Anatomy and morphology

The largest chelonian is the great leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which reaches a shell length of 200 centimetres (6.6 ft) and can reach a weight of over 900 kilograms (2,000 lb). Freshwater turtles are generally smaller, but with the largest species, the Asian softshell turtlePelochelys cantorii, a few individuals have been reported up to 200 centimetres (6.6 ft). This dwarfs even the better-known Alligator Snapping Turtle, the largest chelonian in North America, which attains a shell length of up to 80 centimetres (2.6 ft) and a weight of about 60 kilograms (130 lb). Giant tortoises of the genera Geochelone, Meiolania, and others were relatively widely distributed around the world into prehistoric times, and are known to have existed in North and South America, Australia, and Africa. They became extinct at the same time as the appearance of man, and it is assumed that humans hunted them for food. The only surviving giant tortoises are on theSeychelles and Galápagos Islands and can grow to over 130 centimetres (51 in) in length, and weigh about 300 kilograms (660 lb).[4]
The largest ever chelonian was Archelon ischyros, a Late Cretaceous sea turtle known to have been up to 4.6 metres (15 ft) long.[5]
The smallest turtle is the Speckled Padloper Tortoise of South Africa. It measures no more than 8 centimetres (3.1 in) in length and weighs about 140 grams (4.9 oz). Two other species of small turtles are the American mud turtles and musk turtles that live in an area that ranges from Canada to South America. The shell length of many species in this group is less than 13 centimetres (5.1 in) in length.

What do Crayfish Eat

Crayfish are also known as crawfish or crawdads. There are more than 540 different species of crayfish found all across the world. Crayfish are crustaceans that live in freshwater. In a natural environment, they are found in running water of small streams and rivers. Even though they are aquatic, they can survive in land as well provided their gills remain wet. They look very similar to small sized lobster and are related to them. On an average, the lifespan of crayfish is in between two to three years. When you have decided to have this amazing creature as a pet, then you must have the knowledge of some basic facts including what do crayfish eat.Basic Facts About CrayfishThe color and size of the crayfish varies form one species to another. In general, adult crayfish are deep reddish brown in color while young ones have light tan body color. Some of its species can be found in other colors like green or blue. The size of the crayfish varies from two to six inches in length. In some species, larger sizes can also be found. Their body is covered with a hard shell. Their legs, pincers and other appendages consist of sensory bristles that help them to eat, touch, feel, hear, smell, etc. They breathe through their gills.At home, they should be kept in a fresh water fish tank where the water is well aerated and its temperature is around 65 - 77 degree Fahrenheit. They prefer hard water which is slightly alkaline in nature. If the water is soft or its pH value is low, then they can suffer from calcium deficiency that may affect their reproduction. To make their living more comfortable, you should put some rocks, small PVC pipes and plastic plants in the aquarium. They are nocturnal creature and like to hide themselves during daytime. They will use these places for hiding. Do not keep any other fish or live plants in the aquarium as they will try to eat them up. Do not overcrowd the tank with too many crayfish.What do Crayfish EatCrayfish are omnivorous fish and they eat anything that they can find. They eat vegetables like frozen peas, carrots and even plants like Java Moss that probably nothing else will eat. They also eat shrimp, meat, fish, those insects which accidentally fall into the tank, sinking pellets, table scrap, etc. In their natural habitat, they get plenty of decomposed plant matter such as grass and other plants that are rotten in water. They love to eat these mainly because it is very convenient to rip the soft decayed leaves with their claws. So, if you have rotten lettuce leaves and spinach leaves in your kitchen then you can cut them into small pieces and feed it to the crayfish. It will serve as a special treat for them.Some pet owners buy tiny fish like guppies or minnows from the market and offer them to crayfish. You can also give them provided they are kept in their own separate tank. If they share the tank with other fish, then in a day or two you may find that they have eaten up your favorite small fish in the tank. You can give them dead fish from other tanks at home as foods. The swampy environment of rivers and streams, which is where the crayfish are used to live in, have lots and lots of algae, bacteria and snails and they love to devour on them. So, your pet will eat up all the algae and bacteria that grow in the tank. The major advantage of this food habit is that it will keep the tank water in purified state and prevent its contamination.

