wood turtles

The wood turtles eats both animal and plant food items, including berries, herbs, algae, moss, fungi, grass, insects, mollusks, earthworms, dead fish, tadpoles, newborn mice and other turtles‘ eggs. It will forage on the ground, in the water, in herbaceous vegetation, and on logs.

Habitat

Prefer lowland hardwood forests and open wet meadows associated with moderate to fast current streams and rivers with sand or gravel substrates. May forage in upland deciduous mesic forest and open meadows in summer. Use south facing sandy river banks or flat sandy soil openings adjacent to rivers for nesting sites, including gravel banks, roadsides, fields, and meadows. Hatchling and juveniles prefer alder thickets associated with shorelines and are considered critical habitat for this segment of the population.



Activity

The wood turtles is primarily diurnal, although Farrell and Graham (1991) have observed that mating and nesting can extend into the night. wood turtles regulate their body temperatures by basking in the sun or cooling off in puddles and mud. Depending on local climate, wood turtles begin hibernating in October or November and emerge in April or May.

Breeding and Propagation

Male and female wood turtles often engage in a courtship ritual that involves swinging their heads at each other. When the female is receptive, the male mounts her, usually in shallow water. They are most likely to mate in spring and fall, although they can mate at any time they are not hibernating. After mating, usually in the early summer, the female turtles build a nest in a sunny, sandy bank near water. She can only produce one clutch, usually consisting of between 5 and 13 eggs, per year. Most eggs fall prey to raccoons, shrews, skunks, and other animals. Eggs hatch after between 47 and 69 days of incubation. It is reported that unlike most turtles, the sex of the hatchling is not dependent on the temperature of incubation. It is estimated that fewer than 30% of the wood turtles eggs laid hatch each year.

Ecology

The wood turtles is one of the most terrestrial turtles in the United States, and is usually found inhabiting forested areas associated with rivers or streams. The species prefers streams with harder substrates, moderate currents and clear water. The wood turtles is omnivorous and may be observed eating insects, worms, and even strawberries and blackberries! Interestingly, researchers in central Pennsylvania and Michigan have also observed wood turtles “stomping” for worms! The activity involves an individual stomping with one front foot several times and then switching and stomping with the other front foot. Researchers speculate that the vibrations created by the turtles “stomping” the ground may mimic the vibrations produced by raindrops…and as most people know, worms surface during rainfall events. Once a worm surfaces, the wood turtles quickly eats it.

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Bird House Buying Tips

All bird houses sold on the market are not suitable to birds. These bird houses will not attract any birds and re detrimental to the bird’s health. Please make sure you read the following tips and use them when you buy that bird house:

1. Dimensions: Different birds need different sizes of bird houses. Depending on the birds you want to keep check the area inside, the size of the entrance hole and the ground clearance of the hole. These are very important to attract suitable birds.

2. Ventilation and Sanitation: Make sure the bird house is well ventilated so that it does not heat up too much in summers. Also heck the sanitation and drainage holes to make sure that the baby birds do not drown.

3. Access: The insides of the bird house should be easily accessible so that you can inspect and monitor the nests. One side of the bird house should be hinged and easy to open.

4. Construction: The bid house should be properly constructed with non-toxic material. It should also be properly insulated with unpainted wooden board to keep out the cold and heat. If painted, the paint should be non-toxic.

5. Other Precautions: The entrance hole should be shaded by a roof extension to keep out the rain. No perches should be kept outside the entrance hole as it will encourage predators.

Bird Feeder tips

Before embarking upon a mission to buy a bird feeder, it is important that you assimilate knowledge on what kind of foods the bird you want to attract eats and the plants that attract it. Accumulation of some knowledge about the species of birds that frequent area would also help immensely. Placing the attractive plants in the garden along with the bird feeder will increase your chances of attracting the bird. Be ready to accept that the birds frequenting may not eat from your feeder but may feed on the insects and fruits of the plants you have placed for some time.

The most important factor of using a bird feeder is that the feeder should be placed in the same position for a long period of time and it should be regularly filled with food like clock work. Birds are creatures of habit and when they find food in your bird feeder, they will return regularly to it. If they do not find food there, they will move on to greener pastures.

Bird Feeders are of various kinds. The most common is the “Hopper” feeder. This feeder is built with a platform along with walls and a roof so that the food is protected form rain and wind. Always make sure the bird seed never gets wet, since it would drive the birds away.

