Our First 2012 Weekly Wrap-Up!

Here is a quick recap for this short week:

We started our short week off with an adorable story about lions and stuffed little lion toys--what an adorable story to start the new work week!

On Wednesday, we updated everyone on Katy’s leg surgery.  Even though Katy is supposed to be on convalesce leave from “working” at the sanctuary, it didn’t stop her from trying to resume her duties!  Katy broke out of her recuperating quarters and ran on her three legs to In-Sync Exotics, prepared to resume her duties.  To Vicky’s chagrin, she had to report her wayward charge to the vet.  The vet commented Vicky truly she had her “hands full” with this determined dog and to make sure she did not resume her duties until she received her vet's return to work note.  Easier said than done!  Katy is now under guard with strict instructions not to leave her recuperating quarters.  We’ll keep you posted on her progress!

We also announced on Wednesday that Great Nonprofits launched its 2012 Animal Welfare Campaign yesterday!  Have you written your 2012 In-Sync Exotics review yet?  If not, please consider writing a review if you have personal knowledge of our operations and cats (to include Nugget, of course).  We thank you for your support!

Yesterday, we launched our first of many quizzes scheduled for this year, so as to educate the public on the species of big cats that call In-Sync Exotics home.  We’d love for you to participate in the quizzes for it gives us an idea of what areas of our big cat education program we need to update or improve upon—so your feedback is vital!

We’d like to thank the 20 brave individuals who participated in yesterday’s quiz, Dispelling Myths About Tigers!  The results of the tiger quiz were very interesting, exemplifying the need for this tiger "myth buster" quiz:

Let’s look at the questions and their correct answers:

1.    Tigers evolved in Africa.  Myth or Fact?  If you said Myth, then you were correct!  Tigers are native to Asia, where they are presently found in 14 countries called the "tiger range states."  

94.7% of quiz takers got this question correct…

2.    The best way to identify a tiger is by its pug marks (paw prints).  Myth or Fact?  If you said Myth, then you are correct!  Pug marks of a tiger look different in varying soil types meaning unless the cat has an obvious foot irregularity reliable identification is not possible.  The best that can be hoped for (with practice and careful observation) when studying pug marks is that they may enable you to tell a female from a male, to verify the presence of cubs, or to learn of an unusual physical characteristic or an injury.

94.7% of quiz takers got this question correct…

3.    Tigers typically hunt alone.  Myth or Fact?  If you said Fact, then you were correct!  This myth probably started with the confusion between tigers and lions’ hunting strategies. Tigers rarely come together except when mating. During this time the tiger couple may very occasionally hunt as a pair, but are more interested in coupling. Other sightings of multiple tigers occur where cubs are still learning from their mother. Apart from the couple of exceptions mentioned above, tigers are solitary animals which lives and hunts alone.

90% of quiz takers got this question correct…

4.    Tigers and jaguars are fine swimmers and love water.  Myth or Fact?  If you said Fact, then you were correct!  These two cat species love water and are fine swimmers. In hotter climates, tigers like to lie in the water to help reduce the effects of heat and annoying flies.  Tigers need to drink regularly, and they often slip into pools of water (hindquarters first) to cool off in the hot weather.  That is In-Sync Exotics provides tubs and pools for its tigers—they just love to splash around!

Congratulations!  100% of the quiz takers got this question correct! 

5.    Sabre-toothed tigers were related to the modern tiger.  Myth or Fact?  If you answered Fact, then you were incorrect!  The sabre-tooth tiger (Smilodon) species that we know from fossil remains like those at the La Brea tar pits in southern California are not even close relatives of the modem tiger.

If you missed this question, then you were not alone as 25% of the respondents also missed this question…

6.    Tigers, like lions, will attack human beings every time they get a chance.  Myth or Fact?  If you answered Myth, then you were correct!  Tigers normally go out of their way to avoid human contact.  I’m sure our animal caretakers at In-Sync Exotics are relieved to know this!

95% of quiz takers got this question correct…

7.   Tigers are not very good at climbing trees.  Myth or Fact?  If you answered Fact, then you were correct!  Tigers are not normally tree climbers, being too heavy. Individuals living near tigers are taught to escape a charging tiger by climbing a tree, and for centuries hunters in India used to employ watch platforms in trees, to ambush tigers.

Interesting to note, the percentage between “Fact or Myth” was pretty much split—with 55% voting Fact and 45% voting Myth!

8.    Tiger hunts have a high success rate.  Fact or Myth?  If you answered Myth, then you would were correct!  The reputation of the tiger as being a "killing machine" is greatly exaggerated seeing how only 1 in 10-20 tiger hunts is successful.

90% of quiz takers got this question correct…

9.    The size of the tiger’s territory is about the same for males and females.  Fact or Myth?  If you answered Myth, then you were correct!  Typically, the territory of a male tiger is several times larger than that of a female. The reason seems to be that the primary cause of territoriality in males is not access to food, but rather access to females for breeding.

75% of quiz takers got this question correct…

10. Tigers prefer large prey to small prey.  Fact or Myth?  If you answered Myth, then you were incorrect!  If given a choice, tigers (like other big cats) will go for large prey, since killing a large animal is more energy-efficient for the tiger and her cubs.

Interesting to note, the percentage between “Fact or Myth” was pretty much split—with 42.1% voting Fact and 57.9% voting Myth!

I hope this dispels some of the some common misconceptions about tigers and we hope this quiz gives you a better appreciation of these majestic big cats! 

If you are in the Dallas area or you just haven’t been to In-Sync Exotics in a while, we invite you to visit our beautiful tigers and learn more about their behaviors and quirky personalities!

By the way, did you know we are on Twitter?  And that we send out Tweets daily?  No?  Well, we do!  Follow us on Twitter at @Insync_Exotics and join our growing community!

In case you haven't heard, Lassiter, one of our cougars, took ill this week.  We noticed that he had discharge coming out of his nose, his face was slightly swollen, and he declined his dinner and treats.  We contacted the vet and scheduled a full body exam, to include x-rays, for this afternoon.  Our vet asked us to draw blood first, so he could examine the blood panel results prior to his appointment.  The good news is, blood work came back normal Wednesday afternoon and his facial swelling went down considerably after he started taking his antibiotics. 

We will provide a Lassiter update on Monday as we should have more information as to the cause of our cougar's health issue.  Until then, please say a little prayer for our boy!  Thank you!

Greetings Heather!

Please give a mighty lion welcoming roar to our new Intern, Heather Parker!  She traveled from Ontario, Canada to intern at our sanctuary. Heather completed her Veterinarian Technician degree from Ashworth College and is eager to put her newly acquired animal care knowledge to work at In-Sync Exotics.  Heather told us that she has always dreamed about taking care of animals and her recent care of a bobcat back home blossomed her dream of  finding employment with a zoo or sanctuary some day.  Not surprisingly, Heather's favorite animal at In-Sync Exotics is Smugger!

Welcome Heather!  We hope you find your Internship with us to be memorable and educational!

We hope you enjoyed this week's blog postings--stayed tuned for more updates and stories next week!

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