Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae, now found in the wild only on the Australian island state of Tasmania. The size of a small dog, it became the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world following the extinction of the thylacine in 1936. 

It is characterised by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, extremely loud and disturbing screech, keen sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding. The Tasmanian devil's large head and neck allow it to generate the strongest bite per unit body mass of any living mammal, and it hunts prey and scavenges carrion as well as eating household products if humans are living nearby. Although it is usually solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils and defecates in a communal location. Unlike most other dasyurids, the devil thermoregulates effectively and is active during the middle of the day without overheating. Despite its rotund appearance, the devil is capable of surprising speed and endurance, and can climb trees and swim across rivers.

It is believed that ancient marsupials migrated from what is now South America to Australia tens of millions of years ago during the time of Gondwana, and that they evolved as Australia became more arid. Fossils of species similar to modern devils have been found, but it is not known whether they were ancestors of the contemporary species, or whether the current devils co-existed with these species. The date that the Tasmanian devil disappeared from the Australian mainland is unclear; most evidence suggests they had contracted to three relictpopulations around 3000 years ago. A tooth found in Augusta, Western Australia has been dated to 430 years ago, but archaeologist Oliver Brown disputes this and considers the devil's mainland extinction to have occurred around 3000 years ago.

This disappearance is usually blamed on dingoes, which are absent from Tasmania. Because they were seen as a threat to livestock and animals that humans hunted for fur in Tasmania, devils were hunted and became endangered. In 1941, the devils, which were originally seen as implacably vicious, became officially protected. Since then, scientists have contended that earlier concerns that the devils were the most significant threat to livestock were overestimated and misplaced.

Devils are not monogamous, and their reproductive process is very robust and competitive. Males fight one another for the females, and then guard their partners to prevent female infidelity. Females can ovulate three times in as many weeks during the mating season, and 80% of two-year-old females are seen to be pregnant during the annual mating season. Females average four breeding seasons in their life and give birth to 20–30 live young after three weeks' gestation. The newborn are pink, lack fur, have indistinct facial features and weigh around 0.20 g (0.0071 oz) at birth. As there are only four nipples in the pouch, competition is fierce and few newborns survive. The young grow rapidly and are ejected from the pouch after around 100 days, weighing roughly 200 g (7.1 oz). The young become independent after around nine months, so the female spends most of her year in activities related to childbirth and rearing.

Since the late 1990s, devil facial tumour disease has drastically reduced the devil population and now threatens the survival of the species, which in 2008 was declared to be endangered. Programs are currently being undertaken by the Government of Tasmania to reduce the impact of the disease, including an initiative to build up a group of healthy devils in captivity, isolated from the disease. While the thylacine was extant it preyed on the devil, which targeted young and unattended thylacine cubs in their dens. Nowadays, the devil is also preyed upon by the illegally introduced red fox, and localised populations of devils have also been severely reduced by collisions with motor vehicles, particularly when they are eating roadkill themselves.

The devil is an iconic symbol of Tasmania and many organisations, groups and products associated with the state use the animal in their logos. It is seen as an important attractor of tourists to Tasmania and has come to worldwide attention through the Looney Tunes character of the same name. Due to export restrictions and the failure of overseas devils to breed, there are almost no devils outside Australia except for any that have been illegally smuggled.

Chinchilla

This small rodent is native to South America. They live on rocky,  arid areas in the mountains. Chinchillas are named for the Chincha Indians living in the Andes.

The body is about 12 inches long and the squirrel-like tail about 5-6 inches. The Chinchilla's fur is extremely soft. For this reason, sadly, the Chinchillas has been hunted and bred for fur coats. Although hunting wild Chinchillas  is banned, they are still bred in captivity for their coats. As pets their life span is about 15-20 years.

While they don't like to be handled much, Chinchillas can be fun pets. It's best to get a young Chinchilla asthey will be easier to tame. They are largely nocturnal, so playtime and activity occurs at night. They require cooler temperatures and should not be placed near warm or hot spots. Once your Chinchilla is tame enough, you can let it go outside the cage with supervision to explore its surroundings. This will provide more exercise for your pet.

