Friday, July 31, 2009

how is animal testing relevent to the wider community?


Answers:
this site tells of the pros and cons> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/animal_test.

These are articles to show the importance of animal testing> http://www.writefix.com/argument/animalt.
http://www.writefix.com/argument/animalt.
Of course, if animals are safe and healthy, humans around them are also safe and healthy.
Animal testing, or animal research, refers to the use of non-human animals in experiments. It is estimated that 50–100 million animals worldwide [4][5][6] are used annually and subsequently killed in scientific procedures — conducted as part of pure research, applied research, or toxicology testing — mostly inside universities, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, and commercial facilities that provide animal-testing services to industry. Testing is also carried out on farms, in defense-research establishments, and by public-health authorities, on a variety of species from fruit flies and mice to non-human primates. [7] Most laboratory animals are purpose bred, while a smaller number are caught in the wild or supplied by pounds. [8]

The topic is controversial, with supporters and opponents arguing about ethical issues and the scientific necessity of using animal models. The Foundation for Biomedical Research, an American organization that "promot[es] public understanding and support for humane and responsible animal research," writes that "[a]nimal research has played a vital role in virtually every major medical advance of the last century — for both human and animal health," and that many major developments that led to Nobel Prizes involved animal research, including the development of penicillin (mice), organ transplant (dogs), and work on poliomyelitis that led to a vaccine (mice, monkeys). Whether animal research was necessary to achieve these results has been questioned by animal rights groups and other critics of the animal model.

One moral basis for a pro-testing position was summarized by a British House of Lords report in 2002: "the whole institution of morality, society and law is founded on the belief that human beings are unique amongst animals. Humans are therefore morally entitled to use animals, whether in the laboratory, the farmyard or the house, for their own purposes." This belief is "combined with a further belief that there is a moral imperative . to develop medical and veterinary science for the relief of suffering ." and "we have a moral duty to avoid or minimise animal suffering wherever possible" Some people also believe that animals may suffer less during experiments than human beings would, arguing that although all mammals have similar pain receptors and central nervous system pathways and may feel physical pain in the same way, non-human mammals suffer less because they have a reduced capacity to remember and to anticipate pain. Opponents of animal testing strongly contest these views.

The earliest references to animal testing are found in the writings of the Greeks in the third and fourth centuries BCE, with Aristotle (384-322 BCE) and Erasistratus (304-258 BCE) among the first to perform experiments on living animals (Cohen and Loew 1984). Galen, a physician in second-century Rome, dissected pigs and goats, and is known as the "father of vivisection." [17]

Animals have had a role in numerous well-known experiments. In the 1880s, Louis Pasteur convincingly demonstrated the germ theory of medicine by giving anthrax to sheep. In the 1890s, Ivan Pavlov famously used dogs to describe classical conditioning. Insulin was isolated first from dogs in 1922, and revolutionized the treatment of diabetes. On November 3, 1957 a Russian dog named Laika became the first of many animals to orbit the earth. In the 1970s, leprosy multi-drug antibiotic treatments were developed first in armadillos, then in humans. In 1996 Dolly the sheep was born, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.

Listed in descending order of numbers of individual animals used:

Invertebrates
Most of the animals used in animal testing are invertebrates, especially Drosophila melanogaster, a fruit fly, and Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode. In the case of C. elegans, the precise lineage of all of the organism's cells is known, and D. melanogaster has various characteristics making it well suited to genetic studies. These animals offer scientists a number of advantages over vertebrates, including their short life cycle and the ease with which large numbers of individuals may be studied. Invertebrates are often extremely cost-effective, as thousands of flies or nematodes can be housed in a single room, but this is not true for all species of invertebrates.

With the exception of some cephalopods, invertebrate species are not protected under most animal research legislation, and therefore the total number of invertebrates used remains unknown.


Rodents
Rodents commonly used include guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice. Mice are the most commonly utilized vertebrate species, popular because of their availability, size, low cost, ease of handling, and fast reproduction rate. Mice are widely considered to be the prime model of inherited human disease and share 99% of their genes with humans. [49] With the advent of genetic engineering technology, genetically modified mice can be generated to order. The Mouse Genetics Core at Washington University in St. Louis [50] explains what is required to produce today's widely used transgenic and chimeric mice:

Production of Transgenic Mice The Transgenic Animal Production service consists of injecting each construct into 300-350 eggs, typically representing three days work. Twenty to fifty mice will normally be born from this number of injected eggs. These animals are screened for the presence of the transgene by a polymerase chain reaction genotyping assay. The number of transgenic animals typically varies from two to eight.

Production of Chimeric Mice The chimeric mouse production service consists of injecting embryonic stem cells provided by the investigator into 150-175 blastocysts, representing three days of work. Thirty to fifty live mice are normally born from this number of injected blastocysts. Normally, the skin color of the mice from which the host blastocysts are derived is different from that of the strain used to produce the embryonic stem cells. Typically two to six mice will have skin and hair with greater than seventy percent ES cell contribution, indicating a good chance for embryonic stem cell contribution to the germline.



In the UK in 2004, 1,910,110 mice, 464,727 rats and 37,475 other rodents were used (84.5% of the total animals used that year). In 2005 the total number of rodents used was similar to the previous year: 1,955,035 mice, 414,335 rats and 40,856 other rodents. [47]

In the U.S., the numbers of rats and mice used are not reported, but have been estimated at 15-20 million. [51] In 2000, the Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, published the results of an analysis of its Rats/Mice/and Birds Database: Researchers, Breeders, Transporters, and Exhibitors. [52]

Over 2,000 research organizations are listed in the database, of which approximately 500 were researched and of these, 100 were contacted directly by FRD staff. These organizations include hospitals, government organizations, private companies (pharmaceutical companies, etc.), universities/colleges, a few secondary schools, and research institutes. Of these 2,000, approximately 960 are regulated by USDA; 349 by NIH; and 560 accredited by AALAC. Approximately 50 percent of the organizations contacted revealed a specific or approximated number of animals in their laboratories. The total number of animals for those organizations is: 250,000-1,000,000 rats; 400,000-2,000,000 mice; and 130,000-900,000 birds.


Fish and amphibia
In the UK, 194,562 fish and 18,195 amphibia were used in 2004 [53] PDF. In 2005, the number of fish used increased to 230,315 while the number of amphibia used decreased to 13,318. [47] The major species utilized are the zebrafish, Danio rerio, which are translucent during their embryonic stage, and the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis.


Rabbits
Over 20,000 rabbits were used for animal testing in the UK in 2004. This number decreased, in 2005, to 15,348. [47] Albino rabbits are used in eye irritancy tests because rabbits have less tear flow than other animals and the lack of eye pigment make the effects easier to visualize. They are also used in skin irritancy tests (see Draize test). In 2004 less than 12% of the rabbits were used for safety testing of non-medical products [54].


Dogs
Beagles are used, because they are friendly and gentle, in toxicity tests, surgery, and dental experiments. Toxicology tests are required to last six months in the UK, although British laboratories carry out tests lasting nine months on behalf of Japanese and American customers. Of the 8,018 dogs used in the UK in 2004, 7,799 were beagles (97.3%). PDF In 2005 the number of dogs used in the UK decreased to 5,373. Most dogs are bred specifically for the purpose, for example by Harlan in Leicestershire.


Non-human primates
In the United States, 54,998 non-human primates (NHPs) were used in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), an annual figure that has been more or less steady since 1973 . In the European Union, 10,000 are used each year, with 4,208 used in Britain in 2004, a decrease of 591 from the previous year. This decreasing trend continued in 2005, with 3,115 primates used in the UK.

Primates are the species most likely to be re-used in experiments. Re-use is allowed if the animals have been used in mild procedures with no lasting side-effects, according to the Research Defence Society. [51] BUAV report that it is because of re-use that there has been a fall in the number of individual primates used in the UK.

Most of the NHPs used are baboons, macaques, marmosets, and chimpanzees. Licenses approving the use of non-human primates, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans (also known as Hominidae), are not currently being issued in Britain, though their use has not been outlawed, but chimpanzees are used in the U.S., with an estimated 1,300 still remaining in research laboratories, according to The Humane Society of the United States. NHPs are used in research into HIV, neurology, behavior, cognition, reproduction, Parkinson's disease, stroke, malaria, respiratory viruses, infectious disease, genetics, xenotransplantation, drug abuse, and also in vaccine and drug testing. According to The Humane Society of the United States, chimpanzees are most often used in hepatitis research, and monkeys in HIV research, and are often housed alone because of the nature of the conditions being studied.

There are indications that NHP use is on the rise, in part because biomedical research funds in the USA have more than doubled since the 1990s. In the U.S., the Oregon and California National Primate Research Centers and New Iberia Research Center have expanded their facilities[56][57][58]; in 2000 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invited applications for the establishment of new breeding specific pathogen free colonies[59]; and a new breeding colony projected to house 3,000 NHPs has been set up in Florida[60]. The NIH's National Center for Research Resources identified a need to increase the number of breeding colonies in its 2004-2008 strategic plan, as well as to set up a database, using information provided through a network of National Primate Research Centers, to allow researchers to locate NHPs with particular characteristics. China is also increasing its NHP use, and is regarded as attractive to Western companies because of the low cost of research, the relatively lax regulations and the increase in animal-rights activism in the West.

