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Curious How to Transport a Giraffe?

PetSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

I love giraffes but even with all the things I do know about these guys, I never gave much thought about how you'd get the world's tallest animal from point A to point B . . . if walking was not an option! Now I've got my answer as this animal recently relocated from the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand to Taronga's Western Plains Zoo in Australia. How did Ntombi make the big trip? Why by a huuuuge boat of course, followed by a hitching a lift from this crane as he arrives at Sydney's Port Botany today.

Check out more piccys of big Ntombi's big trip when you

Do You Believe Pets Can Sense Your Sickness?

PetSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:15:53 -0800

We all agree that pets cheer us up when we're feeling sad, but can they also tell when we're ill?!Beamish, this Rottweiler, did just that when his increased attention to a mole convinced Chris Tuffrey to get it checked out. The pooch kept nuzzling, licking, and trying to lift his owner's arm and it turns out the mole was a melanoma . . . and needed to be removed.There have been other cases and claims in which animals have reacted differently around illness and evidence that they can detect cancer, predict epileptic seizures, and more. What do you think – would unusual behavior from your dog cause you to visit a doc?Source

Do You Believe Pets Can Sense Your Sickness?

Yes, I'm a total believer.

I think there's some validity here.

It's possible . . . but I definitely need to see more evidence.

No way, I'm not convinced at all.

Humane Society Investigation Links Petland to Puppy Mills

PetSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:54:59 -0800

According to the results of a recent investigation, it turns out that the largest chain of pet-selling stores in the US is also the nation's largest retail supporter of puppy mills.

An eight-month evaluation by the Humane Society of the United States uncovered that Petland stores are purchasing and selling puppies from horrific conditions despite promises that the dogs come from known breeders with only "the highest standards of pet care." Many hail from massive commercial facilities or are purchased from large scale "pet distributors" (read: puppy brokers) . . . and the company itself may not even know what the standards of care were like in the first place.

See some shocking statistics and learn what you can do when you

The Scoop: Purdy and Wild Boy Have Baby Cheetah Boys

PetSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:15:38 -0800

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It's easy as one, two, three for these lil boys! While two of the cheetahs recently born in Cincinnati will go off to Columbus, one will remain at the Cincinnati Zoo as part of the Cat Ambassador Program — I have to mention that he's only 3 weeks old and has already started his very own blog, Cheetah Days! His name? Well, Tommy T of course, after Tom Tenhundfeld, the main keeper at the zoo's breeding facility. Tommy Too Cute is more like it!

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Glenn Close Honors Puppies Behind Bars and Dog Tags

PetSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:15:40 -0800

Glenn Close hosted an event last night to honor pups that have served in combat, and with returning veterans, for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The benefit celebrated the brave men and women (and dogs!) and raised awareness for the organization that makes it all possible, Puppies Behind Bars.

The prison-based nonprofit trains dogs to be explosive detection canines and service dogs for the disabled with their newest initiative, titled “Dog Tags: Service Dogs For Those Who’ve Served Us”, offering these inmate-trained canines to help soldiers readjust to civilian life. See members of the first New York "Dog Tags" graduating class and their new families in the gallery below.

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Killer Whales Are Picky Eaters!

PetSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:30:42 -0800

I have a good friend that will travel to great lengths to get the best sushi. Her favorite restaurant is here in SF (she lives about 25 miles outside of town), and she swears by their salmon and yellowtail. Little does she know that her raw fish obsession is one she shares with killer whales!

A recent study finds that salmon is killer whales' favorite food, and they will travel large distances to nosh on the best. Using their Ecolocators (creating an echoing sound), they can scan areas up to a half mile away to find their favorite King Salmon, which provides the high concentration of fats and lipids that these whales seem to prefer. I can see traveling 25 miles to a favorite sushi bar a couple of times a month, but scanning hundreds of miles of ocean for a particular fish? Now that's a dedication that my pal Yum could appreciate!

