Understand The Deep Meaning Of The Zebra’s Stripes

My uncle who is an artisan was the first person to give me a good description of a Zebra. He used one of his Zebra Wood Carving as a model to describe the black and white stripes on the Zebra’s skin. The description was so accurate that when I later saw the live animal I could identify it easily and confidently. The Zebra’s stripes are its trade mark indeed.

Plain Zebra,Grev’s Zebra and Mountain Zebra are the three Zebra species that are known to exist. All the three species occur in Africa. The Plains Zebra are the most plentiful and can be found virtually anywhere on the Kenyan plains and other parts of East Africa while the Grevy’s Zebra are mostly found in Northern Kenya. The Plains Zebra and Grev’s Zebra of Kenya have been known to coexist in the same habitat. The Mountain Zebra have their habitat in Southern and Southwestern Africa. Zebras are herbivorous and can grow up to 900 lb (410kg) or more. Being social animal, they move in herds of different sizes.

While the black and white stripe pattern makes the Zebra spectacular, the amazing facts about the stripes go beyond the beauty. For years scientists have argued about why the zebra has distinctive black and white stripes. The theories rotate around Zebra Identity and Camouflage. This article discusses these amazing theories:

– Description: Whether the Zebra’s stripes are white on a black background, as some people say, or vice versa is academic. I leave it at that.

– Identity: At first glance Zebras in a herd might all look alike, but their stripe patterns are as distinctive as fingerprints are in humans. There are, indeed, scientific methods that can identify individual Zebras by comparing patterns, stripe widths and colour. Further proof that Zebra stripes are identity marks is provided by their behavior. For example, on rare occasions when unstriped Zebras are born, they tend to be ignored by the rest of the herd, confirming at least, that Zebra stripes are a passport to Zebra society. Also, when a foal is born, the mother keeps all other Zebras away from it for two to three days, until it learns to recognize her by sight, voice and smell.

– Camouflage: Scientists believe the Zebra’s stripes provide camouflage in the following manner:

– The vertical stripes of a Zebra will resemble tall grass, save for the colour-grass is neither black nor white. A colour blind predator, like a lion, may, therefore, not notice a Zebra standing still in tall grass. – The Zebra stripe pattern forms a discolouration that breaks up the body outline. A herd of Zebras close together may thus appear like one large animal. The advantage of all this to the Zebra is best appreciated when you consider that the main predator for the Zebra is the lion, which is colour blind. Now, in attack, the lion must first identify the target, usually a young, old or a weakened Zebra. The Lion’s eyes must then lock on the target Zebra. If, for whatever reason, the Lion is unable to achieve any of these steps, then,its stealth and ambush attack strategy is likely to be in vain.

The Benefits Of Artisan Crafted Wooden Pet Urns

Coping with the loss of a pet is such a difficult thing to go through, oftentimes much more difficult than we anticipate. While some pet owners opt to bury in their backyard or in a pet cemetery, others choose to cremate their animals and keep them as close as possible. Finding just the right pet urn allows people a special way to preserve the remains of their animal companions not only securely, but also in a way that will provide a meaningful representation in the home of a dear friend and a life well lived.

One of the most common materials used for pet urns is wood. Wood pet urns maintain their popularity not only because of their resilience, but also because of their overall aesthetic appeal. Wooden pet urns are available in several lovely colors of natural wood, reflecting the same beauty that your dear pet brought into your life.

Wooden pet urns are perfect for animals of all sizes, with the capacity to hold from just 5 up to over 150 pounds in weight. Wood pet urns either open from the top, or have a closure that can be removed to easily insert the cremains before reclosing. From mahogany to oak to walnut, wood pet urn options are plentiful, perfect for pet owners that want something more distinctive for their beloved pets. Most pet urn retailers are very sensitive to their grieving customers and are happy to fulfill special requests that you may have for specific types of wood or other specifications.

One of the benefits of opting for a wood pet urn is the opportunity to have a one-of-a-kind holding vessel for your companion animal. There are many artists and companies offering completely original, wooden pet urns to help you to create a final resting place for your pet that is special and unique, rather than paying tribute to your pet with a run of the mill, mass produced wooden box with no character. This is an essential consideration for those who are still reeling from the loss of their pet and are looking for the perfect urn to pay tribute their dear friend’s life.

Many urns hewn out of wood can also be engraved so that you can personalize your pet’s final resting place with their name, dates on earth and any special message that you would like to include. Wooden pet urns ensure that the final resting place of your loved one is distinctive and special, an added reassurance in the grieving process. From old world veneering skills to hand-turned wood, it is possible to find a vessel that genuinely reflects your own tastes as well as the personality and unique traits that made your dear friend so special.

