Border Collie Is A Dog That Does Best If He Has Something To Do

The Border collie comes from a long line of herding dogs that originated in Scotland and England. Almost all the purebred Border Collies that we know today can be traced back to a dog named Old Hemp.

Old Hemp lived back in the 1890's; he was a herding dog and what made him special was the fact that he had a unique way of herding sheep...this style quickly got the interest of the local shepherds and they all wanted him as a stud for their female dogs...so started the Border collie breed.

There was one other dog that became very famous, his name was Winston Cap; he sired not only Supreme Champions and grand-sired three others but this is also the dog that the International Sheep Dog Society badges portrays in the Border collie herding pose.

The Border Collies were at one time only known as "collies" although several other names have been used to describe the dog, such as old-fashioned collie and farm collie. The term Border collie came from the fact that both the ISDS and the Kennel Club had dogs named collie that came from basically the same blood lines, the only difference was the fact that the Kennel Club's collie had started to take on different characteristics, especially the ones bred to be in the show ring.

The Border collie has been bred for their ability to get the job done not for their appearance, that is why there is a wide range in looks when it comes to this beautiful dog.

Border collies are medium dogs that have a good double coat on them, the double coat can be anything from slick to almost too thick...black and white are by far the favorite colors when it comes to this breed, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other colors...you can find Border collies that are red and white, black and tan and white, you can also get a blue merle...one of the most rare colors is the pure white Border collie; but you can find them.... sometimes.

Border collie ears can be all the way down or all the way up...they can have eyes that are the same color or they can have eyes that are different colors (one eye of each color). Because the dogs that are bred for the show ring have to conform to the breed standard, they will all look the same.

One thing to note: in the show ring, scars that have been "earned" in the line of duty are not to be counted against the animal.

Border collies were bred to do nothing more than herd sheep...at first. These dogs excelled at sheep herding, they could receive direction from their shepherd by voice or whistle...these day they are used to herd a lot more animals then just sheep; the Border Collie is used to herd ostriches, pigs, cattle and poultry, they are also used to keep pest off the public land.

Did you know that the Border collie could do the work that normally would take three men to do? People have also tried to replace the Border collie with mechanical herders but most shepherds have realized that the Border collie is the more reliable of the two.

Because of the agility of the Border collie, they have proven themselves to be champions not only in agility competitions but also in jumping competitions and dancing, they have even been used in search and rescue...truly a dog that can do a little bit of everything.

Hip dysplasia and epilepsy are considered to be the most common problems in these dogs, that is why if you are considering on getting a Border collie it would be a lot easier on you and on your pocketbook if you would find a breeder that has a good reputation...good breeders set up a good breeding program and they work towards eliminating health problems that are typical to the breed.

The Border collie is a dog that does best if he has something to do, something to keep him occupied, it is because of this that he does not make the best apartment dog.

Always think everything through before you make an investment in an animal that will be there depending on you for the next 10 to 15 years

Whooping Crane Fact File Exposes You To The Life Of These American Birds

Whooping cranes, scientifically known as Grus Americana is the tallest crane species. Marshes, wetlands and prairies are the areas which these birds inhabit. With the start of winter they shift their base to more freshwater ponds, grasslands and salt tidal marshes. During the time of breeding their dwelling place changes to shallow ponds, creeks, shrubs and wood terrain. Whooping cranes have amazing adaptations, which change as per their breeding and nesting seasons. The whooping crane is identified as one of the wild birds of North America that has striking white color feathers and a red crown.

The North American whooping cranes, before human intervention were many in number, however, as humans began deforestation and occupying green fields for development, whooping cranes lost their habitat and were forced to the brink of extinction. As the number of these cranes came to be noticed, conservationists began their mission to save the whooping crane species and since then have realized a gradual increase in their number. The whooping crane fact file in this article will expose you to the story of their downfall and rise and even reveal some more interesting information on these species of birds.