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Cottontop Tamarin Baby Masters Cute in Just Two Weeks' Time

PetSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:10:07 -0800

Monkey baby, hooray! Just so you know, I totally said those words super silly so they all sounded the same (Monk-ay bab-ay hoor-ay). Call me crazy, but I'm going loopy from gazing into the eyes of this lil cutie pie. The two-week-old peeking babe cast a spell on me while innocently catching a ride on daddy's back.
I can guess how this species got their name, too – look at those tufts of white hair on the Cottontop Tamarin, they wear that hair hue proudly! In addition to this fam at the Jerusalem Zoo, there are only about 1,800 in captivity and 1,000 in the tropical forests of Colombia (their native habitats). Check out a couple more piccys below!

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Hooray For Hippo Playtime With More and More Monifa!

PetSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:20:54 -0800

Well, well, well, isn't Monifa already quite the little media darling? I was already drooling over her piccys, and now this video. Just. Can't Handle. It. There's simply too much cute here for a Friday afternoon – watch her dunk herself underwater (!) below.

Meet Monifa: An Adoro One-Month-Old Pygmy Hippopotamus

PetSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:06 -0800

Well looky here, baby! Meet Monifa – just one-month-old and already ready for the spotlight. It's shining brightly, too, as she's the first Pygmy Hippo born at Sydney's Taronga Zoo in the past 23 years . . . but don't worry, her cuteness makes up for lost time. I love baby animals (especially hippopotami) and, although this lass will eventually make a splash at over 350 pounds, she's about the size of my dog now.

There are plenty more pictures – bathtime, playtime, lil hippo teeth, lil hippo tail – so check them out when you

Barney's Barking, Biting Mad as His First Dog Term Ends Soon

PetSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:03:39 -0800

Don't get jealous lil guy! Seems like Barney (one of the two Scotties belonging to George W. Bush) may sense that another pup – one that we haven't even seen yet! – is already at the top of everyone's list. This pup is still super-duper cute as is his terrier pal, Miss Beazley, both currently residing in the White House. See how Barney greeted an admiring fan, errr reporter, this morning in the video below.

The Scoop: Pampered Pets to the Economy's Rescue

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:30:46 -0800

Even if you don't exactly consider your pet to be your "child", experts say many people are as dedicated to their animals as parents are to children . . . and will sacrifice themselves before trimming back on four-legged friends. It's expected that Americans will spend $43.4 billion this year on their pets – although that's down from the original prediction, pet pampering doesn't show many signs of slowing down. Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy says:

It's definitely more resilient than most categories tied to discretionary spending. It's one of the last categories (people) cut out of their budget.

I couldn't agree more as my weekend trip to Petco found me picking up a bag of gourmet treats for my lil guy in addition to a 20-lb. bag of dog food – while I'm not willing to downgrade my pups' food, I am trying to buy in bulk to save some money. Is the analyst's statement true for you, too?

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Oldest Creatures Around? Count Spiders as One of Them!

PetSugar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:00:14 -0800

Like I said before, spiders give me the creepy-crawlies, but I have to give them some respect – they're among the oldest creatures around, with recently found fossils dating back at least 130 million years!

If you think that's old, wait 'til you get a load of this number: 450 million years. That's when the first arachnid was said to have appeared on Earth, based on genetic research recently published in the latest issue of Experimental and Applied Acarology.

I can't even fathom what the earth looked like back then, but seriously, spiders are pretty well equipped for almost any condition. Highly developed senses, self-constructing materials, protective outer armor, and (some) even have a pretty dangerous venom defense system. These guys can live almost anywhere. . . but I try not to think about that when I open my dark closet!

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Could You Care For Chacoan Peccary Babies?

PetSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:00:12 -0700

Just like that cute vicuña, I had no clue what creature to expect when I opened these images of endangered Chacoan Peccaries. Turns out the pig-like animals feature similar snouts, but belong to a different taxonomic group, than "true pigs."Native to Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay, the animal was thought to be extinct until 1972 when the species was discovered to still exist in the Chaco region of Paraguay.

There are only 11 zoos in the US exhibiting these creatures – including the Los Angeles Zoo where four new babes live. Have you ever seen one? I sure haven't but in the spirit of the season, peek at the photo of a peccary piglet picking at pumpkin (phew!) when you

The Scoop: Plucky Leo Saves Lucky Kittens!

