The Fin (or Finback) Whale is found throughout the world’s oceans, although more often in warm waters than in cold waters. The worldwide population of Fin Whales has dropped from more than 500,000 to slightly more than 100,000 in the century, thanks to extensive hunting by humans.
Named for the unique shape of its skull, the Bowhead Whale is the largest whale that lives solely in arctic waters. Although there were more than 50,000 Bowheads 100 years ago, hey were hunted until nearly extinct. The current Bowhead population is thought to be between 6,000 and 12,000.
The enormous Blue Whale is one of nature’s most amazing creatures. Blue Whales can be found throughout the world’s oceans, preferring cold waters and open sea but they are not nearly so easuy to find today as trey once were. Scientists estimate that there were over 300,000 Blue Whales a century ago, but commercial whaling has reduced that population to somewhere between 6000 and 14000. there are only a few hundred left in the Atlantic Ocean.
The land near the Cheviot hills forms the border between Scotland and England, and the spunky Border Terrier owes both its name and history to the region. Nearly every farmer and shpherd living there depended on the dogs to hunt foxes. Fast enough to run with horses, but snmall enough to give chase underground, they displayed unwavering dedication to that task. A warerproof coat resisted the rain and abundant energy enabled the dogs to work through the night.
Having been bred over the centuries for its working abilities, Britian’s Border collie is considered the finest sheep herding dog in the world. For shepherds, the dogs’ appearance is secondary to its formidable speed, agility and skill in controlling livestock. Natives of Scotland, Border Collies are notorious for their ability to “eye” sheep, or stare at the animals so intently that they are intimidated into staying with the flock.
Listen to hound barking
[audio:http://petcaregt.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/hounds.mp3]
Breeding preferences for the Black and Tan Coonhound have focused on the dog;s coat color and skill at trapping raccoons. This emphasis explains the breed’s name. Although a fairly recent addition to the list of pure-bred dogs, its ancestors (including the Talbot Hound) existed in the 11th century.
Whales were once though to be very large fish. Sharks, tuna or other big fish do look a lot like whales; they have a streamed lined shape, similar kinds of fins, and they share the same underwater environment. But fish are not the same as whales. In fact, whales are more closely related to cows or goats that they are to fish. Whales are mammals – this means that they have to come to the surface to breathe air into their lungs, while fish use their gills to take the oxygen they need directly from the water. Whales give birth to live babies, one-at-a-time, while fish lay eggs in the hundreds or even thousands,. But the quickest way to tell whether you’re looking at a fish or a whale is to check out the tail. Whale tails are horizontal, and a whale swims by moving its tail up and down. Fish tails are vertical, and a fish swims by moving its tail side-to-side.
Like many mammals, cetaceans spend a great deal of time on the reproduction and raise of young. Once they have mated, female whales are usually pregnancy for 10 to 13 months, although some species have pregnancies of 16 months or more. Unlike dogs or cats, which have litters of several babies per pregnancy, cetaceans give birth to only a single calf at a time. Because the birth takes place underwater, the calf usually emerges from its mother tail first, to avoid breathing in sea water; once the calf is free, its mother helps it to the surface so it can take its first breath. This bond between mother and cal is tremendously important. Most whale calves spend their first year or two in mom’s company, learning how to feed, communicate, and avoid danger.