A cage for the Chinchilla should be large and have shelves and ladders for climbing. Chinchillas are chewers as all rodents are, so be sure to offer safe toys such as those made from untreated wood.  Since Chinchillas love dust baths, your pet supplier shaould have a bath made specifically for this purpose. A Chinchilla diet should include hay and pellets specially designed for it. A small amount of treats can include fruit, vegetables, sunflower seeds and rolled oats. Always have frest water available.

Skunk

Striped Skunks are native to the Americas. The Skunk is a mammal and belongs to the family Mephitidae and the order Carnivora. Captive-bred skunks weigh from 7-10 lbs. They are about the size of a pet cat. Life Span is approximately 10 years. They come in a variety of colors. Once descented, they have an odor similar to that of a dog.

Skunks have the personality of a 2 year old child. They are good problem solvers, so be sure your cabinets and fridge have locks on them. They can be destructive, so take care with fine furniture and carpeting. As with all pets, some Skunks like to cuddle while others will settle for a pat. Captive-bred skunks do not carry rabies, but since there is no rabies vaccine for skunks, it's best to keep them indoors where they won't be exposed to the disease. It's best to neuter your skunk at 4-6 months of age as it is healthier for your pet and can reduce behavior problems. If you have other pets, never leave them unsupervised with your skunk. They should have the same run of the house as your pet dog or cat. Activity usually occurs at dawn and dusk, but they will adjust to your schedule.

While a skunk's diet is still being researched, there are commercial foods available. Guidelines from skunk organizations recommend grain-free dog food,vegetables, poultry and vitamin supplements.

It should be noted that some skunks may be difficult to litter box train. It helps to place litter boxes in all areas where your skunk roams. Check locally about ownership of a skunk as it is illegal in some states and cities. Also, check with your veterinary service if they treat skunks as not all vets do. And check the cost of veterinary care. Always keep proof handy that your skunk was captive-bred.

Tips:

Never declaw your skunk. Skunks can't eat without their claws and their claws are more like dogs' claws than cats' claws; they're beter for digging, rather than ripping. An occasional clipping is all you'll need.

Spaying should be done at about 4-6 months of age, and neutering at 3-4 months of age.

A yearly checkup should be done as with many pets.

Only worm your skunk if worms are present in its feces or another pet in your house has worms. Not all skunks have worms. Cantaloupe, fig juice of cloves are a safe alternative to dewormers to keep your skunk worm-free.

Distemper and Rabies vaccines are recommended.

Frog

Depending on what part of the world you live in, Frogs are considered good or bad luck according to some myths. With the proper care, Frogs can live anywhere from 4-15 years in captivity. While they don't require the same type of heating and lighting equipment as other reptiles, they are sensitive creatures. Household cleaners, sprays and the like should not be used near them.

They type of tank and equipment depends on your choice of Frog. Some are aquatic, some live in trees and some in both. Frogs also eat a variety of live insects, mostly crickets. When considering a Frog as a pet, this is something to think about.

Alternatively, you can create a habitat in your back yard with a water feature and plants that will encourage insects. If a Frog has a pleasant, inviting place to stay, it won't stray.

As with all pets, before purchasing, do a lot of research so you will know what to expect with your pet Frog.

Frog species:

African Dwarf Clawed Frogs

African dwarf clawed frogs are great beginner pets since they are fairly low maintenance.

African dwarf clawed frogs reach an adult size of about 1 - 1.5 inches long and are usually a light brownish gray color with darker spots. They can be kept in fairly small shallow tanks. (Frogs need to be able to reach the surface to breathe, so a deep tank won't work.) Dwarf frogs are peaceful so you can keep a few in the same tank. The bottom of the tank should be covered with sand or smooth gravel. The temperature of the water should not drop below 70 degrees. A filter is not necessary and could in fact be harmful.

Dwarf frogs like to hide so you should fill the tank with decorations such as live or silk plants and other aquarium decorations. Dwarf Frogs have very delicate skin so the decorations should all be smooth. Also because of their delicate skin, you should not use soap to clean the tank.

