There are several popular hamster breeds that make cute pets. They are easy to rear and used as common pets by humans. After all, who wouldn’t want to have an adorable chipmunk or a tiny hamster to come home to every day? Domesticated chinchillas can make good pets for adults and older children who understand these animals need to be handled gently. This rodent's lifespan averages five to eight years. They are mainly colored grey or beige with a darker coat on top and a lighter shade beneath. One interesting fact about Dumbo rats is that they are identical with non-Dumbo rats in every way except for their larger ears (they have a recessive gene mutation to thank for this). Marmot. Since they're nocturnal, you won't be able to interact much with them during the day, but they do become quite active at night. Hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, and guinea pigs are the most common rodents kept as pets. Mice, like hamsters, are basically nocturnal so you'll see the most activity from them at night. This roden't lifespan averages one to two years. Rodents are animals that gnaw with two continuously growing incisors. These furry cuties are generally docile and friendly and will not bite when handled gently. Degus have a strong need to be housed with other degus even if you are bringing one home as a pet. This makes them the ideal pet for families where everyone is out of the house during the day and home at night. 9. California and Hawaii in particular exclude some pet rodents in order to protect their natural wild animal populations and environments. Dwarf hamsters, like their larger Syrian cousins, tend to wake up and get going after sundown. Hamster. One particularly cute aspect of guinea pigs is that they can actually be quite vocal! Alaska only allows albino rats to be kept as pets, and Anchorage and the Pribilof Islands ban pet rats completely. Some are as small as four inches long from nose to tail, while some show mice are bred to grow six inches or more. Why wasn't this page useful? Syrian hamsters are an enduringly popular pet rodent choice. Forty percent of mammal species are rodents, and they inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Pet Snail – Are Snails Easy And Interesting Pets To Keep? However, chinchillas can be very loving, entertaining and rewarding pets for people of all ages, and so if you have the room and are prepared to do your research, this might be the right choice of pet for you! In the Cunning Hunter Pets category. Guinea pigs come in a wide variety of color combinations and patterns. Rats are engaging pets who love interacting with humans and develop strong bonds with their owners. Picking a gerbil up by its tail can cause injury. Rodent, (order Rodentia), any of more than 2,050 living species of mammals characterized by upper and lower pairs of ever-growing rootless incisor teeth. Because of their extremely small size, dwarf hamsters do best with minimal handling. Guinea pigs. Syrian hamsters, being somewhat larger and sturdier than their dwarf cousins, can tolerate more handling with a lower risk of escape. They are easy to care for as pets but should be housed outdoors unless a room can be dedicated to them. Syrian hamsters, like their smaller cousins the dwarf hamsters, tend to be most active after sundown. This list contains 2,276 species in 489 genera in the order Rodentia. All Rights Reserved. American Fancy Rat and Mouse Associations, Deep Cleaning Checklist: Easy Guide to Clean Like a Pro, Capricorn-Aquarius Cusp and Its Complexities Explained, Martin Luther King Jr. Facts and Resources for Kids, Choosing a Tent and Sleeping Bag for Winter Camping. There are numerous pet mice breeds in all colors and sizes. When choosing a pet rodent, make sure you are aware of the choices available by researching the different types of rodents, to choose the one that best suits your personality and lifestyle. With their soft fur, bushy tails, and adorable ears, chinchillas are cute and fun pets in the … Each has its own rarity and worth. Dwarf hamsters make for adorably cute rodent pets. This rodent's lifespan averages two to three years. There's a whole range of critters out there who aren't often named, and also don't make for very great pets. The average rat grows about ten inches long from its nose to the base of its tail, and the ridged tail usually adds another seven inches to the total length of the animal. Females can reproduce as young as six weeks old. Rats may have gotten a bad rap over the years, but the truth is, rats are one of the hands-down best rodent pet choices you can make! Rats can be trained to do tricks and even use the litter box just like cats! Chins are easily stressed if there is too much noise and activity around their living space. Kids definitely love to play with pets and before you buy a pet rodent you should know about the choices you have. These adorable rats have larger ears that are set lower on their heads, evoking the image of the