434 114 32MB
English Pages [264] Year 1992
Pets
and Other Animals 1992
Digitized by the Internet Archive in
2013
http://archive.org/details/petsotheraninnals1992chic
Pets and Other
Animals
©
1992 World Book,
may
Inc. All rights reserved.
This volume
not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form
without prior written permission from the publisher.
World Book, Inc. 525 W. Monroe Chicago, IL 60661
ISBN 0-7166-0692-5 Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 65-25105 Printed in the United States of America
,W«i^Vt^^^)^^^lill^^
Dogs: True Blue Buddies
A Dog's Best Friend—You! • Adventures in Dog Walking • Good Show! • Why Does a Dog? • Happy Homecoming • Pet Puzzler: Help Osgood Get Home • "The Flying Dog" • Henry's Hall of Fame
40
Cats: Freewheelin' Friends
Cats Cats Cats • Cat at Work • Noble Companions • Featured Creature • The Purr-feet Cat Owners • Puff at Play • Pet Project: Cat Mouse Toy
Furry Friends It's
70
a Small-Pet World •
Ham It Up • Pet A Taste of the Good Life,
Hamsters Project:
Hamster Style • Adventures of a Second Grade Guinea Pig • Gerbils on the Move • Down at the Hutch • Featured Creature
Birds
in
the
Hand
94
A Canary Comes Home • Who Wants Seconds? • Pet Project: Make a Treat for Birds • The Keet Report • Duck Walk • Featured Creature • Old Mr. Periwinkle • The Courtship of Tony and Cleo
Wet Pets
126
^^
• Featured Creature • Turtle Talk • At the Salamanders' • Presto Change-0: A Tadpole Turns into a Frog • A Wonderful, Watery World • Dear Mrs. Nugget • When Is a Horse Not a Horse? • The Big Sir Terrence's Tour
Tanks
Farmyard Friends
158
The Horse and Pony Show • Giddyup! • Going Whole Hog • Separating the Sheep from the Goats • Featured Creature • Pet Project: A Lamb You Can Take to School • Penside Manner •
Down
at the Bison Corral
Pets Around the World
My Fishing Feathered Friends • A Kangaroo Fun and Games
Survivor
•
—Dolphin Style • Somalo, an Indian
Mongoose • Featured Creature • The Camel: A Desert Pet • Pet Project: Spin Around the World Game
Pets Outside the Door
218
Butch Speaks Out • Wildlife Hospital • I'm Glad You're My Neighbor • Guardians at the Gate • Featured Creature • Pet Puzzler: A Panorama of Backyard Pets
Books
to
Read
New Words
Illustration
Index
244
247
^
Acknowledgments
Y 250
Editorial
Advisory Board
for Childcraft
—The How and Why Library
William H. Nault, Ed.D.,
Litt.D.,
LL.D.
General Chairman, Editorial Advisory Boards, World Book, Inc.
D. Keith Osborn, Ph.D.
Steven Waskerwitz, M.D.
Professor of Child Development
Director of Pediatric Education and
University of Georgia
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Allegheny Lilian G. Katz, Ph.D.
Kay
Professor of Early Childhood Education
Assistant Professor
E. Vandergrift, Ed.D.
and Director, ERIC Clearing House on Elementary and Early Childhood
School of Communication, Information,
Education
Rutgers University
Campus
Medical College of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh /
and Library Studies
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
Staff Editorial
Art
Product Production
Vice President, Childcraft Dominic J. Miccolis
Art Director
Wilma Stevens
Vice President, Procurement Daniel N. Bach
Administrative Director
Senior Editorial Artist Deirdre Wroblewski
Manufacturing Director Sandra Van den Broucke
Contributing Artists Donna Cook Mary-Ann Lupa
Assistant Manager,
Roberta
Dimmer
Managing
Editor, Print
Maureen Mostyn Liebenson Associate Editor Diana K. Myers
Steven D.
Manufacturing Eva Bostedor
Mach
Patrick Nycz
Senior Editor
Lucy Smith Brenda Tropinski
Vice President, Pre-press Services
Lisa A. Klobuchar
Elizabeth A. Westley
Joseph
Writers
Production Artists
Andrew Chaikin
Kelly Shea Doherty
Production Manager Joann Seastrom
Kathleen F. Kain Patty R. Mullins Bernice Rappoport
Brenda Tropinski
Sheri Reda
Director of Photography John S. Marshall
Permissions Editor
Photographs Editor
Janet
Katharine Nolan
T.
Peterson
J.
Stack
Proofreaders Anne Dillon Daniel
J.
Marotta
Publisher
WiUiam H. Nault Indexers Dennis P. Phillips David Pofelski
Director of Research Mary Norton
Researchers Lesley Martin Brett Sparks
Consultant Kenneth S. Hay, D.V.M. Misener-Holley Animal Hospital Chicago
President Daniel C.
Wasp
Preface It's
nice to cuddle
kitten... or
up with a
romp with a
puppy...
or stroke a bunny's silky, soft
fur.,
or giggle as a frog gobbles a bug.
have a pet of your own, you
If you
know how much joy
it
But your pet needs a
brings you.
lot of
attention in return. Pets
Animals to
tells
care and
and Other
you what you need
to
know
keep your pet healthy and happy.
own a pet. shows you how to "have a
But maybe you This book also
pet" without keeping
don't
an animal
in a cage,
a box, or a tank. You can observe a spider spinning
its
web, or put food out for the
birds in your neighborhood.
Or you can
help care for a friend's or relative's pet.
This book
about
kinds of pets
all
own and
of information
is full
—pets that people
"wild pets" that run, swim,
crawl, or fly free. So take your dog for a
walk,
make a
salad for your hamster, or
watch a squirrel bury an acorn. soon find animal!
many ways
to
You'll
be a friend to an
9»__^/i^iy^
1
^.s^m. :^i?^>
m k
e
i^: -c^i3*!:
If*.
*y^''-4'
»'(i* >- V.
^-•^::w:'
"
'
V.
.-
^
A
Dog's Best Friend You!
—
We
can learn a
lot
from Nellie, the
proud mother of four handsome
puppies.
"When my puppies were
born,
them and kept them and clean. Soon, they will go to new homes. Each will need a friend to care for it. So you want to be the very best friend a dog could have, here's what to do!" I
fed
warm,
safe,
if
>' Pamper your puppy. Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you have prepared a comfortable puppy #"
/'^^
home.
A cardboard box or a cage that is
big enough for the
puppy
to stretch in
makes a
fine bed. Line the box or cage
with
cushions or blankets. Put
soft
newspapers under and around the bed until the
puppy
toys in the bed,
water nearby.
12
is
housetrained. Place
and dishes
for food
and
Pay attention
to
your puppy's feelings.
Puppies have ways of showing you what they hke and don't Hke. Talk to your
puppy
often,
but try not to shout. Don't
cuddle your puppy so tightly that
squirms uncomfortably.
poke or tease Puppies
And
it
never, ever
it.
may need
as
many as
four
small meals every day. Puppies also need
a diet high in protein, a substance that helps the puppy grow. Most puppy foods that you can buy in a store provide this extra protein. You
may also add healthy
table scraps, such as egg, cottage cheese.
^V
/
or lean meat, to your puppy's store-
bought food to make sure protein
it
Pet Pointer
veterinarian within a
have brought
give
gets the
needs.
Take your new puppy
will
it
it
to see a
week
after
you
home. The veterinarian
check the puppy's general health and it
vaccinations,
which are shots that
help protect your puppy from serious diseases. Also, be sure to ask the vet for
bathing and brushing instructions.
A grown-up dog can be a great new family pet. Animal shelters are
full
of
dogs that need good homes. Just make sure you choose a healthy, adult
alert, friendly
dog.
13
You'll
need
to teach
your puppy
behave well indoors and other people.
you when
it
It also
to get
to
along with
must learn
to tell
needs to go outside to the
bathroom. Puppies do not need treats to
The more you work with
learn tricks.
your pup, the more
show
it
what
it
will learn. Patiently
to do over
and over again,
and say "Good dog!" when
it
catches on.
And when your puppy makes a firm "No!"
punish
it
is all that's
a mistake,
needed. Never
by shouting, handling
roughly, or spanking
it
it.
Pet Pointer
Teaching a
^.--^
^
New Dog New Tricks
Puppies and dogs need
commands. This
is
to learn five basic
called obedience
training.
SIT Press gently on your dog's backside with one hand and pull up slightly on its leash with the other while repeating the
command
"Sit."
DOWN When your dog its
lying
same
14
hold
and gently lower it until down. Say "Down" at the
front legs
is
is sitting,
time.
it
At about one year of age, a dog
is
full-grown. Your puppy's stubby face
has taken on a grown-up look. Your dog can run faster and leap higher
than
and
ever. It
tricks
more
knows more commands
and learns new ones
quickly.
But your dog
depends on you
still
for its health
and
happiness.
Dogs
like to follow
a regular
schedule. So try to feed
and walk
your dog at about the same time every day.
HEEL When
your dog pulls ahead or
A grown-up
dog needs
falls
behind, give the leash a quick tug and say "Heel," until the
STAY Say
dog
is
by your side.
and hold one hand flat in front of your dog's face as you walk away backwards. If the dog moves, say "No, sit, stay." Then press back into place. "Stay"
it
COME
After your
walk away from
Remember: The
it
dog has learned to stay, and then call "Come."
dog obeys, the better you can protect Can you think how the command "stay" could save a dog's life? better a
it.
