An Introduction to the Rose-Breasted Cockatoo
By Terri Ann King
Photograph by Joan Balzarini

In Australia, the rose-breasted cockatoo, Eolophus roseicapillus, is as common as a pigeon in Central Park. "Rosies," as they are called down under, are pests at times, chopping through communications wiring with their curious beaks and attacking freshly harvested crops to satisfy their hunger. Yet, for all of their problematic behaviors, these beautiful, plentiful pink cockatoos continue to captivate many Australians who keep them as household pets - placing them in the position of being both loved and loathed in their own homeland. At least for now, exportation of these common birds is limited, although they remain on the list of pests that can be shot or otherwise eliminated.



Because of limited exportation, rose-breasted cockatoos, also commonly referred to as galahs, are far less plentiful in America. Although American aviculturists have long-recognized the rosie as a wonderful aviary bird, its status as a companion parrot is relatively new to American bird enthusiasts. That, however, is gradually changing. Capable breeders, rosies are growing more common in the United States, and Americans, like Australians, are becoming captivated by the bird's beautiful pink-and-gray markings. The birds speak remarkably well for cockatoos and often perform endearing, clown-like antics, adding to their appeal. As breeding programs continue, the rosie's availability and popularity in the United States seems destined to increase.

The rosie is not the perfect bird for everyone. Though sociable, they can be aloof at times. Before rushing out to purchase a rose-breasted cockatoo as a companion bird, the prospective owner should learn the good and bad about these interesting creatures.

Life Stages

Rose-breasted cockatoos start life much less colorful than they end it. A newborn rosie somewhat resembles a gray-speckled trout, with only a hint of the trademark pink breast. Much like other infant cockatoos, baby rosies tend to be clumsy, but they have a habit of fluffing the feathers around their beak, forming a deliciously appealing "fat face" that few owners can resist.

As juveniles, rosies slowly develop their coloring. During this time, the bird's agility becomes evident, especially in flight. More often, though, the juvenile rosie takes to the ground to explore its surroundings in a humorous, waddling gait. This is a habit the rosie maintains throughout its life, for the bird appears to enjoy walking almost as much as flying. In Australia flocks of rose-breasted cockatoos are often seen walking along on the ground, eating grains as they waddle through a field or meadow.

The mature rosie has a stately look and an appealing nature. By now the bird's breast and legs are a brilliant shade of rose-pink. The forehead is white, with traces of pink, while the rest of the body and the tail feathers are gray in varying shades. Male and female birds are very similar, with the hens distinguished only by their brighter, pinkish-red irides.

Rosies as Companion Parrots

Many cockatoos are regarded as gentle, social birds, but rosies generally don't share that same reputation. This does not mean that the rose-breasted cockatoo can't be a sociable avian companion. It can be, although it usually defines the level of companionship on its own terms. Rosies want to be cuddled on their terms, and can change their minds quickly. Even hand-raised rosies often have a wide independent streak that can be off-putting.

What they lack in cuddliness they more than make up for in other methods of social interaction. Rosies enjoy the presence of humans and can sit happily on a perch in the same room with their owners for hours. They are also very verbal and will often respond to human speech with either squawks or words. This is indicative of the fact that, although they may not want to be held, they definitely crave and enjoy ongoing social interaction. It is important for owners of these birds to be aware of the extent of their social needs. Rosies may not want to cuddle often, but they always want to be around humans, other animals or both. Independent creatures they may be, but they are not anti-social.

Young rosies have an inclination to use their beak more often than other cockatoos - they have been described as "nippy" by more than one owner. This behavior can be frustrating for the first-time owner. The nipping appears to be the bird's means of expressing itself and exploring its surroundings, rather than an act of frustration or plea for attention. This nipping begins in infancy and increases during the juvenile stage as the birds gain confidence and explore their surroundings with their beak.

The rosie's nipping can be controlled, to a certain extent, by practicing behavior modification techniques during the juvenile stage. The most effective method is to remain emotionless when a rosie is nipping, passively ignoring the behavior, and to recognize the patterns that the nipping takes so that these situations can be avoided. An intelligent, sensitive bird, the rosie generally responds well to training. Rather than be discouraged by the rosie's undesirable behavior, the conscientious owner should try to modify it - there is a good chance the results will be favorable.

