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Wire Fox Terrier

Alternative Name
Fox Terrier Wire-Haired Fox Terrier Wire Fox Terrier (nick Foxie)
Basic Info

The Wire Fox Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds. It is an instantly recognizable fox terrier breed. Although it bears a resemblance to the Smooth Fox Terrier, they are believed to have been developed separately. This is a sturdy, balanced dog weighing up to 21 pounds. Its rough, broken coat is distinctive. The coat colour is predominantly white; brindle or liver markings are a disqualification.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

N/A

Origin

England

History

The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts and is believed descended from a now-extinct rough-coated, black-and-tan working terrier of Wales, Derbyshire, and Durham. The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier was not popular as a family pet until the 1930s, when The Thin Man series of feature films was created. Asta, the canine member of the Charles family, was a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, and the popularity of the breed soared. Milou (Snowy) from the Tintin comic strip is also a Fox Terrier. In the late 20th century, the popularity of the breed declined again, most likely due to changing living conditions in the Western world and the difficulty of keeping hunting terriers in cities due to their strong instincts. Among the less desirable traits of all fox terriers are their energy, digging, stalking and chasing of other animals, and yelping bark. This notwithstanding, the Wire Fox Terrier has the distinction of having received more Best in Show titles at major conformation shows than any other breed. Wire-Haired Fox Terriers kept as pets show the loyalty, intelligence, and breeding befitting such a storied breed.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

Silver arowana

Alternative Name
Binomial name Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Basic Info

The silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), sometimes spelled arawana, is a freshwater bony fish of the family Osteoglossidae, commonly kept in aquaria. The term “Osteoglossum” means “bone-tongued” and “bicirrhosum” means “two barbels” (from the Greek language). This fish has relatively large scales, a long body, and a tapered tail, with the dorsal and anal fins extending all the way to the small caudal fin, with which they are nearly fused. It can grow to a maximum size of around 1 m (39 inches) in captivity. In the wild, it has been known to reach over 1.2 m (47 inches) in length. The juveniles are usually a dull silver color with black markings around the head and the tail. Once they reach about 15 cm (6 inches), the markings will disappear and they will start to obtain the silvery color that give them their common name

Health

Water Conditions Water conditions are important for arowanas. Strong filtration is necessary for these large carnivores. Commercially available black water additives can help simulate the Silver Arowana’s natural habitat, although they can adapt to most water supplies and thrive. A 25-30% water change, siphoning waste and other detritus, is necessary 1-2 times every week to maintain excellent water conditions. The water temperature should range from 24°C (75°F) to 28°C (82°F), with the ideal about 26°C (79°F).

Habitat

Fresh water fish

Behavior

The species is also called monkey fish because it of its ability to jump out of the water and capture its prey. It usually swims near the water surface waiting for potential prey. Although specimens have been found with the remains of birds, bats, and snakes in their stomachs, its main diet consist of crustaceans, insects, smaller fishes and other animals that float on the water surface, on which its draw-bridge-like mouth is exclusively adapted for feeding. Arowanas are sometimes called Dragon Fish by aquarists because their shiny armor-like scales and double barbels are reminiscent of descriptions of dragons in Asian folklore. Tankmates Silver Arowanas can be kept with other freshwater fish as long as they are too large to fit in the arowana’s mouth and can tolerate the arowanas active-swimming lifestyle. Many people like having more then one Arowana in the tank; in this case, hobbyists recommend keeping at least 5-6 in the tank at a time because Silver Arowanas are very aggressive towards each other.

Origin

Amazon River

History

This species is found in is the Amazon River basin and in the Rupununi and Oyapock Rivers in South America as well as in still waters in Guyana.

Common Foods

Young Silver Arowanas should not be overfed, because according to some hobbyists, they can develop dropeye, a condition in which the eyes are turned downward, as they grow. Arowanas should be offered meaty foods such as insects, shrimp, fish and beef heart.

Quail - Common

Alternative Name
Coturnix, European Quail, Mediterranean Quail, Japanese Quail Scientific Name: Coturnix
Basic Info

The Common Quail has been bred in two size varieties. One is the size that is found in the wild, and the other is a larger variety that was developed for meat and larger eggs. Color varieties have also been developed. These include, Normal (the normal, wild coloring), Manchurian Gold (the black of the wild coloration is replaced by gold, the brown and red is replaced by cream), Tuxedo (Black with a white breast), English Black (Black), Barred (brown with black barring), and White (all white). The average domestic Common Quail measures about 17 centimeters in length, with males a bit smaller than females. Their bodies are round in shape and their legs and bills are rather weak. The tails are quite short. Generally, the Common Quail’s plumage is russet brown and males have an anchor pattern at their throats consisting of a vertical dark brown or black line connecting perpendicularly to a similar horizontal line. Females have spots over their breasts and their buff colored throats are unmarked. The rest of the quail’s body has a mottled pattern with a paler underside. Common Quail have dark eyes and there is a white stripe in evidence above each eye. Many have white-collar patterns, although in some females these may not be so noticeable. The legs of Common Quail are flesh colored and their beaks range in color from an olive brown to a lighter yellow brown shade. Males can be distinguished from females by a large round bump on the rump of the male.

