2 / TROUT AND CHAR 2
Trout and char are fish that have elongated bodies and that swim in clear, cool and well-oxygenated waters of Ontario and Quebec. They can cross-breed at times. This hybridization is common in lakes where many species are present. Trout and char have an adipose fin like other salmonidae (fin between the dorsal fin and tail).
The cross between lake trout and brook trout for example produces a hybrid called “splake” or “wendigo”. The lower fins on the brook trout have a white border which can also be found on the splake. The colors of this trout/char can range from pale to vivid during the breeding season. The tail is almost square (squaretails in English). This species is fertile unlike most hybrids. These fish prefer warmer waters than where lake trout are found.
Both trout and char are present in Quebec and Ontario and both have a significant value in terms of sports fishing, commercial and recreational fishing. They can be found in the Ontario great lakes. Their flesh is excellent and their colour varies from white/pink to orange/red depending on their diet and depending on the different species. The flesh of lake trout is generally paler than that of the other species.
Female trout and char are generally larger than their male counterparts (sexual dimorphism) but the colors of the male fish are generally more pronounced than those of female fish.
2.1 / RAINBOW TROUT
Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmonidea Family
Common Names: Stealhead (anadromous rainbow trout), rainbow trout
Canadian Record: 40.68 lbs.
Ontario Record: 40.68 lbs.
Quebec Record: 13 lbs.
Preferred Temperature: (min and max): 11 to 26 degrees C/52 to 79 degrees F
Optimal Temperature: 16 degrees C/61 degree F
Habitat: Rainbow trout frequent many diverse habitats. Indeed, this species has been introduced in many different habitats around the world. In rivers, they will be found in areas that have moderate current and a rocky, gravelly bottom. They can also be found in rivers that have falls, rapids and deep pools of water. In lakes, rainbow trout can be found at different depths (Great Lakes). Adults that live in lakes however must have access to streams or rivers in order to spawn and survive.
Reproduction: Breeding takes place during spring time from mid-April to late June, when the water temperature is around 10-15 degrees C (50-60 degree F). Sexual maturity is reached at adulthood, between ages 3 to 5 years. They can breed during the day as well as at night. Adults living in lakes will return to the rivers to spawn. The preferred or ideal spawning beds for rainbow trout are in rapids upstream from a deep pool of water and these would have a gravel bed. The female builds its nest by laying on its side and sweeping the bottom of the river with its tail. She will lay her eggs in it.
After spawning and fertilization, the female will cover the eggs to protect them from predators. Hatching will occur a few weeks later (4 to 7 weeks) and the fry will begin to feed on zooplankton at around 2 weeks old. Adult rainbow trout return to their lake or river of origin at the end of the breeding season. Anadromous trout (Steelhead) may at times travel to the rivers a few months prior to breeding season and can remain there for a few months post-breeding season. The life expectancy of a rainbow trout will vary depending on its habitat, food availability and geographic location and can range between a few years to a decade.
Diet: The rainbow trout usually feeds on insects, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, worms, leeches, fish eggs or small fish, etc…
Fishing Techniques: Casting, trolling, jig, fly.
2.2 / BROWN TROUT
Scientific Name: Salmo Trutta, Salmonidae Family
Common Names: Brown, sea trout (anadromous), Fario or Brown trout (river)
Canadian Record: 34.38 lbs.
Ontario Record: 34.38 lbs.
Quebec Record: 16.5 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 13 to 24 degrees C/55 to 75 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 18 degrees C/64 degrees F
Habitat: The brown trout is native to Europe and was introduced in Canada in 1890 in the province of Quebec. It is presently found mainly in Ontario and the Great Lakes. This species prefers clear waters, cold and well oxygenated lakes and rivers. Anadromous brown trout is called sea trout. This species tolerates higher temperatures than other types of trout and char.
Reproduction: The breeding season extends from late fall to early winter, from mid-October to late December, depending on its geographical location and on the water temperature ( 7 to 9 degrees C/44 to 48 degrees F). Spawning areas are generally located in shallow lakes and rivers where the bed is covered with pebbles and gravel. The female will move the gravel or pebbles to a shallow nest in which she will deposit her eggs.
The male will fertilize the eggs with its milt and the female will cover the nest with pebbles. The protected eggs will hatch and emerge from the gravel in the spring after exhausting their vitelline reserve. Crossing the brown trout with brook trout provides a hybrid called “tiger trout”. The longevity of the brown trout is relatively short, generally about 8 years.
Diet: Brown trout feed primarily on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, invertebrates, small fish, salamanders, frogs, worms, fish eggs, etc…
Fishing Techniques: Trolling, casting, jig, fly.
2.3 / BROOK TROUT
Scientific Name: Salvelinus fontinalis, Salmonidae Family
Common Names: Brook trout, speckled trout, red trout, sea trout (anadromous)
Canadian Record: 17.75 lbs.
Ontario Record: 14.5 lbs.
Quebec Record: 11.6 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 5 to 20 degrees C/42 to 68 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 14 degrees C/57 degrees F
Habitat: The brook trout frequent cool, clear waters such as well oxygenated streams, lakes and rivers. They usually live in bodies of water where the temperature is below 20 degrees C (68 degrees F). The brook trout is a native species that can be found in many lakes in Ontario and Quebec. The habitat of brook trout during the spawning period is similar to that of brown trout and it is not uncommon to see the two species in the same bodies of water, although they compete directly against each other.
Reproduction: The brook trout will normally spawn during the day sometime between September and November in the most southern areas. However, it may spawn as early as August in northern Canada. This particular brook trout prefers a cooler temperature of about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) in order to spawn.
Spawning grounds are generally in shallow streams and rivers where adults swim upstream during the breeding period. The bottom is generally a gravel bed.
The female digs a nest in which she will lay her eggs during the day. She covers the eggs with gravel to protect them from predators until they hatch. Eggs that are not buried are subject to being snatched by predators as adults do not protect the nest or fry.
The eggs hatch in late winter, from 50 to 100 days after spawning. The fry remain in the gravel until they are able to swim and feed themselves. Until then, they will feed on their vitelline reserve and will emerge from the gravel nest the following spring.
Diet: The brook trout feed primarily on small fish, larvae, insects, worms, leeches, crustaceans, molluscs, salamanders, small vertebrates, etc…Their diet is relatively varied depending on food availability. The growth of brook trout tends to be generally slower than other trout or char.
Fishing Techniques: Trolling, casting, jig, fly.
2.4 / LAKE TROUT
Scientific Name: Salvelinus namaycush, Family Salmonidae
Common Names: Canadian Char, lake trout, grey trout, touladi
Canadian Record: 72.25 lbs.
Ontario Record: 63.12 lbs.
Quebec Record: 57.5 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 3 to 11 degrees C/37 to 52 degrees F
Optimum temperature: 7 degrees C/45 degrees F
Habitat: Lake trout, like all trout and char, prefer lakes and rivers that have cold and clear waters and that are well oxygenated. They can live in shallow waters that have tundra bottoms or in deep pools in lakes and rivers, all depending on their geographical location. Lake trout are native to this area as are brook trout. You will find them in Quebec and in Ontario.
Lake trout are particularly fond of rocky or sandy habitats. Depending on the water temperature and the season, they can be comfortable in any layer of the same body of water. As ice melts, it can be fished near the surface of the water or within three meters of the surface (less than 10 feet). The warmer water temperatures can force them to descend as far as 30 meters (100 feet) during the summer.
Reproduction: Trout breed at night and during the fall season, from September to November depending on its latitude location. Spawning areas are usually shallow, ranging from 30 centimeters to 10 meters deep (1 foot to 30 feet). They prefer rocky, stony and gravelly surfaces to reproduce.
Sexual maturity is reached at around six or seven years in the south but up to twelve or thirteen years in the north. Lake trout lay their eggs between stones and pebbles lining the bottom of the water without making a nest. Eggs will remain here until they hatch and the fry will emerge the following spring. Adults do not protect the eggs or the fry.
Young trout migrate to deeper waters in order to protect themselves from predators. They will spend the first years of their lives feeding on plankton. The Canadian Char or lake trout can live up to 30 or 40 years depending on its geographical location.
Diet: Their diet varies depending on size, the water in which they live in and the food that is available. The fry feed mainly on zooplankton, larvae, adult insects, small crustaceans, leeches and small fish (Cisco Lake, smelt, whitefish, and suckers, etc…). The lake trout is a formidable predator who does not hesitate to climb a few meters in order to capture its prey, while at other times they will sulk at every offering.
Fishing techniques: Trolling, casting, jigging, drop shot, fly.
3 / PERCIDAE 3
General Description: The percidae species is highly coveted in both Ontario and Québec. The walleye is a fish of great commercial, recreational and sports value. The flaky white flesh of this type of fish is extremely tasty and very popular in Canada.
Fish from this family feed throughout the year and can be caught during the summer months or while ice fishing in winter. The walleye (or also called yellow pickerel) is a species that has a herd mentality and these fish are lucifugous. Their eyes are sensitive to light and it is for this reason that they prefer turbid waters (tea-coloured) or deep pools of clear water. Eating habits also vary with the light. This species is generally most active at dawn and at dusk, as well as when it is overcast, cloudy and windy.
The two species (walleye and sauger) often frequent the same habitat at the same time. The hybridization of the two species is also common. The longevity of the sauger is shorter than the walleye. The sauger will rarely live beyond 13 years while the walleye can live up to 26 years.
Finally, walleye grow faster than a sauger. Females of both species are generally larger than the males.
3.1 / WALLEYE
Scientific Name: Sander vitreus, Percidae Family
Common Names: Yellow Pickerel, Walleye
Canadian Record: 22.25 lbs.
Ontario Record: 22.25 lbs.
Quebec Record: 20 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 5 to 27 degrees C/41 to 81 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 18 degrees C/65 degrees F
Habitat: Walleye can be found in temperate waters of Quebec and Ontario. They particularly enjoy rocky, stony, sandy and grassy bottoms of lakes and rivers. Their eyes are sensitive to bright sunlight and they will therefore seek shelter to protect themselves. For example, they will not hesitate to swim down into deep pools in lakes and rivers where the light is not as bright. It is not uncommon to find this species at depths of 20 to 30 meters in very clear waters of the St. Lawrence River (60 to 90 feet).
In turbid waters, this walleye will often swim in shallow waters and will be more active during the day. The walleye is generally more active at dawn, dusk or before and during a storm.
Reproduction: Walleye spawn in the spring or early summer depending on the temperature of the water and its geographic location. The walleye usually spawns before the sauger. Males reach sexual maturity before the females.
Adults migrate in large numbers to bodies of water that have rocky, stony, gravelly or sandy bottoms to reproduce. Falls, dams, gravel shoals with current are favorite spots for the reproduction of these species. Spawning areas are normally shallow.
Females lay the eggs at night and the males deposit their milt nearby in order to fertilize them. The eggs will fall into the rock or pebble cracks and are thereby protected from predators. Hatching occurs after 12 to 18 days and the fry quickly disperse 10 to 15 days later. They will remain in the upper layer of open water near the banks so as to avoid predators.
Diet: The walleye feed primarily on invertebrates at a young age and small fish, insects, worms, leeches, etc…until they reach adulthood. They usually hunt in schools although larger specimens may travel alone. Walleye hunt preferably in the morning and evening, but can feed all day in turbid waters.
Fishing Techniques: Trolling, casting, jig, drop shot, fly.
3.2 / SAUGER
Scientific Name: Stizostedion canadense, Percidae Family
Canadian Record: 7.75 lbs.
Ontario Record: 4.40 lbs.
Quebec Record: (Not available)
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 5 to 27 degree C/41 to 81 degree F
Optimal temperature: 16 degrees C/61 degrees F
Habitat: Sauger fish frequent the same kind of habitat as the walleye. Their eyes, however, are even more sensitive to light. We therefore find them at greater water depths.
Reproduction: The sauger spawn during spring usually in May and June when the water reaches temperatures ranging from 8 to 11 degrees C (46-52 F). Males reach sexual maturity before females.
Spawning areas are usually near a shallow bank. The female lays her eggs at night on a bed of gravel to protect the eggs from predators. Parents do not protect the eggs or the fry.
Diet: The Sauger feeds mainly on small fish, aquatic insect larvae, leeches and crayfish. They usually hunt in schools and often find themselves in the company of the walleye.
Fishing Techniques: Trolling, casting, jigging, drop shot.
3.3 / PERCH
Scientific Name: Perca Flavescens, Percidae Family
Common Names: Perch, Yellow Perch
Canadian Record: 2.97 lbs.
Ontario Record: 2.42 lbs.
Quebec Record: 2.5 lbs. (unregistered)
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 14 to 24 degrees C/58 to 75 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 20 degrees C/68 degrees F
Habitat: The yellow perch is a fish that lives in temperate waters of lakes and rivers that have medium to dense vegetation. They particularly like the clear waters with muddy, sandy and gravelly bottoms. Perch is present in Ontario and Quebec. It is very popular on the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes and is now subject to regulation in order to protect the species. This species, like the walleye, is gregarious and lives within a school of fish. The same habitat can therefore accommodate several dozens or hundreds of fish.
Reproduction: Perch usually spawn in the spring from mid-April to late May, depending on its geographical location. Perch ready to spawn move towards shallow areas of lakes and rivers to lay the eggs during the night or early morning. The bottom is generally made up of gravel sand and interspersed with vegetation roots, brush and submerged trees.
A female can lay eggs in the shape of long strings. These can reach up to 2 meters in length. The eggs will stick to the vegetation until the fry hatches 8 to 10 days later. The fry remain inactive for a period of 5 days and feed from their vitelline reserve. Fry often remains together until adulthood.
Diet: Perch feed primarily on zooplankton early in life and change their diet to include larger prey during growth. Small fish, crayfish and other invertebrates, larvae, insects, worms, eggs … will form an integral part of its diet. Perch feed actively throughout the year and can be caught during the summer or when ice fishing in the winter.
Fishing Techniques: Casting, bobber, jigging, drop shot
4 / ESOCIDAE 4
General Description: The pike and muskellunge both belong to the family of esocidae. The hybridization of these two species is possible. The female esocidae is usually larger (sexual dimorphism) and lives longer than the male. Muskellunge grow generally faster than pike. They can also live more than 30 years whereas the pike’s longevity rarely exceeds 25 years.
The Esocidae fish are a solitary and sedentary species that attack their prey by surprise. Their bodies are slender and unsuited for lengthy pursuits. The attacks are usually abrupt, short and direct.
The Esocidae fish are very combative and are overwhelmingly popular amongst anglers and sportsmen. Muskellunge are also subject to strict regulations in Ontario and in Quebec. The flaky white fish of the esocidae is very popular but the recent trend favors returning these back to the water after a catch. Each fish filet has a row of bones in the shape of a Y which can be easily removed when cleaning the fish.
4.1 / MUSKELLUNGE
Scientific Name: Esox masquinongy, Family Esocidae
