Children often, at one time or another, will have an interest in learning about reptiles. Even if they are only vaguely interested, it is helpful to teach them should they ever encounter a reptile in the wild or at a relative or friend’s house. It is quite possible to encounter a reptile even if one has lived within the confines of the city one’s entire life.
Children are not the only ones who can benefit from learning about reptiles, of course. Adults should at least learn some basic information even if they never have the slightest desire to come in contact with a reptile.
You may be one of the fortunate people who enjoy animals of all kinds and soak up information like a sponge. If you are planning a career in animal care or with some other form of contact, you would do well to learn about reptiles even if your specialty will not lie with reptiles. You may be surprised when the information comes in handy later on in life.
If you’ve ever entertained the idea of owning a turtle, which is quite a common occurrence in children raised in the country setting, you may be interested in knowing there are several types to choose from. There are four kinds of painted turtles in the United States for a good pet choice. The Eastern box turtle is also a popular choice for people to have as pets. Not all turtles are the same or require exactly the same care, but most turtles usually feed on snails, worms, and plants.
Country kids will often capture a garter snake at some point and try to keep it as a pet. A garter snake needs access to water. They like to eat fish.
Snakes often need less food than other reptiles, sometimes eating only once a year if it is a big snake and have had a big meal. Of course, smaller snakes are not quite as fortunate as they aren’t able to consume as much at one time. But because the snake requires feeding less often, it takes a little effort on the part of the owner to remember to feed them because of the time lapse between feedings.
Obvious places to learn about reptiles are zoos. This is certainly a much safer choice than deciding to take it upon yourself to get your experience first-hand by capturing a reptile in the wild! The experts on television make it seem easy, but they also advise against trying such stunts at home for a very good reason. Snakes are not the only dangerous reptile and not all snakes are dangerous.
Other places to learn about reptiles include museums, summer camps, books, vet pamphlets, bookstores, libraries, safaris, a trip to the jungle, and museums. Natural science museums offer great displays and information about reptiles from long ago and those in the present. You could encourage your child’s interest in reptiles in many ways, but remember to educate them as to the possible dangers of close encounters.
| August Delamora is a writer for UniformHaven.com who offers dickies scrubs, dickies scrub tops and lab coats as well as a host of additional items. |
Filed under Reptiles Amphibians by on Nov 7th, 2011. Comment. 
There are several points to consider whenever you are choosing a dog for you or your family. You want to match your new pet to you and/or your family and to your overall needs as closely as possible. Please, never get a dog on impulse. With any luck you’re choosing a pet that is likely to be with you 8 to 15 years. Pick out the right dog, and you will both enjoy those years.
If you don’t take the time to plan a bit ahead of time right now, you will probably regret it in the future. This is one of the main reasons that shelters are so full of unwanted dogs and cats today – and one thing that could easily be avoided. One good idea is to look for a dog rescue group or reputable breeder when choosing a dog – and to avoid getting a dog at a pet store.
This single decision can be overpowering. The selection of available dog types is truly amazing. Did you know the dog comes in more than 400 different breeds? There is more variation among dogs than in any other animal species. Dogs can come in all shapes, sizes, coat types and personalities.
Your job is to find the perfect dog breed that fits both your personality and your lifestyle. So, here is a list of things, in no particular order, that you’ll want to take into consideration when deciding on whether or not you should get a dog in the first place.
1) Why do you want a dog in the first place? Do you simply want a companion, a dog for protection purposes, a dog to participate in sports activities with, or some other reason? Again, you must research the breeds carefully. Example: if you want a dog that can be trained to duck hunt with you then a Corgi may not be the right breed for you.
2) Do you want a purebred or mixed breed dog? Unfortunately, many animal shelters and dog rescue organizations will have plenty of each. The main difference between purebreds or mixed breeds is that with the pure breed dogs you will have a much better chance of knowing how big he’ll be once he reaches adulthood and what basic physical and behavioral characteristics he will probably have.
3) Learn all you can about the different individual dog breeds: visit local dog shows if possible to see many different dog breeds in one area, speak with groomers, dog breeders and your veterinarian. These dog pros can all offer you more insight into various dog breeds – the good and bad of each, and can help you decide on a few dog breeds that you may be really interested in.
4) Are you already an skilled dog owner, or will this be your first dog ever? There are a lot of dog breeds that are not proper for a first time owner. Knowing all you can about the breed and what the breed was originally bred to do (it’s original job) is a big step in understanding the dog and what you could possibly expect from it.
5) What is your life-style? Are you non-active or are you very active? Some dog breeds require a lot of daily exercise – both mental and physical. A half hour walk given to a Basset Hound is no where near enough exercise for an Australian Shepherd. Researching many dog breeds thoroughly before getting one is truly vital.
6) Can you properly provide housing for your new dog? Dogs are very sociable animals and your new dog should really be part of your family pack – they really do better when they are a real part of the family. And the best place for your new dog is in your home with you. You should also have a securely fenced area for your dog to exercise in. Having your dog chained in the back yard is not proper housing and is also very cruel. Which brings up a new issue…..
7) How much time can you truly devote to your new dog each day? Can you really commit to the dog for it’s entire life? What if you have to move? Add another child to your family? If you have children, are you ready to teach the kids to peacefully co-exist with the dog? If you can’t devote time to raising the dog, making sure it is socialized and well trained for the rest of it’s life, then please, do not get one.
Puppy or adult dog? Keep in mind, puppies do require a whole lot more work than adult dogs do overall. You will have to schedule additional time for puppy classes, training, socialization, and many other pursuits. Remember, these are babies. Housebreaking and teething are just a few of the things you’ll have to go through with a small puppy, but not necessarily an adult dog. Training and learning is a lifetime activity. One obedience class does not make your dog trained.
9) Can you afford to own a dog throughout it’s entire life? Getting the puppy or dog is just the beginning. Now comes all the other things you’ll need to get: vet checks, leashes, collars, extra toys, all sorts of treats, a crate and other necessary supplies, puppy shots every few weeks, training classes, food (the bigger the dog the more food you’ll go through), medical emergencies, etc.
10) What about dog grooming? All dog breeds need some kind of grooming – even the hairless ones! Some breeds require only a few minutes of brushing once a day while others may require professional grooming. It’s very important to know that all dogs also need regular attention to their teeth, ears and nails. Also, all dogs shed – some dog breeds may shed less than others but this is one fact you must accept.
I hope all these steps have gotten you to thinking that adding a dog to your life is no modest thing. Impulse buying can often lead to problems. It’s your job as a future dog owner to think about both your life as well as several dog breeds to help decide on which breed is the best possible match for you – BEFORE you bring that new dog home.
Copyright 2010 Debbie Ray. All Rights Reserved.
Filed under Dogs, General by on Aug 22nd, 2011. Comment.