With so many options to choose from, you are sure to find a wood pet urn that not only serves as a lovely resting place for your pet, but also adds a sense of style and elegance to whatever area of the home in which you keep your urn.

In the midst of the chaos of coping with the loss of a pet, finding just the right urn may seem like the last thing you’re able to do. However, this honestly is the best way to pay a lasting homage to the friend that added so much to your life. Pay tribute to your beloved pet and create a loving, lasting memorial to represent what they have meant in your life, by finding just the right urn. Going through the process and putting it behind you will without doubt help you to get through to the next stage in your mourning.

How To Recognize When Your Canary Bird Is Sick

Respectively, the only person you should listen to about treatment is your vet. Veterinarians do not have all the answers, but at least they are trained to analyze and treat illnesses, and are aware of the full implications of treatments, which most others are not. This does not mean a few old remedies are not good standbys when all else fails. In most cases, modern science provides the best treatments for disease.

Recognizing Illness

If you determine that your bird is ill, it should be separated from other birds and be kept warm. You can fashion a temporary hospital cage by wrapping towels around a small cage and placing a light bulb at one end.

The bird can regulate the amount of heat it wants by moving closer or further from the light bulb. An infrared lamp or a heat lamp will work even better. Alternatively, you could put a canary in a box and put a heating pad under part of the box, again so the canary can move to a temperature that is comfortable for it.

Some of the symptoms of a sick bird are:

* lack of singing
* lower level of activity
* puffed up appearance
* sitting on the bottom of the cage
* crustiness around the eyes and mouth
* pumping tail
* open mouthed or labored breathing
* untidy appearance
* swellings
* messy vent area
* whole seeds passed in the droppings

Also, be sure the canary has access to food and water. If your canary is on the bottom of the cage, you should place bowls there for it. If it is perching, place seed near its location in the cage. When a bird is ill, offer its favorite treats, without worrying whether they are good for it or not. Does your canary relish canned corn, egg food or apples? Offer them now.

If your canary is hurt, you do not want it to do further damage to itself. Keep the bird in a semidark area, and keep activity around it to a minimum. Once your ill or hurt canary is comfortable, you can call your avian veterinarian for further advice. Be sure to supply as many details as possible. What has your canary been eating? How long has it acted like this? Did it fly into something or display other symptoms? Was another animal involved? All of these things are clues to a veterinarian on how to treat your bird to restore its health or to make it more comfortable.

An illness or accident may not occur during normal business hours. Do you know the policy of your veterinarian about emergencies? Do you know of an emergency clinic or an alternate veterinarian available in the off hours? This is information you should keep handy.

Be sure to get to know an avian veterinarian before you need one desperately, as in an emergency. Birds are very different from dogs and cats, and not all veterinarians have taken the time or attended additional courses in order to be versed in their care.

The best way to find an avian veterinarian in your area is to get a referral from a local bird owner. Contact someone in a bird club, ask a bird owner who is happy with his or her veterinarian or ask for a referral from a veterinarian who does not treat birds. You can also contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians or search their Web site for a listing of avian veterinarians. You will be most comfortable with your birds veterinarian if you schedule an initial WELL BIRD visit when you get your new canary. This means that you will take your bird in to see the veterinarian

What Happens at the Veterinarian?

If you expect something like a doctors visit or a trip to the vet with your dog or cat, you might have certain expectations. Things are different with birds. Birds are prey animals (unlike dogs, cats or people), and so they tend not to show symptoms of illness as obviously. An avian veterinarian relies on his or her knowledge of how you care for your canary, its weight over time and lab tests of blood and droppings to assess the health of your pet bird. A veterinarian sees many birds, and his or her visual assessment is an important indicator about the health of your canary. Your observations as the birds constant companion are also important. Is your canary behaving abnormally, or are things going along okay?

It will be in your best interest to answer your veterinarians questions. They allow a veterinarian to assess a birds condition much better and may lead to some suggestions for changes in care or routine. If you are visiting your veterinarian because your canary has eaten something that might endanger it, or because there has been an accident, give your veterinarian as much information as possible. Bring in a piece of what the canary ate, or a bottle listing the contents, if that is applicable. For an accident, be clear about the time it happened, your canaries reaction and subsequent symptoms.

Listen to what your veterinarian has to say. What kind of questions do you have for him or her? You should find out what services are available to you. What if you have an emergency outside of office hours? What if your veterinarian goes on vacation? Does your prospective veterinarian refer cases to another veterinarian or have an emergency hot line? What are payment terms? It is reassuring to know whether he or she is committed to ongoing education. Does he or she attend professional meetings or belong to the Association of Avian Veterinarians? Is he or she willing to consult with expert veterinarians if symptoms are puzzling?