Common Names: freshwater shark, muskellunge
Canadian Record: 65 lbs.
Ontario Record: 65 lbs.
Quebec Record: 54 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 10 to 26 degrees C/50 to 80 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 19 degrees C/66 degrees F
Habitat: You will find muskellunge in shallow waters that are rich in vegetation in the rivers and lakes of Ontario and Quebec (pond weed, water lilies, rushes, etc.). They often inhabit the same areas as the pike do. However, large muskies generally prefer warmer waters than large pike.
Reproduction: The muskellunge spawn during the day, usually after the pike, in late spring and early summer when the water temperature varies between 9.5 and 15 degrees C (50 to 60 degrees F). In the shallow grassy banks of the spawning beds, you can find a female with one or two males.
The female is usually larger than the male. Eggs are deposited randomly on the vegetation and adults do not provide any protection for the fry. Hatching occurs 1 to 2 weeks after spawning.
Diet: Like the pike, muskellunge prefer larger sized prey. They feed mainly on fish but may, on occasion, feed on small vertebrates, amphibians, crayfish, rodents, young waterfowl…
Fishing techniques: Trolling, casting, jigging, fly
4.2 / NORTHERN PIKE
Scientific name: Esox Lucius, Esocidae Family
Common Names: Northern pike, pike, freshwater shark
Canadian Record: 45.9 lbs.
Ontario Record: 42.12 lbs.
Quebec Record: 45.9 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 5 to 30 degrees C/41 to 86 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 21 degrees C/70 degrees F
Habitat: Pike prefer shallow lakes, rivers and streams that have dense vegetation and that have temperate water. Their geographic location covers both the province of Quebec and Ontario.
The adult pike stays close to the spawning beds and it is common to find several specimens in the same habitat. The larger pike prefer temperatures between 10 and 12.5 degrees C (50 to 55 degrees F) and it is not uncommon to catch one at a depth of more than 10 meters deep during the summer.
Reproduction: Spawning begins in the spring or when the ice melts in Quebec and Ontario. Water temperature is then between 5 and 7.5 degrees C (40 to 45 F). They will choose banks that are densely populated with vegetation or bays in various lakes and rivers.
The female lays her eggs in the vegetation. Eggs will stick to the vegetation until the birth of the fry, from 12 to 14 days later. The fry will remain idle for 6 – 10 days living on their reserves. Fry stay in the shallow waters of the spawning ground for several weeks and will not be protected by their parents. The fry will feed on zooplankton, insects and eventually small fish when they reach 5 cm in size. Pike can live up to 25 years in northern waters.
Diet: The pike is an opportunistic species that easily captures any kind of prey. Small fish, crayfish, small vertebrates, amphibians, rodents, etc…are part of their diet. Cannibalism is not uncommon in the pike species. Like the Muskellunge, adult pike prefer larger prey.
This fish will stay on the lookout near the edge of weeds, tree trunks or stumps, lilies and will attack its prey by surprise. They prefer to hunt alone and are rather territorial. It is not uncommon to catch several pike in the same spot if the habitat is ideal. Pike grow generally very quickly as they can reach a length of 30 cm in the first year and 50 cm in the second.
Fishing Techniques: Trolling, casting, jigging, fly, drop shot.
5 / CENTRARCHIDAE 5
General Description: Centrarchidae have six species of fish, namely bass, crappie, sunfish and bluegill. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are two species of bass that can be found in freshwaters of Ontario and Quebec. The geographic locations for both species of bass are generally the same in Canada. However, the smallmouth bass is found more abundantly further north than its counterpart largemouth bass that live in warmer waters of Quebec and Ontario. Both species often frequent the same waters, but different habitats.
The body of a bass is stocky and strong. The body of the smallmouth is generally striped while that of the largemouth bass has a dark lateral band. The largemouth bass has a more greenish appearance whereas the smallmouth appears mostly brown. The mouth of the largemouth bass extends backward beyond the eye of the fish. Another distinction between the two is that the two dorsal fins are connected on the smallmouth bass while these are almost completely separated on the largemouth bass. Both species can reach similar sizes at adulthood in Ontario and Quebec.
Bass is a combative fish that will not hesitate to jump out of the water and shake its mouth wide open in order to free itself. The bass is an important species for both commercial, recreational and sports fishing. The flesh of the bass is of high quality, it has a white and flaky appearance and texture. The flesh of the smallmouth bass is generally less oily and preferred by many.
Crappies, sunfish and bluegill are the smallest carnivorous fish of the centrarchidae family. They are especially popular with young anglers in Ontario and Quebec. These species usually measure 15 to 25 inches at adulthood. Crappies, sunfish and bluegills are active throughout the year and can also be caught during the winter (ice fishing). The flesh of the fish is mild and delicious and is particularly appreciated by fishermen in the spring when fishing season has not yet opened for other game fish species.
5.1 / SMALLMOUTH BASS
Scientific Name: Micropterus Dolomieu, Centrarchidae Family
Common Names: Smallmouth, black bass
Canadian Record: 9.84 lbs.
Ontario Record: 9.84 lbs.
Quebec Record: 8.8 lbs.
Preferred temperature (min and max): 10 to 26 degrees C/50 to 79 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 20 degrees C/68 degrees F
Habitat: The smallmouth bass prefers a habitat that is more rocky and sandy than its counterpart the largemouth bass, which prefers waters with dense vegetation. This bass likes pebbled bottoms that are able to hide its favorite food, crayfish. On the St. Lawrence River, the smallmouth bass is particularly fond of shallow waters covered with zebra mussels and that are heavily populated by gobies.
The smallmouth bass is more sensitive to heat than the largemouth and will not hesitate to reach depths of 10 meters or more (30 feet of more) to reach its comfort zone.
Reproduction: The smallmouth bass spawn late in the spring and early summer as do largemouth bass. The spawning beds can be busy from late May to early July depending on the water temperature. Females mature after the males.
The male prepares a nest at a depth ranging from a few dozen centimeters to 6 meters (2 to 20 feet) on a sandy and gravelly bottom. The female lays her eggs in a nest that is vigorously guarded by the male. The male will remain on or near the nest until the fry hatch a few days later (4 to 10 days). The female may also breed with several males by making several nests.
After hatching, the fry measure 5.6 to 5.9 mm in length and feed on plankton at the beginning of their lives. The fry leave the nest a few days later (app. 1 week) but they still remain guarded by the male for several days.
Diet: Smallmouth bass generally feed on smaller prey than do largemouth bass. Its diet consists mainly of crayfish, small fish, small frogs, small rodents, worms, leeches, insects, etc…
This bass will not hesitate to jump out of the water to capture prey on the surface, especially at dawn and dusk. It will also use all depths of the water to hunt for food, looking for forage fish that are suspended and crayfish under rocks. During winter, smallmouth bass stay close to the bottom and are not active.
Fishing techniques: Casting, trolling, jigging, drop shot, Texas rig fishing or “Carolina rig fishing”, fly.
5.2 / LARGEMOUTH BASS
Scientific Name: Micropterus salmoides, Centrarchidae Family
Common Names: Black Bass, Green Bass, largemouth bass
Canadian record: 10.48 lbs.
Ontario record: 10.43 lbs.
Quebec Record: 6.9 lbs.
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 13 to 29 degrees C/55 to 84 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 22 degrees C/72 degrees F
Habitat: Largemouth bass usually swim within the upper warmer waters of lakes and rivers and shallow bays. They can usually be found at depths of less than six or seven meters (20 feet) even during the summer. This bass will normally stay in areas that have dense vegetation (water lilies, submerged trees, stumps, submerged roots, cattails and other dense vegetation). The largemouth will not hesitate, however, to venture out and follow the schools of bait fish in open water.
Reproduction: The largemouth bass spawn in late spring and early summer when the water temperature varies between 17 and 20 degrees C (63 to 68 F). Males reach sexual maturity before females.
Spawning areas are generally located in shallow bays that range in depth from a few dozen centimeters to more than one meter (1 to 4 ft.). The month of June is generally the most active time for spawning in Ontario and Quebec.
The female lays her eggs in a nest that the male has carefully prepared on a sandy, muddy and gravelly bottom or within vegetation. The size of the nest is variable and generally resembles a large plate at the bottom of the water ranging in size from 60 centimeters to one meter in diameter (2-3 feet). The female lays her eggs in the nest that will be fertilized by the male. Females may mate with more than one male and may make more than one nest. The male will protect the nest with fervor by circulating the water over the eggs until they hatch a few days later (3 to 5 days).
The male will be quick to attack any intruder who approaches the nest, including fishermen’s’ lures. Bass season is in fact closed during the breeding season for this very reason. The fry measuring 3 millimeters will remain near the male during the first week, benefitting from its protection. They also do not hesitate to take refuge in the mouth of the male in case of danger. The fry leave the nest about ten days later, but will remain for a month near the male.
Diet: The diet of bass varies with its size and its growth. The fry feed on plankton and later on small insects and larvae during the growth period. During adulthood, bass feed primarily on crayfish, minnows, small frogs, small rodents, salamanders, worms, leeches, insects, etc…
The bass are able to feed with good eyesight and will not hesitate to pick up prey on the surface or on the bottom. It normally hunts near the edge of the body of water or near vegetation, but may also follow schools of bait fish that are farther offshore. The larger specimens may, however, be more solitary. It is possible to catch a few large specimens in an ideal habitat. The largemouth bass are less active during the winter months and will make fat reserves during the fall.
Fishing Techniques: Casting, trolling, jigging, drop shot, Texas rig fishing, Carolina Rig fishing, fly.
5.3 / BLACK CRAPPIE
Scientific Name: Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Centrarchidae Family
Common Names: Calico, black crappie
Canadian Record: (Not Available)
Ontario Record: 3.78 lbs.
Quebec Record: (Not Available)
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 13 to 27 degrees C/55 to 80 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 21 to 24 degrees C/70 to 75 degrees F
Habitat: The black crappie is found in lakes and rivers with medium to dense vegetation, in Ontario and Quebec. It prefers clear waters but it can also be found elsewhere if the water is not too turbid. This species is gregarious and it is not uncommon to find schools of dozens or hundreds of fish.
Reproduction: The crappie species spawn in late spring and early summer (May to July depending on its geographic location) when the water varies between 17 and 18.5 degrees C (62 to 65 F). Spawning areas are usually shallow and located on sandy, gravelly or muddy bottoms.
The male builds a nest in a colony in which the female will lay her eggs. The hatching will occur 3 to 5 days thereafter. The female may mate with more than one male and make more than one nest. The male will guard the nest and the fry after hatching occurs. Black crappie can live up to ten years.
Diet: They feed mainly on plankton and larvae until they reach 15 cm in length. They consume small fish, larvae, insects, worms and eggs when they have reached adulthood.
Fishing techniques: casting, bobber, drop shot, small jigs, small tubes.
5.4 / ROCK BASS
Scientific Name: Ambloplites rupestris, Centrarchidae
Common Names: Red eye bluegill, rock bass
Canadian Record: 3 lbs.
Ontario Record: 3 lbs.
Quebec Record: (not available)
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 13 to 27 degrees C/55 to 80 degrees F
Optimal temperature: 20 to 23 degrees C/69 to 74 degrees F
Habitat: Rock bass are found mostly in clear water lakes and rivers that have a rocky, gravelly or pebbled bottom and which have medium to dense vegetation, in Ontario and Quebec. Rock bass is also a gregarious species and can often be found in the company of other bass or sunfish.
Reproduction: Rock bass spawn in the spring or in early summer (June and July) when the water temperature is around 20 degrees C (68F). The male builds a nest shaped like a saucer in shallow waters on a sandy or pebbled bottom. The female will lay her eggs and many different fish can lay eggs in the same nest.
The male will guard the nest after the eggs are fertilized. The hatching will occur 3 to 4 days later. The male will also protect the fry after hatching. Rock bass can live up to 10 years.
Diet: The rock bass feed primarily on small fish, crayfish, grubs, insects, worms, eggs, etc…
Fishing techniques: casting, bobber, small jigs, drop shot, small tubes.
5.5 / PUMPKINSEED
Scientific Name: Lepomis gibbosus. Centrarchidae Family
Common Names: Sunfish, pumpkinseed
Canadian Record: 1 lb.
Ontario Record: 1 lb.
Quebec Record: (not available)
Preferred temperatures (min and max): 10 to 27 degrees C/55 to 80 degrees F
Habitat: This sunfish also prefers clear waters that have dense vegetation. You can find them in both Ontario and Quebec. This species is gregarious and is often found in small schools of fish. They prefer, however, cooler water than other sunfish species.
Reproduction: This sunfish breeds in the spring and early summer (June-August). Spawning beds are generally found in shallow water on a sandy, gravelly or muddy bottom near aquatic vegetation.
The male builds a nest in which the female will lay her eggs. Hatching will occur three days later. Males will protect the eggs and then the fry after hatching. Many individual fish may spawn in the same nest repeatedly.
Diet: The sunfish feed primarily on small fish, small crustaceans, larvae, insects, eggs, etc.
Fishing techniques: casting, bobber, small jigs, drop shot, small tubes.
5.6 / BLUEGILL
Scientific Name: Lepomis macrochirus, Centrarchiae Family
Common Names: Bluegill
Canadian Record: (not available)
Ontario Record: 1.83 lbs.
Quebec Record: (not available)
Preferred temperatures: (min and max) 13 to 27 degrees C/55 to 80 degrees F
Habitat: Common bluegill generally prefers clear waters and dense vegetation, but at times can be found in slightly brackish waters. Bluegill is the most abundant of all panfish in Canada and is present in Ontario and Quebec lakes and rivers.
This species is also gregarious and is often found in small schools of individuals. It will gather in colonies in shallow waters during the winter.
Reproduction: The bluegill breed in the springtime and early summer (June-August). Spawning grounds are generally located in shallow water with a gravelly, sandy or muddy bottom.
The male will build a nest in which the female will lay eggs. The same nest may be used for the coupling of several males and females. The hatching occurs within 3 to 5 days. Males will protect the eggs and fry.
Diet: The bluegill feed primarily on small fish, small crustaceans, larvae, insects, eggs…when they reach adult age.
Fishing Techniques: Casting, small Jigs, bobber, drop shot, small tubes.
1 Salmonidae: For further information about this species and the specific regulations that affect them in Ontario and Quebec, consult the following sites: Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario, Le Ministère des forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.
2 Trout and Char: For further information about this species and the specific regulations that affect them in Ontario and Quebec, consult the following sites: Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario, Le Ministère des forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.
3 Percidae: For further information about this species and the specific regulations that affect them in Ontario and Quebec, consult the following sites: Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario, Le Ministère des forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.
4 Esocidae: For further information about this species and the specific regulations that affect them in Ontario and Quebec, consult the following sites: Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario, Le Ministère des forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.
5 Centrarchidae: For further information about this species and the specific regulations that affect them in Ontario and Quebec, consult the following sites: Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario, Le Ministère des forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.


