kangaroos hopping away

Danish police have appealed for public help to track down a kangaroo that escaped from its owner's home in Copenhagen.Two of the fleet-footed native Australian marsupials escaped from their owner's residence in the Copenhagen neighborhood of Amager on Monday.One found its own way home today but the second remains on the loose, police sa...

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Auction for the Naming Rights for A New Butterfly Species

In an apparent first for butterflies, the Florida Museum of Natural History is auctioning the naming rights for a newly discovered species online to raise money for butterfly research.University of Florida researchers George Austin and Andrew Warren discovered the new species of owl butterfly earlier this year. The discovery is significant because the species is large and colorful, and is the first butterfly from this group to be named in...

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Arctic Foxes save for lean times

Arctic foxes create "nest eggs" each year to prepare for leaner times, according to a new study.Like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter, the small foxes hoard bird eggs in case there's not enough of their favorite prey—the collard lemming—to go around in the spring.The stored eggs can last for up to a year after being buried, thanks to the Arctic permafrost and natural preservatives inside the eggs.(via)...

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A Tribute to Fup. Store Cat.

Fup, the resident cat at Powell's Technical Books, passed away on October 25. She was 19 years old. She continued to greet her admiring public to the end, when her health failed and there was no choice but to put her to sleep. Her lifelong veterinarian made the trip out to the store to perform the task and Fup died peacefully at home with several of her longtime co-workers prese...

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Dressing up a doggie? Put pooch's safety first

About 7 percent of dog owners say they have purchased a Halloween costume for their pet, up from 4 percent in 2004, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.If you're part of that trend, beware of the hazards of costumes for our furry friends.Some tips:• Be sure that straps aren't buckled too tightly, because they might constrict air passages and cause choking.• Make sure the costume lets the animal move comfortably...

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Dogs in costume

Photo: AP/Lisa Po...

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Cats in Costume

Photo: AFP/Yoshikazu Tsuno...

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Ming the clam is 'oldest animal'

A clam dredged up off the coast of Iceland is thought to have been the longest-lived creature discovered.Scientists said the mollusc, an ocean quahog clam, was aged between 405 and 410 years and could offer insights into the secrets of longevity.Researchers from Bangor University in north Wales said they calculated its age by counting rings on its shell.According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest-lived animal was an Arctica clam...

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Meet Harry Potter's Animals

Do you wonder how the scenes involving owls were created and shot for the Harry Potter movies?This article has some interesting "behind the scenes" information. Animals received royal treatment during filming. In many cases, the animals received better treatment than the human actors – such as the scenes with the cats Mrs. Norris and Professor McGonagall. Many of the scenes take place in a real castle, which was actually quite drafty and...

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The hellbender

Which salamanders have four legs, a flat head, a paddle-like tail, beady little eyes and are called names like "snot otter" and "devil dog"?Also known as Allegheny alligator, mollyhugger, and mud cat, the hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is North America’s largest salamander, reaching lengths of nearly 30 inches.These strange, but interesting creatures once thrived in thousands of pristine streams throughout the eastern United...

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World's Rarest Cat Species Boosted by Newfound Lynx

The world's most endangered cat species may be slightly less endangered than previously thought.A new population of Iberian lynx has been discovered in a remote area of Spain—raising the number of known populations from two to three—a conservation group reports.The newfound population appears to roam private estates in the Castile la Mancha Province of central Spain, according to the international conservation group WWF.The two other known populations...

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Understanding Endangered Frog's Diet And Environment May Save It

A brightly colored tropical frog under threat of extinction is the focus of a new research project hoping to better understand how environment and diet influence its development and behavior.Biologists from The University of Manchester have teamed up with experts at Chester Zoo in the hope that their findings will not only help save the splendid leaf frog Cruziohyla calcarifer from extinction in the wild but provide clues as to how it can...

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Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary

The Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Montana rescues and shelters disabled animals. Every animal who arrives at the sanctuary gets another chance to have a safe and loving home. Residents include blind dogs, blind horses, deaf dogs, blind cats, and others with medical issues like muscular dystrophy.Although these animals may have disabilities, they do not consider themselves handicapped. They just want to get on with life and enjoy...

