Bulldog

The Bulldog, colloquially known as the British Bulldog or English Bulldog, is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in England.

Build: Heavy musculature, thick-set neck and shoulders, low-slung body Weight: 53-55 pounds (24-25kg.) within United Kingdom Height: 11-14 inches Coat: Short, smooth Colour: Red, fawn, brindle, pale yellow or washed-out red, or white, or any combination of these colours Head: Thick, massive, short-faced, broad, with cheeks extending to sides of the eyes, skin on the skull and forehead falling in dense folds, muzzle short and pug, nose broad and black with large nostrils, upper lip pendent and lower jaw very undershot Teeth: Large, strong Eyes: Very round, far apart and very dark Ears: Small and thin, folded back in the form of a rose Tail: Short and carries low Limbs: Stocky, set squarely Feet: Moderate, compact, firmly set Life span: Median 12 years

Contrary to popular beliefs, bulldogs are generally docile, friendly and gregarious but occasionally willful. Breeders have worked to breed aggression out of the breed, and as such the dog is known to be of generally good temperament. Bulldogs can be so attached to home and family that they will not venture out of the yard without a human companion. Due to their friendly nature bulldogs are known for getting along well with children, other dogs and pets.

A bulldog is suitable for houses as well as apartments due to their size and comparative lack of energy, but puppies may be destructive until they reach maturity. They are easily trainable as compared with many other breeds.

Chinchillas

Chinchillas are rabbit-sized, crepuscular rodents native to the Andes mountains in South America. Along with their relatives, viscachas, they belong to the family Chinchillidae.

One of the first people to think of breeding chinchillas for profit was the Jesuit priest Juan Ignacio Molina, who was also the first person to provide an accurate description of Chinchilla in 1810. There were repeated attempts to breed these animals in captivity. The first reliable report of successful breeding attempt in captivity comes from Frederico Albert (1900), who was director of the zoological and botanical research station at Santiago, Chile. He reports in his article "La Chinchilla" about a certain Francisco Irrazaval in Santiago who had received a pair of chinchillas (presumably Chinchilla lanigera) in 1895. The first chinchilla was born that same year and the pair continued to produce 2 litters a year until the outbreak of an epidemic during the summer of 1896 ruined this excellent breeding success, and all the animals, 13 at that time, died within a period of two months.

There are two living species of chinchilla, Chinchilla brevicaudata and Chinchilla lanigera. There is little noticeable difference between the species except that the Chinchilla brevicaudata has a shorter tail, a thicker neck and shoulders, and shorter ears. This species is currently facing extinction. The Chinchilla lanigera species, though rare, can be found in the wild. Domestic chinchillas are thought to come from the lanigera species. The Giant Chinchilla species has been hunted to extinction.

Chihuhua

The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850.

Build: Tiny and compact; stout Weight: 2-12 pounds (1-6 kg.) (Breed standard: not to exceed 6 lbs.) Height: 6-9 inches (15-23 cm.) Coat: Short-haired or long-haired Colour: Any, solid, marked or splashed Head: Apple-shaped, with a short pointed muzzle Teeth: Level or scissors Eyes: Round, large, very dark Ears: Large, erect Tail: Sickle-shaped, curled over the back or to the side Limbs: Strait, symmetrical Feet: Small, dainty Life span: Median 15+ years

Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.

Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be school aged or older before adding a Chihuahua to one's home. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs.

Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.

American Curl

American Curls are distinguished by their very unique ears that curl back offering an open expression. They have beautiful plumed tails. The American Curl have long tufts of hair fanning outward accentuating the swept-back look.

American Curls tend to be people oriented and adapt quickly to children, other pets and new situations. American Curls keep their kitten-like personality well throughout adulthood.