All About Whooping Cranes

1. Whooping cranes are native to North America. Muskeg is their nesting place and during the breeding season, these cranes shift to the Gulf of Texas and Sunset lake in Portland.
2. Whooping cranes appear white and have a reddish crown and a dark-colored bill. The end of the outer wings is blackish. The red color on the head, fades towards the cheek and spreads slightly on the bill. The red crown is nothing but featherless skin.
3. Whooping cranes are 5 feet tall and have a wingspan of 7.5 feet. The males weigh around 7 kg while females weigh around 6 kg.
4. These birds are omnivores and indulge in eating crustaceans, fish, mollusks, tiny reptiles, berries and aquatic plants. Whooping cranes love to feed on frogs, rodents, fish, crayfish, snails and even small birds. They also feed on corn, barley and wheat grain.
5. Some usual brood predators includes the Wolverine, American black bear, Bald Eagle, Red Fox and the Common Raven. Adult whooping cranes feel less threatened by their predators as they are likely to be attacked only by Bobcats. Sometimes these cranes fall prey to illegal hunting.
6. The whooping cranes have a loud shrill call and exhibit certain movements to attract mates.
7. The process of courtship is an interesting sight to watch. The cranes flap wings and dance to attract mates and maintain a strong bond since then. After mating the female whooping crane lays 1-3 eggs and both the male as well as the female incubate and then go on to nurture their young ones.
8. Out of the 3 baby cranes it is likely that only one may survive. The young one will stay with its parents for a year and separate once the family migrates back to their winter grounds.
9. Whooping cranes can glide into the air without flapping their wings for a long time too.
10. They have a lifespan of 20-25 years.
11. During the year 1941, the count of the whooping crane went down to 15 which was a big indication of their extinction. Today the number has increased and many organizations are still working towards saving the birds from extinction. The flock of birds in captivity were transferred to Florida but they never could migrate from there, while the species could not survive in Idaho. Later, Whooping crane chicks were thought to migrate with the help of ultralight aircraft. This technique increased their survival chances and the population of these cranes steadily increased.
12. Whooping cranes can fly for 10 hours covering up to 750 kms.
13. While making the long whooping sound the crane coils about 23 cm of trachea into its sternum. This allows it to make variations in its sounds too.

Though measures are taken to save Whooping cranes they are still rated as endangered species. In spite of all the efforts, today there are only 400 cranes recorded alive. Birds form an important part of the eco-system and must be saved from extinction.

Learn About Weddell Seals And Grey Seal

One of the more commonly sighted seals, Weddells often are found in groups. Some of these groups contain several hundred seals, although this typically occurs during their breeding season (September to November). During this time, males engage in numerous territorial battles. Unlike other species, these seals prefer to lie on snow and ice even when open land or rock is available. This trait, along with their desire to avoid Orcas, is one of the primary reasons Weddells are found on inland fast ice around the continent. During the winter months, Weddells must maintain diving/breathing holes in the ice in order to feed. Feeding primarily on fish, Weddells can dive in excess of 1,000 feet (300 meters) in search of food. To make these long dives possible, they carry five time the amount of oxygen in their blood as human do. To get the most from this, Weddells slow their heart rate and limit blood circulation to vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, and liver.

These large seals inhabit remote islands and shoals on both sides of the northern Atlantic. In North America most live along the Canadian Maritime provinces, although smaller numbers are found along the shores of New England. Their distinctive long nose has earned them the name of "horsehead." Their scientific name means "hook-nosed pig of the sea." Grey seals have color patterns that are similar to, but bolder than those of harbor seals.

Grey seals are sexually dimorphic in size. Males grow to 8 feet and weigh about 800 pounds, while females are smaller, growing to 7 feet and weighing about 400 pounds. Female grey seals are estimated to live to at least their mid 30's. Males are estimated to reach only their mid 20's, which may be a result of the fierce competition between males for mating rights with the females. The mating system for grey seals is polygynous (poly = many; gyny = female), in which males mate with many different females. Mating occurs on land and at sea. The nearest grey seal pupping area is in Nantucket Sound, on Muskeget Island, west of Nantucket Island.

