2011 Ski Holidays - Celebrity Switzerland

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in the world. Millions of people every year enjoy skiing in any number of areas.

Switzerland has some of the best winter sports areas and is busy from early fall through mid to late spring, depending on snowfall. Many celebrities have been photographed enjoying a quiet ski weekend away.

Klosters

Klosters has created quite a name for itself and caters to every skill level. The resort is rated as "OK" for experts, "good" for intermediate, "OK" for beginners and "very good" for snowboarding. Klosters is said to have marvelous off-piste opportunities and an incredible vertical drop.

Klosters High Profile Guests

The romantic, village-like atmosphere Klosters provides is a short trip from nearby Davos. The resort is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family ski holiday. The Pinocchio Children's Club provides professional childcare for parents who enjoy occasional time without the children.

Celebrities often visit Klosters as a way to get away from the pressures life throws at them. Prince Charles is a regular guest at Klosters and his son Prince William has visited from time to time with Kate Middleton. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, was also a frequent visitor at Klosters.

Gstaad

Gstaad ski resort is rated "very good" for all skill levels and snowboarding as well. It offers a variety of black, red, blue and green runs with a nice vertical lift and several miles of downhill pistes.

Gstaad High Profile Guests

Many celebrities have been sighted in Gstaad over the years including: Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, Julie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn, Prince Rainier, Marlene Dietrich, Diana Ross, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Evans, David Bowie, Robert Wagner, Roger Moore, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Bono, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Elizabeth Taylor, King Constantine of Greece, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and Roger Federer.

That's quite the guest list to be certain. Gstaad has been mentioned in several movies or television shows as well, including Trading Places, Dynasty, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Return of the Pink Panther.

St. Moritz

St. Moritz ski resort is rated "very good" for experts considering a Swiss ski holiday plus intermediate skiers and snowboarding; "good" for beginners. St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948.

The resort focuses on more than just winter sports and creates a unique winter holiday for all ages. Beginners find the mountain a challenge, while experts also find many hidden treasures off-piste.

St. Moritz High Profile Guests

The resort itself was mentioned in both Goldfinger and For Your Eyes Only, very popular James Bond movies. Many high-end retailers like Bulgari and Chanel have shops in St. Moritz.

Several celebrities, including George Clooney and girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, Kate Moss, Prince Charles, Ivana Trump, Naomi Campbell, Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant enjoy shopping and skiing in St. Moritz.

The 2010-2011 Ski Season

Winter sports enthusiasts are sure to find a great time no matter where they choose to visit during the 2010-2011 season. Many resorts around the world are planning to open relatively early due to the amount of dust already on the peaks. Switzerland's top three ski resorts are among the best to visit.
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Habitat of Antelopes

The genesis of the word antelope is interesting. 'Anthólops', the Byzantine Greek word for antelope, was perhaps coined from the two Greek words 'anthos' (meaning flower) and 'ops' (meaning eyes). The word anthólops perhaps means an animal with beautiful eyes and/or long eyelashes. Indeed the eyes of an antelope look beautiful, like they were carved out by the most skilled artist in the world. But did you know that the word 'antelope' does not refer to a single species but a group of different animals? Also, the group 'antelope' is not a scientific taxon. 'Antelope' in fact refers to all animals that do not fit in the group of buffaloes, sheep, cattle, goats or bison. The term 'antelope' is hence a wastebasket taxon. However, you will agree with me when I say this wastebasket is exceptionally beautiful-looking!

Antelope Habitat

Antelopes are herbivores. They feed on fresh green grass, buds of flowers, fruits, twigs and stems. They also need a steady supply of water around their habitat. This is why most antelopes are found in the grasslands and savannas of most continents / subcontinents. They are also found in forests (especially dry deciduous forests). However many antelopes are found in unusual habitats as well - there are many antelope species that have adapted to cold climatic conditions, desert regions and even rocky terrains.

Being a collection of those animals that taxonomy has been unable to classify according to phylogeny, antelopes include animals belonging to many genera. For the same reason, antelopes are found scattered all over the map, in different parts of the world and living in different conditions. Here is an account of some of the most common antelopes and their habitats.

*Click on images to enlarge

Blue Wildebeest

Scientific Name: Connochaetes taurinus Native Habitat: Southern and East Africa Biome: Savanna and grasslands Also known as the common wildebeest, these antelopes are found mainly in southern and east Africa. The largest population of these antelopes is found in the Serengeti ecosystem. The habitat of blue wildebeest should neither be too wet, nor too dry. In the presence of ample supply of water, they may survive in arid climatic regions as well.

Blackbuck

Scientific Name: Antelope cervicapra Native Habitat: Indian subcontinent Biome: Dry deciduous forest The blackbuck is native to the Indian subcontinent, and is found in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Karnataka, etc. However, it has now been introduced into Texas and Argentina as well. It is the only surviving species of its genus and has been tagged with the status, 'Near Threatened' by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) since 2003.

Gemsbok

Scientific Name: Oryx gazella Native Habitat: Southern Africa Biome: Savanna This antelope is native to southern Africa. In South Africa, the Oryx gazella is found mostly in the dry and arid regions. This is why it is seen abundantly in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. Population of this antelope is more than three hundred thousand in South Africa alone. Wild population of this antelope is seen in Texas as well.

Nilgai

Scientific Name: Boselaphus tragocamelus Native Habitat: Indian subcontinent Biome: Grasslands and woodlands Native to such countries as India, Pakistan and Nepal, Nilgai is the biggest Asian antelope. Wild population of this antelope is seen in Texas, especially in the southern region of the state. This antelope was introduced in Texas somewhere around the 1920s for recreational purposes. However, a few of these antelopes managed to escape from captivity and now exist as a wild species.

Impala

Scientific Name: Aepyceros melampus Native Habitat: African subcontinent Biome: Savanna and bushveld Found abundantly in countries like Zimbabwe, Uganda, Namibia, Tanzania, Mozambique, etc. the impala refers to a medium-sized African antelope. The impala is an ecotone species, that lives between forests and grasslands. An ecotone is an ecological niche characterized by the transition between two biomes.

As you may have realized, being a diverse group of around 30 different genera and more than 80 species, antelopes are scattered all over the world. However, the biggest collection of antelopes is undoubtedly found in Africa. It is indeed a beautiful creature, held as a sign of beauty, elegance and charm.

Types of Vultures

Most of you may not find vultures esthetically appealing, but if you observe them closely, you might find them beautiful. Generally, people have the perception that these scavengers are 'evil', but in reality they are not harmful at all. The fact is that, they are beneficial for the environment as they keep the surroundings clean by feeding on the carcasses, but their service to nature is often overlooked.

*Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Different Types of Vultures

You might be surprised to know that there are more than 15 types of vultures. Here is the list:

African White Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

They are Old World Vultures. They can weigh between 9.2 lbs and 15.8 lbs, and can have a length of 98 cm. It is evident from their name that they are found in Africa (especially South Africa, Namibia, and in West Africa). They have a bald head, strong bill, and they have a good wingspan. Apart from their white back, the rest of their body is dark.

