a slender slick body to help them do fast sharp turns. Cheetahs are the fastest land animal in world.
Birth and Growth
Females have three to five babies at a time. When having babies, the female cheetah stays alone somewhere where there are no predators. The babies are called “cubs”the cubs have some extra fur on their neck called a “patch”. A patch has many uses. First, when the cheetah carries the cub they hold it by the neck, and that extra fur protects the cub from hurting it. Second, it helps the cubs blend into the wild so no predators try to kill them.
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