How to get the best cat food for next to nothing

There’s nothing more important to a cat owner than seeing their animal fit, healthy and very happy. The truth is that one of the main ways to its heart is through its stomach, so it’s hugely important to feed it something tasty. All joking aside, all cats have different needs, so finding the right food is essential. To get the best information on where to find the perfect food, go to http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/ and do a quick search.

The trouble is that with prices rising all around us, pet products don’t come cheaply, and food is one of the most expensive things to buy from pet stores as the costs soon mount up because you buy regularly. The easiest option is to look for alternative means to get what you want, and shopping on the internet at Monster Pet Supplies is the best way to find cheap cat food.

Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s bad. In actual fact the cat food you’ll find at Monster isn’t low grade rubbish; rather it’s seriously high quality and includes some of the biggest brands in the business. The huge price discounts available mean that even the most popular products appear cheap, so really you’re just getting extreme value for money.

Whether your cat has joint trouble, a sensitive digestive system or is simply extremely picky as to what it eats, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect solution. From famous brands to more specialised ones, the sheer volume of products available at Monster is staggering. And the great thing is that once you find the right one, you can have it sent straight to your home and not have to lift a finger.

So it’s abundantly clear then that getting the right food for your cat is essential to keeping it content. Shopping online means you can get the best brands for a small fraction of the cost, so really it’s the best of both worlds for pet and owner!

About the Galapagos Marine Iguana

Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), Galáp...

Image by derekkeats via Flickr

When people think about the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin typically comes to mind. He conducted vast amounts of research on the various animal species native to this region. Also endemic to this region is the Galapagos marine iguana. Iguanas typically live on land, so this particular iguana is truly unique and worth observing.

Distinct from Other Iguanas

The marine iguana lives only in the Galapagos Islands and is considered a marine reptile. Iguanas, otherwise referred to as lizards, typically thrive in hot and dry environments. The marine iguana, on the other hand, dives many feet into the sea to find marine algae and lives on the rocks by the ocean.

Its Appearance

Charles Darwin was unimpressed by the marine iguana’s physical appearance. He wrote about its black color and compared it to the unattractive rocks by the ocean. The marine iguana does also come in other colors. Some are seen with a lighter striped coloring and grey varieties also exist. Their faces can also look white due to the salt from their nasal glands.

Its Habits

Marine iguanas are strong swimmers and are able to adhere closely to the rocks as they emerge from the water due to their claws. The shape of the marine iguana’s tail and its fin spikes allow it to withstand fierce water currents and stay close enough to the shore.

The marine iguana can stay in the water for half hour stretches, but after such an extensive time in the water, it must regain its warmth by lying on the black rocks. Cold weather makes the marine iguana slower in its movements, which makes it more defensive and prone to biting other creatures.

I Smell Something Fishy

Cover of "Triple Feature: Free Willy/Free...

Cover via Amazon

The threat of global warming is depleting the oceans of the world, and as civilization expands through forests and other places that were once wildlife habitats, the way of life for many animals is disappearing.

This list of marine mammals is a small one, with many in danger of disappearing completely. To look up more endangered animals and ways that you can help in the fight to save them, search at Canada 411.

  • Bottle-nose Dolphin: These mammals are friendly ocean creatures who are sweet and sociable. Many Bottle-nose dolphins are hunted off the coasts of Japan, and killed or injured by the motor blades of boats.
  • California Sea Lion: These adorable sea lions are featured in many pictures because of their sweet faces and cute expressions. Many sea lions will be hunted for blubber and are injured by oil spills and boat motor blades.
  • Killer Whale: These mammals became famous after movies like Free Willy. They’re hunted for their skin and poached heavily despite attempts at increasing the species by providing safe locations like Sea World. These giants don’t do well in captivity.
  • Humpback whales: These giant mammals are also victims of poaching and are hunted for their meat and their tough skin. Many mothers end up separated from young babies and the young die without their mother.

The Marine Animal Conservation Society works closely with the National Marine Fisheries to start breeding programs, stop poaching and find safe environments for these gorgeous creatures to repopulate natural habitats.

Captivity Of Endangered Species By Humans ? An Ironic Consequence Of Our Mistakes

Fishing in the Maldives

Image via Wikipedia

Many persons justify the captivity of sea life by pointing out that these animals would be at a much higher risk to hunting and poaching if they are allowed in the open sea or ocean. Well, that is equivalent to stating that it is better to keep a person in jail than to kill him or her when the truth is that he or she has not done anything to deserve the punishment.