Do not be surprised if your birds veterinarian frequently has new suggestions for you, or if new treatments or tests become available. The level of veterinarian care for bird health is growing at a rapid rate, and there are continually exciting new developments in avian health care.

In addition to lab tests, parasite control and patching up the occasional accident victim, your veterinarian probably offers other services. Your veterinarian can groom your canaries nails and may offer boarding services for when you will be out of town. Often, a veterinarians office becomes a central point of communication for the community. The office may be notified of lost and found birds, pet sitting services, behavioral consultants, bird club meetings, adoption services and community education projects or requests. You have a lot to gain and a lot to learn by visiting your bird veterinarian on a regular basis!

Vaccinations

We give our dogs and cats yearly vaccines against life threatening diseases. Most birds do not receive vaccines. There is a canary pox vaccine, but it may not be appropriate for your pet canary if it is not exposed to other birds. Ask your veterinarian if you are concerned about this.

Preventing Disease and Injury

There are a few basic things you can do to prevent canaries from having accidents and from contracting transmissible diseases. These things may still happen, but at least you have taken as many precautions as possible.

Cleanliness

When you keep birds, cleanliness cannot be stressed enough. Keeping their quarters clean prevents yeast, mold and bacterial infections. It promotes resistance to infection and good health. Cleanliness applies to food sources, bowls, daily cage cleaning, the occasional good cage scrubbing and offering your bird water in a clean cup. Soap and water, a vacuum, a broom and an air purifier are good aids to cleanliness. Disinfecting bowls occasionally with a 10 percent bleach solution is advisable.

Nutrition

Your canary needs a good diet, based on either a formulated diet or a seed based diet with supplements and vitamins. Eating right is the best way for it to ward off infection and avoid accidents. Be sure to offer some high protein foods during a canaries molt to help it grow in new feathers.

Cat Bites

If a cat should scratch or bite your canary, this is an emergency and an immediate trip to the veterinarian is advised. Cats have bacteria in their mouth that multiplies rapidly in a birds bloodstream, causing death in as little as twenty four hours. Your avian veterinarian will be able to administer antibiotics to save the birds life.

Because both dogs and cats are bird predators, supervise their time with a canary, or restrain or separate the two kinds of pets when a canary is out for free flight time.

Minimize Exposure to Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can transmit Canary pox to your canary. If you have outside accommodations for your birds, the aviary should be well screened. In your home, put screens on your windows and doors.

Wild Birds

Do not permit wild birds to enter your birds living area, if possible. Sparrows may transmit lice, mites or diseases to your canaries.

Windows, Mirrors, Doors

If your canary is flying happily around the house, be aware that it could try to fly through a window or into a mirror. Cover these when a bird is flying in the house. Also close doors carefully, in case your bird is tagging along behind you.

Fumes

Canaries are especially susceptible to fumes and smoke. A canary should not be exposed to car exhaust because of the carbon monoxide fumes. Keep canaries away from any chemical you may use. This includes chemicals used for cleaning, for home hair permanents and the fumes from newly laid carpeting as well. Some rug freshener powders and some scented candles are also dangerous. Fumes from a self cleaning oven can kill a bird. Take your bird to a pet sitter for a day if you decide to operate your ovens self cleaning feature. Especially lethal are overheated nonstick surfaces. If a nonstick pan is accidentally overheated, the fumes can kill household birds in minutes. If you overheat a nonstick pan, quickly ventilate the area and take your bird to see a veterinarian if it shows any signs of illness. Nonstick surfaces may also be on ironing boards, ironing board covers, stove drip pans and some bakeware.

Accidents

A common canary accident is getting fiber wound around its leg and foot. Avoid putting fiber into your canaries cage. Supply it with burlap for nests; get sisal, not fabric or rope toys for it. If fiber should get wound around your canaries leg, you may not be able to disentangle, tease off or cut the fiber. It is a job for your veterinarian.

Disease

Air Sac Mites

If your canary breathes with its mouth open, it may have mites infesting its trachea or further down in its respiratory system. Your avian veterinarian will be able to treat your bird.

Aspergillosis

This disease is caused by the fungus aspergillus. It is a widespread mold in our environment, often found in moldy, dusty or damp seed. It causes an infection of the lungs and air sacs, and is usually debilitating and fatal. Signs of aspergillosis are weight loss, vomiting and respiratory infection. Keeping your birds food fresh is a good way to prevent this disorder.

Canary Pox

Canary pox is a viral disease, characterized by blisters or crusts on the skin of a bird around its eyes or on its legs and feet. It can be fatal, but some birds recover. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes and quarantining new birds are good ways to prevent this disease.

