When purchasing a pet lizard, be aware that it will need plenty of live food. Lizards love catching and eating live creatures, and if you give your lizard a variety of live insects and bugs, it will stay healthy and live a long, happy, cold-blooded life. You can find live food for your lizard at any pet store that sells lizards.

Choosing live food:

Choose the live food/foods you would like to give your lizard from an array of creatures such as, flies, locusts, wax worms, mealworms, black crickets and house crickets. As a general rule of thumb, never give your lizard any live food that is larger than the width of the lizards head. Make certain that the store you purchase these live creatures from is reputable and sells good quality insects and worms. If you need a good recommendation for a store, ask a veterinarian that will treat a reptile.

Taking Care of the Live Food:

You will need to take care of the insects and worms as they wait on death row, or they will not be “live food” for the lizard come mealtime. Put the insects or worms in a container with holes in the top for ventilation. A bug box works great because no hole punching is necessary. Feed them pieces of soft fruit or vegetables or insect food, which you can also purchase at a pet store. Always keep food for your insects or worms in the bug container so that they never go hungry.

Feeding the Lizard:

Dust the insects or worms with a calcium rich vitamin powder, purchased at the pet store, right before feeding them to the lizard. This will give supplementary nutrients to the lizard, which will keep him healthy. Put the powder in a zip lock bag, add the insects or worms, and shake very gently until they are thoroughly coated directly before feeding time. Do not over shake or shake the bag too roughly or you may harm or kill the insects. Shake the insects or worms out of the bag directly into the lizard’s home, being careful that any hopping bugs do not escape.

Tip:

Another rule of thumb: do not feed the lizard more than it will consume in a few hours. If the insects remain after several hours, remove them and place them back into the insect container if they are still alive.

There are many of us that use our time to care for stray and feral cats.  I have been involved with cat rescue since 1988.  In doing so, I have learned a great deal from these intelligent felines.  Cats are survivors and unfortunately, when someone disposes of their feline by simply leaving it to fend for itself, there are still some things we can do to help make their lives safe and comfortable.

Cats like most animals need three basic things.  Food, shelter and water.  Providing food and water may be a basic task, but when winter arrives they still need shelter from the elements.  There are a few basic shelters we can build relatively quick, and will help keep your felines warm and comfy, and also prevent them from getting frostbite.

One of the most basic but effective ways to build a shelter is to use heavy corrugated boxes.  I have a Rite Aid Pharmacy nearby which always has a good supply of these boxes behind their building in the trash bin.  These boxes are easily folded for storage or disposal, are very heavy and durable, and can easily be put together in a few short minutes.

I usually look on the boxes and find four tabs that are numbered.  If you just fold tab number one over tab number two and so forth, your boxes will be assembled in about a minute.   After the boxes are assembled I then place two heavy duty, Hefty trash bags over them.  Next, I tape the bags to the boxes by applying the tape completely around the box and corners. I tape it so the bags are flat against the surface of the box creating a nice smooth surface.

Once you have covered the box with the two bags, you need to create an entrance hole.  I stand the box up with the end where the entrance will be and with a knife, cut a roomy circular hole to form the entrance to the box.   Try not to make the hole too large.  The size of the entrance will be made according to the size of your cats.   When this is completed you will have a few ragged edges of the tape showing.  You can tape the edges to the box or just leave them alone.  The edges will not hinder the entrance to the box.

The next step and an important one, is to insulate the box for the felines.  There are several ways to do this, and there are many items we can use to make the interior comfy for them.  You can use straw to make a good clean warm bed for them.  Straw is good because if it gets a little wet, it can dry quickly, and it is also easy to refill and basically cheap to purchase.

The use of items like old rug remnants, discarded clothes, towels, blankets, and even worn out clothes can also form a warm, soft and comfortable lining for the felines.  If you use these items just be sure to check and replace them if they become wet from inclement weather.

Another quick and easy shelter I once saw that was quick and effective, was a large canvas or tarp, supported on eight cinder blocks.  A lady feeding a large colony of felines had constructed this shelter by placing four cinder blocks on the ground, and then tucking the back edge of the canvas under the two rear cinder blocks.  She then placed two more cinder blocks, one on top of each rear block to anchor the back of the shelter securely.  On the front of the shelter she then stretched the canvas so that she tucked the front ends of the canvas between two cinder blocks creating a low lying, but roomy entrance.  This gave the large colony of cats plenty of room to lie within the shelter and avoid any dangerous exposure to the elements.  Of course with this type of shelter no real lining or insulation is needed.