Humans have come up with advanced technologies for fishing the deep seas and oceans without any difficulty. This has affected the natural imbalance. Further, certain sea predators have been attacked for their teeth, skin, oil or other body parts. Humans have recklessly over exploited the resources of the planet. A population explosion has compelled people to hunt for more food.

All this has resulted in certain species becoming near extinct. Now, humans are suggesting that animals of these species must be captured and kept in captivity so that they are not destroyed. If humans were so keen on protecting the species, why did they trawl the deep seas and indulge in reckless fishing to earn more profits? These are pertinent questions which must be answered before proceeding further.

However, the sad truth is that bulk of these questions have become academic. We have overexploited the oceans and are now trying to do our best to reduce the guilt. However, the sad truth is that our reckless activity and our supposedly remedial action – both have spelt disastrous for the animals. They were killed in the past. Now, they are being kept in the captivity. In both cases, they were never at fault.

 

 

 

 

Whale Watching a Safe Leisure Activity

Bull killer whale approaching a whale watching...

Image via Wikipedia

There are several types of whales that one can see during a whale watching boat ride or tour but one of the most popular attractions on these trips is the killer whale. Killer whales, or orca, belong to the dolphin family and have gathered the same reputation for intelligence and grace that their cousins have with marine enthusiasts.

However, some people have started to question the safety of whale watching tours, particularly with the bad press over a handler’s death at SeaWorld in 2010. That particular whale was responsible for at least two other deaths throughout his career as a marine theme part animal and there have about two dozen other attacks (and a few deaths) on humans by orca that were in captivity at the time.

Even the earliest writings of the killer what would indicate that the animal is a threat to human lives. Pliny the Elder wrote around 70 A.D. that there was no way he could describe the creatures, “other than an enormous mass of savage flesh with teeth.” However, though his imagery is violent, he clearly states that the whales get their name from the way they ram into other whales.

There have been very few confirmed incidents of orca attacking humans in the wild. Most of the time, even the people involved with the attack can attribute it to another circumstance, such as an orca confusing a boat for prey. Even with these rare attacks, there are no recorded incidents of a human death attributed to a killer whale in the wild. It would seem that the only danger killer whales pose for humans is in captivity.

Killer Whales Only ‘Killer’ in Captivity

Resident (fish-eating) killer whales. The curv...

Image via Wikipedia

Killer whales were much beloved in the early 1990s after the film “Free Willy” captured the hearts of children and adults alike. However, in recent years, killer whales have been getting a bad reputation for being dangerous. Since the 1970s, there have been more than two dozen recorded attacks on humans (including trainers and visitors) by orca held in captivity, particularly at aquariums or theme parks.

The latest was Dawn Brancheau who was playing with an orca that had previous human deaths on his record – a trainer in 1991 and a pool intruder in 1999 – and was dragged to her death in 2010.

The movie “Free Willy” may be more relevant to understanding the problem of killer whales held in captivity than most people know – not because of the actual movie’s message but because of the eventual fate of the star – Keiko the orca. Keiko was removed from a theme park and there were several attempts to re-intergrate him into the wild. However, Keiko died entirely dependent on his human trainers and handlers who still fed him every day.

Keiko was never involved in any aggression toward humans but his situation embodied the basic problem with the reasons that killer whales become killers in captivity: small tanks, limited ways to get the attention of the humans they depend on, forced social grouping with other animals, frustration, confusion and even the chemical alterations in the pools that vary from their natural habitat.

The endangered status of the orca is increasing daily. Conservation efforts are sometimes hampered by the bad reputation they get from these attacks on humans in captivity.

 

Benefits of Having Pet Fish

Contemplating having a pet but not sure what sort of pet to choose? Consider getting a pet fish or two. There are many advantages and benefits of having pet fish that make them a convenient pet for families and those who live alone.  Here is a look at some of the benefits of having pet fish.

One of the biggest advantages of having pet fish is that they are fairly easy to take care of.  Fish do not have a litter box you have to change and they do not have to be taken outdoors.  You simply have to keep their tank or bowl clean and feed them.  This is perfect for the busy family or someone who works a hectic schedule and is not home often.