Nitric oxide is an endogenously produced free radical released by cells as part of the innate immune response to pathogens. Nitric oxide is a unique alternative to antibiotics because it has unparalleled broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity compared to existing drugs. Furthermore, nitric oxide kills bacteria via multiple mechanisms, including nitrosative and oxidative stresses that damage DNA, lipid membranes, proteins, and iron-sulfur clusters.
Vast is developing nitric oxide “donor rich” compounds that can be deployed on demand through our proprietary inhaled formulations to target a broad range of severe respiratory infections.
The Vast nitric oxide technology holds the potential to become the ultimate therapeutic for treating pathogenic infections.
The company has broad, worldwide patent rights including an exclusive license to four issued patents and pending patent applications as well as its own pending patent applications. The issued patents cover multiple nitric oxide-releasing compounds and their pharmaceutical formulations. In addition, the pending patent applications cover additional nitric oxide related materials and uses.


Regenerative Organic Agriculture:
Our path to climate positivity
We at Dr. Bronner’s produce natural cosmetics from regeneratively grown and Fair Trade as well as organic certified raw materials. In this way, we make a positive contribution within our value chain for our earth & the climate as well as for smallholder farmers & their communities.
Intensive conventional agriculture causes almost one quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the main drivers of climate change. We know that it can be done differently, and that the agricultural system can be transformed from a problem into a solution. That’s why we have set out to grow our raw materials according to principles of regenerative organic agriculture, thereby improving the health of soils and plants.
Healthy soils enable higher yields for smallholder farmers without requiring the use of agrochemicals, in addition to permanently absorbing excess carbon (CO2) from the atmosphere.
Our journey to a humane and sustainable value chain began in 2005 with the shift to certified organic and Fair Trade raw materials. We want to know exactly by whom and under what conditions they are grown. That’s why we produce our most important agricultural raw materials in close cooperation with smallholder farmers around the world, either in our own production or with partner projects.
In 2010, we began to grow our most important raw materials additionally according to the principles of regenerative organic farming:
1. SOIL HEALTH
- Use of compost & mulching helps build humus and eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers & pesticides
- Cover crops sequester CO2 in the soil, turn nitrogen into soil fertilizer, and reduce erosion & weeds
- Mixed forests with field & tree plants increase biodiversity
- Minimal tillage protects soil life (e. g. roots, fungi) and prevents evaporation of water & release of carbon
2. SOCIAL FAIRNESS
- Fair prices & living wages strengthen economic stability of smallholder farmers and their communities
- Safe working conditions and long-term business relationships facilitate collaboration based on trust
3. ANIMAL WELFARE
- Holistic grazing: animals return nutrient-rich manure to soil & systematically rotate to allow pastures to recover
- No factory farming to allow natural behaviors to occur