elephant by the same name (which is also how they got their name). Degus represent a spectrum of uncommon rodent pets that are just now starting to catch on in the pet industry. Some other types of pets include chinchillas, chipmunks, degus, squirrels, duprasi and more. This doesn't mean you have to keep your home as silent as a library, but do use common sense and avoid yelling, blasting the TV or radio, etc. If you handle gerbils daily in a gentle way, they can be quickly socialized to people. Rats and mice may be small but their intelligence levels are nothing to scoff at. Be sure you pick two of the same gender if you don’t want little Degus! Not all pet rodents are equally welcome across the USA. Female mice can be kept in same-gender pairs but male mice should be housed alone unless they are littermates. Owning and caring for a pet rodent is great fun and very rewarding, but it is a big responsibility and commitment in terms of care and finances. Just make sure they have toys that satisfy their urges to exercise and chew, and they can keep themselves occupied when you can be with them. They love to burrow in their litter, and they'll climb anything that is in their habitat. Taming a chinchilla is a matter of gaining the animal's trust, and this takes a good deal of time and patience. Domesticated Syrian hamsters are most commonly kept as pets. They also have very stubby tails. Most chins find it difficult to tolerate loud noises, so the noise level should be kept to a minimum as much as possible. Mice can make excellent rodent pets, but they do tend to be a bit more anxious than rats. No list of small pets would be complete without hamsters. The fur also comes in various patterns, including merle, Himalayan, Siamese, and Burmese. Dwarf hamsters make for adorably cute rodent pets, rats are one of the hands-down best rodent pet choices you can make, Chinchillas are generally considered more suitable for experienced rodent pet owners, The gerbil is one of the best small rodent pet choices, Degus represent a spectrum of uncommon rodent pets, Chipmunks don’t always even make the consideration list for rodents you can have as pets, Rats forsake chocolate to save a drowning companion, 5 exotic pets that are legal AND easy to care for. There are several types of gerbils, although Mongolian gerbils are among the cutest and the ones most likely to be found in pet stores. This rodent's lifespan averages two to three years. Tell your healthcare provider that you have been around pet rodents, whether at home or away from the home, especially if you are sick or have been bitten or scratched. 7. Written on: July 14, 2020. rats image by Oleg Sviridov from Fotolia.com. Our top ten include guinea pigs, dwarf hamsters, Syrian hamsters, dumbo rats, fancy rats, chinchillas, mice, gerbils, degu and chipmunks. List of mammals belonging to order Rodentia. However, this long lifespan may be a detriment if you are not aware of it beforehand. Chris Scuffins / Getty Images. However, it's always safest to check with your local Department of Natural Resources to make sure you aren't going to break any laws. This name generator will generate 10 names, which will generally fit most types of rodents, like hamsters, squirrels and other critters. There are also hairless rats, which require special care to protect their skin and keep them warm. Plus, they are smaller and require a more delicate touch when handling, which should be kept to a minimum since too much handling can make them even more nervous. Pet rodents, sometimes also referred to as "pocket pets" are very popular pets. Pet Chinchillas. Genetically speaking, though, they are actually cousins of chinchillas and guinea pigs. They are kept as pets and are known to be common animals for medical experimentation. Far larger rodents than capybara once roamed Venezuela. They are famous for the strange use of their droppings in expensive coffee called Kopi Luwak, where they are often incorrectly described as being a cat. Some are fairly easy to tame and enjoy human interaction while others are more timid. They eat seeds, fruits and also few insects. If you own or are responsible for a pet, even on a temporary basis, you are required by law to care for it properly. Rats are smart, social, sensitive, and empathetic towards cage mates and even strange rats. They are indigenous to every land area except Antarctica, New Zealand,… For your guinea pig’s health and happiness, it is always best to bring home a same-gender pair rather than a single pig. Let’s find out which one is right for you! They have blunt, Roman noses and round eyes, and their ears look similar to rose petals. Added in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. Transmission can also occur in ‘cooperation’ with a range of parasites that feed on both them and humans: fleas, ticks, lice and mites. The Sims 3 Pets coverage from Carl's Sims 3 guide. However, less handling is still optimal to avoid provoking anxiety in these very