In 2004, the British government reported "a definite long-term downward trend" in the use of new world primates (for example, marmosets, tamarins, squirrel, owl, spider and capuchin monkeys), but stated that the use of old world primates (for example, baboons and macaques) fluctuates and is more difficult to determine. Crab-eating macaques and rhesus macaques are the most commonly used species. [52] Home Office figures show the number of primates used in the UK rose by 11 per cent in 2005 to 4,650 procedures, 440 more than in 2004.

Most primate use in the UK is in applied studies, which the Home Office defines as research conducted for the purpose of developing or testing commercial products. Toxicology testing is the largest use. The second largest category of research using primates is "fundamental biological research." This includes inducing brain damage in order to research Parkinson's, studying visual and auditory functions, and cognitive research.

In 1996, the British Animal Procedures Committee recommended new measures for dealing with NHPs. The use of wild-caught primates was banned, except where "exceptional and specific justification can be established"; specific justification must be made for the use of old world primates (but not for the use of new world primates); approval for the acquisition of primates from overseas is conditional upon their breeding or supply center being acceptable to the Home Office; and each batch of primates acquired from overseas must be separately authorized.


CATS
Felines are most commonly used in neurological research. In the UK in 2005, 308 cats were used. This is a decrease from 819 cats recorded in 2004 . According to the USDA, over 25,500 felines were used in the USA in 2000, of these around half were reported to have been used in experiments that caused "pain and/or distress". The number of cats used in research in the US has followed a downward trend, from a peak of 74,259 in 1973.

Types of experiment=Experiments can be split into three broad, overlapping categories: pure research, in which experiments are conducted that have no direct commercial application, with a view to advancing knowledge, most often inside universities; applied research, conducted in order to solve specific biological problems or to develop commercial products, either for medical or non-medical use; and toxicology or safety testing, in which commercial products are tested on animals to measure potential adverse biological reactions to the ingredients.
Pure research
Basic or pure research aims to increase knowledge about the way organisms behave, develop, and function biologically.

Both the largest number and greatest variety of laboratory animals are used in this type of research. Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, mice and rats together account for the vast majority, though small numbers of other species are used, ranging from sea slugs through blind cavefish [60]. In the UK in 2005, 89 macaques, 114 marmosets, 133 dogs and 237 cats were used in basic research to investigate topics such as social behaviour, vision, nutrition and suckling. [47]

Examples of the types of animals and experiments used in basic research include:

Mutagenesis to study mechanisms in embryogenesis and developmental biology. Animals are often treated with mutagenic chemicals or radiation to generate defective embryos. By studying disrupted development, scientists aim to understand both how organisms develop normally and abnormally [61]. The 1995 and 2002 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine were awarded for research into developmental processes in animals using forward genetic screens [62][63]. Embryos used in experiments are often not covered by legislation and therefore not always required to be reported. Consequently, those that believe embryos are de facto animals claim the published number of experimental animals used is an under-representation.
Experiments into behaviour, to understand how organisms detect and interact with each other and their environment. Fruit flies, worms, mice and rats are all widely used in research into mechanisms of vision, [64] taste, [65] hearing, [66] touch, [67] and smell. [68] In addition studies of brain function, such as memory and social behaviour, often use rats and birds. [69] Less common is the use of larger mammals in these types of studies.
Breeding experiments to study evolution and genetics. Laboratory mice, flies, fish and worms are inbred through many generations to create strains with defined characteristics [70] [71]. These provide scientists with animals of a known genetic background, an important tool for genetic analysis that is currently not available when studying outbred subjects (such as most human populations). Larger mammals are rarely bred specifically for such studies due to their longer gestation periods, though some scientists take advantage of inbred domesticated animals, such as dog or cattle breeds, for comparative purposes [72]. Scientists studying mechanisms of evolution use a number of animal species, including mosquitos [73], sticklebacks [74], cichlids [75] and lampreys [76], due to their niche physiology, morphology, ecology or phylogeny.
Applied research
Applied research aims to solve specific and practical problems, often relating to the treatment or cure of disease and disorder in humans and other animals.

Compared to pure research, which is largely academic in origin, applied research programmes are more likely to be carried out in the pharmaceutical industry, or in universities in commercial partnership. These may involve the use of animal models of disease or condition, which are often discovered or generated by pure research programmes. In turn, such applied studies may be an early stage in the modern drug discovery process. Examples of animal use in this type of research include:

Genetic modification of animals to study disease. Transgenic animals have specific genes inserted, modified or removed, with the aim of modelling a specific condition. The aim of these models may be to exactly mimic a known single gene disorder, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or albinism, then use the model to investigate novel ways it may be treated. Other models are generated to approximate complex, multifactorial disease with a genetic component, such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease, then investigate how and why the disease develops. The vast majority of transgenic models of disease are mice [77], the mammalian species in which genetic modification is most efficient, though there are smaller numbers of other animals such as rats, sheep and pigs [78]. Pharmaceutical companies [79], medical research institutes [80], politicians [81], scientists [82] and professional research bodies widely endorse these techniques, describing an "explosion of research on such disease models" [83] resulting in "an increasingly important role in the discovery and development of new medicines" [84]. However, animal rights and welfare groups regularly question the value and effectiveness of transgenic techniques, [85] [86] as animals do not always model human diseases accurately [87] or in their entirety. [88] [89] Public interest group, GeneWatch UK, reports that genetic modification is "highly inefficient, wasteful of animal lives" and calls for "balancing the needs of people for drugs with the welfare and integrity of animal species." [90]
Studies on models of naturally occurring disease and condition. Certain domestic and wild animals have a natural propensity or predisposition for certain conditions that are also found in humans. Cats, for example are used as a model to develop immunodeficiency virus vaccines due to their natural predisposition to FIV infection [91]. Their infection with a related feline virus, FeLV, makes cats a common model for leukemia research also. [92] Certain breeds of dog suffer from narcolepsy [93] [94] (video) making them the major model used to study the human condition. Armadillos and humans are among only a few animal species that naturally suffer from leprosy [95]. As it cannot yet be grown in culture, armadillos are the primary source of bacilli used in leprosy vaccines. [96] Non human primates, being closely related to humans, are applied in the study of a number of human conditions, including visual disorders [97] [98] and dental disease [99]. Primates are also used extensively in immunology [100] and reproductive studies [101] [102], a synthesis of which resulted in the discovery of the Rhesus factor and its importance in hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Xenotransplantation research, primarily using primates as the recipient of pig hearts. The British Home Office released figures in 1999 showing that 270 monkeys had been used in xeno research in the UK during the previous four years. In 1999, three baboons and 79 cynomolgus monkeys were used.
According to licensing agencies, the increased experimentation on xenotransplation is motivated by the desire to save human lives. The US FDA says "The development of xenotransplantation is, in part, driven by the fact that the demand for human organs for clinical transplantation far exceeds the supply. Currently ten patients die each day in the United States while on the waiting list to receive life-saving vital organ transplants. Moreover, recent evidence has suggested that transplantation of cells and tissues may be therapeutic for certain diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and diabetes, where, again human materials are not usually available."[67]. In Great Britain, the government agency UKXIRA states "There is currently, and will continue to be, a shortage of human organs and tissue for transplantation..Xenotranspl. is a potential solution to this shortage. "[68] Author G. Wayne Miller, in The Xeno Chronicles, suggests another motivation:
Assuming xeno could be perfected, the group that brought xeno to the clinic first would claim not only scientific accolades but also a good share of the market that a Saloman Brothers study had predicted would reach $6 billion by 2010. The estimate did not seem unreasonable. No one could state what a working pig organ would cost, but with so many desperate patients and with waiting lists for all organs growing, the seller could all but command his price.[69]

Medical journalists Jenny Bryan and John Clare have called xenotransplatation experiments "some of the most grisly procedures carried out anywhere in the name of science." They write that: "They do sometimes involve a full transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a monkey. In some cases, however, the doctors will graft the transgenic hearts onto a baboon's neck arteries, as this allows them to observe the way the pig heart behaves in another species, and monitor the rejection process. The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic and the baboon is humanely killed afterwards. These measures, however, do not pacify animal rights campaigners, who say the experiments are cruel and unnecessary." [70] Details of the effects of these experimental procedures came to light when thousands of documents were leaked to a UK-based animal rights organization. After a legal battle, the documents were published in a report titled Diaries of Despair.

Drug testing=In response to the teratogenic effects of Thalidomide in the 1960s, many countries passed new laws to ensure all new pharmaceuticals underwent rigorous animal testing before being licensed for human use. Tests on pharmaceutical products involve:

metabolic tests, which are performed to find out how the drugs are absorbed, metabolized and excreted by the body when introduced orally, intravenously, intraperitoneally, or intramuscularly.
toxicology tests, which gauge acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity. Acute toxicity is studied by using a rising dose until signs of toxicity become apparent. Current European legislation, Directive 2001/83/EC [104] (pdf, p44), demands "acute toxicity tests must be carried out in two or more mammalian species" covering "at least two different routes of administration". Subacute toxicity is where the drug is given to the animals for four to six weeks in doses below the level at which it becomes toxic, in order to discover the effects of the build up of toxic metabolites. Testing for chronic toxicity can last up to two years and, in the European Union, is required to utilize "two species of mammals, one of which must be non-rodent" [105] (pdf, p45). The data gained from this period can be used to calculate the maximum tolerable dose; that is, the dose where signs of toxicity begin to occur.
efficacy studies, which test whether experimental drugs work by inducing the appropriate illness in animals using an animal model of the disease. The drug is then administered in a double-blind controlled trial. This is intended to allow scientists to determine the effect of the drug and the dose-response curve.
Specific tests on reproductive function, embryonic toxicity or carcinogenic potential can all be required by law, dependent of the result of other studies and type of drug being tested.

