A domestic mouse, a small animal is a great joy. The cutest wild animals The smallest animal

Have you ever wondered which animal is the smallest in the world? Then you have come to the right place. Some animals are so small that you just won't believe your eyes. From frogs to horses, different kinds of animals around the world have been treated unfairly. Even more interesting is the fact that scientists and researchers discovered many of these animals quite recently. We'll make you wonder what other little creatures might be lurking around. I wonder what miniature animals we dug up? Here are 25 smallest animals in the world that you won't believe exist.

25. Chihuahua

Everyone knows that Chihuahuas are tiny, but you can't even imagine how tiny they can be. The Guinness Book of Records named the Chihuahua Milly the smallest dog in the world. It reaches 9.6 cm in height, which is approximately the height of stilettos.

24. Dwarf rabbit

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The pygmy rabbit is the smallest and rarest rabbit in the world. On average, their size can be from 22.8 to 27.9 cm, and they weigh just under 500 g.

23. Dwarf marmoset

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While the pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit in the primate world, the pygmy marmoset rules like a tiny queen. These animals live in South America and look like a squirrel, if not for the head. They are so small that they can fit in a human hand. The weight of a marmoset is usually 90-150 g, and the height is only about 15 cm.

22. Chameleon Lesser Brookesia (Brookesia Micra)

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Found on the island of Madagascar, the Lesser Brookesia chameleon is the smallest chameleon ever found. It is so small that it can easily fit on a match head or the tip of a person's index finger.

21. Miniature horse



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Miniature horses can reach the size of an average dog. The smallest horse in the world was called Thumbelina, it was a miniature brown mare with a height of only 44.5 cm. It was officially entered into the Guinness Book of Records in 2006.

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Scientists have discovered the world's smallest lizard in Dominican Republic. This type is called sphaerodactylus ariasae and such a lizard can comfortably curl up on a US dime. Its length reaches less than 16 millimeters.

Photo: Pixabay.com

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the smallest cat was found in Taylorville, Illinois. The male Himalayan-Persian blue point named Tinker Toy, reaching adulthood, reached 7 cm in height and 19 cm in length.

18. Pygmy Lantern Shark

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The pygmy lantern shark is rare as it swims approximately 439 m below the ocean surface close to the coast. South America. Very little is known about her. We know that these fish are small enough to fit in a human hand.

17. Etruscan shrew

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The Etruscan shrew is not only the smallest shrew, but also the smallest mammal by weight. They usually weigh less than 2 grams and reach a length of 4 cm. But, despite the fact that they are small, they have an excellent appetite, and twice a day they eat a volume of food comparable in weight to their own weight.

16. Royal Antelope

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Dwelling in tropical forests Ghana and Sierra Leone, the Royal Antelope is the smallest antelope in the world at about 25 cm tall and weighing about 2.5 kg. It is extremely rare to meet her because of her secretive nocturnal lifestyle.

15. Pig-nosed bat(bumblebee bat)

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The pig-nosed bat boasts two achievements. This is not only the smallest bat, but also the smallest mammal. On average, they grow to about 33 mm and weigh only 2 grams.

14. The smallest seahorse

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Marine biologists have discovered the world's smallest seahorse in the Western Pacific. Known as Hippocampus denise, they were first mistaken for cubs. seahorses. Typically, such a seahorse reaches a length of only 16 mm.

13. Motley turtle

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The Speckled Padloper Tortoise is, you guessed it, the smallest turtle in the world. Measuring just 7cm in males and 10cm in females, these little creatures can be found crawling slowly along paths in South Africa.

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The smallest cow in the world is called Manikyam. Although it won't fit in the palm of your hand, it's about as small as cows can get. At just 61.5 cm tall, the little cow is considered a pet in the family to which it belongs.

11. Frog Paedophryne Amauensis

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The brownie-sized frog, Paedophryne Amauensis, is the smallest known vertebrate. It averages about 7.7 millimeters and looks like a tiny speck on a US dime.