American Curls are born with straight ears. At about 5 days they start to curl back into a tight rosebud position. Then over the next 16 weeks the curl loosens a bit. Although the most distinctive feature of the American Curl is their curled ears, their body is medium-sized rectangular shaped with a silk, flat coat. American Curls eyes are walnut-shaped. They are available in both long and short hair with several colour and pattern varieties. The American Curl sheds very little and requires minimal grooming.
Pricing on American Curl varies from breeder to breeder but generally the pricing on an American Curl depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines.

Typically breeders of all breeds of kittens release their kittens somewhere between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. The reasoning behind keeping a kitten until after twelve weeks is that kittens have had their basic inoculations. This gives them time to develop the physical and social stability needed to make a smooth transition into their new environment. It is never recommended that a breeder release a kitten before twelve weeks of age as the kittens need this time to develop properly. Releasing a kitten prior to twelve weeks of age is against the law in many states. It is also recommended that you keep all pedigreed cats and kittens indoors and that they be spayed or neutered. Cats and kittens of all ages also need suitable surfaces for scratching, such as scratching posts. Scratching is a natural behaviour of the cat breed and declawing a cat is not recommended and is not accepted by the Cat Fanciers Association.

Racoon

The Raccoon (Procyon lotor), also known as Common Raccoon, North American Raccoon, Northern Raccoon, Washing Bear or informal Coon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America and the most widespread species of the family Procyonidaer. Since the mid-20th century they have also been introduced to the European mainland and in the Caucasus region after having escaped from fur farms or being deliberately released to the wild.

Two of the most distinctive characteristics of the raccoon are its facial mask around the eyes and extremely sensitive front paws; they are also known for their good memory. Often raccoons live together in small, loose groups. Their original habitats are deciduous or mixed forests, but due to their adaptability, they are also found in urban areas where some house owners consider them to be pests. Furthermore, raccoons are omnivorous and usually most active during the night.

Angora

The Turkish Angora (Turkish: Ankara Kedisi) is a breed of domestic cat. Turkish Angoras are one of the ancient, naturally-occurring cat breeds, having originated in central Turkey, in the Ankara region.

They mostly have a white, silky, medium-long length coat, no undercoat and fine bone structure. There seems to be a connection between Ankara Cats and Persians (see below), and the Turkish Angora is also a distant cousin of the Turkish Van. Although they are known for their shimmery white coat, currently there are more than twenty varieties including black, blue, reddish fur. They come in tabby and tabby-white, along with smoke varieties, and are in every colour other than pointed, lavender, and cinnamon (all of which would indicate breeding to an outcross).

Eyes may be blue, green or amber, or even one blue and one amber. The W gene responsible for white coat and blue eye is closely related to the hearing ability, and presence of a blue eye can indicate the cat is deaf to the side the blue eye is located. However, a great many blue and odd-eyed white cats have normal hearing, and even deaf cats lead a very normal life if indoors.

Ears are pointed and large, eyes are almond shaped and the head is massive with a two plane profile. Another characteristic is the tail, which is often kept parallel to the back.

Hedgehog

A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpharr. There are 16 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to North America; those in New Zealand are introduced. Hedgehogs have changed little over the last 15 million years. Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal, insectivorous way of life. The name 'hedgehog' came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English 'heyghoge', from 'heyg', 'hegge' = hedge, because it frequents hedgerows, and 'hoge', 'hogge' = hog, from its piglike snout. Other folk names include 'urchin', 'hedgepig' and 'furze-pig'.

Pot-Bellied Pig

The pot-bellied pig is a breed of domesticated pig originating in Vietnam with fourteen sub-species. Considerably smaller than standard American or European farm pigs, most adult pot-bellied pigs are about the size of a medium- or large-breed dog, though their bodies are denser at a weight of 60 to 300 lb (27 to 136 kg). Pot-bellied pigs can be easily discerned from other pig breeds by their size, upright ears and straight tail. The top photo on this page shows a pig that is not within the proper weight range. Pigs with fat rolls over their eyes or a belly that touches the ground are easy visual indicators that the pig is overweight. Although they have a pot belly and a swayed back, it is not indicative of weight. Pigs in proper weight still have the sway and belly, but the hip bones can easily be felt with minimal pressure and the eyes (whole socket) should be easily visible.