Cosmetics testing=Cosmetics testing is particularly controversial. It is banned in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK, and in 2002, after 13 years of discussion, the European Union (EU) agreed to phase in a near-total ban on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics throughout the EU from 2009, and to ban all cosmetics-related animal testing. [106] France, which is home to the world's largest cosmetics company, L'Oreal, has protested the proposed ban by lodging a case at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, asking that the ban be quashed. The ban is also opposed by the European Federation for Cosmetics Ingredients, which represents 70 companies in Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. [107]

Cosmetic testing on animals includes:

testing a finished product such as lipstick;
testing individual ingredients, or a combination of them;
Contracting a third-party company to perform any of the above;
Using a subsidiary or third-party company to perform the tests in countries where animal testing is not banned.
Some cosmetics companies continue to make the claim that their products are not tested on animals despite using one or more of the above practices.

Re-using existing test data obtained from previous animal testing is generally not considered to be cosmetic testing on animals; however, the acceptability of this to opponents of testing is inversely proportional to how recent the data is.

Due to the strong public backlash against cosmetic testing on animals, most cosmetic manufacturers say their products are not tested on animals. However, they are still required by trading standards and consumer protection laws in most countries to show their products are not toxic and dangerous to public health, and that the ingredients are not dangerous in large quantities, such as when in transport or in the manufacturing plant. In some countries, it is possible to meet these requirements without any further tests on animals. In other countries, it may require animal testing to meet legal requirements. The United States and Japan are frequently criticised for their insistence on stringent safety measures, which often requires animal testing, although the U.S. has also been a leader in developing cell culture alternatives.

Some retailers distinguish themselves in the marketplace by their stance on animal testing. The British Co-op maintains a cosmetic-testing website, [108] which includes statements from all their suppliers about the extent of their animal testing. The Body Shop is also well-known for its campaigns against animal testing. [109]

Although the British Home Office stopped giving licences to test finished cosmetic products in 1998, compounds that have both cosmetic and medical uses, such as those in the "anti-wrinkle" preparations Zyderm, Restylane and Botox, are still bound by the regulations requiring animal testing. According to activists, a raid on a laboratory in 2004 revealed that the LD50 test is still used on every batch of Botox (a toxin that, when administered intravenously, is lethal to humans) to establish potency [110] [111] [112].

While some cosmetics manufacturers have genuinely stopped all animal testing of their products, others continue to test. Companies that continue to perform cosmetic testing on animals may falsely claim that they do not do this in their advertising and on their products — or choose not to state either way.

Cosmetics manufacturers who genuinely do not test on animals generally use the following for safety testing of their products:

reliance on existing natural or synthetic ingredients, compounds and substances, which have already been extensively tested on animals;
avoiding novel ingredients or combinations of ingredients that have not been fully tested and may not be safe;
testing on human volunteers/clinical trials.
This presumes that cosmetics companies are already using computer modeling and cell cultures to simulate human tissue, two techniques that have had ambiguous utility in discovering problems early. Supporters of animal testing say that neither can fully replace live human or non-human animal tests.

Both proponents and critics of animal experimentation have claimed that the majority of the general public support their position according to opinion polls.

The Foundation for Biomedical Research used a HART poll [83] in 2005 which asked American subjects to choose a statement they agree with more. The first statement was "Animal research is inhumane and unnecessary. Many lab animals endure painful experiments in cramped/dirty conditions. Animal research can be replaced with modern alternatives such as computer simulations and it can be dangerous, as results in animals are not comparable to those in humans." The second statement was "U.S. places strict regulations on treatment of research animals, scientific community is working hard to develop alternatives to animal research and already uses some alternatives. However, the most reliable tests use animals because they most closely duplicate complex interactions that occur in humans." 56% agreed with the second statement more, compared to 27% who agreed more with the first.

In Great Britain, more than 70% of those surveyed in a Telegraph/YouGov poll "accepted that experimentation on animals was sometimes essential because alternative methods were unavailable."[84] This poll was published in June 2006. The increased public favoritism relative to older polls was attributed to public concern that animal testing would simply move out of Great Britain, and that more than three quarters of the public believes "the more fanatical activists can justifiably be defined as 'terrorists'". Older polls came closer to a 50/50 split on similar issues.

One such older poll was conducted in Great Britain by ICM, which was commissioned by the Research Defence Society, an organisation that advocates animal experimentation [85]. When asked, "Do you agree or disagree with the use of animals in experiments to test new medicines?" 50% Agreed, 47% disagreed, 3% did not know.

A more recent ICM poll was commissioned by BBC Newsnight and published in July 2006. [86] Asked "Do you believe it is acceptable or not acceptable to use animals for medical research?" 57% responded that it was completely, or quite acceptable, whereas 40% responded it was either not very acceptable or not at all acceptable.

A MORI poll [87] tracked public sentiment on animal testing in the UK from 1999 to 2002. They found the number of people who were "conditional acceptors" of animal testing rose from 84% to 90% over that time. A conditional acceptor agrees with testing meeting the four conditions of the experiment being for medical research purposes, into life threatening diseases, with no un-necessary suffering, and non-animal alternatives being used whenever possible.

However, these opinions are strongly subject to the wording used in polls. A BUAV poll carried out by TNS in 2003 found 76% of respondents thought the British Government “should, as a matter of principle, prohibit experiments on any live animals which cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm”.[88] A 2001 US poll conducted on behalf of the Humane Society of the United States found that 75% of the people polled disapprove of experiments that subject animals to severe pain and distress, 33% indicated they disapprove of animal experimentation that involves little or no pain or distress, and 62% approve of experiments that involve little or no pain or distress. [89]


Alternatives to animal testing
Most scientists and governments say they agree that animal testing should cause as little suffering to animals as possible, and that animal tests should only be performed where necessary. The "three Rs" [126] are guiding principles for the use of animals in research in many countries:

Reduction refers to methods that enable researchers to obtain comparable levels of information from fewer animals, or to obtain more information from the same number of animals.
Replacement refers to the preferred use of non-animal methods over animal methods whenever it is possible to achieve the same scientific aim.
Refinement refers to methods that alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering or distress, and enhance animal welfare for the animals still used.
Groups opposed to animal testing are divided in their position on the 'three Rs'; some support the principles [127] while others accept replacement as the only valid action [128]. There are a number of scientific studies [129] and institutes [130] researching alternatives to animal tests. However, critics say these facilities perpetuate the myth that animal experiments are necessary for human health, and are only there to reassure the public that steps are being taken to find alternatives [131][132]. It is further stated these studies are funded with trivial amounts of money [133][134], but this view is contested by the UK pharmaceutical industry, which estimates more than £300 million (of a total UK R%26D budget of £3285 million) is spent on 'three R' development and implementation annually [135] (pdf).

The two major, widely accepted alternatives to animal testing under development are computer simulations and in vitro cell culture techniques. However, some claim they are not true alternatives since simulations use data from prior animal experiments and cultured cells often require animal derived products, such as serum. Others say that they cannot replace animals completely as they are unlikely to ever provide enough information about the complex interactions of living systems [136]. Examples of computer simulations available include models of diabetes [137], asthma [138], and drug absorption, though potential new medicines identified using these techniques are currently still required to be verified in animal tests before licensing.

Cell culture is currently the most successful, and promising, alternative to animal use. For example, cultured cells have also been developed to create monoclonal antibodies, prior to this production required animals to undergo a procedure likely to cause pain and distress [139].

A third alternative now attracting considerable interest is so-called microdosing, in which the basic behaviour of drugs is assessed using human volunteers receiving doses well below those expected to produce whole-body effects [140] (pdf).

Institutes researching (and organizations funding) alternatives to animal testing include:

The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing
The University of California Center for Animal Alternatives
Dr Hadwen Trust
The Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments [141]
The National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research [142]
The 3R Research Foundation .

Advocates of animal testing
Testing advocates argue that:

It would be unethical to test substances or drugs with potentially adverse side-effects on human beings. [144]
Controlled experiments involve introducing only one variable at a time, which is why animals are experimented on while confined inside a laboratory. Human beings could not be confined in this way. [145]
There is no substitute for the living systems necessary to study interaction among cells, tissue, and organs. Animals are good surrogates because of their similarities to humans. [146]
There is no substitute for psychiatric studies (e.g., antidepressant clinical trials) that require behavioral data.
There is no substitute for studies of the infection of a host by lethal pathogens, for example ebola or HIV.
Animals have shorter life and reproductive spans, meaning that several generations can be studied in a relatively short time.
Animals can be bred especially for animal-testing purposes, meaning they arrive at the laboratory free from disease.
Humans that use medicine derived from animal research are healthier. [147]
Animals receive more sophisticated medical care because of animal tests that have led to advances in veterinary medicine. [148]
There have been several examples of substances causing death or injury to human beings because of inadequate animal testing. [149]
Activists manipulate and fabricate facts, therefore their claims are not reliable.
Alternatives to certain kinds of animal testing are unknown.
Wherever practical alternatives exist, they are often likely to be introduced for economical reasons, like testing on rodents instead of primates because of their lower cost of keeping.
Over 10 times more animals are used by humans for other purposes (pets, agriculture, hunting, pest control) than are used in animal testing, with roughly 130 million pet dogs and cats in the USA, 100 million animals killed by hunting, 150 million large mammals used in agriculture, and hundreds of millions of rats involved in pest control.
Opponents of animal testing
Opponents argue that:

Even with medical and non-commercial research, tests are often conducted to produce academic papers in order to acquire a Ph.D., academic tenure, or more funding, and not because the research is beneficial.
The suffering of the animals is excessive in relation to whatever benefits may be reaped. [150] (pdf)
Animal-testing facilities are not properly regulated or inspected, and several undercover investigations by activist groups have uncovered evidence of animal abuse.
Animal testing is regarded by opponents as bad science because they believe:
Some animal models of disease are induced, and should not be compared to the same disease in humans. Activists claim Parkinson's disease in humans cannot be reproduced by causing brain damage in an animal [151], though genetic and toxin-mediated animal models are now widely used [152].
Some drugs have dangerous side-effects that were not predicted by animal models. Opponents often claim Thalidomide as an example of this is [153], although when tested on pregnant animals, birth defects are seen in mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits, macaques, marmosets, dogs, cats, fish, baboons and rhesus monkeys [154].
Some drugs appear to have different effects on human and non-human animals. Aspirin, for example, is a teratogen when given to certain animals in high doses [155], but there is conflicting evidence regarding its effect on human embryos [156] [157].
The conditions in which the tests are carried out may undermine the results, because of the stress the environment produces in the animals. BUAV argues that the laboratory environment and the experiments themselves are capable of affecting every organ and biochemical function in the body. "Noise, restraint, isolation, pain, psychological distress, overcrowding, regrouping, separation from mothers, sleeplessness, hypersexuality, surgery and anaesthesia can all increase mortality, contact sensitivity, tumour susceptibility and metastatic spread, as well as decrease viral resistance and immune response." [158]
The most vocal proponents of animal testing are the vested interests.
Some opponents, particularly supporters of animal rights, argue further that, even if animal testing did reap benefits to human beings, these could not outweigh the suffering of the animals, and that human beings have no moral right to use individual animals in ways that do not benefit that individual.

How humid should my hermit crab tank be?

We have a 32 Gal Hermit crab tank with 4 crabs. The temp is always between 75 and 80 and the humidity is around 80 to 95 % We have both types of water and lots for them to do. I just want them to be happy
Answers:
75-80% I keep a little match book in the lid to keep it open enough so the humidity doesn't get too high. If you have a myspace account go to groups and join the hermit crab group! I did and they have helped me a ton! Good luck!
They are happy,find out what the sea tempurature is and try to keep it around there.
Target range is 80-90% so you're doing pretty good.
IS THERE DRY LAND 4 THEM 2 USE AND BIGGER SHELLS 4THEM 2 MOVE INTO AS THEY GROW ON HOT DAYS ADD SOME ICE CUBES 2 THE SIDE AKA SEA BREEZE COOLS TOP OF WATER IN WINTER ADD 1 CUP WARM WATER AKA EXTRA SUNLIGHT WARMING WATER ADD LIGHTS COVE RD 4 HEAT AS THEY MOSTLY MOVE CLOSER TO SHORE IN WINTER

How high should a?

14 year old quarter horse be jumping? She started jumping when she was nine and right now her owner is jumping her 2'9 but she struggles. And i was asking this because i am hopefully buying her if the vet check goes well today.

Thanks a bunch!
Answers:
Dude the answers you've received are uneducated.

What do you mean by the horse "struggles" to get over the jump? I know some horses when jumping will breathe heavy with the work, then right before the jump will take in a big breath, hold it at take off, then go back to their breathing. That's typical. More details would help a lot, otherwise when to retire a horse from jumping is on a case by case basis. It depends so strongly on the horse itself that no ideal age for retirement is known.

Someone who said that their friends horse was retired from jumping at 8yo doesn't know the whole story behind that situation. Most jump training doesn't start until a horse is 4 and older, so some kind of injury or poor jump training or even an unwillingness on behalf of the horse would result in a horse having to be retired from jumping at 8 years old. At 8 a horse is still learning to refine their jump training, so to be retired at that age is unthinkable unless through injury.

The horse's struggles, whatever they may be, could be the result of a short warm up and/or not enough exercise to keep the horse in shape for jumping 2'9. Additionally, if the person jumping the horse doesn't know how to see a distance to the jump, they could be getting horrid "spots" (take off spots) and if they are getting too close to the jump, then the horse has to struggle to clear the jump. Not to mention if the rider is jumping ahead, it has the same effect on the horse's effort to get over the jump. It's harder.

One of the most famous show jumpers whose name, of course, escapes me at the moment, continued show jumping until he was 17 years old. My own childhood horse was jumping 3'3 until she was 20 and it was only arthritis that made me retire her from jumping.

If the vet check goes fine then the horse should be cleared safe to jump 2'9. Did you tell your vet that you need a horse capable of jumping? If so, then your vet would be able to pick up any confirmation faults or health issues, including arthritis, that may restrict your potential horse's jumping career. So until your vet gives you the go ahead, do not trouble yourself over the age of the horse.

As for height, you should never jump higher than your horse is capable of. At 14 and jumping 2'9, the horse could easily learn to jump 3'3 as long as you have an experienced trainer to teach you and your horse.

I bought my first horse when she was 14 and we competed in equitation and hunter classes with a max height of 3'3. It takes effort on behalf of the horse at that height so do not confuse that with a struggle over the fence. Good luck and I hope you find your dream horse!
I wouldn't recommend jumping it at that age! It's to much on there legs! My friend just bought one about the same age and it was a jumper now it has to get shots in it's legs!
A 14 year old horse should not be jumping. My sister retired her quarter horse at age 8, and used her for a pleasure horse.

How high can a mosquito fly?


Answers:
Why don't I ever see mosquitoes outside of tall buildings?

The answer to this is simple. Just because mosquitoes aren't commonly found outside of tall buildings doesn't mean they can't get there . A female mosquito's primary concern is finding an animal they can suck blood from. Usually, there are relatively few animals dwelling on top of tall buildings. Through experience, the mosquito has learned this fact and is internally programmed to save energy by not flying to places where food is scarce. This results in mosquitoes staying low to the ground and away from the tops of tall buildings.
why is this important, are you that bored.
Enough to suck your blood
Very!!
I have no idea. But it is nice to think of something you haven't ever thought of before. Thanks.
as high as the air plane their trapped in goes
Be aware that they also take the lift up too and can go up many floors 'cos I have seen them inside before. So they can go even higher then they can fly.
Well, i live on the 17th floor, and I still get them biting me at night. irritating things! friend of mine stays at the 25th floor, says he gets them in his place too! I guess they either take the lift with us or get some assistance from the wind, or they make rest stops at mid floors! If there's blood, there's a way! sucks!
very very high
10,800 feet
So high that they can almost see eternity.They needled me.They needled me.
Wow - 25 floors! That's neat (in a sucky kinda way!! You can't even escape them there!) Kind of off topic, but I've noticed you don't find them out in the middle of a lake much. at least during the daylight hours.

Thanks for this question!
In general, mosquitoes that bite humans prefer to fly at heights of less than 25 ft. Asian Tiger Mosquitoes have been found breeding in treeholes over 40 feet above ground. In Singapore, they have been found in apartments 21 stories above ground. Mosquitoes have been found breeding up to 8,000 feet in the Himalayas and 2000 feet underground in mines in India.

Fun Facts about mosquitoes> http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-informa.
upto human body height

How high can a cow jump?

I mean pure vertical distance, all 4 hooves off the ground
Answers:
Over the moon
4 feet high
as high as it can
just me has the right idea but in real life I have seen a cow jump over a 4 foot fence.
I would say that a milking cow don't jump.

Now a steer may jump a barrier of two to three feet if being chased.
They have Cow Vaulting in Iowa every fall.
last years winner was five time champion
and still holds the record of 37.' 2.5 "
pretty high as this dude is about to find out..
As high as it takes to make a milk shake
depends on the cow. ussualy they go right though the fence. probably about 3 feet. but that would be pushing it. they more like flop over it. it's not that graceful.
they cant jump
As high as you want them to if you are crazy enough.
Depends on how riled you get them and whats infront of them. I have seen a steer jump a 6 ft fence without a problem.
steers and bulls can jump about 4ft but i have never seen a cow jump with four feet off the ground

how hard is it to keep a pet tarantula?

i'm looking for personal experience here, not links. i've already done lots of reading on the internet. i'm interested in what individuals think.

your favorite species? any tips or suggestions?
Answers:
They're about the easiest pets possible to keep. An old aquarium works fine. Put some kitty litter on the floor and something easy, like leggo blocks, to climb on. They aren't good climbers because they can't hold their own weight so don't make it difficult. They like somewhere to hide away from light and a small water dish. They have to be kept at room temperature all the time. You have to keep them fed with live crickets from your pet store. It might eat a couple a day. The aquarium will have to have a screen top to keep the crickets in. The tarantula will actually get bored in a small space though. You need to take it out and give it some excitement regularly. They are extremely fragile. You drop it and it's a goner. Any injury and it's also a goner. Broken legs are the most common injury. Mostly, they're just a pet to look at. They aren't very active. They aren't considered deadly if you get bit, something like a bee sting. However I wouldn't want to get stung by a bee that size, so stay away from those 2 big fangs in front. They live a fairly long time. Possibly you could have it for 6 months and then sell it back to the pet store for 1/2 price. I had a few of them and always named each one, "Hairy". That's about it.
i don't know, but i wouldn't go near that thing i hate spiders!
Mexican rose hair is probably the easiest and common. Stay away from old world spiders.they are extremely aggressive and cannot be handled by the novice.
Overall, as long as you do the proper research into what species you plan to get, the tarantula doesn't require too much. Pretty much humidity, heat, space and food.
Have had a few different breeds, depends on what you get, and they have different personalities in the breed. Had a red, skeleton, and a few of the more garden variety. Just be warned, what you see is not always what you get. Was told by the seller the red didn't spin and never liked to get out of the tank, but guess what? yes she did spin, managed to get some pretty complex empty nests in the tank, and she loved to be out of it, used to take her for walks on my shoulder. the skeleton was a different story, thought the guy had almost killed it, seems he liked to soak his feet ( breed likes water, but on their terms) in the toilet, but that one also liked to play houdini, and show up at the most inopportune times (nothing like looking up w/ shampoo in your eyes to the underside of a spider!), most times as long as you keep the humidity set for the breed, and make sure there is adequate food, and they can handle being touched, they make pretty good pets.
Not at all, easy to feed, clean and in general to look after i have a mexcian red knee tarantula.

how frustraiting are people who humanise their pets. like dog coats WTF!?


