Find the perfect companion for you and your family
Morrie McGowan wrote to Burke’s Backyard to tell us about his Roller pigeon hybrid, Rolly. Rolly is strangely attracted to a ball. Anywhere the ball goes, Rolly will follow. If Morrie throws the ball in the backyard, Rolly will fly after it, land on it and peck...
John Dengate picked up a black-bellied swamp snake. These snakes are not highly venomous, but they do bite and victims may suffer pain and localised swelling. John pointed out that this species could easily be confused with the eastern brown snake, which looks similar...
John Dengate met Jodi Rowley, from the Australian Museum, at Long Reef Golf Course. There they found a bombardier beetle hiding under a log. This remarkable creature is able to squirt would-be predators with boiling acid. The beetle can aim its firing tube in almost...
Don believes that the original concept of conservation was wrong, because the world is changing. There is really no part of the planet that isn’t feeling the impact of man’s hand, so trying to preserve things exactly as they once were is futile. The issue...
Name: AIBO (Artificial Intelligence Robot) Cost: $3000 plus accessories Longevity: 10+ years Maintenance: medium (charging and ‘training’ required) Recommended for: well-heeled computer nuts If you’re interested in owning a pet but don’t want...
Breed: Selkirk cats Temperament: placid, love companionship Cost: $300 (pet) $500 (show) Lifespan: up to 15 years Maintenance: low (shorthair) medium (longhair) Recommended for: anyone who wants something different History Rex cats, such as the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex...
Breed: Poodle Temperament: intelligent but can be neurotic Lifespan: up to 15 years Maintenance: high Recommended for: families, singles, elderly Although some may still regard the Poodle as the epitome of canine extravagance and a symbol of the well heeled, this...
This year Burke’s Backyard is introducing a new environmental segment called Making a Difference (MAD). In this segment we will look at practical ways you can make a difference to your local environment. The recommendations we give will be based on thorough...
Pat Parelli is world famous for his ability to teach people what horses want and need them to know – savvy. This includes tapping into the equine heart and mind by learning the language of the horse, and how to use it. Pat says that if you can try to understand...