Scientific Name:
Chinchilla lanigera
Life Span:
Chinchillas typically about 15 years, but 18-22 years is not uncommon.
Size:
Body length about 10-14 inches; tail is another 5-6 inches or so.
Temperament:
With gentle handling from a young age most chinchillas will become quite tame and bond closely with their owners, although sometimes they do not like to be held or cuddled. They are very active and playful. Chinchillas can be kept singly, and usually will do fine as same sex pairs especially if they are litter mates or introduced at a young age.
Habits:
Chinchillas are largely nocturnal so will be most active at night. Sometimes they are called crepuscular, meaning their activity peaks at dawn and dusk. In any case, they should be kept in a fairly quiet area during the day. They prefer a consistent routine for handling a feeding times and may be stressed out by changes to their routine. Since they are so active and playful, chinchillas need a roomy cage for exercise as well as daily playtime. Warm temperatures are more of a concern for chinchillas than cool temperatures, so care must be taken that pet chinchllas do not become overheated.
Feeding:
Chinchillas require a lot of roughage, and the diet should mainly be made up of a good quality grass hay along with pellets made for chinchillas. Treats should be given in moderation (one teaspoon per day in total). The digestive system of chinchillas is fairly sensitive so any diet changes should be gradual.
Cages:
Chinchilla cages must be large, and multi-level cages with platforms, ramps, and perches are ideal.
Dust Bath and Toys:
Along with regular access to a dust bath, chinchillas need a variety of toys to keep them busy and active, especially items for chewing to keep the incisor teeth in good condition.
Handling and Taming:
You must be gentle and consistent to gain the trust of a chinchilla.

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The gecko is found in many warm climates around the globe. Gecko's can be located in a variety of warm areas, they are wide spread, pose no threat to people and are quite adaptable. They do not mind the presence of people and will live peacefully with them.

There are around 750 species of these fine lizards, that are broken into 4 sub categories, Eublepharinae, Sphaerodactylinae, Diplodactylinae and lastly Gekkoninae.

Geckos can be kept easily as pets and make a beautiful addition to a lizard collection. The best option is a captive bread specimen. The price ranges from $20 to as high as $3000. Sizes range from 3-4 inches for a new hatchling, and right up to 12 inches for some of the giants. The typical size of most adults geckos is 8 inches. The lifespan of a gecko can be as long as 20 years or more in captivity. The type of care is deterministic of these long life spans. A happy gecko is a long lived one.

Once the decision to keep a gecko has been made, getting basic information about how to house and care for it is essential to make sure it is a good experience for the gecko and its keeper.

Once you have acquired your pet, created its housing, set up its nutritional needs, and let it settle in, it is time to get acquainted. So in general, try not to handle your gecko on a regular basis until they settle in for a few days and are at least 6 inches in length.

A final note about gecko care, when your pet lizard is big enough, it is best to sit on the floor, and let your gecko crawl around through loose fingers hand-over-hand for 10 to 15 minutes per day until accustomed to the touch. This process takes around seven days. Never, ever grab the gecko's tail, or it might be dropped. though quite often it can regenerate in less than 45 days.

Bala Shark, (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) Also known as the Silver Shark, the Bala Shark is a growing favorite among tropical fish hobbyists. This tropical fish isn't a shark at all though. It belongs in the "Cyprinidae family". They are named sharks because of their appearance and the shape of their dorsal fin. These "sharks" require large tanks because of their potential adult size of 13 inches. They are mostly peaceful but may eat smaller fish such as neon tetras when they reach a large enough size.

Also, be warned that Balas (Silver Sharks) are excellent jumpers. Have a hood on your aquarium to prevent your Silver Shark from leaping to its death. They are very fast swimmers and will dart around your aquarium very quickly. Be sure you don't have any sharp objects in your aquarium that could injure your fish.

These freshwater sharks will eat most types of fish food including vitamin enriched flake foods, pellets, frozen, freeze dried and definitely live foods with the key being a varied diet. They sometimes make a clicking noise while eating.

Care Level: Easy to Medium, needs lots of swimming space and a larger tank.

Size: Up to 13 inches (33 cm)

pH: 6 - 8

Temperature: 72°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C)

Lifespan: 8 - 10 years

Temperament / Behavior: Peaceful and can be kept with smaller fish. However, don't keep with tropical fish small enough to fit in the Bala Sharks mouth.

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Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)

Sugar gliders are native to Australia (Eastern part), Papua New Guinea and parts of Indonesia.

Sugar gliders are marsupials; the young are born very immature and grow in a pouch on the mother's abdomen. Sugar gliders have furry membranes that extend from their wrists to their ankles (the membrane is called a patagium) that allow them to glide through the air. In the wild they move from tree to tree by gliding. Their hind feet have a large, opposable big toe that helps them grip branches, and the second and third toe forms a grooming comb.

Sugar gliders are very social and need and crave lots of companionship. This makes them bond well to their owners, and if you can provide a lot of attention and spend the necessary time with your glider, keeping a single glider can work. Otherwise, consider keeping more than one glider, ideally a same sex pair (or a female and neutered male) to prevent repeated breeding. Introducing adults is difficult though so it is best to raise them together from a young age.

Sugar gliders are nocturnal so they will be most active during the night. They will usually be happy to spend time with their owners during the day though - sleeping in a pocket or bonding pouch.

Sugar gliders live about 10-15 years in captivity. The sugar glider's body is only about 5-6 inches long, and the tail adds another 6 inches. They usually weigh about 4-5.5 oz (100-160 grams).

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see one for yourself.

GloFish®. Seeing is believing. They are absolutely stunning! GloFish fluorescent fish are beautiful, hardy fish, perfect for both hobbyists and beginners. Available in three striking colors--Starfire Red(TM), Electric Green(TM), and Sunburst Orange(TM)

GloFish® are brilliantly wonderful fish that add color and excitement to any aquarium, whether at home or the office, or in classrooms.