10 Pygmy Mouse Lemur

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Living in Madagascar, the Pygmy mouse lemur weighs only about 60 g. Its body length, including its head, is approximately 5 cm. However, the tail is twice as long as the body.

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One of the smallest species of salamander is Thorius Arboreus, found exclusively in Mexico. The length of this salamander, together with a wide head, is 17 millimeters. Unfortunately, they are under threat of extinction due to agricultural activities and deforestation.

8 Samoan Moss Spider

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We all know that spiders can be quite small, not to mention terrifyingly gigantic, but in this case, the Samoan Moss was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most little spider in the world. Its size reaches only 0.3 mm.

7. Californian Harbour porpoise

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The California porpoise is the smallest marine mammal in the world, but, unfortunately, it is under the threat of extinction due to illegal fishing. These tiny cetaceans reach an average length of 1 m. recent times it is known that in wild nature only thirty individuals remained, a 97% decrease from the year before these data were obtained.

6. The smallest snake



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The smallest snake in the world was discovered on the island of Barbados. Measuring just 10 cm in length, this rare snake is a type of threadsnake and is as thin as spaghetti. Unfortunately, much of her habitat has been destroyed by farms and buildings.

5. Paedocypris fish

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The Paedocypris fish is the smallest vertebrate in the world. From head to tail, it reaches a length of about 7.9 mm and can comfortably fit on a human finger. But, it's not the only one interesting fact about her. Fish can swim and live in very acidic water.

4. Hummingbird - bee

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Hummingbird - a bee lives on the island of Cuba. It is the smallest bird in the world, weighing only 2 grams. Her eggs are the size of coffee beans and her nest is the size of a quarter. Because of its size, it has to compete with insects rather than other birds.

3 Smooth-fronted Dwarf Caiman

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The smooth-fronted pygmy caiman swims up and down the waters of South America looking for vertebrates to drag underwater and eat. While their length of 1 meter may not cause fear, they are quite dangerous.

2. Longtail planigal

Photo: australianwildlife.org

The long-tailed planigal looks like a tiny rat, but is actually the smallest marsupial in the world. The animal reaches a length of 5.5 cm, and its tail is usually the same length, or slightly longer. Planigals live mainly in the grasslands of Northern Australia.

1. Dwarf three-toed jerboa

Photo: shutterstock

It looks like a cotton ball with two eyes and giant legs, but, in fact, the Pygmy Three-toed Jerboa is the smallest rodent in the world. It weighs less than a gram, and its body length is 4 cm. Be careful, look at it longer, and you may want to take this cute creature to your home.

Since ancient times, mice and humans have lived side by side. Therefore, it is not surprising that one day the owner of the house had the idea to tame this tiny creature in order to turn it from a pest into an object of care and a source of joy. This is how the domestic mouse appeared - an extremely funny and cute animal that does not bring much trouble, gets along well with a person, and is quite unpretentious in care.

Reason for choosing a mouse

Decorative house mice - perfect option for those who decide to have their own animal or teach a child to take care of the weak, but are limited in time, money and square meters.

Unlike phlegmatic fish - other inhabitants that do not take up much space - they are able to respond to affection: you can stroke them, feel the warmth of a small body in a fur coat, they are quite affectionate and sit on your hands with pleasure.

Varieties: mouse mouse strife

Oddly enough, but tamed and domesticated mice are divided into only two types. The first species is an albino mouse, it is also a white laboratory mouse. A home decorative mouse is an animal weighing an average of 30 grams. with a calf of 7-12 cm, a tail of the same length, a hard coat of medium length, more often of the same color: black, brown, gray, sandy. The life expectancy of this miniature animal is on average 2-3 years.

stands apart white mouse- the ancestor of all mouse movement. Derived before our era, this creature was a frequent guest in the homes of Chinese emperors, and later, brought to England, quickly won the sympathy of all admirers of pets.

In the 19th century, they were recruited to participate in laboratory experiments, which resulted in the emergence of individual view- laboratory mouse. She was bred in order to participate in laboratory experiments to study models social behavior, drug testing and much more that is of direct benefit to mankind. For pet lovers, this species is not so attractive, although albino mice can still be found in city apartments.