Medium Sized Dog Breeds

Some people do not prefer large dogs, as the huge sizes make it difficult to take care of them. Some of them may be averse to smaller dog breeds too, as these animals are too fragile to handle. In such cases, medium sized dogs are always chosen. Such people may have specifications among the medium sized dog breeds too. While, some search for medium sized dogs that do not shed, some others may go for medium sized family dogs. So, a basic idea about medium sized dog breeds can prove beneficial in choosing the best dog for you.Medium Sized DogsIn general, a medium sized dog can be defined as a dog, which is not too big or too small in size. However, there are some standards, according to which a dog breed is categorized as medium sized. As per the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, a medium sized dog breed must have a height of 13 to 24 inches at the highest point of their shoulder. Their body weight may range between 35 to 65 pounds. The following are some of the popular and commonly seen medium sized dog breeds.Medium Sized Dogs That do Not ShedAs with any dog breed, some dog lovers prefers those medium sized dog breeds that shed the least. If you are in search of such a dog, then, you have a very wide choice. You may go for Basenji, Airedale terrier, Standard Poodle, Boston terrier, Portuguese water dog, standard schnauzer, Tibetan terrier, Puli, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Bedlington terrier, Kerry Blue terrier, etc. Airetale terriers are the largest among the terrier dog breeds and are perfect as guard dogs. They can have a height range of 20 to 24 inches. Kerry blue terriers have long proportionate bodies and short tails. They are very funny in their movements and even sport a beard. Basenji is another medium sized dog that require very less grooming. These dogs have a height that can range between 16 to 18 inches. Normally, they have a body weight of 20 to 25 pounds. Basenji dogs are very intelligent and barks rarely. Both Bedlington and Boston terriers are almost the same in size, but, the latter may sometimes have less body weight. Both are aggressive towards other dogs. The wirehaired pointing griffon is basically a hunting dog with a strong and muscular body. These dogs with mustache do not shed much, but, new hair growth will be possible, only if the existing hair is stripped. For further information about such dogs, read more on medium sized dogs that do not shed.Other Popular Medium Sized DogsNow, you have know about some of the medium sized dogs that shed the least and require less grooming. Some people want medium sized dogs good with children. In such cases, the options include Airetale terrier, Beagle, Bulldog, Aamoyed, Whippet, Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, etc. Let us take a look at some of the popular medium sized dog breeds.
Brittany Spaniel is a hunting dog, that can be kept as a medium sized family dog. Their height can be between 17 to 21 inches and they have a body weight that range between 30 to 40 pounds.
Border Collies are very popular and are originally raised for herding sheep and for dog sports. They can grow to a height of 18 to 23 inches and a weight of 30 to 45 pounds.
Boxer dogs are among the top most popular dog breeds with a height of 22 to 24 inches. They are very much energetic and are excellent as pets.
Basset hounds have the characteristic feature of long ears. They are intelligent dogs with an athletic body. Their coat color can be a combination or more than one or two colors, like, black, tan, white, red, etc.
Popular medium sized dog breeds include bulldogs that can be trained easily. These dogs are known for the strong bonding they develop with humans, especially kids.
You may also go for a Beagle, which is perfect as a family pet. They are very active, smart, affectionate and love to play outdoors. But, make sure to keep this dog in fenced areas.
Cocker Spaniels is one of the common choices for medium sized dog breeds. Both the English and American Cocker Spaniels are equally popular and have an average height of around 13 to 18 inches and a body weight of 14 to 24 pounds.