Dwarf frogs swallow their food whole. Foods appropriate for frogs are bloodworms, tubifex worms, daphnia, brine shrimp, blackworms, or chopped earthworms. They will only eat food which sinks to the bottom of the tank so you can't give them flakes. You can purchase specially formulated pelleted food containing all the vitamins and minerals they need.

Dwarf frogs should not be taken out of their tanks. This is unsafe for them and also not good for the handler since frogs can carry Salmonella.

American Green Tree Frog

The American Green Tree Frog is a good pet for a beginner. Although susceptible to stress, it is a hardy reptile. As the name suggests, this frog is native to the United States, especially the southeastern region. The American Green Tree Frog is the state amphibian of both Georgia and Louisiana.

Some unscrupulous businesspeople sell frogs which have been captured from the wild during the frogs' breeding season. This is harmful to the frogs themselves and leads to the depletion of the species in the wild. Purchase only frogs which have been bred in captivity.

Frogs often reach pet stores in poor health as a result of the stress of the shipping process. Look for a frog with bright eyes and a green color. Stay away from frogs with brown spots, dull skin, or dry skin.

An American Green Tree Frog needs an aquarium of at least 10 gallons. These frogs are arboreal, so they need a tall tank. The tank should be covered to prevent escape. It can be covered with wire or mesh.

This frog likes to climb and should be provided with plenty of branches and plants. If you bring wood from outdoors it must be pesticide free and treated to remove bacteria and bugs.

Since American Tree Frogs are nocturnal, a light in the tank is unnecessary. If you do choose to include a light make sure it is not too bright and not in use for more than a few hours a day.

The tank should contain a shallow dish of water. This frog is not a good swimmer so shallowness is extremely important. The tank should be misted daily to retain humidity.

American Green Tree Frogs eat insects, especially crickets. Before feeding insects to frogs, they should be "gut loaded," or fed nutritious foods. Expect your frog to eat more in the in the spring and summer than in the winter. Young frogs should eat daily but adult frogs may need to be fed only every other day.

Australian Green Tree Frog

The Australian Green Tree Frog, also known as the Green Tree Frog, White's Tree Frog or Dumpy Tree Frog is native to Australia and New Guinea. It has been introduced to New Zealand and the U.S.

The Green Tree Frog can grow to 4 inches or more long, larger than most Australian frogs. Lifespan in captivity is about 16-20 years. Color is usually olive to vivid green, but depending on the temperature and environment can range from brown to green. Some have small white spots on their backs and sides. Discs at the end of their webbed feet help the frogs grip when climbing. Eyes are gold with horizontal irises.

Green Tree Frogs enjoy living anywhere that is moist and cool and can even be found in home sinks, toilets and pipes where humidity is high. Their natual habitats are near still-water sources in trees, in swamps and cooler area grasslands.

Diet is mainly insects and spiders. But they will eat smaller frogs and sometimes small mammals as long as they fit in the frog's mouth. For small prey the fogs extend their sticky tongues. For larger prey they use their hands to foce the prey into their mouths. Be careful not to overfeed your pet frog as obesity can be a problem. Green Tree Frogs lay their eggs in water, usually 2,000 to 3,000 at a time. These frogs are resistant to disease.

They can be kept in aquariums, glass being the best material and covered on top with fiberglass mesh. A 3 foot aquarium can house 3-4 adult frogs. Temperature in the aquarium should be above 18 degrees centegrade and water temperature, 24-26 degrees centegrade. Lighting is with a UV light.

As pets, Green Tree Frogs are very docile and have a gentle nature. They are nocturnal and will feed at night.

Ornate Horned Frog

The Ornate Horned Frog is more commonly known as the Pacman frog because of its rounded body and huge mouth. This frog is native to South America and is terrestrial. It can't swim very well, and can even drown in its water bowl if it is deep enough.

The Ornate Horned Frog is a pretty big frog. It can reach 6-7 inches in length, with the males slightly smaller than the females. As a result, it has a very large appetite. It will eat anything that moves.

Although this frog is sometimes thought of as aggressive, it only bites when threatened.