The “tube” feeder is a transparent tube of plastic or glass designed to feed many birds at the same time. The “platform” feeder is a tray on which the bird seed can be placed. These feeders are incapable of protection from predators, squirrels and the natural elements. Some squirrel proof feeders are also available.

Make sure the bird housing and bird feeders are always cleaned regularly.

Don't Keep Your Pets Thirsty

Like human beings even animals need water. Water plays a very significant role by regulating the body temperature and dissolving all the unnecessary nutrients stored in the body that can cause various gastric problems later on. Dehydration causes kidney failure, heart disease and many other serious problems.

You should personally observe if the water stored in the house is purified to allow the pets to drink clean water. If your pets are not adequately consuming water and are suffering from depression, sunken eyes, dehydration then meet with the veterinarian who will prescribe certain intravenous fluids and will also diagnose the nature of the problem.

Special care should be taken to keep the water bowls free from all kinds of invasions such as microorganisms or bacteria. So once a day they should be rubbed with dish soap. The bowls should be placed at the right place to avoid knockouts, evaporation or any accidents that will cause the water to spill. Sanitary care is also required to keep the pets always healthy. The toilet lids should always be closed. All the animals do not sip water through the bowls. For example, exotic birds need the water to be dripping. So the veterinarians will provide the best advise. Different types of animals have different drinking habits and some are just peculiar, especially the reptiles. If you have difficulty in coping with their irregular habits then consult a veterinarian who will let you know their exact nature.

Importance Of Teaching Kids To Train Pets

Most kids would love to have pets at home. Most kids like to have a dog or cat as a pet. Children will get a brilliant experience with pets. Pets help kids in learning about the responsibility, love, and care for a fellow living being. Parents have to give certain instructions or advice to their kids while dealing with pets. Social skills of kids can be improved by interaction with pets. Families will have a good time, where bonding can be enhanced while taking care of the pets. So many activities can be done by the families and pets together. For example, fitness can be gained by taking the pets out for a walk.

Parents can invite the kids to join them while taking care of the pets. By having a schedule for the pet care, it will become easy for you and your children in caring pets.

The responsibilities for the pet care can be shared with your children. Kids will be able to enjoy the work and makes them feel that their service is very much important to the pets. Discuss the works in prior with your children and ask them which tasks can be taken by them. Appreciate them for volunteering and remember not to force any work on them. The kid's age should also be considered while assigning the duties. The work that can be done according to their age should only be assigned to them.

The work done by the kids should be appreciated at every point of time. Parents can give their kids small rewards for their work. These activities help the kids to become independent and also to help others who depend on them. Parents should educate their kids about the importance of pets and animal life in the world. Kids should be warned and advised if they do any harmful activity to the pets. Children can be taught how to hold smaller pets by giving comfort to them. Supervise your kids while caring pets at each stage if your kids are too small. Ensure that they are not attacked by the pets. By involving kids in pet care they will get the chance to become closer with the pets and the pets too feel the same way.

Parents can teach the kids to feed them. So the pets will show a special bonding to your kids. Kids should be involved during the bath time of the pets. They can be taught about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene while caring pets. While doing the cleaning activities parents should tell them to use gloves. Children should be allowed to play with the pets as this is one way of pets getting bonded to the kids. Parents should keep an eye on them during the play time and make sure that pets are not harming the kids.

Children should be reminded once if they forget to do the committed tasks. Some kids will get bored of the repetitive tasks required during pet care. But parents should be able to convince the importance of these tasks though they are repetitive by citing few real time examples.

Simple skills you can use to train your dog to go easy with the carpets and furniture

It's agreed, we love dogs, no question. But there's one type we cringe at -- the out-of-control pet who scratches doors and chews up carpets with impunity because he's gotten control of his owner's home. From when they're only puppies, dogs are in demolition mode and have to be controlled. If you can't get their obedience, then prepare for an attack of nerves every time he sidles up to your new chair!

We all want our pet to be the neat-and-tidy exception, dogs who chew and scratch the rugs and furniture are very common. They seem to ignore their owners' prayers that they would leave their wild side for when they're outside.

Yes. And in just a few easy steps.

For starters, be sure your dog isn't ripping up your carpet to spite you. Spite is found in children, not pet dogs. A dog chews at your mat because he is after company, is idle, has been put on edge with a worry, or is impatient for company.

