Take this quick quiz I created to find out! If you get 11/11 you are mostly ready, you should still do tons more research just to be sure! Sorry, to anyone scoring under an A+ (11/11), in the future, try again and I’m sure you’ll be ready! P.S I made a mistake on the scoring system for the “What Is The Reason You Want a Dog?” question, the answer can be “For emotional support and company”, that answer would be correct and automatically it is marked as wrong! So if you get a 10/11 and you chose emotional support just know your score should have been an 11/11!
Tag: Rare
Weekly Story: Thousands of Koalas Dead From Australia’s Bushfires
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.
Polar Bears
Habitat
Polar bears live in places like Alaska, Canada, Denmark, and Norway. There are around 25,000- 40,000 polar bears in the world. Countries that these polar bears live in have banned hunting animals for their skin or fur, but it still happens. Humans are the only predators to the polar bears.
Diet
Polar bears mostly eat seals because there aren’t many other animals in that area. Seals have a lot of Vitamin A in their bodies, so it’s good for the polar bears. When polar bears hunt, they hide under a seal’s home. When the seals come back the polar bear will bite the seal’s neck.
Appearance
A male will grow 10ft. and will weigh around 1,400lbs. Female polar bears on the other hand, are a lot smaller. Females are around 7ft. and 650 lbs. Polar bears live for around 25 years. Their fur is very oily and water repellent. Underneath their fur is black to attract sun, and keep the polar bear warm. They have a 4 inch layer of fat also to keep them warm. Polar bears have slightly webbed feet to hep them swim.
Birth and Growth
When polar bears have babies they are normally around 4-5 years old. They have 2 cubs, in a cave. Polar babies are much smaller than human babies. Polar bear babies weigh a little more than a pound, and about the size of a squirrel.
Lion Facts
Habitat
Lions live in Asia and southern and eastern Africa mostly. Lions also live in dry hills. They sleep in trees sometimes when it’s very hot. They are also found in south Sahara desert.
Appearance
They have light yellow-brown coats. Male lions have thick brown or black manes. Their manes protect them while fighting. It prevents the claws and teeth of another lion from getting in. They are 4 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet long. They weigh 330 to 500 pounds. Their top speed is 50 miles per hour.
Diet
Lions feed on wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild hogs. Sometimes they eat rhinos and hippos. They also eat hares, birds and reptiles. If food is scarce, they are known to eat elephants.
Birth and Growth
The litter size is 3 to 4 cubs. Cubs don’t have a mane when born. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months, and they stay with their mothers for 2 years. They are vulnerable to predators such as leopards, hyenas and black-backed jackals.
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.
Learn Wildlife 