Some Facts About Mountain Lions

Following are some facts regarding mountain lions:

1. Mountain Lion is the most widely distributed big cat in the Americas.

2. Over time it has earned more names than any other animal, including cougar, pi-twal, puma, catamount and many others.

3. Even with its strong physique, the Mountain Lion is like smaller cats in its bodily make-up and is often not included in big cats due to the animal's inability to roar.

4. With its rudder-like tail and sleek physique, Mountain Lions are often said to be related to Cheetahs in their evolution, even as there is a dearth of evidence at the moment to substantiate this theory.

5. Mountain Lions are agile creatures. Their long hind limbs enable them to jump a distance of nearly thirteen metres in one go.

6. Skilled hunters, Mountain Lions are able to prey upon a wide variety of creatures, ranging from small ones like mice to big animals like moose. The most commonly hunted animal though, in majority of regions, remains the deer.

7. Ambush predators, Mountain Lions bring to use their considerable athleticism and momentum to bring down their hunted animals, and afterwards go on to make the kill with a bite on the animal's neck.

8. If they are unable to eat the whole of the hunted animal in one go, the wild cats often hide their kill to return to it later.

9. Even with their great predatory ability, Mountain Lions are not the apex predators in many parts where they reside and face considerable competition from larger animals like Jaguars and Bears.

10. Owing to this competition, these cats have evolved into designing unique survival strategies in many areas, including the ability to climb atop trees and swim distances to go after prey.

11. Despite their huge geographic range and survival skills, Mountain Lion numbers are decreasing in nature owing to loss of habitat and prey species.

12. Conflicts with humans also are behind the lowering of Mountain Lion numbers, who are increasingly under threat from people who keep encroaching into their range.

13. The highest numbers of attacks by the Mountain Lions on people reportedly occur in the notorious 'Cougar Island' in British Columbia where Cougars exist in high population density.


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About the Author: The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on cougar facts.

The Key To A Well-Behaved Dog Is To Become A Role Model Yourself

It has always amazed me how dogs are so closely related to their ancestors, the wolf, and still, to this day, display a natural instinct to live and participate within a family "pack".

Teamwork and partnerships are the natural order in which canines think. A good analogy to explain this better is to observe the way a sports team all works together to accomplish the same goal of winning. Your dog is the same way and looks at you and the rest of his family as part of his "team". He counts on everyone of you in the house to teach him how to behave, understand the rules, and above all, help him survive.

In order for your “family team” to be successful, everyone in the house, especially the dog, must adhere to specific rules, characteristics, and respect. Such examples would include discipline structure, a common way of behaving amongst everyone in the house, and most importantly, respect between your dog and its owners (you and the family). Without these things, there would be total chaos for your pet and he would not have a clue as to who was the leader and how he should behave.

Just like children, dogs and puppies need to be confident in whomever is in charge and giving them direction. Not only is this important for obedience and having a well-behaved dog in the house, but it also gives the animal a sense of belonging. In terms of who should be the "leader" of the pack, it really doesn't matter to your dog, he just needs to be secure that one of you is in charge, for a better sense of his own security.

You Might Be Wondering "How will my dog know who is in charge since there are so many people in the house?"
This is an excellent question for those households with a lot of family members living inside. Amazingly enough, your dog will pick up on the natural order of things. Without being taught, your dog will come to understand the specific hierarchy amongst the family members. And what's more, should you (as the leader) are ever away from the house, your dog will still respect and obey the other members of the family in your absence, just as he would with you.

To Keep Your Dog Well-Behaved, Never Slack On The Rules
At this point it should be clear to you that all dogs must have order and respect in the house, between all members of the family, in order to keep them disciplined. Consider how poorly your children would behave if they had no parents as role models to keep them in check. Without someone enforcing the rules, which does happen often in some households, kids end up with an incredible amount of behavior issues.

The same can happen to your dog if he does not recognize the family as a team and is missing a sense of “who is in charge”. And trust me, dogs whom are raised in this type of environment can grow up to have extremely negative obedience problems. The key is to have everyone in your family all agree on treating the dog the same way, between everyone in the household. This will ensure that your dog lives a life of happiness, security, and good behavior.


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About the Author: Daniel Waser is a dog lover since his childhood and currently owns two dogs. Visit his website for more information about dog health problems or get his free dog training tips.

The Saluki Dog Breed is the Persian Greyhound

The Saluki is one of the noblest of all hounds, and one of the most ancient, being many hundreds of years old, and possibly thousands. It is regarded as the original stock from which many other breeds in the west have sprung. This breed is considered by many to be the oldest in the world, and is thought to be the oldest purebred dog in recorded history.