Andean condor (Vultur Gryphus)

They belong to the New World Vulture family, and are found in the Andes. They approximately weigh around 33 lbs, and have a wingspan of over 300 cm! Thus, they are one of the largest birds in the world which are able to fly. They have a bald head, and are usually black in color. A male can be easily distinguished from a female, due to the presence of a white collar on the males.

Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

They can be found in southern Europe, Tibet, and southern Africa. They are also called Lammergeier. They do not have a bald head, and this makes them different from most of the vultures. They are considered to be a part of the Old World Vulture family. They are massive, as they have a wingspan of 300 cm, and they can have a length of 125 cm!

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

They are predominantly found in America, so they are also called the American Black Vulture. They are small vultures, as their wingspan is less when compared to other vultures. They are one of the New World Vultures. They are usually 55-68 cm in length, and they weigh between 2.5-4.5 lbs. They are dark, and have a bald head.

California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

They are considered to be the largest bird species in northern America, as their weight can reach 29 lbs, and their wingspan is around 305 cm! Their population has reduced significantly over the years, making them one of the rarest avian species in the world. They are dark in color, but have white patches under their wings. They are from the New World Vulture family.

Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)

They are Old World Vultures. They weigh around 15-25 lbs, and have a wingspan of 243-260 cm, and they are 100-115 cm long. They are also called Cape Griffon, or Kolbe's Vulture. They are found only in southern Africa. They are dark brown in color. According to the IUCN, they are 'vulnerable', and need to be protected.

Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)

They are Old World Vultures, and are also called Eurasian Black Vulture, or Monk Vulture. Their wingspan is between 243-320 cm, and length is between 98-120 cm. They can weigh up to 31 lbs. They are the largest in the Old World Vulture family, and can be found in Asia and southern Europe.

Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus)

This Old World Vulture is found in northern Africa, Asia, and southern Europe. They are also called Griffon Vulture, and they weigh 13.2 and 29 lbs, and are 93-110 cm long, and have a wingspan of 230-280 cm. They have a bald head, and a white neck, and short tail feathers.

Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)

Found in the Africa, these vultures have a length of 62-72 cm, and weigh between 3.3-5.7 lbs. They are from the family of Old World Vultures. This vulture has a grayish 'hood', hence the name. They are found in large numbers.

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)

When you see this vulture from the Old World Vulture family, you will know why they are called 'King Vultures'. They are very attractive. They are white in color , with traces of black (or gray). They have a wingspan of 122-202 cm, and a length of 67-81 cm. An adult will weigh around 10 lbs.

Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus)

They belong to the Old World Vulture family, and are also called Nubian Vulture. They are 95-115 cm long, and have a wingspan of 244-305 cm. Their weight varies according to the subspecies. They are generally found in Africa.

Ruppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppellii)

They have a wingspan of about 260 cm, and they are 85-107 cm long, and they weigh 14-20 lbs. It is difficult to distinguish between the 2 sexes. They have a white collar. You can easily spot them in central Africa.

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

They are also called Turkey Buzzard, John Crow, and Carrion Crow. They can be found in America. They weigh around 1.9-5 lbs, have a wingspan of 170-183 cm, and they are 64-81 cm long. They have brownish-black plumage.

White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

This is an Old World Vulture, which is found only in Africa. They are not very large. They have a length of 72-85 cm, a wingspan of 207-230 cm, and can weigh up to 10.4 lbs. They are dark brown in color, with a pink beak.

Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis)

They are also called Vulturine Fish Eagle, and belong to the Old World Vulture family. They breed in Africa, and have a weight of 2.6-4 lbs, length of 60 cm, and a wingspan of 150 cm. They are white in color, with black patches on their wings. They are smallest among the Old World Vultures.

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

They are small, and have white plumage. They are also called Pharaoh's Chicken, or White Scavenger Vulture. This bird belongs to the Old World Vulture family. They can weigh up to 4.4 lbs, they are 47-70 cm in length, and they have a wingspan of 5-5.6 feet.

In addition to the above, there are few more species of vultures, they are as follows:

White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
They belong to the Old World Vulture family. They weigh around 7.7-16.5 lbs, and are 89-93 cm in length, with a wingspan of 260 cm. They are also called Oriental White-backed Vulture as they are generally found in Asia.

Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis)
They are big vultures, belonging to the New World Vulture family. A fully grown Himalayan Griffon will have a length of 103-130 cm, and a wingspan of 260-310 cm, and will weigh between 18-26.4 lbs. In terms of size, they are second only to Cinereous Vulture.

Long Billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)
They are also called Indian Vulture, as they are preponderantly found in India. They weigh approximately 12-13.9 lbs, and are 80-100 cm long. They have a wingspan of 205 to 229 cm. They are a part of the Old World Vulture family.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)
They have wingspan of 150-165 cm, length of 53-66 cm, and weigh between 2.1 to 3.4 lb. They are also known as the Savannah Vulture. They are predominantly black in color, and have a yellow skin.

Most of the vultures mentioned above have several sub-types. All the vultures have a common characteristic - they live a long life. They are not as 'evil' or 'dangerous' as you think, they just look menacing. They are wonderful creatures, who help keep the environment clean.

Cat's Purring

Cat's purring certainly did have its main advantages over other animal species, throughout animal history. Nonetheless, most feline species also produce some sort of purr-like vocalized sounds. In the case of domestic cats, purring can be noticed especially when a female cat is nursing her babies or when humans interact with cat through feeding, stroking or petting.

We usually assume that the purring of a cat is a sign of increased pleasure and contentment. But we may not always be right because we may be judging things from our human perspective. In fact, although cats most often use purring to communicate with their kittens, to express their gratitude or sense of well-being towards their owners, cats may also purr when they feel pressured or stressed. This may also happen during a veterinarian visit or when the animal is recovering from an injury, from an illness or a surgery. As we can see, not all the purring cats are pleased or happy with their current situation. The question why cats purr is still under debate, and researchers are still investigating the issue.

Another purring-related issue is how cats manage to produce these sounds. Thus, scientists have proved that cats can produce the purring sounds by laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles' intermittent signaling. Both during their inhalation and exhalation, cats have a consistent purring frequency between 25-150 Hertz. The results of several investigations have attested that sound frequencies of this range can in fact improve the density of bones and they can enhance the healing processes.

Thus, cat's purring frequencies are strongly related to the capacity of healing muscles and bones. And because of that, this feline inborn quality may prove to be of use to us humans. Especially if we come to think of astronauts and their muscle atrophy and bone density loss problems when exposed to long periods of zero gravity exposure. In that situation, astronauts' muscular-skeletal systems are deprived of the normally experienced physical activity stresses, including the routine of sitting or standing, which demand human strength for controlling one's posture.

Cats are adapted to preserve and re-charge their energy through long periods of sleep and rest. Because of that, purring may in fact be a mechanism that requires low energy to stimulate bones and muscles. Because they are so durable, cats are said to have "nine lives" (or in Romanian culture, the saying is "a cat has seven lives"). There even is a veterinarian legend saying that cats have the power to reassemble all their bones if they are left in the same room with all other body parts. The roots of this cat mythology may be found in cat's act of purring.