题目：The fundamental benefits of multiplexity in ecological networks
摘要：A tipping point presents perhaps the single most significant threat to an ecological system as it can lead to abrupt species extinction on a massive scale. Climate changes leading to the species decay parameter drifts can drive various ecological systems towards a tipping point. We investigate the tipping-point dynamics in multi-layer ecological networks supported by mutualism. We unveil a natural mechanism by which the occurrence of tipping points can be delayed by multiplexity that broadly describes the diversity of the species abundances, the complexity of the interspecific relationships, and the topology of linkages in ecological networks. For a double-layer system of pollinators and plants, coupling between the network layers occurs when there is dispersal of pollinator species. Multiplexity emerges as the dispersing species establish their presence in the destination layer and have a simultaneous presence in both. We demonstrate that the new mutualistic links induced by the dispersing species with the residence species have fundamental benefits to the wellbeing of the ecosystem in delaying the tipping point and facilitating species recovery. Articulating and implementing control mechanisms to induce multiplexity can thus help sustain certain types of ecosystems that are in danger of extinction as the result of environmental changes.


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Field Murals and Poetry at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge – Saturday, October 19th
October 19, 2019 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Field Murals and Poetry at the Refuge
Saturday October 19th
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
7851 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105
Visit the Facebook Event for More Information.
Join artists Francesca Searer, Nani Chacon, Erin De Rosa, Jessica Chao, and Helen Greenfeather English for a tour of Valle de Oro Wildlife Refuge Field Murals, followed by a poetry walk through the Bosque with Albuquerque Poet Laureate Michelle Otero and Amaris Ketchum, who has done a poetic inventory analogous to a “scientific inventory” of the Rio Grande’s biodiversity.
The field murals are a collaborative art project sponsored by the Bernalillo County Public Art Program. Each of the murals represent different ecosystems/habitats being developed throughout the Refuge, showcasing the future of the land through artistic interpretations of the flora and fauna that will consider these sites home. The tour departs the Refuge parking lot at 2pm to caravan through the fields and then participants can park by the Bosque for the poetry walk to the river.
516 ARTS and partners present Species in Peril Along the Rio Grande, an exhibition and series of regional public programs responding to the global biological crisis described in the new UN Report that officially state that nature’s dangerous decline is “unprecedented,” and species extinction rates are accelerating at
an alarming pace.
For more information about the exhibition and events happening throughout the region, Click HERE


A phenotype may be altered (compared to the original situation conditioned by its genotype) by nongenetic means. Examples: some hormones may cease to be secreted due to diseases, whereas the genes that determine their secretion remain intact; a person can go to a hairdresser and change the color of his/her hair; plastic surgery can be performed to alter the facial features of an individual; colored contact lenses may be worn; and a plant can grow beyond its genetically conditioned size through the application of phytohormones.
The effect of environmental influences on phenotypes can be observed in monozygotic twins who have grown up in different places. Generally, these twins present very distinct phenotypical features due to the environmental and cultural differences of the places where they lived and due to their different individual experiences in life.
(Biologically programmed phenotypical changes, such as nonpathological changes in skin color caused by sunlight exposure, tanning, or the variation of the color of some flowers depending on the pH of the soil cannot be considered independent from the genotype. In reality, these changes are planned by the genotype as natural adaptations to environmental changes.)


