White-faced Saki Monkey

The White-faced Saki Monkey is one of the different types of monkeys of the Pithecia genus, which is categorized as a member of the New World Monkey order.

Found in the Northern and Central areas of South America, Saki Monkeys are found in different parts of the South American continent including Peru, Colombia and the Northern portions of Bolivia, with the White-faced Saki Monkey found in Brazil.

Characterized as a small monkey that is built for arboreal habitats, the White-faced Saki Monkey is defined by a head that is “hooded” with fur, a physical characteristic that has led its naming to be so. Also found in Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela and in French Guiana, the White-faced Saki Monkey’s looks has also led many in referring to  them as the Golden-faced Saki.

As a species, the White-faced Saki Monkey is known to spend a lot of time atop trees, mostly in the lower canopies of forests. With a diet that is dominated by fruits, they are also known to consume quantities of different seeds and nuts, as well as having a certain penchant for feeding on small insects.

One unique trait found in White-faced Saki Monkeys is in how their “mating rites and rituals” are setup, with White-faced Sakis typically mating with only one partner for life.

As with most male and female mammals, physical differences between male and female White-faced Saki Monkeys are known to be present, with most male White-face Sakis sporting dark-black hued coats which are complemented with a reddish-white hued tone on their face, throat and forehead. Females are known to sport a lighter hued coat, typically brownish grey, which is matched with brown stripes located in the ends of their eyes and mouth.

Being native to the forests of Central America, the White-faced Saki Monkeys are not an endangered species. Different types of Sakis are known to be kept in captivity, with further studies and understanding devoted to the species being given their due.

With their small physiques and their distinct “hooded” faces, the White-faced Saki Monkey is truly an interesting monkey that stands out from the rest.

White-faced Saki Monkey Video

 

Hagfish

As a member of the marine class of creatures, the hagfish has long been associated with “slime”, given the fact that they are known to produce vast quantities mucous.

Popularly referred to as “slime eels”, they are considered to be one of the more unique marine animals, bearing an eel like form that comes with a skull but no vertebral column, which essentially defines them as one of the few “living fossils” found underwater.

Typically compared with lampreys, hagfishes have yet been properly classified in taxonomy-rooted tenses, argued to either be a degenerate type of vertebrate fish or a type of creature which represents a stage that precedes the development of a vertebral column.

Known to grow as long as 19 inches, certain hagfish species are known to measure up to four feet in length, with different types of hagfish sporting different colors, from plain black, black and white spots, blue grey hues to pink tones.

Found in different parts of the world, there are 77 known hagfish species, with some of these only recently discovered due to the fact that they reside quite deep underwater.

As a species, hagfishes are not often kept as pets nor as food commodities, a status which hails from their “slime eel” reputation. After all, the “slime” it produces tends to cause a dent when talking about cleaning up their enclosures and such.

However, the inshore hagfish typically found in the Northwest Pacific regions is quite valued as a delicacy in Korea, where the slime it produces is typically used in different types of culinary specialties and cuisines.

Bearing an eel-like appearance and physical characteristics which haven’t changed since 300 million years in the past, hagfishes remain to be one of the more mysterious underwater creatures, a true “living fossil” that is alive and well today.

 Hagfish Video

 

Raccoon Facts

As “woodland critters” raccoons are perhaps the most iconic, typically found prowling in the wild as well as finding their way in to suburban, real estate developments.

The 1969 Disney live-action feature entitled Rascal focused on the story of a child meeting up with a baby raccoon, engaging on fun-filled adventures with the little tyke.

Given their cute and cuddly looks, one would think that animal lovers would keep them as pets, but as the facts would prove, they are not the best pet options to have in homes and households.

Below are some facts about the raccoon, with reasons which justify their un-ideal standing as pets as well as some fascinating facts about them.

Parasites – Raccoons are known to carry different diseases, with raccoon roundworms – a microscopic parasite – being the most notorious.

As a threat to the health and well being of humans, this parasite is known to cause blindness and even death, something which any homeowner wouldn’t want to risk by brining a wild or stray raccoon into his or her home.

Cat-like Abilities – Though not exactly related to cats, raccoons are known to have cat-like abilities, with their ability to easily land from 35 to 40 feet heights.

Unlike cats though, raccoons have a “tactile” sense, which is defined by their human-like forepaws which they can use to accomplish all sorts of tasks such as foraging for food. Also, unlike cats, a raccoon’s tail takes up as much as 52% of its overall length, measuring as long as 405mm.