Once you have decided to provide shelter for your cats, be sure to place the shelter in a place where the cats feel safe and secure.  Try to avoid areas with high human traffic if possible, and stay clear of roads and highways.

Cats are incredibly intelligent animals and you will be surprised at just how fast they will utilize your shelter once it is provided.  I used to feed about a dozen ferals at my old apartment complex, and when winter came and I placed the shelters outside, they immediately took to them and snuggled up for the night.  I usually make one shelter for every two cats.  I do this because cats like to snuggle with each other to keep warm, and I noticed that each box was always shared by two cats.  Try to make sure your boxes are roomy enough so they can accommodate two cats if possible.

One of the nice things about providing shelter for your strays and ferals is that it also helps you establish a closer relationship with the cats, which may help you socialize them for future adoptions if possible.

For those of us that are involved in caring for these wily little rascals, a little compassion can go a long way.  I hope these tips are useful in helping you extend that compassion to our lovable, less fortunate, feline friends.

For many of us that enjoy the great outdoors and wildlife, there is an area close to home that we often overlook when studying nature…our own backyards!  Yes, some of the most interesting forms of wildlife, the feathered and furred, can be found right outside your back door.

My own little wildlife haven is nestled in the suburbs, just outside center city Philadelphia.  It is a residential area bordered by busy streets and heavy traffic.  The street outside my door is bursting with traffic at least 16 hours a day.  However, the roar of buses, cars, and trucks, has little or no effect on the many animals that make our home-their home.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, because of over-development and crowding, many animals have learned to adapt and live in close proximity to people.  And for those of us that enjoy sharing our space with these intelligent and sometimes industrious creatures, we can derive much enjoyment from them, if we are careful and observant.

On almost any given morning just before sunrise, my yard plays host to a multitude of varying animals.  Some like the raccoon have been busy all night searching for food, while countless feisty squirrels are just awakening to start their busy day.  When the raccoon is about to retire for the day, the squirrels are starting their day.  The squirrels day is a busy one and their survival depends upon their success.  The chilly days of autumn are becoming shorter now and this triggers the squirrels instinct to find and store food for the long winter months ahead.

Another patient but busy little body is the eastern cottontail rabbit.  Every morning scattered about our lawn is a family of rabbits chewing away on a vast menu of grass and other green goodies.  Like the squirrels, the rabbits have become accustomed to my wife and I, and politely ignore our presence.  I find it fun watching the tiny newborns as they romp and eat alongside their mother.   Its also interesting to see how easily they get along with the more energetic and industrious squirrels.

Not all of our backyard wildlife are frequent visitors.  For example, I like to classify some of these critters as interlopers, or species,” just passing through.”  We don’t always see the raccoon or the opossum as often as  the rabbits and squirrels, but nonetheless, they make their presence known, and we see enough of them to enjoy their antics.

The slow moving opossum with its lack of keen vision saunters about our yard as though it is intoxicated, but this hardly impedes its ability to find food, even under the worst conditions.  The raccoon, that clever little masked bandit, is readily adept at opening trash cans to get whatever morsels it might offer.  One of my daily chores each day is to place the lid back on the trash can and replace the scattered food the raccoon refused to eat from its menu.  He is smart enough to sense that I like him, and on some nights will raid my trash can while I am watching him.  His antics are hilarious and we really enjoy his company.

Then there is the colorful variety of birds that fill our yard with their melodic chirps and beautiful songs.  We have robins, mockingbirds, blue jays, sparrows, juncos, finches and catbirds.   One of my favorite birds is the mourning dove.  Its song is sad and doesn’t seem to fit the beauty of this friendly bird, that returns each year to use the same nest to raise its young.

Sometimes, on occasion,  we have the opportunity to see an owl or hawk interrupt its journey to seek rest in a nearby tree.  They are a large and imposing figure as opposed to the songbirds, who immediately sound the alarm and vacate the area until the raptors move on.

In the winter months we miss our feathered friends when they migrate, but leave plenty of food in our feeders for those too old or weak to make the long journey.  This provides us with an opportunity to share the company of our avian friends all year long.

The natural world is fascinating and has much to offer us if we know where to find and enjoy it.  In this case, there are no travel plans needed, no reservations or expense, you need only step out your back door to discover and share one of nature’s greatest treasures.

All of us, as a rule, are afraid of snakes. But do you know that certain species of snakes are afraid of human beings too? One such species is the garden snakes or gardener snakes. As the name suggests, garden snakes are usually found in the gardens in our homes.