Also, as compared to other domesticated animal species and pets, the domestication of cats happened quite recently. Due to this late domestication, cats have less bone and muscle abnormalities than dogs, which have been more strongly selected by humans. Cat's purring may in fact help them ease the osteoporotic or dysplastic conditions that are quite common of the dog species. And although we may feel tempted to consider that cats purr when they are happy and healthy, it's perhaps closer to the truth to acknowledge the fact that cats may be purring in order to communicate and heal themselves.

At any rate, cats and their purring may indeed have a therapeutic effect on humans, helping them heal faster and better. We could mention in this respect Aaron Katcher, an American psychiatrist who in 1982 proved in front of the camera how petting a cat can help release anxiety, arterial pressure, i.e. it can diminish the risk of heart stroke. Dennis R. Ownby, who is responsible with the allergological and immunological section of the University of Georgia, US, concluded after a 7 years study that daily interaction with cats humans get exposed to some molecules which are reputed for the efficient protection of the immune system. Cats are also said to have antidepressant effect on us humans but they don't send us any positive energy, all they do is liberate humans from their negative energies, anxieties and stress. They are a kind of emotional sponges, absorbing our bad vibes, in a way, without replacing them however with good vibes.

The Puli Dog Breed

Pulis are a medium to small Hungarian breed that is generally used for guarding herds and livestock. It is usually known for its long and corded coat with tight curls that are very similar to dreadlocks. Because of that, Pulis are very resistant to water. There is another dog breed with a similar look but with a much bigger size, and it is called Komondor.

The Puli is usually colored black and has a solid figure. There are however some other colors for this dog, namely gray, cream, white, and so on. White Pulis often have blue eyes and they are called "Roxies". Female Pulis weigh about 23 to 25 pounds, whereas male Pulis can weigh slightly more than that. Some Puli dogs differ in their coat, which can be thinner or thicker, flat or round, depending on its undercoat’s texture and the way the undercoat and the coat are balanced together.

A controlled matting process has their special kind of coat as a result. Thus, it is desirable for the Puli to have their coat under the shape of cords and because of that they must be groomed in order for their coat to form some thinner types of ropes. This dog requires a lot of care for keeping his coat clean, attractive and neat in general. As the dog grows older, the coat may grow as long as reaching the ground. For an easy maintenance, it’s recommended to trim their coat short quite regularly. Since this breed has almost no shedding, if the dog is healthy, its coat will grow again pretty soon after being trimmed.

As far as their general behavior is concerned, Pulis are lively, very intelligent animals. In spite of their rather bulky look and of the thickness of their coat, Pulis can be very agile, fast and they are able to change directions very rapidly. They are obedient enough to be trained for athletic dog competitions. They are very loyal and affectionate towards their owners.

This breed is very obedient and agile. Pulis are sensitive, fun, courageous but sometimes they can be quite tough or headstrong. As it has been previously mentioned, they are loyal to their owners and often distrustful of strangers. Highly active, they keep their puppy-like playful behavior throughout their whole life. They require a lot of space in order to stay fit and happy, and because of that they prefer the outdoors. Although they are trainable and they can be kept inside, they are not suitable for city life, as they can make unhappy indoor pets. If they spend too much time in an enclosed space, they can become restless, hyperactive and develop some other undesired personality features, or on the contrary, they may become extremely lazy and aloof.

When used for work, Pulis are very obedient and task-oriented. They can be very good police dogs. When used as livestock guardians, they are extremely protective of flock, herds and territory they were assigned to watch over. Although they are relatively small, they are fearless and can indeed scare the "enemies" away. Nonetheless, they very seldom inflict injuries.

They are also excellent for guarding human families. Even when they are old, they can still be very joyful, friendly and playful. Because they view their family as their flock, they keep distance from strangers until they can make sure that they are not threats. It’s not a good idea to tease or annoy them, as they may attack without any warning sign. Because they are very independent and headstrong, they only obey strong-willed people.

There are many dog competitions that Pulis can participate in, such as obedience, dog agility trails, tracking, rally obedience, fly-ball, tracking, etc. And those Pulis who exhibit some basic herding instincts can also be trained to go for herding trial competitions. At any rate, Puli breed is highly regarded because of its being energetic and determined, a consequence of their herd guarding history. Even if they have been raised as family dogs, all Pulis have shepherd instincts and they naturally know how to watch over a flock or a herd of livestock. This may happen even without any training. Because they are so independent and strong-willed, it’s highly recommended to start training them at a very early age.

Types of Ostriches

The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) belongs to the order Struthioniformes, and is closely related to other flightless birds like emus, kiwis, and cassowaries. Camelus in fact means camel, and the ostrich bears this name since it adapts very well to the harsh and dry climate of Africa, just like a camel. This flightless bird has earned the distinction of being the fastest running bird on the planet, achieving a speed of more than 60 miles per hour. The ostrich is also famous for laying the largest egg. Being a fast runner, an ostrich will run if it feels threatened. But be careful, if you happen to provoke it, it will do you more harm than good! An ostrich can kick with its powerful legs which can even prove fatal. Another interesting fact about ostriches are their eyes, they possess the largest pair among all land creatures! Gifted with an extraordinary sense of sight and hearing, ostriches can detect the presence of predators from a long distance. A famous myth surrounding ostriches is that they bury their heads in sand if they sense danger approaching. However, this is not true at all. If they feel threatened, they lie on the ground, with their heads and necks flat out, and from afar, this position resembles a pile of earth, an excellent camouflage from predators.

Subspecies of Ostriches

The following types of ostriches are found in mainland Africa:

Red-necked Ostrich
	It is also referred to as the North African ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus). It was the most widely distributed species of ostrich, but unfortunately now inhabits only certain parts of northern Africa. This bird stands tall at over 9 feet - the tallest species of ostrich, with a pink neck. Males sport black and white feathers whereas females are gray.

Masai Ostrich
Native to the eastern part of the African continent, the masai ostrich (Struthio camelus massaicus) is found in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia. As compared to other subspecies, this ostrich has relatively small feathers over its head. The male's neck and thighs take on a pink color to attract females during the mating season.

Southern Ostrich
	The range of the southern ostrich, or Struthio camelus australis, is limited to the southern part of Africa, in the regions lying to the south of the Zambezi and Kunene rivers as the name suggests. This bird's feathers were once a prized commodity in the areas around the Cape of Good Hope, and hence it was domesticated in the olden days.

Somali Ostrich

A rather distinct species as compared to the other three, the Somali ostrich (Struthio camelus molybdophanes), is found only in eastern Africa, more or less limited to the region known as the Horn of Africa, in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Unlike other subspecies, the females are larger than the males. These ostriches sport a white plumage, with the females having a brownish tinge to them. The other distinguishing character of this ostrich is the color of their thighs and neck, which is grayish-blue, and which changes to a deep blue in the mating season. Even though it shares the same habitat as the masai ostrich, it is different in its feeding habits by preferring to browse in areas which have taller trees and dense vegetation.