The Saluki is the royal dog of Egypt and may be as old as human civilisation. Their mummified bodies have been found alongside the Pharaohs and their pictures appear in ancient Egyptian tombs dating from 2100 BC. Carvings of greyhound-type dogs with the breed's distinctive feathered ears, legs and tail were even found in Sumerian ruins dated around 7,000 B.C.

The Saluki resembles the Greyhound in stature, and has been called the 'Persian Greyhound.'
It is thought to have been introduced to Europe by the Celts, who used the breed in hunting. Related to the Afghan Hound, and a close cousin to the Arabian Greyhound, the Saluki has always been highly prized by Arab peoples for the breed's ability to follow their horses, and its skill at hunting gazelle with falcons.

They are hunters and can gallop after prey at 40 miles per hour. They have the ability to more be than a match to small gazelle and similar creatures over rough desert terrain. It makes a great desert sight. A hunter capable of incredible speed and agility over rough terrain. The breed was even used to course gazelle, the fastest of the antelopes. The so let us round off by saying that this is a hound of great beauty and elegance which carries itself regally.

The Saluki is not angular like its cousin, the Afghan Hound. The breed has a gracefully made look, and is pleasingly symmetrical, with a powerful rear and hocks low to the ground which gives it the jumping and turning ability it needs to make it the top top coursing hound it is. It is a medium-sized breed.

The Saluki is a very intelligent dog that is quick to learn and respond to positive training. Due to their intelligence level, however, these magnificent canines can quickly become bored with having to repeat repetitive tasks.

The Saluki is a healthy breed which rarely suffers any congenital problems. The biggest concern with them is their sensitivity to anesthesia as a result of their low levels of body fat.

They grow to reach 23-28 ins in height at 29 to 66 lbs, yet are rather lean. It is a pack animal and was used by the nomadic Bedouins to hunt for food.

Its expression is “dignified and gentle with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes.” It is sensitive and intelligent, but if it is off its leash outdoors, do not expect it to come when called, especially if there is a gazelle in sight.

This is one of the most beautiful and graceful of dogs, but its beauty is best appreciated when running in full stride.

The Saluki is very gentle with children and can be a friend with undying loyalty.

Overall the Saluki is a loving, elegant, intelligent and loyal dog that may be right for you if you have the time and commitment that it takes to owning this wonderful breed of dog. However, some do say that they are not overly affectionate when kept within a family.

The Saluki is still found in all parts of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and most countries in western Asia, but in fewer numbers than in the past. The breed is going the way of the Bedouins. It is an animal of the wide open spaces, which is being crowded out by civilization.

The Saluki is a prime hunting machine and weapon; his natural born instincts give him a strong desire to run down and catch whatever he sees moving. Of course, these instincts can get him into trouble if he's turned off lead in the wrong place at the wrong time.

His coat is short, with silky feathers on his ears, legs, and curving tail. The Saluki is an average shedder and does not have a doggy smell.

Their coat colors range from pure black to reddish, brownish, tan, white and tri-color (white-black-tan). Nowadays in the United States, Salukis are mostly feathered; however, the Bedouin tribes valued each type equally and often cross bred the Feathered and Smooth-haired types. Coat must develop naturally.

The Saluki is a recognised American Kennel Club breed.

Early training and socialization are important so they do not develop into excessively shy or cautious animals. These are proud animals, but sensitive too. Early and constant socialization and training is a must with this headstrong breed, as they will tend to want to make their own decisions unless taught otherwise. But with the right understanding and owner commitment they can make great pets.


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About the Author: Steve Evans has written many more dog
breeds articles which you can see at his Dog Breeds Compendium web site, in addition to his Saluki dog page.

Breeding Betta Fish Quick-start Guide

Some fish owners want to become betta fish breeding experts. While there's certain difference in the amount of knowledge experts and advanced betta lovers have, when it comes to betas they are rather easy to breed.

The betta fish is hardy and can live in diverse conditions, so the first thing to do is to find a female betta.
It's not as simple as it sounds. Most pet stores have only male bettas on sale, because they are more vibrant and flamboyant. Female betta fish are pretty dull compared to their male counterparts. However, if you ask your local pet store nicely, you may be pointed in the right direction. Otherwise, search on the web.

Female betas have one certain advantage over male betas – they can live together peacefully, while two males will begin fighting. That's just how nature works, nothing to be done here.

So when you've got a couple of female bettas in your tank, start feeding them normally, as you would feed any betta. Betta fish breeding assume females must be healthy, or they won't spawn. And health comes from food, naturally. When the diet regime is right, you may notice that male betta started building a bubble nest, and that the female betta started to look decidedly plumper.