Answers:
Urgh, puh-lease. I just told my rats what you wrote and they're looking really annoyed now. anyhoo, best get back to knitting their earwarmers ;o)
If the dog needs it because they are cold, fine. Otherwise, it's annoying.
but think of the person raking it in b/c people will spend more money on a dof coat then they would to help a human child
I know what you mean, it's disturbing. I mean, anthropomorphising something in fiction is cool and everything but in real life it's just wrong, the animals don't have a clue what's going on, and clothes on animals are just dangerous to them.
Totally..humans are humans, animals are animals and should be kept separate, the only time that I would condone such ott stupidity is if a person is so distressed at not having children that they transfer this affection onto a pet, because if it makes them happy, it'd be sad to stand in their way, but to do it as a fashion accessory is just plain extravagant attention seeking.
well people shouldnt put clothes on animals genraly but i talk to the animals in my house like they were people
Dog coats are fine if you're walking a dog in cold weather. But the rest of the junk is a bit weird.people wanting to put Halloween costumes on their cats?! WTF?! I think those people have a death wish or something.
Life is far too short to feel frustrated by that! Let people enjoy their pets and the pleasure they get out of them. Each person is entitled to their own enjoyment as are you. We are all diffferent and that's what makes up the human race. There are plenty of things in the world which are much more frustrating.
its worse if the dog outfit matches the owners.
if u lot think animals are so differant why do u even own one. and who do u know who buys a dog a coat apart from 2 keep it warm or as a nice gesture or a laff n a joke? if u have a pet they are like part of the family anyway if u dnt think this is true then ur just crap with animals. like people pierce bulls noses because it looks cool dnt they m8 and some people even buy thir gold fishes a dinner table cus theyr actully goin 2 use it . yeeee m8 so strange. wtf work it out
I buy my ferrets clothes for Holidays and then I send them out on say like christmas cards and stuff.
calm down.. errr why else t kep them warm or dry they r not humanised the owner is just caring for them
yeeeeeessss its so cruel and anoying do u really want to see an animal wearing clothes i dont think sooo !! xxxx
Sorry couldn't get a Yorkshire Terrier Avatar but would like to say I feel bloody rediculous every time I have that stupid Sherlock Holmes cape and hat put on and it has made me the butt of endless jokes where I live.
It must stop is not funny and we've got coats you bloody human idiots don't you know that jeez you try wearing a bloody duffle coat when it's 90% it's not funny so get the heck over it ok.
ROFL!!

Lots of reasons, I guess. I think people without kids, or parents whos kids have 'left the nest' tend to do this. Or maybe they just have money to waste and are bored. (Wish that was me, lol.)
i think he meens the coats that look like human coats you know the ones? well if your talking about them i find them very frustraiting!
aww i do that they look lovely, just like peeps you have to make them look good
o-o (covers bunnys' ears) i put bows and hats and swaters on my bunnies and go to competitions with them for best dressed rabbit. i don't think it's wrong at all. at least they don't seem to mind
I don't like it when dogs have coats on. God made them to have their own fur for warmth. We have rat terriers and in the winter they sleep in hay and wool blankets if it gets cold. There are even pet boutiques now. With starving people around the world you would think with the money they pay for some of those darn outfits, they could help feed families. Like the dog is even comfortable in a coat!
sad and lonely, not enough love when young
Dog coats aren't for humanising dogs any more than horse coats are for humanising horses. Warm and waterproof coats prevent rheumatism and chills, especially in older dogs. Assistance dogs wear coats to warn the public that they are working and not to be fed or petted, and alert people in case the owner collapses.
Clothes are another thing altogether.
I think it is totally ridiculus. I mean, some ppl are so convinced that they have the need to buy their dogs and cats coats in the winter but realistically what they dont seem to be able to understand is that they have evolved over time from the original wild species of cats and dogs who were designed to withstand cold temperatures. Why do you think they have fur?!

How for goats to lose weight? (please do not say stop feeding the or anything harmful)?


Answers:
why does your goat need to lose weight? They have little pot bellies, it doesn't mean they are fat.
It depends on the goat, like if their billy goats their suppose to be chubby. Maybe look up online how much your goat weighs and what breed and height and see if it's over weight or what. I advise feeding it less and maybe take it on walks with a harness if it's tame enough. Also their could be healthier less fattening goat feed out their, just gotta look :).
Feed them only grain.And maybe,
cut back on how much you feed them.
don't assume your goats are fat simply because they have big bellies. feel for fat [it will be spongy] on the back of their necks. if you think they need to lose weight cut down on the protein. namely corn. find more of a barley mix. just hay will give them what i call a hay belly and that makes them look pregnant. the best thing to do is get advice from a nutrientist at your local feed store.
Put it on a diet and hot walk it
I raise goats on my farm. Why do you think they need to lose weight? I would like to talk to you about this before you do anything with them. I am at mfroeh@yahoo.com Please contact me.Melanie
There are overweight goats..

The thing is IF your's need to lose weight you simply limit their feedings. No free choice hay. Cut back on their grain. There can be serious health issues if goats are over weight. I've seen a lot with problems like fat deposits in their throats and some have trouble breathing and what not.

Exercise is the best. You have to put them in a pasture with a lot of space and if you have to, when you feed them, feed them in little piles far apart. Then they have to walk around and therefore will get exercise if you can't take them for walks.

They are fat when their hind ends and shoulders are massively thick. Big bellies either mean bloat, worms, or they have a great rumin system which is good. If they have worms their shoulders and rump will become skinny and they will have these pot bellies. If it is bloat they will become depressed and won't be able to have any bowel movements.

Worms need wormer medicine and bloat needs peptobismol or baking soda and water. Check with your vet for dosage.

HOW far along are guinea pigs in there pregancy when you feel kicking?

THE THING IS MY MOTHER THINKS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONGE LIKE IS SHE PREGABET OR NOT? I THINKTHAT SHE IS! ABOUT 2 DAYS AGO I FELT KICIKNG IN HER STUMICH
Answers:
Uh-oh. I had a pregant guinea pig. Felt her kicking about 3 days before she had her babies. Take the father out immediatly.And tell your mother that you got this information from a very experienced breeder. Whatever she says, take away the male NOW. It's very hard to tell if they're pregant but if she's big and kicking get te Mr. out of there! i hope she's between 3-8 months old, b/c if she's older or younger you'll need to take her to the vet! good luck with your piggies!
My sister's guinea pig delivered about two weeks after the baby's started kicking
If you need help on this topic I'm not exactly the expert but these people are. http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/.

Please go there and join. They will give you excellent accurate information on everything about Guinea Pigs.

How far along are guinea pigs in their pregnancy when you feel kicking?

i have started to feel kicking and didnt even know that she was pregnant until i felt them how far along is she, she is extremely fat and i have felt kicking for about a week and a half
Answers:
Kicking is typically felt beginning around the 6th or 7th week. They are pregnant for approximately 10 weeks. So she should be due in around 2 1/2 weeks or sooner.
Could be her digesting her food.
she'll have her babies in about 4 weeks
EMAIL ME AT latriamct@yahoo.com becaues i think my guinea pig is preganet to ! i feel kicking in her stopach .my mother says that nothing is wronge with her but i think she is preganet!!i think in about 2 weeks she will havve her babies and so will my guinea pig~~~~PLEASE CONTACT ME A.S.A.P I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS..
You have any where between two and four weeks to go, (O:


Gestation is 68 day for your piggy. There is no real way of knowing until the last 3 to 4 weeks, as she will begin to look like a pear, she will have a normal sized head and just get larger as you look back. How old is she? If she between 8 and 9 months you may find yourself in a boatload of trouble. Guinea pigs over 9 month that have never had babies before should NEVER BE BRED, as the pelvic bones fuse together and WILL NOT allow the babies to pass down the birthing canal. If this is the case, you need to call a vet and find out your best course of action.

If you bought her from a pet store, and she is young, you more than likely do have a pregnant female, as is the case with most piggies from pet store. Some Pet stores get their piggies from what is know as an animal miller, the female can be bred at 3 to 4 week and baby male can bred at 4 week, Our rescue is filled with these so called pet store mishaps.

If she is not too young you should be fine, and if she is not over 9 months you should be fine, my best suggestion is if you are not sure of her age you need to go to a vet, and find out.

I will leave you with two links

http://www.guinealynx.info/

http://www.peteducation.com/

These should be of some help to you, as I think you are going to need it.