As soon as a garden snake sees a person approaching it, it hides in the grass or shrubs in the garden. Most gardeners cannot spot garden snakes as they are green and remain invisible in the grass. The only way gardeners come to know of their existence is through their skins that they discard periodically.

The reason why garden snakes are green is that most snakes are of the color of their environment. They can be observed only if they make any movement and this happens when they hear any sound such as the footsteps of someone approaching. If you are watchful, you can spot the flash of their movement as they quickly go out your sight once again.

Since garden snakes do not harm you and your pets, it is better that you should allow them live unharmed.

What do garden snakes eat?

Garden snakes, like all other snakes, are carnivorous which means they live on animals. They catch their preys whenever they find the opportunity. Generally they eat whatever comes in their way, worms that eat leaves and stems of small plants. They also eat creatures like snails, slugs, earthworms, leeches and spiders.

Garden snakes eat rodents like mice like all other species of snakes. Garden snakes like to live near the water bodies.

They also feed upon the amphibious and aquatic animals such as toads, frogs, salamanders, fish, and tadpoles. Even though toads have poisonous skins, garden snakes can eat them with immunity. They also eat small mammals, small birds and lizards. Sometimes, they eat eggs and carrion.

A cattail marsh is basically any low lying area that holds water long enough for soft stemmed plant life to take root.  Marshes can form in the backbay of a river, or on the edge of a lake, or in a flooded meadow. Marshes can form and flourish for years, or disappear in a relatively short period of time.  The life of the marsh depends on a variety of environmental factors that impact its existence.

Over time, nature exerts its influence on the marsh and the bottom of the marsh may build up as sediment flows in from upland streams and settles around the stems of plant life.  When plants and animals die, they add to the growing accumulation of sediment.  Eventually, the marsh becomes so shallow from the sediment that the water may dry completely, making it difficult for the cattails and other aquatic life to survive.

When the marsh dries out and cracks in the sun, the plants and dead animals begin to decompose.  The vast amount of seeds that have been buried in the marsh for years, are in turn nourished by the plant and animal matter, and start to grow a rich green carpet in the marsh.  Plants compete for sunlight, space and nutrients and also add to the growing garden of the marsh.

The various sedges and grasses will be the dominant plant life as a result of the new environment.  If for some reason enough water doesn’t form in the marsh, it may then be transformed into a swampy area or a sphagnum bog.  If an adequate mix of rain and upland water returns to the marsh, then cattails and other water plants will once again be the dominant aquatic life.

The fuzzy brown “punk” or “cat-o-nine-tails,” as the cattails are commonly referred to, is the mainstay or icon of the marsh.  These tall, rangy plants, contain more than 250,000 seeds packed tightly within its seedhead.  When caught in a strong wind the seeds will spread and start a new cattail colony wherever the seeds fall and take root.  Like many other plants, the seeds can also be carried when they stick to the fur, feathers, and feet of animals as they traverse the marsh.

Some of the plants you might find in and around a cattail marsh are;  jewelweed, water willows, arrowhead, pickerelweed, wild rice, water celery and duckweed.  Some of these plants that survive cold weather also provide warmth and shelter to animals during the winter months.

Some of the wildlife you may find in and around the cattail marsh are: muskrats, canada geese, mallard ducks, red winged blackbirds, northern harriers, cottontail rabbits, turtles, and the eastern snipe.

Cattail marshes are very common throughout much of the eastern United States.  They can be found from Maine in the north to Florida in the south and west from Ohio to Wisconsin.

Feline leukemia is one of the deadliest of all diseases to affect cats.  Many kittens and young cats are more prone to the infection than others.  A number of factors actually contribute to the disease.  There are age, health, environment and lifestyle factors that all play a role in contracting the disease.

The virus itself is passed on through saliva or nasal fluids.  It may also be passed on by urine, feces, or milk from cats that are infected.  The virus can also be passed by fighting, sharing litter boxes with infected cats, and even by grooming.  Female cats can also pass the virus on to their kittens through nursing if the mother is infected.  Owners that allow their cats to roam freely outside also put their cats at tremendous risk of contracting the disease from other free roaming cats or strays.

Cats that have feline leukemia should be isolated from healthy cats to prevent healthy felines from contracting the deadly disease.   If you have a cat with leukemia and want find it a mate for company, be sure you seek a cat that already has the virus.  I have a friend that owns 3 cats, all of whom have feline leukemia and are relatively healthy, but she never attempts to adopt normally healthy cats to her family.