16-Year Lifespans – Raccoons are known to live as long as 16 years in the wild, but the longest living raccoon is reported to have lived as long as 21 years in captivity.

Swimming – Just as they are well-built for land-based terrains, raccoons are also adept swimmers.

However, they are not exactly fond of swimming, since their fur isn’t “waterproof” in the sense that their wet fur tends to add more weight.

 

The Emperor Tamarin

As a member of the tamarin species, the Emperor Tamarin is known to stand out due to one of its subspecies’ bearded chin forms, but its black-chinned subspecies is also known to have its own unique set of Emperor Tamarin traits and characteristics.

Found in the eastern portions of Peru, west of the Amazonas and Acre in Brazil and north of Bolivia, the Emperor Tamarin is essentially native to the Southwestern Amazon Basin, with its name alleged to have been taken after Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, who is described to mirror the general looks of Emperor Tamarins.

With body lengths that measure as much as 9 to 10 inches, the Emperor Tamarin’s tail is known to grow as long as 14 inches, with the average weight of an Emperor Tamarin measuring somewhere around 300 to 400 grams.

Sporting a grey-hued coat that is matched with yellowish spots on its chest, it is the Emperor Tamarin’s beard which really stands out, which is generally white hued and typically growing long enough to lengths which go beyond its shoulders.

Typically found deep in rain forests, the Emperor Tamarin spends a lot of its time up on trees, known to be diurnal with the ability to walk or run on its four limbs. Like most tamarins, they live in groups typically consisting somewhere between two to eight members, and are even known to take in other tamarins species like the Brown-Mantled Tamarin as members of certain groups.

One interesting thing about Emperor Tamarin groups, apart from the fact that they aren’t “exclusive” only to Emperor Tamarin species, is that it is the oldest female that stands as a group’s leader, not the male.

Also, apart from their unique group hierarchy setup, Emperor Tamarins are known to have their own set of “cries”, each set to effectively identify potential threats and dangers.

Smart and highly organized, the Emperor Tamarin truly stands out as one of the world’s unique creatures of the jungle.

 The Emperor Tamarin Video

 

Sun Bears

As a member of the Ursidae or bear family, the Sun Bear is known for being the smallest in terms of size, sporting a coat that is described as sleek and short.

Primarily found in parts of Southeast Asia and in Northeast India, Sun Bears are characteristically known for a U-shaped coat pattern found on its chest, typically bearing a light pale-orange hue that contrasts with the dark hued coat that covers its entire body.

As with most bears, Sun Bears are omnivores, with a notorious reputation for consuming a wide range of food types, including insects, plants, lizards, birds, roots.

Known to be solitary bears, Sun Bears are not typically found in groups, with a number of theories noting that this particular Sun Bear trait is borne from the reality of food source competition. Non-hibernating, Sun Bears are also known to reproduce all-year long, not owing the rise of Sun Bear populations to mating seasons or periods.

Though they are the smallest of bears in the world, adult Sun Bears doesn’t really have their own “set” of natural predators, though instances of adult Sun Bears being overwhelmed by pythons, tigers and leopards are known to happen.

But when human threats are concerned, Sun Bear populations have been drastically affected, mostly in cases involving “nuisance bears”, where bears find their way into human habitats thereby causing damage to crops or stores, leaving them to be “hunted down” by affected parties.

Mostly nocturnal, the Sun Bear’s name is somewhat a paradox, a twist to the “Sun” word that is used to define it as a bear species. Given their size, they are also kept as pets in certain households where they are found, but regulations and control on their keeping as pets is being closely watched over by authorized enforcement agencies.

 

How to Get your Dog Ready for a Show

If your dog is from a long line of pure breeds, you might want to let them join a dog show or pageant. These shows not only showcase your dog’s talent and looks, it can also let you win a cash prize or even a supply of dog food, grooming products and even vitamins to minimize your dog’s chances of getting degenerative myelopathy. Getting your dog ready for these shows isn’t as easy as it sounds. Here are some tips to help your dog be the best it can be during the big day.

No stress

First of all, don’t get the pressure get to you and your dog. Don’t stress yourself and your dog out with extreme preparation for the event. Remember, you’re just joining the contest for fun. Meet other dog enthusiast and let you and your dog enjoy the day and don’t be too competitive and serious, especially if it’s your fist time joining a contest.