*:•
O
15
(
/
one
or, better,
two meals and one or two
long or fast-paced walks per day.
Many dogs,
especially long-haired
ones, need daily
combing or brushing,
called grooming. If you learn to
brush your dog gently, to love the attention. feel great!
it
will
And
it
comb and
soon begin
will look
Grooming sessions are
good time to check
and
also a
for fleas, ticks, or
other problems, such as dandruff or nails that have grown too long.
A veterinarian
can correct most of these problems. Visits to the veterinarian are
an
important part of dog care. Your healthy
16
dog needs a checkup once a year, without fail.
how much your checkup reminds you of your own
You
dog's
will
Pet Pointer
be surprised
checkup! The doctor looks in your dog's
and
ears, eyes, nose,
veterinarian takes
throat.
its
cry at
night the
week
pulse, listens to its heart
and lungs with
a stethoscope, and gives
booster shots
a new home. Try tucking a hot water
under a pillow and placing a bottle
ticking clock
wrapped to
keep the vaccinations working.
The veterinarian tell if your
dog
is
tiredness, fever,
ill.
will explain
how to
Signs include
runny
eyes,
first
in
The
temperature and
it
A puppy may
runny nose,
in
in
a towel
the pup's bed.
The warmth and gentle ticking
will
comfort the puppy
by reminding
it
coughing, smelly ears, strange body
snuggling with
movements, vomiting or diarrhea, and
mother.
constant chewing or scratching. Always
have the veterinarian's phone number on
hand
in case of accident or illness.
of its
Mrs. Ortega had just moved Mr. and the neighborhood with their
to
beautiful colhe. Molly Martin knocked
on their
door. "Hi. I'm here to offer
my
services as a dog walker," she stated. "I
walk dogs block.
for several families
on the
Every day, rain or shine.
My
"
card
"I'm glad to
meet you," Mr. Ortega
answered. "And here's our dear Silkie."
murmured as long fur. "How are
"Pretty Silkie," Molly
she stroked the dog's
you today?" treat
Silkie
wagged her
tail. "I
my dogs like friends," Molly
explained. "Would you like to go on a test
walk?"
The four
set
off.
"Silkie likes to
have
her walk at four o'clock every afternoon," said Mrs. Ortega.
"No problem," replied Molly.
up a schedule
for all
my dogs,
"I
and
make I
never keep them waiting."
"Would you know what
to
do in an
emergency?" asked Mr. Ortega.
18
always have your veterinarian's
"I'll
phone number with me," Molly answered confidently Suddenly, a dog across the street
barked
excitedly. Silkie tried to
drag Molly toward the misbehaving dog. "Are you strong enough to hold her?"
Mrs. Ortega asked with a worried frown.
Molly tugged the leash and pulled a doggie treat from her jacket. "Come, Silkie,"
she said firmly. Silkie scampered
after her.
"You're the best, Molly!" Mr. Ortega
exclaimed. "Can you start
tomorrow?"
%k
"^
think she's already
started," said Mrs. Ortega,
and they
all
laughed.
Good Show! shows are Dog attend, even
Rows and rows
lively if
and fun
to
you don't have a dog.
of stalls
and cages
contain every kind of dog you can
imagine. Owners and handlers wearing
armbands fro,
for identification
hurry
to
exercising their dogs or signing
for events.
At some
stalls,
and
up
owners
prepare their dogs for competition. They
brush them, check their teeth, or stroke
-'VMMMnjvnj
them
to
keep them calm. In other
perfectly
stalls,
groomed dogs nap contentedly,
waiting for their turn to be judged.
20
At a dog show, you may see some of the world's most unusual dogs. Instead of barking, the basenji
resembles yodeling.
makes a sound that The shar-pei has a
wrinkled face that makes wise old person. You also
it
look like a
may admire
elegant Afghan hounds with silky hair trailing the ground, tiny toy dogs,
such as
the Chihuahua and Pekingese, and such giants of the dog world as the great
and
Dane
Irish wolfhound.
A championship beauty contest
for
show
is
a
little like
purebred dogs.
champion dog must be as
a
A
close as
possible to the perfect size, color or colors,
and shape
for its breed.
Getting a whisker trim Is all in a day's work as an English bulldog and its trainer get ready for competition.
Dogs compete rings. In
This
is
in
open areas called
one ring, dogs pose forjudges.
often called stacking.
Owners
place their dogs in a standing posture
with their feet firmly planted and their
heads held high. The dogs are judged according to
how good they
look and
how
well they stay in the stacking position.
In another ring, the judges watch the
dogs move. This part of the competition is
named for a dog's way it walks. In this
called gaiting. It is
gait,
which
is
the
competition, dogs walk or trot on a leash Poodles that compete in dog shows have fancy haircuts, just like these standard poodles. Here a judge Is fluffy,
examining the dogs the part of the show called the stacking competition.
in
in a variety of patterns
—triangular, T-
shaped, L-shaped, and straight
Many dogs
line.
earn points at the dog
show, and some win awards. The award "Best of Breed"
is
given to the dog that.
In
obedience
trials,
dogs can win awards for being the most well behaved. These dogs are performing the "long sit and stay."
They are not allowed to
move
until their
trainers give
them the
command.
in the judges' opinion, is the
most perfect
to
example of each breed. These dogs continue to compete until one
is
Pet
Words
Know
chosen
v_-'
A purebred
"Best in Show."
Years of training and hard work have
dog
that
is
a
has
ancestors of the
paid off for today's winners.
them now can add a new their
names
title
right to be called
of
before
—the letters Ch. This
stands for "Champion."
titles in
Some
title
A dog earns the
"Champion" by winning
going
back several generations.
A mongrel
is
a
mixed-breed dog, or mutt
several dog shows.
— one that
is
not a purebred. To
A dog show may include other special events, too. Obedience trials
same breed
measure
dogs' skills in following such basic
say that a dog is a mongrel does not
mean
that
it's
dirty,
ill-behaved, or
commands
as "heel,"
"sit,"
and
"stay."
unloved.
Field trials test hunting and tracking skills.
They are held
instead of an arena.
in a
wooded area
A pedigree
is
a
written record of
a
dog's ancestors.
23
Why Does a Dog? Why does a dog wag
its tail?
People often think that
wags
its tail, it's
always saying, "I'm
happy!" But a dog can different
ways
to
when a dog
wag its
tail in
say different things,
such as "Hello," or "I'm top dog!"
Why does
a
dog pant?
Sometimes a dog breathes hard with its
tongue hanging out.
breath or afraid.
Panting
is
It's
It is
not out of
just panting.
a dog's "air conditioning." The
air cools the
dog inside and
out.
Why
is
Pet Pointer
a dog's nose wet?
A cold, wet nose is usually a sign of a healthy dog. Dogs release moisture
through their noses and mouths to cool themselves.
A dry,
chapped nose that
stays
warm might mean the
fever
and needs
How fast can
an unfamiliar dog approaches you, If
dog has a
to see a veterinarian.
don't run away.
Running away may and may chase you and even bite you. excite the dog, it
Instead, stand
the fastest dog run?
Greyhounds, sleek and trim racing dogs, have been clocked in races at
more
at the dog,
quietly to
comes
than forty miles (64 kilometers) an hour. That's faster than a race horse!
still,
and without staring
it
it.
speak If it
closer, allow
to sniff you, then
back away
slowly.
25
^
>r-,
^
mw%;m*'mm ^^^v*fm i>immmmm^'-^ ii
i
ii
Pet Pointer "I'd like
Learn Dog Language
some
please."
Dogs use body language to tell you what they want and how they feel. Here is a dog "vocabulary list."
What does
When
food,
dog do
a
if it
senses danger?
dogs feel threatened, their
bodies "go on alert." Their ears prick up or forward, their legs straighten, their tails
stand straight up or out, and their
eyes stare intently. Trained dogs alert
when
their masters are threatened, too.
Wiiy does a dog
sniff the
ground?
Dogs pick up scents of other dogs, animals, and people this way. Even scents are
dogs can
all
tell
mixed up by wind or
them
apart.
if
the
rain,
When dogs
walk, their paws leave a scent that other
dogs can follow.
26
"I
need
to
go
bathroom."
to the
or "I
want
to
go
for
a walk."
"I'm sorry."
How does
a rabid dog act?
A rabid dog has rabies,
a deadly
disease. This disease causes a dog to
growl and often drool. Rabid dogs also
have a strange, crooked walk. They seem fearless
"mad
and
dogs."
crazy,
and were once
Mad is
another word for
crazy. If you think a
not go near call
it.
dog has rabies, do
Instead, go indoors
and
the police or animal control
authorities to report
What does a dog Please to
called
its
it.
like to
do most?
master. Most dogs try hard
be good pets.
27
Happy Homecoming It
was bedtime, and Kyle wrote
in his
journal. "Today is the saddest day of
my life. fault!
When \,
I I
thirsty
drink.
I
Flash
is
missing, and
it's all
my
went bike riding
this afternoon.
got back home,
was
I
went straight didn't realize
gate. I'm not
I
I
so hot
for the
and
hose for a
hadn't closed the
even sure when she
escaped."
That afternoon, right disappeared.
after Flash
Mom and Dad tried to make
Kyle
said. "Don't
blame
"But what Kyle
"No one
feel better.
if
Mom
is perfect,"
yourself."
she never comes back?"
cried.
"We'll just
have
to
make
sure she
does," said Dad.
Dad lost
Mom helped Kyle
dog notice, and
make up
called the local paper to place a
posters with Flash's picture to put
in the neighborhood.
