It’s hard to resist a friendly dinosaur, and the green iguana’s enormous popularity rests on that amusing truism. This large lizard presents few difficulties and for keepers and can live for a couple of decades. One of the authors’ purposes of The Green Iguana Manual is to promote responsible ownership for this noble lizard that can grow to be the size of a medium size dog with an unusually long, leathery tail! The Green Iguana Manual takes a close look at the characteristics of this species that have made these attractive lizards so amazingly popular in the pet world as well as their lifelong requirements. Author and herp expert Philippe de Vosjoli is joined by iguana specialists Dr. Roger Klingenberg, Dr. Susan Donoghue, and David Blair, who each contribute special chapters to this up-to-date and authoritative guide. This colorfully illustrated guide provides excellent general guidelines for keepers who wish to add a green iguana to their vivarium and maintain their ?prehistoric” pet in excellent health and condition. The authors provide an introduction to basic iguana characteristics including distribution, size, longevity, and varieties and morphs, to help beginners better understand the anatomy and behavior of these fascinating lizards. This Advanced Vivarium Systems title includes information about selecting a healthy green iguana, handling, housing needs, breeding, and life stages. Dr. Donoghue provides the chapter ?Diet and Feeding Management,” which discusses food sources, supplementation, and feeding guidelines for green iguanas of all ages. Dr. Klingenberg provides the chapter on diseases and disorders, which covers nutritional and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, reproductive disorders, parasites, and environmental issues. The chapter concludes with a very useful five-page troubleshooting chart for common disorders. The book also discusses the iguanas of the West Indies (chapter by Blair) as well as seven other iguanid lizards, such as the spiny-tailed iguana, Fiji Island iguana, and chuckwallas.

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Someone actually counted the 968 useful facts and fun trivia that make The Horse Book of Lists such an irresistible page turner for horse lovers of all ages. Organized in over 90 lists of horsey topics, this 336-page volume attempts to sate the horse enthusiast’s unquenchable appetite for horse-related knowledge. Whether it’s practical tips, such as purchasing a horse, caring for a horse, or training, or sheer nonsense, like deciphering the meaning of horse sayings or cowboy-speak, The Horse Book of Lists delivers in quality and quantity. The book is divided into 12 chapters, focusing on the following topics: the horse in history, from archaeological sites and American West museums to myths and religion; horse breeds and color, including popular and rare breeds and nearly two dozen patterns; horses at work; cowboys and trail horses; buying a horse; tack and supplies, for English and Western, plus bits and training aids; training the horse, from becoming a horse trainer to curing naughty horse habits; competitive horse and rider, spanning the range of quirky equestrian competitions and ways to recycle horse show ribbons to racehorse greats and female firsts; the horse in art, exploring paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more; the horse in entertainment, spotlighting classic horse novels, songs, movies, horse-happy celebrities, and more; horse health, including anatomy, breeding, and health issues; and horses coast-to-coast, touring 119 scenic horse places around the USA. A glossary (?A Hodgepodge of Horseology”) and appendix conclude the volume.

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The leopard gecko has fast become the reptilian version of the parakeet or goldfish. Considered to be the first domesticated species of lizard, the leopard gecko is attractive, perfectly sized, and easy to breed. Leopard Gecko Manual takes a close look at all the characteristics that have made these attractive lizards so amazingly popular in the pet world. Written by a team of herpetoculture experts and gecko specialists, this up-to-date and authoritative guide provides reliable guidelines for keepers who wish to add a gecko to their vivarium and maintain their pet in excellent health and condition. This second edition is revised and expanded to include new sections on Gecko nutrition and feeding, housing, breeding, and banded Geckos. Inside the Leopard Gecko Manual: How to select leopard geckos as pets or for breeding Understanding the anatomy and behavior of these fascinating lizards Feeding your leopard gecko a nutritionally sound diet, with the latest insights on feeder insects and prepared foods How to design and maintain the ideal naturalistic habitat for your leopard gecko Detailed information on all aspects of breeding, egg-laying, and incubation What you need to know about skin shedding cycles and tail loss Recognizing signs of disease and how to handle health issues Special chapters on African fat-tailed geckos and other eublepharids

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With a friendly, down-home style, this guide encourages readers to whittle away the hours. Great for beginners looking for an easy way to get started and more advanced carvers looking for a relaxing way to spend their time, this instructional manual provides 18 step-by-step whittling projects, including knives, forks, birds, animals, trees, and flowers. Chapters detail the proper whittling tools and materials, including what woods are best to carve, and how to start projects by selecting and safely sharpening the best knife for each project.

