This section describes the care, housing, feeding, and health management for a range of other small and exotic animals such as mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, potbellied pigs and other nontraditional pets.
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All Other Pets
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Amphibians
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Chinchillas
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Ferrets
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Fish
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Gerbils
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Guinea Pigs
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Hamsters
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Mice
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Potbellied Pigs
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Prairie Dogs
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Rabbits
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Rats
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Reptiles
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Sugar Gliders
All Other Pets Sections (A-Z)
Amphibians
The word amphibian comes from the Greek word for “double-life,” referring to the fact that amphibians start life in water breathing through gills before maturing into lung-breathing land animals, although most never stray too far from water. The class Amphibia is composed of only 3 orders. Anura, which refers to tailless amphibians, includes frogs and toads (see Table: Similarities and Differences Between Frogs and Toads). This is the largest order with more than 3,500 species. Caudata refers to amphibians with tails—salamanders, newts, and sirens—and has about 375 species (see Table: Some Common Salamanders and Newts). The Gymnophiona order is made up of caecilians, legless, tailless amphibians that spend most of their time burrowing. It has about 160 species.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are members of the rodent family. Their scientific name is Chinchilla lanigera. They originated in the Andes mountains of South America. During the eighteenth century, chinchillas were hunted for their fur and faced extinction until laws banned hunting them. Today there are about 3,000 ranches throughout the United States and Canada that breed chinchillas, and chinchillas are increasingly popular as pets.
Ferrets
The domestic ferret is part of the Mustelidae animal family that includes weasels, badgers, and minks. However, unlike these wild species, they are fully domesticated and would likely starve if released outside. Ferrets have been in captivity for more than 2,000 years and are used as hunting animals in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. They have become popular pets over the last decade in the United States.
Fish
Aquariums bring the beauty and wonder of the underwater world into your home. Although the average fish owner may not typically think of veterinary care for fish, aquatic medicine is becoming more mainstream, especially with the growth in popularity of the Japanese koi fish and Chinese fancy goldfish show industries. These show-quality fish can cost thousands of dollars, and veterinary care is common. Although a relatively small number of veterinarians throughout the United States work with fish, the numbers are increasing. To find a veterinarian who works with fish, contact the American Veterinary Medical Association or your local veterinarian for a recommendation.
Gerbils
Domesticated gerbils, Meriones unguichlatus, originated in the deserts of North Africa and central Asia and are sometimes referred to as Mongolian gerbils or Mongolian desert mice. Gerbils are relatives of mice and rats and have been bred as pets since the 1960s. Gerbils are known for their curious and mild temperament. Because they have almost no odor, require very little space, and are easy to care for, they make excellent pets. Gerbils are very social creatures, so they do best in the company of other gerbils.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are members of the Caviidae family, a group that includes several species of rodents from South America. All cavies are social animals that prefer to live in groups. They can be found in many habitats, including plains, marshes, and rocky areas. In the wild, cavies live in burrows and feed on vegetation including grass and leaves. They are popular pets and valuable research animals.
Hamsters
Mice
House mice (scientific name Mus musculus) originated in the central and southern regions of Asia. Because they are very adaptable, they have spread all over the world. House mice were domesticated around 1800 by both Europeans and Asians who began to selectively breed them for their fur and coloring.
Potbellied Pigs
Prairie Dogs
Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are a type of ground squirrel kept by some people as pets, although not without some controversy. Although wild-caught prairie dogs can adapt to captive indoor environments and even bond with humans, especially if handled properly when young, they may also be stressed or injured when removed from their natural setting and social hierarchy. It should be noted that as of November 2003, it is now illegal in the United States to capture wild prairie dogs, especially with the intent of keeping them as pets. Prairie dogs will bite and may have diseases, such as monkeypox, that can be transmitted to people. Several prairie dog species are listed as threatened or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Rabbits
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae. The European or Old World rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the only genus of domestic rabbits. Wild rabbits and hares include cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus) and the “true” hares or jackrabbits (Lepus). In Western nations, rabbits have been kept as pets since the 1800s. As pets, they need a considerable amount of care and attention. Many different breeds of rabbits are available; common differences between breeds include size, color, and length of fur.
Rats
Pet rats (scientific name Rattus norvegicus) originated from the Norway rat, found on the streets of cities and in the fields of rural areas. The Norway rat became domesticated in Victorian times and people began to selectively breed them for their fur and color. Rats have a long history in association with humans, although not always very pleasant. Some cultures regard rats benevolently; they are the first sign in the Chinese zodiac and are considered gods in some Indian religions. In Europe they were considered creatures of darkness, death, and disease because of the belief that they transmitted the plague. Today we know that it was not rats, but rather the fleas they harbored, that carried the infection.
Reptiles
Reptiles can be easily recognized by their horny or scaly skin. The class Reptilia has 4 orders: Rhynchocephalia, in which the sole species is the tuatara (a reptile that looks like an iguana but does not belong to the iguana family and is found only on islands off New Zealand); Crocodilia, which includes alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gavials (a crocodile-like reptile native to India, Borneo, and Sumatra); Chelonia, which contains tortoises and turtles; and Squamata, which contains lizards and snakes.
Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders (scientific name Petaurus breviceps) are small marsupials, mammals that nurse their offspring in pouches on their stomachs. Kangaroos, koalas, opossums, bandicoots and wombats are also marsupials. These exotic pets come originally from Australia and New Guinea and were first brought to the United States in 1994.
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
The acronym SLUD stands for salivation, lacrimation, urination, and defecation, which are the clinical signs associated with muscarinic cholinergic overstimulation caused by certain toxins. Signs of SLUD are most consistent with exposure to which of the following classes of chemicals?