"Maybe we should ask the mail and the garbage
collectors
carrier
whether
they've seen Flash," Kyle suggested.
"Good all
idea," said
Mom. "And
I'll
call
the veterinary hospitals and animal
shelters in the area
and leave Flash's
description."
"Would
it
help
if
we
told
them
Flash's
dog tag numbers?" Kyle asked. "Sure would,"
added
sadly, "I
"I did!"
so excited
Dad
said. "But,"
he
never wrote them down."
Kyle exclaimed. Kyle had been
when Flash had
first
come
to
29
^
Pet Pointer
The identifying numbers on rabies tags and dog licenses are kept on
record at the animal control
department
f
live
He had
with the family.
written
—
^ -
| ?
down almost everything about her even ^^^ ^^^ numbers— in his journal. Kyle was so worried about Flash that j^^
tossed and turned all night. "Where
is
? ^he?" he wondered. "Is she warm? Does she have enough to eat?"
rj.^^ where you live. | j^^^t day went by slowly The These numbers can - „ c^ 4 family moped all evemng. Suddenly the help identify your ,
dog
if it
is lost
Get a rabies tag
at
the veterinarian's office
when your
dog has
its
rabies
animal control office or your veterinarian
you how apply for a dog can
tell
ljj,gP5g
^ « I »
|
yes!" Kyle heard his
to
^
mother say
"We'll be
^^^^t down!
"Flash?" Kyle asked hopefully "Flash,"
%
shots. Your local
i
-,
phone rang. Everyone jumped. "Yes
and
brought to a shelter.
-,
Mom answered with a grin.
^^^ moment Flash saw Kyle, she ^ wagged her tail so hard that it looked f ^^^^ ^ ^j^^ ^iyle hugged Flash as hard as
f
§ J^
he could and thought he'd never
The man
at the animal shelter smiled.
The happy reunion made him too.
He
let go.
told Kyle
feel good,
and his parents that a
farmer had found Flash romping in his pasture with his
own two
late in the evening.
Flash and
let
dogs. It
was
So the farmer fed
her sleep in the barn.
called the shelter the next
He
day and
reported the numbers on the dog tags.
him the numbers on her tags matched the ones you had given us," he "We
30
told
told them.
down
"And he
offered to bring her
to the shelter right away.
We
phoned you in the meantime." "The nice farmer didn't even leave his
name," wrote Kyle that night. we'll
"I
guess
never meet him. But he's a real
friend.
I'll
never forget him."
"The Flying Dog"
He
streaks across the ground fast as
lightning, leaps,
and catches
spinning flying discs in midair!
wonder
this terrier-beagle
Arizona,
is
named Air
from Phoenix,
Major.
According to his trainer, Air Major showed
No
skill at
Bill
Watters,
leaping and
catching as a pup. So Watters
taught him special
tricks.
In a
trick called the "back vault,"
Air Major springs from the
ground
to Watters'
shoulders and then
high into the air to catch a flying disc.
Watters and Air
Major have competed in
five
world championships. Air Major performs for live audiences across the
United
States and has appeared often on TV.
Watters and Air Major have worked
hard
to
become the
best.
what they know about
They share
setting
and
achieving goals in special presentations at elementary schools.
Henry's Hall of
Fame
Welcome, people, to the Dogs' Hall of Fame. I'm
Bloodhound Henry,
your guide. We're taking this tour
show our appreciation
K'ftr;! t/l/l/l////
ways dogs contribute
many human life.
for the
to
to
Now, please step up and view the sled dog, represented here
by the
Siberian husky. (Some people consider
them handsome
—but look
at those short ears!) Life in the icy
lands of the north would have been impossible without such dogs.
Imagine that you are surrounded
by a howling
blizzard.
You can see
nothing in the fierce whiteness.
Could you trek
for miles pulling
a
sled loaded with supplies? Probably
not by yourself. You'd need the help of the
husky or one of its cousins, the
Alaskan malamute and the Samoyed.
Farmers and herders have depended on dogs
for
thousands of years. Here
the terrier, valued for rats
and other
its skill
is
in killing
pests.
Herding dogs, such as the
collie,
the Old
English sheepdog,
and the German ^
shepherd, have been
tending sheep, goats,
and
cattle for
hundreds of years.
Dogs also have earned their keep by helping hunters. Pointers, setters,
hounds
locate
and
game
with their keen eyesight and sense of smell. Spaniels scare
birds out of hiding.
And retrievers gained
their title because they retrieve, or bring
back,
game
birds that have been shot.
Now let us turn to the
Search and
Rescue, or SAR, breeds. Here
German shepherd in a
we
see a
searching for survivors
burned building.
St.
Bernards,
my kin, the serve as SAR dogs
Labrador retrievers, and noble bloodhounds,
as
well.
may be brave
(The others
enough.
It's
a Pet Fact
But unfortunately, they lack the
handsome wrinkles that adorn
my
Every year since 1954, a large U.S.
'3.
company has named a Dog pet food
Hero of the Year for a special act of bravery. The dogs that have won this award have saved the lives of
many
people and even other animals,
overcoming such dangers as fires, speeding traffic, wild animal attacks,
and
fast-flowing
rivers.
breed.)
Through
history,
rescued people from floods, avalanches,
SAR dogs have
fires,
earthquakes,
and other
Experts have estimated that sense of smell
is
disasters.
SAR dogs'
a million or more times
keener than a human's. They can follow a
many miles. In many one SAR dog and its handler
person's scent for situations,
can do the work of thirty rescuers.
37
Now follow me for a tour of the
Guide
and Companion Dog Wing. Here we honor dogs who unselfishly help people in special ways:
Seeing eye dogs act as eyes for the blind.
They guide and
owners in
traffic
protect their
and other situations
that are difficult for blind people.
Hearing ear dogs help the hearingimpaired. They alert their owners to
everyday sounds, such as doorbells, and to
danger signals, such as smoke alarms
or sirens. Strays often
ear dogs
38
when they
make good hearing
are properly trained.
People in wheelchairs find true friends in aid dogs. These dogs do the
chores their masters cannot do. They
provide protection, as well.
Therapy dogs work with their trainers to brighten the lives of patients in
nursing homes and hospitals.
Ill
elderly patients are often lonely. feel better after petting
and
They
and cuddling
these dogs.
And finally, we honor Everydog. We do not know this dog's name, but it is every dog who has loyally served its master. It may not do anything special.
But
to its family,
hero. Perhaps
it's
it's still
your dog!
a
'*"*^ -sL
^>?S ml^s^ ^^^ j^^rtSJjtn ^iia^"*'^'^'^^B ^^^'" a3i£»*.^Ai.r^^
m
11-11
'irffy
•
-
^^
r;;^*:;:?*:-^-
Ji^lii^i2i«; *?^"^i
ir*lS7g^
IT
*'cPwilt.'*^^''
'
''•
•ia^^^^B3*"iB
^^^^^^^^HbUlkiMiHLj^V/tM
fre
f
A
.
>*i^
«*"^ 2Jll«titfl
-**=*v
'-^^C-V
:3"
^r l .
^^XZT'^^
tl^
'^^':^^
*r'Z.'
Wm
i^
w
^i;^;^S ^^^*,
4 1
•4
w Grandma
cats
Lily,
and most
other Siamese cats for that matter, cannot stop chattering. What a loud voice she has! But what a show cat she is! Look at
those pretty dark brown points.
Grandpa Shabriar, a Persian, is one of the family's oldest longhaired cats. Long ago, a few cats had naturally long hair. Cat lovers spent years breeding more of these cats with beautiful coats.
Owners
of Persian cats
have to brush out the tangles daily.
\...
K ''^^W^"'
j0r j'*
%.
Great-Aunt Conchita, Grandpa's sister, is an oddeyed white Persian. Study her picture closely. You will see that she has a blue eye and a copper-colored one.
Aj
,.*SSi^!ft'
:j;;'«fc'vc>.
Aunt Ling has star
certainly
quality. All
Himalayans do, what with their Siamese coloring and luxuriously long fur. But imagine how hard she works to
groom
herself!
Pet
Word
to
Know
/,
Points are parts
a
of
cat, including tiie
face, ears, legs, feet,
that
and tail, have a different
color than the rest of the body.
Grandma Scheherazade Angoras look a
lot like
is a Turkish Angora. Persians, but Persians have
Angoras probably came from Turkey. They were named after a Turkish city that is now called Ankara.
flatter faces. Early
Great-Uncle Alex, like Grandma Lily, is from the shorthaired side of the family. Like every other Abyssinian, he is a wonderful stalker and jumper.
Cousin Galina is called a Russian blue. The earliest Russian blues most likely came either from northern Russia or Scandinavia.
Louie the Rex is a newcomer to the family.
The
first
Rexes, or curly-haired cats, arrived on the scene in about 1950. But curly hair isn't their only claim to fame. Rexes run faster
and leap
farther
than most other cats.
45
— Ill Sumi comes from faraway Japan. Americans call her a Japanese bobtail. The daredevil of the family, Sumi and others of her breed actually love to swim.
What's different about Max the Manx? Take a
cond
look.
Manx
\cats have no tails, or very short ones. And weird but true they have a rabbitlike hop when they walk.