Potato Bug Facts

Potato bug is an umbrella term that encompasses a group of wingless, nocturnal insects. It is also known by the common names - Jerusalem cricket and devil's child. There are more than 35 species of potato bugs, all of which are large sized insects, visible to the naked eyes. During mating, it produces a drumming like song by beating its abdomen in the ground. This is one of the interesting potato bug facts, considering that it lacks sound producing structures and sound hearing parts. Interesting Potato Bug FactsPotato bug is brown in color with black stripes on the back and whitish colored belly. At maturity, it grows to about 3 inch long. The thick legs of potato bug help in burrowing the soil for hunting food and hiding purpose. Despite the name, it is not a pest of potato plant or tubers. Neither it is indigenous to Jerusalem, nor it is a bug or cricket. So, what is a potato bug? Read the following facts about potato bugs, which will help you get your answer: Potato Bug ClassificationAs per entomological taxonomy, potato bug belongs to the family Stenopelmatidae of the orderOrthoptera (having incomplete metamorphosis). All the types of potato bugs are grouped under the genus name Stenopelmatus, whereas species name varies with respect to the particular type. You can identify them from the extraordinary large heads with distinctive black eyes. Potato Bug Life CycleSimilar to true crickets, the metamorphosis of potato bug is not complete. Egg is the first stage in the life cycle of a potato bug. In the fall season, several oval shaped eggs are laid in the soil by the female adult. An egg hatches into a nymph only at the arrival of favorable environmental conditions, preferably in spring. The nymph stage continues for more than 2 years, after which potato bug emerges as an adult. Potato Bug DietAs mentioned already, potato bug is nocturnal in habit and remains active only at night time. Primary diet of this insect is dead organic matter, including decaying vegetative matter and plant parts. The extra long mandibles serve as an adaptation for devouring on organic matter. However, at times of food scarcity, potato bug feeds on other insects.Potato Bug BiteNative to Mexico and western United states, potato bug bite is most prevalent in those areas. 'Is potato bug poisonous' is a common query that bothers many people. In spite of the scary appearance with prominent mandibles, potato bug is not poisonous or venomous. Nevertheless, potato bug bite elicits a painful condition, similar to other insect bites.Potato Bug InfestationPotato bug infestation is common in flower and vegetable gardens, where there is plenty of decaying plant roots and organic material. You can find them in moist soil or under thick vegetation. Very often, they hide in burrows and holes. To be more precise, infestation of potato bug occurs in areas, where there is a food source. Hence, it is rarely visible in and around the house. Potato Bug ControlControlling potato bug is not necessary, as it does little harm to the home. If at all, it causes devastating damage to the garden, you can practice common pest control methods to get rid of potato bugs. If you notice them in house, make sure to keep the rooms and surrounding environment dry. Do not confuse harmless potato bugs with pillbugs (Armadillidium species) or Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsaspecies).

Weird Animals that are Real

Fact is stranger than fiction. Cliched but who can say otherwise. While surely creatures like Dementors and the Loch Ness monsters are creatures who have emerged from the darkest recesses of our imagination, there are some weird animals that are real and exist surpassing any possible limits that our fantasies can take us to. In this article, we take a look at the some of these weird animals that are real.Weird Animals of the WorldWith the diverse fauna that the planet earth is home to, it is difficult to make a definite list of all of those weird animals that are real. There are many such animals, some of them now extinct, that can easily qualify for being the basis for monsters of the scariest books and movies. These weird animals and creatures that are listed below are just some animals that caught our attention.Alligator GarA fish that looks like an alligator, the Alligator Gar orAtractosteus spatula is a freshwater fish that is found in North America. The back of the fish is brown in color and the underside is a lighter shade. It has a scales that are shaped like diamonds and an elongated snout. On an average, the Alligator Gar weighs about 200 pounds and is 8 - 10 feet in length. This species of fish has the ability to survive outside water for as longs as two hours.Angora RabbitSure, sheep are bred for wool, but ever heard of a rabbit that a is bred for its hair? Our second animal on the list of weird animals that are real is the Angora rabbit. These are domestic rabbits native to Turkey, which have long hair. They are docile animals that need proper Angora rabbit care, especially when being shorn off their soft hair. The Angora rabbit lives for almost 5 - 7 years and weighs about 2 - 3.5 kilos.AxolotlA Mexican mole salamander, one of the weird animals facts that helps it make to this list is that the larvae of this species does not undergo metamorphosis and therefore, the adults of the species are aquatic and possess gills. Another interesting fact about this salamander species is that it regenerates body parts. These aquatic salamanders, which are also known as the Mexican walking fish, are used in scientific research and are now on the list of animals on the brink of extinction being on the Red List of threatened animal species.Aye-AyeA lemur that is primarily found in Madagascar, the Aye-Aye is the largest nocturnal primate in the world. It has rodent like teeth and a long, thin middle finger, which it uses to tap on wood to find food. Aye-Aye is a near threatened species and looks like a vampire bat. Its habitat are rain forests and deciduous forests. One of the Aye-Aye facts is that these animals are considered to be bad omen and apparently signs of death.Colossal SquidThe largest known invertebrate known to human beings, the Colossal squid is on an average around 12 - 14 meters in size. It is the largest squid species in the world in terms of mass and is also known as the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid. It belongs to the genus Mesonychoteuthis. This species of squid has been found in areas like Antarctica, southern South America, southern New Zealand and South Africa.Glass FrogOne of the weird animals that are real, which does not scare the living daylights out of you is the Glass frog, which is native to South America. These frogs are called so because of their transparent abdominal skin, which makes their internal organs visible. These frogs are extremely tiny, measuring only 3 - 7.5 cm. Otherwise, these frogs are green in color. They are known to be cannibalistic in nature, eating their own offspring on occasions.Komodo DragonThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized this lizard as vulnerable. TheKomodo dragon habitat is Indonesia, mainly the islands, Komodo, Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang. It is the largest species of the lizard family that is living and weighs about 70 kilos, growing to a length of 2 - 3 meters on an average.Ocean SunfishThe heaviest bony fish in the world, the ocean sunfish or Mola Mola weighs almost 1000 kg on an average. As the image accompanying this article shows, The main body of this fish is laterally flattened and it looks like a fish head with a tail. Their staple food is jellyfish, which they consume in large amount in order to develop their body. They are similar to puffer fish in appearance.Star-nosed MoleA small mole native to North America, this creature is a definite on any list of weird animals that are real. The reason for their name, star nosed moles, are the eleven pink appendages around their snout which functions as a touch receptor that helps the animal in gauging direction.

