Deadly Snake Fangs: Understanding How it Works?

Do you know that snakes can open their mouth up to 150 degrees? This explains how they can swallow their prey, which is sometimes bigger than their size, in one piece. Armed with their toxic venom and sharp fangs, these champion biters are often feared by people. Some kind of snakes is even more dangerous than the others. For instance the splitting cobra, it is known to spit its venom to as far as six feet away.

There are actually poisonous and non-poisonous snakes but you can identify the poisonous breed because of their fangs.  They have four snake fangs on top in which the two are positioned in front and the other two on the rear side of the mouth and there are two more at the bottom.

One of the main characteristic of snake fangs is sharpness. Surprisingly, this animal is known to have more teeth than any other mammals. It depends on the kind of snake but it has over 200 teeth lined in two rows, up and bottom of its mouth. Their teeth are not for the purpose of chewing. In reality, it cannot chew because it is pointing backward making it difficult to use for chewing. Its main purpose is to hold the prey into their mouth.

Also, the snake has hallowed teeth allowing the venom to flow inside and disperse once the prey is bitten. The teeth are actually connected to a small sac located in the snake head. The sac is the source of the venom. The moment the snake bites, the venom flows immediately to the wounds of the prey causing the prey to be incapacitated.

Some snakes simply bite then release the prey. This happens if the prey is big. Releasing the prey will avoid them to be hurt as the victim struggles to live. While others, they bite and hang their sharp teeth to their prey until it dies.

Sometimes snake fangs get broken too specially if they hunt big victims but it is easily replace with another tooth. Generally, they intend to shed their fangs because it is the way to keep its sharpness.

Another odd and deceptive trait of snake is the function of its tongue. Like any other creatures, tongue is functioned most of the time for tasting or something that relates to its nourishment but snake is different. The flicking tongue is used to smell and to follow the prey until it is dead and can be eaten already.

Indeed it is a wonder how can snakes swallow their prey in one piece? Usually their victim’s size is bigger than their head but still they can swallow it without breaking into many pieces. Human being’s jaws are made of bones and attached to our skull. Thus, it limits the flexibility. Unlike with snake, it is consist of tendons, ligaments and muscles hence allowing mobility.

They soak their victims in their saliva before swallowing it. Once it reaches the esophagus, it has muscles that continuously smash the victim into small portions until it reaches the digestive track which it is broken down further.

Snake fangs are really dangerous and no way that its poison level should be ever taken for granted. So when you are in areas conducive to such creatures, be very careful.

A Good Rabbit Diet: What Every Rabbit Owner Should Know

One of the cutest mammals on earth is the rabbit. Many people, especially kids, have rabbits as their pet. Rabbits are herbivores which mean they only eat leafy vegetables as one of their main source of food. But the most important nutrient that a rabbit needs is water. 

Clean water should be available at all times in their cage or food dish to keep their digestive system on process. It’s one of the most important things on a rabbit diet. Clean water isn’t only for the rabbit’s consumption but also for it to poop in or fuddle in. Check their water twice a day and change it if there are any signs of contamination. 

Avoid giving them foods and treats that are high in sugar and starch since it may cause your rabbit an imbalance especially with their sugar level. Giving them treats is permissible once in a while. You can give it as a reward but sparingly. It helps build a trusting relationship between the rabbit and the owner. Never lose track when it comes to handing out treats to a rabbit because it can damage the rabbit diet system. 

When it comes to rations, rabbits should always be fed in small amounts. Small, frequent feedings are best for a rabbit. You can also feed your rabbit with fresh fruit as an alternative to commercialized pellet. This can be a good alternative to treats and it’s healthier, too. 

Providing a pet rabbit with good grass or hay is also good for their system. A good rabbit diet is always composed of fiber which you can get from hay or grass. Avoid giving pet rabbits with pellets mixed with seed, nuts or any colored pieces. For rabbits, it is equivalent to junk foods and is not good for their health. In fact, it can only cause them serious illnesses. 

It is also important to feed your rabbit a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day to keep their nutritional needs on track and always wash those fruits and vegetables before feeding it to your rabbit. This is to avoid spreading any viruses that may have contaminated your pet’s food. 

Rabbits are also crepuscular; they are more active during dusk and dawn. Some people tend to feed their rabbits during those times to see how active they are and to make sure that they are healthy. 

