In the pale light of dawn a crowned crane stands statuesque amid misty wetlands, its long legs anchored like columns of ivory. Its most striking feature is the bright scarlet patch on its crown, glowing like a jewel against a mantle of snow-white and ebony plumage.This red-crowned crane (an East Asian species) is almost surreal – a regal bird of pure white with jet-black wings and a bill of olive-green hue Equally remarkable is its African cousin, the grey crowned crane: about a meter tall, it wears a halo of stiff golden feathers as a crown, with soft grey body plumage, white-tipped wings and a bright red gular pouch at its throat.Together, these “crowned cranes” exude a sense of elegance and brilliance, as if adorned by nature’s most subtle goldsmith. Appearance and Splendor The adult red-crowned crane is one of the largest and heaviest cranes on earth.Its snowy white body contrasts sharply with black wing feathers that form a dramatic trailing edge in flight. Males have g...
Introduction Are you considering getting a turtle as a pet? You certainly won't be the only person! Turtles are incredibly popular reptiles found in homes worldwide. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Association roughly 2 million households in the United States alone own pet turtles! These wonderful creatures are not only fascinating, but they rarely require as much maintenance as dogs or cats, and they can live for decades when maintained properly! But, finding a good pet turtle has it's challenges: not all turtles will make great pets, especially for a beginner. Some turtles require an advanced setup, special diets, and expert-sized care. This is what made us create a guide better suited for beginners with 13 types of turtles, all of which are suitable pets. Whether you're looking for a hardy pet and your first foray into reptile ownership, or a more exotic pet, we think this article is a good place to start! Why Turtles Are Great Pets Before we get into th...