Orble - Pet Husbandry

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With reptiles and amphibians(combined into Herpetiles) their care in captivity should be based on a beginner or advanced experience of captivity husbandry. It's like fish where one goes from common goldfish to tropical fish to ocean fish experience. A novice to the trade can't successfully deal with salt water species without having some knowledge on goldfish and tropical fish care under their belts.

Herptiles are kind of the same concept. You can't own a jungle snake until you've experienced a mouse-eating snake. You can't own a desert species until you've owned a temperate species. Although it may not make sense to you, the most loss of species or dangers come from people's compulsive purchase of reptiles or amphibians. With herps they are best studied before purchase as to their requirements in captivity. I am totally against wild caught species, by the way.

My beginners choice of reptiles and amphibians are:
Corn Snake
King Snake
Milk Snake
Garter Snake
Anoles
Leopard Geckos
Wall lizard
Skinks
Painted turtle
Red Ear Slider
Frogs
Newts
Salamanders

These animals are easy to care for in captivity and their terrarium is easy to build and maintain. These are basically the easy herps to keep. Most are from a temperate climate and some require minimum maintenance for their existence.

The topic of reptile care has been a hot issue between veterinary views and hobby enthusiasts for years. This is liable to come up again in this blog. For now let me give you some sites about the topic.

Here's an informative site that gives terrarium tips and maintenance.

Too many times I've seen people with no clues diving into the herptile industry. Maybe one should get a clue before diving into the unknown.

Every little bit counts when it comes to reptile knowledge.

Sanitation is highly important in herp care and one must become accustomed to washing their hands. This is a sort of entry into the care of herptiles for beginners. It is something that I have dealt with for years and will be an informative entry into the pet husbandry.

Notice I didn't mention iguanas or chameleons? Well they are an advance species of lizard that novice are just asking for trouble in their purchase!

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Posted By: signals - Category: No Category

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Alpha

May 9th 2009 18:07

When one becomes a dog owner there are many responsibilities that come with canine care and training. We are responsible for the animal's health and well-being. We need to get the dog updated with its vaccinations and vet exams. We need to give it exercise and stimulation. We also need to train the dog properly. To do so, we must establish who is the boss. To a dog, this is an ongoing battle that is overlooked by most owners.

When I had my dog, I read many books that I still own about training and care. I also signed up for a beginner's dog training class that taught me things that weren't in any book!

First thing to do is to research the dog you intend to get to make sure they are a dog that will fit your lifestyle. You don't want an active or working dog if you're too tired from work. Even if the dog is a mutt, try to find out what the parents were. See how easy they are to care for and train. Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds aren't an easy dog to train or care for and are not recommended for beginners.

In the class we learned the four basic commands(sit, stay, come, down) which I had already taught my dog. I also learned about keeping a dog on a leash, unless it is an enclosed area such as your yard.

To maintain the Alpha status, you must adhere to some training that may seem cruel at times. Always go through a door or hallway first, never let the dog take the lead. This goes for when you're walking the dog, too. If the dog gets ahead, change direction abruptly...even if you have to pull him your way. Always practice the basic commands everyday.

Praises and petting are great when your dog does well in her training. If you start with treats, you are doomed to give treats all the time, because the dog associates trick for treat. A good treat is his own food so you can feed him while you train him. Note:Count it as her caloric intake and don't give her extra.

My instructor emphasized a big No-No when it comes to dogs that most owners are guilty of. Never let your dog on your bed! Because they are comfort-seekers, dogs recognize the owner's bed as the most comfortable place in the house. Dogs have been known to attack owners who have allowed them on their beds and now Cujo thinks its his.

When it comes to dogs, training can give you a well behaved pet. With the internet, we can find pet training sites right on our computers. There's more here, here, here, and here, to name a few.

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Posted By: signals - Category: No Category

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Siamese Fighting Fish

April 29th 2009 23:13

Looking for an easy to care for tropical fish that is easier and less expensive than a goldfish? Then the siamese fighting fish, or betta, may be for you. They are colorful and can survive in a large tank or a small jar. The males flare-up and spar with other males therefore must be kept separated. Females can be housed together in a roomy aquarium.

Much has been said about betta care. Too much information is never enough but bettas are easy fish to care for and breed if done properly. Betta care is diverse but ultimately comes to the same conclusions.

My past successes with bettas involve changing the water often if they are kept in a jar. Breeding is easy if done in the months of May, June, July and August when temps are hot in the morning and at night.

Bettas can survive in a pint of water because they can breath air and not rely on aqua-aeration thanks to their labyrinth breathing apparatus. A critical time for babies is when this organ is developing during their third to fourth month of development.

Betta Fish is a betta lovers forum. There is so much to be said about this popular fish that is #1 for amateur and professional alike in the care and husbandry of the betta. In the fish category, you know it will come up again!

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Starter Pets

January 3rd 2009 20:42

Pets for beginners are an easy category to care for and should be a requirement for the novice pet keeper. Dogs and cats need more care and training than we are led to believe. Often we fail as many are put in shelters. These are my choice of easy and beginner pets in all the five vertebrae categories.

If you're thinking 'fish' think goldfish as an easy starter fish. Information can be found here, here, and here to name a few. Goldfish are cheap and easy to care for. I started with a carnival fish that is only expected to live a few days. I had mine for a few years. In another entry I will explain why feeder goldfish are cheap and make good goldfish pets

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School's In Session

December 26th 2008 22:02

I can't tell you how many times I have seen compulsive buying when it comes to pets, especially the exotic ones. Many have no clues what they are getting themselves into and it usually ends in disaster. I myself am guilty of compulsive pet buying and learned my lesson.

People who buy or acquire pets without researching them will end up with a dead pet or a pet that is out-of-control. Many by dogs without researching the breeds or how to train them. Some acquire cats and eventually let them reproduce and become destructive. They buy tropical fish that may not be compatible. Reptiles and amphibians may be the most discarded acquired pets because the pet owner doesn't research his animals

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General Pet Care

December 25th 2008 22:23

From the domestic to the exotic, this site hopes to inform on the proper way of keeping animals as pets. I hope to make it interesting and touch on the pros and cons of certain animals being kept as pets.

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