In a rabbit’s diet, do not feed them with huge amount of foods. Always bear in mind to give your rabbits what they need according to their size and age. The smaller the rabbit is, the smaller the amount of food that should be given. 

All of these simple tips should be followed in order for you to not alter your rabbit diet proportions and give your rabbit a good health and allow them to live longer. 

When it comes to feeding your rabbit, do what you would do when feeding a human. Make sure the food is clean, the food is good, and feed them with food that makes them healthy. Do not also forget to make your rabbit exercise. Exercise is always part of a diet, both for the owner and the pet. 

When you follow these guidelines in taking care of your pet rabbit, you will have a healthy and happy pet.

Loyalty of Dogs: The Ultimate Manifestation

Stories of dogs rescuing their owners from danger not minding that they are also putting themselves at risk never fail to break hearts and gain sympathy from people, especially animal lovers. 

Even a man with a heart as hard as an iron would melt at the stories of dogs braving the fire, flood, landslide and earthquake, among others, to save their owners. The extent of dog’s loyalty has never been quantified. At this point, man can only describe the loyalty of dogs as ‘unique’ to its owners and to its kind.

In 2006, an English Cocker Spaniel, then only five-month old, saved her owner from dying in a violent car accident by calling rescuers. The dog was Honey. She and her owner Michael Bosch in an SUV fell and rolled upside down into a ravine unnoticed. Bosch, pinning all his hopes to Honey, helped honey get out to find help, which she sure did. Later, rescuers declared that Bosch could have died if had not been for Honey. Honey was awarded the 2006 Dog of the Year.

In 2004, a golden retriever named Brutis fought a coral snake that was slithering close to child. He sustained deadly bites from the snake. His heroism did not go unrewarded. He was awarded the National Hero Dog award in the same year.

Isn’t it interesting to know where dogs learn the act and values of selflessness for the sake of man? For a dog lover, somehow there is pride at the thought that dogs never fail to live up to their repute as a man’s best friend. 

Yet loyalty of dogs do not only exist to the hand that feeds them. There are also countless of stories about dog’s loyalty to their kind. 

A video posted in the internet sometime in 2008 showed a dog who helped and rescue a friend dog. The hero dog braved the speeding vehicles to get to a friend dog that was just hit by a car. The hero dog then dragged his friend at the side road to avoid being hit further. 

There are also stories of dogs whose loyalty go even beyond death. Almost in different parts of the worlds, you will hear stories about dogs that chose to stay beside the grave of their loved ones instead of moving on. They undergo grief, too. Who knows how much grief they are going through after the loss? 

 There are dogs who continue to wait for their owners who died in an accident outside, not knowing that their beloved owners would never come back. Who knows until when they are going to wait?

The ‘unique’ loyalty of dogs is not what these creatures set them apart from other animals. Some said that they are loyal because they depend on their owners for everything. Pet owners disagree. The affection that dogs develop to their owners seems unbreakable for something founded on material things.  A dog’s love is unconditional. Its loyalty knows no boundaries. 

This love and connection leads dogs that were separated from their owners back home. Remember Cash, a German Shepherd from Colorado? In 2008, Cash found his dead owner who went missing for months. He stayed by his owner’s side for weeks without food and drinks in the plains of Colorado only to protect the cadaver from coyotes.

Cat Intelligence: Understanding How the Capacity of your Feline

Most pet owners love boasting about how clever and intelligent their pets are. Dog and cat lovers alike even seem to delight in never ending debates as to which pet is ‘smarter’. And while most dog owners argue that their pet dogs have distinct abilities of doing tricks, feline lovers often counter such claims saying their cats are most of the time too intelligent and smart to perform on command. However, both dogs and cats are smart in their own rights. Like smart dogs, cat intelligence is also something that felines can learn as they grow. 

So are cats really intelligent? Just like humans and other animals, cats have different levels of intelligence. Some cats are bright while others are just ordinary. Anybody who lives in a household full of felines can attest to that fact. Intelligent cats often display their smartness by showing keen interest in the things around them, attempting different strategies especially when an effort to reach a goal is crucial, learning from their various experiences, or communicating with their humans and other pets at home. 

Cat Curiosity.