Each animal needs its own special space, which it will consider "its place" - sacred and inviolable. Therefore, before you bring mice home, you should take care of where they will live. Just before, not after. Because jars and cardboard boxes are absolutely not adapted for the life of rodents. And any move is always stressful.

Avoid aquariums as well. They are cramped, stuffy, hot, the mouse will not be able to move normally in them and equip itself with a secluded corner. The most successful solution would be a spacious cage with metal bars.

Be sure to make it yourself or buy a small house - a mink, where the mouse will spend all day long.

Install the wheel to ensure your pet physical exercise and fulfill his need for movement. For the same purpose, take care of the shelves, ladders and ropes. The animal will be happy to show you its dexterity, and you will have fun watching its amusing movements.

Bedding - very important element. The layer should be quite impressive - at least 5 mm. Animals use it not only for its intended purpose, but also for arranging a house, and when there are drafts or a drop in temperature, they burrow into it to keep warm.

The material should be natural and preferably inexpensive: sawdust, dry peat crumbs, shavings, hay. Discard cotton and sand - the first absorbs odors too well and gets tangled between the fingers, and the second can become a breeding ground for lice. And something tells us that you don’t want such neighbors for yourself.

Care: mouse by mouse, and scheduled cleaning

In fact, the house mouse does not need any special care. But taking care of the cleanliness of the cell is the main condition. And not only for the animal, but also for the owner. The life cycle of these rodents is so intense that the cage needs to be cleaned at least twice a week. Otherwise, the mouse smell in the apartment is guaranteed to you.

By "cleaning the cage" is meant to change the bedding and wipe all the items in the cage with a special agent or soapy water. If you fussed and purchased a cage with a pull-out tray, then the cleaning process will be greatly simplified and will not take much time.

Feeding

Domestic mice, like their wild relatives, are omnivores. But in natural conditions the mouse age is short and marked by various diseases. It is in your power to avoid trouble and make sure that your pet eats well, does not get sick and does not bring trouble all its life. mouse life.

The main rule is the same as for a person: a balanced diet. For you, this means a combination of dry and succulent food:

• Dry: cereals and seeds, as well as bread, crackers, compound feed. Mice are also happy to eat mixtures for and even dry food for and;
• Juicy: apple pieces, sprouted grains, green beans, not very juicy herbs. It is useful from time to time to offer insects in the diet: flies, butterflies and even cockroaches;
• Top dressing of vitamins and minerals once a month will also not be superfluous.

But what absolutely cannot be done is to feed the rodents with leftover food from your own table: nutritional supplements, spices and excess salt can harm your pet. If only occasionally indulge in a piece of cheese or other natural product, but not as the main diet.

Be sure to respect the feeding area. Feed only in the feeder. Otherwise, the mice will spoil the cage for you so much that you will get tired of cleaning it.

Communication

Get ready for the fact that mice are nocturnal creatures, which means that most of your wakefulness they will sleep or hide in their house or nest from the litter, and rustle at night. But even with this lifestyle, the mouse, like any creature needs communication. At the same time, a single mouse needs it much more than a mouse family. If you devote too little time to a rodent, it will soon become sullen, withdrawn, quickly run wild and hide when a person appears.

To keep your pet active and friendly, talk to him, sit him in your palm, play more often. It will not take much time and will not require excessive efforts, but the return will not be long in coming and will be like in that cartoon: you come home, and he rejoices at you.

And remember - we are responsible for those we have tamed!

Domestic mouse, intelligence and playfulness

Helpful Hints

Pets not only bring a special atmosphere to the family, but also help the children who care for them, learn responsibility. If you don't want to get a cat or dog, and if you don't have a lot of space in your apartment, then consider smaller pets.

There are many cute little animals in the world that can become your pets. But before you bring such an animal home, you should carefully study their character and habits. Not all of these creatures can be hugged and held close.

To choose pet for your child should also be based on how old your offspring is. Of course children can learn responsibility through care and communication with animals, however, experiments can end in failure for both the pet and your child.

