By Amanda McGregor
STAFF WRITER
October 11, 2008 03:52 am TOPSFIELD — The Topsfield Fair draws people far and wide for the food, games, entertainment, displays — and, of course, the animals. This reporter roamed among hundreds of animals at the fair this week to find some notable ones to "interview." Hanoverian (or Hannaverian) What: German breed of horse Name: June Age: 17 years Weight: 1,220 pounds Job: Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Distinguishing characteristic: June is the oldest horse on the tour, and she's the only one with a white blaze (stripe) down her face. "She's also very light as far as our horses go; some of them are 1,400 to 1,500 pounds," said June's rider, Constable Meredith Darrah of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Personality: "She's a bit moody," Darrah said. "And she'll put up her hoof when she's asking for treats (the way a dog lifts its paw)." Diet: Mix of oats and grains and "a lot of hay." Favorite food: "She loves apples, and she really likes mints. Scotch mints, specifically," Darrah said. Mini Rex What: A breed of rabbit Age: 10 weeks (male) Weight: Under 3 pounds Color: Broken black Mini Rex traits: Short, thin fur that feels like velvet; grows to about 4 pounds Personality: "The Mini Rex really makes a wonderful pet," said Marcia Thurkins, a member of the Essex County Rabbit and Cavy Association. Diet: "The best diet is pellets and hay," Thurkins said. "Never greens; it gives them diarrhea. You can give them dry Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats. When they are full-grown, they can eat a small carrot every so often and a slice of banana or apple, but very sparingly." Ring tailed lemur* What: Primate typically from Madagascar Traits: Spends most of its time on the ground but is an adept tree climber Diet: Fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, sap and the occasional insect Adult size: 5 to 6 pounds Interesting traits: Male ringtails are equipped with scent glands on their wrists, which are used in "stink fighting" with a rival male. Make some noise: Ring-tailed lemurs are one of the most vocal primates. * Source: The Duke University Lemur Center Lionhead What: A new rabbit breed, part dwarf Age: 8 weeks (male) Weight: Less than 1 pound Color: Vienna marked seal otter Lionhead traits: Short fur in back and a fuzzy, fluffy mane in front like a lion. Origin: "It's a very new breed that's been developed by cross-breeding," Thurkins said. Camel Name: Huey Age: 21 years Weight: 1,800 pounds Daily diet: 80 pounds of hay (2 bales) and 10 pounds of grain Snacks: Carrots and apples Personality: "Excellent disposition. He likes to be petted on the head," David Call of the Commerford petting zoo said. Eland What: Antelope from Africa Name: Poomba (male) Age: 3 years Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves Traits: Sharp, 2-foot-long horns Personality: "He loves attention," Call said. "Anytime I'm near him, he'll start licking my arms and wants to be near me. But it's all about the food."
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
Staff Photographer
Staff Photographer