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Issue #9 Volume #2

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Orphan Afghans in Southern California



Hello Dog friends!

This is bonnie writing on behalf of Andrea Augustine and Afghan Hound Rescue of Southern California. Here is an updated list of our orphans who need new homes:

Females:

  • Emmaline -- 2 years old, black, spayed. This baby appears to have been the victim of a terrible car accident. When we found her, one of her legs was broken so badly and in so many places that it could not be saved. Emmaline now has only three legs, but hasn't let that slow her down. She is a happy, friendly girl looking for a new home.

  • Athena -- 8 years old, gold, spayed.

  • Jasmine -- 4 years old, apricot with black mask, spayed.

  • Gizelle -- 4 years old, grey brindle, spayed.

Males:

  • Prancer -- 10 years old, black, neutered.

  • Caesar -- 4 years old, black, neutered.

  • Ali -- 7 years old, apricot with black mask, neutered.

  • Chester -- 5 years old, cream, neutered.

Success story:

Sarouk, the 7 year old male whose owner "couldn't keep him" has been adopted into a home with two other Afghans. Sarouk now lives with Stevie Ray, a 6 year old black and white male, and Amber, a 15 year old female who is "amber" in color with a black mask. All three get along just fine and live together less than one mile from where Sarouk was relinquished. His new brother, Stevie Ray, is also a former Afghan Rescue Hound who has been living happily with Amber for over three years.

If you would like more detailed information about AHRSC, please visit the AHRSC Homepage.

A Word on Herp Expos
by: Gregg Wentzell, member of the Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society

Is it just me or do more and more wild-caught animals seem to be showing up at the area swap meets? At the recent herp expos that I’ve attended, I’ve noticed large numbers of adult animals that the sellers told me were not captive-bred: eastern kingsnakes, spotted turtles fox snakes horned lizards, scarlet kings-the list could go on and on. Some of these are local animals and some are not, but none of these species is very often captive-bred, so that the specimens offered for sale are virtually always taken from the wild. Of course, when people buy these wild specimens replete with their usual problems such as parasites and a temperament totally unsuited to captive life, it lessons the chance that those species will be captive-bred in the future. Why captive breed when buying from collectors is quicker and easier? Commercial collection has already taken its toll on a large number of native and non-native herp populations. While laws protect some species, it is obvious that as long as there is a market for wild specimens, their numbers will continue to dwindle.

Now I’m not against swap meets completely. They are a good way for herp enthusiasts to gain access to a wide variety of animals not usually offered in pet stores, and at reasonable prices. They can even be educational, as many knowledgeable herpetoculturists are available to talk to and learn from. They are a place for reputable captive-breeders to market their animals. Done properly I see nothing wrong with the concept of herp expos. But when they begin to resemble flea markets dedicated to the exploitation of wild animals, most of which are doomed to die from stress, disease, or special requirements that those who buy them can’t provide, I think we as herp enthusiasts need to do something. Perhaps our society needs to set an example by sponsoring its own captive-bred-only herp expo. What do you think?

If you do attend a swap meet and want to make a purchase, you have a right to know whether the animal you are considering is captive-bred. Ask to see breeding records. Inspect it carefully. Make sure you can provide it with the right diet and housing. And if you do buy a wild-caught animal, do so with the intention of breeding it yourself at some point.

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Hamsters in the UK
Basic information and care tips submitted by Lorraine Hill of the Heart of England Hamster Club

There are many species of hamsters throughout the world although many are very rare these days. In the UK there are 5 types of hamster which are kept as pets: the Syrian Hamster, the Dwarf Campbells Russian Hamster, the Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, the Chinese Hamster and the Roborovski Hamster.

Hamsters are nocturnal animals, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night. Their eyesight is not good and they rely on hearing and smell more than sight. They are amusing animals and make ideal pets, being easy and cheap to keep.

THE SYRIAN HAMSTER

The Syrian Hamster is the largest of the hamsters kept in the UK being approximately 6-7 inches in length. It is also the most popular type of hamster kept in the UK and the one most seen in pet shops. There are many different colours of Syrian Hamster such as Black, Cream, Lilac, Dark Grey, Smoke Pearl, Yellow, Honey as well as the original wild Golden colour to name a few. There are also different patterns such as Banded (with a white band encircling the body), Dominant Spot (white with coloured spots) and Roan (white ticked with coloured hairs) as well as different coat types: short haired, long haired, rex and satin coated.