It is widely accepted that when dogs are tearing with their teeth and digging with their paws they are simply acting out normal emotions. Somehow these things are part of being a normal, well-adjusted healthy dog. So, if this is going on on the back of your best lounge chair, that's just too bad!

Accept that your pet will need to tussle and savage something. Just step in and train him to do it on something that is not a carpet or a piece of furniture. That means toys! He's got to eventually realize that the best furniture pieces are not for clawing.

You can use a simple system of rewards to train a dog to play with his new toy. One way is to manage how your dog plays. That is, don't leave him unsupervised in his play area. Get onto the ground with him and encourage him to play with, and enjoy, the new toyyou've given him. When he does, give him a reward. This is a standard way of reinforcing behavior.

When it comes to playing outside, assign a special section of dirt or sand where he can dig and do no harm. You don't want to limit his play. This will channel his instincts.

Dogs are smart. They know your habits. If they realise that they are going to be treated to something they like they will often get excited. They will rush around and your furniture may very well suffer another attack of teeth or claws. Get involved. Channel his emotional responses to his toys and show him how to substitute chewing on the carpet with biting on his toy.

A suggestion that usually works is to teach him to greet you when you come with his toy in his mouth. He'll quickly learn this if you refuse to give him a hearty greeting, or your normal enthusiastic greeting, until he has the toy in his mouth. First ask him to "bring" the toy and only then greet him. It won't take long for the dog to figure out how to get that attention he so eagerly wants!

If you can find ways to switch your dog's focus from the rugs and the sofa to his toys, your life will be sweeter and your home look much tidier.

Aquarium Fish Health: Dealing With Cotton Mouth Disease (Mouth Fungus)

Cotton Mouth disease also know as Mouth Fungus is a disease your fish can get and it needs to be dealt with quickly. Cotton Mouth disease is not as common as the while spot disease, but, it is highly infectious and contagious.

The victim fish shows a whitish fungus round the cheeks and lips. The lips may become swollen and rot away. Sometimes a rotten strip of lip attached only at one end will move in and out of the mouth as the fish breathes.

Fish infected with Mouth Fungus lose their appetite and their movement become sluggish. If no adequate treatment is given, the whole frontal part of the head may be eaten away finally and the fish dies.

Unless the affected fish is of consideration value, it should be killed before this fatal disease attack sthe other occupants, of the tank. Think about it... is trying to save the life of one fish worth risking the death of the rest of the fish in your aquarium?

But if you insist on keeping the fish or in case the infection has already been passed on to other occupants, the following treatment is advised:

- Swabbing the mouth of the victim fish with a soft cloth dipped in strong salt solution. Then you must then keep the patreat isolated in a bucket or jar containing a strong salt water.

- Try swabbing the lips with a 5 per cent silver mercury preparation.

- Make a solution of Terramycin or Aureomycuin by dissolving 50mg per gallon of water, a rapid cure is expected within 48 hours.

You can try all of the above remedies, but the most common remedy is the popular Methylene blue solution. To perform this remedy the sick fish should be placed in a jar, bucket or a treatment tank into which has been added a methylene per blue to colour the water deep blue.

Owning Miniature Horses - The Smallest Of The Small

When it comes to pet ownership, we all have our preferences; the debate of dog versus cat can go on indefinitely. But for those who prefer horses, the care and feeding of their animal suddenly becomes a far greater undertaking then simply housing a smaller, more domesticated animal. Horses are large animals that come with an even larger responsibility for their owners. But for some people, ownership of miniature horses allows them to enjoy all that attracts them to horses, but on a much smaller scale.

Miniature horses are simply the result of hundreds of years of careful and purposeful breeding that has taken place all over the world. Today, The American Miniature Horse Association, established in 1978, continues to set the guidelines for these horses. To date, they are the only organization working to standardize the specifications.

In order to be defined as miniature horses, they must not reach higher than 34 inches in height. However, the differentiation between standard sized horses and these horses stops here; the physical features actually mirror that of their full-sized counterparts; but are simply in proportion to their size. If you were to look at one with no basis for size comparison, it would look like a typical, average sized horse.

Miniature horses are shown in competition just as their full-sized cousins. But their manageable size makes them especially instrumental in working with special needs individuals who wish to ride, but must avoid the larger animals for safety reasons. Because of their size, they are also child-friendly; children often learn to ride on these smaller, more controllable breeds.

