Apr 23
Owen JonesUncategorized animals, blood, family, Herpetology, hobbies, interests, other, outdoors, pets, poison, recreation, reptiles, Snakes, Uncategorized, walking
There are few places in the world that haven’t been colonised by snakes and other reptiles. Snakes are even found in towns, although it is only the friendlier ones that usually survive our wrath. However, if you want to look for some of the more uncommon snakes, you could look in parks and fields, on beaches or in rivers and ponds and even in the sea, depending on where you live, of course, as sea snakes are inclined to inhabit warmer, tropical waters.
You will have to be alert and train your eyes to spot even the slightest movement. Wear clothes of dull, drab colours and move slowly, stopping often to listen for movement in the grass or bushes. In the beginning, you will have many false hopes, until you learn to tell the difference between the sounds of the different animals that live or hunt in the grass.
Snakes are hard to find, because most of the adventurous snakes get killed by frightened (and often ignorant) humans, but good advice is to look for relatively damp areas in arid regions and, on the other hand, dry spots in damp areas. Look for where their prey might congregate. For example, near water for toads and frogs. Look out for frightened lizards or birds fleeing for all they are worth. And listen out for geckos warning each other of the presence of a predatory snake.
If you have to move anything, at least don’t damage it and make sure you put it back as you found it. Two useful tools while out looking for snakes are binoculars (for tree snakes) and a snake-hook, which should also be used for moving bits of debris so that you don’t risk getting bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion. A camera, a torch and a notebook and pen are more or less essential, depending on how seriously you take your interest in herpetology.
You might also take a rule or tape to measure your specimens and a few plastic bags and boxes to hold them while you are doing it. However, do not kill anything and do not take anything away with you either! Besides it not being right to walk into their territory and cause them harm, it is frequently against the law too. Be very wary of handling any snake that you cannot definitely identify as non-venomous. You could be miles from anywhere and will probably not have any anti-venom with you. Since many snakes can kill within 30 minutes, you would probably die.
So, to summarize, go looking for snakes by all means. However, make your search calmly and wear camouflaged clothing. Moreover, wear strong, climbing boots to afford you some protection where you are most vulnerable and do not disturb anything unnecessarily. Take a snake-hook to move things if you need to; a tape, torch, camera, notebook and pen to record your experience and/or findings and a couple of clear plastic receptacles just in case you feel the need to pick something up.
I hope you really enjoy your hunt for snakes and other reptiles, but always keep in mind that snakes are not friendly and they are definitely not pets, so be wary of snake bites especially if your search is not taking place in the grounds of a hospital!
If you are interested in snakes and reptiles, you ought to go over to our website called Caring for Snakes
Apr 17
Owen JonesUncategorized advice, Allergic Reactions, animals, Beds, Breathers, Breathing Patterns, Cats, Cause Obstruction, classes, Collapse, Companionship, Complete Trust, Deep Sleep, dog training, dogs, Excess Tissue, family, garden, Nuisance, obedience classes, other, outdoors, Pet Owners, pets, Phenomenon, Proper Breathing, school, self help, Several Times, Sleep, terriers, These Dogs, Uncategorized, Veterinarian, Windpipe
We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, allowed their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can’t be shown by any other breed of animal. However, this doesn’t mean to say that some people do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.
It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs often have complete trust in their masters, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even enter into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often has to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.
Certainly, lots of us have observed a dog ‘running’ during sleep and barking while asleep too. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For instance, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The dogs that are heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe quite as heavily.
Often, dogs that snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.
A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to determine which treatment can be best applied. Some dogs are especially prone to specific allergic reactions that cause obstruction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on different factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.
Is you dog overweight? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more tissue surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess fat hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may actually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.
The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a greater or lesser degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who have to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.
Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact it is best to follow the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.
Does your dog require training? If you require further information on dogs in general, then visit our web site entitled Successful Dog Training
Apr 06
Takamitsu HairiJapan art, culture, family, health, home, Japan, pets, society, spirituality, Tattoos, writing
Japanese Kanji symbols are simply recognized due to their artistic look. These ideographical characters are constructed out of carefully selected marks that symbolize a whole concept or object. It is a highly expressive script that seems to have an strong artistic appeal.
Over the years the kanji script became a very popular choice for people interested in getting tattoos. The use of the script can also be found in a lot of other fashion items such as pendants, necklaces, earrings and bangles. Even interior decoration materials like lamps and wall hangings highlight Japanese Kanji symbols today.
Kanji symbols can express any idea in an attracting way and that is why too much people are in hurry to get themselves tattooed with these symbols. But prior to choosing the suitable symbol, you should realize that they poles apart with the structure of English, hence awareness about the message of these symbols is essential to select the suitable one for you.
Yes, it is a truth that many people have been meshed tattooing with the wrong symbols, relying upon their external meaning. At a later date, they came to know that those symbols didn’t express what they wished, rather they had a humiliating meaning which they never wanted.
