As the title alludes to, a species of leaping cockroach has recently been discovered in South Africa. But before you get too scared; it does not inhabit the entire globe.
Discovered in late 2011 in the grass plains of South Africa, leap roaches hop the majority of the time, spending just a quarter of their lifespan crawling. They are similar to grasshoppers in the fact that they have admirable jumping abilities. In fact, a leap roach's hind legs are long and make up a tenth of its total body weight. Amazingly, one jump reaches 50 times its body height. With their grasshopper companions, they jump around together in the grasslands of Southern Africa. Although they're not too chummy as leap roaches use their remains as a food source.

The species was once thought to be a prehistoric gem, only to be found again, this time not buried under traces of rocks and bones. These creatures are interesting to many scientists and nature lovers, especially as the male and female counterparts look different. Both orange and slightly translucent in colour, the male has a more slender body. The female's core is outlined by a dark line and is coloured clear in the middle. Very strong legs are apparent on both. It has been noted that, close up, they give off the appearance of cross country cyclists or a personal trainer.

Ocean life is as diverse, if not more so, than that of land animals. There are an abundance of facts the many creatures and habitats in the sea; here are some of our favourites.

The electric ray is special in that it has not one, but two organs that store electricity. Shocks are produced of up to 220 volts. Indeed, all animals produce electricity but none to this degree. It is common to see a ray with different tails sizes. This is because predators tend to take a nibble from time to time.

The Siamese fighting fish is a beauty of the sea. Surprisingly though, is that the males are responsible for looking after the eggs. They must take them to a nest from the surface of the water to the deep underworld. 

Although sharks are the one of the most intimidating sea creatures, they have skin that is used to help burn victims via skin grafts. They are also used in another reconstructive way; their eye corneas are used in transplants with humans.

The almighty great white shark, over 20 feet long, can look for food on the water, sometimes leaping up and making a lonely seal its victim.

A puffer fish has a great defensive tactic. It blows up to a perfectly round size and uses hundred of sharp, poisonous spikes to defend itself, thus making it deadly to other creatures.

A flounder, Ariel's all time best friend, is just that: a fish that wanders around on the seabed. They find their food in the mud of the ocean, in areas where there is less water such as docks and ports.

There are so many people out there who own a mini pot-bellied pig. Some have done their research and come home with the indoor pig of their dreams, others, however, have come home with a supposedly miniature pig only to find that the pig grows to the size of a large dog, is as heavy as a baby elephant and requires more attention than originally expected. In this situation, the sad truth is that many of these pigs end up in a shelter.

The aim of this article is not to scare off potential pot-bellied pig parents, but to inform you about these lovable pets so that you will be prepared to raise them and understand their needs.

When you decide to adopt a pet pig, the most important advice you will ever receive is to look for a reputable breeder. These animals require a good start in life and adopting from a black market trader will cost you more in the long run. You may end up with a sick pig, the wrong breed, or an ill-mannered pet. Your potential pet pig must be registered, house-trained, happy and healthy, and able to socialise. It will also be to your benefit that the pig is spayed.

When you finally bring your new family member home, make sure to find a good vet and have your pet pig vaccinated regularly. Remember that pigs are social and require a lot of attention – if this is not provided, their intelligence and curious nature will guide them into mischievous behavior. Establish your dominance from day one; if you fail to do this, your pot-bellied pig will think that they are “Top Pig” and will definitely push their weight around, become bossy and even violent about food.

Because your indoor pig is an intelligent and sensitive creature, they do NOT respond well to physical discipline. Rather, encourage good behavior with their favorite reinforcement: food. They are fast learners and what they learn, they will remember for life (that includes bad behavior).

Your pet pig is very much like a child and if you are neglectful with the attention they so desperately desire, they will become unhappy and destructive. If you expect your pig to stay home alone for long periods of time, make sure that you provide enough attention for your pet. Sometimes a piggy companion might be the best solution (just make sure that your local laws permit this).

In days gone by, it was rare to find an owner who was willing to take the time and finances required to rehabilitate their dog or a cat after an accident. Animals which were injured in a way that required intensive rehabilitation were often simply “put to sleep”. However, with the advancements in veterinary science, coupled with the growing number of families with indispensable pets, physio for dogs and cats has become an option for the average earner.

Physical therapy, or physiotherapy, has made it possible for the pet lovers to prolong the lives of their pets after an injury, as well as to reduce pain and increase mobility – which keeps both the owners and their pets happy.

Physio for dogs and cats by no means condones the needless suffering of a pet for the benefit of the owner. It merely makes it possible for a beloved pet to have a more fulfilled life with their family, when this might not have been an option otherwise.

According to Gina McCulloch D.C., IVCA, IEBWA, physical therapy/physiotherapy is a physical means of treating conditions such as:

• Arthritis

• Pain induced behavioural problems

• Compensatory problems

• Gait abnormalities

• Lameness

• Musculoskeletal pain or stiffness

• Muscle imbalance

• Muscle weakness

• Muscle/tendon/ligament damage

• Nerve injuries

• Decrease in performance

• Sensitivity to being girthed

• Sensitivity to being touched or patted

• Uneven nail wear

Therapists will often use their hands to massage the affected area in order to restore mobility and decrease pain and stiffness. Machines, such as ultrasound and lasers are also used to aid the repair of tissue and relieve pain. As in physiotherapy in humans, electrical muscle stimulation is used to retrain muscles and helps to strengthen them after an injury. The application of heat and/or ice can also be advised by a trained therapist. This often stimulates healing and relieves swelling.