The Syrian Hamster has the shortest gestation period of any mammal giving birth 16 days after mating. The average litter is 8 although litters can range from 1 to 18. Syrian hamsters do not usually live together after about 8 weeks of age and so must be caged separately. The Syrian Hamster makes a good pet, usually being of good nature and easy enough for small children to handle. There are many hamster cages suitable for Syrian Hamsters sold in pet shops. The average life span is 2-2 years.

THE DWARF CAMPBELLS RUSSIAN HAMSTER

The Dwarf Campbells Russian Hamster is the most common of the two types of Russian Hamster kept in the UK and are now often seen in pet shops. The Russian Hamster is approximately 3 inches in length with a plump rounded body. The normal colour is a brownish grey with ochre colouring around the arches on the side and a dark stripe down the back. Two mutations - the Albino and Argente (ginger with red eyes) are available in the UK. There is one coat pattern - the Mottled which has white patches or spots. There are only two coat types: normal and satin (which gives the hamster a wet/greasy appearance).

The Dwarf Campbells Russian has a gestation period of 21 days and the average litter is 4-5 although litters of up to 14 have been known. Russian Hamsters live together and can be kept happily in pairs or groups of either single or mixed sexes. The Campbells Russian Hamster makes a good pet although because of its small size can be difficult for small children to handle. They are able to squeeze through the bars of some of the hamster cages sold in pet shops and so are best kept in cages designed for mice or in glass or plastic tanks. The average life span is 1-2 years.

THE DWARF WINTER WHITE RUSSIAN HAMSTER

The Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster is less common in the UK than the Campbells Russian Hamster and is not often seen in pet shops and is so called because the hamster can turn white in winter due to the shorter daylight hours. Similar in shape to the Campbells Russian Hamster but with more prominent eyes and a roman nose. The normal colour is a dark grey with a jet black stripe down the back; much darker than the Campbells. There is one colour mutation in the UK - the Sapphire which is mid grey with a purple tone. There is one coat pattern: the Pearl (white ticked through with colour, either the normal grey or sapphire) and is similar to the Roan in the Syrian Hamster.

The Winter White Russian has a gestation period of 21 days and the average litter is 4-5 although litters can be larger. Winter White Russians are not as prolific as the Campbells Russian Hamsters. Russian Hamsters live together and can be kept happily in pairs or groups of either single or mixed sexes. The Winter White Russian Hamster makes a good pet although because of its small size can be difficult for small children to handle. They are able to squeeze through the bars of some of the hamster cages sold in pet shops and so are best kept in cages designed for mice or in glass or plastic tanks. The average life span is 1-2 years.

THE CHINESE HAMSTER

The Chinese Hamster is not very common in the UK and not often seen in pet shops. The Chinese Hamster is approximately 3-4 inches in length with a long slender (mouse like) body. The normal colour is brown with a dark stripe down the back although there is a dominant spot variety which has white spotting or patches.

The Chinese Hamster has a gestation period of 21 days and the average litter is 4-5 although litters can be larger. Chinese Hamsters live together although females can be aggressive towards males. They can kept in pairs of either single or mixed sexes and depending on temperament sometimes in groups or colonies. The Chinese hamster has a good temperament and although small is very easy to handle. They are able to squeeze through the bars of some of the hamster cages sold in pet shops and so are best kept in cages designed for mice or in glass or plastic tanks. The average life span is 1-2 years.

THE ROBOROVSKI HAMSTER

The Roborovski Hamster is the rarest of the hamsters kept as pets in the UK and very rarely seen in pet shops. The Roborovski is the smallest of the hamsters kept in the UK being only around 2 inches in size. They are golden-orange in colour with white bellies and have white 'eyebrows' which make them very appealing.

The Roborovski Hamster has a gestation period of 23-30 days and the average litter is 4. Roborovski hamsters live together happily in pairs or groups of either single or mixed sexes. The Roborovski hamster is very lively and very fast, making them difficult to handle but they are of very good temperament. Because of the difficulty in handling them they do not make good pets for children although because of their active nature they are fascinating to watch. They are able to squeeze through the bars of some of the hamster cages and mice cages sold in pet shops and so are best kept in glass or plastic tanks.

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