It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... a pig? Gwen and Steve Howell, proud owners of seven pigs in Shropshire, England, are proving that pigs can fly -- on a trampoline, that is.
The couple plans to bring their 6-week-old acrobatic piglet named Scarlett to meet Simon Cowell next week at Britain's Got Talent auditions to show off her bouncing skills, reports the UK's Daily Mail.
The couple plans to bring their 6-week-old acrobatic piglet named Scarlett to meet Simon Cowell next week at Britain's Got Talent auditions to show off her bouncing skills, reports the UK's Daily Mail.
"Scarlett will be trampolining and two of our other pigs, Arthur and Polly, will be doing their own dances nearby. We hope the judges will be impressed," Gwen told the Daily Mail.
Originally the couple began their piggy circus experiment with Scarlett's father, Percy, who loved the trampoline so much that he never wanted to get off of it. When Percy gained weight, Scarlett took over as the lead bouncer, Gwen told the Daily Mail.
Gwen says that even though Scarlett has only been bouncing for three days, she already loves her trampoline and attracts a huge crowd of fans. "The pigs seem to love the trampoline even more than our two daughters," she told the Daily Mail.
The town had originally told the Falk family that they had until December 1 to find a new home for their pet, or face a fine of $100 per day. The Falks, who rent their home, consider Strawberri a part of the family and were prepared to uproot their lives to keep her. A vote on Strawberri's fate could come as early as January, but hopefully the Falk family and Strawberri will be able to enjoy the holidays at home. Town Councilman Doug McKay will testify before a magistrate to help the family get an extension on their deadline until the council can vote.
McKay said that at least ten other pigs who would be in violation of the code also live in the town so it was unfair to single out the Falks. Town officials responded that they don't typically go around counting swine.
"Strawberri is pretty big, but she's like a big puppy," the Falk's 11-year -old daughter Kai told the Tribune. "This is putting a lot of stress on me and Strawberri.
Micro pigs are the biggest newest trend in itty-bitty pets. They're adorable, extremely clean, and look quite manageable at only 14 inches high.
Looks can be deceiving. Micro pigs maybe not be as manageable as they appear on the surface. Besides carrying a possibly unattainable $1,160 price tag, these cuties are more high-maintenance than you might think. The UK's Daily Telegraph has rooted up another side to ownership of the pint-size porcine that is considerably less cute than the pigs themselves, saying the micro pigs could be a maxi-disaster. The Telegraph spoke with Kirsty Bayley, who is the Pig Herd Manager at the Institute of Animal Health, and who shared a few details that might make you think twice before bringing home a tiny piglet.
For one thing, because the precious pigs are bred so exclusively for their size, the risks of inbreeding and its associated health risks go up. Among these myriad health risks is decreased fertility, which is a major problem if you're hoping for a portly profit.
Pigs are very social and surprisingly active creatures, so they're happiest with at least one companion pig, lots of room, and lots of toys. If they're not properly entertained, they can quickly begin exhibiting signs of depression, such as lethargy or repetitive movements, according to what Bayley told the Telegraph.
Bayley also warns potential pig purchasers to be wary of buying from a breeder without a reference, as there have been numerous documented stories of people purchasing what they believed to be micro pigs, only to have what were actually piglets grow into full-sized pigs once they hit their growth spurts.
Though the urge to get your hands on one of these delightful, darling pets may be irresistible, don't let it become an impulse buy. A toy-sized animal isn't a toy. Do your research, and make sure you and your family are thoroughly prepared to handle a micro pig or any other pet before you reach for your wallet.
What do you do if your eight-year-old autistic son finds dogs too hyper and cats too dull? If you're Lisa Pia of Fayetteville, North Carolina, you get your little boy a pet piglet. A black potbellied pig, to be exact.
"Soon as he saw her, it was love at first sight," Pia told WRAL News, recalling Anthony's first meeting with the female pig they named Loopey. Anthony doted on Loopey, wrapping her in a towel like a baby. As the piglet grew, they comforted each other through thunderstorms and played in the family's enormous backyard. Each night, the 80-pound hog slept in Anthony's room. Each day, Anthony raced home from school to be with his pet pig.
For a year, boy and pig were happy. "We were just excited for him that finally, he's coming out and he's not in his shell anymore, and he's doing things, and playing and interacting," Pia said.
Then came an unexpected letter from city inspectors, informing the Pias of the Fayettevile ordinance that makes it "unlawful to keep hogs within the corporate limits." A city inspector had spied Loopey in the Pias' backyard while in the neighborhood on an unrelated matter.
Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be between four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.
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Camouflage Animals
Argentine Horned Frog Reptiles
The Argentine Horned Frog, also known as the Horned Frog or Pacman Frog, originated in South America. The green and black amphibian, which can grow up to six inches long, is a popular pets and can live for as long as 10 years.
Walkingstick
The Walkingstick takes its camouflage abilities to the next level by creating the appearance of a stick or twig to hide from predators. While they normally stand still, these insects are able to walk around as though they were a twig caught in the wind. They can be found in tropical forests or woodlands all across the world.
Stonefish
Often resembling a rock, the brown colored Stonefish camouflages itself perfectly in the ocean. With 13 venomous dorsal spines on its back, the Stonefish can cause tissue damage and respiratory distress, which can lead to cardiovascular shock if left untreated.
Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be between four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.
Chameleons
Chameleons, the quintessential color-changers, can transform their skin color when their mood, temperature or the amount of light around them is altered. Their hue, which can vary from yellow and pink to brown and black, is also altered when they communicate.
Green Anole
Often confused with chameleons, Green Anoles turn brown when they're stressed or sick. Found in the trees and shrubs of the Southeastern United States, these lizards are popular pets.
The Eastern Wood Frog
The Eastern Wood Frog tricks competitors by changing colors to match its surroundings. Found in North American woodlands, the frog also has a dark black patch from its eye to the base of its front limb that can change colors.
"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" DVD Giveaway