Get some practice

It’s a good idea to take some time to go over your dog’s tricks a few weeks before the event. Your dog might find some tricks easy to do, while others might be a bit of a challenge, especially if they’re not use to doing it. Take some time to over your dog’s tricks and be patient with them. Just let them get used to all the commands while you still have time.

Go to the parlor

Help your dog look their best by going to the groomers a day before the event. Have their hair cut and shaped, give them a bath, and condition their fur. Don’t miss out on their nails, eyes, ears and paws when getting them cleaned. If your dog has the early stages of degenerative myelopathy, a good massage can help sooth their nerves and even let them perform better.

Vitamins

Giving your dog some extra vitamins can help keep them active and boost up their energy levels. You can find these in most vet supply shops or pet stores. Some dog owners even give their dogs vitamins that are for human consumption, but this isn’t advisable. Before giving any food supplement of vitamins to your pet, make sure you talk to your vet.

Rest

Make sure your dog gets a lot of rest before the day of the event. They might become too tired to perform on the day and this might even affect their behavior. Let them have a good night’s sleep before the event.

Leafy Seadragon

As a sea creature, the Leafy Seadragon’s name is somewhat misleading, in the sense that it isn’t exactly a dragon nor is it “leafy” in the sense that it is a plant. Even though it is referred to as a “dragon”, the Leafy Seadgraon isn’t even a reptile, but its looks have deemed it worthy of being called as such.

Also known as Glauert’s Seadragon, the Leafy Seadgranon is actually a marine fish that belongs to the Syngnathidae family – owing taxonomic a link with seahorses.

Typically found in the western and southern coasts of Australia, the Leafy Dragon owes its name from leaf-shaped protrusions on its body, “appendages” which it uses as a means of propulsion underwater and also as a means of camouflage, matched with a general form which likens with that of dragons.

As a creature, the Leafy Seadragon can be found as the marine emblem of South Australia, with its image backing the state’s efforts and focus on local marine conservation.

Classified as Near Threatened under international Conservation Status standards, the threats which affect the Leafy Seadragon is borne from a combination of natural and man made.

Leafy Seadragon harvesting – mostly geared for medicinal purposes – stand to be the biggest “man made threat” to the species, matched with the dwindling of their natural habitats to pollution and other human interactions.

Given that in-captivity breeding of Leafy Seadragons haven’t been successful, the Federal Government of Australia has taken the efforts of officially protecting them from dwindling in their numbers, frowning upon acts which constitute the collection of Leafy Seadragons.

Though Leafy Seadragons are being kept in captivity in the Melbourne Aquarium, the Aquarium of Western Australia and in the Sydney Aquarium, they can also be found in captivity in different marine aquariums based in the United States.

 Leafy Seadragon Video

 

Sled dogs

Though reindeers are typically associated with sleds during the holidays, there aren’t all that may reindeers drawing sleds generally encountered nowadays, with more people more inclined to used motorized sleds as opposed to the use of animals.

However, sled dogs are still quite prevalent, mostly used for recreational purposes and not as a primary means for transport.

The 1994 Walt Disney feature, Iron Will, stands as a representative to the still-ongoing popularity of sled dogs, with the movie telling the tale of how a young man took part in a cross country sled dog race.

Though the time and setting of the story can’t be described as the most modern of tenses, the film managed to look into the world of sledding, along with significant focus and emphasis on sled dogs.

The term sled dogs doesn’t exactly denote a certain dog breed, but it does refer to a working dog type, with the practice known to have been around since 2000 BC. One of the most popular dog breeds used as sled dogs would be the Greenland Dog, which is characterized by its dense coat and wide-padded paws.

The Alaskan Husky would be another popular sled dog breed, along with the Canadian Eskimo Dog. When talking about sled dogs, two traits are generally considered to be basic attribute, the first being a dog’s strength, the second, a dog’s endurance/stamina.

Since sled dogs are expected to draw sleds through snow or iced surfaces, their strength, matched with their robust endurance capacities are highly valued.

As with most working dogs, sled dogs are quite smart and intuitive as individual dogs, making them popular in different households taking the role of the household’s pet. With their generally cool temperaments and quick-to-adapt traits, they continue to be iconic fixtures in the world of sledding.

Sled dogs Video

 

In Memoriam: Obituaries for Rich Singapore’s Pets

(While some people are overlooked)

The Straits-Times “Pets Corner” will now host goodbye obituaries by loving owners to their beloved pets.

