Posts tagged "exotic pets"

Sugar Gliders 101

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Dec 18th 2009 10:00AM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Small Pets

Sugar gliders, which aren't legal to own in all areas, are omnivorous animals that come from Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. They do well when kept in pairs or groups, and some become very attached to their humans. They're playful and must have interaction; if left alone too long, sugar gliders can suffer serious depression that can actually lead to death.

Sugar Glider Care: Sugar gliders are clean animals, though you'll need to clip their nails frequently. They must be fed a fairly precise diet and fresh fruit and proper nutrient ratios are key. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals, so you'll need to keep them someplace where their nighttime activities won't wake you.

Common Health Issues: Though generally healthy and long-lived (12-14 years), sugar gliders are somewhat prone to hind leg paralysis, cataracts, blindness, and pouch problems. As with any exotic pet, make sure you have a vet who's familiar with sugar gliders before you bring one home.

Rats 101

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Dec 9th 2009 10:00AM Filed Under: Small Pets

pet rats Flickr/adria.richards

Personality: One of the most intelligent and social of all small animals, rats are considered some of the easiest pets to train and tame, and they tend to quickly bond with their owners. In fact, most rat owners we've spoken to compare owning a rat to owning a cat or dog in terms of companionship.

Grooming: Rats are active groomers, cleaning themselves, one another, and even their humans. And it's not just a way to stay clean -- social grooming helps rats bond.

Common Health Issues: Rats are more prone to certain serious illnesses than other small pets. Though their lifespan is generally just two to three years, many rats experience tumors and abscesses, while some may carry mycoplasma, which is a bacteria that can be deadly. Because of these health concerns, rats can end up being pricier to own than, say, hamsters.

Hedgehogs 101

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Nov 27th 2009 11:00AM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Small Pets

baby hedgehogs Flickr/idalingi

The most common type of pet hedgehog is the African Pygmy variety, which are not legal in every state, so before you adopt, make sure you're allowed to. Assuming you can keep hedgehogs legally in your area, make sure you adopt yours from an animal rescue or breeder. Do not try to domesticate one from the wild. Playful, inquisitive and relatively low-maintenance, hedgehogs can make a great exotic pet.

Hedgehog Grooming
For the most part, hedgehogs will keep themselves clean. In fact, they regularly "anoint" themselves by spreading saliva all over their spiny backs. However, you might have to bathe your hedgehog once or twice a year if he gets particularly dirty or smelly. Nails will likely need trimming on a monthly basis, but as long as you feed your pet a hard commercial food, its teeth and gums should be fine without intervention.

Common Health Issues
Hedgehogs, which can live anywhere from three to eight years, are generally healthy. However, a small problem can prove dangerous (and potentially fatal) over a short period of time, so it's very important that you monitor your hedgehog's health closely. Watch their noses for bubbling or excess dripping, their mouths for food lodged in the roof and for abscesses, and eyes for any signs of distress. Additionally, hedgies are prone to bowel obstructions, so if you notice any change in their droppings, you should visit a vet.

Hedgehog Training
Litter training is the most common type of training for hedgehogs, and also the easiest. Hedgehogs are known for keeping their homes tidy, so if you offer a litter box, they'll likely be more than happy to use it. If you see your hedgehog do his business somewhere outside the litter box, scoop up the feces and place both that and the hedgehog in the litter box. Don't yell at him for not doing what you want, as you'll only succeed in scaring him. The process generally takes a few days, but can last one or two weeks.

Ferrets 101

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Nov 26th 2009 11:00AM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Small Pets

ferret Flickr/Aaron Jacobs

Ferrets are known for being playful, both with other ferrets and with their owners. They're also smart, inquisitive and determined.

Grooming: This member of the weasel family is quite clean, even to the point that they develop hairballs, just like cats (though ferrets don't cough them back up). Bathing ferrets is a topic owners often disagree about, as many believe ferrets should be bathed often due to the musky smell all ferrets have. However, this scent is in the oil their skin produces, so bathing them too often will actually backfire. A bath every few months seems to appease most. Also, as with many pets, ferrets will need to be brushed, have their nails clipped, and their ears and teeth cleaned.

Common Health Issues: One health issue that's particularly timely right now is the fact that ferrets can catch and pass on the human flu. Another common problem for young ferrets is a prolapsed rectum, which normally corrects itself within a week, but could require veterinary assistance if it becomes infected. Two other common health issues are insulinoma and adrenal disease, both of which will require surgery at some point. A ferret's health can appear to turn quickly because they're so adept at hiding discomfort, so you need to have a ferret-friendly vet nearby in case you notice a problem.