Oscar Fish Breeding

Belonging to the Amazons, the Oscar fish or the Astronatus Ocellatus is a fairly easy fish to breed when it has a pair. Otherwise, Oscar fish breeding becomes a difficult process. If you want to know more about the Oscar fish, you can read more on Oscar fish behavior. Below are certain steps which you can follow for an easy, hassle free process of Oscar fish breeding.Preparations Before Oscar Fish BreedingStep 1: Careful attention needs to be out into Oscar fish care. Prepare a large fish tank before you get the fish. Oscar fishrequire a large tank due to their large size. Put in clean and clear water, and make a deep sand bottom. You can also place a few large rocks or stones at the bottom of the tank. You may also put in some plants, as it is believed that Oscar fish love to pull out plants planted in the aquarium. You can also put in toys, so as not to let the fish get bored. In fact, since the Oscar fish, which belong to the Cichlids class, are smart, you can actually teach them certain tricks, such as digging up the plant and so on. Oscar fish love to eat smaller fish, hence make sure that the rest of the fish put along with the Oscars are of the same size as the Oscars. The temperature of the water in the aquarium should be around 79 to 86 degrees F. Oscar fish food is not an issue as they take in any food you give them, be it prawns, pellets, earthworms or kitchen scraps, anything. If you meet these conditions, then you will have no problem in breeding Oscar fish.Step 2: Now comes the part to find a mate for your Oscar fish, which a difficult thing. This has to be done through trial and error method, if your Oscar fish is adult in size. But once they form a pair, they stay together forever. Oscar fish life span is a long one. The average Oscar fish lives for nearly 10 to 12 years. One of the most effective way of finding mating pairs for your fish is to buy 6 or 8 young specimen, and allow them to grow up together. While choosing a pair, make sure that you choose from healthy broods. Aggressive behavior towards each other, lip locking, tail slapping are the signs you will notice, when the Oscar fish choose their pair. However, if you find that one of the fish is overly active or that the aggression is one sided, then you should separate the pair, or else you will end up losing one of your fish. Once the pair has been formed, remove them, because as per the Oscar fish breeding habit, they are highly territorial and thus can hurt the other fish whom they see as intruders. Sometimes, the courtship behavior can be violent, in fact it might even result in the death of one of the mates. The kind of water to keep the fish in is important. Preferably you should breed Oscar fish in soft acidic water or maybe harder alkaline water. Avoid going to extremes. Try and keep the condition of the tank as similar to the conditions of the native home of the fish, Central America. It is important that you change the water quite frequently, as it ensures suitable water chemistry and low levels of soluble waste. But do keep in mind not to change more than 20 - 25% of the water at once.Oscar Fish Breeding HabitsThe Oscar fish breeding habits are a bit different from other aquarium fish. During the spawning process, the fish clean up a flat rock, which is kept at the bottom of the tank. This is for the female Oscar to lay her eggs on. Not all eggs are laid at one go. When the female takes a break from laying the eggs, the male Oscar fertilizes them (the eggs). An Oscar fish usually lays 1000 - 2000 eggs. Both parents watch over the eggs by wafting them with their fins and guarding them against any predators. One strange Oscar fish breeding habit is that they take these eggs in their mouth to keep them clean and separate the bad eggs. If the temperature of the tank is maintained, then the eggs hatch in the 36 hours. The small fries do not start swimming till the next 4 days have passed. Till then they live off the egg sac. Unlike the breeds, the baby Oscars are usually larger in size, hence it is easier to feed them. Just crush the regular food, turn off your tank's filter and feed the baby Oscar fish. When it comes to the behavior of the parent Oscars towards their offspring, it depends entirely on the former's personality. They may either never bother about their spawns or they may even make them a part of their own diet. Therefore, it is best that you separate the fry from the parents. But, it is advisable that you don't do this until the parent Oscars have had a few unsuccessful spawning. You will find more information about the Oscar fish on Oscar fish info.