Dogs and cats require plenty of exercise, but after an injury it would be wise to talk to your vet about finding a trained physiotherapist who will be able to show you therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises for your pet. These exercises help to restore the physical functioning and range of motion in your dog or cat.

Contrary to popular belief, your bunny needs affection. Rabbits are social animals, and are very intelligent. Being around their family (non-human and human) is very important for their wellbeing. However, being the owner of an indoor bunny requires some effort and prior preparation.

If you are thinking about acquiring a rabbit, it would be a great idea to spay the bunny between the ages of 3-6 months – if your bunny is older than 6 months old, make sure you take him for a check-up first. Male and female rabbits feel the need to mark their territory and once they are sterilised, this behavior is reduced substantially. Sterilisation also prolongs the life of your indoor bunny.

The next important step is to bunny-proof your home. It is only natural for your rabbit to want to chew on carpets, furniture, and drapery and, of course, electrical wires. Your bunny's front teeth never stop growing, so chewing on these things help to keep his teeth manageable. Make sure that electrical wires are hidden from your indoor bunny's sight and that it receives plenty of attention and toys to keep it from getting into any mischief.

If you plan to keep dogs in the same area as your rabbit, they should be well trained and be able to follow commands – dogs' playful nature can become dangerous to your bunny. Cats generally get along with bunnies and, if you are planning to introduce a new bunny to the family, both should be spayed and of the opposite sex, they should be introduced to each other for short periods of time in an area which is new to both of them.

Rabbits are intelligent and usually choose one or two places to deposit their waste; it's usually in a corner. Putting a litter box in your bunny's favorite corner might be all you need to do. The older the bunny, the quicker he learns, so if you've got a baby rabbit: stick with it.

The type of litter to be used should be natural as rabbits nibble at it. Never use litter made from soft woods (shavings and chips), these are said to cause liver damage in rabbits. Even when you have found some good litter, avoid any problems by putting a handful of hay in the litter box for snacking. Clean the litter box often and soak it with white vinegar and club soda to remove stains and odors.

If you are reading this, and wondering if raising geese as pets is a bad idea, don't worry, there are thousands of geese being raised in gardens all around the world.

Your choice of breed of goose will completely depend on you. Some breeds are good-natured and great as a garden companion. Others are rather aggressive but make wonderful ‘watch dogs'. 

When on the lookout for a goose, keep in mind that they need to be kept as a gaggle (in a group of two or more), if you fail to do so, your goose will become distressed and lonely. If you can only find one goose, the other option is to acquire a couple of ducks or chickens as a surrogate flock.

All poultry need shelter, and for geese this is just as important as for chicken, however, they do not need a coop. A three-sided hutch/small barn will keep them safe in a storm – make sure that it keeps them out of any drafts. Supply hay as bedding and always use this shelter as their feeding place. In this way they will not feel the need to leave; they will learn that their shelter = food.

It is not uncommon for geese to be attacked by predators, so be prepared for this situation. If you feel that your shelter is not protected enough, you have the option of locking them in during the night and letting them out in the morning. This can result in a messy shelter which, in this case, will need daily cleaning and fresh hay and water. While on the subject, a plentiful supply of fresh water should be provided daily, do not rely on the pond to provide them with their daily need for water.

Try to purchase your pet at an early age (as a gosling). A gosling's wings will not need to be clipped as it will not be able to fly. Remember that goslings are more sensitive to the cold than mature geese, their downy feathers are not waterproof, and so care should be taken to prevent them from getting wet. If your gosling does happen to get wet, towel-dry it and keep it warm.

Exotic pets are commonplace in this day and age. Keeping hedgehogs as pets has become more and more common since they were first adopted as household pets in the 1980s. People are constantly looking for weird and wonderful animals to keep as pets and this sometimes results in the mistreatment of animals.

Hedgehogs, like any other exotic pet, require special treatment and a special type of owner who is willing to learn about their needs and provide for them in a way which best suits their lifestyles.

Hedgehogs in the wild have a diet which mainly consists of insects and they will also eat whatever looks tasty and easy to catch. Domesticated hedgehogs, however, are mainly fed a high protein, low-fat cat food as a base food. Treats are given occasionally, these consist of meal worms and crickets (they are high in fat, so not too many), and fruit also makes for a tasty indulgence. Hedgehogs are very small, so they may battle with weight gain, make sure you don't over-feed your pet hedgehog. IMPORTANT: Hedgehogs should never be fed avocados, onions, grapes or raisins, chocolate, any raw meat or egg yolks, or any canned or processed food.

Hedgehogs need plenty of running space in their cage and the floor of this cage should be solid (bars are dangerous as their feet get stuck between them and they become injured). Multi-level cages work as a substitute for space, but hedgehogs have poor eye-sight so ramps and levels should be walled to prevent any falls. For the bed, use a non-fraying fabric (frays tend to get wrapped around limbs resulting in amputation) or recycled newspapers. Avoid wood bedding as the oils cause respiratory problems in hedgehogs. There should also be an exercise wheel (with a solid floor and no cross bars).

Hedgehogs require a warm environment. In the wild they are used to hibernating when it becomes colder. Domesticated hedgehogs, however, tend to lack the ability to do so effectively and this often results in fatalities. If your hedgehog does try to hibernate, it can be reversed if caught quickly (within a week). The temperature should remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).