Chinchillas 101

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Nov 25th 2009 11:00AM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Small Pets

chinchilla Flickr/Indenture

Chinchillas are active, playful, curious, and have some of the softest fur ever. A crepuscular animal, they generally sleep in the daytime and are most active at dawn and dusk, so they should be kept somewhere fairly quiet during the day.

Chinchilla Grooming
Chinchillas keep their coats healthy and shiny with regular, vigorous dust baths (which they seem to really enjoy!). You'll want to offer the dust bath to your chinchilla a couple of times a week, which means, inevitably, you'll end up with dust scattered everywhere.

Common Chinchilla Health Problems
Chinchillas, in general, are healthy and robust animals. In fact, although they can live 10–15 years, and sometimes as long as 20 years, they don't require regular vet visits. However, dull, watery eyes can be a sign of ill health most likely related to their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. And while not a health issue per se, chinchillas can easily overheat and perish in temperatures you might not find particularly warm, so it's important to keep them cool.

Chinchilla Training
A chinchilla that's been handled from a very young age is more likely to run to you and climb around or tolerate being held, especially once you've gained its trust. Still, despite their cuddly appearance, chinchillas generally don't like being held. They do not respond to their names and, if not kept in a chinchilla-proof cage or room, can be quite destructive, chewing up door frames and base boards. This is not something you'll be able to train them not to do.

Camouflage Animals

by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia's posts): Nov 3rd 2009 4:00PM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Small Pets, Photo Galleries

Camouflage animals from can easily transform their colors to match their backgrounds. Whether hiding from their predators or reflecting their mood, these color-changers are truly masters of disguise. See if you can spot them.

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Camouflage Animals

Argentine Horned Frog Reptiles
The Argentine Horned Frog, also known as the Horned Frog or Pacman Frog, originated in South America. The green and black amphibian, which can grow up to six inches long, is a popular pets and can live for as long as 10 years.

Getty Images

Camouflage Animals

Getty Images

Walkingstick
The Walkingstick takes its camouflage abilities to the next level by creating the appearance of a stick or twig to hide from predators. While normally they stand still, these insects are able to walk around as though they were a twig caught in the wind. They can be found in tropical forests or woodlands all across the world.

jupiterimages

Dwarf Puff Adder
Found in Nambia, the venomous Dwarf Puff Adder hides from the hot desert sun by burying itself in the sand, where only its eyes show.

Getty Images

Stonefish
Often resembling a rock, the brown colored Stonefish camouflages itself perfectly in the ocean. With 13 venomous dorsal spines on its back, the Stonefish can cause tissue damage and respiratory distress in humans, which can lead to cardiovascular shock if left untreated.

Ian Waldie, Getty Images

Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.

Getty Images

Chameleons
Chameleons, the quintessential color changers, can transform their skin color when their mood, temperature or the amount of light around them is altered. Their hue, which can vary from yellow and pink to brown and black, is also altered when they communicate.

Getty Images

Green Anole
Often confused with chameleons, Green Anoles turn brown when they're stressed or sick. Found in the trees and shrubs of the southeastern United States, these lizards are popular pets.

Getty Images

The Eastern Wood Frog
The Eastern Wood Frog tricks competitors by changing colors to match its surroundings. Found in North American woodlands, the frog also has a dark, color-changing patch from its eye to the base of its front limb.

Getty Images

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Camouflage Animals

Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be between four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.

Getty Images

Camouflage Animals

Walkingstick
The Walkingstick takes its camouflage abilities to the next level by creating the appearance of a stick or twig to hide from predators. While they normally stand still, these insects are able to walk around as though they were a twig caught in the wind. They can be found in tropical forests or woodlands all across the world.

Camouflage Animals

Dwarf Puff Adder
Found in Nambia, the venomous Dwarf Puff Adder hides from the hot desert sun by burying itself in the sand, where only its eyes show.

Camouflage Animals

Stonefish
Often resembling a rock, the brown colored Stonefish camouflages itself perfectly in the ocean. With 13 venomous dorsal spines on its back, the Stonefish can cause tissue damage and respiratory distress, which can lead to cardiovascular shock if left untreated.

Camouflage Animals

Chameleons
Chameleons, the quintessential color-changers, can transform their skin color when their mood, temperature or the amount of light around them is altered. Their hue, which can vary from yellow and pink to brown and black, is also altered when they communicate.

Camouflage Animals

Green Anole
Often confused with chameleons, Green Anoles turn brown when they're stressed or sick. Found in the trees and shrubs of the Southeastern United States, these lizards are popular pets.

Camouflage Animals

The Eastern Wood Frog
The Eastern Wood Frog tricks competitors by changing colors to match its surroundings. Found in North American woodlands, the frog also has a dark black patch from its eye to the base of its front limb that can change colors.

Camouflage Animals