Coral Banded Shrimp

Coral banded shrimp is a shrimp like decapod, but not true shrimp and is a member of the family, Stenopodidae and the genus, Stenopus. The scientific name of this decapod crustacean is Stenopus hispidus . Commonly, it is also known as banded coral shrimp, banded prawn, banded boxer shrimp and barber-pole shrimp. Apart from the regular banded coral shrimps (Stenopus hispidus), you can find three other types, yellow coral banded (steponus cyanoscelis), blue coral banded (Steponus tenuirostris) and gold coral banded shrimp (Steponus zanzibaricus). Coral banded shrimps are immensely popular among aquarist. What makes these shrimp like invertebrates so attractive is their colorful body. Moreover, they are so easy to maintain and care for that they can be an excellent addition to many marine aquariums. However, the beginner aquarists need to know some basic facts about banded coral shrimp, in order to introduce them to their aquariums.

Coral banded Shrimp Facts

Banded coral shrimp is one of the most widely distributed shrimps in the sea, though it is basically a native to the oceans of Indonesia. Usually, it can be found hanging upside down in the caves and crevices. It normally reaches a size of 5 cm. The female banded coral shrimps are usually larger than their male counterparts. The body of coral banded shrimp is of prickly texture, and its whole body is covered with short spines, which it uses for defense. Banded coral shrimp is colorful, with striking red and white bands all over its body. It also possesses long white antennae and pinchers, which are often held erect. This gives it an appearance of a boxer, who is ready to fight. This is the reason why it is also known as 'banded boxer shrimp'.

Banded coral shrimp has an unusual power of regenerating its arms and claws at the time of molting. As far as temperament or behavior is concerned, it is usually peaceful. Banded coral shrimp is not aggressive, if it does not encounter any other members of its species and smaller shrimps of different species, with the only exception being a mated pair of coral banded shrimp. Banded coral shrimp is territorial, and it can kill and consume other shrimps. It normally goes along finely with aquarium fish, corals and other invertebrates. But, it can pinch the corals and anemones and steal their foods, for which many do not consider it as a very good choice for reef aquariums.

Coral Banded Shrimp Diet

Banded coral shrimp is omnivorous, which means that you can feed it a variety of foods. It would simply devour anything from dry, frozen foods, dead fish and shrimps to pellets and flakes. Sinking pellets is the most convenient food that can be used by aquarists. In addition to these, banded coral shrimp would eat Polychaete worms as well. The ideal method for feeding this invertebrate is to place the food in front of it with the help of a feeding stick.

Coral banded Shrimp Care

If you are considering to keep the banded coral shrimp in your aquarium, then it is better to acquire some basic knowledge about its care and maintenance. As mentioned already, this shrimp like crustacean is very easy to be taken care of. Only a certain things need to be kept in mind in order to keep it healthy. First of all, the aquarium water pH should be usually within the range of 8 to 8.4, in order to keep coral banded shrimp. The ideal temperature is 72 to 80 degree Fahrenheit. The minimum tank size should be about 30 gallon, so that it gets enough space to move around freely.

