#you can see the rodent chewing on the antlers too

[thiss-too-shall-pass]

Haul from the south (plus the possum and raccoon and other bones in the degreaser)

[leucrotta]

FOR SALE

hey there! I’ve got some items that I’d like to sell, mostly because I just have too much stuff.

US BUYERS ONLY! sorry to everybody else, but I can’t ship this stuff international without an expensive permit. :x

first up we have these two craft-grade r.abbit hides. the brown one has a slip spot that’s pretty easily visible in the first pic, but the cream one is fine. both have great leather. these are professionally tanned, but I do not recall exactly where they were purchased (it was at least a decade ago). they’d be great for education or crafting purposes, or if you just need a r.abbit hide to sit stuff on!

$5 each + shipping

white-tail backhide. I bought this a year or two ago at a flea market from the guy who hunted it, and according to him, it was a buck and it just hung on a wall for years until he decided to sell it. leather is still in good shape, there are a few holes but they’re not visible on the fur side. it looks messy, but that’s just because it’s spent its time with me folded up in a cabinet. a good brush would likely fluff it right back up! I bought this hide for a steal, so I’m selling it for the same.

$35 + shipping  SOLD

this girl is a vintage red f.ox pelt. I’ll be upfront: she’s not in the best shape. I knew this when purchasing her, so I feel it’s important that anyone else does, too. she’s missing most of her tail, has an ear that’s barely holding on, and a couple holes here and there. I do think that she’s been tanned, but I don’t think she was degreased well during the process, hence the weird color you can see in the second pic. either that or she’s just old. she’s got a lot of character, and a vibrant color, but I already have three other red f.oxes, and I need to slim my collection down. she’d make a good wallhanger or display item, and is priced to reflect her condition.

$35 + shipping

and finally, a pair of vintage white-tail antlers. they are NOT a matched pair. these were shed antlers, so no de.er were harmed to collect them. they must have been out in nature for a little while, as they’ve both been chewed a bit by rodents (as you can see in the second pic). price reflects both condition and size.

asking $15 each or $27 for the pair (plus shipping) SOLD

thanks for taking a look! if you have any questions or need more pictures, etc., feel free to DM me. reblogs are appreciated, but no pressure!

have a nice day!

[katzuyas]

have yourself a merry little christmas

for day 6 of @vityaweek

"Do we need anything else?" Yuuri asks, dumping three six-packs of protein bars into their cart.

It's almost full to the brim and they probably shouldn't be buying that much, but the scare of the holiday break is getting to them as well, so they're stoking up on things they probably won't run out of anytime soon. Like protein bars. The sales and discounts on every aisle in the big supermarket Victor drove them to don't help to calm their stress shopping either. Just when Yuuri thinks they have everything, something new catches their eye and they end up piling even more stuff into their already overloaded cart.

"We still need Makka's dry food," Victor reminds him, pushing the cart into the next aisle. "We're running low and it's cheaper to get it here."

They walk to the pets' corner of the supermarket and drive past the cat accessories, bird feed, and rodent bedding, and stop by the large, ten kilo bags of dog food. Yuuri leaves Victor there to pick one and strolls over to the accessories wall, just because he's curious.

It's Christmas, so of course it's full of Christmas themed accessories like everything else in the world right now. There's tiny Santa hats and cloaks for the smaller breeds (so they won't get cold, Yuuri melts a little), the chewing toys that look like Christmas trees and others like funnily shaped gingerbread cookies. It's mostly silly things, and Yuuri doesn't spare them more than once glance, but then his eye catches on–

He gasps when he imagines Makka wearing these. It's already done at that point. He's bought.

He takes one off the rack without thinking twice and returns to where Victor is loading up the dry food onto the cart.

"Victor," Yuuri call. "Look!"

Yuuri watches eagerly for Victor's reaction. He sees the very moment Victor's eyes take in the reindeer antlers headband that Yuuri is holding, because Victor's entire face lights up with a smile. He gasps, just like Yuuri did before.

"For Makka?" he asks. Yuuri can only nod happily a few times. "They're perfect! Oh, he's going to look so cute in them!"

Yuuri can't agree more. He keeps holding the headband in hand while they go through checkout and only offers it to the cashier at the last moment, so the soft antlers don't get accidentally bent by the other products. He puts them on top of everything else when they get to the car, but the thought of adorable Makkachin in adorable antlers doesn't leave him for a moment.