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The Lizard Keeper’s Manual by Philippe de Vosjoli intends to provide real detailed information for all devoted lizard owners who wish to provide the very best of care for their pets. The author states in the foreword, ?In terms of the herpetoculture of reptiles, the keeping of lizards is probably the most challenging.” He explains that ?Lizards demonstrate a great diversity of adaptations and specializations,” and thus keepers need the very best advice and soundest information possible, which is what The Lizard Keeper’s Manual provides to its readers.In over 200 pages, this colorful volume analyzes the needs of insect-eating lizards, of which there are literally thousands of species. Some lizards (the ones with generic housing and dietary requirements) are easy to maintain, though others have very specific needs (in terms of temperature, diet, humidity, etc.). As stated in the introduction, ?The purpose of this book is to give herpetoculturists, both beginners and those more experienced, as well as pet industry personnel, a broad base of knowledge that will allow them to successfully keep a variety of insect-eating lizards.” Colorfully illustrated, The Lizard Keeper’s Manual provides chapter-length coverage on the following topics: selecting the right species of lizard, locating and purchasing a healthy lizard, quarantine and acclimation, types of vivaria, enclosures, vivarium design, heating, cooling/hibernation, lighting, humidity/ventilation, feeding/nutrition, handling, shipping/receiving, and diseases and disorders. The author recommends a number of excellent species for keepers, including geckos, chameleons, skinks, agamids, monitors, anoles, basilisks, as well as other large and miniature species. The chapter titled ?Essential Concepts” is a crash course in herpetology, offering the reader an overview of the ontogeny (life stages), climatic and landscape factors, diet, water, and diseases of the lizard family. The chapter ?General Guidelines for Popular Insect-Eating Lizards,” which covers over thirty different lizards in terms of their requirements and descriptions, is an outstanding resource for lizard keepers looking to expand the population of their vivaria. Appendices and index included.

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This sweet children’s picture book presents a moving story, set in a fragile Arctic world threatened by global warming. A little polar bear wakes up alone after a furious storm. With his mother nowhere in sight, he makes friends with a mysterious little girl and various animal companions. All of the friends come together in the magnificent polar sky. In the end the little bear sits peacefully, enjoying a winter day lit up by beautiful northern lights. Featuring exceptional illustrations from talented Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le, The Lonely Polar Bear offers an accessible way to introduce children to climate change issues.

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This sweet children’s picture book presents a moving story, set in a fragile Arctic world threatened by global warming. A little polar bear wakes up alone after a furious storm. With his mother nowhere in sight, he makes friends with a mysterious little girl and various animal companions. All of the friends come together in the magnificent polar sky. In the end the little bear sits peacefully, enjoying a winter day lit up by beautiful northern lights. Featuring exceptional illustrations from talented Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le, The Lonely Polar Bear offers an accessible way to introduce children to climate change issues.

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The New Complete Dog Book is the American Kennel Club’s “Bible” of dogs. For the past 88 years it has been the ultimate breed resource—the one book that no purebred dog aficionado and expert can live without. In addition to being the longest continually published dog book in history, it is also the most successful dog book ever published, with over two million copies sold. The revised and updated 22nd edition contains revised breed standards, changes in breed classifications, and recently recognized breeds. Dog owners, breeders, and clubs will find the most current information here on AKC registration, competitive events, and programs. A celebration of every breed of dog recognized by the American Kennel Club—over 200 breeds—this new 22nd edition offers readers: Official standard for every AKC-recognized breed, including seven variety Groups and the Miscellaneous Class Breed histories, puppy-buying tips, and pet attributes, each breed written by one of the 200 AKC national parent clubs Over 800 exceptional color photographs of adults and puppies illustrate each four-page breed entry Spotlight on finding well-bred puppies, sports and activities for dogs and owners, AKC programs, and canine anatomy Illustrated glossary of canine terminology

