Geckos thrive in warm, dry climates and feel very much at home in deserts. More than 100 species live on the Australian mainland, but there are only a few in southern Australia and none in cooler areas like Tasmania and south eastern Victoria. Most geckos hide under...
Pets
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Thermal Image Zoo
Thermal Image Zoo Recently we road tested outdoor heaters using a thermal imaging camera to find out which models gave off the most heat, and where the heat was distributed. We were amazed at the multi-coloured images the thermal imaging camera produced: the blue...
Tick Season
Tick Season Veterinary surgeon Dr Rob Zammit had a timely warning for pet owners living in areas where ticks are found (along the whole of the east coast from north Queensland to northern Victoria, and inland when conditions are favourable). It is very important to...
Trick Horse
Trick Horse From the day Bobby the Quarterhorse stallion was born, he and his owner Jack have been inseparable. Jack, who once raced trotters, likes stallions and feels they are more intelligent than mares. He noticed that Bobby had a wonderful temperament and decided...
Araucana Chooks
This hardy breed is believed to have originated in South America. Araucanas are large, soft-feathered fowls which come in a wide variety of colours, including black and white, and a beautiful lavender grey. One of the most interesting things about them is the colour...
Australia’s Oldest Budgie
According to the Guinness Book of Records the oldest budgerigar ever lived in England. He was called Charlie, and he reached the ripe old age of 29 years and 2 months. You might remember that Don was interested to find out if there are any Australian pet budgies...
Biggest Cat in Australia
Biggest Cat in Australia Recently on Burke’s Backyard we featured ‘Rum’, a four-year-old domestic shorthaired cat. He weighs in at an impressive 12 kilograms, and measures 96cm from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. We thought Rum might...
Funnel-webs
Funnel-webs The Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Somersby on Sydney’s Central Coast. Last July the park’s main building caught fire, and more than 500 reptiles and amphibians perished. About 400 funnel-web spiders were also...
Pat Parelli: Creating a Bond
Pat Parelli: Creating a Bond Pat Parelli demonstrated how to form a connection with your horse, in the same way that a foal stays with a mare. They are joined together, emotionally, mentally and physically. It is imperative that the foal sticks with its...
King Parrots in Backyard
King Parrots in Backyard Don was surprised to see a pair of King Parrots eating the white flowers of a sasanqua camellia. He had noticed nectar-feeding birds visiting the camellias, but this was the first time he’d seen parrots eating the petals. Although...