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:48 -0700

It's another hero – this time Leo the Jack Russell mix, who patiently stood guard over a box of four kittens when the family home caught fire over the weekend in Melbourne, Australia. This plucky pooch remained with the kits as the family, and other pets, fled the house. Thankfully, the dog and kittens were rescued by firefighters . . . and everyone's OK!

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Maybe this just goes to show that cats and dogs are secretly BFFs no matter what we assume!

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Hayden Wants to Save the Whales Again . . . and You Can Help!

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:40:50 -0700

Nearly one year after Hayden Panettiere joined animal activists in the rescue mission to stop a dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan, the actress has a new tactic to save the whales — she's joining forces with SocialVibe to petition this annual event. Watch the video below to learn how you can get involved:

Hayden also spoke about her efforts (and continued commitment) at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday in partnership with Save the Whales Again!, a conservation campaign of the Whaleman Foundation.

Check out pictures of her speech and rally when you

The Scoop: Rare Bornean Orangutan Born at Brookfield Zoo

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:45:15 -0700

Finally, I've found an endangered animal recently born at a US zoo! This baby girl entered the world on Oct. 6 at Illinois's Brookfield Zoo to proud mama, Sophia, a 27-year-old Bornean Orangutan seen here cuddling the lil one.

Orangutans are the only great apes from Asia Along with these animals native to Borneo, there's a closely related species from the nearby island of Sumatra. Their diet is made up of 60 percent fruit and other plant parts. In fact, I think I see mama munching on a flower – decide for yourself in the pictures below.

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The Scoop: Military Hospital Opens For Combat-Wounded Pups

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:00:21 -0700

There are over 2,500 dogs working with military units around the world . . . but what happens when a dog gets hurt on the job? Up until recently, pooches severely injured in the field were flown for treatment to a cramped building that opened 40 years ago during the Vietnam War! No longer. A $15 million veterinary hospital opened Tuesday (in its place) at Texas's Lackland Air Force Base, which also houses the working dogs' training facilities.

Housing all the best technology, features include everything from canine CT scanning equipment to rehab like this underwater treadmill. Lackland currently trains 750 dogs – the pups usually enter between one-and-a-half and three years of age and most work until about 10.

With demand outstripping the number of dogs available, hospital and veterinary workers were trying to keep them healthy and working as long as possible, said Army Col. Bob Vogelsang, hospital director. Then, they're adopted out and stationed at "Fort Living Room."

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Horse Therapy Helps Boy With Rare Disease

PetSugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Obviously, I love animals! And I believe that they contain a special ability to help us heal – whether it's dogs, cats, or even horses! This time, our pony pals are taking the spotlight by helping disabled children, especially one boy stricken with extremely rare disease in the UK. The disease is called Chromosome 8 deletion (no super scientific name since there are only five cases in the world) that hinders a patient's ability to walk and talk. So far, a program offering "Hippotherapy" has been able to help 3-year-old Dyfan Wynne learn how to do just that!

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Being offered at the Clwyd Special Riding Centre for the Disabled in the UK, Hippotherapy is a form of therapeutic horseback riding that allows special-needs children to learn how to use their limbs to sit, kneel, stand, and walk. Dyfan arrived at the center unable to perform these basic tasks, but after six months, he is joining in on vaulting competitions, and is even considering training for Dressage!

There's Three Times the Cute With Three Berber Lion Cubs

PetSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:00:37 -0700

Proud daddy, Owambo, and mom, Somali, welcomed these three cubs – aren't they precious?! The Berber lion babes are currently exploring their home at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo and are getting bigger everyday.

Now, I'd never heard of this species, but found out that they've been extinct in the wild since 1922. Zookeepers haven't gotten close enough to examine the lil ones, but think that two are male and one's a girl – try to guess for yourself in the piccys below.

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Hundreds of New Species Found Off Tasmanian Coast

PetSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:00:46 -0700

I think this guy looks like he belongs on a Christmas tree, but this sea crab is just one of the hundreds of new sea creatures discovered off the coast of Tasmania. From crabs to starfish to octopus, these new species were recorded in two separate mile-deep voyages in 2006 and 2007.