Another recognized subspecies, namely the Middle Eastern or Arabian Ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus) was abundantly found in parts of Syria and in the Arabian Peninsula as recently as 1966. It was marginally smaller in size to the North African ostrich. Sadly, with the area drying up, and extensive poaching and use of firearms in the region, this subspecies was completely wiped off from the face of the earth.

The ostrich is a large, beautiful bird, and even though it is very widely distributed in the African continent, these amazing birds were once illegally hunted for their feathers which were used to make fashion accessories, and for their skin which was used to make leather, which proved to be strong and durable. The red-necked and Somali ostriches are still being hunted down for their meat and eggs making the red-necked ostrich being listed as critically endangered. Proper care must be taken to conserve this largest and heaviest species of bird on the planet, so it does not face the danger of total extinction.

Is White Willow Bark Safe for Dogs?

The White Willow Bark, also known as white willow, white bark, and Salix alba, is a tree whose leaves are covered with fine white hair, and it is native to Asia and Europe. The bark of this tree has many healing properties because it contains the compound, salicin, and it has been used to treat human ailments like osteoarthritis, joint pain, back pain, flu, etc., if taken in the right dosage, and is also much more effective than taking an aspirin. While the effectiveness of this tree has been proved in case of humans, whether or not they are effective in the case of dogs is a completely different question.

White Willow Bark for Dogs

White willow bark is the herb that is used for making aspirin, since there is the right amount of salicin in the white willow bark. Salicin is necessary to produce salicylic acid, which is used as an antibiotic as well as for treating many other ailments. Although scientists have successfully made a synthetic salicylic acid supplement in labs, it has proved to be difficult for the stomach to digest. Dogs can be administered white willow, as their digestive system is much stronger than ours. But even then, they should be administered the drug only after consulting the vet. The amount that is administered makes all the difference between helping your dog and harming your dog. Given in an appropriate dosage, this herb acts as a painkiller just like aspirin, and helps relieve pain in small to medium-sized animals. Dogs get arthritis just like humans do, and the white willow bark has been used for decades to help reduce this pain in dogs, but most of the recorded data is built on the experiences obtained in clinics and not based on proper research work.

Dosage, Usage and Side Effects

Apart from arthritis, white willow bark is also used to treat inflammation in dogs and some other animals, except cats. It is known to be very effective against various ailments. White willow also helps in preventing blood clots. The dosage to be administered depends on the breed and the size of the dog. As the size increases, the dosage will increase. But while administering, one should be careful not to exceed the dosage, because there are a few side effects of white willow that occur, when more than the required amount is given to them. The time required for aspirin to take effect and white willow bark to take effect vary, as white willow bark takes longer than aspirin to take effect. But although aspirin is quick-acting, the effects of aspirin wear off equally fast. On the other hand, although white willow bark takes more time to have effect, the effect lasts much longer as compared to the effect of aspirin. In this case, the white willow bark is better for use in the long run.

The most important thing to remember is that white willow bark should not be administered in combination with other drugs. When given in combinations that are not suitable, this herb tends to aggravate the side effects that are caused by the other drugs. There are quite a few drugs that do not work well with this herb, and these combinations should be avoided at all costs, to ensure that your pet remains safe and does not suffer from unnecessary side effects. If your dog is currently on some medication, then let him finish that off, before you give him white willow bark. Or ask the vet if you can give it in combination with the current medication. There are also a few side effects of white willow bark itself, as mentioned earlier. One of the main side effects is ulcers in the stomach. Others include cramps, nausea, rash, gastrointestinal bleeding, and in extreme cases, it may do some damage to the kidneys.

So, the answer to the question is that white willow bark is safe for dogs, as long as it is given in the right quantity. And in case you are unsure about the right quantity, it would be advisable to consult the vet. They usually have ready packages, with the right amount of ingredients in the right proportions and ratios, that can be directly administered to your dog.

Types of Hawks

Hawks are woodland birds which belong to the order Accipitriformes, and are well-known for their sharp vision and hunting skills. Based on their hunting skills and their innovative feeding routines, hawks have been touted as one of the most intelligent bird species. Given below are all the types of commonly known hawks. While there are some falcons which are commonly known as hawks, there are certain differences between hawks and falcons, and the two shouldn't be confused. The main difference is that they belong to different orders: falcons belong to Falconiformes, while hawks belong to Accipitriformes. Some hawks, like the Red Tailed, Swainson's, Rough Legged, Ferruginous, Red Shouldered, Northern Harrier, Cooper's, and the Broad Winged Hawk, have now been classified as Accipitriformes, while earlier they were classified as falcons. Although this classification is yet to be accepted world wide, I've included them in the list anyway.

Species of Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Physical Attributes: The broad-winged hawk is usually 13 - 18 inches in size, with a wing span of almost 40 inches, and their tails have evenly spaced black and white stripes. The females are slightly larger than the males. The distinctive feature of this species is that they have tapered wings, which are broad and short. Their undersides, meaning their belly and the underside of their wings, are pale in color with distinctive copper color bands. General Information: These cat-like predators and long distance migratory birds belong to the genus Buteo. Some sub-species do not migrate, but these are the minority. They are forest birds, and even during migration, they prefer to rest and roost in forested areas. They are found mainly in the eastern part of North America. They breed in spring. During summer they stay put, while for the winter months they migrate to the south. They prefer to sit and wait for their prey, instead of scouting around for it. The broad-winged hawk eats insects, small birds and reptiles.

Cooper's Hawk

Physical Attributes: The male is around 14 - 18 inches in size, while the female is 16 - 20 inches. The eastern hawks are bigger than the western hawks, and while juveniles have yellow eyes, adults have red. Their upper sides are dark brown as compared to their pale underparts, and their bellies have black stripes. The tails of the adults are bluish gray with black bands, while the young ones have brown tails with dark bands. Birdwatchers who have seen them in flight, describe them as flying crosses. General Information: Cooper's hawks are monogamous, and breed once a year. The male follows an elaborate courtship ritual to attract the female. They feed on small creatures like hare, frogs, lizards, snakes, small birds, etc. They kill their prey by either squeezing it to death, or drowning it. While earlier they were uncommon in urban areas, now they are often seen there, since it's easier for them to hunt in these areas, because of the availability of prey.

Goshawk

Physical Attributes: The northern goshawks are characterized by their long tails. The males are 18 - 22 inches in size with a wing span of 35 - 40 inches, while the females are 22 - 25 inches in size with a wingspan of 44 - 50 inches. Young ones everywhere have pale yellow eyes, while the eyes of adults in North America are deep red, and those in Europe and Asia are orange. While the young ones are dark brown on the upper sides and have bars on their underside, the adults have gray upper sides with bars on their underside. Adults in Asia are sometimes white on the underside. The females are considerably larger and heavier than the males. General Information: They are pretty private birds and are very territorial, aggressively guarding their territories. They are stealthy hunters and surprise their prey, which is mainly birds and small animals. They breed in spring, and the chicks stay with their parents till they are almost a year old.

