Special Species: Birds, Reptiles, Wildlife and More!

Special Species

Understanding the Third Most Popular Pet — Is He Happy?

Much different to read than cats and dogs, these affectionate pets have their own body language to let you know when they are content and when they are feeling out of sorts, or afraid, stressed or anxious. Your ability to bond with this pet depends largely on your ability to understand him.

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Great News: The Healthy Pets Website Is Now Bark & Whiskers!

I'm thrilled to announce that Healthy Pets is expanding beyond the Mercola umbrella, and will now be available as its own brand called bark & whiskers. Find out what's in store for you with this exciting change.

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Special Species

What Do Urban Coyotes Really Eat?

Using coyote fecal samples collected in New York City parks and green areas, a team of researchers conducted a DNA analysis to answer a question that has puzzled many - what urban coyotes eat. What they found will surprise you - it wasn't what most people would expect.

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Penguin in Boots: A Renewed Lease on Life

Birds are susceptible to a degenerative foot condition called bumblefoot, & if not treated, can lead to system-wide infection & ultimately, death. The care specialists at San Diego Zoo hopped into action when they diagnosed the condition in Lucus, resulting in a heartwarming outcome.

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Special Species

What Many Hamster Owners Don't Know About Their Pet

Torpor is a state hamsters can enter when the temperature becomes too cool. It's an unnerving experience for new owners, as their pet may appear lifeless. Here's what you need to know about this normal response to certain environmental conditions, and what to avoid doing if it happens.

oil spill gene expression changes dolphins

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Special Species

A Decade After the Largest Marine Oil Spill in History

This tragic disaster, which injured the entire ecosystem of the northern Gulf of Mexico, may have happened more than a decade ago - and by now, largely forgotten - but it continues to plague certain species. Find out what's happening 10 years after the Deepwater Horizon Rig explosion.

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Special Species

The Wondrous Creature That Builds 6-Feet-Tall Nests

Wildlife biologist Mike Cove had his heart set on studying big cats in exotic locations, but instead, he and his team ended up championing a precious creature that engineers an entire ecosystem, complete with separate rooms. And not a day too soon, as these animals are rare and endangered.

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Special Species

The Bird That Hasn't Flown for Over 60 Million Years

As a species, these birds lost their ability to fly many years ago, but their genes actually changed and allowed them to adapt to newly created environmental niches, turning them into the specialized, entertaining and beloved creatures they are today.

Special Species

First-of-Its-Kind Surgery Gives Mini Donkey New Life

Nix, an adorable miniature donkey, began having collapsing episodes at only a few months of age. Faced with the prospect of euthanasia simply because the parts of her heart weren't communicating with each other, her owners made a bold decision that'd allow her to live out her life to its fullest.

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