We Care About Animals!

Here at the Adventurarium we adopt animals that are no longer wanted by their owners or animals that have been taken out of the wild, and cannot be released back into the wild. Many of the animal’s stories here are very sad.

Many of our lessons on animals for classrooms are centered around being a good pet owner. We hope to make a difference and inspire change in pet ownership. There is so much to consider when adopting or purchasing an animal. Animals are such a huge responsibility and we want to remind everyone that animals are a commitment for the life of that animal. The costs and time associated with feeding, grooming and the veterinarian visits need to be considered before adopting or purchasing an animal. Another important thing to consider is the life expectancy of a species. For example, small parrots live anywhere from 15 -25 years; larger parrots, such as African Greys, Amazons and Conures can live between 40 - 80 years. The much larger Macaws and Cockatoos have been known to live over 100 years.

We also want to remind people to please leave wild animals in the wild.  Many people feel they are helping an animal, while actually they may hurt or kill it by removing it from its natural habitat.  We see this happening in Yellowstone National Park every year. When in doubt, call your local Game and Fish Department.

Parrots 

We adopted all three of our parrots. Wally from a local family that could no longer care for him. Beakers came to us from the Parrot refuge that used to be in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Lolita was

Parrots are popular pets, but many people do not realize how much work it takes to be a good parrot parent.  Here is some great information about caring for a parrot.

Because they have such long lives, they often outlive their human owners, meaning that they may have to go through traumatic re-homing several times in their life. The parrots at the Adventurarium have had more than one and sometimes 2 or 3 owners.

Because they are so intelligent, parrots form very strong bonds with their owners and can be quite emotionally needy.  Due to this trait, it is imperative that those who adopt them can commit to a lifetime of living with a bird and that the owners can devote ample time to handling and socializing with them daily. 

Parrots need a lot of exercise to keep their strong muscles toned and maintain an adequate physical condition. This means that they must be able to spend several hours per day outside of their cages, playing in supervised, "parrot proof" areas.

Diet: An adult parrot's diet should consist of 70 to 90% pellet food and 10 to 30% percent fresh foods, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, treats, and nuts. 

Vegetables - Start by providing your parrot with a healthy mix of particularly nourishing vegetables such as carrots, sweet and hot peppers, dark leaf vegetables (kale, dandelion, chard), peas, string beans, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. 

Fruit - Parrots enjoy a rich assortment of fruits such as banana, melon, apple (without pips), papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, berries, kiwi, cherries, apricots and peaches (without pits). 

Nuts have a high fat content, and are an excellent energy source, but should be fed in moderation. If eaten in excess, fats cause liver issues. It's helpful to see nuts and seeds as more of a treat for parrots, rather than a dietary staple. Some of the nuts parrots will enjoy include: almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia nuts and walnuts.

Foods to Avoid High calorie foods should be limited as they can cause companion parrots to become overweight and develop serious health issues, such as fatty liver disease. Avocado, rhubarb, onions, garlic, mushrooms, asparagus, eggplant, chocolate, sugar, salt, and fatty rich foods or excessive amounts of any one particular food are also not good for parrots. When in doubt about the safety of a particular food, consult with your avian vet. Dairy products, while not toxic, are fattening and should be avoided. Sugary drinks should be avoided altogether.

Domestic Rabbits

We received Cotton Eye Joe from a couple who rescued him from the parking lot in Gillette near Douglas Highway. He had been mauled by a dog or dogs and his back right leg had to be amputated.  He was a pet and they decided to let him go.  What people don't understand is domestic rabbits are not wild rabbits and should never be set free.  Accidental interactions between pet rabbits and wild rabbits, while seemingly harmless, are strongly discouraged due to the species' different temperaments, as well as, wild rabbits potentially carrying diseases.

Domestic or "Pet" rabbits are a form of the European rabbit. A male rabbit is known as a buck, a female is a doe, and a young rabbit is a kit. Rabbits were first used for their food and fur by the Romans, and have been kept as pets in Western nations since the early 1900s.

Rabbits need annual checkups at the veterinarian because they may hide signs of illness or disease. They should be given things to chew on, the owner should check their teeth every month and they should have their nails trimmed every 6–8 weeks. They should be groomed regularly. 

Diet: Hay, specifically, Timothy grass hay, is an essential part of the diet of all rabbits and it is a major component of the commercial food pellets that are formulated for domestic rabbits. Pellets are typically fed to adult rabbits. Alfalfa hay is not recommended for adult rabbits, as it is too rich in protein and too high in calcium. Grass hays are best because they are lower in protein and calcium. Offering a diversity of hay is important nutritionally. A diversity of hay also desensitizes rabbits to small changes in smell and texture, resulting in good, consistent eaters.

Spaying and neutering: Rabbits are prolific breeders, in part because rabbits reach breeding age quickly. Neutering is possible for both female and male rabbits; however, spaying females can pose significant risks. This is because spaying female rabbits requires a far bigger surgery with a higher mortality rate compared to males. In addition, spaying is known to have severe negative effects on a female rabbit's health. To prevent unwanted offspring, rabbits may be spayed or neutered at sexual maturity. Do your research and find out at what age your rabbit is ready to be neutered. 

Health: Disease is rare when rabbits are raised in sanitary conditions and provided with adequate care. 

Rabbits have fragile bones, especially in their spines, and need support on the bottom when they are picked up.

Rabbits can deal with many different health issues, from dental, respiratory, viruses and tumors.

Do Not Declaw - A rabbit cannot be declawed. Lacking pads on the bottoms of its feet, a rabbit requires its claws for traction. Removing its claws would render it unable to stand.  

Vaccinations - In the United States (except where required by local animal control ordinances), rabbits do not require vaccinations.

Dental problems - Rabbit teeth are open-rooted and continue to grow throughout their lives, which is why they need constant abrasion.  Give them Grass Hay, Certain Types of Untreated Wood, Dried Apple Sticks, Cardboard, Bamboo, Willow and Other Woody Plants to chew on.

Snakes