The classic adage “curiosity killed the cat’’ often begs the question why a particular animal that lacks intelligence is still willing to risk his own life in order to learn something out of an unfamiliar situation or object that rings his curiosity. Why, purely out of instinct, do some animals like cats show a strong sense of interest on things that do not necessarily have any direct deportment on his survival? In essence, the behavior is actually very human. Most people in fact have risked their own lives just to satisfy their curiosity. Just like human children, cat intelligence begins with kittens. The baby felines, when exposed and provided with an interesting and stimulating environment from the time they are born, are more likely to development sharp abilities. When handled and played regularly, these kittens are expected to grow up smart than those raised in a surrounding with less sensory stimulation. 

Experience and Practice.

Have you noticed at some point in time that your cats may seem unable to learn? This is actually a common issue among pet cat owners. However, this happens when a particular subject matter does not catch their interest. Studies show that cats actually learn from experience especially when they a situation information relevant. Meaning, the most interesting a situation is, the more likely your pet felines develop cat intelligence. Additionally, cats have very strong sense of memory. They can easily remember useful information like the sound of their humans or the animals they have interacted with. 

Communication.

Another impressive trait is their ability to communicate. Although only a few cats are vocal, all cats generally communicate. Communication may include cheerfully greeting their owners once they arrive from work, or seeking for food by trying to express anxiety about the issue. 

Navigational Skills.

Cats have very remarkable sense of direction. In fact, cats can easily find their way back home even from long distances. Their superb navigation skills is believed to come from two things: their being sensitive to the magnetic fields of the Earth (although this is only a hypothesis after it was discovered that when a magnet is attached to a cat, their sense of navigation is disrupted), and by using the sun’s angle for navigation. 

Understanding cat intelligence will give a better and deeper relationship between pet owners and their felines. Cats are indeed truly rewarding and enjoyable pets at home. With their intelligence, having a pet feline at home is one thing pet owners should be proud of.

Understanding More About Dog Eyesight

Unlike that of humans, dog eyesight is built in ways that make canines easily focus on their prey, thus resulting to quicker motion. A lot of dog owners actually have the misconception that their pet dogs are totally color blind. But contrary to beliefs, dogs can actually see colors and they have in fact excellent night vision. Although a dog’s sense of smell and hearing is more useful, their eyesight plays a crucial role in the totality of a dog’s performance. To further understand the biological make up of your canine’s eyes, below are some helpful facts. 

From a Biological Perspective, dog’s eyes are generally similar to that of humans. The eyes have its retinal cover all around the eyeballs and are comprised of two kinds of light sensitive cells: the rods and cones. How they perceive colors and the details of their vision is controlled by the cones. During night time, their eyesight is usually controlled by the eyes’ rods, thus allowing dogs to detect motion. Because rods are highly concentrated in dogs than the cones, this allows the dogs to clearly detect motion. Its low cone concentration is perhaps the reason why myths about dogs being colorblind have become very popular over the years. 

Professional animal handlers, as well as veterinarians attest to the fact that dogs can actually see colors just similar with how a colorblind human would see. Color blind people generally are not color blind, rather they only have trichromatic or dichromatic vision. In the same way, dogs cannot distinguish specific colors like the greens and the reds. A dog’s eyes vary depending on their breed but generally, the eye angles are somewhere around twenty degrees. The position actually is ideal as it helps the dogs increase their peripheral vision, thus achieving better field of view. 

Despite the fact that the peripheral dog eyesight allows them to achieve wider fields of vision, it unfortunately disrupts the dog’s binocular vision. With that, it results to less visual acuity- disabling them from seeing things from far off. 

If you think your pet dogs have eyesight problems, it’s about the best time to have a trip to your veterinarian. Running eyesight tests for your pet dogs are very crucial in diagnosing the problems. So the moment you notice your beloved dogs rubbing their eyes on the ground too often, or they try to avoid from light, no doubt your dogs have eyesight problems. Symptoms include bulging eyes, cloudiness, dog eye discharge, eye redness, and excessive tearing. All these are tell tale signs that your dogs potentially have eye problems. 

Veterinarians will recommend specific eye tests depending on the symptoms. For example, if your dogs have dry eyes, the veterinarian may do a tear duct test. The doctor will check for the dog’s natural eye moisture by carefully inserting a strip of paper in the canine’s eyes. If you notice your dogs having eyesight problems, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately. Also, these problems can be avoided by regularly cleaning your dog’s eyes. You may also insert artificial tears in their eyes to removing dust, hair, and other obstructive particles. 

A dog eyesight is just as important as their sense of smell and hearing. To keep your dogs healthy and problem-free all the time, make sure you do regular eye check-ups.