A 10 gallon reptile aquarium is big enough for a Pacman frog. They don't need a bigger tank despite their size, because they are not very active. The tank should have a lid; these frogs are not likely to escape, but a lid will help control temperature and humidity. Pacman frogs should be kept singly since they will eat other tank mates.

Line the tank with paper or smooth rocks, leaf litter, moss and some plants (live or artificial) for the frog to hide in. These should be misted daily. A shallow water dish should be placed in the warmest part of the cage and surrounded with plants. The temperature should be kept around 82 F (28 C) during the day, dropping to around 78 F (25 C) at night. Regular room light is probably enough and additional light unnecessary. Keep the tank away from direct sunlight to avoid overheating.

Young frogs eat every 2-3 days, while adult frogs can usually eat less often. As the frog gets older, it can eat larger prey.

The Ornate Horned Frog has a lifespan of 5-7 years, so keep in mind when you adopt one that you are in for a long-term commitment.

Neon Tetra

The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater or clearwater streams in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, and western Brazil, including the tributaries of the Solimões where the water is between 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). It is not found in the whitewater rivers of Andean origin. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among tropical fish hobbyists.

The neon tetra has a light-blue back over a silver-white abdomen. The fish is characterized by an iridescent blue horizontal stripe along each side of the fish from its nose to the base of the adipose fin, and an iridescent red stripe that begins at the middle of the body and extends posteriorly to the base of the caudal fin. Most, if not all, will develop an olive green sheen lining their backs. The fish is completely transparent (including fins) except for these markings. During the night, the blue and red become silver as the fish rests—it reactivates once it becomes active in the morning. It grows to approximately 3 cm (1.2 in) in overall length. Sexual dimorphism is slight, the female having a slightly larger belly, and a bent iridescent stripe rather than the male's straight stripe.

Pony

Shetlands are very intelligent and should be trained to avoid bad habits. They are gentle animals if handled kindly. Shetlands are the perfect size and temperament for small children to ride.

The Shetland Pony is native to the Shetland Isles northeast off the coast of Scotland and has probably been there since the Bronze Age. They first made an appearance in the U.S. in 1885.

Shetlands are hardy animals. They measure 30-45 inches. Bodies are stocky with short legs. The coat is double with long thick tails and mane. Color can be any color of horse.

Iguana

Iguanas have become popular pets recently, especially the green iguana. One reason for this is their low price and another is the impression that they are easy to care for. However, they do have strict feeding and housing requirements which must be taken into consideration. Additionally, the pet trade has caused the population of iguanas in the wild to decrease dramatically. Iguanas can grow to be very large and aggressive and owners need to have realistic expectations. Many reptiles carry Salmonella, a concern for pregnant women, the elderly and young children.

Iguanas eat both meat and plants but they prefer leaves and fruits. Green iguanas (especially young ones) will also eat eggs, insects, and small vertebrates. It is important to provide an iguana with a large variety of vegetables in order to meet its nutritional requirements. Some of the best vegetables to for iguanas are collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, parsley, dandelion greens, rapini, green beans, figs (raw or dried), green peppers, escarole, raspberries, leeks, snow peas, blackberries, grapes, radish, okra, pears, pricklypear and parsnip. There are commercial diet foods made specifically for iguanas. They do not contain any water so it is important to supplement them with water. Iguanas which are fed large amounts of vegetables will get most of their water requirement from them. With the proper diet, a small amount of calcium supplementation needed which contains no D3.

Iguanas live in aquariums and will start out needing a 30-50 gallon aquarium which it will quickly outgrow. It is a good idea to plan to build a custom-made aquarium. The aquarium needs a UVB producing fluorescent tube light (to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease) as well as 2 thermometers to keep track of the temperature on both the cool side and the hot side of the aquarium. In order to digest their food and metabolize calcium, the iguanas should have a temperature of 85 degrees.

In order for an iguana to be a good pet it is important to tame him. Iguanas are usually docile for the first few days in a new home, but don't let that fool you. Iguanas require regular, consistent and gentle handling or else they will become too aggressive. Iguanas tend to bite, whip their tails or scratch. The taming process involves gaining the animal's trust and this is a process which may take a few months.