Because pot-bellied pigs are in the same species as ordinary farmyard pigs and wild boars, they are capable of interbreeding. The Swedish Agriculture Ministry has been assisting Vietnam with their pork production by introducing large breeds of pigs into Vietnam since the mid 1980s. Today, the Vietnamese and Swedish governments have realized that the indigenous Vietnamese Pig sub-species exist only in mountainous Vietnam and Thailand. The Vietnamese government has begun to subsidize local farmers that continue to raise the indigenous pot-bellied pigs because they realize they are not as prolific or large as other breeds.

Un-neutered male pigs, called boars, neutered males are "barrows" and female pigs, called "gilts" (young unbred females) or sows, become fertile at a young age, long before they are completely physically mature. Pot-bellied pigs are considered fully grown by six years of age, when the Epiphyseal plates in their spines finally close.

There also exists the Göttinger 'mini' pig and the Resident of Munich miniature pig that are bred in medical labs, but are also frequently used as pets in Germany. The New Zealand Kunekune pigs are significantly larger than the Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pigs, but smaller than commercial pigs. Kune-Kunes are reasonably popular in the UK and were brought there in the early 1990s.

Great Dane

The Great Dane, Danish Hound, or German Mastiff, is a breed of domestic dog (Latin: canis familiaris) known for its giant size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle giant" and the "Apollo of all breeds". Great Danes are considered the tallest dog breed along with the Irish Wolfhound. More recently, Great Danes have been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane was named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.

The Great Dane's large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature; the breed is often referred to as a gentle giant. Great Danes are generally well-disposed toward other dogs, other non-canine pets, wild animals, and humans (including strangers and children). Some Great Danes--as with dogs of any breed--may have dominance issues, may be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex, or chase small animals; however, this is quite rare.

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Abyssinian

The Abyssinian is a breed of domesticated cat believed to originate from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a British soldier and brought to England. The breed was developed when Zula was bred with an English tabby, and the most 'Abyssinian' looking kitten of her litter bred with its mother to preserve the Abby phenotype (colour, body structure, etc.). It is believed all Abyssinians in Europe, the Americas, and Australia are descended from Zula, but there has been at least one and possibly as many as three Abyssinians introduced from Libya (or less likely Egypt) into the existing Abyssinian gene pool in the USA. Many sources spread the story that Abyssinian breed is a few thousands years old and that it directly comes from ancient Egypt. There are also stories that wild 'Abyssinians' live in parts of North Africa today. The Abyssinian has become one of the most popular shorthair breed of cats in the USA.

Abyssinians are extrovert, wilful and intelligent, but are usually not "lap cats", being too preoccupied with exploring and playing as they would in their natural habitat. Abys, as they are affectionately referred to by their fans, need a great deal of contact with the family to keep them happy and can get depressed without daily activity and attention. They generally get on well with other cats, although they need their space and the females can sometimes be irritable around other cats. Abyssinians are known for their curiosity and enjoy exploring their surroundings, including heights, although they are sensible cats that do not take unnecessary risks.

Australian Water Dragon

Australian water dragons have long powerful limbs and claws for swimming and climbing, and have a prominent nuchal and vertebral crest. (A nuchal crest is a central row of enlarged spikes at the base of the head. These spikes continue down the spine, getting smaller as they reach the base of the tail.)

Including their tails, which comprise about two-thirds of their total length, adult females grow to about 2 feet (60 centimetres) long, and adult males can grow slightly longer than 3 feet (one metre). Males show bolder coloration, with red chests and larger heads than females. Colour is less distinct in juveniles.