Basically, the virus attacks the immune system of cats and renders it defenseless against other illnesses and diseases.   Sometimes your cat will not show any symptoms of the disease, and you will be unaware of the virus.  Then over time your cat will start to fall victim to the degenerative effects of the disease.

Some of the symptoms to look for are as follows:  loss of appetite and weight loss.  At first your cat may shed a few pounds, but then the loss will become greater and more significant, and your cat will look as though it is literally wasting away.

Poor coat, enlarged lymph nodes and persistent diarrhea, along with a fever are also telltale signs.  Lack of energy, anemia, bloody stools, and recurring infections can also indicate your cat may be suffering from leukemia.

If you find your cat showing any of the symptoms described above, be sure to seek medical attention for your pet immediately.  Some cats afflicted with the disease can live long, healthy lives, so the outlook is not always gloomy.

The best was to assure your cats health, is to subject them to periodic visits to your veterinarian for checkups and blood tests.  A simple blood test that only takes a few moments can mean the difference between life and death for your pet.

The transition forest is the area where two very different forest types overlap.  The snowy needleleaf forests start in northern Canada and work their way down to their southern limits in the United States.  The broadleaf forests of the eastern United States extend as far north as they can and intersect with the needleleaf forests thus the term, “Transition Forest.”

This unique relationship also has an impact on the various animals that inhabit this area.  There is a distinct variety of wildlife, flowers, plants and insects that live there.  For example, only in this transition forest, could snowshoe hares from the north, run alongside eastern cottontail rabbits from the south.  Plant species vary accordingly in some areas and you can find spruce-fir forests among the northern peaks, but below you can also find forests of oak and hickory trees.

The famous sugar maple tree is probably the most dominant tree, occupying more than half of the transition forest.  There are also yellow birch, eastern hemlock, and American beech trees, that cover large portions of the forest.  The transition forest covers a huge area and what you see depends on where you are within the forest.

Some of the common plants available are black cherry, northern red oak, elderberry and mountain laurel.  You can also find trilliums, white baneberry, and Canada mayflower in abundance there.  The combination of of densely populated evergreens and hemlocks provide feeding and nesting sites, as well as shelter for many animals of the forest.

The wildlife inhabiting the area can be just as varied as the plant life.  There are deer mice, gray squirrels, northern and southern flying squirrels, gray fox, wood frogs, salamanders, porcupines, grouse and several species of hawks.

Another important part of the transition forest is the forest floor itself.  The forest floor here remains moist, due to the shade and fallen leaves of the larger trees.  This is important and beneficial to species like the lungless salamanders, (which must keep their skin moist in order to breathe) and other reptiles and rodents.  Fallen trees and hollow logs make favorable homes for cavity dwelling animals and birds.

If you’re like me, and love to hike and explore, you may want to plan a visit to this beautiful, vast, area.  There is certainly a treasure trove of places and sights to see that you will never forget.   You may want to plan your trip in the autumn of the year…the view is breathtaking!

Where To Find This Habitat:

Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, N. Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and W. Virginia.

One of the most important tasks to undergo if you own a bird feeder is to keep it clean.  This should be done thoroughly and at frequent intervals.  If you don’t keep the feeders clean, you will see a decline in the birds using it, or worse yet, they can suffer disease as a result of moldy or spoiled food.

One of the rules of using feeders is to be sure not to place fresh food in the feeder without removing the old, moldy, food.  Nothing is worse than placing fresh food on top of old spoiled food.  Always remove the old food before re-filling the feeder with fresh food.  Even a little moisture can cause fresh seeds to spoil and spread bacteria.

Salmonella is one of the leading diseases associated with dirty bird feeders.  Birds that suffer from the effects of this disease look emaciated and will show signs of weakness, and dehydration.  The birds that are affected by salmonella may even roost close to the feeder, or even within it before they die.  A recent study has shown that house sparrows suffered the most mortality, followed by juncos, goldfinches, mourning doves and grosbeaks.

These are some simple tips you can follow to minimize or eliminate this needless suffering and keep your feeders clean and safe:

Try using a weak bleach to totally disinfect your feeder at least once a year, maybe more if you use a platform feeder.  For more frequent cleaning, you can also use a mild detergent to scrub your feeder, especially if you have a tubular feeder where the food portals can clog easily.

Be sure to disinfect and clean all surfaces, interior and exterior.  If you haven’t cleaned your feeder for quite some time, then you may need something to scrape away the hard packed seeds and hulls.   A long handled brush is a good tool for use in the hard to reach areas of your feeders, or for scraping seeds and hulls.

Remember, it is far easier to empty the feeder before any moldy debris accumulates and then keep the surfaces as clean as possible with your cleaning materials.