That is why we offer you a list of ten furry and not very potential candidates for the role of a pet for your child. You just have to read the information provided and choose the pet that suits you the most.

Pets

hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are the cutest little animals that really need the least amount of attention from you. However, it should be borne in mind - if you rarely contact such a pet, then hedgehog can become quite aggressive bringing a lot of problems.

Hedgehogs are for you if you like independent animals. They are loners by nature, and usually lead an appropriate lifestyle. It is better to keep a hedgehog in a cage (as for rabbits), but do not forget - they are great at climbing, and why cover it with a lid so that the hedgehog does not slip away.

Hedgehogs mainly eat food for cats or dogs, however, it is necessary to periodically add eggs, insects, vegetables and fruits, and cooked meat to the diet. Besides, hedgehogs need to be bathed regularly keeping them clean.

Also, you should be aware that hedgehogs are very susceptible to various diseases (at least compared to many other animals), so you should be careful. Hedgehogs are great pets for older children. If hedgehogs are given more attention, they become quite obedient and sociable.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs can hardly be called unusual pets. These cute creatures, who are often turned on for their very friendly and sociable character, are among the largest rodents.

Adult guinea pigs can reach a length of up to thirty centimeters. They are very sweet and love to interact with their owners and other guinea pigs. They live an average of five to ten years. These are the best animals to start teaching kids of all ages about care and responsibility.

Guinea pigs are much less temperamental than, for example, hamsters, and are much less likely to bite you. However, they need constant care. The diet of pigs should consist of special granular feed, hay, as well as vegetables and fruits.

Pet stores sell portable cages for guinea pigs, in which you can add various accessories (houses) so that your pig has a place to hide. However, the installation of a wheel is not recommended for guinea pigs, as your pet can easily injure the paws and back.

Hamsters

Hamsters are extremely popular as pets because of their cute appearance, fluffy fur, and relatively low maintenance costs. They usually easy to pick up, although some small-sized species can be quite restless, especially the females.

Larger species, such as the Syrian hamster, are more peaceful and better suited for your children, who will likely want to babysit them. In addition, large species of hamsters are not so gentle, rather obedient and, if I may say so, more well-mannered.

On the other hand, hamsters are also completely self-sufficient loners, so they need cage adaptations such as tunnels, passages and wheel to maintain health. In addition, they do not necessarily need partners.

However, the disadvantage is the short life span hamsters - from two and a half to three years. It means that you have to be mentally prepared to your child's feelings about the death of a pet. By the way, hamsters are predominantly nocturnal, most of the day being in hibernation.

Our little brothers

Rats

Perhaps a rat is not the first thing that comes to your mind when your child suddenly expresses a desire to receive a pet as a gift. In vain. The rat is supreme sociable and intelligent animal that needs minimal maintenance.

In addition, they are very playful and love to mess around with all sorts of toys, balls, strings, and even have fun with a roll of toilet paper to their delight. So rats are the perfect little pets?

It turns out that it is. In addition to friendliness, intelligence and sociability, they demonstrate great affection for their owners. In other words, be prepared for the fact that your children will also kindle a reciprocal relationship with them.

Rats have a wonderful memory for such small creatures. They are very unpretentious in food, although you can also buy the most suitable food for them in the appropriate stores. However, like hamsters, rats have a very short life cycle- from two to three years.

gerbils

Gerbils are collective animals that natural environment form colonies. That is why it is recommended to keep them in small groups - from two to four individuals. But don't be afraid - they are very inexpensive to maintain..

They prefer a mixed diet, very often stocking up quite large amounts of food (when the opportunity arises). They can be picked up and stroked, but you should do it very carefully, since gerbils are extremely gentle creatures, they can easily be harmed.

There is a very a large number of species of gerbils, but at home they often contain the so-called Mongolian gerbil . These animals are big clean and practically do not smell. Unlike hamsters, gerbils are not nocturnal animals.