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Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi)

A captive Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA. This critically endangered subspecies of the Gray Wolf once ranged from central Mexico to the Southwestern United States. In 1980, the last five known surviving members were captured to save the species. Now, over 300 wolves are taking part in a wolf reintroduction program, with at least fifty individuals in the wild.Photo credit: Jim Clark,...

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Woman Wants Service Horse As Roommate

The Central Vermont Community Land Trust usually has no objection to a service animal moving into its apartments.But Patty Cooper's service animal is a horse of a different color: a black and white miniature horse, to be exact.The nonprofit housing group is trying to figure out whether it can accommodate the disabled woman's new companion amid concerns about the horse's need for grazing space and whether it will be adequately housebrok...

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Rare Blue Lobster Caught Off Mass. Coast

A blue lobster, so rare that only one in two million have the color, has been trapped off the Massachusetts coast.The lobster, nicknamed Betty Blue, was found in a trap off Minot's Light, one mile offshore of Scituate, Mass.The lobster is so blue that "she glowed in the trap," said Eddie Figueiredo, who trapped the pound-and-a-quarter lobst...

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Beautiful White Lion

The Latin name of Panthera leo krugeri is not limited to white lions. It applies to all South African lion subspecies; the prides of which are mostly located in Kruger National Park and nearby game reserves.White lions are not albino as they have pigmentation which shows particularly in eye, paw pad and lip colour. The correct term for their condition is leucism, a state where there is near-normal eye colour, but loss of pigment in the skin...

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The Feline Solarium

Great for small dogs, pet birds, and free roaming lizards!Makes a great addition as an inside garden spot for plants and seedlings.Give your cat "the outdoor experience" within the safety of your home.If you have a cat and a window you will enjoy The Feline Solarium. Cats naturally enjoy the outdoors and love to sleep in warm sunlight. You will make your best friend so hap...

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Rare leatherback sea turtles hatch in Walton, FL

Walton County’s fi rst-ever documented leatherback sea turtle nest has hatched, and 23 babies have made their way safely to the Gulf of Mexico.After 79 days of close watch by the South Walton Turtle Watch Group, Walton County’s sea turtle nest No. 12, located in Seagrove just west of Seagrove Villas, came to life Oct. 6 following the day’s heavy rain.At 9:15 p.m., Turtle Watch Volunteer Joe Burton checked on the nest and found a tiny flipper...

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Squirrel Foster Mom

Photo: Karen T. Borchers / Mercury NewsMary Nacey, of San Carlos Peninsula Humane Society, is the "squirrel whisperer."Nancey is the one the shelter's Wildlife Care Center entrusts with its most fragile rescues: baby squirrels. She gives them the mothering they need to survive and then knows when to pull away so they can be the wild creatures they were meant to be."Unfortunately, orphaned, sick and injured wild animals don't always make it,"...

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A bizarre breed of guinea pig

A bizarre breed of guinea pig that was created for laboratory testing more than 30 years ago has become the latest designer pet.The skinny-pig has no hair on its body except for tufts on its face and feet - so needs strong suncream in the summer and a jumper in winter.What do you thi...

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On second thought, I'll hold it.. snake story

A 38-year-old Brooklyn woman got quite a surprise when she used her bathroom Monday morning.The New York Daily News is reporting that Nadege Brunacci was washing her hands when she glanced at the toilet and saw a 7-foot python staring back at ...

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Fish in trees, unbelieveble

Scientists have discovered that the mangrove killifish spends several months of every year out of the water and living inside trees.Hidden away inside rotten branches and trunks, the remarkable creatures temporarily alter their biological makeup so they can breathe air.Biologists studying the killifish say they astonished it can cope for so long out of its natural habitat.The discovery, along with its ability to breed without a mate, must make...

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Turtle Tipping Tricks Revealed, its amazing

With a flat shell, the Argentine snake-necked turtle (Hydromedusa tectifera) often rights itself by pressing its head against the ground with its muscular neck, levering itself onto its belly. Credit: Gaabor Domokos.For turtles, lying belly-up is a helpless, life-threatening situation.Now it appears many turtles evolved shells with unique shapes to easily help them flip back onto their bellies if they find themselves on their backs."Before...

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The sweetest monkey you will ever see

"Straight into the heart.." uploaded by hv...