How Easy Is It To Get Rats To Stay On Your Shoulder If You Walk Down The Road Or Hang Out At The Park?

And How Well Does It Work? My Mate Did It With Her Rat But I'd Be Scared It Would Jump Off And Run Away!
Answers:
I put my rats on my shoulder and walk with them that way all the time. I also take them outside that way, but I would be careful about taking them to a park. A lot of people like to take their dogs to the park and if you aren't paying attention then the dog could attack your rat if it's on the ground. I let my rats run around while I'm outside, they don't run off, but I always keep an eye out for dogs and squirrels. Also, you want to keep them far away from the road if you are going to let them on the ground, those boogers can run fast and if you have more than one it's even worse because you'll be watching one and the other might disappear in another direction. It doesn't take long for them to get hurt.

Also, rats don't really jump off of people's shoulders. They don't have very good vision and depth perception. They might run down your shoulder and on your arm and possibly try to shimmy down your body to the ground (mine do this occasionally), but I've never had one try to jump off of my shoulder.
That all depends on how well trained your rat is and how comfortable you both are with the rat being there. I walk round my house with my rat on my shoulder with my cats around me but i wouldnt fancy walking down the street with her!
Glue traps are the best method to trap rats and mice. I found detailed information at http://pests.in

How does your animal communicate with you?


Answers:
my dogs 'talk' to me all the time usually by looks occasionally by paws but mostly by body language. When you know an animal well you know what hes telling you. Now my parrot can say over 200 words, she sys 'hello' when I come home 'goodbye' when I leave she will tell me 'late goodbye' if I am actually late. She also asks me 'how are you' and will answer 'fine' too The funniest thing is she calls me 'Edward' which must of been her very first owner (shes an older rescue bird) I have heard of owners changing pets names but this is the first pet changing owners names I know of.
i talk to him and her and they always say yes. You can tell by their face and they will jump on you
mine purrs and meows alot ! she a yappy cat lol
My dogs uses her eyes, also, if she wants outside, she will let us know by waiting at the door. treats, low rumbly growl, wagging her tail furiuosly, to play, brings toys around, growls happily. There are so many ways she talks to us, she is a snoodle (poodle/ schnozer mix) pretty smart girl.
I only have fish now and my saratoga bited my finger if she is hungry.
When my dog wants attention, she will sit next to me and put her nose under my arm in an effort to push it up so I can pet her. She will also put her paw in my lap.
When she wants to go outside, she will run from where I am sitting to the door repeatedly.
When she wants inside a closed room, she will lay in front of the door and whine.
When my cats want in and out of a closed room, they just sit in front of the door and wait for someone to open it. Sometimes they meow to get my attention.
When my cats want something from me (I forgot to fill the food bowl up, etc) they get extra affectionate and won't leave me alone until I figure out that they need something.
eyes, are the window to the soul.
also actions.
my dog barks when i want something, she trys to make me walk to what she wants. My cat meows when she wants something.I usually know what it is. Sometimes she stares at me. Gives me those cute little eyes like she is doing now!
before my 13 year old westhiland terrier; Holly, was put down form lungcanncer, she would scratch the back door with her paw saying she wants out, some time she would go and sometimes she would stand there like "wut was i going to do?" an come back in. she was a lazy fatty dog, but we love her sometimes tease her and i would hug my mom and she get jellouse, and bark and howl at us cause we wasn't "paying atention" to her.

i miss her it's been a few months with out her and our home is dead quite with out her making some kind nosie..*lol* like one time just 2 days before her "last sleep" she farted and it was so funny cause she gotscared of her own fart, and she jumped and look behind her to see wut scared her, mom and i was laughing up a storm. at lest that was the last thing she left for us that was funny before placing her down.
My wife and I have 2 Siberian Huskies, which are normally "talkers" anyway. When we talk to them, they will "talk" back to us by howling. Sometimes it gets hysterical, because their howling sounds like they are actually answering us or telling us off.When they want to go outside, they will either sit by the door and wait for us to notice them there, or if we are in another room, they will come and either stand or sit a few feet away from us and just stare at us until we get the hint that they need to go out. In the morning, when THEY decide it is time for us to get up, one of our dogs will put her two front paws up on the side of the bed (and she doesn't do this gently - she weighs about 75 pounds) and just stand there on her hind legs staring at us until one of us gets up. Then both of our dogs will promptly go to the kitchen, sit down and stare up at the top on the refrigerator (this is where we keep their treats) until they receive a treat. One of our dogs is a picky eater (not the one that weighs 75 lbs.), and if we give our dogs a treat and she doesn't want hers, she will walk around with the treat in her mouth, and if we try and take it away from her, she will start howling with the treat hanging out the side of her mouth.

How does you dog or cat show you affection?

My cat "pimp slaps" me to get my attention.
My dog shoves her head into my chest. I think she took the song
"Lean On Me" too seriously!
Answers:
He nuzzles my neck
My cat licks my fingers and toes ..it's gross. She likes to bring me presents as well. Tonight she walked in front of me and started meowing frantically with a big tube of lip gloss she stole from my sister's room.
My cat used to lean on my feet and purring.or he used to sleep next to e when i asleep.

My dog, he barks everytime i got home, waving his tail running towards me and licking me.he's a maniac! =)
our cats willl jump up on our laps and purr.. or if we are lying down comes and rubs our hands with their head.. wanting to be pettted..
now the dog puts his paw on leg when we are sitting.. or is just there sitting or lying by our feet:)
my cat will just kiss me all over til i like.push her off the bed.lol. not hard i love her too much. =] o and she chews on my hair sometimes. and when you play board games, did anyone's cat go in the box? or lay on a book you're reading? cuz my cat does that all the time. my dog.umm.idk what he does. jumps at you til u pick him up. hes a shih tzu.i %26lt;3 that pooch.
buhbye now!
Well, both of our dogs are into licking toes. Plus, it's a special touch at 3 am when he wants to be let out to 'go' so he slips his head under the covers and licks your toes to wake you up, but, he's just a big teddy bear ya gotta love him. He's Black Lab/Chow mix. The other loves to kiss you. And he gets so excited to see you he will pee. He is Jack Russel Terrier/ Chihuahua
my dog follows you around and always want to be sitting on you if you are sitting down.and then he brings his toys to you and starts hitting you with them until you play with him.
My older dog waggs his tail and gives us "hugs" and my pup will give us "kisses" they both sleep in our room and hop on the bed at 6am, every single morning. My horse comes into the barn and pushes the stall gate almost over and nickers until I get to the stall. My parents cat literally eats our hair. All animals show some affection.

How does side saddle work?

What are the main ways so you dont fall off? I ride english and i dont see how they can canter etc. without doing so.
Answers:
A side saddle has pommels to keep you legs in place. You canter the same as you do in a regular saddle, the first time or two can be a little unnerving but you quickly find your balance.
http://www.yumaedsupport.org/side_saddle. here is a link to what the saddle looks like. Those "horn" type things help support the riders legs. by the way, people jump in side saddles as well!
its a saddle for looks and for people who dont like to be bowl legged
the link that horserider13 gave is a good one. the pictures with the rider in it are good too. use those pictures and you can see how it is not hard to stay on. I have not yet ridden sidesaddle but I really want to. the biggest part to remember with this saddle is that on the right side where the riders legs are not there are two billet straps- one for the regular girth (like an english saddle) and the other one is diagonal to balance the weight of the saddle. it is really important that the second one is strapped tight because it is dangerous other wise. And this saddle was not just used for women. most of these saddles have a second stirrup as well because when the lady was done riding the horse, the groom could jump on and ride the horse home astride. Plus men who had hernias would ride side saddle as not to agitate the injury.

How does people affect animals?

How can people affect animals??

i'm not sure
so I wandering if I can ask
Answers:
I am not sure in what way you are asking. But, I'll give it a go anyway.

People affect animals by placing onto them expectations, demands of behavior, etc. The best example of this would be to study feral dogs and cats. They have none of the human neuroses that many of our domesticated pets have, which they acquired by living, watching, and taking on some of our own behaviors. Like the dogs that have separation anxiety, bad tempers, jealously, etc. You don't see any of those types of behaviors in dogs that have not been exposed to human contact. Dog and cats are in their truest form when feral. On the other side of the coin, domestic animals also learn positive behaviors as well. But we humans really do a number on these wonderful little creatures. But for those of us who love them, and they us, there is no other way to live.
Sometimes they eat them.
How do, not how does.
well.if you are talking about the animals in all the world's oceans we affect them to the point where they will all be gone in 40 years.
people often control which animals breed and which do not.. we select those with genetics we find appealing or hunt those whose genetics we find appealing - changing evolution though our own actions

we destroy habitat and force some animals to serve us while eating others.. or using them for fur or what have you.
watch ceasar milan and he'll tell you.
We affect most of them terriibly..we destroy their homes for money..We not only eat them but give them a tortured and meaniless life. Even pets, not fed, abused, tested. Its not fair..It's not right..