They're barely done unpacking before Yuuri can't wait a second more and tears open the package. He calls for Makkachin and, like a good boy he is, Makka trots over to him. Yuuri takes a long break to simply coo at him and scratch his adorable little cheeks.

"Are you putting it on?" Victor asks when he emerges from the kitchen after shelving the last of the groceries. "Let me turn on my camera first."

Yuuri waits, showing Makka the headband so he can sniff at it and get familiar with the new object. When Victor gives him the okay, Yuuri slides it onto Makkachin's head. The effect is immediate.

"Oh no, he's adorable..."

Victor makes a sound like he's dying. Yuuri wants to echo it, really.

Makka's head turns from him to Victor and the tiny bells that are sewn into the antlers jingle lightly. Yuuri covers his mouth with his hands to give them something to do, because otherwise he knows he's going to jump Makka – he looks far too cute.

"Makka!" Victor calls and Makka's head tilts to the sound of the bells. "Makka, Makka, Makkachin~! Who's a good boy? Who's a pretty boy? Are you a reindeer today, Makka?"

Victor's phone is covering some of his face, but Yuuri can see his wide, happy smile. He can also see how it widens when Makka comes up to him, jingling and wagging his tail.

"You're such a cute reindeer, Makkachin," Victor praises. "The cutest. The fluffiest."

"The best," Yuuri offers and Victor's eyes lift up to smile at him, too.

"The best," he agrees.

Makka keeps the headband on for approximately another minute before he decides that he's done and paws at it until it falls off. Victor laughs at him. Makkachin lifts his head up again and boofs at him happily, and Yuuri feels so overwhelmed with how much he loves them both that for a second he can't really breathe.

"Yes, yes, let's get you a treat for being so patient with your silly daddies," Victor tells Makka, who boofs once again and skips to the kitchen where his treats are placed in one of the cupboards.

Victor chuckles and follows, so Yuuri picks the headband himself, smiling. When Victor takes it out of his hands and puts it on Yuuri's head – he's still smiling.

"What are you doing?" Yuuri asks Victor, trying to hold back laughter.

Makkachin puts his paws on Yuuri's knees and climbs up to see what Yuuri's doing with his antlers on his head. Yuuri chuckles and runs his hands through Makka's fur. He doesn't hear the shutter going off, but he can see Victor with his phone out from the corner of his eye. He tilts his head towards him, but at that point Victor isn't even trying to be sneaky.

"We should've gotten a pair," Victor says.

Yuuri laughs this time. He can't help it.

"So who's cuter?" he asks, knowing how unfair the question is. "Me or Makka?"

Victor's face morphs into one of pretended fear and betrayal, even if his eyes are still shining brightly.

"I can't win this one," he finally admits, defeated. "Whatever I say, someone will sulk."

Yuuri hums.

"Not necessarily," he says. He takes off the headband and puts it on Victor. "There. Now we all know who is the cutest here." He gives Victor a small kiss and then turns to Makka. "Right, Makkachin?"

Makka jumps on Victor before Yuuri is even done talking. The answer is very obvious. Yuuri laughs when Victor is smothered by slobbering dog kisses.

"Yuuri," Victor whines, but it's a sound full of adoration and love that Yuuri loves.

"What is it?" Yuuri asks, taking over Victor's phone.

He snaps a picture when Victor emerges from behind the affectionate poodle. His hair is a bit messy and the headband is crooked, but... he looks undeniably adorable.

"I love you," Yuuri blurts out, because it's true and he's really feeling it now.

He snaps another picture to capture the beautiful blush that takes up a high seat on Victor's cheeks and before it's gone, he leans over once again to kiss Victor softly.

"I love you, too," Victor tells him when they part.

The bells jingle lightly above their heads.

[cerothenull]

Domesticated animals of the “Meldric: City of Monsters and Mutants” setting

Was looking through my notes for my ghoul setting and found a section concerning domesticated work beasts. Might as well share a bit

Common domesticated animals

- Cows, Oxen - Raised for their meat, bones, hide, and milk. Commonly raised by all cultures due to trade spreading them across the world. Ogres are believed to have been the first to domesticate early bovines with family units and solitary members still raising herds of them even with the decline of their civilization. Many ogre families are willing to trade or tolerate the smaller races in their territories for tributes of calves and cheeses which they love but are unable to create themselves.

- Moose - Commonly seen in colder climates moose are raised by birth to be powerful laborers, protective companions, and dependable mounts of the independent Orc clans and cities of the frozen south. Typically temperamental it takes years of strict training to ensure a cooperative animal. Their strength and stamina have made them symbols of such to the Orcs who raise them, their mounted cavalry feared by many. Some river dwelling clans and peoples will use them to pull their barges and as deterrents against predators.