—
The
earliest
came from
Manxes
the Isle of
Man, between England and Ireland.
w
Cousin Seth lives closer to home. He belongs to the Maine coon breed, which includes some of the biggest cats in the world. Huge, isn't he? bet his owners hitch him up to their sleigh each winter. Ha! Ha! Only kidding, Seth. I
n^f-
Here am! After seeing I
pictures of
my family,
you may have guessed that am a mixed breed. Actually, have inherited I
i
the best traits from all my relatives, don't you think so?
*iH^
^f^
Cat at Work Casimir begins his stretch.
day with a
Then he pads
into
the kitchen to greet Mrs.
Petrowski, his owner, with his
upright tells
tail
waving
her that he
is
gently. This
glad to see
her and his breakfast. After eating, Casimir starts his rounds. First,
he rubs his
head against Mrs. Petrowski.
Then he presses
it
against the table legs and" chairs. Casimir is
releasing scent markers.
Their odor lets other cats
know where he has been and how long ago he was there.
When Casimir
passes through a territory,
he leaves scent markers along the way.
'#-*
..S^
£3^*«iife,r
Once outdoors, Casimir pauses
He
to listen.
slinks toward a
rustling noise.
Then he
mouse scurrying into a Casimir darts after
shed
is
dim
light
Inside, the
it.
than a person
some
can, but he needs
his
shed.
dark. Casimir can see far
better in
his
spies a
light to see
way around. However, to feel way around, Casimir needs
only his whiskers.
Casimir 's whiskers send
messages
to his brain in the
same way that your
fingers
^^
send messages to your brain.
The whiskers on tell
him
enough
if
his upper lip
a space
is
wide
to fit through.
The
whiskers on his chin help
him
feel things
ground.
And
on the
the whiskers
on his forelegs
tell
him
what he has caught
is
if
about
to escape.
Casimir
is
a good mouser. His senses
of sight, hearing,
and touch help him
make
of the
short
work
mouse
in the shed
49
''**
Later, Casimir sits in the
sun licking himself. The saliva on his tongue cools off
and cleans
bristles dirt
and
his fur.
him
The
on his tongue comb out loose hairs.
Suddenly, a dog charges out
from the next yard. Casimir arches his back. out, size.
The
fur on his tail puffs
making the
He
tail
look twice
puts out his claws. The
its
cat's
whole body says, "Don't mess with me."
But
this
and the
dog doesn't frighten easily
closer
it
looks. In a wink,
comes, the bigger
Casimir changes his
mind about attacking and uses to climb a
or
draws
nearby
in,
it
tree.
Then he
his claws retracts,
the claws. (Retracting the
claws keeps them sharp, and Casimir
may need tail for
to wait.
sharp claws
yet.)
He
uses his
balance as he walks out on a limb
The dog seems
to take forever to
go away.
When
the coast
is
finally clear,
Casimir sizes up his situation. Like a
r
person but unlike a dog or a mouse
Casimir has eyes in the
They help
front of his face.
him judge
distances.
decides that he
enough
to the
He
is close
ground
to
jump. Casimir's flexible
backbone curves into
an
arch. His legs
absorb some of the
shock as he lands
on
all
four feet.
But even
if
M-^---/
t^
M \
^> >
67
BiiiM iMia
»
.
I
Pet Project Cat ^Aouse Toy Things You Need:
# scissors • marker • two yards of yarn small paper or
apiece
needle
make
of telt at
square VgO centimeters) v^^^^^ paper ^ wrapping
clip
large yam
Here's a toy you can
1
« one-hole punchleast
y •!jingle
for
bell
a cat you know or own.
Place a sheet of tissue paper over the
on pages 68-69. Trace the outline stitching holes
and the
slits for
mouse
of the body.
toy patterns
Mark the
the ears. Trace the ear
shape. 2.
Pin the tissue patterns for the body felt.
Cut the
felt
and the ears on the
around each pattern.
Punch out the
stitching
holes through the marks
on the cut the i
n mii L i
i
tissue. Carefully slits for
Remove used
the ears.
the tissue you
for tracing. Fold the
mouse body up the
in half, lining
stitching holes.
Slip the earpiece
the
slits,
through
so that one
mouse ear each side
sticks out
on
of the body.
4.
Straighten the paper clip and
bend a hook
at the
end
to hold
the yarn. Or, use a large yarn needle.
5.
Ask someone paper in
6.
clip
to help with
sewing
if
you need
it.
Thread the
or needle with the piece of yarn. Tie a large knot
the end of the yarn.
Lace the mouse through the holes you punched in the felt. Start at the nose and stop before you reach the tail, leaving a small opening.
7. Stuff
the
mouse
with tissue paper through the opening
you
mouse. After you make the last stitch, knot the yarn at the end of the mouse's body. Leave a piece of yarn as long as your hand for the tail. Then cut left.
Then
finish lacing the
the yarn.
8.
If
you have a
jingle bell, thread
your needle with a short
piece of yarn. Thread the yarn through the
bell
and the mouse's nose. Tie a
double knot.
Now
Watch as your
it's
time to play.
favorite cat stalks
the
mouse and
crinkles the tissue. Mttt
69
"vi
Siis*v«;;
It's
a Small-Pet World Ned Ratt Mammal News
Announcer: Hello, this
is
reporting for
MNN,
Network.
a big day here at the
It's
the
United Mammals, or first
This
meeting of the Council
Mammal is
UM.
for
is
the
Small
Our spokesmammal today Ms. Ferrer of Peru, who represents the
guinea
Pets.
pigs.
Ms. Ferrer, thank you
for
the chance to learn more about small
mammal
pets.
Ms. Ferrer:
Thank you, Mr.
hope our meeting
will help
become better friends 72
Ratt.
We
human beings
to their small
mammal pets. As a first step, we have of written a Small Mammal Pet Bill all small, Rights. These are the rights of
fuzzy pets everywhere.
Would you read them for us? With pleasure. "We beheve
Announcer: Ms. Ferrer:
that each and every gerbil, hamster, mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit has the following rights:
1.
To eat
2.
To be fed food free
3.
To have
4.
To
5.
To have toys to play with that keep the mind and body active
6.
To breathe fresh
7.
To be kept warm and free from drafts
8.
To sleep on clean, fresh bedding
9.
To enjoy the care and companionship
fresh, nutritious food every
of harmful
fresh, clean
live in
water at
a roomy cage
in
day
chemicals
all
times
the shade
air
of
humans 10. To be
left
alone sometimes."
73
Pet Pointer 'PSS:?-
Announcer: We're sure those guidelines will
small
Never pick up a small animal by
ears or
tail.
be useful to
its
Cup
all
humans who keep
mammal pets. Now I'd like
to
Haddad
of
question of Mr. Hamster Syria. Mr.
Haddad, hamster owners have
your hands around it
or cuddle
loosely
arms.
in
ask a
noticed that hamsters like to store
away
it
your
food in their cages.
They
also are able to
carry lots of food in their cheek pouches.
How do you explain this?
Haddad: Simple.
Mr.
My wild hamster
relatives live in hot, dry areas of the
world.
They hunt
for food at night,
sometimes they travel a long way it.
So they
eat
collect as
when they need
much it.
and
to find
as they can to
That's really very
sensible. (f&. *^,«*ipa»SBffi;rvs*'*.
Announcer:
Mr. Gerbil Dorj of Mongolia,
most of your relations also
come from dry areas of the world. Are their ^-*d#4-^^
habits just like
a hamster's?
Some wild gerbils store But we are different from
Mr. Dorj:
food.
hamsters in
many ways. For
example, we gerbils can
more
easily in places
there
is little
moisture
water.
where
We get the
we need from
Another difference
live
is
the food
that
we
we
eat.
are friendly
animals. If we are not too crowded,
we
enjoy living together in family groups.
Hamsters
fight.
Announcer:
What
do you say to that,
Mr. Haddad? Mr.
Haddad: I'm afraid
hamsters prefer not
to
it's
true.
We
hve with other
hamsters. But we're gentle with people
when we get to know them, and we make fine pets.
still
Announcer: Ms. Ferrer, we've heard
from our friends from Syria and Mongolia.
What can you tell
your relatives? 76
us about
Ms. Ferrer:
Guinea pigs no longer
live
in the wild. All of them are domesticated.
This means that people have been
keeping
my kind as pets for hundreds
of
years. Distant relatives of mine called cavies
still live
wild in South America,
though. Announcer: telecast.
And
now,
we must end our
Ms. Ferrer, do you have any
closing remarks?
Thank you, Mr. Ratt
Ms. Ferrer: Yes.
and you viewers at home, interest in small
for
your
mammal pets.
Please remember that
we
friendly, gentle creatures.
are clean,
We
ask only for
a healthy living space and some
company. In return, we pledge you our devotion and love.
Announcer: This has been
Ned Ratt
for
MNN. Good night.
A I
Pet
Word
Mammal of
is
to
the
Know
name
animals that have
for the large
hair,
group
a backbone,
and a warm body temperature. Baby
f
mammals get milk from their mother's body. Human beings, dogs, cats, hamsters, and rabbits are
all
mammals.
77
Hamsters
"amie! Joey!
"Come
see
Ham
Come
It
Up
here!" Katie called.
my hamster gym!" Her
twin brothers hurried
in.
"See?
I
emptied
out an old packing box from the
basement.
I left
the top open and cut a
door in the side. Then, just inside the door,
I
put a digging box filled with peat
moss. Look at Goldie!" Katie exclaimed. Goldie, her favorite hamster,
was
burrowing as deep as she could. Goldie's mother,
through a
Mandy, had raced
toilet tissue roll to
crawl across
»ona\)
cottage
You can make a hamster-style salad for with a hamster friend. yourself and share
—
1
.
it
Tear medium-sized pieces from a head of
cabbage and arrange them neatly on a large plate. Top the bed of lettuce or cabbage with young dandelion greens you have them. lettuce or
if
-.V
3.