For those of us that enjoy feeding our feathered friends, a few minutes of routine care and cleaning can keep our birds healthy, safe and happy.

Cats are lots of fun. They are contrary and stubborn however. Most of the time they want to play on their terms. They also don’t care if you want to or not. There are ways to keep cats occupied when you don’t want to mess with them. Here are some fun ways to entertain your cat, some with human interaction and some without.

· Put him a perch up in the window seal. If you don’t want to attach something to your home, just put a chair in front of the window. Cats will have lots of fun watching the birds and other animals play. They will make cute little mewling noises because they want to be outside with the action.

· Get a windup mouse and let him chase it. These are very inexpensive and will afford lots of entertainment. If you don’t want to buy something specific, just use a regular little ball and let him push it around.

· Attach an object to a string and hang it from the bottom of a table. Cats will bat it back and forth for hours. This is a sure winner.

· Take the cat outside. Even indoor cats like to see what the outside has to offer. If you are worried about fleas and ticks, keep the cat on the porch. He won’t mind, because it will still be something new and different for him to explore.

· If you are really brave take your cat for a walk. Yes, you can put cats on leashes. It will just take some getting used to for everyone.

These are just some simple ways to entertain your cat. I’m sure if you put your mind to it you can think of more. Cats lay around most of the time, but they do need exercise ever now and then. To keep your cat healthy, give him something active to do. To engage his mind, give him things to look at. Be a good cat parent!

I have been caring for feral and stray cats since 1988, far before it became widely popular.  Caring for ferals and strays takes a very special person.  You have to be responsible, dedicated, and consistent.  It also takes a considerable amount of time and money with regard to travel and pet food.

One of the most important factors in dealing with ferals is to gain their trust.  This takes some time, but once they no longer fear your presence, your job becomes much easier.  The reason I emphasize trust is because if one of the cats becomes ill and needs veterinary care, they are easier to handle for transport to your veterinarian.

Weather can also be a factor when caring for ferals and strays.  It may be a bit easier to perform your tasks when the weather is warm, however adjustments have to made when winter approaches.  Cats need food, water, and shelter.  What I usually do in early autumn is construct a series of insulated corrugated boxes.  I take these heavy cardboard boxes and insulate them by wrapping at least two heavy duty, green trash bags around them.  Once I cover them with the bags, I then tape the bags securely to the boxes and cut a large enough hole in the front of the box for easy entrance.

I usually make one box for every two cats.  Past experience has shown me that during cold weather cats like to double up in the boxes.  They snuggle up close to each other and the combined body heat keeps them very warm and comfortable.  Try to line the floor of the box with either a warm blanket, or remnants of rug pieces for comfort and warmth.  Because of inclement weather they may have to be changed several times during the cold winter months.

If your caring for a colony of outside ferals or strays, be sure to have them neutered or spayed as soon as possible.  This will keep them from reproducing and stabilize your colony.  There are several animal welfare groups like Alley Cat Allies, that can help  with information and costs.  In some areas there are also low cost spay and neuter clinics that specialize in dealing with ferals and strays.

Always familiarize yourself with the cats you are feeding and caring for.  This will enable you to know if one is missing or looking ill and needs veterinary care.  If your cats look ill or refuse to eat, be sure to get them to a veterinarian immediately.

When feeding your cats always be sure to find an area in which they feel secure and safe.  If at all possible, try to keep your feeding area away from roads and highways.  Be consistent, and try to feed your cats around the same time each day.  Cats can live for days without food, but not without water.  Be sure to supply your cats with fresh water every day.

I feed my cats in areas where they live, but away from homes and places too close to people.  I try to be discreet and not bring attention to myself or the cats.  I found in some instances, that the more discreet I become, the more secure and safe the cats become.

finally, contrary to popular belief, some ferals can be domesticated and make great pets.  I know, I have four that were former ferals and now are gentle, loving, pets.  Attempting to domesticate a feral is a tough task sometimes, but if you are non-threatening, talk softly around them, and move slowly, they will become accustomed to your presence and personality, and in time will allow you to pet them.  Once you can pet them, you can try to handle them more freely.  If they allow you to handle them freely this increases their chances of adoption.   The key to domestication is time and patience, but the rewards are more than worth your efforts.

We should always remember, these unfortunate victims if not cared for properly will live short, miserable lives.  A little bit of compassion on our part can make a huge difference for these beautiful felines.  If you know someone that needs help with a colony or an organization that needs volunteers to help ferals…get involved, you will be glad you did.