- Giant Land Birds - Large flightless birds are a common sight, especially in the narrow streets of Meldric pulling carts or rode by the city Guardmilitia. Most breeds are omnivorous able to eat a wide range of foods, their diets typically consisting of carrion, fruits, and/or vegetable matter. Breeders have developed a wide range of breeds for various purposes such as meat and feather production, hunting, companionship, beasts of burden, and transportation. Nomadic cultures of humans, hobgoblins, and orcs have all prized the dependable land birds for their use as mounts and companions with modern cultures having a heavy appreciation for them.

- Sheep, Goats - Raised throughout the world for their meat, milk, fur and wool. While not as important to the decaying Ogre culture they are still commonly raised alongside their bovine herds. Goats have a long cultural history with orcs due to their shared mountainous homes, seen as symbols of dependability and strength. Riding goats are larger than most, often being temperamental unless properly trained and even then they can be free-willed but there are few mounts capable of traversing the often treacherous terrains that the mountain-dwelling clans and cities make home.

- Elk, Deer, Antelope - A somewhat common staple to those living in a variety of environments from forests to plains they are bred and raised for the meat, hides, and antlers. Some of the larger breeds of elk and antelope have been bred for mounted transportaion to varying success through the ages but the practice has not been widespread beyond certain isolated cultures. Certain breeds Elk are highly prized for their speed, grace, and jumping ability for use in combat and scouting with a famous hobgoblin folk-hero riding a silver-furred elk.

- Fireguts - Domesticated Draconets specially bred for their docility and flame-producing capabilities they are a common sight in hobgoblin and human territories. Bred into a range of sizes and uses ranging from hide and scale collection, alchemical ingredients, companionship, and domestic use. Commonly hey are bred to produce more of the flammable and long-burning fire-bile that was evolved convergently to the True Dragons flammable venoms. They can be an important part of a family who rely on its flammable bile for cheap lantern fuel and even heating, many children curling up to sleep during the cold months with the family firegut. In Meldric is is not uncommon to see the smaller Potbelly Fireguts being used as portable heat sources in food carts and restaurants proper. Alchemists and thaumaturgists value the potent fire-bile that the fireguts are able to vomit forth for use in their experiments and creating weaponry, breeding large specimens that are able to produce a steady supply of the volatile fluid for their experiments but with increased production come a variety of health problems.

- Domesticated Spiders - Bred initially by the illusive Arachneans in their hidden groves and covens, the domesticated spider has been spreading in popularity across the world in recent decades. The largest breeds rarely growing larger than a common sheep they are used for a variety of uses. One of the most common breeds are the silkspinners, who produce copious and excess amounts of silk in comparison their modest snares and nets which is harvested for use in various textiles and alchemical areas. The hunting spider is quickly becoming popular, particularly in Meldric in the past decade, the highly intelligent and nimble spiders that are used for hunting and pest control, capable of keeping rodent, bird, reptile and even gargoyle populations in check. There are rumors in Meldric of a thaumaturgically enhanced breed of hunting spider that grew too smart and escaped into the wilds of the mega-city where food and hiding places are abundant.

- Fleshbags (Vurruni) - Vurruni, or Fleshbags to non-imperial orcs, are a strange ,potentially foreign creature that have become a staple of the Empire States domestic and war-time uses. Resembling chaotic jumbles of tumor-like flesh these creatures typically live in the upper atmospheres but the orcs living in the tallest mountain ranges have managed to breed and tame the descendants of those that drew too close to the ground. Not much is known about their biology to outsiders beyond the Empire States but they are most commonly seen being used for transportation purposes, the massive creatures capable of carrying large gondolas or even ship-like constructions underneath them. This aerial capability and the Empire States long-ranged weaponry have made them a terrible sight for their enemies to behold. Some Meldric historians believe that the domestication of the Vurruni is somehow tied or lead to the development of the Empire States blasting gel and subsequent firearms.

- Rats - Near universally trained by goblin tribes, whether in caverns, ice tunnels, sewers, or swamps, rodents are occasionally adopted and appreciated by other races and cultures when not viewed as a pest and nuisance. Rats are common pets for goblins who can develop strong bonds with the creatures, a bond that may pass along the rodents descendants. Relying on their fast reproduction for food, bones, and leather most goblin-bred rats can reach larger sizes than their typical feral cousins. Specialist breeds exist from trackers who rely on their highly developed sense of smell, to near blind specimens with oversized jaws capable of chewing through stone. Each well established goblin tribe will pride themselves upon their own unique breed of rat, often sending them as gifts or trading to allied tribes. Occasionally disputes between tribes will be settled by the tribes prized rats competing in various contests of cunning.