Sprinkle sunflower seeds
and crushed
dill
or parsley over the salad.
4.
Put aside one tablespoon of the lettuce and mixed vegetables. If you wish,
decorate the rest of your salad with turkey slices or cottage
5.
Spoon a little yogurt into the small bowl. Add the grated orange peel to taste. Use this
6.
cheese.
dressing to top your salad.
Eat the big salad
all
by yourself
—and give
your hamster the spoonful of vegetables
you saved
for
a lunchtime
treat.
^|3na A|6n aM)
:J3msuv
rm^^^mm^M'^
^
:^
^fc£Lrf^i2y^.:0T5*^
'.^^-
^^
Sir Terrence's
Tour
attention, everyone. You say Pay you want a real adventure? Well,
you've come to the right place. I'm Sir
Terrence MacTurtle. Like
MacTurtles before me,
I
all
the
take brave and
curious young people on safaris into the wild. There,
we come
face to face with
the wondrous creatures that live in
ponds, on
lily
pads, and in the damp,
dark spaces under fallen
logs.
r
So climb in
and
let's
Shh.
.
my All-Terrain Turtlemobile,
see .
.
what we
find!
Here's our first sighting.
Point your binoculars over there, toward the shallow water near the pond's edge.
See that big shiny green creature? She's a bullfrog. Does anyone
know what group
of animals she belongs to? Did
I
hear
someone say "amphibian"? That's Notice
how smooth and moist her
right.
skin
She and her amphibian cousins need
is.
to
stay near water all the time. That's
where they lay
their eggs.
129
N^
Now we'll of the pond.
pull over to the
Hold on
\?.
sunny
tight! It could
side
be a
bumpy ride. Ahhh, here we
are.
Look
at those lazy
chaps, sunning on the rocks. They're relatives.
We haven't much in common,
though, except that we're Turtles are reptiles. reptile a reptile,
my skin.
my
all turtles.
What makes
a
you ask? Take a look at
Don't be afraid to touch.
leathery and scaly, doesn't
it?
It feels
That's not
from too much sun! All reptiles have skin like this.
that's like
Most
reptiles live
where we lay our
on land, and
eggs.
But some,
me, also spend time in water.
Lizards and snakes are reptiles, too.
What's that? Look there. See that
handsome green
fellow paddling through
the water with his long, flat tail? He's a
newt. he's
He may be shaped
an amphibian. Look
spots. He's a beauty, to
like
a lizard, but
at those red
be sure. Bet he's
out looking for a juicy fly or a tasty to
worm
snack on.
Climb back into the ATT, and drive into the woods.
Look
we'll
Oh ho! What luck!
at that fat fellow crossing the road.
Can you see his bumpy, brown skin? Does anyone know what he is? Right! He's a toad, another type of amphibian.
But
unlike frogs, toads have dry skin. They don't
need
to
be close to water
time
—only when
And
no,
a toad.
you
it's
all
the
time to lay eggs.
can't get warts
from touching
Who told you that nonsense?
Remember the handsome newt we saw earher?
'-xM
-45
If we're
patient in the
very quiet and
dim woods, we may meet
one of his land-dwelhng relatives scuffhng about in the dead leaves. Wait, there's one now. Notice the
dark skin and
the bright yellow markings. He's a spotted salamander.
Oh
Off he goes, under a
us.
dear, he's log.
He and
his
kind are quite shy. That's the end of our tour. You've
had
a chance to see some of these delightful
animals in the wild.
keep one as a it
a
home
ever decide to
you should try
that matches
environment. in
pet,
If you
its
natural
Now you have
knowing how
to give
a head start
to create that
home!
K
2fc
heard
H"*'*^'
^1
h
WiiL.
..'^''
^^'
A
..1
atured Creatare A
certain hare
But speed
You'd find
what
is it
is fleet I
of foot,
lack.
hard to run, I'm sure.
With your house upon your back.
So when the hare announced, "Let's race!" It seemed to all I'd lose. But midway through, my long-eared friend Stopped
I,
I
to take
a snooze.
meanwhile, plodded slowly on. never did give
in.
passed the sleeping hare And trudged bravely on to win! When the hare woke up, he knew he'd He wore a shameful face. But of me, that wise old Aesop said, "Slow and steady wins the race." At
X
last,
I
Who am
lost.
I?
^^ -..---7
esjoijoj
am :d3MSNV
Turtle Talk :^^ ^ SWEET?"
HOME ^
Where do turtles
SHELL
They
live in all
kinds of places.
swim
live?
Some
in the ocean.
Others roam about in
woods and meadows. Turtles live in ponds,
streams, lakes, and
even in deserts.
What
is
Most
turtles
layer shells. it's
layer
a
-Pet
(^
.^^,
Fact v\fi7 Turtles are the only reptiles that shells.
have
is
is
made
a turtle's shell
of?
have two-
The inner
made
of bone
and
attached to the turtle's
skeleton. layer,
The outer
which
is
tough
made
and hard,
is
dead skin
cells.
of
The
turtle
replaces these cells in
much
the
same way
that you grow hair.
4 134
Where should keep a I
Most small terrarium.
turtle?
turtles do well in a
The amount
in the terrarium
of water
depends on
the type of turtle you have.
A few kinds need
lots of
water
to
swim
in
as well as to drink.
Desert tortoises never swim
and can go
for
a long time
without drinking. Turtles also need a
warm,
dry, well-lit place to rest
How can
I
and bask
tell
if
a turtle
is
healthy?
A turtle's eyes should be open and alert. If you
should pull
pick the turtle up, its
head, arms, and
legs into its shell, or
make
strong
Never buy a ^
Do
turtles live a long
Yes, indeed.
Some
Galapagos tortoises
and box for
time?
it
it
should
swimming motions.
turtle with puffy eyes
or a soft shell.
Pet
Word tto ^ Know k
turtles live
more than one
hundred years!
Tortoise
is
another
name
a
turtle
for
that lives
on
land.
135
At the Salamanders' ,^'-
Well, hello, darlings. I'm Samantha Salamander, and this Lovely, isn't it?
I
want you
is
to
my home.
know
that
the world's most famous terrarium
designer created this perfect living space for
my husband, Salvador and
We come
Salvador, and me. I
are red salamanders.
from the woods of the eastern
United States. Here in our gracious home
we have everything we would have in our natural environment water to swim in, food to eat, fresh air. Where is Salvador, anyway? He should come out and greet
—
his guests!
For a short time, we salamanders can live quite
comfortably in a large jar. But
a spacious terrarium like ours nicer. All
salamanders
the ceiling?
It's
like
plastic
wrap
Look at
air.
See
Other
lid of
wire
are partly covered with
to
keep the moisture
in.
this magnificent piece of
wood. Salvador and it
moist
let air in.
salamander homes have a
Some
much
glass to keep in moisture,
with an opening to
screen.
is
most of the
of furniture
is
day.
I
sometimes rest on
But
my favorite piece
this exquisite rock.
Look at
'
'
ja^^^^^KBSt wk'^ V *-
y'
^^1^1 '^
^^^i'^ ^^^^f*^^^
:'*•-
/:(!-••>"'
"
how
cool
and dark
it is
underneath.
It's
a
wonderful hiding place for a salamander!
And
these leaves and
delightful to crawl
Come,
darlings,
pool. It's a nice soil at
soil
are absolutely
around
in.
and
show you the
I'll
ceramic dish buried in the
the bottom of the terrarium.
husband and
I
My
need water, but we swim
only sometimes. Other salamander friends of ours, especially
newts, like to spend
138
some
all their
of the
time in the
water. Their
homes are made almost
entirely of water. Imagine!
Oh, there's Salvador, hiding behind that fern. He's always hiding. Sal, dear,
come out and greet our
guests. Sal? Sal!
He never listens. All these plants give Salvador so
many
places to hide.
oxygen
for
think they
They
Salvador and
also produce
me
to breathe.
I
make our terrarium more
attractive, don't
you? •
Well,
it
come out
looks as though Salvador won't
today.
I
suppose a salamander
has a right to his privacy. But maybe be less shy next time you
visit.
he'll
•
#
/
•:
*
:.;
/i
pr^Jo^ange-Qi^pRir A TlSiclpole Turns
PipaFrog
^'^-
jft^^
If
you keep an eye on
see one of the
frogs,
you
will
most wonderful magic
acts in nature. It begins after a female
frog lays her eggs, usually in the spring.
In time, the eggs hatch into tiny babies called tadpoles.
A newborn tadpole looks more like a fish than a frog. It has a long tail bulgy,
140
round head, and
it
spends
and a
all its
bullfrog tadpole
time in the water. Like a
fish, the
tadpole has no lungs for breathing
air. It
uses special organs called gills to take
oxygen from the water.
As the tadpole grows, something amazing happens. Hind
legs,
and then
front legs, sprout from the tadpole's sides.
Meanwhile, the tadpole's
tail starts
shrinking. Soon, the lungs finish their
development, and the
gills
Now the tadpole likes
to
llllWPiidWIPIfPWPiWHKWW
disappear.
crawl out of the
water and rest on a rock or a piece of driftwood. In time,
anywhere from weeks
to years, the tadpole turns into a frog. If you live
near a
river, lake, or
pond,
It
takes three years
for
a bullfrog tadpole
to turn into
you can raise your own tadpoles. Have a
grownup take you
to the
an adult
bullfrog.
water in the
spring and help you find a clump of eggs. Collect a few (be sure not to take all)
and put them
them
in a tank filled with
pond water. Soon, the eggs
will
hatch
into tadpoles.
