Saturday, September 29, 2007

dog breeds

Dog have been selectively breed for thousands of years, sometimes by inbreeding dogs from the same ancestral lines, sometimes by mixing dogs from very different lines. The process continues today, resulting in a tremendous variety of dog breeds
I will post one by one

The Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is a balanced, wiry-haired terrier-like toy dog whose intelligence and demeanor make it a good house pet.

  • Group: Toy
  • Height: 9 to 11 1/2 inches
  • Coat: Dense, rough, harsh textured
  • Color: Black, gray, silver, black and tan, or red

Originating in Germany, where the name Affenpinscher means, ''monkey-like terrier,'' the breed was developed to rid the kitchens, granaries and stables of rodents. In France the breed is described as the "diablotin moustachu'' or the moustached little devil. Both these names help to describe the appearance and attitude of this delightful breed.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

World's biggest & heaviest Dog.

World's biggest Dog, World's heaviest Dog.

Hercules: The biggest Dog Ever According to Guiness World Records. Hercules was recently awarded the honorable distinction of worlds Biggest Dog by Guinness World Records. Hercules is an English Mastiff and whas a 38 inch neck and weighs 282 pounds. With " paws the size of Softballs" (reports the boston Herald), the three-year-old monster is far larger and heavier than his breed's standard 200lb limit. Herculess owner Mr. Flynn says that hercules weight is natural and not induced bye a bizarre diet: "I fed him normal food and he just grew"... and grew. and grew.


Fischer's Lovebird

The Fischer's Lovebird can be described simply as beautiful. With their natural warm hues the Fishers Lovebird is sure to capture your heart. It is no surprise that the Fischer's Lovebird is one of the most loved Lovebirds raised in captivity today.

The Fischer's Lovebird is not only handsome, but he is playful, energetic and fun to be around. In addition the Fischer's Lovebird is easy to tame, and bonds easily with his owners. This is particularly true if you buy a young handraised bird. Unlike many of the other parrot species, Fischer's Lovebirds are relatively quiet and will not cause the complaints larger parrots often draw from neighbors and housemates. In addition the cost of a Fischer's Lovebird is minimal when compared so some other parrots. The Fischer's Love bird is also easier to house and care for because of their small size. Lovebirds in general are not know for talking ability; the Fischer is no exception. If you want a bird that has talking ability you should select another breed. On occasion some Fischer's Lovebirds have been taught a couple words to mimic, but this is not the norm and should not be expected. Some refer to the Fischer's Lovebird as 'clowns'. This is because they are such energetic playful creatures. They bounce around their environments from perch to toy, to toy and back to their perch again, exhibiting almost tireless energy.

The Fischer's Lovebird comes in a wide variety of color mutations including, Albino, Pied, Black or Dark Eyed White, Dilute Blue, Dilute Yellow, Lutino, and Cinnamon. Fischer's Lovebirds are classified with four other distinct species as 'Eye-ring Lovebirds' (The other three species are Black Cheeked, Masked and Nyasa). This classification is readily apparent, as the Fischer's Lovebird possesses a white eye ring that is not existent in other breeds such as the Peach Faced Lovebird. The Fischer's Lovebird is much smaller than other parrot species measuring only five to six and a half inches at adulthood.

The Fischer's Lovebird originates in Africa and nearby Islands.

peach Faced Lovebird

The Peach Faced Lovebird, also known as the Rosy Faced Lovebird, is a species of lovebird native to arid regions in southwestern Africa such as the Namib Desert. A loud and constant chirper, these birds are very social animals and often congregate in small groups in the wild. They eat throughout the day and take frequent baths. Coloration can vary widely among populations but females are generally darker and greener, whilst males are smaller and brighter. Lovebirds are renowned for their sleep position in which they sit side-by-side and turn their faces in towards each other. Also, females are well noted to tear raw materials into long strips, "twisty-tie" them onto their backs, and fly distances back to make a nest.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

The Guppy fish



The guppy (Poecilia reticulata), also known as the millionsfish,is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species in the world. It is a small member of the Poecilidae family (females 4-6 centimetres long, males 2½–3½ centimetres long) and like all other members of the family, is live-bearing.

