Articles written by Mama Fen

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About me - Mama Fen

Hard-workin' woman in her mid-thirties, married to an incredible man who puts up with cats, turtles, birds, and any other critter that wanders into the house.

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Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership How to be a responsible pet owner: 3 of 56
Responsible pet ownership begins long before the purchase of an animal.It requires serious commitment to sharing your time, money, and personal space with a living thing that will have needs and difficulties. It requires knowledge of the potential pet's habits, tendencies, social behavior, and maintenance. It also requires th... More..
Pets & Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians Reptiles that make the best pets: 4 of 30
What's the best pet reptile? As well ask what the best movie ever is, or the best album, or the best color. Ask a hundred people, you'll get a hundred different answers.The answer to the question can be found in another question - what do you want from your pet and what are you willing to do to get it?If you're looking for ea... More..
Pets & Animals > Aquarium Fish How to care for Japanese Fighting fish or "Betta": 2 of 14
Betta Splendens, the Siamese Fighting Fish, is originally a small, dull-colored fish living in still, often stagnant waters in Thailand. It is one of a group of fishes known as "labyrinth fish". They have a special organ, the labyrinth organ, that allows them to utilize surface oxygen since their native waters are often not w... More..
Entertainment > Movie News & Previews More than meets the eye: Anticipating the release of the Transformers movie: 2 of 13
My excitement at the pending release of a CGI Transformers movie is tampered by my trepidation - I am chanting to myself, "Please don't mess it up, please don't mess it up".While the loss of Frank Welken (Megatron's original voice) is a serious blow, I think Hugo Weaving (of Elrond and Agent Smith fame) will make an exception... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rights & Issues The case for animal testing: 2 of 9
Animal testing has long been a staple for the pharmaceutical industry, and continues this day as a popular means of determining whether a substance is safe for human use. Thanks to this important means of research, science has developed a multitude of vaccinations, drugs, and treatment programs that benefit both animals and p... More..
Sciences > Microbiology Why viruses are included in microbiology: 1 of 4
There has been a great deal of debate on the subject of viruses and whether or not they can truly be considered a life form. However, their effect on all living creatures cannot be denied, and as such it behooves us to study them intently and learn to combat them. Because they are invisible to the naked eye, they must be stud... More..
Pets & Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians Turtles as pets: Care and concerns: 5 of 16
The general fascination with turtles as pets has been around for decades - most of us over the age of thirty remember the cute little baby sliders with patterns painted on their shells. Many of us have found a turtle wandering on the road after a good summer rain and have been tempted to pick him up and bring him home.Box tur... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption Do rescued animals make good pets?: 48 of 105
Rescued animals have the potential to make wonderful pets, if the adoptive "parents" take the time to do careful research into the specific animal they're looking at.Many animals are abandoned because of behavioral problems - particularly birds, reptiles, and dogs. The animal most likely was brought into a home that was unpre... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Psychology Cat fights: Making your cats get along: 15 of 26
Most cats are very possessive and independent creatures. Though not sociable by nature, often cats live in houses where they're not the only feline reigning over the resident two-legged serfs. As long as there is no shortage of food, space, and attention, most cats get along with one another. Problems usually arise at the ini... More..
Style & Beauty > Skin Care (Other) Understanding tinea infections: Ringworm, athlete's foot and jock itch: 3 of 5
Tinea infections, though they have been given wonderfully creepy names, are nothing more than a fungal infection of the skin and/or underlying tissue. They are easily treated with over-the-counter medications in most cases.The term "ringworm" is extremely misleading - there is no worm, no parasite of any type involved. It is ... More..