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Following in the paw- and hoof-prints of I-5’s best-selling The Original Dog Bible and The Original Horse Bible comes The Original Cat Bible, the ultimate resource for cat owners and lovers from the editors of Cat Fancy magazine. This new 500-page volume promises to be the most complete and authoritative book of its kind, authored by award-winning writer Sandy Robins with special veterinary chapters by Dr. Arnold Plotnick and an extensive breed section by Sarah Hartwell and Lorraine Shelton. The Original Cat Bible delves deeply into all things feline, from the domestication of cats and the development of pure breeds to the anatomy and genetics of felines. Between its two covers, it bequeaths a wealth of information to the cat fanciers, detailing all aspects of cat care and ownership, bejeweled with fun tidbits and trivia to entertain even the most discerning of feline lovers.The book begins with a detailed history of the modern cat, including the noble big cats of the wild and the small domesticated cats adored indoors by millions around the world. In her venture into the modern-day world of cats, the author discusses the genesis of cat welfare and rescue, as well as concerns about stray and feral cats in our communities, explaining the problems and offering practical solutions. From a more universal perspective, the text explores the feline’s place in world religions, the cat-laden folklore of Asia, Europe and North America, cats in religion, popular culture through the ages (literature, art, cartoons, and movies), and contemporary social media (YouTube, blogs, and Facebook).The Original Cat Bible discusses the development of cat breeds and the genetics of purebred cats. While the establishment of purebred cats is a fairly modern development, some breeds have existed in a ?pure form” for many centuries. In order to explain the significance of specific breeds, the author describes the essential physical characteristics of the cat, including body types, coat types, colors, and patterns. Guest authors Hartwell and Shelton, both highly regarded experts in the purebred cat world, present seventy-five breeds of cat from the familiar Siamese and Persian to the lesser known Australian Mist and Pixie Bob, describing their origins, breed standards, personalities, all accompanied by dazzling color photography. The book features expansive coverage of every recognized cat breed in the world, plus many experimental and new breeds that have come and gone.Robins resumes the discussion of cat ownership, covering important topics such as finding a kitten, choosing between breeders and shelters, achieving the right feline match for your family, bringing the cat into a new home, cat-proofing and safety around the house, and shopping for supplies for the new cat (accessories ranging from litter boxes and beds to harnesses and cat trees). New owners will value the information about introducing the cat to family and other pets, the importance of selecting a qualified veterinarian, securing veterinary insurance, and establishing an immunization schedule with your vet. Information about kitten health concerns, including viral diseases and parasites, and complementary therapies and holistic medicine, diagnostic tests and new technologies available is thorough and detailed.A user-friendly, very readable chapter on grooming follows, offering advice on caring for the coats of kittens, adults and older cats, purchasing grooming tools, learning techniques, and establishing a regimen for brushing and bathing, nail, eye, ear and teeth care. The feeding chapter begins with a fascinating and entertaining history of pet food in America and then goes on to discuss such important topics as the nutritional requirements of cats at all life stages, the choice between commercial diets and natural foods, food allergies, and special care of obese and pregnant cats.In introducing the elaborate section on healthcare, renowned veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick presents an overview of feline anatomy, including the basics of the body, skin, coat, ears, eyes, teeth, paws, and bodily systems. The chapter on external conditions, diseases and disorder covers over eighty specific feline diseases (categorized by anatomical region), followed by a chapters on infectious diseases and internal and external parasites; reproductive care, puberty, mating, and pregnancy; and serious life-threatening disorders (diabetes, cancer, and hyperthyroidism). A chapter on senior cats offers readers information on health issues with older cats (arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, vision and hearing loss), common behavior issues, as well grief counseling upon the loss of a beloved cat.A section on fun with cats includes the various activities and enrichment exercises owners can do with their cats, as well as cat agility and cat shows (covering both major American cat registries, the Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association). Further topics in this expansive volume include traveling with cats, pet-care options for owners (kitty day care, pet sitters, and boarding), dealing with emergencies, first aid, and disaster planning, finding a lost cat, relocating with cats and preventing loss during a move.The Original Cat Bible offers the gospel on cat behavior and training, and preaches that cats can indeed be trained! The author offers a compendium on feline communication, including body language and vocalizations, and a training course that advocates socialization and positive-reinforcement training (remote control training, redirection, and clicker training). In addressing problem behaviors, the author puts forward solutions for dozens of commonly encountered nuisances, such as litter box messes, scratching, aggression, separation anxiety and pica.The final section of the book celebrates cats at work in the community, from therapy cats in nursing homes and rest-home facilities to cats working as greeters and library and book-store assistants. Readers will delight in the section about celebrity cats. Cats have made a splash working professionally as actors and models in the entertainment worlds of movies, television, and advertising. For readers wishing to work with cats themselves, the book discusses a variety of career paths as veterinarians, vet assistants, groomers, trainers and behaviorists, massage therapists, cat sitters, animal-control officers, and photographers.The book has an expansive resource section including websites, books, and periodicals, and is fully indexed.

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The tides of dog ownership are changing, and thanks to Hollywood A-Listers like George Clooney and Sandra Bullock and music icons like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, animal rescue has become as fashionable as the latest Valentino or Armani. Millions of ordinary Americans—heroes one and all—have opened their hearts and homes to rescue dogs, and fewer abandoned pets are euthanized in the U.S. than ever before. And still, a look at HSUS statistics reminds us how far we have to go: an estimated three to four million pets are euthanized annually, a very significant improvement from the 1980s when the number was closer to sixteen million.To keep America’s adoption trend moving forward and to guarantee that rescued dogs stay in their new forever homes, Tracy Libby’s The Rescue Dog Problem Solver seeks to make the story of every adopted dog a predestined success. While most dogs wind up in shelters due to no fault of their own, many rescue dogs develop unwanted behaviors while living with their previous owners. To assure their success with their adopted dogs, rescuers must be prepared to handle and confidently resolve behavioral problems that arise through proven positive-training methods. This eye-opening problem-solving guide, filled with empowering stories of rescued dogs that defied the odds, is dedicated to the success of every rescuer and his happy, health companion dog.INSIDE TITLE OF BOOK50 ways rescuers can overcome potential challenges with their adoptive dogs200 training and behavior tips for a well-mannered dog25 secrets to unraveling common behavior issues, from house-soiling and escaping the yard to biting, barking, and hyperactivityA dozen heartwarming stories of real-life rescue dogs and their adoptive parentsCountless ways dog lovers can raise awareness about animal rescue and responsible pet ownership in their communities

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