It is usually recommended that banded coral shrimp should be slowly and gradually acclimated to the environment of marine aquarium. Usually one hour acclimation is enough, so that it can get adjusted to the environment of the aquarium. This invertebrate like many other invertebrates cannot tolerate nitrate and copper levels. As mentioned already, coral banded shrimp is territorial and it can literally attack other members of the same species, small shrimps, worms and other crustaceans like, snails, corals and hermit crabs. It is usually kept singly or as a mated pair. Do not keep it along with lionfish, eels, snappers and triggers. These fishes are large and they can eat up the small banded coral shrimp.

Coral banded shrimp usually does not breed in captivity and even if it does, either the other members of the aquarium consume the larvae, or the larvae get sucked in by the filter system. So, it is quite rare to get success in breeding these invertebrates. Many also do not try to breed them, as banded coral shrimps are so readily available. Coral banded shrimp usually lives for 2 to 3 years. Apart from its attractive look, banded coral shrimp eats away parasites, detritus and other unnecessary objects or debris from the surface of fish. In this way, it helps to keep the fish, as well as the water of the fish tank clean, which can be termed as the most important benefits of keeping coral banded shrimp in a tank.

Parakeet Life Span

Are you thinking of bringing home a parakeet? Before you go to the pet shop to select your feathery friend, let me give you some information about these beautiful birds. Parakeets are members of the parrot family. These birds can be found in Asia, Australia, Africa, Central America and South America. As far as their physical appearance is concerned, these are slightly different from parrots. They are smaller in size and have long, tapered tail feathers. You will be absolutely mesmerized when you look at these playful birds. If you are a bird lover, you will find it hard to take your eyes off a parakeet. Once you bring home a parakeet, make sure that you provide them with good food and a proper environment. Keeping parakeets as pets will give you lots of joy because they are very lively, but make sure that you make them feel at home. The parakeet life span will greatly depend on how you treat your pet. Here's some information on factors that will affect the parakeet life span.

Parakeet Life Expectancy

Wondering about the average life span of a parakeet? Though the average parakeet life span ranges from 5-9 years, it can vary depending on how well the parakeet is cared for. Sometimes parakeet life span might also depend on factors such as genetics. Those parakeets who have adjusted well to their surroundings and are well-fed might even live up to 15 years. Pay attention to parakeet care and your parakeet will live longer. Let me give you some parakeet information on how to prolong your parakeet's life span:

Interaction with Parakeets
The playful parakeet behavior makes them very popular as pets. These birds are highly affectionate and playful, so, make sure you interact with them for at least half an hour daily. They love it when you stroke them and talk to them. Therefore, before you get one home, make sure that you are willing to spend time with your exotic pet. If the birds begin to feel isolated or bored, it will have an adverse impact on the parakeet life span. So, talk to the bird in soft mummers and play. Never let the surroundings be quiet or very loud, it might scare the bird. Also get hold of some bird toys, bird swings and bird cage ladders. You must prepare the cage properly. You must get a big airy bird house with numerous bird perches. The bird will feel claustrophobic if the bird house or cage is small. Make sure you keep both the bird and its cage clean. It would be a good idea to cover the cage on a few sides with a cloth at night. This is to make your pet feels secure at night.

Parakeet Food
Giving good food is a must for prolonging the parakeet life span. Your parakeet needs fresh food and water everyday. For that you can buy nutritious bird pellets. Several brands of healthy pellets are available in the market. So, head out and select the best for your pet. Let me tell you another important parakeet care tip. If you give the same food everyday, your parakeet might start showing a disinterest in eating, so, make sure that doesn't happen. Besides the 1-2 teaspoons of pellets, give them seeds, cottage cheese, peanuts, bean sprouts or mealy worms. You can also give them ½ cup of fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, papaya, zucchini, carrots, green peppers. Make sure that you don't give them any processed dried fruit.

Parakeet Breeding
Let's move on to the aspect of parakeet breeding. The parakeet life cycle comprises of stages such as the laying and hatching of eggs, nestling and molting or shedding of the bird's feather. Molting marks the reaching of adulthood. As far as parakeet breeding is concerned, care must be taken that both parakeets must be adults, preferably older than a year. After mating, the eggs that are fertilized take about 18-20 days to hatch. Then it takes about 4 weeks of care before the chicks are fully feathered and ready to be on their own. Before you think about parakeet breeding, it would be a good idea to get in touch with a veterinarian to check if both parents are healthy enough to breed.