They are quite independent creatures, so they can entertain themselves for a long period of time. The life expectancy of gerbils is quite short - from three to four years, for which it is worth preparing mentally in advance.

ferrets

Ferrets are extremely active, terribly inquisitive and extremely agile animals. At the same time, they are very cute in appearance and have a fluffy fur coat, which is very pleasant to the touch. They live longer than many of their smaller counterparts.- from eight to ten years.

As soon as the ferret is released from the cage, it will immediately begin to rush around the house, studying every nook and cranny, so they should not be left unattended outside the cage. If the ferret is outside, someone must look after him, otherwise you will be tormented to look for him later.

They definitely need more attention than rats or hamsters, as they do not feel very comfortable if they are in a cage all day. It turns out a rather paradoxical situation - ferrets should not be left unattended outside the cage, but keeping them in a cage all day is undesirable even if you are not at home.

Ferrets willingly go on hands. They will not bite you, unless, of course, you accidentally harm them. These animals can play with you or your children all day long. They acquire their sweet special attraction somewhere closer to three years.

Chinchillas

Of all the fluffy pets on this list, chinchillas are the fluffiest. Their fur is thick and silky. Thanks to this, chinchillas, probably, most pleasant to pick up, stroke.

On the other hand, the chinchilla doesn't really like being squeezed. Better give her the opportunity to run around your home. An adult chinchilla reaches a length of up to 30 centimeters or even more, moreover, females are larger than males.

Chinchillas practically do not emit an unpleasant odor. And even their discharge does not smell for several days. These cute animals live from 10 to 15 years. The color of the fur of these creatures varies from the lightest tones to black, like soot.

Chinchillas do not require much attention. They feed on special food, which can be freely purchased at pet stores. Male chinchillas are best kept in pairs. But the females of these animals are single, so they can be kept one at a time.

Pet for your child

Cancer hermit

The hermit crab is far from the most common pet on this list of recommended pets. However, they are very educated and very inexpensive to maintain so they are perfect for this role.

This is a very peaceful, calm animal, not at all like those pets that you want to pick up and stroke. The hermit crab is best observed from afar as it moves slowly in his aquarium, burrowing into the sand to hide its sophisticated muzzle there.

Have you ever wondered what is the smallest animal in the world? Then, you came in Right place. Some animals are so small that you won't believe your eyes. From frogs to horses different kinds animals from all over the world, having a tiny size. What's even more interesting is that scientists and researchers have only recently found many of these animals. Curious to know what miniature beasts we found? Here are 13 smallest animals in the world that you won't believe exist.

13 PHOTOS

1. Everyone knows that Chihuahuas are tiny, but they may not realize how tiny they are. The Guinness Book of Records named the Chihuahua Milli the smallest dog in the world. Its height is only 9.6 cm.
2. Brookeia Micra Chameleon, found on the island of Madagascar, is the smallest chameleon in the world that has ever been discovered. It is so small that it can easily sit on top of a match head or the tip of a person's index finger.
3. Mini horses can grow to be about the size of a medium sized dog. However, the smallest horse in the world was named Thumbelina. This is a miniature brown mare measuring only 44.5 cm. The Guinness Book of Records made it official in 2006.
4. Scientists have discovered the world's smallest lizard in the Dominican Republic. This species is called Sphaerodactylus ariasae and can be curled up comfortably on a coin. They grow approximately 16 millimeters.
5. Living in the rainforests of Ghana and Sierra Leone, the king antelope is the smallest antelope in the world, measuring about 25 cm and weighing about 2.5 kg.
6. The pig-nosed bat is not only the smallest bat, but also the smallest mammal. On average, its length is 33 mm and it weighs only 2 grams.
7. The smallest cow in the world is called Manikyam. Although it does not fit in the palm of your hand, it is still small. With a height of 61.5 cm, the little cow is treated as a pet.
8. Living in Madagascar, pygmy lemur has a length of only 5 cm. Its tail, however, doubles the length of its body.
9. The California porpoise is the smallest marine mammal in the world, but unfortunately it is endangered due to illegal fishing practices. These tiny cetaceans average 1m in length. Recently, only thirty of these mammals have been known to live in the wild, down 97% from a year ago.
10. The Paedocypris fish is the smallest vertebrate in the world. From head to tail, it is about 7.9 mm long and can fit comfortably on a human finger.
11. A bee hummingbird has found its home on the island of Cuba. This is the smallest bird in the world. Her eggs are like coffee beans. Because of its size, it competes with insects rather than other birds.
13. The northern marsupial may look like a tiny rat, but it's actually the smallest. marsupial in the world. It is approximately 5.5 cm long with a tail of about the same size or sometimes longer. They live mainly in the grasslands of Northern Australia.