Breeding takes place on rocky or sandy islands or land fast ice after pups are weaned. Newborn pups averaging 3 feet and weighing about 35 pounds are born in January and February. Pups are born with a creamy white coat called lanugo ( a reminder of their ancestral association with ice), which is shed shortly before the mother leaves them at about 3 weeks of age. Unlike the harbor seal, grey seal pups are rather helpless, staying on land in the birth area while the mother attends to them. The mother will leave the pup to feed, and upon return will recognize her offspring by its unique smell. Mothers are fiercely protective of their young.

Important Information About The Zebra Adaptations

The Zebra is a large species of equine that is natively found roaming the grassy plains of sub-Saharan Africa. They are the largest and most distinctive wild horses with bodies that are patterned with white and black stripes, the exact placement of which is unique to each individual. There are three different species of Zebra that are found in Africa which are the Common Zebra (also known as the Plains Zebra and the Burchell's Zebra), the Grevy's Zebra (also known as the Imperial Zebra) and the Mountain Zebra. They are incredibly sociable animals that can travel vast distances in search of fresh grass and water but are severely threatened throughout much of their natural range due to increasing levels of human activity. Today, both the Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra are considered to be endangered species and although the Common Zebra is more widespread and numerous, there have been sharp population declines in certain areas.

Zebra Anatomy and Appearance
Zebras are heavy bodied animals that are perfectly designed for speed with their long and slender legs and narrow hooves helping them to reach speeds of 40kph when running. In the same way as horses, they only have a single toe on each foot which they walk on the tip of and is protected by their tough hooves. Their black and white stripes are unique to each individual and help them to identify each other when in the herd. Zebras have long necks and heads that mean they can easily reach the grass on the ground and a mane that extends from their forehead and along their back to the tail. The pattern of their stripes varies between the species with Grevy's and Mountain Zebras having narrower stripes and white undersides, while the Common Zebra has broad stripes that cover it's entire body. The Grevy's Zebra is not only the largest of the Zebra species but is also easily identifiable by it's large, rounded ears.

Zebra Distribution and Habitat
Zebras are found inhabiting the open grasslands and plains of East and Southern Africa where they spend almost of their time grazing on the grasses. The Common Zebra is the most numerous and has the widest natural range throughout East Africa where they are found roaming the grassy plains. The Mountain Zebra can be found grazing on the mountain grasslands of South-West Africa, while the Grevy's Zebra is confined to the arid grasslands and sub-desert steppe throughout Ethiopia, Somalia and in northern Kenya. Zebras have evolved to run incredibly fast so they are able to escape from dangerous predators and so rely heavily on the open plains for their survival. Although the Common Zebra has been least affected, all three species are at risk from population declines due to the loss of their natural habitats caused by by increasing levels of human activity.

Zebra Behaviour and Lifestyle
Zebras are highly sociable animals that roam the savanna in herds for protection from predators. The Grevy's Zebra occupies herds more loosely than the other species with a stallion (male) patrolling enormous territories of up to 10 square kilometres, with mares (females) and their foals grazing freely and occasionally forming small groups that feed together. Both the Common Zebra and the Mountain Zebra inhabit their native regions in long-term herds that split into smaller family groups which are led by a dominant stallion and contain between one and six mares with their young. Their strong social bonds can make them very affectionate towards one another, often grooming each other using their teeth. During the mating season, males will fight fiercely for the right to breed with the females and do so by rearing up on their back legs whilst kicking and biting one another.

Zebra Reproduction and Life Cycles
The Zebra is a relatively slow-developing mammal with females not being able to first breed until they are at least a few years old. After a gestation period that can last for between 10 months and a year, the female gives birth to a single foal that is born with it's stripes, mane and also has a little patch of hair in the middle of it's tummy. Zebra foals are able to stand within minutes of birth which is vital to ensure that they are able to run away to escape from predators. They are able to begin eating grass after a week and are weaned by the time they are 11 months old. Young Zebras remain with their mother until they are mature at around three years old when the males leave their natal herd to join an all-male bachelor group, while females stay with their mother. These bachelor groups begin to challenge the dominant stallions to try and take over the harem during the mating season.