Those who own miniature horses will also tell you of the unique opportunity they have to enjoy all that is special about a horse while still enjoying all that comes with having the ability to hold an animal in your lap!

The care is just as important as that for larger horses. Much of the standard care remains the same - including grooming, veterinary care, exercise and nutrition, and shelter - with special attention paid to eating. The smaller digestive track puts them at risk for intestinal problems; owners must be alert to the special feeding requirements of the breed. Owners will be happy to note, however, that the care for the horses costs significantly less than the care for full-sized horses.

For those interested in owning one, it is important to do a fair amount of research. Just as with any breed of horse, temperaments vary from horse to horse. Seek out and get to know a reputable breeder who can assist you in finding the horse that's right for you and your family.

Owning a horse of any size must be taken on only after careful consideration. But if you find that you enjoy all the characteristics of a horse, but are put off by its normally grand size, you may want to investigate miniature horses; all the beauty of a horse in one tiny package.

How To Choose A Dog For An Elderly Person

Dogs have been making great companions for centuries now. They are loved by all ages. Everyone has their own preference as to what dog best suits their lifestyle. When choosing a dog, this is an important aspect to consider, especially for the elderly. Having a four legged friend can be comforting and can bring much joy to an elderly person. Studies have proven that having a dog around, improves the overall wellbeing of seniors. They can have someone to share their love with. Even nursing homes have grabbed onto the idea of having animals visiting or even living in the same venue.

What are the best picks for the elderly though? The two most important areas to consider are the size and temperament of the canine. Smaller dogs tend to be less maintenance and easier to handle than larger ones. Smaller dogs are also beneficial for the elderly because they make great lap dogs. Below are some top choices of breeds for seniors.

Schnauzer - These dogs enjoy being around people. They crave the companionship given by humans. There are two sizes: the miniature and standard size. Either one will do. Schnauzers can be protective of its family and they have a desire to please. Maintenance of the dog consists of exercising daily. A brief walk would be sufficient. Also consistent grooming is required.

Pug - These dogs are good picks because of their size. They are small dogs, and yet they have big hearts. They are generally very playful dogs. Outgoing by nature, they thrive off of attention and affection from its owners. Even though they crave a lot of attention, they do not just take; they give a lot out too. These dogs are best fitted for someone who has plenty of time on their hands. They are not always high energized. They do have down time in which they like to snuggle up on a warm lap.

Cocker Spaniel - The cocker is a rather popular pick among dog lovers. They are not high strung or outgoing by nature. Because of their patience and docile personality, they make great picks for seniors. They do not need a lot of exercise either. Just a brief walk will do. They are loyal to their owners. Because of their curly hair, regular grooming is a good idea.

Chihuahua - These dogs may be tiny, but they have a loud bark. They tend to take to one owner rather than several family members. For seniors living alone, they are great for warning of people approaching. Despite their size, they are very protective of their owners. They generally weigh less than 5 lbs. and are 6-9 inches in height.

Shih tzu - These dogs live for human companionship. They are friendly and gentle dogs. This breed is very alert to what is going on around him.

Yorkshire Terrier - This dog makes another great lap dog. He enjoys quietness by lounging around. Do not be fooled by his lounging, he does have quite a bit of vigor.

Scottish Terrier - By the name, it is obvious that Scotties derived from Scotland. They are loyal to their family. They are a working dog that weighs between 15-20 lbs. Their stature reflects their intelligence. They can be protective as well.

Toy Poodle - This dog loves to be doted over and enjoys the company of people over other dogs. Poodles love attention and do not mind being treated like a king. If a senior is looking for a companion to dot over, this is the pick for them.

Pomeranian - This dog originated in Pomerania, Germany. It has been compared to a little fuzzy bear. Pomeranians tend to be perky and can bring a smile to any face. They make great companions.

Boston Terrier - Boston Terriers are considered to be American breed dogs. They are small in size and because of their protective nature, seniors will feel secure having one of these around. Despite their protective instinct, they are also friendly and mellow.

These are just a few breeds that an elderly person might want hanging around. Smaller dogs with mild temperaments toward their owners tend to be preferred picks. Keep in mind, there is always an exception to any breed. It is best to talk to others who are familiar with a particular breed. It is also best to know the restrictions of the senior before choosing the right dog.