Many people want to have an animal at home, and quite often people choose a rodent. But the rodent family is quite extensive, which one to choose? Today we will help you with this. Present to your attention full list domestic rodents.

Hamsters

Hamsters are very popular pet rodents. But it should be borne in mind that this small and cute animal is a nocturnal animal and, moreover, quite aggressive. During the day, the hamster will sleep sweetly and will not want to play with you. And if you decide to add a relative to him, then violent showdowns, one of the animals, will be provided.

To tame a hamster to your hands, you need to show perseverance and patience. Otherwise, this cute animal can show and bite the owner painfully.

The hamster will need a strong wire, equipped with a house, wheel, tunnels of your choice. If you want to let your pet run around the apartment, then use a walking ball, otherwise the hamster can climb into a hard-to-reach place, gnaw on wiring or other things.

In food, this domestic rodent is not very whimsical. The main thing is to stick to some. You can find out what to feed a hamster. The hamster eats little, takes up little space, and requires minimal attention to itself. This domestic rodent will feel great alone in his own. The main thing is not to forget to feed and change the water on time. The only drawback of these animals is, on average, 2-3 years.

The most common representatives of hamsters are the Syrian hamster. About what types of domestic hamsters exist, read our article.

Mice

For many centuries, these little creatures live next to man. And, attitudes towards such rodents, and it will be about them, are very ambiguous. On the one hand, rodents harm and spoil food, and on the other hand, imagine at least one medical and research laboratory in which laboratory rats and mice would not live. And since these creatures can live in laboratories, why can't they live in our homes as pets?

Relatives of ordinary house mice today are decorative mice. That's just, if the former are destroyed, then the latter are cherished and pampered. Still, after all, such a domestic mouse is an excellent candidate for the role of a pet if you are limited in living space and in your free time. But who should not get decorative mice is those who are pathologically afraid of these creatures, or cannot tolerate a specific mouse smell (no matter how you clean and wash the cage, the smell will still be in the air), as well as those who suffer rodent allergy.

What are the features of keeping such house mice, how to feed such rodents, how to care for them? We will try to answer all these questions in our article.

Rats

Most of us shudder at the words “domestic rats”: fairly large pest rodents are immediately presented that can not only damage property, but also infect with diseases.

But in fact, these animals can be very interesting pets.

There are different breeds of rats, but absolutely all of them are distinguished by their amazing quick wit, speed of learning, and even good training abilities. Let's get to know them from this angle. And at the same time we will learn how to care for a domestic rat.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pig (from Latin cavia porcellus - small pig) is a domesticated rodent of the pig family, which belongs to the genus of pigs. The animal is a small, usually up to one and a half kilograms, well-fed animal with hanging ears, bulging large eyes and a wide muzzle. The huge popularity of the rodent is due to its attractive appearance, unpretentiousness, good-natured and trusting character and peaceful temperament. The guinea pig is the safest pet for preschool children.

The rodent got its name, which at first sounded like “overseas pig”, in Russia precisely due to the fact that it arrived from across the sea, and in shape the head of the animal resembled the head of a pig. The animal is also called kewi, kevey or guinea pig.

Squirrels

An ordinary squirrel, or otherwise a veksha, belongs to rodents from the squirrel family. There are about 15 species of an animal that lives in wildlife in forests.

The animal is not big size, nimble and easy-going. Its weight is about a quarter of a kg, its length is from 20 to 28 cm. The longest part - the tail - is equal to a third of the entire body.