External Parasites

Canaries can be infested by fleas, mites and lice. Lice usually live on a birds feathers. Air sac mites infect the respiratory tract of canaries, while red mites hide in wood and attack birds at night. This causes loss of blood, loss of sleep and can result in feather plucking.

Feather Cysts

Feather cysts are cheesy lumps on a canaries wing, typically found in the large, loose feathered canaries. It is not known if feather cysts are a genetic or viral problem. Feather cysts usually do not appear until a canary is several years old, and they may continue to appear on a bird. Breeds prone to feather cysts include the Norwich, crested varieties, frilled birds and the dimorphic color bred canaries. Treatment varies from removal to draining.

Good Justification To Buy Pet Accessories Online

Shopping online for pet accessories is an easy, simple and an uncomplicated way to purchase. This is considered as the most effective way to make a purchase as the products present on an online fashion store are accessible at anytime. They are most easiest way to obtain various supplies, books, books, apparels and other items for your pet. Anytime you can browse through the internet searching for the products you require and it is the most convienent way because the items will be delivered directly to the address of your choice. You do not have to wait in a line to pay for your order or rush from one store to the other finding the suitable products.

The shopping oppurtunities is not limited for just the normal pet but for all the various breeds. There are abundance of oppurtunities for different species like cats, dogs and the birds and there are additional items for fish, reptiles, rabbits, rats and other domestic animals. sometimes you might have a problem with payment options and ordering , you can visit the website. If you have any query you can make a call or email your query. The online stores provides better customer satisfaction by helping their shoper in the best possible way. Thus, this is definitely better than wandering around the stores finding a worker to assist you.

There are some of the very important pet accessories that you must purchase.in order to maintain the health and development of your dog. If you have a dog , then dog house is must.You must decide on the size of the house depending upon the size of your pet. A small Kennel wooden dog house cottage for very small pets.These dog houses are weather treated, well protected and well ventilated to provide your pet with great comfort. These homes are designed in way with raised strips, roofs and outsized doors.

Many of the stores have very good exchange and return policies, that enables you to exchange or return any item that you have wrongly purchased may be the wrong colour or size.However, it is very important to check the policy for the return. Sometimes it happens that what looks great online isn’t what you really thought of. You should be aware of the fact that whether their refund policy is monetary one or a credit that will be applied to your next order.

When deciding whether or not to buy the pet accessories online just remember the advantages. It is very simple choice to make whether it be food, bedding, toys or medications, you’ll not be dissappointed in the selection. Keep your furry friend happy and contented by getting him or her the things that they need. The author is pet lover and love to write about pets and pets products. He currently writes about advantage of online pet shop and Pet Accessories. To know more about pets and pets product visit http//:www.petluxury.in.

Dog Food Nutrition – How to Make Sur Your Pup is Eating Healthy

It is really important to read labels and pay attention to the nutrition information in dog food. Dogs are carnivores, which mean their diet should be made up mainly of meats. The basic percentages of dietary needs for dogs to ensure they get the nutrition they require is 60% meat, 40% fruits and vegetables. Some holistic recipes claim that grains are safe for dogs because a lot of the animals dogs eat in their natural diets have grains in their bellies. However, grains are probably the most common allergen for dogs. Also, most commercial dog foods, especially the cheaper ones, contain grains as the first ingredient.

There are many commercial dog foods that, when you read the labels, you will notice that they contain bone/meat meal and no actual real meat. A lot of times commercial dog foods will contain meat by-products such as hooves, eyes, beaks, skin, fur, feathers and other items that you really wouldn’t want in your dog’s belly. Dog food nutrition is really important. Making sure your dog has a well balanced diet makes sure your dog will stay healthy, strong and live well. Avoiding meat by-products, corn products, grains, animal fats and bone meal in food you feed your dog.

Making your own dog food gives you the control to ensure your dog gets the nutrition in food that he/she needs to stay healthy. It is easy to make your own dog food. You can make sure to give your dog the balanced diet he/she needs. Most of the recipes for homemade dog foods can be made using common household items that you probably already have in your home. Make sure to avoid food items that are harmful to all pets such as onions, caffeine, chocolate, grapes and bones. All homemade dog food recipes are nutritious for your dog.

They are generally much better than any commercial dog food nutrition. You can even make nutritious dog foods in bulk and freeze them in individual serving size containers for later use. Most of the time, dogs can enjoy the same meals you make for you and your family, as long as they are considerate of the needs of dog food nutrition. Also, make sure that no allergy items are included if your dog is known to have allergies or intolerance to any food items.