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...
Pets
Find the perfect companion for you and your family
Bombardier Beetles
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...
Baby Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Update
Three weeks ago Don showed a baby Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo that he’d bred. The tiny chick, which was living in a hollow log in the aviary, resembled a strange, dinosaur or lizard covered in yellow fluff. On this week’s program, Don checked to see how the...
Opportunistic Animals
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...
Fake Pets
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...
Selkirk Cats
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...

Poodles
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...
Making a Difference (MAD) – Birdbath
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...
Horse Sense: Pat Parelli
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...
