Processionary Caterpillars These hairy, grey caterpillars are the larval stage of the bag shelter moth (Ochrogaster lunifer). During the day groups of 300 or more caterpillars hide together at the base of a food plant (often a wattle or gum tree) in a nest of...
Ralph Update If you thought that there was something missing from this week’s program, you were right. Ralph, the Pug, has had an accident with one of his eyes, and he is now in the care of veterinary surgeon, Dr. Rob Zammit. We crossed to Rob during the show to...
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...
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...
Guide Dog Association Guide Dog Associations are probably best known for providing Guide Dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired. What many people do not know is that in addition to breeding and training Guide Dogs, Guide Dog Associations offer a range of...
Heartworm Heartworm disease occurs when infected mosquitoes inject larvae into a dog’s bloodstream. After four to six months the larvae develop into adult worms which grow up to 26cm (10″) long, and live inside the dog’s heart and pulmonary arteries....
Within Australia there are complicated rules and regulations governing the keeping of native wildlife as pets. These vary from state to state. Recent proposals to allow the keeping of native animals as pets have sparked a fierce debate between those who support the...
As a schoolboy John Harris was hit right between the eyes with a cricket ball. After that he gave away his cricket career! Not only was the cricket ball a potentially lethal missile, but John was also at risk of skin cancer. He has albinism, and as a consequence, he...