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...
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 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 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...
Rhino Iguana John Dengate visited Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and chatted with reptile keeper Michael Muscat about the conservation of two rare and endangered iguanas. Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta cornuta) These large, heavy-bodied iguanas are native to Haiti and...
Sex Life of Wrens John Dengate looked at the sex life of blue wrens, and made some interesting comparisons with the sexual behaviour of humans. In nature, the male of the species is often more colourful or ‘pretty’ than the female. The dominant male...
Stabled Horses Don visited the Equine Centre at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, to find out about some very important new research on compulsive behaviours in horses. These problem habits, known as equine stereotypies or stable vices, include continual...
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...
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 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...