This move was said to be motivated by wealthy Singapore’s rich population having less and less kids, the attention instead being devoted to pets.

This is just an extension of Singapore’s famous lavish doting on pets. This attention and loving care for pets resulted in the rise of industries catering to consumers wishing to give “premium” everything to their pets. Hence the rise in the popularity of premium pet food, premium pet accessories and premium pet fashion.

The obituaries carry premium prices too, each at about S$50 ($40.94) with an added 7 percent in goods and services tax.

Meanwhile, this pet doting boom in Singapore also led to the rise in migrant workers hired solely to take care of rich pets. Which, in a way, can be said to be also a boon for poorer countries.

When roles get reversed

But sometimes the love of animals can exceed compassion for people. Witness this comment from a Singaporean pet forum:

“I was riding my bike back home from office towards and before Great World City that stretch of road and I saw two beautiful Golden Retrievers crossing the road handled by a maid. This STUPID maid was pulling hard on the leash of one of the Retrievers, The dog refused to move on and the pull was hard.

“I really hope the owner of the dogs should handle the dogs personally. Maid [sic] cannot be trusted. I feel like putting a leash on the maid and give a hard pull and let her knows [sic] the feel of it.”
In fairness, other members of the forum chimed in to soothe the original thread poster, telling her golden retrievers are naturally stubborn so she shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
But then there’s no denying the spirit of the times, as shown in the tagline of one of the forum’s moderators:

“Children are for people who can’t have dogs - Anon”

Treating pets like people while people are treated like animals cannot be called progress. It is a form of poverty — of the spirit.

But all is not lost

Recent protests over Singapore Zoo’s newest Giant Panda Pair is a sign of Singapore’s growing animal rights advocacy community. With this kind of compassion at hand, there’s still a chance it would trickle down to Singapore’s sizable (roughly one out of three) migrant worker population.

Komondor Dogs

As a dog hailing from Hungary, the Komondor is one that comes with different names, formally known as the Hungarian Komondor or the Hungarian Sheepdog, but more popularly referred to as the “mop dog”.

As its “pet name” would imply, the Komondor dog’s thick matted and corded fur gives it a mop-like “sheen”, one which can be described as similar to humans sporting dreadlocks as their hairstyle, only that the “dreads” of the Komondor are natural and not cosmetically induced.

Also known for being one of the largest dog breeds around, the Komondor is quite famous for its “natural guarding instincts”, making them the perfect sheepdogs, or dogs designated to watch over different livestock.

In fact, the personalities of Komondor dogs is so akin towards being guards that they are typically calm when things are okay, springing into action when things are awry or simply off.

Typically, Komondor dogs are kept as working dogs, given their natural guarding inclinations, but instances of them being kept as pets are also quite common. Well built and athletic, the breed is known to have a particular exercise regimen.

Given the dog’s large size, Komondor dogs are typically introduced to training methods and modes early, designed to help control them as they grow older. But unlike most dogs, training sessions with Komondors require a certain “edge”, one which suits well with the dog’s attitudes – particularly how easily they get bored.

As a dog, the Komondor is considered to be one of Hungary’s national treasures, a dog breed whose breeding status is well kept from any modifications.

Powerful, strong and simply unique with its matted-corded fur, Komondor dogs are certainly one of the world’s more unique dog breeds.

 Komondor Dogs Video

 

New Zealand’s Driving Dogs

New Zealand’s local SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) gives dogs driving lessons to drive up dog adoption.

Meet Porter, Monty and Ginny, the world’s first driving dogs. They have been trained how to drive modified cars by the New Zealand SPCA. The aim was to demonstrate that rescue dogs are not only as good as dogs obtained from breeders, sometimes they could be even better — as they have shown by their driving skills recently.

SPCA is hoping the resulting publicity would raise the rate of adopting rescue dogs like Porter, Monty and Ginny.
Porter, a 10-month old bearded collie cross, was an abandoned dog. Monty, an 18-month old Giant Schnauzer was given up by its owner to the SPCA (apparently too much to handle). Meanwhile Ginny, a bearded whippet cross, was literally a whipping dog — coming from an abusive home.

And now they have become internationally famous.

Porter and Monty made their unassisted driving debut in their first live driving test (December 10th) at an Auckland racetrack. Strapped to a modified Mini Countryman, Porter and Monty used their paws to do all the driving work: from starting the modified ignition key, hitting the brake, setting the car into gear, steering the wheel, to turning on the accelerator (there was a speed limiter so the car could not go above walking speed).