For people who are unfamiliar with the Japanese language it is next to impossible to comprehend what a kanji symbol stands for. One can easily end up with something that turns the head of the Japanese people but for all the wrong reasons. Tattoo seekers repeatedly encounter this problem when they rely on a non native speaker with their kanji symbols. A tattoo with a wrong meaning then serves the purpose that it was originally used for which was as a sentence for criminals.
The history of kanji symbols is extremely rich and so is the symbolism that it carries. Not all Kanji specialists today are tattoo artists. Instead they take to the script as a means of fine art as they play with the script in order to compose a brilliant piece of art.
The fact that fifteen centuries have passed after the initiation of Chinese characters in Japanese language is an ample evidence for the ancientness of Kanji symbols. Still this form of art has not lost its appeal and that is the real impressiveness of Kanji symbols – the unequalled record of attracting the masses for centuries.
Another reason is there for the wide acceptance of this art – the depiction of the beauty of life. It holds an unexplainable appeal to the human sense. In other words, Kanji symbols are really a embodiment of the human innovativeness.
It has been remarked that the roots of the kanji symbols that we see today are implanted in human experience. For instance the kanji symbol for peace depicts an abstracted line drawing of a woman under a roof representing shelter. Among the most popular Kanji symbols is the one which reads “FUKU”. This means fortune and well being. “Gaku” is another popular symbol which means happiness.
Japanese Kanji symbols are often used as designs for tattoos. If you would like to know more about Japanese love symbols please follow the hyperlinks.
Apr 06
Owen JonesUncategorized Abby, advice, Affection, animals, Becky, classes, Cuddles, Cute Appearance, dog training, dogs, family, Female Dog Names, Female Dogs, Female Members, Fur, garden, Intelligent Creatures, Labrador Pup, Lady Molly, Lovable Personality, Male Dog Names, Male Dogs, Neighbours, obedience classes, Old Nick, other, outdoors, pets, school, self help, Sweet Nature, terriers, Two Syllables, Uncategorized, Westie
So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is maybe a fair bit, because your dog’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a rather small dog. For what a small dog lacks in size it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog’s name?
Cute dog names are usually meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all speak of a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.
However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names available for male dogs. This could be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs should have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names about. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.
Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.
Whilst dogs are very intelligent creatures, they cannot process the same amount of information that humans can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can improve your chances of training them successfully.
Moreover, dogs names can assist them shape an identity of their own. Common names do not encourage them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to respond to a command.
I am quite willing to bet money that most dog owners do not think of the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs mental health if for no other reason.
Does your dog require training? If you require more details on dogs in general, then go over to our web site called Successful Dog Training
Mar 19
Owen JonesFlorida advice, animals, Exotic, Florida, other, outdoors, pets, poison, reptiles, Snakes, Toxins, Tropical, USA, Venom
The Florida snakes, together with the turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are all part of a complicated wildlife structure that plays an incredible role in the maintenance of Florida’s ecosystem. There are many species of Florida snakes. There are forty-four species living in an incredibly varied habitat, ranging from salt marshes and fresh water marshes to dry uplands and coastal mangrove swamps to residential areas.
Only six Florida snakes are poisonous, and they happily live with their non-poisonous cousins, even venturing into towns and cities too. The best way to stay out of trouble with snakes is to care enough to learn about their morphology and therefore become able to distinguish between these Florida snakes. Avoidance is the wisest approach a human being can adopt in relation to snakes.
The Coral snake and pit vipers are the most dangerous Florida snakes. They can be identified by a wide range of characteristics. Pit vipers include the Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead. They all have vertical eye pupils, a v-shaped head and facial pits: one between the eyes and nostrils and the others on each side of the head.
The poison of this type of Florida snakes is haemotoxic, which means that their venom attacks the red blood cells, destroying the walls of the blood vessels and causing uncontrolled bleeding. Coral snakes however, use neurotoxic venom, with the toxins in the poison acting on the body’s nerves causing paralysis.
Most of the snake bites reported every year in the United States are attacks by Florida snakes or by rattlesnakes to be precise. Because their venom spreads quickly through the body, the victim will almost certainly die within thirty minutes without the immediate injection of anti-venom.
A big exception in this group of Florida snakes is the copperheads, the venom of which rarely requires an antidote. Their toxins are the least potent and so they are considered t be the least dangerous of the poisonous Florida snakes.
Because of the threat they pose. poisonous snakes are the first kind to attract attention, however the most widespread of Florida snakes is the black racer, a non-toxic species that relies on very sharp fangs to capture its prey.
Although the usual tendency of home owners is to remove snakes from their properties, specialists point out that, without them, rodents would breed out of control giving us even more cause for alarm.
So, unless there are any special causes for worrying, like snakes breeding in great numbers in your garden or outhouses, there is no real reason why you should interfere with the lives of these usually shy, useful animals.
Interested in the Florida snakes? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our brand-new online resource.
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