Pop Kitten

Arnie as a babysitter

draganescu — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:41:26 +0000

Meet Linton Zoo’s newest and fluffiest little addition: a Turkmenian Eagle Owlet named Hüwi, which is Turkmen for “Eagle owl.” When keepers noticed that Hüwi’s owl mom, named Rohan, wasn’t quite as attentive as she should be, they stepped in to hand-rear the chick. In addition to the human care, the Linton Zoo’s gentle resident tabby, Arnie, has also stepped in to befriend the chick, who appears cautiously curious. Weighing just 50 grams (<2 ounces) at birth, three weeks later the chick weighs a healthy, and hefty, full kilo (2.2lbs).

The Turkmenian Eagle Owl is one of the largest owls in the world, eventually reaching around 4.5kg (10lbs) and is closely related to the slightly larger European Eagle Owl. Sadly, this spectacular bird may now be extinct in its native range in Central Asia. Very few pure bred birds remain in captivity so Hüwi is an invaluable addition to the survival of this species.

Both of Hüwi’s parents were also hatched at Linton Zoo. Dad, Pip, will be 23 years old this year and Rohan is now 5. Two of last years owlets, Igor and Misha, remain at Linton Zoo and a third brother has gone to live at Woburn Wild Animal Park.

Thirteen year old red tabby tom “Arnie” is very gentle and is used to seeing a whole range of animals over the years. Hüwi too is growing up with a range of different animals around him and is not at all bothered by having Arnie around. The two are only together under supervision.

20 Things We Can Learn from Kittens

draganescu — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:21:48 +0000

If there is not enough happiness in your life, try to follow these simple tips from kittens! They are always happy, so maybe some tips from their lifestyle could make you happier:) What are they?

1. Sleep!

The most important thing in the life of every kitten.

2. Sleep a lot!

3. Spend a larger part of the day sleeping!

4. Eat as much as you want

5. Lie

6. Lie

7. Lie

8. Do nothing

9. Bask in the sun

10. Play alone

11. Play with friends

12. Play with everything you can find

13. Bite somebody’s finger or everything you want

14. Explore the world around you

15. Be curious about everything

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back!

16. Find an interesting place to lie

17. Show your claws whenever you want

18. Hunt for birds or everything that moves

19. Lick your body

In this case there is no need to waste your time on taking a shower

20. Mew to express all your feelings

Lions Cubs in Action

draganescu — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Between Superstorm Sandy, an intense election season and the impending nor’easter, we needed a smile today as much as you probably do. Fortunately, this photo of a six-day-old lion cub came our way. The cub looks like she is trying to give an intimidating roar but instead of feeling threatened we had to “awww” in our office at the sight of her cute toothless grin. According to Solent News, the cub is named Ying Yai (Elder Princess) and her mighty yawn was captured at a zoo in Thailand by British photographer Ashley Vincent.“At six days old the cubs were teething. Occasionally they would wince and give out a little cry,” Vincent told Solent News. By lying on the ground, the photographer was able to get this amazing shot of the cub extending her jaws and exposing her teeth just as they were beginning to show. “I called the photo ‘Roaring Practice’ for the fun of it, knowing that wasn’t what she was actually doing,” he said. He photographed Ying Yai and her two sisters from birth until they were five months old, when they started showing signs of their predatory nature. “I never felt seriously threatened or in any actual danger … but by five months of age they have some weight and size to reckon with, not to mention their teeth and claws,” Vincent said. “They are more than capable of piercing skin and I keep in mind these lovely cubs are still wild at heart.

Cat Adopts Baby Squirrel

draganescu — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:25:32 +0000

Cat Oreo accepted a baby squirrel that she has nursed along with her litter of kittens since before its eyes were opened. Oreo’s family found the newborn squirrel on the ground after it fell from its nest and placed it with Oreo and her babies in their straw filled outdoor shelter.

Cat and the Blue Butterflies

draganescu — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:56:46 +0000

Avid photographer Natalia Moldovanova captured the moment when the family cat Lepa frolicked amid a sea of blue butterflies.

The student was home visiting her family in Leningrad when the butterflies alighted on the ground in front of her and the bemused ginger tom, and she got these great shots of the encounter.

Tree Houses for Cats

draganescu — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:54:53 +0000

A Cat Tree House is a unique hand crafted natural pet habitat that lets cats, and other small animals indulge their primeval jungle instincts. Every home is designed and built to provide years of enjoyment for your dearest pets. They are made from mature dragonwood trees left in its natural state -gnarled branches, lichen bark and all. From a small house up to the largest tree, each home is crafted of the highest quality.

Sneak Cats

draganescu — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:55:23 +0000

Cats are known for being, among other things, incredibly stealthy. Like little furry ninjas, they can sneak up on you without a sound and pounce before you even know what’s happening.

Border dog herding Siberian Tigers

draganescu — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:23:16 +0000

A fearless Border Collie dog prefers to herd Siberian Tigers instead of herding sheep. The dogs name is Solo and has raised the cubs since they were born, the dogs owner said Solo is like the tigers ‘big brother’. 4 years on, Solo is still playing with the tigers – now twice his size.

10 Funniest Cats Photobombs Ever

draganescu — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:48:39 +0000

Humans are pretty good at photobombing, but we have nothing on the rest of the cats kingdom. They understand the art of ruining a photo in a way that our feeble people brains could never comprehend. It’s been a long time since we rounded up the funniest cats photobombs, so we went through the seemingly endless supply of them that have made the Internet in the last year and found some hilarious new ones to share with you.

1. Sad Window Kitten

Why are you so sad, Window Kitten? Hopefully because you keep ruining your mom’s photos and you are guilty about it! Ugh.

2. The Levitating Cat

Incorporating levitation is extremely advanced photobombing. Do not try this without practice.

3. Bodyguard Cat

It still counts as a photobomb even if you are trying to block a bullet.

4. Evil Cat Who Knows Something You Don’t Know

5. Overly Self-Serious Cat

This overly self-serious cat just completely ruined what was going to be a perfectly good picture of some dude in a blue shirt.

6. Stalker Cat

This is from a scene in a doggie horror film where they develop their vacation pictures and realize they were being watched the whole time.

7. The Sinister Plotting Cat

8. Dog Who Clearly Doesn’t Understand The Concept Of Staring Off Wistfully Into The Middle Distance

9. The “Oh, sorry, am I ruining your dramatic MySpace picture?” Cat

10. Attention Hound

This dog also sits in the front of the class and seems to think he’ll have a better chance of getting called on if he raises his paw higher than everyone else.

11. Extra one (no comment)

Cats of Morocco

draganescu — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:25:25 +0000

The cat holds a special place in Islam. Arabs in the 7th century believed that the cat was pure spirited. Pre-Islamic Arabs are said to have worshiped a Golden Cat. It is also said that the prophet Mohammad had a deep love for cats which led to their historical acceptance and reverence among Muslims. In Morocco cats are found on every street, and many seem to be struggling to maintain that purity.