animalwisdom
Q UIRKY CATS
Japanese bobtail, Scottish fold and
Sphynx - not tourist destinations,
but cats! The Japanese bobtail
comes from Japan and has a rabbit-
like tail. They are highly intelligent,
active and thoroughly entertaining.
Somewhat more reserved, the
Scottish fold (pictured) is a solid,
big-boned cat with a round face
and ears that fold over. Colours
vary from plain blues and black to
patterns. A weekly clean of the ears
and a brush of the coat is essential.
The Sphynx is a cat in the raw
- yep, it has no real hair! They
require extra care as they feel the
cold and need a coat and warm
bed. They're high maintenance,
but they’re worth it - they’re very
clingy and really love people! Visit
www.siameseandbobtailcats.com,
www.kiltkatz.com.au and www.
sphynxomsae.com
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SEEN,
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b e t t e r p e t s
Australia’s favourite vet, Dr Harry,
shares his expert tips and advice on
selecting and caring for your pets
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W e ir d e s t p e t s
It's amazing just what constitutes
a pet! Try these on for size - a
17kg carpet python, a snail as
big as your fist, a hairy tarantula
and a BOcm stick insect. Not your
cup of tea? Try a rabbit that will
give you enough fleece to knit your
own jumper (Angora, of course),
or the world’s tallest dog, an Irish
wolfhound. Perhaps a goldfish that's
12 years old and 12 inches long is
more believable. Yep, all these are
pets, and people love them!
If you fancy something different,
you need to do some research and
visit people who keep these exotic
creatures. Often, the more unusual
the pet, the more care it needs.
For reptiles and frogs you'll need a
licence, and for spiders, a long pair
of forceps! You'll need hands-on
help with enclosures, feeding and
maintenance. I advise joining a club,
where like-minded enthusiasts will
give you all the help you need. For
more info about Angora rabbits, visit
www.freewebs.com/tingraparkrabbits
These days we seem to have less
and less space and free time,
so
w hen choosing a pet, a bird is the
obvious answer. O f those on offer,
parrots are the num ber-one choice —
anything from a budgie to a cockatoo.
Position the cage dow n low and
away from window s and draughts. It
should be all metal and large enough
for the bird to stretch its wings, even
though many birds spend most of the
day flying around the house. Perches
should be rough, and irregular natural
timber branches and stainless steel or
ceramic water bowls are best.
Seed m ix alone is not adequate, so
also include foods like nuts, silverbeet
and apples. Parrots need
toys, too — avoid
painted timber
products and stick to
native plant material.
To keep them on an
even keel, try to have
your parrot wake up and
go to sleep with the sun by
covering the cage. For more info,
visit www.kellyvillepets.com.au
7
easter favourites
L i g h t H o r s e le g e n d s
One of Australia's most famous horses is the Waler - the mount that carried
Light Horsemen into battle. Named after New South Wales, where they
originated, they were a mixture of thoroughbred, Arab, pony and draught breeds.
Walers were renowned for their stamina, speed, sure-footedness and grit in
battle, and there was a remarkable bond between rider and mount. Unbelievably,
some Walers were taught to lie down, so the rider could take cover and fire
over their side. The Waler was feared and respected by all on the battlefield and
has become a memorable part of our history. For more information, visit the
Australian Light Horse Association, www.lighthorse.org.au
dh
go to
bhg.com.au
for Dr Harry’s famous house calls
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BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS. MAY 2011 bhg.com.au
Photography Phil Aynsley, iStockphoto.