Welcome to the enchanting world of Malaysia’s finest honey, where nature’s golden nectar takes you on a journey from the lush rainforests right to your table. Brace yourself for an extraordinary adventure as we unveil the secrets behind this delectable treat and delve into the remarkable process that goes into its creation.
Imagine standing amidst towering trees, with sunlight filtering through a canopy of leaves and the sweet melody of buzzing bees filling the air. It is in these untouched rainforests that some of the world’s most exquisite honey is born. These magical habitats provide an ideal environment for bees to thrive and produce honey like no other.
Join us as we explore how these majestic rainforests play a vital role in crafting high-quality honey, and discover why Malaysia Honey has become renowned for its exceptional beekeeping practices. Buckle up, because this journey promises to be nothing short of fascinating!
The Importance of Rainforests in Producing High-Quality Honey
Nestled within Malaysia’s rich and biodiverse rainforests lies the secret to producing high-quality honey. These pristine ecosystems offer a treasure trove of floral diversity, providing bees with an abundant source of nectar from a wide variety of flowers.
The intricate web of life in these rainforests ensures that bees have access to a constant supply of nectar throughout the year. From vibrant orchids to exotic durian blossoms, each flower imparts its unique flavor profile into the honey, resulting in a symphony of tastes that tantalize our taste buds.
Moreover, the untouched nature of these rainforests means that no pesticides or chemicals interfere with the natural process. Bees can gather nectar freely without exposure to harmful substances, allowing for pure and unadulterated honey production.
Beyond their role as providers for bees, rainforests also contribute significantly to maintaining global biodiversity. By supporting healthy bee populations, these ecosystems facilitate pollination and seed dispersal for countless plant species. In essence, they are key players in sustaining not only honey production but also overall ecosystem resilience.
As we indulge in Malaysia’s finest honey, let us take a moment to appreciate the crucial role played by rainforests – guardians of nature’s delicate balance – ensuring that every spoonful is imbued with unparalleled taste and quality.
The Process of Harvesting and Extracting Honey in Malaysia
The process of harvesting and extracting honey in Malaysia is a meticulous one, carried out with great care to ensure the highest quality product reaches your table. It all begins with the skilled beekeepers venturing into the rainforests, where they set up hives in strategic locations amidst an abundance of nectar-rich flowers.
Once the bees have diligently collected their precious cargo, it’s time for the extraction process to begin. The beekeepers carefully remove frames filled with honeycombs from the hives without disturbing or harming the bees. These frames are then transported back to processing facilities.
At the processing facilities, each frame is uncapped using a special knife or scraper. This allows access to the sweet golden liquid within. Once uncapped, frames are placed in centrifugal extractors that use centrifugal force to spin out every last drop of honey from comb cells.
After extraction, raw honey is typically filtered through mesh screens or sieves to remove any impurities such as wax particles and bee debris while retaining its natural nutrients and enzymes. It’s poured into jars or bottles ready for packaging and distribution.
By following this careful process from hive to bottle, Malaysian honey producers ensure that you receive nothing but pure, unadulterated goodness on your table – straight from our lush rainforests! So next time you savor a spoonful of Malaysian honey, remember its incredible journey and appreciate nature’s gift unfolding right before your eyes!


What to Avoid?
What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it absorbs everything including toxins. If you are concerned about not eating unhealthy foods like trans fat, then you'll definitely want to know which synthetic ingredients you should watch out for in the products you use.
- Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Parabens: Used as a preservative to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life. Unfortunately, it can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes. Preliminary research found parabens in human breast cancer tumors.
- Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA): These are used as foaming agents, but can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and dryness of the hair and skin. DEA and TEA are toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time, and are associated with cancer in lab animals.
- Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea: Often used as preservatives, the American Academy of Dermatology has found these chemicals to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis (irritation caused by foreign substance). Both these chemicals release formaldehyde, which can be toxic.
- Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: This is a cheap, harsh detergent used in many shampoos for its ability to cleanse and foam. Often derived from petroleum, it causes eye irritation, dry scalp, skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Be on the lookout for pseudo-natural products that list this ingredient with the phrase "comes from coconuts" - it's still bad for you.
- Petrolatum: Also known as petroleum jelly, this is a mineral oil derivative that can clog your pores. This in turn disrupts your body's natural ability to moisturize its own skin, leading to dryness and chapping. Manufacturers use it because it's really inexpensive.
- Propylene Glycol: Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural, but it's usually made from synthetic chemicals. It has been known to cause hives and eczema. Beware of related chemicals labeled PEG and PPG.
- PVP/VA Copolymer: A petroleum-derived chemical that's used in hair styling products and some cosmetics. Considered toxic since if inhaled, it can damage the lungs.
- Stearalkonium Chloride: This toxic chemical was designed by the fabric industry for use as a fabric softener. Companies use it in hair conditioners and lotions because it's much cheaper than natural conditioning ingredients such as proteins.
- Synthetic Colors: Labeled as FD&C or D&C and followed by a number, these make products look pretty but can be carcinogenic.
- Synthetic Fragrances: Labeled simply as "fragrance," there's no way to tell what chemicals are actually in the product. People can get headaches, dizziness, rashes, and respiratory problems from them. People may also experience hyper-pigmentation, which means this chemical may cause brown spots to form on your skin.


Beholding the wildlife Great Migration is renowned as one of most visually stunning adventures you could ever add to your travel bucket list. Specifically, the Great Migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope, gazelle, and zebra begins in Tanzania’s Serengeti and steadily follows a path to the southwestern border of Kenya.
Determining when to travel to East Africa to view the Great Migration hinges on a number of factors since different times of the year are marked by pronounced variations in scenery and game. Ultimately, it all depends on what you’re hoping to gain from this once in a lifetime experience.
Here is a chronological overview of the path of the migration to help you pinpoint when to travel:
- January – February- New year, new wildlife! Wildebeest are inclined to congregate in the southern portion of the Serengeti in February where they give birth to thousands of baby calves. The Ngorongoro Crater region is ideal for the 2-3 week span of calving season since the soil and grass here is rich in potassium, calcium, and phosphorus from volcanic eruptions two million years ago.
- March – The end of February and the entire month of March is known to have extensive levels of predatory activity in the Ngorongoro region. The newly born calves are easy targets for carnivorous animals like lions, thereby signaling an internal alarm clock within the wildebeest species that it’s time for a change of scenery.
- April – May- While there are myriad sights to behold during these months, it would likely behoove you to wait until June and July to fully immerse yourself in this natural wonderland. April is when the Serengeti begins to noticeably dry up and when most of the grass disappears. Hence, the herds head west along the path of the Grumeti River.
- June – July- This is arguably the BEST time of the year to really see the good stuff! June and July is when the herds pick up the pace towards the Masai Mara since this reserve gets rain from the nearby Lake Victoria. This is also the time of year when the herds face the challenging obstacle of crossing over the Grumeti River. Wildebeest and zebra drink several gallons every day from this water source. Travelers will be able to view all the excitement playing out around the Grumeti and beyond, so consider planning a game drive along the river to view the action at close proximity.
- August – September – August is likely the best month to catch a river crossing. By August, the wildlife has trekked to the Masai Mara region where it’s time to cross over the Mara River. If you’re keen on witnessing the crossings, take note that patience is required for this waiting game. Consider taking a hot air balloon over the Masai Mara for a bird’s eye view of the crossing.
- October – The first portion of October is a picturesque time of year in the pool-table flat Masai Mara grasslands. In the beginning of the month, the wildlife is still grazing. Late October is when the herds begin trekking back down to the northern Serengeti where short grass is abundant.
- November – December – At long last, the wildlife reaches the Seronera area where they will stay until going back to the Ngorongoro region for calving season once again.


Of an initial list appended with more recently recognised zoonotic pathogens, 86 pathogens remained on our list, which were identified as most relevant for the Dutch situation (Van der Giessen et al., 2004, Van der Giessen et al, 2010). Basic information (taxonomy, animal reservoir, transmission routes, global distribution e.d.) of each of the 86 emerging zoonotic pathogens is assembled in the information system of EZIPs. When new zoonotic pathogens are identified in future, these can easily be added to this dynamic database.
Literature and data sources
Giessen JWB Van der, Isken LD, Tiemersma EW. Zoonoses in Europe: a risk to public health. RIVM report 330200002/2004. 2004.
Giessen JWB Van der, Van de Giessen AW, Braks, MAH. Emerging zoonoses: Early warning and surveillance in the Netherlands. RIVM report 330214002/2010 RIVM, 2010.


