Pets and Animals

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How do penguins mate?

There are three types of common penguin courtship displays. Some breeds use all three, while others use one or two. They are ecstatic, mutual ecstatic and bowing. The first occurs when a male penguin swings its head from side to side to show females that he has a nest site ready. It also warns other male penguins to stay away. The ecstatic display can happen while the penguin is standing or sitting in the nest. The chinstrap and crested species of penguins also use their flippers.The mutual ecstatic display occurs when both the female and male penguins start to perform the ecstatic behavior to..

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How do you tell a female and male kitten apart?

Knowing the visual clues to look for is the key to determining the sex of the kitten. Its anus will immediately be at the base of the tail and a little further along will be its genitalia. If the genitalia appears like a rounded opening then it is a male, and if it resembles a slit, then it is a female. Generally, the distance between the anus and genitalia is wider in males than in the females. Using a magnifying glass helps with the visual identification when sexing the cats.Lifting the tail is one of the easiest and most common ways to sex kittens. The anus can readily be identified while a..

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Are lizards omnivores?

Most species of lizards have adapted specialized types of diets, depending on their environment. Most lizards feed primarily on insects, spiders and other small invertebrates. Certain larger species, such as monitor lizards and Komodo dragons, are carnivorous and eat dead animals and live prey they hunt and kill themselves. Iguanas, on the other hand, are strict herbivores and eat only plants. Other popular pet species, such as geckos, enjoy insects and fresh produce in captivity.

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What is the life expectancy of owls?

Owl species vary greatly in behavior, habitat and life expectancy. Some are nocturnal and can change coloring depending on their habitat and age. The Great Horned Owl is the largest of the American Owls and can live up to 30 years in captivity.

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How long do lizards live?

The lizard with the shortest lifespan is the chameleon, which typically lives just one to three years in captivity. Most lizards live an average of 10 to 20 years. Geckos and iguanas both live into their teens or early 20s. Other lizards, such as the Mexican Beaded Lizard, sometimes live into their 30s. The best way to get an accurate life expectancy for a specific lizard is to check the life expectancy for that species of lizard.

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What are puppy mills?

Breeding practices at puppy mills are not safe. Genetics are ignored, so puppies often have hereditary defects. Common disabilities and illnesses that eventually develop include epilepsy, deafness, heart disease, hip displacement, anemia, cataracts and respiratory ailments.\nLiving conditions at puppy mills are often unpleasant. Puppies are taken from their mothers early, and kennels are generally crowded and unsanitary. The animals may receive inadequate amounts of food, water and veterinary attention. It is not unusual for puppies to remain caged indoors until they are sold.

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What are the characteristics of a charcoal Labrador?

The color of a Labrador Retriever's coat is generally yellow, black or chocolate. Some breeders also offer silver- and charcoal-colored Labs. The breed typically grows to a height of 21 to 24 inches (at the shoulders) and a weight of 55 to 75 pounds. However, some males are 100 pounds or heavier. The short, water-resistant, double coat of a Lab requires weekly brushing and occasional bathing.\nAccording to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever tops the list of America's favorite dogs. It is an intelligent and friendly breed with an affectionate nature. A Lab's gentlen..

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How many species of butterflies are known to exist?

Now that many more areas of the rainforest are accessible to scientists, it makes identifying new species of butterflies much easier. It is likely there are many species that have not yet been discovered and may never be discovered because they are so elusive, live such short lives and will become extinct before they can be found.\nThe most widely seen butterfly in the world is the Painted Lady butterfly. This species is found in North America, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. \nThe latest species of butterfly to be discovered is the Intricate ..

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Why are turkeys called turkeys?

Turkeys originate from North America. The so-called "wild" turkey served at Thanksgiving in the United States was domesticated in Mexico 2,000 years prior to European contact. The bird was raised and eaten by Aztec and Maya, among other groups. When Spanish war parties arrived to conquer and settle the Americas, they imported the domesticated birds they found there back to Europe.\nEnglish-speakers thought the new bird was imported directly from Turkey, although it only arrived via Turkish territory due to convoluted trade routes. The bird was also considered very similar to the guinea fowl, a..

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What is the fastest breed of horse?

The three major racing breeds in the United States are the quarter horse, the thoroughbred and the Arabian. When comparing sprinting speed, the quarter horse is the fastest. The breed got its name from its speed over ¼-mile tracks. Thoroughbred races tend to be longer, although they have sprints as well. Arabians are the slowest over short distances, but they are known for their endurance. They excel at racing distances of 50 miles or more, which are ridden at a much slower overall pace.

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