Bird Basics: Finches

If you love birds but don’t have much time for a pet, or prefer to watch birds over handling them, then finches are the perfect bird for you. They’re not too affectionate and don’t like being handled very much, so they’re the perfect pet for an observer. First a note: as with all birds, it’s best to purchase your bird from a reputable breeder. Before bringing one home, make sure you’ve located a vet in your area that can treat your bird. It’s important that you get more than one finch, as they are social birds and will need the … Continue reading →

Bird Basics: Doves

We often associate doves with magic tricks or elaborate wedding ceremonies, but few realize that doves can make lovely pet birds as well (and that they also come in more colors than white). They’re a good pet bird for a first time owner or one with children, because they are very gentle; they do not tend to bite or scratch. As with any variety of bird you must research the specific breed that you want, because precisely what you need to care for it will depend on your breed. Question the breeder or your vet (because you must also find … Continue reading →

Cat People vs. Dog People

I’ve already debunked the whole cats and dogs can never get along theory. What about whether you’re a cat person or a dog person, and what that says about your personality? I recently caught part of a NOVA documentary exploring that very thing, and I wish I’d seen more of it. The opening was full of cat people and dog people talking about the respective attributes of their favorite mammals, before examining what life is like at home for each of them. Although the concept was fascinating, I felt a little put out. What about me? I love dogs and … Continue reading →

Legal Woes for Maryland Pit Bull Owners

A big headline here in Maryland lately has been an anti-pit-bull decision made by the state’s court of appeals. The case classified pit bulls and other “bully” dogs (meaning any dog with bull lineage) as “dangerous dogs.” This means that they are not included in the “one bite” exemption owners get before they are held liable for their dog’s action. That liability can also extend to anyone with control on the premises, including landlords, veterinarians, kennels/daycares, groomers, etc. The decision prompted widespread protest. Pit owners are worried that they’ll either be evicted, lose their homeowner’s insurance, or be forced to … Continue reading →

Lighting Your Aquarium

Aquarium enthusiasts know just how important lighting is in a tank, both for aesthetic reasons and for the health of the organisms found therein. But this article isn’t for them, it’s for people considering a fish tank habitat, and who need to know everything to consider when putting one together. Months ago I did a general overview on how to choose an aquarium, but today I’ll focus on a more specific aspect: the lighting. I’m going to limit my article today to lighting considerations for fish aquariums. Reptiles and amphibians usually need very specific types of light and that’s something … Continue reading →

What to Consider When Getting a Potbelly Pig

Over a year ago I looked at the teacup pig as a rare pet. But what if you want to adopt a potbellied pig as a pet? What do you need to know before bringing one into your home? First: check your zoning laws. For some reason potbelly pigs are sometimes not allowed in certain areas, so be absolutely sure that your local zoning laws allow you to keep a potbellied pig as a pet. Potbellies live for 10-15 years, so be sure you can make that commitment. Be careful from whom you buy or adopt your pig. You want … Continue reading →

Choosing an Aquarium

Many different types of pets reside in aquariums, from fish to reptiles to amphibians. Your pet will likely spend the rest of its life in this little box, so you want to make sure you make a good decision when purchasing your aquarium. How does one go about doing that? If I decided today that I wanted a turtle, for example, I’d have no idea what sort of aquarium to purchase for it. I’d need research or help to determine what I should buy. That’s the key: be informed, or seek the help of someone who is. Chances are if … Continue reading →

Rare Dog Breeds: The Chinook

In 1965 the Guinness Book of World Records declared that the Chinook dog is the rarest breed in the world. That contradicts what I read about the Lundehund, but then I’ve seen various insinuations of this about a couple different breeds, so I’m just collecting them all under my “rare breeds” category. The Chinook dog has only existed since the early 20th century, so it didn’t have much time to proliferate before breed creator Arthur Treadwell Walden died in the 1960s. That made it a very rare breed (what earned it the title in ’65), but Chinook enthusiasts have dedicated … Continue reading →

Rare Pets: Axolotls

Usually in the Rare Pets column I cover animals that are uncommon pets, but still species of which most readers of heard. Today I’m going to look at a truly rare pet, one some of you might not have known existed until today: the axolotl. The axolotl is a type of salamander, native to Mexico, so in that it’s not an unheard-of pet. It certainly looks like a strange kind of salamander, however, which prompts its common nickname: water dragon. Despite its odd appearance and perhaps off-putting (or for some, encouraging) moniker, however, axolotls can make good pets. Here are … Continue reading →

The Science of Dogs

Over the weekend I watched the National Geographic documentary “The Science of Dogs.” It explored canine genetics, studying what it is about a dog’s DNA that makes it the species with the greatest number of breeds. The documentary revealed that there is something uniquely malleable about canine DNA that allows it to make a staggering variety of small changes. The example given by the documentary explained that one can breed cows in such a way to get different color patterns or shapes of horns. But all cows will look fundamentally the same and share identical characteristics. As we well know, … Continue reading →