Some of the most exciting breakthroughs in sustainability science come through combining existing data sets to produce rich new information resources.
In one recent example, meat consumption patterns around the world were linked back to the impacts on specific wild species and habitats due to agricultural expansion in the Cerrado, a biodiverse savannah in Brazil.
The data were combined in two stages. First, landscape-level Trase data on Brazilian soy supply chains were linked with a model of biodiversity losses between 2000 and 2010, to estimate the impacts of soy expansion on different animal and plant species.
The combination of Trase data and high-resolution species data made it possible to capture the highly diverse impacts on species from countries’ and traders’ specific sourcing patterns. This is critical for understanding impacts on (and ways to help) Cerrado-dependent species such as Kaempfer’s woodpecker (Celeus obrieni), which occurs in just a small area and is in a precarious situation.
The results showed, for example, that around 45% of the impacts on endemic species’ ranges were associated with production of soy going to the domestic market (a sizeable share of which is used to produce chicken and pork. Another 22% of the impacts were associated with exports to China, and 15% to exports to the European Union. Two thirds of the impacts occurred in Goiás state and Distrito Federal.
This new data set was then linked to a global economic model to follow the soy’s journey from Brazilian ports to the country and sector of final consumption (regular Trase data only map commodity flows to the first country of import). As globally traded soy is nearly all used as livestock feed, this included consumption in the form of meat and dairy products.
When it comes to which soy-fed meat products have the greatest impact, beef consumption accounts for about 13% of soy’s impacts, and other meats (e.g. port and chicken) for about 14%. However, in some major European markets like Germany, the UK, Italy and the Netherlands, consumption of non-beef meat products fed on Cerrado soy accounted for around 30% of the impacts, compared to only 10–12% for soy-fed beef products.
The fact that commodity production – and the related consumption – are linked to biodiversity loss has long been known. But until now it has not been possible to quantify the impacts, to see them in such detail, or to connect them to specific actors, supply chains and consumer products. This new approach not only deepens our understanding of the links, but also for the first time reveals real opportunities for action – another creative and invaluable application of Trase data.


The double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. It occurs along inland waterways as well as in coastal areas, and is widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Florida and Mexico. Measuring 70–90 cm (28–35 in) in length, it is an all-black bird which gains a small double crest of black and white feathers in breeding season. It has a bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin. Five subspecies are recognized.
The double-crested cormorant is found near rivers and lakes and along the coastline. It mainly eats fish and hunts by swimming and diving. Its feathers, like those of all cormorants, are not waterproof and it must spend time drying them out after spending time in the water. Once threatened by the use of DDT, the numbers of this bird have increased markedly in recent years.
The double-crested cormorant was described by Rene Primevere Lesson in 1831. Its scientific name is derived from the Greek words :phalakros, "bald" and korax, "crow" or "raven", and the Latin auritus, "eared", referring to its nuptial crests. Its common name refers to the same nuptial crests.


Why is my bitch not interested in her pups?
A mother dog’s instincts will typically kick-in whilst she is giving birth to her litter of puppies; she will want to clean them and allow them to feed so they can absorb the rich nutrients from her colostrum, which is crucial for the first few days of their development. There may, however, be an occasion where a bitch may not act accordingly after giving birth, and she may seem disinterested in her pups which can cause great concern for their welfare. If this does happen, you may be left thinking why your bitch isn’t interested in her pups and what you can do to aid her. Here are the reasons why this may be the case, and what you can do to assist your dog and her puppies, if intervention is necessary.
By Emily Roach, Paws in Work guest blogger.
Mother dogs are usually protective of their new-born pups and will make sure that they start feeding them straight after birth, as well as keeping them clean and helping them to defecate by licking them for stimulation. Sometimes this intuition may not be so apparent, as this can arise when the mother dog is too young and may not have developed the necessary hormone, oxytocin. This hormone induces milk production and nurturing behaviour after the pups are born, and without it the mother may not know how to react. The process of labour can be overwhelming for some dogs; the feeling of stress may prevent them from wanting to help the puppies feed.
Some stray dogs who have fallen pregnant may feel extremely overwhelmed and confused from being taken into new surroundings, such as a shelter as well as having to give birth; this in-turn can lead to the rejection of puppies. There may just be no specific physical or mental reason as to why a mother dog may not naturally take care of her puppies; sometimes things just don’t work out. It’s important to remember motherhood may not be such a breeze for some dogs, so try not to put pressure on yourselves or your dog as she may pick up on this.
medical causes & other factors.
As well as behavioural reasons of mother dogs not interacting with their puppies, medical factors can also have an influence on certain actions. There is a link between dogs who have c-sections rather than natural births, which may be a reason that they are struggling to bond with their pups. The mother will be recovering from her procedure which may affect her ability of lactation and her tolerance of the litter trying to nurse on her.
This can subsequently lead to aggression towards the puppies and even rejection. This is when intervention such as bottle-feeding would be needed as puppies are reliant on their mother’s milk until around 7 weeks of age. Some female dogs, however, need to have a c-section for their own safety, this is commonly an issue with brachycephalic breeds such as Boston Terriers, English and French Bulldogs and Boxers. Always seek guidance from your vet on what is best for your bitch having a safe delivery, depending on her physical needs.
There are additionally a range of causes which involve the mother dog trying to feed her puppies, but she physically can’t. One example is that the mother simply cannot produce enough or any milk at all, this is a rare occurrence and is thought to be caused by genetics. This may happen if the mother dog has given birth to a large litter and hasn’t supplied enough milk to feed all the pups substantially. This issue can usually be helped by improving your dog’s diet to supply her with enough nutrition to feed a large litter. Always make sure you consult your vet first for a clear diagnosis and how best to move forwards when looking after your dog and her puppies.
The most common cause for a dog not feeding her pups is canine mastitis, which is a bacterial infection which can cause feeding to become very painful for the mother as swelling develops. This can also cause the infection to spread to her milk which can make the milk toxic and unsafe for the puppies to drink. The milk may look different, and the pups may reject drinking it themselves. Please ask for veterinary advice if you notice any of these symptoms.
Some mother dogs might be susceptible to more serious conditions such as metritis and milk fever, both of which can be life-threatening to her and the puppies if they are unable to obtain adequate nutrients in the crucial first few weeks. Both of which can cause symptoms such as fever, restlessness, and pain; the mother will not want to feed her pups. Emergency veterinary attention is required for both diseases and the pups will have to be fed via bottle and formula whilst mum takes some time to recover.
what to do when a mother rejects one puppy.
In some cases, a mother dog may reject one puppy rather than the whole litter, there can be a variety of reasons that triggers this. For example, the mother may detect a form of weakness in a particular puppy, such as a birth defect, which enables her to sense that their chances of survival aren’t as strong as their littermates. She may refuse to nurse them or give them any attention and even try to separate this puppy from the litter, because she will want to provide the other pups with her undivided attention. If you have noticed that this puppy is continually being isolated, you should take it to the vet for diagnosis and how to aid the puppy’s recovery. You will also need to help by feeding the puppy from a bottle and keeping it warm, as its mother would’ve.
what to do if your mother dog is biting her puppies.
Your dog may try to bite her puppies, especially during the weaning process. This is most common at the point of the puppies being old enough to transfer fully to solid food, typically around 2-3 months of age. This is a behavioural issue rather than the mother dog having difficulty establishing a bond between herself and her pups, or one of the pups becoming ill. This is simply due to the puppies developing sharp teeth which then becomes highly agitating and uncomfortable for mum as her pups constantly try to feed.
As the pups become older, their mother will gradually decrease the time she spends looking after them. She may become more irritable with them as time goes on and they pester her for her milk! This is natural behaviour and establishes boundaries between a mother dog and her puppies; they will learn how to gain their independence through this. On rare occasions, the correction a mother will give her pups may be aggressive, so it’s important to observe her with the puppies when they get to this age. The mother dog may also mimic biting, or she will gently correct her puppies if they show signs of aggression towards their siblings or if they’re generally pushing limits! This is all part of the healthy progression of socialisation and teaching the puppies when it’s appropriate for them to use their mouths for communication purposes and how to carefully interact with one-another. This will also benefit the puppies and their future owners, as they begin to teethe and learn what is and isn’t acceptable to chew on.
It can be a challenging and conflicting time when your dog gives birth, especially if its her first litter. In most cases, its best to let nature take its course and allow your dog to nurture her puppies. There are, however, certain scenarios, just like those previously mentioned where your dog is unwell, or the pups are in danger. This is when intervention may be necessary and lifesaving for both mum and her pups. There may be instances when the puppies are crying out for attention and you’re not sure how to act; this is not only during the first few weeks of their lives but also applies when they’re in their new homes.
With the right amount of care, observation, and potential involvement, you can help ensure that your mother dog is content and has the very best outlook on raising healthy, confident and happy puppies!
Need some help with socialising your litter of puppies? Paws in Work are here to help. Get in touch with our breeder team today to find out more about our socialisation programme and how it can help your litter of puppies and their development.