Zebra Diet and Prey
The Zebra is a herbivorous animal meaning that it only eats plant-matter in order to gain the nutrition that it needs to survive. The majority of the Zebra's diet (in fact around 90%) is comprised of a wide variety of different grasses with other plant matter including leaves and buds making up the rest. They use their sharp front teeth to nibble on the tough ends of grasses before grinding them up using the flat molars along it's cheeks. Due to the fact that grass has little nutritional value, Zebras must spend between 60% and 80% of the day grazing. Common Zebras are often seen drinking at water holes which they do every day but, due to the fact that the Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra inhabit drier, more arid regions, they often don't drink for several days at a time. In the dry season Zebras can travel vast distances in search of fresh grass and water holes that haven't yet dried up, with the Grevy's Zebra also known to dig into the ground of dried up river beds to access the water underground.

Zebra Predators and Threats
The Zebra is a large and powerful animal that despite being herbivorous can easily outrun many of it's predators. Zebras are preyed upon by Lions, Leopards, Hyenas and African Wild Dogs, along with numerous other large carnivores such as Crocodiles when they are crossing rivers or drinking. Although their first instinct is to run away, Zebras are sometimes known to attack the animal that is threatening it by kicking and biting. However, when danger is spotted, Zebras alert one another of the threat and by running away from their predator as a tight herd, they often either confuse or simply intimidate their attacker. The biggest threat though to Africa's remaining Zebra populations is the increasing encroachment on their natural habitats by people, with the loss of their open plains to grazing for livestock and to clear land for agriculture.

Zebra Interesting Facts and Features
The stripes of the Zebra remain a slight mystery to science even today as they were once thought to camouflage them into the natural light and shade of their surroundings to confuse predators, as once running as a herd, it is extremely difficult to remain focused on a single animal. The formation of the stripes on their rear end of the Zebra differs greatly between the three species with Common Zebras having horizontal stripes on it's haunches where those of the Grevy's Zebra curve upwards. These patterns on their rear ends are thought to differ so greatly so that members of the same herd are able to easily identify the individual at the front of the pack when running. As with other male horses, Zebra stallions are known to curl their top lips up which is thought to heighten their sense of smell. This so-called "horse laugh" is thought to prove vital for the male to be able to detect when a female is ready to mate.

Zebra Relationship with Humans
Due to the free-roaming nature of Zebras and over vast distances, the increasing human presence throughout the world has meant that Zebras have been affected by the loss of their habitats throughout much of the natural range. However, one of the most intriguing things about Zebras to people is that because they are so closely related to other equines including Horses and Donkeys, Zebras has actually been able to breed with them to produce a hybrid foal, known as a Zonkey (Zebras and Donkeys) or as a Zorse (Zebras and Horses). Although it is not thought that the two species would naturally be able to mate in the wild due to geographical differences, a number of both Zonkey and Zorse individuals now exist around the world. Zebras are thought to have natural protection to certain parasites which has led people to breed Horses and Donkeys with Zebras to produce an animal that has the character and size of a Horse or Donkey but with the power and resilience of a Zebra. As with other cross-breed offspring though, Zonkeys and Zorses are infertile and so are unable to reproduce themselves.

Zebra Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, two out of the three Zebras species are listed by the IUCN as animals that are Endangered and therefore face extinction from their natural habitats in the future. The Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra are found in increasingly isolated regions and their numbers continue to fall throughout their natural ranges. The Common Zebra is an animal that is listed as being of Least Concern from extinction in the wild and although they are still widespread and numbers appear to be relatively stable, they like the other species, are threatened by habitat loss throughout much of their natural range.