Harris Hawk

Physical Attributes: These hawks are generally 18 - 30 inches in size, and have a wide wingspan of around 42 - 44 inches. Harris hawks are divided into 3 sub species, P. u. superior, P. u. harrisi, and P. u. unicinctus. They are beautiful to look at, with their rich chestnut colored shoulders, deep brown plumage, yellow legs, and yellow cere. They have stripes on their wings and thighs, and have white tipped tails. Juvenile hawks are lighter than the adults, with undersides that are buff colored and streaked with brown stripes. General Information: Harris hawks are unique in the characteristic of being co-operative while hunting. They are the only species of hawk which hunt in packs. They are also the most social hawks, hence are very popular with humans as trainees! They usually hunt small birds and mammals, but since they fly in groups, they sometimes catch big prey as well. They build nests in small shrubs. Juveniles stay on for as long as 3 or more years, sometimes even taking care of the newer broods.

Northern Harrier

Physical Attributes: They are 17 - 22 inches in size, and have a wingspan of 38 - 47 inches. The upper sides of adult males are gray, and so is their breast, while their rump is white. As for the females, they are brown on top, with streaked and light brown undersides and have upper tail converts which are white. The wings are almost gray, except for the tips which are black. Juveniles are similar to females in looks, and also have a buffed underside with brown streaks running over it. When flying low, they hold their wings in a 'V', which is typical of all hawks. General Information: Commonly known as Marsh Hawk, this bird was first classified in the order Falconiformes, but has now been put into the order Accipitriformes. Northern Harriers prefer open areas as their habitat. They nest on the ground. They tend to make a lot of noise when they are above their hunting grounds, and hunt using the element of surprise. Their prey is usually small birds and animals. They have become rare, due to illegal persecution and hunting.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Physical Attributes: As with the other species, the females are larger, being 19 - 23 inches long, as compared to the males which are 17 - 23 inches in size. Juvenile red-shouldered hawks are characterized by crescent markings on their wings, and by their long legs. The adults have pale undersides, with reddish stripes. Their chest and shoulders are reddish in color and the head is a shade of brown. The stripes/ bars on the wings of adults are more prominent than in juveniles. There are 5 sub species of red-shouldered hawks - B. l. lineatus, B. l. extimus, B. l. texanus, B. l. elegans, B. l. alleni. General Information: For breeding, these hawks prefer wooded areas which are located around water bodies. They have different hunting techniques - in clear areas they hunt using the element of surprise, while in wooded areas, they swoop down on their unsuspecting prey. Some areas are seeing a decline in population of red shouldered hawks, but it's pretty stable overall.

Rough-legged Hawk

Physical Attributes: They range in size from 50 - 54 inches, and have a wingspan of around 52 inches. They have a light colored head, while their tail is white with black tips. Juveniles have tails which are more brown compared to the adults. Like other species of hawks, the adults have dark upper sides, and pale undersides, with a comparatively darker belly consisting of patches. One of the most noticeable features of the rough-legged hawk, is that their legs are feathered till their toes. They too, have dark morphs and light morphs, just like ferruginous hawks. General Information: They often prefer open forests, barren countryside, or the tundras as their habitat. They breed either in trees or on cliffs. Wintering is usually done in open grasslands, and sometimes in cultivated areas. They hunt small mammals, birds, and large insects. This breed of hawk is famous for its ability to hover - they hunt from elevated heights by diving onto their prey after spotting it.

Swainson's Hawk

Physical Attributes: They are similar in size to red-tailed hawks, i.e., 17 - 22 inches, with a wingspan of 48 - 60 inches. They are slender birds, and are classified as light and dark morphs. Light morphs have brown upper sides and white undersides, with a red spot on the chest. They have a distinctive white patch on their necks just under their beaks, and the under-wings are light with linings, and are darker toward the tips. They have 6 tiny bands and 1 wide band, on their grayish-brown tails. Juveniles are similar, but with pale mottling/ patches on dark areas and vice-versa. Dark morphs too, are similar, but they have a light patch on their tail. General Information: This territorial species stays in N. America and migrates to S. America during winters. They prefer open countryside like grasslands and deserts, as their habitat. They are also known as Grasshopper Hawks, because their favorite food is grasshoppers. This species has been listed as 'threatened' in some states, like California.

Red-tailed Hawk

Physical Attributes: The red-tailed hawks are 18 - 22 inches in size, and their wingspan is around 42 - 58 inches. There are 14 sub species of the red-tailed hawk, and they vary in appearance. They are classified as light, dark, and intermediate/ rufus morphs. The general appearance is a dark back and a comparatively lighter belly, with a dark brown band across it of vertical stripes. In keeping with the name, the tail is red on the upper side, and pink on the underside, and it is short and broad. The cere, legs and feet, are yellow in color. General Information: Red-tailed hawks have a wide range of habitats, varying from coastal regions to tropical rain-forests. They hunts small mammals, birds and reptiles. They are monogamous birds, and are also extremely popular in falconry. They hunt by swooping, or flying low after their prey. Their feathers are considered sacred by a few N. American tribes, and are used in religious ceremonies. But the possession of their feathers and tails is now regulated by the Eagle Feather Law.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Physical Attributes: Males are 9 - 12 inches in size with a wingspan of 20 - 24 inches, while the females are 11 - 15 inches in size with a slightly wider wingspan of 23 - 27 inches. While for all adults, the cere and legs are yellow and the tail is grayish, the rest of the appearance varies according to the groups, which are: A. (s.) chionogaster - has white undersides and dark upper sides, A. (s.) ventralis - gray upper sides and tawny-buff barred undersides, A. (s.) erythronemius - dark upper sides and rufus streaked undersides, and Nominate Group - dark gray upper sides and white undersides with rufus/ tawny bars. All adults have black beaks, short and broad wings, and squarish tails which are gray or white tipped. General Information: They prefer forest areas with broad leaved trees, and higher altitudes. They are very rarely found at lower altitudes i.e. sea levels. They hunt by surprising their prey and capturing them. The males hunt smaller prey as compared to the females. Males usually go for small birds like sparrows, and females will hunt larger birds, like flickers. Other prey includes snakes, lizards, and insects. They are secretive breeders, because they want to avoid predation of their eggs and young ones.

Ferruginous Hawk

Physical Attributes: Ferruginous hawks range in size from 20 - 28 inches, with a wingspan between 45 - 60 inches. Based on color, there are two varieties of Ferruginous hawks - light morphs and dark morphs. The dark morphs, as the name suggests, are dark brown all over, with a few light patches on their wings. The light morphs on the other hand, are dark on the upper side, and pale on the underside, like on the belly and the underside of wings. Their tails are usually white and broad, although some do have rusty or gray tails. They have a distinctive dark streak on their head that extends behind their eyes, and since their undersides are light, their dark legs stand out and form a distinctive 'V' shape when they are flying. General Information: This species of hawk breeds from March/April to May/June, and both male and female participate in incubation. They are often confused with eagles when in flight, because they soar and glide like them. They prefer arid areas for their habitat, generally avoiding forests and cliffs. They hunt small reptiles, birds, animals, insects, and have been known to exhibit various hunting strategies. Once listed as endangered, these birds are steadily rising in number.

