Showing posts with label Pet/OrnamentalFish/Hobby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pet/OrnamentalFish/Hobby. Show all posts

Do You Know this Kind of Animal? - Greater Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise - part 2

Sunday, May 3, 2020
You can see the feet (credit to YouTube)

From previous post (Do You Know this Kind of Animal? - part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update), you may see its feet now.

Yes, two prominent characters of birds are able to dance in addition to sing to attract females for mates.

Its English name quite strange for me, “Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise,” but recently called as “Greater Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise,” and Lophorina niedda as a scientific name.

The fact, birds of paradise inhabit two countries:
- New Guinea (Papua New Guinea)
- Papua, Indonesia.

In Papua, Indonesia, the paradise bird is well known as member of “Cendrawasih,” distributes mainly in the mountains and rain forest, West Part of Papua island. 


Greater Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise”
(credit to Telengana Today).

Both two pictures display of mating dance, where blue eyes mean attractive smiling to a female.

Female usually produces eggs 1 to 3 eggs, then lay them in the nest. The time for hatching is about 2 to 4 weeks.

Many paradise birds in the endanger species list, luckily “Greater Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise” considered as population stable.

Do You Know this Kind of Animal? - part 1

Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Eyes and bright color (credit to News Nation)

The above image shows black thing with sections of two small spots and the blue section. You may guess what group of this animal? Few choices in vertebrate classification:

- fish
- amphibian
- reptile
- birds
- mammals

Just for hints that this animal live the tropical country, endemic to New Guinea. Ernst Mayr, Germany evolutionary biologist discovered this animal in 1930

First, this animal was described as sub species. Then, the animal included as very new species in 2018.

This new species, actually part of 50 species exist in the world. Many species are very rare, and live in certain areas only.

Since, females are very low in number, the males attract a female by distinctive dance. The competitions are very intensely fierce among males to get attention from a female.

Now, can you guess (what kind of animal it is)?

I will post the answer in the part 2.


Old post:

A Hiker Gave Water to a Thirsty Wild Snake

Friday, March 20, 2020
A thirsty wild snake drinks water (credit to Newsflare)

When I was kid, I often saw a long small snake with green color either nearby or climbing coconut trees. Our family owned coconut and palm plantations.

As far as I remember, I never noticed that snakes drink water. I knew they catches mice and frogs.

Just recently, a hiker found a thirsty snake in drought palm areas, Thailand. Then, he gave water from a bottle. Look like the reptile drank joyfully. The touching moment.

The scientific name for snake is Gonyosoma oxycephalum with some common names:
- the red-tailed green ratsnake
- the red-tailed racer
- the arboreal ratsnake
- red-tailed Ratsnake
- red-tailed Green Climbing Ratsnake


The red-tailed green ratsnake as a pet (credit to Tumblr)

The habitat of red-tailed green ratsnake is South East Asian Countries such as:
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Myanmar
- Cambodia

This kind of snake is sold in pet shops both in America and European countries in recent years.

The snake is not dangerous and not aggressive, thus become popular as a pet in American households.

Have you seen this kind of snake in nature or pet shop?

Have you Seen Bizarre Looking Birds Called Sage Grouse?

Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Sage Grouse Male (credit to Sierra Club)

When I posted a strange animal called as a three-toed Sloth, all of us never saw it in nature. Please re-visit previous post: Have You Ever Seen a three-toed Sloth in the Nature? | Tanza Erlambang Update

Here, we talk about another odd animal, Sage Grouse. As of above photo is male of sage grouse.

The strange and interesting that a male attracts females by popping sound produced from very big air sacs which locate in his front chest.

Many females will choose the most dominant male with sizes (weight and lengths) twice more than their own.

The normal weight for males are 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) and 3 pound (1.4 kg) for females. The length size is 28 inches (71 cm) for male and 21 inches (53 cm) for female sage grouses. 


A male with a female (credit to Utah Public Radio)

Sage grouse birds occupy shrub-land across North America and Canada. In America, the birds could be found in:

- California
- Nevada
- Idaho
- Montana
- Washington
- Oregon
- Wyoming
- Colorado
- Utah
- South Dakota
- North Dakota

Two species of birds cover about 190 million acres of American 11 states and two Canadian provinces:
- Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
- Gunnison sage grouse (Centrocercus minimus).

Unfortunately that population of both species are decreasing in nature. Greater sage grouse is included as near threatened species.

The number of Gunnison sage grouse is extremely low, around 1,700 birds left only in natures, thus categorized as endangered, brink of extinction species.

Finally, have you seen bizarre looking birds called Sage Grouse in nature or in zoo?

Bandit, a Special Need Dog Found His Perfect Adopters

Sunday, February 9, 2020
Bandit with his wheelchair (credit to Mother Nature Network)

I never saw a dog with wheelchair in my life. The dog called Bandit with his wheelchair is heartbreaking story for me.

Jail Dog” in Gwinnett county, Georgia is a program to give opportunity for selected inmate to train homeless dogs. The program has been started in 2010.

After training, the dog usually to be:
- obedience
- friendly
- trust
- compassion
- patience
- love
- understanding


Bandit with his adopt parent, Darrel Rider 
(credit to BanditRider jdp)

Then, hundreds of trained dogs are ready for adoption by carefully selected potential adopters or owners.

In case of Bandit that He has no “permanent” adopters for long time, almost 6 years. It is due his special need which require a lot and tough cares.

Four different adopters returned his back to the Jail Dog Program and many potential adopters feel scary.

