Pets

Big Question

Are Rabbits as Prolific as Everybody Says?

Rabbits image via ShutterstockIs there any truth to the phrase "breed like rabbits"? Sort of. Bunny sex itself is nothing to write home to mom about. When a doe lets a buck know that she's ready to mate, he circles her, shows off his tail, and sometimes urinates on her. This is what passes for foreplay. Then, the act itself last about 20-40 seconds. Isn't nature glorious?The real wow factor of rabbit reproduction is how fast they get around to breeding, and how often they can do... READ ON

Article

John Lennon Was a Crazy Cat Lady

John Lennon was crazy about cats. Over the years, he owned several, plus a few dogs. These are their stories. Elvis Growing up, Lennon had a cat named Elvis, who was owned by his beloved mother, Julia. Julia was worshiped by young John, and they were both crazy about Elvis Presley. The Lennons realized they had misnamed Elvis when "he" gave birth to a litter of kittens in the cupboard. But still the name of their favorite singer remained tagged to the new mother. Tich and Sam He had two other cats... READ ON

Big Question

Do Other Animals Laugh When Tickled?

Bizarre Image of Man Tickling Chimp via ShutterstockIn 1897, psychologists established that there are two kinds of tickles. Knismesis is caused by very light movement across the skin. It doesn’t make you laugh, and is sometimes accompanied by an itching sensation. Knismesis is often caused by animals and insects crawling across the skin, and may have evolved in a wide range of species as adaptive defense from things like ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, scorpions and spiders.Gargalesis is the other... READ ON

Big Question

Why Do Dogs Walk in a Circle Before Lying Down?

Dog image via ShutterstockThe circling thing is a relic of domestic dogs' wild past, a bit of hard-wired behavior that hasn't been bred out yet. Biologists and dog experts say that it might just be a strange quirk for domestic pooches, but for wild dogs and wolves, circling before hunkering down for the night was practical and sometimes even... READ ON

Article

Mutated Cat Rescues Animal Shelter

Daniel is quite an extraordinary kitty. While his 26 toes aren't enough to earn him a Guinness Book title (he's two toes short), they were enough to help him save the shelter he currently calls home. That's because the shelter that took him in was facing some hard times after their landlord doubled their rent. Fortunately, with Daniel as their poster boy, the shelter was able to solicit donations in increments of $26 (one dollar for each of the kitty's toes) and raised $125,000 — enough for a new... READ ON

List

24 Utterly Adorable Pet Halloween Costumes

Whether or not you would ever dress up your own pet, it’s hard to deny that critters look cute in Halloween costumes, no matter what species they happen to be. Here are some of the best animal Halloween costumes from around the web for your holiday ogling pleasure. Dogs 1. The Incredible... READ ON

Big Question

If You Touch a Baby Bird, Will Its Mother Abandon It?

Mike Truchon / Shutterstock.comWhen I was a kid, our living room opened out onto a back deck through a set of French doors. A pine tree stood over the deck, providing a home for countless birds. Baby birds would regularly fall from their nests onto the deck, and would lie there crying in full view of my brother and me as we sat on the floor watching TV. Our parents always told us that we should never attempt to rescue these birds, no matter how long they were out on the deck, because our scent would... READ ON

Big Question

Who Cleans Up After Seeing Eye Dogs?

Dog turds are stealth weapons. People with 20/20 vision often fail to notice them until they appear hours later, on the bottom of a shoe. How the heck is someone who can’t see supposed to track down and eliminate these sidewalk scourges, then? First off, not everyone who is legally blind or has a guide dog is completely without vision. Some still have some vision and can pick up their dog’s mess just fine.Whether the dog’s handler can see anything or not, you have to keep in mind that these... READ ON

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10 People Who Became Dog Toys

Dog toys generally come in three designs: classic toys such as Frisbees and tennis balls, indestructible designs like the Kong line, and cute animals that are fuzzy or squeaky. Of course, the problem with the cute designs is that they are usually the most easily destroyed. So rather than letting your pup rip an adorable kitten or duck to shreds, why not let him take out someone you really don't like? 1. Michael... READ ON