small rodent pets. Guinea pig. Chinchillas are very attractive rodents that have lush coats and furry tails. Although rats are basically nocturnal by nature, but they can adjust to spend more time with you when you're available to play with them. Many veterinarians feel guinea pigs are also perhaps the best rodents to have as a pet because of their long history of living happily side by side with human carers. They like to eat fungus. While these small “pocket pets” can seem quite similar at first, they actually have really different personalities, habits and needs! Some say a clean rat's scent is similar to sandalwood. They are nocturnal animals and during the day time, they keep hiding in the burrows. You may prefer to just watch them rather than hold them because they tend to nip, and they must be handled a lot as youngsters to overcome this trait. List of Rodents That Make Good Pets; Dumbo Rat Pet Facts, Behavior, and Care Guide; Hairless Pet Rat Facts, Lifespan, and Care Guide; Rats Are Friendly and Affectionate. Their backs are arched, and they tend to move like mice. However, they may not be the ideal “first pet” for very young children for this same reason. Posted: (14 days ago) List of Pet Rodents. Males and females can make equally good pets although the males do become a bit more laid back when mature. Tame chins can be fairly affectionate, and will readily come to you when you open the cage door. Chins need social interaction and prefer to live with another member of their species. This near-threatened species is large and can hop great distances of up to 6 feet in a single bound. Rodent pet options If your kid finds rodents cute and you have decided to get them one, you may still find yourself in the dilemma of having to choose which type of rodent to opt for. A Dumbo rat can be an excellent choice for the best rodent pet for your family! Our top ten include guinea pigs, dwarf hamsters, Syrian hamsters, dumbo rats, fancy rats, chinchillas, mice, gerbils, degu and chipmunks. The Sims 3: Pets introduces 7 Rodent types. Rattus norvegicus. A lone pet like this may be good news if you have only 1 child; this … When you are choosing a rodent pet, don’t forget to pick the creature with the best temperament and health to suit your family. Plus, they are larger than many small rodents and thus are also sturdier. Let’s find out which one is right for you! You will be making a much longer-term commitment to care for a Chinchilla pet. Your veterinarian can play a key role in helping you and your pets stay healthy. © 2006-2021 LoveToKnow, Corp., except where otherwise noted. Guinea pigs are one of the largest of the different types of rodent pets. Guinea pigs are considered as the sweetest and most sociable of any pet rodent, they are definitely one of the larger rodents out there however. You have entered an incorrect email address! Many rodents are social and will require daily attention and interaction with you and your family. Mice are one of the smallest rodents kept as pets, but their size varies according to breed. Giant African Land Snail – Can You Keep This Mighty Mollusc As A Pet? Finally, the Guinea pig, the most popular large rodent kept as a pet in the UK. Rodents are a group of small pets. Females can live happily together, but males tend to fight unless they are introduced to each other before they are five weeks old. They really need an exercise wheel, and they also love exploring the world from the safety of a hamster ball. Their entire length, including their tails, runs about eight inches long on average. Best Pet Carrier – How to Transport Your Pet Safely! According to the Chinchilla Club, chins are mainly nocturnal, and they tend to be most active around dawn, and then again around dusk. They are indigenous to every Most Syrian hamsters prefer to live alone rather than with other hamsters. Syrian hamsters are solitary animals who will fight (sometimes to the death) if they’re kept together. Tamed chins learn to nibble gently, so frequent handling is necessary for them to get used to their caregivers. When choosing a pet rodent, make sure you are aware of the choices available by researching the different types of rodents, to … Best Rodent Pet – Your Top 10 Tiny Cuties! Unlike most hamsters, gerbils also enjoy being housed with other gerbils. Read more about the Animal Welfare Act and your duty of care to your animals. rodent bites - including from rodent pets. Beyond that, these rodents are very active pets that take several naps throughout the day to recharge their energy. They are very active and love to have places to climb and safe items to chew. They also learn to recognize their caregivers and will whistle at them in greeting when they approach. With their soft fur, bushy tails, and adorable ears, chinchillas are cute and fun pets in the rodent family list. If one of these fascinating creatures might be the ideal pet for your family and... 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