Although there are many more varieties of hawks, the ones listed above are the most widely known. The numbers of some of these species were dwindling because of the use of pesticides in farms, illegal hunting activities, and destruction of their natural habitats. However, they are now stabilizing, and most of them have now been listed as an area of least concern.

Red-tailed Boa Care Guide

Red-tailed boas (Boa constrictor constrictor) can be found all over South and Central America, and prefer to live in humid climatic conditions. The snake is brown or gray, and marked with brown or red markings, which are very prominent toward its tail, from where it derives its name. These boa constrictors are very popular in the pet reptile market, and often exported to the United States from Caribbean and South American nations. You must consider a number of things before you buy a red-tailed boa as a pet. Keep in mind that the snake can grow as long as 10 feet, and weigh at least 50 pounds, with a lifespan of 25 years. You must have patience while handling them. Being a powerful reptile, it is not easy to handle a full-grown snake, it can get quite unmanageable for one person. Also remember that they cannot be domesticated as well as a dog or a cat, and can get quite irritable even after being tamed. So do keep all these factors in mind before you proceed to buy a snake as a pet.

A Guide to Red-tailed Boa Care

Buying Your Red-tailed Boa
The snake you buy should have clear and firm skin with no signs of wounds and sagging, clear eyes, healthy scales (not crusty and dried out in any way), a clean vent, and a rapidly flicking tongue. These are the signs of a healthy snake. When you pick up the snake, it should coil itself around your arm tightly, but should relax when it senses there is no danger; this proves it is alert to its surroundings.

Enclosure Requirements
Following are some factors that you need to keep in mind as regards its home environment. You need to keep in mind that the more comfortable its dwelling place, the healthier and more at ease it will feel.

Cage
You can put a baby snake in a standard glass aquarium, but a larger snake will need a much bigger enclosure. Being rather strong, boas can easily escape, so the enclosure you choose must be highly secure. An adult snake will need a cage that is at least 8 feet in length, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall. The more the room, the better it is for an adult snake. It is advisable to have one adult snake per enclosure. The cage should be easy to clean.

Substrate
For a young snake, use sheets of paper towels as a substrate, since they are easy to clean. For an adult snake, commercially prepared reptile bark is ideal. Or buy cypress or fir bark substrate. But avoid wood shavings made of pine, cedar, and aspen. These are harmful for the snake's health, if accidentally consumed, the snake may choke on them, or they may cause impactions, and even skin irritation.

Temperature and Humidity Control
Red-tailed boas prefer a warm, tropical climate. Maintain day temperature between 80 - 90 °F, and at night reduce it to 75 - 85 °F. These snakes like to bask, so provide a basking spot, with the temperature maintained around 95 °F. You can also buy reptile heating pads which are adhesive and can be glued to the underside of the enclosure. These help increase the temperature, and maintain it at least 15 degrees above the actual enclosure temperature. Heat rocks, or hot rocks are not a good choice to provide extra heat. Snakes cannot make out if the surface is very hot, and are therefore highly prone to thermal burns if heat rocks are used. For extra heat, you can also use incandescent light bulbs which are equipped with a dimmer switch which will help you to regulate the temperature in case it gets too hot.

These snakes prefer humidity, so keep a bowl of water inside the enclosure. It should be stable enough and should not topple over if the snake decides to climb inside for a soak. Clean the bowl regularly, as it may be full of feces.

Hiding Places
It is essential to provide a couple of hiding places, one at the cooler end of the cage, one at the warmer end. Plastic containers with a hole, sturdy cardboard boxes, logs, or reptile caves available at pet stores are good options. They should not be too big, just right enough for the snake to fit in. Hiding makes the snake feel safe. If it feels threatened, it will be stressed out and not feed properly.

Red-tailed Boa Diet
Mice are a staple diet of red-tailed boas. A baby snake can be fed with a small mouse, and an adult snake can be fed larger rodents, including rabbits. As a rule of thumb, whatever animal you feed the snake with should not be larger than the girth of the snake at its widest point. If it's any bigger, it will result in regurgitation. Always feed pre-killed animals. Feed once a week, or every other week. If you feel your snake is gaining weight (since there is not much activity), reduce the frequency of feedings. Never feed with your hand, your pet may bite you!

Things to Keep in Mind

• Boas, like all other snakes will shed their skin on a regular basis. Juveniles may cast off their skin once a month, but adult snakes will shed once in four months. Bear in mind that shedding can be triggered by stress, which can even be brought out by a change in their enclosures. It is best to avoid handling the snake in such a condition.
• Boas are prone to mites, mouth rot, and scale rot. Take your snake to the vet at the first instance of the disease so immediate action can be taken to prevent further spread of the disease. Mites are a very stubborn pest to get rid of. If you have two snakes in one enclosure, the first step you should do is quarantine them, which will control further infestation. Ask your vet for approved methods of mite control and treatment which should also be safe for the snake.
• Take utmost care while handling your pet. Never attempt to hold their head. Always approach the second half of the body. Do not jerk or make sudden hand movements. Never let children get anywhere close to the reptile. Snakes are highly unpredictable, and even a tamed snake might get irritable and end up biting the handler. Handling the snake on a daily basis will acquaint you with your new pet faster. Pick up the snake confidently. If you are scared, the snake will sense your nervousness, and will get scared too, and might snap. If it is an adult snake, it is advisable to have one more handler around with you.

A red-tailed boa constrictor might seem like an exciting pet to care for, but buy one only if you are mentally prepared to take care of a reptile that can get very big and heavy to handle. Remember that you will always need help to handle a full-grown boa, especially when it is time to take it to a vet for regular checkups. Buy a red-tailed boa only if you have the time required to care for such an unusual and huge pet, and are ready to fully tend to it with complete dedication.

Military Macaw Information

Parrots, also known as psittacines, is a group of birds belonging to the order psittaciformes. The order consists of more than 370 species of birds distributed over 80 genera. One of the species belonging to this huge collection is Ara militaris, or the Military Macaw. Out of around 19 species of macaws 10 species belong to the genus Ara. The Military Macaw species is itself divided into three subspecies, viz. A. m. militaris, A. m. boliviana and A. m. mexicana. There are very minor differences in the three subspecies, one of them being size. A. m. militaris is the smallest of the three subspecies, while A. m. mexicana is the largest.

Facts about Military Macaw

Scientific Name	Ara militaris
Common Name	Military Macaw
Size	Around 70cm (2 ft 4 in) from beak tip to tail tip.
Wingspan	90 to 110cm; 1m on an average.
Lifespan	50 to 60 years
Description	The overall body of the macaw is green in color. The head is a slightly paler shade of green. There is a bright red patch above the beak, between the eyes. The eyes are surrounded by a light red or pink-colored patch. The beak is black to grey in color. The tips of the wing are blue. In general, the wings have a blue hue. The tail feathers, on the other hand, are blue in color, with yellowish-green tips. The red tail feathers are visible only during flight. The under-wings are pale hay in color. The bird looks spectacular especially during flight, the colors looking vibrant and full of life. Military Macaws flock together in the wild, often flying with their mates.