141
'^/
A small tank will hold about six tadpoles.
Feed the tadpoles water plants
or boiled lettuce or spinach. High-protein
dry baby cereal
is
also good tadpole food.
When the water level
in the
tank drops,
add fresh pond water. Some tap water contains chlorine, which fish
and tadpoles.
water, for a
fill
harmful
to
must use tap
a large jar and
few days
As
If you
is
let
the water
sit
to get rid of the chlorine.
their legs
and lungs develop, the
tadpoles will need to climb out of the
water
to rest
and breathe. So put a rock
or a piece of wood in the tank. After the
tadpoles turn into frogs, release
where you found the 142
eggs.
them
If you
want
to
pets, put
them
in a moist terrarium with
keep one or two frogs as
a dish of water. Feed
Many kinds
of frogs
them a varied
hke
crickets
diet.
and
other insects or earthworms.
Remember that frogs food that
is
moving.
If
will eat only
you
can't get live
food for your frog, you have to pretend it's
alive.
Take a
bit of lean
meat and
to
it
in front of the frog, jiggling
to
Word
Know
tie
a long piece of string. Then, dangle
it
Pet
it slightly.
Metamorphosis {meht uh fuh sihs)
The hungry in the wild
frog will do just
—stick out
its
what
it
does
long tongue and
gobble up the food. You can do this
we use
MAWR is
the word
for the
process by which
an animal changes its form, such as a
several times until the frog seems to be
tadpole turning into
satisfied.
a
frog.
143
.:,?S^:--,.i^
The Horse and Pony Show
Pssst!
Hello, friend.
My name is
Moonlight Bright. I'm new here this is
So
my first major horse
far, it's all
been pretty
show! exciting.
Pet
Words
Know
Last Friday, the blacksmith and farrier
to
my hoofs and make new shoes. On Monday, my owner, Carly, came into my stall wearing brand new
Farrier
came
^.^^^k -^^^*^'^
to trim
boots.
name person who is
the
for
a
fits
a horse with
horseshoes.
me and led me out of Carly told me what to expect at
After she tacked
the barn,
the show. She said
horses and ponies.
I'd
see hundreds of
Some
of them
even be Tennessee walkers,
like
would
To tack a horse is to put on its bridle
and saddle or harness.
me!
Carly said we'll compete for ribbons
and
points.
points in
The horse with the most
its division,
or part of the show,
will be declared the winner.
And, friend. 161
I
really don't
we can win
mean
to brag,
but
I
think
this show!
My partner has groomed me well, The
I'm sure to
height of
make
a good impression. This
ponies and horses is measured in hands. A hand is
morning, she massaged
four inches (10
hair.
centimeters).
pony is
is
so
me
with the
curry comb to loosen any dirt and dead
A
my coat clean.
brush
to get
fixed
my tail
a horse that
less than 14.2
Then she brushed me with a hard so
it
Next she
looks like a waterfall!
Carly washed me, head to hoof, with
hands, or 58 inches (147 centimeters), at the shoulder
sweet-smelling baby shampoo. Then she
tall
rinsed
blades.
^
me
with a hose and a sponge and
scraped the water from
my coat.
Finally,
my coat to make it shine. For a finishing touch, she oiled my hoofs. she rubbed
Of course,
this
show
is
more than a
beauty contest. As a Tennessee walker, Carly says,
162
I'll
be judged for
my walk.
running walk, and canter.
show
I
can't wait to
my running walk—just fast enough
to satisfy the
enough
for a
show
rules,
but slow
smooth, easy
ride.
So I'm shining clean, trained, and ready
can
tell
tense. call
to go.
I
Do
I
look okay to you?
I'm excited, but I'm not at just hope
I
stay calm
my name. Wish me luck!
You all
when they
The smooth gait the Tennessee
of
walking horse has
earned it the nickname of "nature's rocking chair."
163
Giddyup! Tracy and Jack got out of the truck and walked over
to the barn. "Hi,
Mr. Mackey," called Tracy.
Jack It's
for his first riding lesson!"
"Glad to meet you, Jack," said Mr.
^.ym^£h
a
brought
"I
Mackey. "This
Sophie,
is
my Morgan
horse. "We'll
Horse shows have
many
and a
kinds of
approach Sophie from the front
bit to the side, so
competitions.
her," said Mr.
English riders
on the
compete in a number of divisions, such as equitation (horsemanship), hunting,
we
don't spook
Mackey. "And
you'll
left."
"How
"She's so big!" exclaimed Jack.
do
I
mount
get on?"
"Just put your
left foot in
the stirrup,
and
yourself up, and
jumping. The
grab the saddle,
Western division has some special
swing your right leg over!
lift
It's
a big step,"
laughed Tracy, "but you can make
it."
competitions, including stock, to
judge steady speed
and
control;
Mr. Mackey watched Jack mount the horse. "Now, sit
up
straight,
with your
back and shoulders relaxed. Keep your
pleasure horse, to
heels down.
judge a horse's gaits;
and
trail,
obstacles and
with
"Take the reins lightly in your
left
hand. You'll need them to control the
ditches.
horse.
But take care not
except to hold back a
little
stop. Pulling the reins
horse's mouth."
164
to pull
on them,
when you
can hurt the
"We do Western "In English riding,
riding,"
added Tracy.
you pull the reins
to
turn the horse's head in the direction you
want
to go.
But
in
Western
riding,
you
just set the reins on the horse's neck.
touch of the reins on one side will
The
make
the horse turn to the other."
165
"But how do
I
get her going?" asked
Jack.
Mr. Mackey smiled. "Just press your legs together gently."
Jack did
it,
and Sophie began
to walk!
"Hey!" he cried. "I'm riding! I'm at the races!"
"Whoa!" laughed Mr. Mackey "You've only learned to walk. You've
still
got to
learn to trot, canter, and gallop. Not to
mention the
fact that
you haven't tried
stopping."
39milimi^is3S^iS ^
^itfCW*^ yfriiCV\.
*^u
v^
.r-7
©
.«,^V:
'-,/'
"
-
1^'
" t^^^-r^T-t-ii
"-\J
\
s
xy
WK^ ™^^iL£^%^
!==^
r K ^
i f'
1
^
W^w^°T^,
q ^1
^" r--^ 7\
Mi
^
1
1
N
i
aL4
-
V
iP'^
the sheep and goats too.
all
La
L
looked the same,
Who was who? What was what?
Just then, both boys came running to greet her. ^5|r
Up
close,
she saw Andy's
crooked grin and Alex's glasses.
"You two sure had said.
"And
me
confused," she
so did your animals."
175
fum'f4tjdimim6.iiimML4m
"Come tell
A ruminant
plant-eating animal that
chews
its
food
such as a cow, sheep, or goat.
you
a goat from a sheep?"
Cory blushed.
a
is
on!" teased Andy. "Can't
"I
can
tell
a sheep that
needs shearing," she replied. "And when I
see a goatee,
I
know
I'm looking at a
twice,
It
chews and
But there must be more
to it
than
that."
swallows once. its
goat.
In
Andy
relented. "Goats
and sheep have
stomach, the
chewed-up plants
a lot in common," he agreed. "They're
form a soft lump, or
both ruminants
cud. Later, the
they need the same kinds of housing and
animal brings the
cud back up
chew 176
again.
to
fencing. That's
same
pasture."
—they chew cud. And
why they can
share the
"They both give milk goat's
—though we use
milk more than sheep's milk,"
added Alex. "And both have coats we can wear. Did you
know
that mohair comes
from goats?
"And then
there's the
matter of
X
horns. Almost all goats have horns,
but
lots of
"Still,
sheep have them,
too."
there are differences, too," said
Andy. "For one,
my goats
are smarter
than the sheep. They never get their
own pasture
or get scared
dogs."
\ lost in
\
by the
\
^«
m
ji'--:m'^-h'>.i t
f«xt^::
Meet my pet mongoose, Somalo. Mongooses are known
for their
fierceness with snakes. Somalo different.
He
is
mongoose, but
him rush I
is
no
a brave and clever I still
worry when
I
see
to fight a snake.
suppose
father tells
I
need not be concerned.
me
that the snake's
My
venom
cannot hurt a mongoose very much.
Anyway, Somalo leaps and dodges
so
quickly that snakes don't have a chance to bite him.
My pet seems fearless when he faces a snake in the garden outside. Like a bolt
206
of lightning, he darts at the snake's neck
and
Again and again he
bites.
the snake dies.
Somalo
Then Somalo
fierce with
is
bites, until
eats
it.
snakes but like a
kitten with me. Inside the house, he naps
my shoulder. Sometimes he tail under my chin and tickles
peacefully on
passes his
me. Then I
give
hunting
When
I
I
laugh until the tears come.
Somalo is poor,
give
bits of
meat when the
but he enjoys eggs more.
him an
egg, he throws
it
under his body and between his hind legs
and cracks
it
dips his front
up as
if it
against the wall.
paw
in the yolk
were honey.
Then he
and laps
My mother doesn't
when I feed raw eggs to Somalo because he makes such a mess. like it
it
The best trained mongoose
I
have
seen belongs to the snake charmer in village. In
the wild,
types of
some
and help out one another. of
Members
these groups
rescuing another
mongoose from attack
«
basket.
