Hurricane Sandy Pet Emergency Plan

As Hurricane Sandy threatens the East Coast, don't forget about your pets when preparing for the storm. Below is a review of some top pet preparation tips to ensure their safety if Hurricane Sandy and other looming storms reach your region.

http://tinyurl.com/9st83hf

Emperor Penguin Photos Documented In National Geographic Magazine

When an emperor penguin swims through the water, it is slowed by the friction between its body and the water, keeping its maximum speed somewhere between four and nine feet a second. But in short bursts the penguin can double or even triple its speed by releasing air from its feathers in the form of tiny bubbles. These reduce the density and viscosity of the water around the penguin’s body, cutting drag and enabling the bird to reach speeds that would otherwise be impossible.

http://tinyurl.com/8hk2vkb

Chicago-Area Pets Get Dressed Up In Halloween Costumes

It is no secret that we're big animal lovers in these parts -- and that's perhaps never more true than the Halloween season. Last year, we asked our readers to submit photos of their furry friends decked out in their best costumes for the season. We were so impressed by the many submissions, that we're doing it again this year!

http://tinyurl.com/9yov5rc

Grand Cayman Island's Blue Iguanas Now Listed As Endangered

Blue iguanas on Grand Cayman island are no longer considered a critically endangered species. A decade ago, there were just 10 to 25 blue iguanas living in the wild and they were listed as critically endangered. But now that the wild population has risen to 750, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has downlisted the species from critically endangered to endangered. It's a major victory for a breeding program that rears and releases blue iguanas on Grand Cayman, the only place in the world where the turquoise-colored reptiles live in the wild.

http://tinyurl.com/9uf8hmg

Brazil: Saving Endangered Monkey Helps Forest

Three tiny flaming orange monkeys crouched on a tree branch, cocking their heads as if to better hear the high-pitched whistles and yaps that came from deep within the dense green foliage. Then they answered in kind, rending the morning with their sharp calls and cautiously greeting each other in the forest. That the cries of Brazil's endangered golden lion tamarins should fill the air at all on a recent afternoon was cause for celebration, the result of one of the world's most inspired species restoration efforts. In fact, that campaign has transformed the lush forest where the monkeys live and has become a model widely cited for saving other animals.

http://tinyurl.com/9ns9kee

In America, Pudgy Pets Hit The Treadmill, Too

As the obesity rate soars among Americans, their dogs are getting potbellied, too, encouraging fitness companies to come up with a range of equipment and classes to get pampered pets back into shape. From canine-tailored treadmills, to puppy pedometers and group fitness classes, there's no shortage of tools to trim and tone the sagging paunches of pooches. As part of his fitness routine, Rocky, a rotund dachshund, traipses a mini-treadmill designed for small dogs.

http://tinyurl.com/bvklfwj

42 Animals Who Are Watching You

Who knows what pets do when we're away at work or school, but one thing is for sure: when you're home, they're watching you. They see everything. If pets could talk, they'd probably just discuss the weird things we do when no one's watching (luckily, they can only tweet so far). Still, it's pretty funny when you catch them in the act.

http://tinyurl.com/cnyxbzk

Six Unbelievable Animals

With all the bizarre and crazy creatures humans have invented, it's easy to forget that for every unicorn there is a bizarre creature that actually exists. Evolution and niche specialization can create some crazy-looking forms of life. Here are six strange examples.

http://tinyurl.com/8u7nuqp

Activity-Tracking Collar Tells You If Fido Needs A Walk

Here's a whole new reason to play fetch with Fido. With Tagg - The Pet Tracker, the activity tracker for dogs, you can view how much activity your pet has had in the past 24 hours and determine if he needs more or fewer walks. And just like advanced activity trackers for humans, this one can differentiate between various activities -- in this case, catching a Frisbee, rolling over or playing fetch.

http://tinyurl.com/8k3326b

Baby Pudu Fawn, Hamil Girl, Born At Detroit Zoo

It's time to fawn over a new addition to the Detroit Zoo family. Born Sept. 7, this darling deer weighed only two pounds, according to Zoo staff -- that's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Meet "Hamil Girl," the fourth Chilean pudu born in the Motor City since the species was introduced to Michigan's biggest zoo in 2008.

http://tinyurl.com/8uln96k

Puppy, Kitten Think They Are ‘Sisters’: Buttons The Jack Russell, Kitty The Cat Bond At Rescue Center

Whoever said cats and dogs are sworn enemies have clearly never seen this adorable duo. Photo agency SWNS writes that “these heartwarming pictures show an abandoned puppy and a rescued kitten that are so close they think they are sisters.”

http://tinyurl.com/9ozd2f4

Video: Baby Orphaned Walrus, Mitik, Coming To New York Aquarium After Alaska Rescue

A 234-pound baby walrus is coming to town! According to the Associated Press, an orphaned 15-week-old walrus named Mitik, who was rescued from the ocean off Alaska earlier this year, will arrive in the city this Thursday, where he'll be making a new home at the New York Aquarium.

http://tinyurl.com/8tsegtp

Baby Orangutan And Mother Saved From Starvation During Sumatra Rescue Mission

During a recent trip to Sumatra, wildlife photographer Craig Jones witnessed an incredible sight when his team came across a mother and baby orangutan on the brink of starvation. The pair had been pushed into an isolated patch of the forest by growing palm oil plantations, which threaten the natural habit of Sumatran orangutans.

http://tinyurl.com/9xenar2

South Korean Designer Finds Purrfect Way For Cats To Share Sofa

Living in a cramped urban apartment with a feline friend and wary of letting him or her sink their claws into your furnishings? A Korean designer may have the answer with his "Cat Tunnel Sofa," an ingenious combination of human sofa and tubular tunnels for a cat to clamber through while its owner relaxes.

http://tinyurl.com/9p2ytob

Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Honored As California's New State Marine Reptile

Californians, meet your new state marine reptile: It has white spots, eats its weight in jellyfish and treks across the ocean each year. Gov. Jerry Brown announced Wednesday that he has signed legislation granting the official status to the Pacific leatherback sea turtle. Environmentalists hope the honor will help the world's largest sea turtle avoid the fate of the official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear.

http://tinyurl.com/9zsdfku

Video: Baby Goat Meets Puppies

Pipsqueak the goat has some new puppy friends, but the only way she knows how to introduce herself is to head butt! After she thoroughly confuses the puppies, Pipsqueak has to entertain herself for a while.

http://tinyurl.com/9ofhy7s