Guppy comes from South America. These fish are livebearers – the male has a copulatory organ that it uses to impregnate the female. It is interesting to watch the female grow fatter and then one day – guppy fry can be found swimming in the tank. Unless you want to provide fun and food for other fish in the tank (including other guppies) the fry should be removed. Guppies have been bred to include many different color patterns.

Angel Fish

I got some photos of Angel Fish , a pal of mine, These images are excellent, and I would like to thank my friend for sharing the photos with all fish lovers out there.


Wednesday, August 1, 2007

About Parrots


Parrots or psittacinesis an order (namely Psittaciformes) of birds that includes about 350 species. They are usually grouped into two families: the Cacatuidae (cockatoo), and the Psittacidae (parrots), but one may find many variations. Some sources divide parrots into three families.[citation needed] (The term "true parrot" is not used by the majority of bird keepers, biologists and lay people and is a source of confusion.)

All members of the order have a generally erect stance and a characteristic curved beak shape with the upper mandible having slight mobility in the joint with the skull. All parrots are zygodactyl, with two toes at the front of each foot and two at the back, and all parrot eggs are white in color.

Parrots can be found in most warm regions of the world, including India, southeast Asia, Southern regions of North America, South America and west Africa. By far the greatest number of parrot species come from Australasia, South America, and Central America. No parrot's natural range currently extends into the United States, although the Carolina Parakeet and Thick-billed Parrot once ranged into southern states.

The order is diverse and contains exceptions (notoriously the Eclectus for sexual dimorphism, and the kakapo for flightlessness, diet & digestion, and lek breeding). However, most parrots are cavity nesters, are minimally or not sexually dimorphic, and seem to be highly social. Along with the Corvidae, the Psittaciformes are generally considered the most intelligent of the birds. Parrots are altricial (their young are helpless at birth) and the larger species breed slowly (K-selection). Extant species range in size from the Buff-faced Pygmy-parrot, at under 10 g and 8 cm (3.2 inches), to the Hyacinth Macaw, at 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) and 1 meter (3.3 feet).

About finches

Finches are passerine birds, often seed-eating, found chiefly in the northern hemisphere and Africa. One subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics. The family scientific name Fringillidae comes from the Latin word "fringilla", meaning chaffinch, a member of this family that is common in Europe. The taxonomic structure of the true finch family, Fringillidae, is somewhat disputed, with some including the Hawaiian honeycreepers as another subfamily (Drepanidinae) and/or uniting the cardueline and fringilline finches as tribes (Carduelini and Fringillini) in one subfamily; the euphonious finches were thought to be tanagers due to general similarity in appearance and mode of life until their real affinities were realized[citation needed]; the buntings and American sparrows were formerly considered another subfamily (Emberizinae). Przewalski's "Rosefinch" (Urocynchramus pylzowi) is now classified as a distinct, monotypic family with no particularly close relatives (Groth 2000).

"Classic" or true finches are small to moderately large and have strong, stubby beaks, which in some species can be quite large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. They have a bouncing flight, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Their nests are basket-shaped and built in trees. The true finches range in size from the Andean Siskin (Carduelis spinescens), at 9.5 cm (3.8 inches) and 8.4 g., to the Collared Grosbeak (Mycerobas affinis), at nearly 23 cm (9 inches) and 79 g. (2.8 oz).

There are many birds in other families which are often called finches. These include many species in the very similar-looking Estrildids or waxbill family, which occur in the Old World tropics and Australia. Several groups of the Emberizidae family (buntings and American sparrows) are also named as finches, including the Darwin's finches of the Galapagos islands, which provided evidence of natural selection.

About Cat

The Cat (Felis silvestris catus), also known as the Domestic Cat or House Cat to distinguish it from other felines, is a small carnivorous species of mammal that is often valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years,possibly much longer.

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It is intelligent and can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn to manipulate simple mechanisms. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including mewing ("meow" or "miaow"), purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Cats are popular pets and are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This hobby is known as the "Cat Fancy".

A study by the National Cancer Institute published in the journal Science says that all house cats are descended from a group of self-domesticating desert wildcats Felis silvestris lybica circa 10,000 years ago, in the Near East. All wildcat subspecies can interbreed, but domestic cats are all genetically contained within F. s. lybica
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