They gasp when the mongoose
and the cobra do
their dance of death.
The snake sways and
hisses,
mongoose makes wicked
have been seen
man waves
his flute to lure the cobra from its
mongooses
form close groups
People gather as the
my
and the
clicking noises.
But the snake charmer's mongoose has been trained never to attack the
and
cobra. Still, the people stare breathlessly,
"babysitting" the
—the
young when mother
waiting to see which will win
mongooses are
master's training or the mongoose's
out
searching for food.
nature. After
all,
the mongoose
friendly with people, but
it
may be
remains a
wild creature.
.^f-
t^^
209
The Camel:
A Desert Pet
met Raishu on her
I should
say, "birthnight."
just after midnight.
Or
birthday.
I
She was born
The bright
silver
moon shone
in a perfect black desert sky,
and
twinkled on the sand.
its light
My
we are nomads Sahara. This means that we move
people are Tuareg, and the
in
about constantly, seeking pasture for our herds of livestock.
Raishu was a newborn dromedary, or
one-humped camel, and she had 210
legs
almost as long as her mother's. She stood
up before she was three hours
old.
Raishu and her mother could not rest long after her birth.
My family and their
camels were in the middle of a journey,
and we had
to continue.
stand, but she
father
was
wrapped her
still
Raishu could shaky. So
in a net
my
and placed
her on the back of another camel to carry.
A mother camel fusses and wanders away
if
she cannot see her
calf.
So 211
Raishu's mother followed behind the other camel.
I
walked beside the mother.
Watching Raishu made Most mammals have an allover
walk seem
layer of fat that
By
short.
Raishu and
stores energy that
my morning-long
I
the time she
became
special friends.
was a week
the animal can use
galloping about our camp.
when food
tired,
to find.
of
hard
But a camel
stores fat
on
is
in
a
head
hump
back instead spread all over its
When
scarce, the
food
|
5 her
camel burns the
^;
Camels
do not store water in their humps.
she got
me and rested her
She enjoyed being
Sometimes she would nibble
For two weeks, Raishu's only food was
hump
shrinks because the
for energy.
my lap.
When
she was
my face the way her mother nibbled hers.
is
fat
in
scratched.
its
body.
she knelt beside
old,
mother's milk. Then
her dates and grain.
I
began
to feed
Now Raishu finds
—
f her own food in the desert seeds, pods, % « and even the thorns that tear our clothes if
we pass near them. Raishu can eat such foods because her
mouth and tongue
are tough. But these
are not the only things that help Raishu survive so well. for desert
life.
bottom of each
Even her
feet
were made
A wide pad covers the foot.
The pads keep
Raishu's feet from sinking in the sand.
Sand
in the
wind can be a bigger
nuisance than sand on the ground. Again, Raishu comes prepared. During a
sandstorm, she can shut her nostrils so
no sand blows in her nose. Her long
212
lashes keep sand out of her eyes.
And
Raishu's tiny ears are filled with hair, so
no sand can get into them,
either.
Like other camels, Raishu can go for
months without a drink of the year.
in the cooler part
She gets water from the
plants she eats. Also, she hardly sweats
and passes
little
water in her wastes.
But when a well
is
nearby, a thirsty
camel smells the water and races
grown camel can drink
to
it.
A
thirty-five
gallons (135 liters) in a few minutes.
Raishu
can't drink that fast, but she's
working on
it.
213
.
m
Pet Projec% Around the
world
Game
Take a spin around the world
1
make a
of animals!
Have each
player
paper plate bottom-side-up.
game
like
Draw
shown on
First,
spinner. Turn the
lines to divide
it
4.
into six
card
make a
the one
the next page.
sections, like a pie. Label the
Europe, North America, and
Spend a few minutes looking over the map and at the
South America.
pictures of animals on
sections Africa, Asia, Australia,
5.
216 and 217. Try 2.
Push the pin through the arrow and into the center of the paper plate. Ask a grown-up to bend the pin and tape the point so does not stick anyone.
to recall
many animals as you
Cut an arrow from the index
pages as
can.
card.
it
I
are ready to play. Here
are the rules:
1
.
One
player
keeper. 3.
Give each player a playing pieces.
214
Now you
pile of
the
He
is
the
first
map-
or she turns to
map on pages 216 and
217.
2.
The
player to the right of the
map-keeper spins first. When the arrow stops on the name of a continent, the player names an animal that lives there. The
map-keeper
tells
spinning player
3.
If
the answer
is
is
^^^^^3
whether the correct.
On
correct, the
the
game
a row across by naming one animal from each
player places a playing piece
to
on the game card in a square under that continent.
continent, or
fill
by naming 4.
The spinning player passes
the
spinner to the player on his or her right and
becomes
map-keeper
for the next
one to
fill
six
continent.
fill
a row down
animals from
The
first
player
a row wins.
the
Repeat step number two. Note: a player may not name an animal named on the previous turn. player's turn.
card, players try
More advanced players may
name animals not pictured on the map they can prove that if
their
answer
book or
is
correct with a
dictionary.
i
Tasmanian Devil
^
.vC-\:^^^v.
j^P'''
Platypus
ife^
:0'^-'
IP^IP'
.T^«^
V
#
^v»;->.:r:^^:
':-^^^'^:^
^-
^y 1*- *
'
- •*^^:''X
»>*'*'/«-
^
j^..
%r-
>
T
hey scamper along leafy branches.
They peep out from holes
lawns. They
Who
tree.
flit
in front
on the wing from tree to
are they? They're the animals
that share our neighborhoods.
And
often,
they are unnoticed and unappreciated.
But
if
Butch D'Squirrel, president of
Wild Pals Action League (WiPAL), has his way, things will change.
"There
is
more than one way
pet," says D'Squirrel.
are
meant
to
"Pups and
have a
kitties
be owned and cuddled. But
there are other animals that pets.'
to
we
call 'wild
own these animals. them by observing them
People do not
They appreciate
in their natural surroundings." D'Squirrel's office
is
tucked in the
trunk of a hollow tree in City Park. He 220
/-^'r
We wild
animals
may
not like being caged or cuddled. But
Pen
^
we deserve to be seen and appreciated. We can teach people a
X
lot."
Love ^^i y /^
/^./^y/^
,-^
^J.
t^
=^:;"t
N works day in and day out
WiPAL word, letters
and
sitting
to
spread the
among the
i^
stacks of
leaflets that clutter his desk.
He has some
pointers for those
who want (i
I
to learn to enjoy wild pets. "To start with,
you can observe
us," D'Squirrel says.
III
"Certain kinds of animals seem to look
much the same ways. But they actually may have different habits. and act
in
1
7W^
!i:
/
^
1^
Pet Pointer
"^A
&^
'^
to
be
you ever seen a swallow on the ground?
a friend. Besides, with claws, quills, a stinger, or teeth,
back
to
may'
and
pecking away on the ground. But have
strike wild animals.
animal
birds are alike. Take sparrows
all
you can go outside and see sparrows
corner, tease, or
way
people think
swallows. Almost anytime, anywhere,
Never chase,
That's no
many
"For example,
«^
an
strike
defend
itself.
'%
No
way. Their feet don't work well on the
| ground. They spend almost 5 .1 .
.
i
.
•
all their .
.
,
time
„
U on the wing, catching insects to eat. Photography is another way to get $ acquainted with your wild neighbors, according to D'Squirrel. "Go ahead, snap
o
^^V'^o*.^.
^^^^i^o:^ 0.
away.
We love
that kind of attention."
He
also suggests sketching neighborhood
animals.
"It's
to preserve
an even more personal way
your experience of wild pets."
^Toa,''^
Mount your sketches and photos in a scrapbook and jot down notes along with them. "Or describe what you see us doing in a wildhfe journal," D'Squirrel says.
You can feed animal neighbors, D'Squirrel cautions, however, to
too.
make
sure that you put out only the right kinds of foods. "Veterinarians, zoo officials, or
books can give you pointers," he advises. It
doesn't matter
how you
choose to
know your animal neighbors better. "Any way is okay," says Butch get to
D'Squirrel. "Just do
WT^7/ 0^ >^— r"
sh^vi0rc
it
today!"
Wildlife Hospital
What happens when a wild animal gets sick? Unfortunately, no
doctors are on call in the wild, and sick wild animals never get well.
mammal,
bird,
or reptile or
an orphaned baby animal
and takes
to a wildlife hospital.
It
it
could be an owl, fawn, badger,
otter, ,.,
But
human
once in a while, a kindhearted finds a sick or injured
many
chipmunk, groundhog, or even
a skunk. Let's go inside the hospital to see
what happens
First, the
examining
next.
animal
is
table. If
taken
it is
the veterinarian treats
injured, it.
veterinarian hurries, for
The it is
probably cold and scared.
animal
is
to the
If
the
a baby, the doctor
cradles
it
under his or
her arm or close to the
neck doctor
for
warmth. The
may place
a grown
animal near a heat lamp or in a box with a heating pad under it,
making sure that the animal
doesn't get too
warm.
Next, the doctor makes certain the
animal
is
not dehydrated.
dehydrated when
An animal
is
does not have
it
enough water in the tissues of its body. dehydrated animal
Pet t^-j^)±c^, Pointer jgffi: f
is
in great danger of
dying. So the veterinarian gives the
animal a shot or fluids through a tube in its
mouth. animal
is
warm, calm, and
no longer dehydrated, feeding begins. Veterinarians feed baby animals nutritious formulas
made
especially for
each type of animal. Depending on the
it
and strength, the doctor feeds
with a syringe, medicine dropper, or
baby
baby animal
J
bottle.