Health

Care of domesticated adults is not difficult. They need protection from rain and wind, and shade when it is very hot. It should be noted that this breed has a bad habit of flying strait up when they are startled. They will often hit their heads on the roof of their enclosure. This can be a major problem, and can even cause death to the quail. Normally clipping their wings can solve this problem, and making the cages sort, so they can’t build up their speed. It should also be noted that the males can be very aggressive, and for this reason you should have a ratio of one male to three females. Common Quail may occasionally be toxic to some people. The name of this toxicity is Coturnism, and it affects a seemingly random cross section of the population. It is thought that people may show a genetic predisposition for the illness. Breeding These quail are very prolific in captivity. The domesticated ones will not usually brood their eggs, so an incubator is required. The hens start laying around 6 weeks of age. The Common Quail usually breeds in the early summer and finds a mate through vocal displays. Males tend to highly outnumber females, so breeding is a very selective process. A clutch of between nine and 15 eggs will generally be deposited in a scrape the female makes in the ground and then lined with vegetation. These eggs usually incubate for between 16 and 21 days. The chicks are considered delicate, because they are so small. They have to have very warm temperatures (98 Fahrenheit) at first, and they often die of drowning - using sallow pop-bottle fonts can prevent this.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

Charming, compact little birds, Common Quail are a familiar sight in some areas of the world. They have been considered valuable for centuries. Common Quail live in fields of tall grass or grains. They communicate with one another through a variety of calls. Males attract females with the ‘triplet call’ at breeding season. Usually, Common Quail are hard to identify because they hide in vegetation. Rather than taking flight when it feels threatened, the Common Quail generally attempts to run and hide. Common Quail have also been known to eat grains and grasses. In captivity they need about 22% protein in their feed. Generally, these birds migrate seasonally but the migratory patterns are not well understood because they are quite complex.

Origin

Europe and Asia

History

The Common Quail occurs throughout almost all of Europe and its range extends down into North Africa and over into India and northern China in the east. Although Common Quail and other species of quail, like Asiatic Quail, do not interbreed in the wild, they can reproduce with reduced fertility. In Western Europe, due to escapees from quail farms, these hybrids may be more common with a detrimental effect on the Common Quail’s genetic purity as well as their fertility. Common Quail are also known as European Quail or Mediterranean Quail. As game birds, they have been hunted for meat for centuries and today are raised popularly as domestic birds. The eggs of Common Quail are considered a delicacy. The yokes are much milder than chicken eggs and have an almost creamy texture when hard boiled.

Common Foods

In summer when insects are more abundant, the Common Quail will feed on insects as well as their usual diet of seeds.

Zemaituka (Zhumd)

Alternative Name
Zhumd
Basic Info

The Zemaituka has a fairly bulky frame. They have a broad, muscular neck set into a deep chest. The back is short and compact, the croup sloping, and the tail low-set. The shoulder is fairly upright. The legs are short and muscular with tough hooves, and the breed commonly has poor hocks. The ponies are usually a mouse-dun color with primitive markings, including a dorsal stripe. They may also be brown, bay, black, or palomino. The Zemaituka usually stands between 13.2 and 14.2 hh.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

During the 19th century, Arabian blood was added, giving the horse an Arab-type head. The infusion of Arabian blood created two types of Zhumd: one with Arabian ancestry of a fine, saddle-type quality, the other, with less Arabian blood, more suited toward draft work. Hawever, since World War II, there has become less of a distinction between the two types, as a conscious effort was made to increase the size and bulk of the animals so that they would be well-suited for riding and draft work. Due to the harsh climate they must endure, Zhumds are frugal feeders and can survive with meager forage and freezing temperatures. The ponies are extremely tough with seemingly endless stamina and endurance. The breed usually has a good temperament, and the animals are used for riding, light draft, and farm work. They are quite agile and athletic, and produce great sport horses when crossed with lighter, larger breeds.

Origin

Lithuania

History

The Zemaitukas or the Zhumd is a pony breed originally from Lithuania. The origin is not exactly known, but most believe the Zhimd to be related to the Konik from Poland, most probably descended from the Tarpan. Most recently, Russian breeds have influenced the Zemaituka, as well as the light Polish breeds.

Common Foods

grass

Ussuri

Alternative Name
N/A
Basic Info

Conformation The ears often have “lynx” brushes. The body is muscular, but not massive. The neck is firm but not long. The legs are medium length, muscular and in proportion with firm, rounded paws. The tail has a rounded tip (like the European Wildcat). Color & Pattern The color and modified tabby pattern is a distinctive feature of the breed. It has vertical solid or merged spots on the body with lines on the forehead and two or three bronzed lines on cheeks. There should be one or more solid or broken necklaces of bronzed tone on neck and chest. Distinct lines are required on the legs with the upper part being of bronzed color and the lower part of ground color. The tail must be ringed and have a dark tip of ground color. There is a dark dorsal stripe. The flank pattern consists of stripes, rings or spots on golden-brown or goldish-fawn background and bronzed buttons on the paler belly

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

N/A

Origin

Russia

History

The Ussuri is a rare natural breed of cat that originates from the region of the Amur river, Russia. It is reputed to be derived from natural hybrids with small wild cats known as “Amur Forest Cats” and “Amur Leopard Cats” (Asian Leopard Cat subspecies, the same species used in the Bengal breed). Semi-wild Ussuris then hybridised naturally with Siberians and European/Domestic Shorthairs. This hybrid origin is based on conjecture and their appearance. The breed is rare even in its native Russia. A translated breed standard for this and other native breeds was published in the mid 1990s, but nothing has been heard since that time and its breed status is unclear. The Ussuri’s numbers are dwindling due to interbreeding with local domestic cats and, without a breeding programme to preserve the strain, it will disappear. However, some other Russian minority cat breeds such as the Donskoy and Peterbald, whose standards were published in English at the same time, are now actively bred in the USA.

Common Foods

cat food, milk