Veksha changes his fur clothes in the off-season. In winter, its fur becomes more fluffy and soft, and in summer it becomes shorter and stiffer.

Squirrel is one of the most beautiful forest dwellers, which managed to tame a person and domesticate. An example of grace and correct proportions. The owner of a fluffy tail, shiny black eyes and fluffy tassels on the ears.

This is a direct and mobile animal, and in addition unpretentious in content.

Chipmunks

Everyone knows the cartoon "Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers", touching its main characters, but you can make a great gift for a child by buying real live chipmunks as pets.

The chipmunk perfectly adapts to life in captivity, it is unpretentious neither in care nor in food.

The only difference from the cartoon characters is that they do not get along well with each other from autumn to spring, and each animal will need an individual cage.

Adult sizes vary by species. The smallest representative is 5 centimeters long and weighs 30 grams, and the largest is 15 centimeters long and about 130 grams of weight. hallmark all chipmunks - longitudinal stripes on the back, which alternate in color. Usually there are 9 of which 5 are dark and 4 are light.

degu

Degus are small animals that look like jerboas. Along with other exotics, they are rapidly gaining popularity among those who want to have an unusual pet.

Degu is a small South American rodent. Among other common names for this animal, two can be distinguished - bush rat and Chilean squirrel. The animal differs in high activity at rather small sizes. An adult individual reaches up to 30 cm in length, while the weight is only 200-300 g. In nature, degus come in only two colors: brown-yellow or chestnut-gray.

The coat of the Chilean squirrel is hard and dense. Like most rodents, these animals have 8 pairs of teeth that grow throughout their lives. Degus can adapt to living at home if they are provided with the appropriate conditions. With proper maintenance and nutrition, such a pet lives up to 6-8 years.

Gerbil

When choosing a pet, people often stop near cages with gerbils. These rodents have a wonderful character. They are clean, easy to tame, trainable and look very cute.

Their curiosity and friendliness will delight you every day. Just looking at the photo of a gerbil, all doubts about the decision to have it as a pet disappear.

To date, there are more than 100 species of these rodents. It is worth noting that only one of them managed to tame. This is a Mongolian gerbil.

In their natural environment, these mice live in families. Therefore, if you decide to get this crumb at home, you need to take a couple of individuals. Solitary existence can adversely affect her health.

The size of a gerbil mouse is from 5 to 20 cm. It weighs from 15 to 200 grams. Home hallmark is the tail. It is covered with fluff along its entire length, and the tip is decorated with a tassel. Coat color - sand.

Sonya

AT vivo rodent dormouse prefers woodlands preferably oak, wild fruit trees or beech. He feeds on the fruits of these trees, and in their hollows he makes a comfortable dwelling. It does not cause sympathy among southern farmers, as it harms the vineyard.

There are several types of them, but they are divided into two groups - terrestrial and woody. Tree squirrels resemble small squirrels, while terrestrial ones are more like mice. All species adapt well to life in captivity, but there is an important requirement - frequent cleaning in the cage is necessary. These animals, although small, very quickly pollute the home, causing unpleasant odors.

Jerboa

Jerboas are a group of mouse-like rodents, of which more than 25 species are known. Their body shape, ease of maintenance, and small size make them attractive pets for many animal lovers.

This animal has a small body size, a fairly long tail, at the end of which there is a brush, as well as large hind legs. Thanks to its fur cover, the jerboa is protected from various temperature extremes characteristic of desert areas.

The animal, in comparison with other representatives of rodents, has a rather large size of 25-26 cm and a tail, the length of which is 30 cm. The hair on the back has a red or brownish-gray tint, the color on the cheeks is slightly lighter, the neck and belly are white. jerboa head round shape with oval ears and fairly large eyes. He also has small front legs and strong hind legs. The weight of the animal, depending on its type, can reach a value of 250-300 gr.