Older animals are able to
feed themselves.
Mammals
eat such
to the
wildlife hospital,
L make sure is $ really an orphan. it
j^
J
When the
baby's size
Before you take a
A
jj
Many animal mothers leave
their
babies alone while
% 3 food. the baby g seems comfortable, * do not disturb Its 2 mother probably ^ will be back soon. they search for If
it.
If
"51
you are concerned about the baby, you can check on it the next day to make
^ 5 5 sure
it
is all right.
foods as meat, insects, nuts, acorns, berries, vegetables, wheat, oats,
and wild
grasses.
Veterinarians say that animals raised in captivity
must learn
own kind
they are to survive in the
if
wild. So the
to recognize their
animal spends several weeks
recovering with others like
it
box or cage lined with
warm
cloth.
feel for
the
And,
to give the
soft,
animals a
in a small
outdoors, the doctor takes their cages
outside often.
know that homes and hospitals do not make the best homes for wild animals. So when Wildlife veterinarians
the
M
•
>
--*
animal
is
finally strong
and healthy, the
veterinarian scouts out the perfect spot to set it free.
The area should have the
right kinds of food
and shelter
for the
animal.
At the perfect place at the perfect time, the veterinarian opens the cage
and the animal
is free.
to care for ailing
What
a feeling
animals until they are
well enough to scurry,
fly,
or crawl
away
on their own! 227
Glad You're Neighbor
I'm
My
No
matter where in the world you
call
home, chances are you share
your backyard with a variety of outdoor "pets." Let's travel
throughout North
America and meet some boys and
girls
and their animal neighbors.
—those with trees that lose their leaves in the — cover Deciduous forests
fall
most of New Hampshire. Just beyond
Ben and Gary's backyard
is
a forestful of
wonderful creatures. Their woodland pals include squirrels, chipmunks, mice,
A
Pet skunks, deer, frogs, foxes, hawks, garter
Word to
Know
TiO^^^"'
snakes, weasels, rabbits, salamanders,
and A
habitat
is
a
community of wild creatures. Each habitat has a
all
kinds of birds and insects.
One of the brothers' favorite things to do in summer is to collect insects and watch their behavior. Their prize pet was green caterpillar that turned into a
particular climate
a
and type
beautiful, soft, reddish-brown Cecropia
of land.
Different habitats
are
home
(suh
KRO pee uh) moth with wings six
to
different types of
animals and plants.
228
fat,
inches (15 centimeters) across. They set the
moth
free
on Gary's birthday.
I
Beau and
his family live in Louisiana
warm wetland called a bayou When Beau is not in school, he
in a lush,
{BY oo).
takes his dog, Tinou, and they explore the bayou in his family's boat. Sunlight slices
as
through the trees in golden streaks
Beau
glides quietly along. Sleek
swim through the crayfish,
and
fish.
minks
water, hunting frogs,
Shimmery water birds
called purple gallinules step daintily on
floating plants, while alligators
and
snapping turtles prowl under the water.
Imagine a backyard habitat with almost no trees, where swaying grasses go on for miles. This land prairie.
is
^li^ 5>4
called a
Angie rides with her father
to
check the fences on their ranch in South
m
Dakota. Pronghorn bound out of their
U
way, and turkey vultures perch on the
power
lines.
Angie laughs
prairie dogs play, kissing
to see the
and nuzzling
^^
one another in their prairie dog towns.
Burrowing owls bob their heads and duck into
abandoned
prairie dog holes
Angie and her father get too
when
close.
"»
*.
*^ii%
Susannah and her brother Jesse to discover the
many creatures
love
that
share their desert backyard in Arizona.
Once
in a while, a spiked,
chubby horned
lizard or a big, hairy tarantula creeps
into the backyard.
called roadrunners
Speedy brown birds dash by on their
strong legs, and purple-headed Costa's
hummingbirds flowers. fall
At night, Susannah and Jesse
asleep to the sound of coyotes calling
in the hills.
232
visit their father's
Michele lives with her parents in a cozy
home
in
Echo Bay on the tundra of
Canada's Northwest Territories.
It
stays
cool there the year around. Patches of
grass and trees only about one foot (30 centimeters) tall tremble in the wind.
In the short summer, insects flourish,
and
all
kinds of birds arrive to raise their
young. Water birds, including Arctic
GAN suhrz),
loons,
mergansers {muhr
teals,
and horned grebes gather by the
thousands on Great Bear Lake. Michele throws grain near the house to attract
Canada
geese.
A special treat is a
glimpse of a majestic gyrfalcon
(JUHR
FAWL kuhn) circling on a cloudless day.
Sturdy
musk oxen and
as Arctic hares
caribou, as well
and lemmings,
Michele's tundra home.
also share
home on the Cahfornia Randy and Mehssa have fun
Near coast,
their
exploring the tide pools, with their sea
anemones {uh crabs,
and
NEHM uh neez), starfish,
little fish.
Offshore, sea otters
play in the kelp, and blubbery elephant seals sprawl
make
on the rocks. Flocks of gulls
a racket
when Randy and Melissa
throw them scraps of bread.
Where do you
live?
North or south,
east or west, hot or cold, wet or dry, fascinating creatures are everywhere.
Think about the animals that
visit
your
own backyard, and maybe you'll find friends you didn't know you had! 234
Beth and Brian dreamed of being explorers. All they needed
was a
real expedition. "I
have a
lot of
helpers in the garden,"
Mrs. Chumleigh, their neighbor, said. "They're insect predators that control
garden pests. Walk with
watch them in
me and we'll
action."
The backyard seemed very quiet.
still
and
"Where do we begin?" asked Brian.
Pet
^/)
Word
ijA
Know ^^^^
"We can
is
parted the leaves to reveal a strange-
any
animal that hunts
and eats other animals.
my lovely
hydrangea," said Mrs. Chumleigh. She
looking
A predator
start right here at
this.
mass on the branch. "Look
What
"A
at
do you see?"
light
brown blob stuck
to
a
stick,"
Brian answered. "That's
But
it's
what
appears to be, Brian.
it
more than
that.
It's
a sac of about
three hundred eggs. That praying mantis laid
it,"
Mrs. Chumleigh said.
Beth and Brian jumped in
fright
when
they laid eyes on the long, green insect
with folded front legs peering at them
from the top of a hydrangea blossom. "Nothing to
fear,"
Mrs. Chumleigh said.
"She won't hurt you. She eats
harmful
insects.
all
kinds of
And when her young
hatch in the spring,
they'll help her."
"Boy, with all those praying mantises
around, you won't have any insect pests,"
observed Beth.
"One would think
Mrs. Chumleigh
so,"
sighed. "Unfortunately, mantises often
get carried
away and
the young run
own gardens
away
eat one another. So
in search of their
to protect."
"Yuck," said Brian. "Insect predators aren't very nice."
"They just do what
is
natural, Brian.
And some are quite charming. Why don't we go over to my roses and meet the ladybugs?" suggested Mrs. Chumleigh.
"Ladybugs are so fierce predators?"
cute.
Are they really
asked Beth as they
watched a crowd of round, red bugs with black dots scurrying along the stems.
"Oh yes," "They
replied Mrs. Chumleigh.
tirelessly gobble
aphids don't gobble up
up aphids
so the
my roses. By the
my roses? I'm so proud of my red pinocchios. My husband, Melvin,
way, do you like
planted them when. ..."
Just then a loud buzzing startled
them.
A gleaming green dragonfly,
shaped
like
view. "Oh,
a helicopter, zoomed into
an unexpected
visit
from Mr.
Darningneedle," said Mrs. Chumleigh.
how he carries his legs like a basket? He collects lots and lots of mosquitoes that way— mosquitoes that "See
would otherwise dine on your blood."
"Thank you, Mr. Darningneedle!" Beth called.
238
"Shhh!" Mrs. Chumleigh said.
"Now is
your chance to learn about the royal family of garden predators. Beth and Brian, meet
Queen Garden
Spider."
A fat, yellow-and-black spider rested web that hung between two sunflowers. Her body was nearly the elegantly in a
size of a half dollar. \'
"She traps countless insect pests in
y-
her web," said Mrs. Chumleigh. "And her relatives help, too
—jumping spiders, name who
lynx spiders, and wolf spiders, to few. If it weren't for the spiders,
a
239
m^m
\i,
\
\\
A'^
\
/
knows what have
I
told
my garden would be?
In fact,
you about the time thrips
attacked Mr. Chumleigh's
mums? He
tried—" Just then, the clanging of a bell interrupted Mrs. Chumleigh's story.
"Must be dinnertime," Brian
said.
"We'd really like to stay and hear about the
mums, Mrs.
C."
"Sure would, Mrs. C," Beth added
with a frown. "But we have
to get going."
"We're having liver and creamed peas!" said Brian.
"Why, that's Mr. Chumleigh's favorite dish!" cried Mrs.
and Brian
Chumleigh. But Beth
didn't hear.
They had already
disappeared like two darting dragonflies
through the garden gate. 240
KTOimsmimmmmmfim
Psdtured Creature She wove a round web of strong silken thread.
To save her friend's skin she put some words in that said just what had to be
said.
hung in the barn on Zuckerman's farm. Though the web wasn't big, and said simply, "Some pig," it kept humble Wilbur from harm. It
Who
is
the weaver?
3UO|jeqo :jaMSuv
i^^m
'