Not only did voyagers find new species of animals under the sea, they also discovered miles of coral that is thought to be about 2,000 years old, providing life and food to many creatures. Lead scientist Nic Bax, a marine biologist with Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization talks about the discovery in a recent interview saying,"We know very little about the deep sea. Finding out how much live coral is down there, and how large those communities are, is very exciting."

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Furry Demonstration: What Is Prop 2?

PetSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:00:26 -0700

The fourth of November isn't just the day that we elect a new President, but it's also a day when we get to voice our opinions on a batch of new bills, propositions, and laws in our respective states. For those of us in California, there is one in particular that had a group of pooches and their owners barking. . . err, talking to folks on the streets recently. As a fan of all animals, this particular law hits close to home and made me want to get more information. Thankfully, there were a number of people on the street willing to talk me through it.

It's called Prop 2, and its goal is to help fight cruelty and inhumane treatment to farm animals. How?

To find out the details of Prop 2,

The Scoop: House and Senate Pass PA's Puppy Mill Bill!

PetSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:00:42 -0700

Bow wowee! I'm super duper pleased to announce that both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the "Puppy Mill Bill" in Pennsylvania yesterday! Affecting any commercial breeder selling or transferring more than 60 dogs per year, the main change in the approved bill is that owners get three years to comply with the long list of regulations to make their kennels more humane . . . as long as they've not already been found guilty of violating these rules.Clearing the House with votes of 183-7 and the Senate 49-1, Rep. James Casorio, D-Westmoreland, the bill's prime sponsor, said:

This is the day that we eliminate Pennsylvania's reputation as the puppy mill capital of the East. The mistreatment of thousands and thousands and thousands of dogs kept in deplorable and inhumane [conditions] will no longer stand.

Although it's just the first step, it makes great strides in changing these horrible conditions and I hope an advancement for animal welfare that will one day (soon) prompt changes and policy consistency across the country.

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The Scoop: Jellyfish Help Research Team Win Nobel Prize

PetSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:00:20 -0700

If you've ever wondered how some jellyfish glow green, you're not alone. Three researchers from across the country – Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie, and Roger Tsien – teamed up to discover ways to produce the protein unique to Crystal Jellyfish – called GFP – to help aid in medical research. The discovery was so important that it earned them the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

How would this glowing protein aid the medical community? Formally, certain things have been invisible to the eye – like how cancer cells form and spread – but with this fluorescent protein, we can now see those cells and watch how they develop. What's more, researchers can also see how nerve cells deteriorate as they do in patients with Alzheimer's, which means that a deeper understanding of the disease is possible! Hopefully, this will help form a cure for both cases, and open up a whole new understanding for other medical related issues. Way to go jellyfish!

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When Pigs Fly! Australian Pigs Show Their Stuff

PetSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:00:36 -0700

I never thought I'd actually see a pig fly, but I guess anything's possible! Fairgoers in Melbourne, Australia have been seeing pigs fly for the past nine years during the annual Royal Melbourne Show that takes place in September. During the exhibition, pigs compete in races and diving contests to see who is top pig.

The lovely porker shown here is Miss Porky Pig, and has been competing for the title against other favorites like Ham Bone, Bacon Bone, and Porky Chop. Unfortunately, each pig only competes for one season, so this is definitely her time to shine!

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The Scoop: Brave Man Saves Little Dog From Big Shark!

PetSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:10:08 -0700

I've heard that when necessity strikes ordinary people can suddenly perform superhuman strengths. Such is the case with an Islamorada, FL man who decided to take on a shark, beating its head to get the animal to release his prized pooch, Jake, from the jaws of death. The five-foot-long creature already had almost the entire 14-pound Rat Terrier in its mouth . . . but thankfully, there's a happy ending.

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Awww, Hurricane Ike's Tiny Bushy-Tailed Victims Need Help

PetSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:00:05 -0700

It's not just pets that need help in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, over 1,000 baby squirrels are undergoing care in what's best described as a "squirrel neonatal unit". The Houston SPCA still receives 20 to 30 lil ones each day, causing these creatures to far outnumber all of the other animals there.

We’re feeding them puppy formula every three hours. . . . We’ve had a pelican and a couple of seagulls, but we’ve been overwhelmed by the squirrels, said Sharon Schmalz, executive director of the society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, who explained that this was the height of squirrel birthing season in Texas.