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Knut Learns to Stand On Hind Legs Without Falling Over

Berlin's most famous resident, Knut the polar bear cub, has finally taught himself to stand on his two hind legs after practicing hard for months."He started standing up this month. It's a sign that he's getting increasing control of his body," said Heiner Klös,the zoo's expert on bea...

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Cute Mini Pigs

The mini pigs weigh less than a fifth of an ordinary pig when fully grown.Photo: © Pennywell Farm...

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Possum breaks record with year-long snooze

A possum has set an enviable record for doing absolutely nothing. After stuffing itself full of food in a laboratory, one curled up and hibernated for a record 367 days.There ARE some days when I think I could beat th...

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South American hummingbird visits Wisconsin home

Bird experts say sightings of the green-breasted mango inside the United States are rare, making the one in Joan Salzberg's yard on a recent warm October morning that much more unusual."Birds from the Yucatan aren't supposed to be in southwestern Wisconsin," said Donnie Dann, a bird conservation expert from Highland Park who recently made the approximately 90-mile trek to see the iridescent green animal. "But that's one of the wonderful things...

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Duck Diapers

Wow! I didn't know this:Diapering your duck, goose or chicken is the first step to enjoying the rewarding experience of living with one of these amazing creatures. It not only keeps your house clean, it gives your little feathered kid the freedom to go where you go and do what you ...

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Hero Cat!

Ramses was awarded a Medal of Courage by the Governor of Texas for scaring off a wandering tiger which was heading toward 65-year-old Emma Betts, Ramses' owner.During a coffee break from filming a commercial, an animal handler led Sasha, a trained Siberian tiger, into her makeshift holding pen. But the handler forgot to fasten the gate and Sasha sneaked out of the cage — and out of the room — undetected.The 400-pound tiger made her way...

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Windy City Dog Walkers

Serving Chicagoland's pet community for over five years. Windy City Dog Walkers, Inc. offers daily dog walks, cat care, and pet sitting with the highest level of customer service and personal attention in the industry. They are available 365 days a year, any time of day, and offer a variety of services to meet your pet care needs.This is one of the Chicago area's most trusted dog walking and cat care service. They are licensed, bonded...

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Cerberus in real live

In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the three-headed watchdog who guards the entrance to the lower world, Hades.Originally, the dog was portrayed having fifty or hundred heads but was later pictured with only three heads.Cerberus permitted new spirits to enter the realm of dead, but allowed none of them to leave. Only a few ever managed to sneak past the creature, among which Orpheus, who lulled it to sleep by playing his lyre, and Heracles, who...

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Cute Baby Mangabey Monkey

A rare, red-capped mangabey monkey has been born at the Denver Zoo, one of only 27 living in North American zoos.The birth of the monkey, named Kanzu, on Sept. 30, brings Denver's mangabey troop to six. Zookeepers haven't yet determined the monkey's gender.They named it Kanzu, a Swahili word for treasu...

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Oh sure, blame it on the cat!

In Greenville, Maine, Thumper, black Labrador retriever, is getting credit for saving a Greenville man when a fire swept through his home.Roland Cote said his wife and their 7-year-old grandson were away when the blaze started early Sunday in a converted two-story garage. He said Thumper grabbed him by the arm to wake him, leaving just enough time for him to dial 911 before fleeing the fast-moving fire.While the dog is the hero, a cat is the bad guy in this story.Cote said the fire marshal investigator believes the blaze was started when Princess, the family cat, tipped over a kerosene lantern. Cote says he and his pets escaped safely,...

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Why did 3,000 chickens cross the road?

Because a transport truck crashed on a busy road near Glasgow.The A80 heading towards Glasgow was shut for more than eight hours as the birds were rounded up by a specialist team drafted in by poli...

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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1936 to preserve the 438,000 acre Okefenokee Swamp. Presently, the refuge encompasses approximately 402,000 acres. In 1974, to further ensure the protection of this unique ecosystem, the interior 353,981 acres of the refuge were designated a National Wilderness Area.The swamp remains one of the oldest and most well preserved freshwater areas in America and extends 38 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west.Okefenokee is a vast bog inside a huge, saucer-shaped depression that was once part of the ocean floor. The swamp now lies 103 to 128 feet above mean sea level. Native...