Distribution and Habitat of Military Macaws
The distribution of Military Macaws can be deciphered from their subspecies names. A. m. militaris is found in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. A. m. mexicana is found chiefly in Mexico. Finally, A. m. boliviana is found in Bolivia and Argentina.

In the wild, Military Macaws usually reside on tree-tops. They can be found at around 600 m from ground level. Some Military Macaws even reside on tree-tops as high as 2500 m and more. The usually prefer to live in subtropical or dry, arid forests. However, they often fly seasonally to lower altitudes with humid climates.

Feeding Habits of Military Macaw
Military Macaws stay on tree-tops in the wild. Hence they like to eat fruits, nuts, berries, and whatever they find on tree-tops. The beak of Military Macaw has adapted and hardened over the years, so that it can comfortably eat seeds and nuts.

One peculiar feature of Military Macaw feeding habits is their liking for clay deposits usually found on riverbanks. These clay deposits are called 'macaw licks'. Macaws often flock to nearby clay deposits after a feed. The macaw licks are said to provide the macaws with essential mineral salts that are otherwise absent in their diet. It is also hypothesized that the clay licks serve to detoxify their bodies.

Temperament of Military Macaw
Military Macaws (and many other macaw species) are in general rather noisy birds! They make a lot of different sounds; sometimes shrieking, sometimes chirping, and sometimes making the signature 'kraa-aak!' sound. This feature of the bird makes it an exceptionally delightful pet, as the bird tries to imitate the sounds it hears. Some macaws can even be trained to talk! Macaws are quite playful and inquisitive. They love to interact with humans. However, once in a while they can get a little cranky. (Don't put your hand through the cage at such times!)

Mating of Military Macaws
Did you know that just like lovebirds, Military Macaws are monogamous? Yes! The birds reach sexual maturity around 2 to 4 years of age. They mate around this time, and always stay faithful to their partners all their lives. Military Macaws even flock in pairs. A pair can even be seen looking for food together to feed their young ones. They may even take turns to stay back with the little fledglings while the other goes looking for food. The female usually lays one or two eggs. The young ones hatch after 25 to 30 days.

Military Macaw as a Pet
Many people love to keep Military Macaws as pets. It is a rather large bird, unlike other small species of parrots. Hence Military Macaw needs more attention and care. If you are planning to keep a Military Macaw as a pet, I suggest you visit the PETCO website. It will give you a comprehensive idea about the care the bird needs. PETCO also sells all kinds of pet supplies, like cages, feed, toys. They have a 'care-sheet' that helps you assess if you can give your macaw enough time to be a healthy and playful pet. It will indeed be a good idea to take a tour of the website before you buy your pet Military Macaw.

The thrill of walking down the streets with a macaw perched on your shoulder, talking to people who pass you by is indeed very tempting! Along with the pride comes a lot of responsibility as well. Macaws can be pets for life, living to be almost as old as human beings. They, however, make wonderful companions. Be sure you are well-informed before you pick a macaw as a pet, for they truly can turn out to be 'friends for life'.

How to Train Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs help humans while hunting, as they are trained in such a way that they can easily track down a dead prey or find a live one. Training hunting dogs requires time and patience on the part of the dog owner. It must be kept in mind that training dogs for hunting is not a temporary task and requires a consistent approach. There are many types of hunting dogs and around 24 dog breeds can be trained to assist for hunting. The choice of hunting dog depends on the kind of hunt it will be used for, and the climatic conditions prevailing in the hunting area. For example, hound dogs can run at very high speeds and are used when hunting for live prey, while gun dogs are trained because they easily get familiar with gunshot sounds and are good while retrieving birds. To train a hunting dog, you first need to get one. After getting the dog of your choice, follow the tips given below so as to prepare it to accompany you for a hunt.

Tips on How to Train Hunting Dogs

Begin Early
Any form of dog training must begin early because it is easier for dogs to learn new things when they are young. This also helps the dog owner to develop a strong, trustworthy bond with his dog. A strong bond with the owner will make the dog pay more attention to what his owner is teaching. Typically, training for hunting dogs can be started when they are seven weeks old. By beginning hunting practice from such a young age, hunting dogs become proficient by the time they mature.

Use Easy Commands
Start the training by teaching basic obedience commands to the dog. Use easy commands like 'sit' or 'stay' to train your dog. Once the dog starts responding to simple commands, you can start using complex commands to train it. However, it is better to find out easy alternatives to complex commands because dogs find them easy to learn, identify and relate to. Use treats to appreciate the dog each time it responds in the right way.

Provide Physical Training
Physical fitness is extremely important for hunting dogs. Physical training must also begin at a young age to build body muscle. Hunting dogs must have a lot of stamina to continuously look for prey and track them after they are pinned down. Exercising regularly helps in developing stamina and speed in dogs. The exercising routine must not be restricted to the hunting season, rather it must be even continued during the off-season, to prevent the dog from becoming lazy when not hunting.

Train to Identify Prey
A hunting dog must be quick enough to identify where the prey is. Smell and sight are two ways of prey identification. Generally, dogs trained to identify smell are more capable of spotting their prey than the ones who are trained to identify through sight. To make the training easy, use a hunt-based scent so that the dog identifies the smell and tracks down the prey while hunting. If the dog has to assist in hunting deer, use deer blood to train your dog, and if it has to go waterfowl hunting, use waterfowl scent for training.

Exposure to Proper Climate
Climatic conditions during the hunting season may be different from that prevailing during the off-season. So never forget to train your dog during the hunting season, so that it gets used to the environmental conditions prevailing during that season. If the dog is trained only during the off-season, then chances are that it may not perform well during the hunting season.

Use Dummies for Training
If you want your dog to hunt for waterfowl, use waterfowl dummies that are available at the local pet store. Train well, so that it can clearly differentiate between a decoy and a real waterfowl. Place decoys at various places in the training area and throw a dummy near the decoys. Let your dog trace the dummy through its scent and get it back without picking up the decoys. Treat your dog each time it picks the right dummy so that it can relate this activity with a treat.

Train Daily
Training is not meant to be for a few days. Consistent training all through the dog's growing years is necessary to turn it into an expert hunting dog. Follow a proper routine of training sessions to inculcate hunting habits in your dog. Repeating the same activity several times will help the dog to remember it well, and do what is needed if a particular command is given or a situation arises.

Praise and Reward
Dogs love to make their owners happy and hunting dogs are no different. Praise your dog when it follows your instructions or completes an activity without making any mistake. Reward your dog with treats whenever it identifies the prey correctly or does its job well. Rewards reinforce positive behavior in dogs. Your dog will do anything to please you, and it is your responsibility to love and reward it in return.

Simulate Hunting Situations
Before taking your dog to the actual hunting field, try practicing in simulated hunting situations. By doing so, the dog will perform well as a hunter during actual hunts. Training in restricted situations fails to provide the actual feel of hunting because of which, the dog may not perform the way it is expected.