Ginny didn’t take the live test drive but her driving skills were similar to Porter and Monty’s.

And the offers for adoption poured in — for Porter and Monty. Ginny got less interest — possibly because she had less airtime, mused SPCA CEO Christine Kalin.
Which is understandable. People flock to the superstars. They missed out seeing more of Ginny, so many didn’t know she was there.

But the point of the campaign was not to produce dog superstars but to gain attention to the plight of rescue dogs who need ‘forever’ homes.

As the Drivingdogs admin posted back in December 12:

“If you are looking, there are loads of dogs at the SPCA, not all can drive, but all are just as amazing!.”

And slowly but surely, the option of getting rescue dogs is getting popular with those who are looking for pet companions. And getting there may be the best drive of all.

Common Wide Dogs as Pets

Most of us are used to pet dogs that are warm, welcoming and domesticated. These dogs are very used to the presence of humans and are commonly kept as pets. However, there are some dog lovers who take their love for canines to the extreme, even taking in wild dogs as pet. These dogs more or less have the same needs as domesticated dogs, even sharing the same illnesses like DM in dogs. In some countries, keeping wild dogs is against the law. However, some people still find ways to keep these wild dogs under their homes as “pets”. Many successfully domesticate these animals, but some end up in life threatening accidents and even death. Below are common wild dogs that people captivate and take in as pets.

Wolves

The wolf is one of the most common wild dogs found across the world. They are characterized by their long bushy tails, pointy ears, almond shaped eyes, medium to thick fur and large size. Wolves are one of the easiest wild dogs to domesticate, especially if they were bred and grew up on captivity. Wolves are even used in the entertainment industry as actors in movies, preforming tricks in front of a crowed and playing the “bad guy” in most films. Like German Shepherds, which are very closely related to them, wolves can also suffer from DM in dogs.

Dingo

Growing up in the Australian outback’s, you’re probably familiar with what a dingo is. These medium sizes wild dogs live mostly around the grasslands, edges of forest and deserts of Australia. They stay close to water and can’t live far from it. Most dingos settle in empty rabbit holes, dens that they dig up and big hollow logs. Dingos have made a bad reputation for themselves in the outback. Normally, these dogs don’t touch human livestock, but due to the migration of human presence to their natural habitat, many dingos have been hunted down and condemned because they attacked flocks of sheep and goats.

Jackal

This wild dog looks more like a mixture of a wolf and a fox. They have small, pointy-shaped heads with ears that stand up. These dogs are commonly found in northern Africa and west Asia, roaming around the deserts and dry lands. They feed of small animals like birds and lizards and they have the ability to walk and run for long distances. Unlike most dogs, jackals prefer to live in pairs, and in some rare cases, trios.

Keeping these animals as pets is a dangerous thought, for the sole fact that they are still wild and their primitive urges are still uncontrollable. However, if you do come across one and consider getting as a pet, you have to be ready for the responsibility.

Lemurs

Lemurs are typically mistaken to be monkeys, but this assumption doesn’t define them as such, in the sense that the lemurs are not descendants of ancient primates, even if they do bear certain similarities with them.

Found in the island of Madagascar, the 2005 animated hit Madagascar doesn’t miss on its Madagascar-based premise, a credit to the movie’s creators.

Telling the story of how a group of New York Zoo animals managed to find themselves in the island of Madagascar, the adventures of Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the hippo are the main focus in Madagascar, where the four encounter a group of merry lemurs who are simply out to live the “good island life”.

Though not exactly responsible for sparking interests on lemurs, the movie did manage to stoke the fires of interest in them, effectively putting lemurs on the map.

As creatures, all types of lemurs share a set of basal primal traits, characterized by tails and divergent digits found in their hands and feet. Highly social and very interactive, these characteristics have once made them popular as exotic pets, but their status as a pet is well guarded by officially sanctioned wildlife conservation agencies.

The fact that they were quite popular as pets has actually driven different organizations into officially monitoring and controlling lemur populations, giving focus on emphasis on how properly housed they are, how pet owners are in the capacity to provide them with their dietary staples, etc.

Though it is not generally illegal to keep lemurs as pets, there are certain considerations and restrictions involved in keeping them, something which someone who is entertaining the thought of getting a lemur should be well aware of.

Do you own a lemur? What did you have to do to legally keep it?

 Lemurs Video