Weird pets from around the world

The sugar glider, which is a small animal which is able to glide, is native and common in Australia. People in Australia and also the USA can keep sugar gliders as pets. Sugar gliders are not currently endangered, but due to deforestation of their natural habitat this may not be the case in the future. Image: http://www.zerotohundred.com/newforums/attachments/all-other-stuff/222972-healthy-sugar-glider-glider1_w600.gif



This is a video of a sugar glider in action :
Sugar Glider Madness! - For more amazing video clips, click here




In the Phillipenes, people eat dogs. Althoguh this may seem shocking, it is true. In some countries people would be very against dog meat, like in Ireland. In Islam and Judaism it is forbidden. People also eat dogs in China, and in the Artic and Antartica (but only for an emergency food source). Image: http://funnyanimalpictures.net/data/media/1/sad_dog.jpg




It is possible to own loads of different types of animals, even a lion. In some places (like a residential neighbourhood) keeping a lion as a pet is prohibited because of local laws. Image: http://epetsworld.blogspot.com

How geography affects what kinds of dog people own

Well geography has a huge affect on the pets people own. For example, in areas of the globe that have a cold climate, there are certain breeds of dogs that are better suited to cope with the freezing weather. A small dog such as a Chiuahaha is not suited to cold climates as they hate the cold. Dogs with thick coats tend to be better at living in snowy and icy conditions. Examples of such dogs are Siberian Huskies, golden retrievers, Saint Bernards (picture), and bearded collies. Image: http://www.best-dog-photos.com/images/Saint-Bernard.jpg

Bodhi St. Bernard in Snow from Patrickometry on Vimeo.
http:/www.vimeo.com/912590

In areas that have a hot climate, certain breeds of dog may not be able to cope with the heat. Brachycephalic dogs - (dogs that have a "flat faced" nose/head structure) feel the effects of heat a lot sooner than other dogs. Examples of dogs that do not do too well in hot weather are British Bulldogs, pugs and French bulldogs. Shorter haired dogs are better suited to hot climates, such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, and Welsh corgis (in picture). Image:http://www.dailypuppy.com/media/dogs/anonymous/Teddy_Welsh_Corgi_01.jpg


In a city, you might want to choose a dog that is more suited to apartment living. A dog like a golden retriever is not suited to living in a small space without a garden as they like to roam and run around. If you were trying to choose a dog to live in your apartment, a small dog that doesnt need too much space to roam and move about. A pomeranian (pictured) would be a good choice, a Havenese, a chiuaha or a Bichon Frise.
Image:http://www.dogsearcher.com/uploads/classifieds/dog_for_sale/global/7_pomeranian-puppy.jpg

Top 10 pets in the US

1. Dog

2. Cat

3. Fish

4. Bird

5. Hamster

6. Turtle
7. Lizard

8. Guinea Pig

9. Gerbil

10. Ferret

In the US it is common to own a pet. About 63% of all households in America have at least one pet.

Images:http://www.callcentrehelper.com/images/stories/goldfish.jpg http://www.climateshifts.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/puppy.jpg http://www.nicewallpapers.info/pics/animals/cats/cats_012.jpg http://birdaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/dominant-pied-light-green-summer.jpg http://ibexinc.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/hamster.jpg http://www.dbtechno.com/images/pet_turtles_salmonella_outbreak.jpg http://www.pet-care-portal.com/images/LizardMain.jpg http://www.rfcah.com/images/animals/guinea_pig.JPG http://www.gerbilcare.org/images/gerbil.jpg http://www.noahsanimalfigurines.com/catalog/images/ha/4556_Ferret.jpg

Why do people have pets

People keep pets for enjoyment and companionship, they treat their pet like another family member. When choosing a pet, people usually go for one that is playful, loyal, loving and friendly. You might also choose an animal that can protect or guard your property. Sometimes a pet is used for a companion for someone that is lonely and needs something to love. Pets can also be used to help humans, eg therapy animals or Guide dogs for the blind.

Image: http://vetmed.illinois.edu/labanimalclub/images/lab%20animal%20photos/cat.jpg

The first pets

The dog was the first animal to be domesticated, ie kept as a pet. There is much debate over the date that humans started keeping dogs as pets, and estimates range from 13,000 to 30,000 years ago. The earliest dog bones were found in Belgium 31,700 years ago, and ancient dog bones have also been found across Europe, Australia and Asia.

But why did people start keeping dogs as pets?

Well basically the first ones were just tamed wolves. They would be attracted to human settlements and would get fed. Over time they developed features more like dogs and less like wolves. For example they lost their sharp teeth. Humans then began to breed dogs for uses such as hunting, and keeping guard.

Image: www.dogbreedinfo.com/northerninuitdog.htm

Introduction

Hi my name is Rachel and this is my environmental studies blog all about the Geography of Pets. :)