Breed: Alaskan Malamute Temperament: dominant, stubborn, trainable Maintenance: High Lifespan: 11-14 years Recommended for: experienced large dog owners Dumpage rate: high Origins of the breed The Alaskan Malamute’s origins lie in the early Spitz-type dogs that...
Turtles in Suburbia Council workers recently found a huge American alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) in a Sydney drain. Alligator snapping turtles live for up to 80 years and have powerful jaws capable of biting through a broomstick. They are listed...
Vet’s Best Reward is made from dried liver. It has a flavour that dogs love, is great for a treat or rewarding and training your pet and won’t fatten them too much. The product is available from vet outlets and is supplied by Vet’s Best Products....
Breed: Lorikeets Temperament: gregarious and trainable Maintenance: medium-high Cost: $50-$6500 Lifespan: 7-9 years Recommended for: beginners to experienced birdkeepers History of the Lorikeet Lorikeets are native birds found in coastal areas around Australia....
Cornish Rex Breed: Cornish Rex Temperament: affectionate, active Cost: $300-$400 Lifespan: 12-15 years Maintenance: low Recommended for: families Appearance The Cornish Rex is known for its alien-like appearance and its extremely short fur. Its tightly curled...
Oriental Shorthair Cats Breed: Oriental Shorthair Cat Temperament: playful and affectionate Cost: from $300 to $500 Recommended for: couples and families Maintenance: low Appearance The Oriental Shorthair has been described as the Ferrari or greyhound of the cat...
Snails, Slugs and Slime Snails and slugs are very successful members of the mollusc family. They have brown or grey, soft, unsegmented bodies and two pairs of retractable tentacles on their heads. Slugs have an obvious ‘saddle’ or mantle, while snails have...
There are six species of blue tongue lizards (Tiliqua sp.) in Australia. They live in a wide variety of habitats ranging from desert, to tropical and subtropical forests and mountainous areas. These large members of the skink family are hardy, adaptable and...
Talking Budgie Recently Bill Marks wrote to Burke’s Backyard to tell us about his talking budgerigar, Frederick. Freddie is a 4-year-old male budgie with an amazing vocabulary. In fact, attached to Bill’s letter was a three page list of all the things...
Don went into an aviary housing exhibition budgerigars. He demonstrated how important it is to move in a way that does not frighten the birds. When working with birds or animals remember these tips: Do everything in slow motion and avoid moving in a rapid, jerky...