Today's GloFish® fluorescent fish are bred from the offspring of fluorescent zebrafish that were originally developed several years ago. Each new GloFish® fluorescent fish inherits its unique color directly from its parents, maintains the color throughout its life, and passes the color along to its offspring

Aside from their color, fluorescent zebrafish are the same as other zebrafish in every way. This includes everything from general care and temperature preferences to the growth rate and life expectancy. Accordingly, all females will carry unfertilized eggs upon reaching maturity, resulting in the "pregnant' look.

Sexing them is not too difficult. Males are longer and more slender around the stomach, while females have a rounded, whitish looking stomach.

Size : Up to 2 inches

pH : 6.5 - 8

Temperature : 65°F - 75°F (18°C - 24°C)

The mini Rex, (Oryctoloqus cuniculus), is a small breed of rabbit with fairly short ears. The face is fairly thick, but it is not particularly short. The body is close-coupled and rounded. The most easily noticed attribute is the amazing fur, which feels like velvet.

The coat is upright, short, and very plush. The guard hairs are the same length as the undercoat, and the coat is very thick, creating a plush, velvety texture. Mini Rex should not be brushed with a brush or a comb unless there is a distinct matt that needs removing. Instead, to remove loose hair, moisten the palm of the hands with water until they are just damp enough to be sticky, and then run your hand over the rabbit's coat backwards. This will then remove the loose hair and static electricity.

Mini rex are usually a very friendly breed. They have a medium level of activity, and can be perfectly content to play or to just sit on your lap and be petted.

Mini rex come in many different colors, Black, Blue, Broken, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Seal, Tortoise, and White.

They are a small rabbit usually weighting around Males: 3 to 4 1/4 pounds, and Females: 3 1/4 to 4 1/2 pounds.

Mini Rex Rabbits are among the most popular breeds. Mainly for the fact they have great personalities and do well with kids. They are easy to handle, house and feed due to their small size. The average lifespan for the Mini Rex is about six years.

Check with Bayshore for all types of dwarf rabbits and other awesome pets.

The Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), also called the Yemen Chameleon, is a relatively large and attractive chameleon species from the Middle East. It naturally ranges within Yemen and Saudi Arabia yet has also been introduced and has established small populations in parts of Florida and Hawaii. In its natural range, the Veiled Chameleon lives in coastal mountain slopes with significant rainfall and more inland, lives in more arid wadis with year-round water and vegetation.

Veiled Chameleons are a large, colorful species, which is easily recognized by a casque, a helmet-like ridge on the top of their heads. It is a tiny swelling as hatchling, but grows to two inches as the animal matures. With males reaching a total length of approximately 24 inches and females reaching a total length of approximately 18 inches, this is one of the larger chameleon species seen in captivity. When combined with their brilliant coloration and pattern, their hardy nature and ease of breeding in captivity, the Veiled Chameleon has become a popular pet and likely the best starter chameleon species.

Veiled Chameleons do well in captive environments with consistent care. Adult males are ideally housed in screen enclosures around 4’ tall x 2’x2’, although they can tolerate smaller enclosures and females require less space. Screen enclosures allow for required airflow and space. With a live plant, such as a Ficus or Schefflera, and various horizontal branches, the interior of a Veiled Chameleon’s enclosure is quite simple to design and setup as Veiled Chameleons do best without substrate or standing water sources in their enclosure. Water is instead provided through daily misting of the enclosure and plants and they then lap the water off of the leaves in their enclosures.

Lighting for the Veiled Chameleon is fairly inexpensive and simple to set up. A UVB emitting fluorescent tube light, and a separate standard incandescent light bulb for heat are all that is required. With both on for 12 hours and no additional heat or light source for the remaining time, night temperature drops are actually appreciated by Veiled Chameleons as apposed to many other reptile pets.

Veiled Chameleons grow quite rapidly on a diet of appropriately sized crickets fed a simple cricket diet and dusted with a calcium supplement. Adults will frequently become used to feeding from their owner’s fingers with their long tongue which projects itself out of their mouth at high speeds and contacts their prey with their sticky tongue.

Male Veiled Chameleons exhibit the more striking coloration of the species, often showing blues, yellows, oranges, greens and brown coloration in a remarkable spotted and striped pattern. Additionally, they are large, have a large helmet or casque at the top of their head and on the rear of the hind feet, have a tarsal spur allowing them to be sexed from birth. Females lack this spur, remain smaller and tend to have more of a green coloration except when gravid or pregnant. When gravid, females exhibit a brilliant black, green and orange coloration indicating to males that they are not interesting in breeding.

If provided with a proper enclosure and consistent care, the Veiled Chameleon is a striking, beautiful and excellent hardy captive which is excellent for the first time chameleon owner. The life span of a Veiled Chameleon may be up to five years for a female and up to seven to eight years for males.

To get your own Veiled Chameleon be sure to visit Bayshore Pets soon.