Finding cichlid tank mates can be a challenge. As most cichlid owners know, these intelligent freshwater aquarium fishes are highly territorial. They hold and defend their territories with all their might. They also go through a complex ritual of courtship, egg rearing, and giving birth to offspring. That’s not all, they also like to rearrange their living environment according to their liking. Though it seems like they are hard to get along with, they’re still very popular. More and more aquarium hobbyists are fascinated with the cichlid’s behaviorally advanced nature.
Animal Journal
Exploring Beyond the World of Animals
Monday, July 22, 2013
What are Ideal Cichlid Tank Mates?
Finding cichlid tank mates can be a challenge. As most cichlid owners know, these intelligent freshwater aquarium fishes are highly territorial. They hold and defend their territories with all their might. They also go through a complex ritual of courtship, egg rearing, and giving birth to offspring. That’s not all, they also like to rearrange their living environment according to their liking. Though it seems like they are hard to get along with, they’re still very popular. More and more aquarium hobbyists are fascinated with the cichlid’s behaviorally advanced nature.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Building a Squirrel House: Follow these Important Steps
Building a squirrel house is fun and easy. Contrary to what most people think, you don’t need to have expert handy skills to get one done. Even if it’s your first time to build something, you can accomplish this feat with little or no difficulty at all. Just make sure you follow all the steps mentioned below.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
How to Build a Snake Cage
It’s
not often that you’ll hear people asking how to build a snake cage. Then again,
not too many people own snakes for a pet, right? Unlike other people who squirm
at the mere mention of the word “snake”, you on the other hand can’t be happier
that you have one as your pet. Here are the steps on how to make a snake cage.
First,
gather all the materials that you need: a large glass aquarium, sand, aspen
bedding, sunning rock, heat lamp, ultraviolet light, thermometer, flat rock,
hollow rock, and mesh or screened-folding lid.
Next,
look for an aquarium that’s big enough for your snake to move around. Measure
the length of your snake. His aquarium should be longer than that. Keep in mind
the adult size of your snake. It may be small now but it will definitely grow
longer and bigger after a while. It’s good to invest on a large aquarium than
buy another one when that time comes.
Place
bedding on the bottom part of the aquarium. This can be play sand or aspen bedding.
Choose one that’s similar to his natural habitat in the wild. The bedding
should be at least an inch deep from the aquarium bottom.
Install
a mesh or screen lid for the aquarium. The ideal one to buy comes with hinges
that lets you open only one side of the tank without having to uncover the
entire aquarium. You don’t want your pet sneaking out while you’re feeding him
or cleaning his home.
Put
a flat-surfaced rock on one part of the aquarium, directly under the heat lamp.
This is where your snake will go for sunning. Place another rock, this time a
hollow one on another part to serve as a hiding area. For snakes that are fond
of climbing, install a branch or limb inside the tank.
Finally,
ensure that the snake cage has sufficient ventilation. Adding screen mesh to
the sides can be a great help. Now, you know how to build a snake cage, the
next step is taking care of your beloved pet. Enjoy!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
5 Effective Ways to Control and Prevent Dog Ticks
Dog ticks are not only annoying, they’re also dangerous carriers of a wide variety of diseases, posing threat not only to your dog but also to you and your family. It’s imperative to do something about it right away.
Here are 5
effective ways to get rid of dog ticks.
Using a spot-on treatment is usually the fastest way to control dog ticks. You may purchase an over-the-counter topical medication from a pet store, online pharmacy, or from your vet. These medications can control ticks for up to one month. Though most are effective, it’s still a must to find out which brand is the best. Carefully read the label too before using. Don’t use anything without first consulting your vet.
Oral medication
Some
vets give tick-infested dogs with pills that can kill not only adult ticks but
also immature ones to put an end to the tick’s life cycle. The great thing
about oral medication is that you don’t have to worry about kids coming into
contact with dogs after administration, unlike with the topical medication.
Shampoos
Bathe
your dog with a shampoo that comes with a medicated ingredient that kills ticks
in an instant. It’s the less expensive choice, which is ideal if you’re a
little tight on the budget. It can be labor-intensive though especially during
peak season of ticks, as you’d need to repeat the process about every two
weeks. The effect doesn’t last as long as the two previous options.
Tick Dips
A
tick dip refers to a concentrated chemical that’s diluted with water and then
applied on the dog’s coat. The chemical is not to be rinsed off afterwards.
Since it can be very strong, it shouldn’t be used for treating young puppies or
pregnant or nursing dogs. Tick Collars
Tick collars, as the name suggests, are worn around the neck. They’re useful for protecting your dog from ticks but only from the neck up. Be sure to read the label and follow instructions carefully before putting a tick collar on your dog.
With
these practical tips, you can finally say goodbye to annoying little dog ticks
that have been pestering your beloved pooch.
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