Here comes your part. No, you should never leave betas to do their things their own way. Your help may be required! Male betta can attack the female too vigorously with his amorous activities. To protect the female betta, you may need to separate it from the male counterpart for a couple of days for the fish to recover.

When they are ready to breed, you'll notice what is called 'hugging'; the male betta will wrap the female fertilizing the eggs with his sperm as she produces them.
Then the male betta will start placing the eggs in the bubble nest he'd built. For the next days, he will be looking after it and scooping up the eggs that occasionally pop out of the nest. That's his daddy duty. Quite fascinating to watch really! By this time, you can scoop the female betta out of the tank since that's it for her, really.

After about 2-3 days, small fry will begin emerging in the bubble nest. Small betas need to stay in the nest for over a day because their gills aren't developed enough.
When you see the little betas swim independently, be sure to remove their daddy from the tank, or he can devour the brood… such things happen.

Feeding the baby fish is difficult. Some people engaged in breeding betta fish say that no matter what the do, the young generation dies. I believe this has something to do with the water conditions. In the wild the water isn't as pure as it is sold in pet stores. Natural water contains all kinds of microscopic little beasties and flora that is hard to maintain in a fish tank.

Take some large jar (that allows plenty of oxygen to dissolve in the water), fill it with some water from the tank, and put in some straw (you may use grass as well, but you never know what kind of pesticides were used on it). Leave the jar where there is direct sunlight. After about 2-4 days you will see the water filling itself with all kinds of crippling creatures. Harvest an ounce or two from the top, and then put it straight into the tank with baby betta fish.

After about two weeks or so, you may start feeding young bettas with other stuff like crushed flake food – and I mean finely crushed. Small betas don't need much food – a tiny pinch would suffice.

By about 7 weeks, young betas would have reached about 1 inch in size. This is the time to separate them into individual small jars. As time goes by, you should be able to tell the male and female betas apart.

So as you see betta fish breeding involves quite some efforts, but it's worth that.

For more advice on breeding betta fish, visit my blog.


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About the Author: Kelly Wright is an enthusiast who writes guides on betta fish breeding, care, and feeding. Visit betta fish blog for more great tips which will help you in your hobby, or go directly to guide to breeding betta Fish for a more detailed set of instructions.

Who Wants A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

When asked if you want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, would you say yes? Maybe not all people would want to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for some reasons. But if they will come to know this breed's remarkable characteristics, they will find no reason not to want this dog.

As the name implies, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has its roots in the older toy spaniels kept as pets of the royal family. Based on the breed standard, the cavalier King Charles Spaniel should stand between 29 and 33 cm and should weigh between 4.5 and 8.5 kg. The tail must be in full-length with long feathered hair. The small body is covered with silky coat of moderate length. The feather on the ears, chest, legs, feet and tail become lengthy but these must be kept long according to the breed standard. To avoid mats and tangles, regular brushing (at least once a week) is recommended however this breed must not be bathed more than twice a week to prevent skin irritation. This breed has four recognized color so would-be owners have many options to choose from. The colors include blenheim (most common color), tricolor, black and tan, and ruby.

Named as the "ultimate lap dog" or the "love sponge" of dogs, a cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gay, friendly and non-aggressive dog with no tendency towards nervousness and shyness. They are a sweet and playful dogs eager to please children and other dogs alike. Great with dogs and people of all ages, Cavaliers make ideal pets even in houses with more than one breed of dog.

Despite the good characteristics this breed possesses, owners or future owners should take note that cavaliers can suffer from several genetic diseases with Mitral Valve Disease as the most serious right now. This has become the leading cause of death of cavaliers all over the world. Other diseases this breed is prone to are syringomyelia, episodic falling, hip dysplasia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and other eye disorders, luxating patella and deafness. To avoid these health issues, it is very important to buy from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder is after the dog's welfare and is willing to supply heart, hip, eye and patella clearances for their breeding dogs.

Again, when asked if you want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, would you say yes? Not so fast folks! Know more about the breed first and determine if this one is right for you and your family.


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About the Author: Richard Cussons writes information articles on different breeds of dog such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Find out Cavalier King Charles Spaniel information here...

Pet Horoscopes - Crucial Information about Your Pet

People consult the horoscope section of the newspaper to determine what's in store for them in the future. Many actually do not know that they can also determine what's in store for their pets as well. Pet horoscopes are based on the Western or occidental zodiac (Aries, Taurus, etc.) and are in two categories: the dog sun signs and the cat sun signs.