Diving Phi Phi
Dive Sites around Phi Phi Islands
On offer is a wide selection of Phi Phi diving trips and PADI courses. Some trips start from Phuket, including overnight and day dive trips to Phi Phi or Hin Daeng.
When staying on the island local diving is sensational with a head-spinning variety of marine life living in the waters surrounding the island. Phi Phi has long been a well-known place to ‘do your PADI’ and local sites include Maya Bay, Wang Long, Palong Bay, Bida Noi and the ever-popular King Cruiser Wreck.
You can also take a liveaboard to more distant destinations including the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. There are many dive shops to choose from in Tonsai Village.Read More
A small submerged reef just east of Phi Phi Ley and a excellent backup to Shark point so if you are unlucky there, Garang Heng has a healthy reef with anemones, soft corals and of course, sharks.
Four pinnacles starting just below sea level and dropping down to around 30 metres characterise Hin Dot (Chimney Rocks) on Phi Phi Don's southern headlands. Often quite dark due to the volume of fish life above you, but some interesting marine life under the rocks near the bottom where several nurse sharks have been discovered. These enormous towers are famous for their large schools of fish. Other fish populations include groupers, pufferfish, lionfish, squid and bearded scorpionfish.
- Location: 15-20 minutes by boat from Tonsai Bay
- Remarks: Visibility 8-20 metres - Dive depth: 10-34 metres
Hin Pae is a relatively shallow dive site - 10 to 15 metres deep. Its shallow depth offers excellent snorkeling. Hin Pae is sometimes called Baby Shark Point, because even snorkellers have the opportunity to see different types of sharks. The main topography includes boulder and brain corals, with many holes and tunnels for moray eels to pass through. Soft and hard coral provide shelter for a rich variety of coral fish. Crabs, lobsters, angelfish, groupers, snappers and surgeonfish are also residents of this area.
- Location: 10 minutes by boat from Tonsai
- Remarks: Visibility 7-15 metres - Dive depth: 8-16 metres
Built in Japan 30 years ago, King Cruiser was a comfortable catamaran-hull passenger-cruiser with 4 decks until she sank on the 4th May 1997 in near perfect weather conditions. An easy dive, King Cruiser has large openings that allow easy access to the spacious interior.
The propellers (deepest point) rest 30 metres deep with the most interesting areas around the passenger decks between 10 and 20 metres. Read More...
One dive site not to be missed, Ko Bida Nok, has outstanding hard and soft coral with lots of marine life. Sightings include leopard sharks, turtles, moray eels & ghost pipe fish, plus there is always a chance of the unexpected whale sharks and manta rays. As one side of the island is very shallow and the other drops off to 30 metres, this site is suitable for all levels of diver.
Although the sister island to Bida Nok just a few hundred metres away, this island is very different under water. Large fallen rocks have created several swim-through and submerged islands, building an ideal habitat for marine life, and Read More...
- Location: 50 minutes from Tonsai Bay
- Remarks: Visibility averages 20 metres - Dive depth: 19 to 30 metres
With a maximum depth of 18 metres and plenty of fish life and rocks to look under, Maya provides a great dive site for the inexperienced diver. Heading out of the bay, the underwater landscape changes with large caves 30+ depths.
Maya South starts as a shear wall down to 30 metres with a small over hang and caves along the bottom.
Further along, fallen rocks have left channels with the rocks towering above you on both sides, creating a very dramatic dive. A suitable dive for the more advanced diver due to depth. Read More...
Yes Shark Point (Hin Bida) does live up to it's name, well 95% of the time. This rock which justs breaks the surface, attracts a lot of Leopard sharks and often Nurse & Reef sharks as well. A small, submerged outcrop some 8 kilometres southeast of Phi Phi Ley, it's a favoured spot for whale sharks around February / March.
- Location: 50 to 60 minutes from Tonsai Bay
- Remarks: Good visibility, averaging 20 metres - Dive depth: 12 to 18 metres


Screening is a public health intervention which invites groups of healthy population selected by age to undergo specific diagnostic tests, in order to reduce the mortality rate of certain diseases, detecting them in an early-stage asymptomatic phase.
Scientific evidence shows how these programs applied to the oncology field are effective in changing the natural history of some tumors: in many cases, they are able to detect the disease in its early stage when treatment has a very high chance of success, allowing to improve the quality of life.
Oncologic Screenings are such an important component of the public health system in Italy, that they are included in the LEA (Essential Assistance Levels), all the health services that are offered to the citizen nationwide.
Breast cancer, uterine cervix cancer and colorectal cancer are three of the main tumors which affect the Italian population. For the prevention of such diseases, the Ministry of Health, with the National Prevention Plan and the Department of Health, with the Regional Prevention Plan, have foreseen the organization of screening campaigns aimed at particular population groups, selected by age, considered at risk.
Each citizen, in the age group required by every single type of screening, receives an invitation to do a test and follow the prevention path. Responding to the invitation is active and conscious participation in the Prevention Plan. In case of doubtful or positive tests results, a totally free of charge in-depth diagnostic-therapeutic path is planned in compliance with the strict quality indicators provided by the national and international guidelines.
Breast cancer prevention
Women aged between 50 and 69 are invited to do a mammography every two years.
Cervix tumor prevention
Women aged between 25 and 64 are invited to do a PAP-test every three years
Colorectal cancer prevention
Men and women aged between 50 and 69 are invited to do a SOF test (the test of the fecal occult blood) every two years .
For information and reservations


“Luscious the scent comes of the blossomed bean,
As o’er the path in rich disorder lean
Its stalks; when bees, in busy rows and toils,
Load home luxuriantly their yellow spoils.”
— John Clare, “Beans in Blossom,” 1835
I love the imagery English poet John Clare provides in this verse. I can picture the bees weighed down with pollen on their hind legs, and the perfumed bean blossoms are almost real. I wonder if Clare, who worked on a farm as a child, knew that bean flowers are also lusciously tasty?
According to Lorene Edwards Forkner, author of “Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest” (2012), raw pole and runner bean blossoms, fresh from the garden, add a delicately sweet flavor to salads and coleslaw.
In fact, Forkner reminds us that “secondary crops — whether it be a stem, seed pod, blossom, or bud — are seasonal treats only available to the backyard grower.”
It’s the home gardener’s privilege to pilfer a few blossoms now and then to add color, flavor and texture to all sorts of seasonal dishes. Research on edible flowers shows they contain high levels of antioxidants and minerals.
Forkner offers a list of edible flowers from plants that may be growing in your vegetable garden:
Alliums – Chives, leeks and garlic blossoms can be added to green salads, pasta and potato salads, and dips. Be sure to remove the central stem from the flower cluster to release the florets. Whole chive blossoms can also be pickled.
Brassicas – If your Brassica crops bolt early, don’t fret. Arugula, broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustard, and radish flowers all produce delicate, spicy-sweet flowers that are delicious eaten raw. The immature seed pods that follow the flowers are crunchy with a peppery taste; they can be eaten raw or lightly sautéed.
Peas – Snip off 3-4 inches of the tendrils and growing tips before the plants set seed pods. Use blossoms and tips right away as their sweet, fresh pea flavor fades quickly. Only eat the blossoms of vegetable peas, as sweet pea flowers are toxic.
Squashes – All types of squash produce male and female flowers, but only the females produce fruit (look for a slight swelling at the base of the blossom). Harvest the male flowers, remove the stamen, and eat them raw in salads or as a garnish, sautéed with other vegetables, or stuffed and fried for a delicious, crispy treat.
Forkner also provides a list of edible flowers from herb plants, as well as plants that are usually considered only ornamental:
Anise hyssop – A perennial herb that has lavender-blue blossoms with a sweet licorice flavor and a hint of mint. Separate the clustered florets and serve them with fruit, as a garnish for desserts, or brewed for tea.
Bee balm – A perennial herb with shaggy, brightly colored flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds. The blossoms have a citrusy-mint flavor for tea.
Begonia – An annual plant used for ornamental flower beds, begonia’s juicy stems and colorful blossoms have a lemony flavor. Add to fruit or green salads, fish dishes or cocktails.
Borage – An annual herb, all parts of the plant, including the pretty blue flowers, have a refreshing cucumber flavor. Add to fruit salads, green salads, or freeze in ice cubes for cold drinks.
Calendula – An annual herb, calendula is sometimes called the “poor man’s saffron” because the golden flowers have a mild, peppery taste. Separate the petals from the center of the flower and sprinkle them over green salads or soups.
Chrysanthemum – Flowers and foliage add a pungent, slightly bitter taste to traditional Asian cuisine. The most popular edible variety is a short-lived perennial called “shungiko,” translated as “spring chrysanthemum.”
Daylily – Crunchy daylily blossoms have a sweet, peppery flavor. Cut them up and toss in green salads or pasta dishes, or dip them in batter and quick-fry.
Dianthus – Delicate carnation petals have a spicy-sweet, clove-like flavor that matches their fragrance. Remove the petals from the bitter-tasting base of the flower, then toss in salads or soups, or steep in wine or tea.
Lavender – The deep purple flowers of English lavender are the best for culinary uses. Grind up the buds or steep them and use the strained liquid for flavoring. Lavender buds are often used with rosemary, thyme and oregano for a pungent mixture called Herbes de Provence.
Marigold – The single-flowered signet varieties have a lemony fragrance and flavor, whereas larger marigolds taste bitter. Pull the petals from the stem and cut off the pale-colored portion of the petal, which has a bitter taste.
Nasturtium – An annual flower that tastes peppery, brightly colored nasturtiums can be added to salads, soups, pasta and stir-fries.
Pansy – The annual flowers have a mild taste and add vivid color to a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Pansies can also be frozen in ice cubes and served with cold drinks.
Roses – Old-fashioned roses and rugosa roses provide the stronger, traditional rose flavor that resembles green apples and strawberries. Pick fresh roses in the morning, remove the petals from the stem, and cut off the pale, bitter-tasting bottom portion of the petal. Use rose petals along with other spices for meat rubs, muddle petals and add to fruity beverages, steep for teas, or make candied rose petals by brushing with beaten egg whites and dipping in sugar.
Violets – The fragrant, deep purple blossoms are traditionally candied with sugar, or can be used as a colorful garnish for salads, soups and savory dishes.
Eating flowers can be a fun and flavorful way to get the most out of your garden, but be careful. Plants that have been sprayed with pesticides should not be eaten, and before popping a freshly picked flower into your mouth, be sure it’s safe to eat, as some flowers are poisonous.
Let’s heed the words of E.E. Cummings, an American poet who lived after John Clare and his bean blossoms. Cummings wrote in the early 20th century, “the thing perhaps is to eat flowers and not be afraid.”
Rhonda Nowak is a Rogue Valley gardener, teacher and writer. Email her at email@example.com. For more about gardening, visit her blog at http://blogs.esouthernoregon.com/theliterarygardener/ and check out her podcasts and videos at https://mailtribune.com/podcasts/the-literary-gardener.