Pet fish are also a good choice for those who suffer from pet allergies.  Many people find themselves suffering from being allergic to dogs or cats and therefore assume they cannot own a pet.  Fish are a great alternative especially for children.

Owning pet fish is also a good way to teach kids how to be responsible for a pet.  If you are thinking about getting a larger pet such as a dog or cat, first consider getting your child a fish and see how they do with it.  It is the perfect opportunity for them to learn to take care of their own pet.

Lastly, pet fish are an inexpensive pet to have.  While there are some types of fish that are exotic and rare making them more expensive, there are several types of fish that are very inexpensive to buy and take care of.

Four Common Ocean Fish

There are many different and unusual fish found in the ocean but there are several types that are more commonly found than others.  Here is a look at fish commonly found in the ocean.

The wahoo is a type of fish that is usually found in warmer oceans and belongs to the same family as the tuna fish.  Many people are not aware but the wahoo are very fast fish and can swim up to 47 miles per hour! Wahoo fish also have extremely large teeth that are perfect for eating things such as reef fish, small tuna fish as well as squid.  Wahoo fish can also grow to be extremely large weighing in at over a hundred pounds and can grow to be over six foot long!

Snapper fish are also found in the ocean.  Snapper fish are a great source of food and considered highly valuable. Many people enjoy eating fresh snapper.  There are several different type of snapper fish with some such as the red snapper that are not considered safe to eat. Some snapper fish live in reef areas while others live in very deep areas of the ocean.

A popular fish that many people love to look at is the angelfish.  Most angelfish live next to the coral reef.  There are 75 types of angelfish that are considered saltwater and one type that is freshwater. You cannot eat the angelfish.

The goatfish are bottom dwellers and are usually found in groups.  They are very odd looking with whiskers under their chin that they use to look for food on the bottom of the ocean to eat.  Their diet consists of a lot of shrimp, crab, and other fish.  The goatfish is safe to eat and many people enjoy catching them either by net, a line and hook or even with a spear.

Recommended Freshwater Fish for Pets

While there are thousands of different types of fish there are a few types of freshwater fish that come hightly recommended for those who are contemplating getting one as a pet.  While some fish may look pretty they may be difficult to take care of or require extra attention that other types of freshwater fish do not.  Here is a look at recommended freshwater fish for pets.

Swordtails are an excellent choice for almost any freshwater aquarium.  These pretty fish can grow up to around four inches and are usually peaceful fish with the exception of male swordfish which can be quite aggressive with each other.  While swordfish breed easily it is recommended once the baby fish are born that the mother be moved to a separate place as some have been known to try to eat their own young.

One of the most commonly known freshwater fish are the neon tetras.  These are schooling fish so you can easily group together five or more fish.  These fish are known for their iridescent glow on their scales that makes it appear as though they are glowing in the tank.

Platies are also a good choice for those who want freshwater fish as pets.  These pets are related to the swordtails and they come in a number of different colors.  These fish are also schooling fish and do well in smaller numbers such as four or five.  You will want to provide a number of different plants in the aquarium if you want these fish to breed.

Freshwater Fish Not Recommended as Pets

Some freshwater fish such as the neon tetras make excellent pets and are a great addition for any aquarium.  However, there are some freshwater fish that do not make good pets and are not recommended for home aquariums.  Here is a look at freshwater fish not recommended as pets.

If you are looking for the traditional type of tank, goldfish are not recommended.  Goldfish have previously been a favorite especially for those who have never owned a fish before.  The problem is is that goldfish can grow extremely large in size and therefore are not a good choice for the usual type of tank found in most homes.

Mollies are another type of freshwater fish that are not recommended due to the fact that they are very difficult to keep alive.  This is especially important if you are considering getting your child a pet fish and want one that is more likely to stick around.  Mollies are very sensitive to their water conditions which attributes to many of them dying early on. They can make good fish but they are really a better choice for someone with more experience or someone who has a lot of time to devote to their fish.

Bettas, or as they are known to some, Siamese fighting fish are also not recommended.  While they are beautiful fish, they do not do well with others in a community fish tank and are usually only recommended to be by themselves.

Catfish are also not recommended freshwater fish for a pet. While catfish are very small at first, they can grow to be extremely large thus making them difficult to take care of and not good for a home tank.

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