Pet horoscopes, Chinese love horoscopes, Western horoscopes... these are all predictions and advice based on a person or animal's sign determined by when he or she was born. They tell you what your personality is, your characteristics, and what the stars have in store for your fortune, successes, relationships, and happiness in the future. Pet horoscopes determine the personality of your dog or cat as well. For example, if your dog was born a Libra, they are very inconsistent and overeat often. They will become restless at first then suddenly act lazy the next. If your cat is an Aries, it will always act like a kitten, feeling that the world revolves around them and that you would do their every bidding just by the sound of their meow. It's quite interesting to know your pet's horoscope because you can determine if your pet has the same personality based on his or her zodiac sign.

Aside from pet horoscopes, people can also tune in to what the stars have in store for their love lives through Chinese love horoscopes. Basing on the Chinese zodiac, you'll be able to determine what will happen every month of a certain year to your relationship or your search for a new partner in life. For example, in a Chinese love horoscope website, those who are born in the year of the Horse will experience in the first two weeks of September 2008 a positive relationship but might become impulsive and too much in love later on. For the last two weeks, they will experience a certain excitement in their love lives depending on two scenarios: either they will enjoy tender moments with one another or will experience difficulty and will result to infidelity on the part of the mate.

Though it is very different from the usual spiritual orientation, people nowadays still consult horoscopes, whether for pets or for themselves, as a way of knowing what to do or what will happen to them in a certain day or year. Pet horoscopes help determine what must be done to a restless dog or a self-centred cat, and what is in store for him or her as well. Chinese love horoscopes can predict what will happen to one's love life and affairs in the years to come, which can determine one's actions and behaviour towards himself and his partner. To say that we should believe in pet horoscopes, Chinese love horoscopes, and all other kinds of horoscopes would draw criticism from every corner of the earth. It is really up to the person if he would lead his life the way the horoscopes would tell him to or behave and act the way he should everyday.


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About the Author: To get more information about pet horoscopes and to learn more about reading tarot cards visit our online community at Insightfulpsychics.com

The Bull(y) and Strong Dog: Staffordshire Terrier

The Staffordshire bulls are known for their great strength because of their sizes. Their variety is muscular and stocky but is also known for their agility. Surprisingly, this breed is one of the two breeds recognized by the UK Kennel Club as very suitable for children. Furthermore, their types ranked 5th when it comes to dog popularity in the UK, where the breed originated. Interestingly, Staffies are the only breed of dog that are "totally reliable" when it comes to standard of breed. The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Staffies:

Category: Terrier

Living Environment: either indoors or outdoors

Coat: smooth (or silky like most terriers), dense, and short

Colors: black, brindle, red, blue, fawn; or any of these colors mixed with white

Height: between 14 and 16 inches

Weight: between 24 and 38 pounds

Colors: brindle, blue, black, red, fawn, white; or any of these with white

Temperament: aggressive towards other animals but very friendly with children

Health Issues: heat stroke, cataracts, and breathing problems

Care and Exercise Tips:

• Bathe when necessary. • Brush their coat only occasionally using a brush with firm bristles. • Rub down their coat with a chamois or towel to remove hairs that are loose. • Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time while on a leash. • They should be on leash while walking in public places. Origin/History:

The Staffordshire bull terriers, also known as the Staffies, are known to have existed around the 17th century. Since dog fighting gained a surge of popularity over bull baiting, it became a must to develop a breed of dog that is agile, strong, and has a more punishing head than the Bulldog.

In this light, fighting Bulldogs of that time were crossed with some terrier blood. The hybrid was known as the Pit Dog or the Bull and Terrier. The new cross breed became well known for their tenacity and courage, and despite their reputation of being furious with other animals they were excellent companions especially with children.

The Staffie pit dog became a favorite of steelworkers and miners alike. The breed also provided chain makers of the "Black Country" with extra income when worked against ratters or badgers.

The enforcement of the Humane Act in 1835 completely prohibited sports like dog fighting and bull baiting. However, a group of men in the Staffordshire chose to maintain their breed of dogs by introducing them to the show business.

Through the years, the breeders themselves changed the name of the dog into Staffordshire bull terrier to differentiate its physique from the English bull terrier. However, the name of the dog was officially registered only in 1935 by the American Kennel Club.

In 1938, a couple of Staffies gained popularity as Champions at the Birmingham National. The popularity of Ch. Lady Eve and were Ch. Gentleman Jim reached many established countries including France, Australia, Germany, Spain, Holland and even the USA. Since then, Staffies became successful as show dogs and were very popular as compared to other terriers.

The Stafford bull terrier, yes, has become a popular pet while still retaining reputations gained through generations of fighting dogs bred for tenacity, courage, agility, and most importantly, its reliability and great affinity with people especially with children.

And today you can say that the bull is not so bully after all! In fact, the bull is totally reliable as children's pets.

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About the Author: To learn about house training a dog and how to stop dog barking, visit The Dog Trainer.

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