Towards a better understanding of the interaction between the photons of light and blood tissues, non-invasive and continuous techniques have been the point of focus of researchers in the last decades. The need for optical tools that achieve higher penetration depths without altering the samples suggests the use of diffuse optics.
Two well-known phenomena resulting from such interaction are absorption and scattering. Absorption consists of the dissipation of the photon energy; whereas scattering refers to the light being dispersed inside the tissue in random directions by the cells. The photons emitted by the light source are attenuated inside the tissue and the photon path length is a direct indicator of the depth sensitivity. In this scope, Diffuse Optics arise as a quantitative approach to explain photon migration inside of the tissue .
Several common techniques to study blood tissues include the traditional Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy technique (DOS) and the relatively new, Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS). In Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy, also known as NIR spectroscopy, the attenuation of the photons at a specific wavelength is used as an indicator of blood volume and oxygenation. Whereas in Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS), coherent and continuous wave NIR sources are used to study the scattering produced by the blood cells that are flowing inside of the tissues, producing a speckle pattern that changes proportionally to the movement of the blood cells, thus giving information about the index of blood flow .
Although these techniques are still widely used, they cannot reach the gold standard represented by more invasive techniques such as MRI, the reason for which Time-Domain methods are becoming more popular, thanks to the access to more sophisticated illumination and detection systems.
Time-Domain Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy
Changing to the Time-Domain means talking about time-of-flight: how long it takes for the photon to travel back from the tissue, in other words, it gives an estimation of the path length inside of the sample.
Time-domain diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy arises as a significant tool in clinical practice, resulting in a combination of Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) and Time-resolved Reflectance Spectroscopy (TRS).
In this technique, pulsed NIR lasers are emitted, and the light that is reflected or scattered back by the tissue is detected by a single-photon sensitive detector . Measuring the photon time between the source and the detector gives an estimation of the time of flight, which is then used to calculate the Time Point Spread Function (TPSF).
Simaei et Al showed a prototype of a TD-DCS system . Figure 1 shows the different components of a TD-DCS system.
The main advantages of TD-DCS concerning CW-DCS include the possibility of not just studying the blood flow or optical properties but also acquiring more information about the dynamical changes and the Depth sensitivity that allows for obtaining more precise and selective information of deeper layers .
Important Instrument Considerations for TD-DCS
Three parameters determine the sensitivity and the Signal-to-Noise ratio of the measurements: the wavelength of the light source, the coherence length of the laser and the distance between source and detector. In this scope, several studies have been made in the comparison of the most suitable light source for such a technique [1,3, 5].
The first parameter is strictly related to the absorption and scattering inside of the tissue, having that longer wavelengths induce less absorption throughout the sample and thus, deeper penetration. Some studies suggest the use of emission at wavelengths between 750 and 780 nm [1,3]. Other recent experiments used emissions above the 980 nm of the water absorption peak . Whereas others considered the use of tunable light sources emitting between 700 and 1030 nm .
The second parameter: coherence length, is limited by the pulsewidth of the laser, having that longer pulses induce longer coherence lengths. However, a compromise between coherence length and IRF (Instrument Response Function) needs to be considered. Shorter pulses are needed in order to improve the path length distribution of the photons at a certain time (path length distribution refers to photons that have travelled different paths throughout different layers of the sample). The physical limit of this compromise is given by the Time-Bandwidth product. It results in a balance between pulsewidth (and so, coherence length) and path length distribution (and consequently on the IRF).
Furthermore, the third parameter is the separation between the source and detector (also referred to as SDS). Traditional DCS or DOS requires an increase in the distance between the source and detector to obtain more information about the deeper layers of the sample and consequently reduce the number of detected photons. Time-domain techniques, on the other hand, allow for the discrimination between short and long path lengths. This results in SDS in the scale of tens of mm, compared to the standard 2-3 cm separation in DCS or DOS achieved with continuous wave (cw) lasers .
Some researchers have initially proposed the use of custom-built active mode-locked Ti:sapphire lasers emitting in the NIR obtaining interesting results . Although the size of such light sources and the maintenance requirements, limit the use of the TD-DCS systems. On the other hand, other commercial pulsed lasers provide short coherence lengths, not being suitable for TD-DCS.
Conclusions show that optimal lasers would consist of picosecond pulsed lasers with long coherence lengths and narrow Instrument Response Functions.
Iceblink Supercontinuum Laser Characteristics
In the search for the most convenient laser for TD-DCS, we propose the use of the Iceblink supercontinuum laser. The Iceblink supercontinuum laser has a broad spectrum, that covers the Visible and the NIR spectrum (450 to 2300 nm). With the appropriate filter set, one can select the desired wavelengths in the NIR, instead of having to use different monochromatic light sources for each experiment (ex: one laser for 750 nm, another laser for 780 nm, or another one for 1030 nm).
When it comes to the coherence length of the laser, not many studies have been provided regarding such parameters. Nevertheless, they are widely used in applications in which the coherence length is an essential parameter. The Iceblink supercontinuum laser has a total pulsewidth of 200 ps and a repetition rate of 80 MHz, which makes it a suitable tool in regard to the results obtained in the last publications [2, 3, 4, 6 ]. We estimate a theoretical coherence length of 40 mm.
The Iceblink supercontinuum laser does not require any maintenance and is a “plug-and-play” technology. It has an air-cooling system that would avoid the complex issues that arise when using Ti:sapphire lasers. In addition, its dimensions make it possible to optimize the size of your setup.


Collagen is a protein that, like all proteins, is based in amino acids. A third of the proteins in your body are made from collagen, and 70% of dermis, which is related to your skin’s suppleness, consists of collagen.
DHC's Collagen is formulated with fish-derived collagen peptides and vitamin B1, to support your beauty by giving youthfulness and smoothness to your skin.
[Name] Food including collagen
[Ingredients] Collagen peptide (contains gelatin) (made in Thailand), cellulose, calcium stearate, silicon dioxide microparticles, vitamin B1, vitamin B2
[Net Weight] 63.0 g [weight per tablet 350 mg x 180 tablets]
[Nutrition Facts] [per 2,100 mg (350-mg tablet x 6)] Calories 7.8 kcal, protein 1.88 g, total fat 0.02 g, total carbohydrate 0.02 g, sodium chloride equivalent 0.003 g, vitamin B1 14.0 mg, vitamin B2 2.0 mg, collagen peptide (fish-derived) 2,050 mg
Follow recommended daily intake (6 tablets).
Recommended to take all 6 tablets at once, after dinner.
*Take with water or lukewarm water without chewing.
Precautions for Health Supplements
- *Do not exceed indicated recommended daily intake.
- *Stop using in case of unexpected reaction or illness.
- *A list of 27 allergens/specified ingredients is printed on the package label. Confirm the ingredients before consuming to avoid unwanted reactions.
- *Consult a doctor before using if you are pregnant or undergoing medical treatment.
- *Supplements are foods and are appropriate for intake at any time. For optimal digestion and absorption, take after meals. Intake recommendations at other times are noted above if applicable.
- *Eat a balanced diet including grains, proteins and vegetables.
Precautions for Storage
*Store in a cool and dry place. Avoid direct sunlight, high temperatures and high humidity.
*Keep out of the reach of children.
*Keep the package tightly closed and consume promptly after opening.