- Capybara - A common sight for any race or culture to live or work near the water the capybara have long been raised for their meat and fur, but mostly their companionship. The water-dwelling rodents have spread far and wide, being introduced to a variety of environments due to the migration of various peoples along the waterways. Swamp-dwelling goblins in particular view the capybara as holy creatures, elevating them above even their beloved water rats. River and lake dwelling hobgoblins and humans would use them to dive for mollusks and shellfish. Even the cleaner parts of the river, canals, and even sewers of Meldric have a modest but hardy population of the rodents living contently off scraps given by the sympathetic populace, formed from pets that escaped or were set loose when they grew older and larger.

Now some of you (of those that actually read this far) might be wondering where Horses and other equines are. They are completely wild animals and have been subjected to numerous attempts to domesticate and tame them. Only problem is they are very aggressive pack-hunting apex predators who are the scourge of lone and small groups of travelers. Many cultures consider them an unholy or unnatural creation who has come to infest many parts of the world. The Magisters of Meldric often being blamed for their creation despite the lack clear evidence indicating as such. The Magisters refusing to taking responsibility by saying they wouldn’t create anything that vicious and that to insinuate such is very insulting.

Some goblin tribes have had minor success at taming donkeys which, while predatory, are omnivorous and with a slightly more docile attitude than horses although nearly all of their goblin handlers are missing a few fingers or even a full hand. Goblins view such marks as signs of an experienced handler.

[catbreon-draws]

Thanks for the tag!!

Mice are teeny little things. From nose to tail tip, I’d say your average pet quality fancy mouse is about 6-7 inches long and weighs about 25-50 grams, while a big show quality fancy can be 10-12 inches long and weigh 75-125 grams (about half the length of both body types is just the tail).

A ten gallon tank is an acceptable size for 1-3 females, but for pets, bigger enclosures are usually more fun to watch. I’d rather have a twenty gallon or bigger with a lot of mice than a smaller one with only a few, personally!

Bar cages sold in pet stores tend to be on the small side, have bar spacing that is too wide for mice (¼ inch is the recommended spacing) or are too flimsy and the bars can be pushed apart easily, but if you can find one that isn’t any of those things, awesome- bar cages are perfectly fine.

Homemade cages made from plastic storage bins are the best in my opinion. You just have to pick a bin that doesn’t have any bumps or edges on the inside that the mice can get their teeth into and chew out from. There are lots of bin cage tutorials online! (A lot of tutorials are done with hamsters in mind, most of the assembly will be the same but swap out the 1/2inch hardware cloth/mesh and get 1/4inch instead.)

Food wise, mice are capable of eating almost anything. A good complete nutritional staple is usually found in pellet or block form (my favorite brand is Oxbow- either the rat or mouse formula are both fine for mice), and then as healthy treats mice love cheerios, oats, grain, seeds, nuts, and freeze dried insects such as mealworms or crickets. Peanut butter mixed with a bit of water or vegetable oil (to reduce the stickiness) is great for bonding, a little on your finger and they’ll all rush up to get a lick ❤

Pretty much any wood marketed as rodent toys is fine for mice. Pine and birch (edit: I got the wood type wrong) is popular wood used for rodent chews, apple sticks are also sold. You can also use chews besides wood such as hard dog biscuits, deer/elk antlers, pumice blocks, and bones (raw or cooked, both are fine for mice). Try different materials and see what your mice like best!

Paper towel tubes and empty tissue boxes are great cheap toys for mice. They also like ladders and rope. And wheels are great fun. Scatter feeding as opposed to feeding from a bowl provides enrichment as well. You can also make simple puzzle feeders from toilet paper tubes, just fill with some food or treats and fold up the ends :)

If you have any other questions feel free to ask me!

Hi! I was wondering if you knew anything about pet mice? Like how big they get, and how many (females) I could safely/comfortably keep in a 10 gallon tank, or if I should get an actual cage for them, and what bar spacing I would need? What would be safe for them to eat, what kind of wood they need to chew, and what kind of toys would be safe for them?

I don’t know anything about keeping small mammals, sorry! I’m sure some of my followers can provide advice though.