Pet Substitutes

Virtual pets exploded onto the scene in the mid 1990s with the introduction of Bandai's Tamagotchi keychain-sized virtual pet. Virtual pets now occupy many shapes and forms and have evolved into...

Some algae in the water is good for your Sea-Monkeys. It actually offers food and produces oxygen to help keep the tank alive. If you overfeed your Sea-Monkeys and the tank becomes smelly and...

Raccoons are precocious animals, interesting to watch because of their curiosity, coupled with the dexterity of their front toes. Raccoons usually weigh about 10 to 30 pounds, but they can reach...

Dealing with the loss of a beloved pet can be akin to the loss of a close personal friend or family member. People are often very close to their pets and feel the pain of their loss sharply. ...

Baby birds generally eat whatever their parents are having for dinner because the parent must regurgitate its food into the mouths of its offspring. Birds, when they are born, are not capable of...

Fungus, or fungi in the plural form, are a special group of organisms that greatly range in size, shape, and structure. From microscopic fungi like mold or yeast to more common things like...

From a distance, seashells may appear the same when washed ashore; however, there are numerous types, varying in size, shape and color. Here are some less commonly known seashells.

Found in virtually every museum on the planet, fossils are among the most revealing natural artifacts on the planet, offering a comprehensive window into prehistory. They can be found everywhere;...

Ant farms are easy to make. If you need an inexpensive starter pet, a science fair project or a home school assignment, an ant farm will fit the bill. Join your child for an adventure as an...

Fossils are, without the shadow of a doubt, one of the most important tools used by scientists to peer back into times long gone. Without them, the biological past would be lost to dust of...

The fossil record is famously incomplete, and though we still have much to learn about prehistoric life, we can at least, thanks to a particular type of fossil, begin to organize it. These unique...

Water bugs are the aquatic members of the scientific category of insects called "true bugs." They do not have gills, but carry their own oxygen supply below the surface of the water in the form of...

When heated, the mineral zeolite produces large amounts of steam absorbed from the water around it. It was therefore named after the Greek word "zeo" meaning to boil. While zeolite can be found...

A pet rock is a pet substitute. This fad introduced by advertising executive Gary Dahl in the 1970s had a short lived run, but made Dahl a millionaire. He wrote an instruction manual to accompany...

At some point in our lives, we've all seen them. Whether it's staring up at the preserved skeletons of ancient behemoths or holding an imprint of a leaf embedded into a rock, everyone has seen...

Pet rocks were in high demand in the late 1970s. Advertising executive Gary Dahl invented the pet that wasn't when he determined that conventional pets were too much hassle. Dahl began selling the...

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both animals and plants. In actuality, raccoons will eat just about anything they can get their hands on. Their diet is made up primarily of fruits,...

Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Since their development is directly affected by the hosts they attach to, it is very important to understand their life...

Adopted pets require vaccines to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get adopted pets vaccinated with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Getting current and adopted pets to get along only requires introducing them with a long group walk. Introduce current and adopted pets with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet...

When adopting an animal, make sure to be ready to care for the new pet for its entire life. Be ready to adopt an animal with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Pet proofing a home for an adopted pet involves tucking away extension cords and locking up chemicals and cleaning supplies. Pet proof a home with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free...

Visiting an animal shelter should be a positive and fun experience for the whole family. Visit a local animal shelter with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Adopting a puppy is a huge responsibility. Get ready to adopt a puppy with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Senior dogs make great adopted pets because of their companionship. Adopt a senior dog with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Adopting adult dogs is beneficial because they are usually house broken and better behaved than puppies. Adopt an adult dog with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Applying for pet adoption depends on the shelter, but always includes an adoption form. Apply for pet adoption with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Caring for an adopted pet requires not only basic food and water but also pet treats and love. Care for an adopted pet with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Choosing an animal for adoption requires spending time at the shelter and assessing the animal's personality. Choose an animal for adoption with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet...

Adopting a pet from a shelter prevents animals from being euthanized. Save lives by adopting from a shelter with tips from an animal rescue manager in this free pet adoption video.

Considering children when adopting a pet is important to make sure the children are comfortable with the new animal. Include children in the pet adoption process with tips from an animal rescue...

When traveling to other locales, it may be comforting to have your pet travel with you. In the past this was not a possibility, especially to those traveling to or from Europe. Now you can find...

People can do taxidermy on a fish because it is a prized possession, a nice catch or just because they like fish. It is prevalent among hunters and fisherman and can become very expensive if a...

At some point in your life, you have probably come across hornets. Even though they are peaceful creatures, they are stinging insects that can make your skin swell to large welts and even cause a...

Meal worms are a small worm that is actually the larva of a beetle. Meal worms are ideal for fish bait because they attract a wide variety of fish, and they are simple to raise or cheap to buy. If...

Male and female butterflies release pheremones into the environment. When a female releases these pheremones, male butterflies can detect it from almost a mile away. Once a male butterfly finds...

Golden apple snails are available at most neighborhood pet stores. Unfortunately, there is some misinformation about these snails, especially considering that there is no "'golden apple...

A doodle refers to an absent-minded scribbling. These scribbles are not consious works of art and you can get an insight into your subconsious through what you write down. Analyzing your doodles...

The 1972 Volkswagen Beetle is a simple yet efficient vehicle, and one that is viewed by some as a collector’s item. As with any automobile, the parts don’t last as long as the car...

In the summer, when the days are sunny and the skies are blue, not everything is rosy. Bugs, bees, flies and mosquitoes are out, making life miserable for everyone. At the top of the list of...

There are many different types of ants that can get in your home. All of them are annoying, but some are more dangerous than others. Any large black ants in your house most likely are carpenter...

Some darts are more dangerous than others and care must be taken when using these grownup toys. Darts were originally used as primitive weapons used for both hunting and protection in ancient...

Kids young and old always seem to have great fun when they play with toys that fly–kites, frisbees or paper airplanes. They have the best time throwing them toward the sky, watching them...

Summer time and relaxing evenings spent in the backyard listening to the sounds of nature seem to go hand in hand. Unfortunately so does the droning buzz of the mosquito. No amount of slapping,...

Ants can be industrious little creatures or pests, especially when they make your home their gathering place. If you have a problem with ants you are no doubt learning that evicting them from your...

Ants are a pain no matter what space they invade. In a kitchen they can be a real nightmare, because you really don't want any kind of pesticide around your food preparation areas. It's a tough...

Do you have a beautiful strong tall pine tree? Then you must protect the pine tree from being attacked by ants. Ants can disrupt the roots due to their nest building. They also eat the dead wood....

Apartment living rarely affords you the opportunity to enjoy a flower garden. However, most places can accommodate a window box in which to grow the flowers or vegetation of your choice. Depending...

Mosquitoes can be a very annoying visitor to backyard gatherings. They can also pose a danger to your visitors, children and pets, as they carry many forms of disease. Do what you can to take...