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Send in your questions and I'll endeavour to find an answer for you, from the many experts who publish online. NO responsibility is taken for the accuracy of answers however as any information is only as good as its source.

 

QUESTION: I saw a spider with a red tear drop on it's abdomin and I was wondering if you'd ever seen or heard of anything like it. I couldn't see the under side of it's abdomin because it was running across the floor but I don't think it was a Black Widow. Maybe you can help me, thanks.

ANSWER: It is too hard to identify spiders without a photo as many look alike and some are dangerous and most aren't. One spider I know of that fits that description is the red spotted ant mimicking spider and I'll put a photo in here for you as well as a link to the page on http://www.spiderzrule.com/redspot.htm


 QUESTION: I live in PA I recently killed a spider in my home. It's body has the proportions of a small tarantula (1/2 inch in length, equal thorax and abdomen, very hairy, brown/black in brown stripes on the abdomen. Most importantly it has a clear YELLOW "v" on the underside of its abdomen. What could this be and is it poisonous? Thanks for your help.
Peace, Liz Pont.

ANSWER: It sounds like it could be a wolf spider but its a bit hard to tell without a photo. Check out my spiderzrule site -  www.spiderzrule.com/wolf.htm and see if you can find it among the wolf spider photos on that page. There is a wolf spider there with a yellow V on its underside.
 

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Glen,
please tell me what this worm is, I found it under a log in my back yard. I live is southwest Louisiana. It's head is flat and it is very slimy. Zoey

ANSWER: It looks like a leech to me with its flat head but I'm not certain.

QUESTION: We're learning about animalogy, I was wondering if you know why flightless birds have essentially no keel yet penguins have a well developed keel? Is it because of them being able to use their wings as flippers for "flying through water" I'm lost??

ANSWER: Characteristics shared by most living birds are the pronounced vertical blade, or ‘keel’, on the breastbone, and the joining of the collar bones to form a ‘wishbone’. The keel acts as an attachment for the large muscles moving the wings (the breast muscles), and the wishbone acts as a strut to support the wings in flight. However in birds like the ostrich, with the loss of flight the keel disappeared from the breastbone, and the wishbone became two separate bones again. The wings may be very reduced (as in the kiwi), and the feathers may become fluffy, rather than streamlined, and may even be absent from large areas of the body (as in the ostrich). The power of flight has also been lost by the penguins, whose wing feathers have become small and scale-like. However, penguins have kept the keel on the breastbone and now use their wings for ‘flying’ under water. 'Birds Online Encyclopaedia'

QUESTION: Hi I was wondering why should amphibians never be placed in seawater?

ANSWER: Research indicates that "no real amphibian are known to inhabit marine environments and therefore are intolerant of sea water". 'Stephen P. Christman' Some amphibians have been observed living in brackish water with salt levels as high as 39% but it would be hard to replicate the exact level in a home situation so I guess it's best to keep them in fresh water.

QUESTION: My cat urinates on the floor instead of her litter tray. Why does she do this and how do I stop her?

ANSWER: There is no one reason why cat's stop using their litter tray. It could be from emotional stress, wrong or dirty litter in the tray, the tray may be in the wrong location or the wrong size or a medical problem. The cat may be an old cat that has troubles getting into the litter box.

Emotional Stress:
Can your cat see or hear other cats in the neighbourhood which are stressing him/her out? If toileting troubles have only just started, you may find there's  a new neighbour that is literally poking its tongue out at your poor pussy stuck inside and they are reacting accordingly!!

Your cat may have had a fright while using the tray and will then associate it with fear and not use it again.

Cats also react to their human's emotional stress.

A new cat in the family can also upset the original cat who will react by urinating in the wrong spot.

Wrong or Dirty Litter:
If a cat's litter is not cleaned daily, the cat may refuse to use it. If you have a new cat, they may be used to a different sort of litter so maybe ask the previous owner what sort of litter they used. 

Wrong Location or Size:
Cat's are private creatures and prefer to perform their needs in privacy. Put the tray in an out of the way spot. The tray may also be too small or the hood on it may be intimidating. Try removing the hood until they are comfortable using the tray without and then try putting it back.

Medical Problem:
Kidney failure is a common problem in cats especially old ones. If your cat seems to be having trouble going to the toilet, take it to a vet immediately. If the cat is hurting while using the litter box, they associate the box with pain and will avoid using it even after they are better.

Male Cats:
Male cats that have not been neutered will spray the walls with urine by backing up to the wall and lifting its tail. This is a different sort of problem that should be resolved when he is "fixed".  However don't leave it too long, as once the pattern is established it's hard to break them of the habit. Male cats mark their territory in this way.
 

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