Luckily some people take care of their pets like they should

I'm thankfull for that!
We raise them in unnatural conditions and then eat them
We raise them in unnatural conditions and then skin them
We overbreed them and create overpopulation
We kill them for fun
We poison them as a by-product of our society
We mess up their systems and kill them as a by-product of our society
We ruin their habitats
We kill them with cars
We save the lives of animals that might otherwise die
We cause some to go extinct
We save some from *going* extinct (never mind that the danger is usually from a human)
We domesticate them
We take domesticated animals and 'care' for them
We fight them, race them, and ride them for our pleasure
We test on them for lipstick and other cosmetics %26 personal care products
We use them *in* lipstick and other cosmetics %26 personal care products
We test on them for floor cleaners and other household products
We use them *in* floor cleaners and other household products
We test on them for penis pills, balding 'cures', heart medication, pain medication, and all other FDA aaproved pharmaceuticals
We use them in many FDA approves pharmaceuticals
We cage them for zoos
We domesticate them and sheer/shave them
We take them into our homes
We offer or refuse care to them
We beat them
We injure them
We humanize/anthropomorphize them (Free Willy, Flipper, Mickey Mouse)
We separate ourselves from them (call it "beef" so that we forget it's a cow, etc)
I'm not sure what you mean exactly.

How does my bestfriend get her male bullmastiff and pitbull to except her new baby?

Second time posting because it was in wrong category

They tore up the babys new nursery room ..are the dogs jealous
Answers:
Gravy
the dogs are jealous and if you friend doesn't want a serious accident on her hands I suggest she finds the dogs a new home
It's possible that dogs feel jealous of the new baby but this type of behaviour shows that your friend has very much let them own her. Don't let the pets into the house or it will be the baby next, show them who's the top dog and slowly try to introduce the baby to them. If they as much as bare a tooth though, get without them or join the list of dog shredded victims you read in the paper all around.
Clearly the dogs are jelous, before the baby arrived the dogs were the center of attention, now the baby is here, suddenly the dogs get very little attention and probably get pushed aside and now arent allowed to do things they would normaly be able to do.

This could be very serious, because the dogs may want to hurt the baby, so your friend needs to eb sure the baby is never left alone where the dogs can go.

The best thing you can do is to make the dogs feel they are still center of attention and be careful how you treat them towards the baby, eg, dont push them aside or shoo them out of the room.

If you make the dogs not feel threatened by the baby, you can slowly introduce the baby to them.

Dogs think like we do, if a new friend joined your group and suddenly no one wanted you around, you would be jelous too.

Just be very careful, they are big dogs and bred for hunting, they may be very dangerous.
she needs to decide who's welfare shes more concerned about. The child or her dogs? I found myself in the same situation when my daughter was born. i had a red cattle/bull-terrier who was like a baby to me, when my daughter was born i had to make the harrowing decision to give her away as she was soooo jealous. one day she growled at her cot and the very same day i gave her away. I wont say it was easy and many tears flowed on that day however it was the only option and it sounds like your friend may be in the same boat
Apple sauce and Gravy
Yes they will be jealous of the baby . She must watch them around her baby . She needs to be able to read her dogs . The Pitt is the one I'm most concerned about, it depends on the disposition of the dogs. But when you have more than 1 dog there should be concern about attacks. One dog may follow the other in an attack. I've raised Rotts and had no problems with family members. Just be careful know what your doing.
Asking from God and eat Apple
ANY dog might be jealous of a new baby, but from all the news items of pitbull attacks on children, you shouldn't even have to ask about the pitbull!

For the record, I've been around a LOT of bullmastiffs, and would expect hers to be a good companion and guardian for this baby.. but that's just my own personal opinion.

How does it feel to ride a horse?

Does it change your personality?
Answers:
It is a great experience, you should try it sometime.
it sort of changes your personality. like you feel bright eyed and refreshed.
my balls kinda hurt after awhile.. but its kinda cool.. moving on top of a living creature instead of the boring old car engine..
Taller to start with and later just sore!
It feels great, change your personality? well they do use it for people and children to get in touch with life if that helps.
The last time I rode a horse, the horse knew that I didn't know how to ride. It kept trying to scrape me off by walking close to trees and fences. We were both happy to get back to the barn.
This event took place somewhere across a river from Folsom Prison. I could see the prison clearly, and would probably have traded places with anybody there just so I could get off that horse.
It makes me happy. I forget all the troubles of the day and enjoy riding my favorite horse, Moon. She's a white Arabian. It gives you the feeling of flying when you are at a full run.
u c wat it feels like when u get on one. itz great. like ur da king of . well. somtin!

ps : wat kinda name is sarca stick?
It'll make you a man!
I can't remember much. The one I was on was hot and sweaty and covered with flies, so.other than that, it was fun. It's a new experience, for sure.
As for changing my personality? I don't think so..I've always been a little strange.
Riding at full gallop on the back of my horse is a wonderful freeing experience, it's like you become one with this beautiful animal, my horse is 16.3hh and weighs close to 600kgs.
I love the feeling of riding. You ad your horse become one, and it makes me forget all of the bad crap that happened that day. It doesn't really change your personality as much as it changes you. It makes life worth living. Whether you jump which I highly recommend or do western it is so amazing to know you are controlling a 1000lbs. animal and he listens. It gives your power.
Absolutely fantastic, and the more you ride the more you learn.I started riding when I was 40, a bit late I know, but then you are never too old to start. Personality wise, you can have a crap day and be feeling low but once you get on a horse your spirits just rise
i love riding horses, it makes you feel free, you tend to feel like a free spirit, and when you gallop, and the winds in your face, the fresh air, its beautiful, very relaxing.. wanna try it
i have a horse for sale..
no lol its doesnt but it feels great especially if you have a bond with the horse if you havnt tried it you should it really good
awsome it feels like no more worrys i am like in my own little world when i am on my horse
I have rode a few broncos and some stallions in my time I love the motion up going up and down very fast, its a great feeling.
no
I used to ride as an exercise rider at the race track.
There is nothing like being on a horse doing about 40 mph.
It is exciting and sort of scary at the same time. You are amazed at the power of the animal and that you can control it.
I ride now as it helps me relax after a day at work.
I ride becasue the time I spend with my horse is quality time just me and him out riding in the fields. Quite and peaceful.
it's the most amazing feeling. you are physically taller than you were before and you have an animal underneath you that is willing to carry you where you want to go. i love horses and riding is always a calming and relaxing experience no matter how sore i am the next day. i think it changes my personality. after i ride a horse i'm usually more agreeable and less irritable for a while. hope this is a good answer to your question.
I have been riding under training since I was 5 years old, so I don't know much about change of personality. I wouldn't remember from that time. I will say that it makes my day! I love to ride in winter when it is cold out in the early morning. I live in Florida so it gets hot by mid day in the winter.

I also love to ride a horse bare back in to a pond during the summer and swim with him/her. I have had so many great riding experiences!

I believe if I never had the experience with these wonderful animals then I would have missed a lot in my life. I have learned to care for an animal, train with an animal, compete with an animal, to care for something more than myself, to feel freedom during a ride, and to understand the needs of something that can not speak to me as a person can.

I know all of this must have had an effect on my personality. I highly recommend riding and I would do even more than that if you can.

Good Luck and Take Care
At first, you may feel a little intimidated and scared (and sore after the first ride), but you will gain your confidence. Riding is a way to have control over something bigger than just you. It can also be a friendship and bond between two species of animals (humans and horses). I currently ride two different horses who have opposite personalities. One is full of spirit and run. She has an attitude that is not acceptable for a new/inexperienced rider, as she is a barrel racing horse. She makes me feel free spirited. Riding her is a workout, when you don't let her run. The other horse is a slow, laid back pleasure horse who is just a joy to work with. Riding her is like sitting in a reclining chair. Riding her is pure pleasure and relaxation. As for changing your personality, YES in a way. I use it for stress relief and relaxation. When I leave the barn, I am happier and more relaxed. The things that bothered me before my ride no longer matter. It puts me in a state of euphoria. In any case- riding is awesome!
awsome,no

how does it cost to keep a horse each year?


Answers:
depending on if you have to board the horse .hay, feed, farrier,vet call for shots,worming and some money set aside for unforseen things that can happen you will be somewhere around the low end of 1500.00/high end 2500.00 yearly.
Not cheap. Expect to pay $10-15 p/bale of hay, you gotta factor in feed, and vet bills. I would say probably about $1,500 a year, at least.
2000 a year
they are like having a child,you wont know until you try
Add in between 拢60-拢70 every six weeks for new shoes, at least 拢90 per week for it to be stabled, and I would guess you are looking at between 拢6000-拢7000 a year..
a lot, you will have to account for vets bills, the farrier, feed, hay, straw for the stable, all your tack and equipment. you could be looking at 拢5,000-拢10,000. depending on whether you have your own field, stable etc or if you,ll be leasing them, and what kind of horse you have, the more athletic type breeds wil need rugs etc in the colder weather aswell as a better quality diet.
depends if you aren't boarding and have the room then you are looking at the following..yearly vaccinations, checking and floating of the teeth 125-200.worming has to be done every 6 weeks or so and rotate the wormers which will cost you between 10-20.a farrier to shoe and trim hooves every 6 weeks 45-70..square bales of hay 3 a day.feed 12% sweet feed mix runs about 7 a bag and 1 bag will last one horse about 3 days.protien blocks and treats are optional and can run you up to 20 a week. This is all with no injuries and calls to the vet. Also if you have to board the horse that can cost you up to 200 a month but sometimes the feed is included. I don't even want to know the total we spend a year on our horses because I know it is in the thousands but if you can afford it they are worth it.
oh dear. The cheapest thing you will have to buy is the horse!

you can pay differing amounts for equipment and livery.

Grass livery (DIY) is cheapest but then you have to watch for mud fever/rain scald, provide hay, extra feed and at least 2 rugs (depending on the breed of horse) plus your time and transport if you dont have your own land AT LEAST TWO VISITS A DAY

DIY livery with a stable not so cheap but then there is the time and transport. again, at least 2 visits a day. if you have turnout you still have to buy hay bedding feed, rugs.

full livery expensive but everything is done for you and usually feed fodder and bedding are all in. still have to provide rugs.