Keep It Simple
Make the training as simple and enjoyable as possible. This will help in retaining the dog's interest during training sessions. Instructing the dog using complex commands and being harsh will turn off your dog's interest in learning new things.

Initially, you may find it difficult to train your dog because it may not respond the way you want. But slowly and steadily, with consistent practice, your hunting dog will learn its ways and serve you for many years with loyalty.

Breeding Red Cherry Shrimp

Red cherry shrimp or Neocaridina heteropoda is a freshwater shrimp which is native to Taiwan, however it is extensively available in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. It is a popular choice for aquariums because it is easy to maintain and looks good because of its bright red color. A mature red cherry shrimp is about 4 cm long, and male and female shrimp can be differentiated on the basis of color and size. Females are larger and darker in color as compared to their male counterparts. They also have a yellow or white "saddle" marking on their back because of the presence of developing eggs in them. Males have a thinner tail because they do not carry eggs. Knowing this differentiation is extremely important if one wishes to breed them in an aquarium. Breeding red cherry shrimp is very easy and given below is a guide to carry out this activity at home.

Steps for Breeding Red Cherry Shrimp

Purchasing Red Cherry Shrimp

• Red cherry shrimp are easily available at any local pet store. Try to buy 5-10 shrimp with equal number of males and females by looking at their color and size. If differentiation seems difficult, buy around ten of them, as the chances of getting both males and females becomes pretty high.
• Purchase shrimp which have stayed in the pet store tank for at least 4 days because any shrimp deaths due to shipment-related stress occur within 3-4 days after they are transferred to the pet store tank.

Setting up the Tank

• A tank of 10 gallons is usually sufficient to accommodate baby shrimp after birth. But if it does not suffice after baby shrimp grow, transfer them to a larger tank of about 20 gallons.
• Spread gravel in the tank to cover the base completely.
• Fill the tank with water and arrange a heater to maintain optimum temperature for the shrimp.
• A bubble filter is essential to filter out the impurities from tank water. Before placing a new bubble filter in the tank, use it in an old tank for about 4 weeks. This must be done because red cherry shrimp do not survive the cycling process due to high concentration of nitrites or ammonia present in the water.

Tank Water Requirements

• Test the tank water for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates by using a test kit which has drop tests to identify these chemicals in water. Avoid using test strips because they are expensive as compared to drop tests, and expire after six months of opening the kit.
• Add dechlorinator in tank water to neutralize chlorine and chloramines present in it. Maintain the pH of tank water in the range of 6.5 to 8.0

Acclimatizing Red Cherry Shrimp

• To acclimatize shrimp in tank water, place the bag containing shrimp in the tank and clip it to one side using a binder clip. After every 15 minutes, add a quarter cup of tank water in the bag. Repeat this three times. Another method of acclimatizing is to check the temperature and water parameters of tank water and bag water. If they match, you can simply pour out the shrimp into the tank.
• Once shrimp are in the tank, maintain tank water temperature at around 80 ºF or 27 ºC. Check the heating capacity of the heater using a thermometer to ascertain proper working of the heater. Make it a habit to check tank water temperature when you feed the shrimp. By doing so, you will not miss out on any variations or fluctuations in temperature.

Shrimp Diet

• Food is a very important criteria for red cherry shrimp to breed. Therefore, adequate supply of food must always be provided in the tank. Shrimp can be fed with regular fish food and zucchini. Feed very small quantities of food to shrimp. If there are 10 red cherry shrimp in the tank, a fingernail-sized flake can suffice for 2-3 days. If the tank already contains leftover food, do not add a fresh supply to the tank.
• Shrimp also love to eat zucchini. Blanch one slice for one minute in a microwave and after it cools down drop it in the tank. If the slice floats, use a weight, like stone or gravel, to sink it to the base of the tank.

Shrimp Breeding

• When the temperature of water is optimum and sufficient food is available, shrimp will breed. You can expect female shrimp to develop yellowish eggs under their tail within a month of being placed in the tank. Breeding occurs after the female shrimp molts i.e. sheds its exoskeleton.
• Shrimp eggs hatch in 3-4 weeks. The hatching process is enhanced if the tank water is warm. Tiny, clear baby shrimp can be seen moving at the bottom of the tank or on plant leaves after the eggs hatch. They are about 2 mm in size and resemble adult shrimp in body structure.

Tank Maintenance After Breeding

• Maintain food supply in the tank after baby shrimp are born because if there is no food, adults may eat their babies due to starvation.
• Replace one-fourth of tank water with fresh water every week, to restrict the increasing concentration of nitrates which is harmful for baby shrimp as well as adults. Do not vacuum the base of the tank as baby shrimp find their food out of the 'waste' collected at the base.
• As time passes, baby shrimp will turn into adults and the entire tank which contained around 10 red cherry shrimp at the beginning will be filled with many red cherry shrimp.

Points to Remember

• Red cherry shrimp consume their exoskeleton which they shed during molting. So, do not remove it from the tank, as it is a rich source of essential minerals for the shrimp.
• There is no need to provide iodine supplement to red cherry shrimp because freshwater crustaceans obtain iodine from their food.
• Do not expose tank water to metals like zinc, lead, and elemental copper. These metals are toxic for shrimp and will kill them.
• Many fish feed on shrimp. Therefore, it is better to avoid keeping fish in the same tank that is used for breeding red cherry shrimp.
• Red cherry shrimp love to hide, specially during and after molting. Special shelters can either be bought from pet stores or small terracotta pots can be placed in the tank to provide shrimp their private space.
• Cold temperatures, around 60 ºF, can be handled by red cherry shrimp, but if you want them to breed, you need to provide warm temperature conditions, around 80 ºF.
• When replacing tank water periodically, make sure its temperature is about the same as that of tank water.
• If available tap water has high concentration of chemicals, use water treated by reverse osmosis for the tank.
• Do not use too many chemicals. They will unnecessarily create chemical imbalance in water. The only chemical you need to use is dechlorinator and nothing else.

Breeding process of red cherry shrimp is quite interesting. It starts with shedding of exoskeleton by the female shrimp. When this happens, the female becomes vulnerable and finds a place to hide, in order to protect itself in such a state. She now releases sexual hormones known as pheromones to indicate that she is ready to breed. The male is triggered due to pheromones and can be seen looking for the female all over the tank. When he finds the female, they breed. Eggs pass through the sperms that are deposited in the female by the male shrimp and get fertilized. Fertilized eggs hatch in about three to four weeks leaving tiny, clear baby shrimp in the tank.

Christmas Party

Description: Christmas Party
How many drinks can Santa handle?

Games controls:
Use Mouse to interact.

Beer Dude

Description: Beer Dude
Drink all the beer you can without getting caught by your boss.

Games controls:
Left / Right Arrow Keys - Move.
Shift Key - Run.
Spacebar / Z - Run

Frat Boy Beer Pong

Description: Frat Boy Beer Pong
Try to beat the frat boy at his own game.
(This game is a large file and will take a long while to load (2.14 Megabytes))

Games controls:
Use mouse to interact.