The orphans – many less than three inches long – are hand fed via these nipple-tipped syringes and will remain in the care of volunteers until they reach 12 weeks old. They will then be re-released into their natural habitats, places like rural areas outside city limits or tree-filled suburbs, with newfound strength to frolic freely and leap from limb to limb.

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The Scoop: Fish Turn on the Red Lights

PetSugar — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:00:29 -0700

I have to admit that a lot of my sea fish knowledge came from Finding Nemo. Like who knew that the ugly, glowing (and kinda scary) fish from the animation was real?! So when I read about other fish that glow down there in the deep, dark sea I was intrigued. And, come to find out, there are even some that glow in one of my favorite colors.

Although scientists thought that fish only saw short wave colors — like blue and green, which are pretty common glowing colors for fish — a new discovery finds that some fish want the spotlight all to themselves: they glow in shades of red! The finding shows that at least 32 species of reef fish communicate by glowing red instead of the typical blue and green to cut through all the other "communication" that's going on. Just like if you were in a library where everyone was whispering, these fish would be shouting! There's a bit of useless knowledge for you — pass it along.

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The Scoop: Accelerated Ice Melt Threatens Life in the Arctic

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:00:35 -0700

Not only does the ice help regulate the earth's temperature, but it also sustains life by giving access to food to many Arctic creatures. Unfortunately, with the ice shelf melting at an alarming rate (about 10 percent per decade), it's having a deadly effect on the Polar Bears native to the region. Kassie Siegel, staff attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity explains:

The Arctic sea ice melt is a disaster for the polar bears. They are dependent on the Arctic sea ice for all of their essential behaviors, and as the ice melts and global warming transforms the Arctic, polar bears are starving, drowning, even resorting to cannibalism because they don't have access to their usual food sources.

But the Arctic ice melt doesn't just affect residents of the north. See how this will affect us here in the US, just

Eight Red Pandas Doing Great!

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:20:10 -0700

A Red Panda is neither a raccoon nor a bear so should we call these creatures cubs or kits? Whatever you prefer to label the babes, don't forget to add in adoro. The very endangered species often has untraditional caretakers – this time staff at China's Giant Panda Research Center successfully nurtured eight of ten newborns, making it the fifth year in a row that this unit helped these animals pass the critical stage after birth. See more pictures of the fire-colored bamboo eaters when you

The Scoop: Knut's Caretaker Dies

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:38 -0700

You remember Knut the cute, right? Sadly this Polar Bear will have to celebrate his next birthday (come December) without his famous caretaker, Thomas Doerflein. The selfless German zookeeper that cared for one of the world's most recognizable creatures passed away this week – I've taken the time to honor his life with the bear in this slideshow.

In the Spotlight: Cani di Lusso Pet Fashion Show in Mexico City

PetSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:00:03 -0700

Who doesn't look better walking the runway with furry friends?! While there are doggie models at both New York's Fashion Week and Pet Fashion Week, this show took place down in Mexico City. Several pooches donned creations by Cani di Lusso, which I couldn't resist sharing with you –

Check out more cuteness when you

Full Moon Means More Activity in the Animal Kingdom

PetSugar — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:00:58 -0700

You know that feeling of anticipation you get during a full moon that makes you want to go out and party? Well, maybe that's just me, but studies show that the "Full Moon Effect" touches other species, too. Not only are those werewolves on the hunt during full moons, but so are sharks, seals, and sea birds.

Since sea birds — like the streaked shearwater — rest on the water's surface, they are especially noticeable on a night with a full moon, where the light penetrating the water is brighter, and the birds cast a shadow below. So the sharks and seals that prey on the birds have a better chance of catching a midnight snack on those evenings. How did researchers first discover this activity? To find out, just

Video: A Masai Giraffe Is Born . . . And It's Caught on Tape!

PetSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:00:20 -0700

Just like that video of Giant Pandas being born, quick thinking cameramen similarly snatched the birth of this rare Masai giraffe at Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA. Entering the world on Sept. 3 to proud mama, Jamala, and first-time dad, Tufani, the 130-pound babe is still nameless. Learn more about him in this video and, if you're feeling extra inspired, share some moniker ideas of your very own in the comments below.