Farriery every eight weeks (depending on work horse doing) either shoes or a trim, you can't just leave shoes till they fall off. Trimming is about 15.00 gbp where i come from, shoes 45.00 gbp.

saddle
bridle
rugs
headcollar
leadropes
transport?? optional
Vet fees, at least once a year for jabs
dentist twice a year
worming every 8 - 13 weeks depending on wormer
insurance

It's never ending..
a lot - it might be worth your while to share a horse with someone
it all depened on what type you get, how you want to keep it,as i have two of my own and look after 3 of my sisters and there all different types from warmblood to cobs with the warmbloods they have to be kepted stabled and warm as with the welsh they can stay out qall year round if thats what there use to
Low end of scale about $1500.00
This would not include board or any grooming supplies or fly spray and the like.
high end more around $2500.
Boarding can run anywhere from very low cost $150 per month up to about $700 per month.
I budgeted an estimate of $3,000-$4,000 a year. That's with $425 a month full board, farrier, vet and dentist.
It depends on how much you spend on your horse each month but they r not cheap u need to be prepared for all expenses because they hav a habit of injuring them self so u need to b prepared for vets biolls and the farrier , jabs, teeth, feed, livery, insurance, showing , rent, basic maintenence. You can not put an exavt price on it but if u want to get 1 start looking at the going rate in your area!
this is what it cost me to keep 1 horse
Agistment - $30 pw -$1560.00 pe yr
feed - $100 month -$1200 per yr
feet t $70 every 2 months -$420.00 per yr
Unexspected vet bills $400 6months -$1200.00 per yr
worming $18.00 every 2 months -$108.00 per yr
Rug repairs 30. every 3 months -$120.00 per yr

TOTAL -$4608.00
And I dare say i missed out a few things !
So you could round it off at aprox $5000.00
PS take into consideration , I live where there is aot of grass so I dont have to feed alot.
you have to buy. hay;; grain;; shavings;; pasture= property=protery tax and lots of other stuff but unless you make hay or shavings or grain it could be cheaper
STABLING: approx 拢20 p/week= 拢1040 p/year
FOOD: approx 拢310 p/year
SHOES: 拢50 every 6 weeks= 拢433 p/year
INSURANCE: approx 拢200 p/year

And then you have got your extras such as rugs, tack, worming, vet bills (in case your insurance doesn't cover something), grooming items etc which can run into hundreds of pounds. It costs at least 拢2000 to 拢3000 per year, and that is minimum.

But, like I always say, if you write down all your costings on paper, you would never be able to afford anything. Just do it! Somehow, you always manage to find the money.
i would loan one first so you get an idea of the commitment required and the cost. id say initial outlay is expensive but once you have bought everything you are looking at about 拢200 per month average
OK, this will vary depending on where you live. You should check out your local livery yards for prices. However where I stable my horse which is a top notch livery yard NE Scotland you will pay either 拢150 per month grass livery or 拢300+ per month full livery. Farrier bills are 拢60 every 6-8 weeks. Horse insurance about 拢500 per year. Booster vaccinations and teeth check about 拢100 per year. Then add regular riding lessons, tack, rugs, feed, feed supplements. If you want to travel with your horse you'll need either a lorry or a 4x4 and trailer. Think about it as if it's a second mortgage. However, having said all that it's worth it. I wouldn't swap my horse for anything.
not cheap if you do all the things needed to keep it in good shape
okay the basics.
these are all averages ok?

stabling - 拢70 a month including grazing.

april to oct - no bedding required as they are turned out.
oct to april - 拢6 per bag of shavings, expect to go through at least two a week. OR 拢1.50 per bale of straw, expect to go through at least two a week.

feed - 拢8 a week - average for all requirements.
(in winter expect this to go up to 拢10 a week)

hay - 拢28 a month in winter
拢15 a month in summer

farrier bills every eight weeks
拢55 if shod
拢15 if not shod

dentist once every year - 拢60

insurance - 拢25 a month.

wormers - 拢12 every six to eight weeks.

remember these are just basics! you have to buy tack, rugs, grooming kit, riding wear, yard tools, etc when you get started.
if you're lucky you may be able to get these included in the price of the horse. to be honest, the cost of buying a horse isnt what you have to worry about.

also remember that those are average prices, taken from several years of experience on several yards.

bear in mind that some yards dont allow 24 hr turn out in the summer and so bedding costs are all year round and hay is more expensive. PLUS if you are inexperienced you have the added cost of lessons and training.
also, if you want to show you have boxing fees and entrance fees and membership fees and a whole new set of tack and riding gear to buy.

PLUS the time you have to put in is more valuable than the financial side of it. it isnt easy. it is very tiring and tying. BUT it is sooooooooo worth it! believe me! horses are fantastic animals and when you experience a bond with a horse, nothing else can compare. honestly xxxx
hope this helps?

how does a stingray use its barb to attack? does it just stick up or does the barb shoot off into the enemy?


Answers:
there is no such animal that shoots its barb or stinger on this planet.

so it just sticks it on you
it sticks up like a stinger on a wasp.
It just flexes its tail which has a barb attached to it. Imagine a scorpion stinging its prey. It works sort of like that. The barb never detaches from the stingray.
The barb does not shoot out of the stingray. it can hit you with the tail and poke you with the barb,
I am not clear if the barb detaches or brakes off or not
it's just like a knife
good grief know
it sticks up never leaves the tail
Stingrays don't use their barbs to attack, they use it as a defense mechanism. Their barb is movable up, down, and of course to the sides. When it feels threatened (I'm guessing this last bit here) when it feels threatened it will move the barb in that direction, sort of like a type of sword.
There are so many specials coming up about sea creatures. On Anderson Cooper a marine biologist said that only when the creature is agitated will it attack by whipping its tail around at you.
the stingray stabs u with it. it flips it tail and stabs you with it..
The barb breaks off into the predator and it grows back.

"O" Wise One.. says so
It will stab you with then barb and then pull it out.But the barb is like an arrow with edges, that when pulled out rip the flesh. THe barb is also poisenous.

how does a horse bit work? Does it go over the horses tongue?


Answers:
Yes, it goes over the horses tongue and out the sides of it's mouth. Pulling on the bit is how you tell the horse what you want it to do. It depends on how the horse is trained though.
The horse bit goes into the horses mouth, and yes, over their tongue (though they can mess with them within their mouth). It pulls at their head from their mouth and causes them to go in the direction that you are pulling the reins. You can also use a nose bit, which is essentially the same thing, but instead of going withing Horse's mouth, it goes over Horse's nose and pulles that instead of their mouth. This is a Bit more comfortable for the horse (heh). Hope that helps.
Yes.
over the tongue. get some training on how to rein a horse properly, as an inexperienced rider can seriously damage a horse's mouth. the bit, depending upon what type is used, puts pressure on the roof of the mouth, tongue, and inner cheek area.
depending on the bit it works in different ways. it puts pressure on the bars of their mouth, sides of their mouth, toungue, and chin. the reins controll the amount of pressure.
yes it goes over a horses tongue. as you can imagin a untrained rider can hurt a horses mouth very easily. there are different kind of bits but the two most common are snaffle bits (used in western and english) and curb bits (can be used in english but normally just western) a snaffle is just two peices of medal jointed at the middle and hit the top of the horses mouth when you pull back. a curb has things called shanks that are on either side and has a chain under the chin. when you pull the the reins the chain under the chin tightens and it can be very harsh. there are a ton of different bits for different horses (every horse has a different mouth) but thoughs are the most common. statelinetack.com has a lot of bit you can look at and see how they work. email me if you have more questions.
ok if you do not know how a bite works than you do not need to ride and you need a trainer to teach you. you can hurt a horses month wiht a bite if you do not know how to use it.. and i'm not trying to be mean.. the bite is very complicated and there are hundreds of bites you have to know the cheeks size and month size before you get one for your horse you have to know at displine you want to do, how you want them to hold the head are they soft monthed or hard, if he needs a sprial or a stright . a long shank or a short shank, english or western it is not all fun a games about a horse.. ok

How does a fly land on the ceiling?

If a fly is flying straight how does it land on the ceiling?
Answers:
I actually read about this yesterday. the fly has 2 main hooks on the tip of thier feet. behind and bellow lika third finger is a kind of L shaped toe pointing towards the 2 hooks, this toe is sticky, and the stickyness comes from the flyiespoo, beleive it or not yes flyies to crap from their feeth!. the fly can push this toe to is becomes more straight. well, when the fly land on the ceiling, it first touches down with its "middle toe" then straight away hooks with the 2 others, using the ability to straighten its middle toe, the fly can increase it grip tot he ceiling if it blows or its toes arnt sticky enough.This makes the fly able to sit ipside down with ease.
--
About the landing, a fly does not make a spin orwtir before landing on the roof. It makes ahalf loop. Think of a fly commin in from the righthand side and flying straight, it will then fly a loop in a shape of the letter "C" and land on the ceileing when it meets.
it flipps over..
It closes his eye's
it has tiny hairs in its legs that are so small that they grip in tiny unseen cracks on every thing even glass
It kind of "pops a wheelie" and grabs on. For flies, the air feels much thicker, so they can do those amazing feats as if they were swimming.
a fly has 8 eyes and no concept of up or down.
VERY CAREFULLY!