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the only cold blooded mammal

Afarensis defends the much maligned naked mole rats.It's about time someone protests their continuously being labeled as ugly!Not only are naked mole rats cute, but they are also quite amazing:* They are not naked, they are not moles, and they are not rats - the naked mole rat is the only cold blooded mammal.* Naked mole rats have the highest incest rate of all animals. A colony shows 80% genetic resemblance (in comparison: human siblings only...

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The dog and the polar bear amazing photo

On a late October day on the Canadian tundra next to a gray, cold, but unfrozen Hudson Bay near tiny Churchill, Manitoba, a pack of large Husky dogs, the pride of hunter-trapper Brian LaDoon were comfortably lounging on a fresh bed of snow, each tethered by a long chain. Norbert Rosing, a naturalist and photographer was setting up his equipment to capture the scene.A wild polar bear is approaching the Husky who is signaling an invitation to...

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mouse Playing with food

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Frog Cufflinks

Frog CufflinksRhodium plated metal cufflinks accented with green Swarovski crystal eyes. One piece fixed backing with a green fiber optic glass ball. Approximately 3/4in w x 5/8in h. Made in England. By Tattoss...

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Pets marry on World Animal Day

A canary, a goldfish, a guinea pig, a handful of cats and more than two dozen dogs received blessings from a Catholic priest in church to mark World Animal Day.In a ceremony that was sometimes touching and often comical, Rev. Pierre Valkering led his congregation in songs and prayers - frequently interrupted by meowing and yapping from the pews - before the blessing took place.St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals on whose feast...

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The water baby: pictures that capture the birth of a dolphin

It is one of the rarest and most magical sights in the natural world.A bottlenose dolphin goes into labor . . . then a calf emerges, tail first. Mother guides baby gently to the surface, where they swim together for the first time.Very few dolphin births have been captured on film in such astonishing det...

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Cat Nip Toys for Scaredy Cats

6 silly egg-shaped cat toys your cat will love to bat and swat.Lightweight foam bodies sail erratically when batted. Feature glued-on, amusing faces in assorted colors. Roly-poly bat and swat toys in amusing Halloween characters. Lightweight foam bodies have glued-on silly facial detai...

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Cute Baby black-and-rufous giant elephant shrew

A pair of rather unusual siblings has just gone display at the Denver Zoo; they are black-and-rufous giant elephant shrews.The Denver Zoos is one of only seven zoos in North America with this species and now zookeepers have successfully had raised a pair of pups named Potter and Weasley.The brothers were born on Aug. 28. When they are fully grown each will weigh a little more than a pound and be a bit more than eight inches long with an eight...

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Jealous peacock attacks blue cars

Like any male defending his patch, Ron does his best to banish potential love rivals.Unfortunately, this fellow's a little confused about who his competitors are.Ron, a peacock, has begun attacking any bright blue cars which drive into his territory at a stately home.In his latest assault, on a blue Lexus, he scratched and dented every panel - causing £4,000 worth of damage.Ron's owner, Sir Benjamin Slade, said: "He doesn't seem to be bothered by...

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A Gallery of Beautiful Tiny Things

Since 1974, Nikon has sponsored a yearly photo competition for images that delve into the worlds beyond the reach of the unaided human eye. The camera maker feted the photographers who made the top 20 "photomicrographs" in Nikon's annual Small World competition at New York's Explorer's Club. The winners were drawn from a pool of 1,709 submissions.The $3,000 first prize in Nikon's 2007 Small World competition goes to Gloria Kwon of the Memorial...

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7 Unusual Military Animals

Humans, employing animals in their warfare ...The earliest examples of cats being used in warfare dates back to the Ancient Egypt during a war against Persia. The Persians, fully aware of the reverence that Egyptians paid to their felines, rounded up as many cats as they could find and set them loose on the battlefield. When the Egyptians were faced with either harming the cats or surrendering, they chose the latt...

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The Monkey Buffet

Every year, in Lopburi province, Thailand, all of the province's approximately 600 monkeys are invited to eat fruits and vegetables during an annual feast held in honor of Rama, a hero of the Ramayana, who, it is said, rewarded his friend and ally, Hanuman the Monkey King, with the fiefdom of what is now Lopbu...

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