Darrel Rider and his wife, Sue “fall in love” with Bandit because Bandit is like a human, cute and friendly.

Darrel Rider himself use wheelchair. The last inmate who take care Bandit believed that Bandit and Darrel family is “a perfect match.”

Have you seen a dog with wheelchair around?

What Cities Have the Highest Dog Parks Per Capita?

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Dogs are playing in a park

Tel Aviv, Israel is the city with the highest both dogs and dog parks per capita in the world.

The capital city of Israel has 430,000 population with 30,000 dogs. In addition to 70 dog parks, the city has 4 dog beaches as well.

It is said that Tel Aviv is dog friendly city in which dogs are welcome everywhere:
- in the most restaurants
- most hotels
- cafes
- stores

Passengers are allowed to bring their dogs or other pets into buses, trains and taxis.

In the USA, dog parks are growing in many cities, even faster compared to any kinds of parks.



Two nice dogs in the park

In term of per capita (per 100,000 residents), the cities with highest dog parks ranking in the USA are following:
- Las Vegas, Nevada, 3.9 dog parks per 100,000 people
- Madison, Wisconsin, 3.9 dog parks per 100,000 people
- Oakland, California, 3.7 dog parks per 100,000 people
- Arlington, Virginia, 3.5 dog parks per 100,000 people.

In respect to quantity, the city of Las Vegas is recorded as city with the most number of parks with 25 dog parks.


Are there dog parks in your city? How many dog parks in your city?

Had USA Provided Bomb Sniffing Dogs to other Countries?

Tuesday, November 12, 2019
A malnourished USA bomb sniffing dog in a foreign country
(credit to Military.com)

USA State Department well known to provides “civilian foreign aid and development assistance” to countries around the globe.

One of aid and assistants is sending “bomb sniffing dogs” to combat terrorism to several countries.

Yes, there are 10 countries had accepted well training sniffing dogs:
- Bahrain
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Lebanon
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Jordan
- Oman
- Thailand



A bomb sniffing dog in the USA airport (credit to MPR news)

The Transport Security Administration (TSA) said that cost for training a bomb sniffing dog is very expensive.

Cost per dog for training is US$ 218,000, and take care for dog welfare could be US$ 158,00 per year.

More than 180 dogs are sent to at least 10 countries as mentioned above. Unfortunately, these canines are not treated well in certain countries, lead to poor conditions and even death.

In Jordan, bomb sniffing dogs are found the worst. 10 unhealthy dogs are died from 2008 to 2016.

Sniffing dogs are facing skin diseases and overweight in Indonesia. The relate agency in Mexico has no welfare and health records for dogs.

The questions then:
- how the unhealthy and poor condition dogs be able to detect explosive devices and deterring terrorism?

- why US state department had no oversight committee or monitor during dogs deployment in partner countries?


Finally, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions?

Daycare Center for Pet in Our City

Sunday, July 21, 2019
A sign of petsuites

Daycare for pets is a new kind of industry in the USA. I mean it has been developed just in 1990’s. Several factors that stimulate the industry:

- population grew steadily in urban area.
- dogs are living indoors
- no child in households, make pets get more attention.
- American families spend more money on pets.

First opened in New York city, followed by San Francisco, California. Then spread to other wealthy cities.

I guessed, not all cities have a kind of pet daycare centers.

Building of Pet Suites

When I visited farmer market recently, I saw first time the sign of “petsuites.” It is the first center in our city.

Petsuites is nearby to farmer markets and several ethnic groceries. Pet owners may go shopping before or after coming to center. 

The pet center, I considered not big enough, but it seems convenient. I saw some people come in and out with their pets.

Pet Suites side

There are advantages to entrust pet centers:
- well care
- safe
- clean
- friendly

Sure, dogs and cats have different rates. Cats are cheaper than dogs. Dogs rates are based on their weights. Heavier are expensive.

Are pets care centers available in your city? Have you use pets daycare services? 

An Orphan Baby Girl Dugong Needs a Warm Hug

Saturday, July 6, 2019
An orphan baby Dugong calms down in the arms of a marine biologist (credit to Google)

What make world exciting recently is that Thailand Marine biologists found a lonely orphan baby girl of Dugong nearby Phuket water.

When she saw marine biologists, the 5 months orphan girl approached the scientists. She hugs one of scientists who she taught of her mother.

Frightening fact that 200 Dugong left only in Thailands, and similar trend in other South East Asian countries. Dugong Population near extinct

Dugong (Dugong dugon) in South East Asia similar to Manatee (Trichechus sp) in America. They are also known as “sea cow.”

In fairy tales, they are called as mermaid or queen of sea or “putri duyung” in many countries.

I myself may found Dugong in the fisherman markets in South East Asian Countries about 30 years ago.

Marine biologists are milking orphan baby dugong (credit to Google)

Governments in South East countries included Dugong as endangered species around 15 years ago or later. The countries are:
- Thailand
- Philippine
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Vietnam

They are not only endangered species, but International Union of Conservation for Nature considered Dugong as “vulnerable” species, almost disappear from earth.

Baby girl Dugong is approaching a biologist (credit to Google)

The extinct is not due to commercial hunting for meat, skin or bones. Man activities are the main reasons of Dugong population to deplete.

Human activities destroyed food sources and habitat of this critters. The activities include:
- Fishing vessels with their fuel contaminated Dugong’s habitat
- Fishing tools (nets, cages, trawl, grates) destroyed sea grass beds as source of foods.
- Mining cause “sediment build up” and degrading marine habitat.


Have you seen Dugongs or Manatees in the nature?