The Australian Water Dragon is the only species of the genus Physignathus in Australia. The other species, Physignathus cocincinus, lives in South-East Asia.
There are two subspecies of Physignathus lesueurii: P. l. lesueurii (Eastern Water Dragon) and P. l. howitti (Gippsland Water Dragon). P. l. lesueurii possesses a dark band behind its eye; P. l. howitti lacks this and instead has dark bands on either side of its throat, which is blotched with yellow, orange, or blue. Both subspecies are light greenish grey in overall colour with black bands running across their back, tail and legs.

Boa

Scientific Name: Corallus hortulanus

Family: Boidae

Adult Size: Often attains 4½ feet; occasionally attains 6½ to slightly more than 7 feet.

Range: Predominantly a species of Amazonian South America east of the Andes to the Atlantic coast. They occur from Central Venezuela, eastern Colombia and the Guyana Shield countries in the north to central Bolivia and central Brazil in the south. In forested eastern Brazil the range extends far southward.
Habitat: Besides typical rainforest habitats, this highly arboreal taxon occurs also in dryer forests and in many grassland habitats. It is often seen in river- and oxbow-edge trees.

Milk Snake

The milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum; French: Couleuvre tachetée; Spanish: Culebra-real coralillo) is a species of king snake. There are 25 subspecies among the milk snakes, including the commonly named scarlet king snake (L. t. elapsoides). The subspecies have strikingly different appearance, and many of them have their own common names. Some authorities suggest that this species may be split into several separate species. They are distributed from south eastern Canada, through most of the continental United States, to Central America, down to western Ecuador and northern Venezuela of northern South America. They grow 20 to 60 inches (50-152 cm) long.

Milk snakes range throughout the Americas, from Canada south to Ecuador. The Andean subspecies of milk snake occurs in the Andes mountains of Colombia and Venezuela. Andean milk snakes inhabit high altitude forests and grasslands, up to 9,000 feet in elevation. As mountain dwellers, Andean milk snakes can tolerate much lower temperatures than most snakes. They spend much of the time in burrows or under logs, where they are safe from predators and from cold weather. Milk snakes often come out of their dens in the afternoon or evening to hunt.

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Iguana

Iguana is a genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean first described by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena in 1768. The genus iguana includes two species: the Green Iguana and the Lesser Antillean Iguana.

The two species of lizard within the genus Iguana possesses a dewlap, a row of spines running down their back to their tail, and a third eye on their head. This eye is known as the Parietal eye, which looks just like a pale scale on the top of their head. Behind their neck are small scales which resemble spikes, known as tuberculate scales. They also have a large round scale on their cheek known as a subtympanic shield.
The Green Iguana

The Green Iguana (Iguana) is a large, arboreal herbivorous species of lizard of the genus iguana native to Central and South America. The Green iguana ranges over a large geographic area, from southern Brazil and Paraguay to as far north as Mexico, the Caribbean Islands; and in the United States as feral populations in South Florida, the Florida Keys, Hawaii and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The Green iguana is a reptile commonly found in captivity as a pet and grows to 1.5 meters in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 meters (6 feet) and can weigh upwards of 20 pounds (10 kg).

The Lesser Antillean Iguana

The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is one of two species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Endemic to the Lesser Antilles it is in severe decline due to habitat destruction, feral predators, hunting, and hybridization with its sister species the Green iguana.

The Lesser Antillean iguana is found in scrub woodland, rainforest, and mangrove throughout the Lesser Antilles on Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Martinique.

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Emu

The Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds reach up to 2 m (6.5 ft) in height. The Emu is common over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest and arid areas. Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50 km/h (30 mph) for some distance at a time. They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects.

The Emu subspecies that previously inhabited Tasmania became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788; and the distribution of the mainland subspecies has been influenced by human activities. Once common on the east coast, Emu are now uncommon; by contrast, the development of agriculture and the provision of water for stock in the interior of the continent have increased the range of the Emu in arid regions. Emus are farmed for their meat, oil and leather.

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