Under natural conditions, jerboas move a lot, and, therefore, the lack of movement and a small amount of free space can develop such a disease in a domestic jerboa as physical inactivity, which will lead to its early death. In order to avoid such an outcome, the pet should be provided with a large aviary, the size of which will be at least 0.5 m.

Large rodents

Chinchilla

Chinchilla (lat. Chinchilla) belongs to the order of rodents, suborder porcupine, superfamily chinchilla, family chinchilla, genus chinchilla.

Chinchillas have round heads and short necks. The body is covered with dense soft hair, and stiff hairs grow on the tail. The body length is 22-38 cm, and the tail grows 10-17 cm long. The weight of a chinchilla reaches 700-800 grams, while females are larger and heavier than males.

At night, chinchillas are easy to navigate thanks to their huge eyes that have vertical pupils. The whiskers of mammals grow up to 10 centimeters in length. The ears of chinchillas are rounded and have a length of 5-6 cm. There is a special membrane in the auricles, with which the chinchilla closes its ears when it takes a sand bath.

The chinchilla's skeleton can shrink in a vertical plane, so the animals can climb into the smallest cracks. The hind legs of chinchillas are four-toed, and the front ones have 5 fingers. The hind limbs are very strong and twice as long as the forelimbs, which allows mammals to jump high.

The life expectancy of a chinchilla reaches 20 years.

A couple of centuries ago, chinchillas were on the verge of extinction - they were destroyed because of their very valuable fur, but gradually the situation changed for the better for the animal, and from the status of a hunting trophy, this rodent migrated to our homes into the status of a pet and everyone's favorite.

But in order for the animal to feel comfortable, healthy and cheerful, it is worth knowing how to properly feed it, what to feed it and is it possible to breed it at home?

hedgehogs

The hedgehog is a very famous mammal, widespread throughout Europe and even on some islands. His appearance and lifestyle sometimes attract animal lovers who have a hedgehog as a pet.

It is hard to confuse a hedgehog with someone else: the entire back of the animal is densely covered with sharp short black-gray needles, the length of which, as a rule, is 2.5-3 centimeters. Needles stick out in different directions for application maximum damage enemies and security high degree protection. The total length of the hedgehog's body ranges from 20 to 30 centimeters, and it also has a short tail - about 2-3 centimeters.

The weight of an adult animal varies from 600 grams to 1 kg, on the head of a hedgehog there is a long, wet black nose stretched forward. He has sharp teeth, the number of which is greater in the upper jaw than in the lower - 20 and 16, respectively.

The hedgehog has four short legs, each of which has 5 fingers with claws. The front paws are 1.5-4 cm shorter than the hind legs. On the belly and between the needles of this animal, gray dense hair grows. The needles themselves grow at the speed of wool, have a hollow structure inside and grow in quantities from 4 to 6 thousand pieces.

rabbits

Decorative rabbit is very sweet creature. First of all, when getting this fluffy pet, you need to remember that this is not just a beautiful soft toy, but a living creature that needs constant care and attention.

Decorative rabbits of dwarf size are very cute and funny animals that love communication and attention. Those who have got such a pet are convinced that communication with him brings a lot of joy and good emotions. Dwarf rabbits are easy to care for and more cost effective than a dog or cat.

Rabbits love to walk on the grass on lawns, so be sure to purchase a collar and leash. Walking does not need to be done every day, the rabbit perfectly masters the tray and is not naughty. This pet is light and compact, so you can carry it with you in a cage to the country house or other trips. Even a child can carry the cage. But remember that this animal is very sociable and can get stressed out of inattention. If it is necessary to leave, the animal can be entrusted to relatives or friends, as it easily tolerates a change in habitat.

Hares

To the surprise of many skeptics, hares are increasingly gaining a place next to a person in his home. With an average lifespan of 5 to 15 years, hares are very sociable, active and lovable creatures. It is impossible not to become attached to the eared cutie.

There are various reasons why the last years hares have evolved from a mere source of meat to some of the best pets around. Here is some of them:

• These are very sociable creatures that do not need any special training;
• They are very playful and funny;
• Being very sociable creatures, they need constant interaction with people and other hares;
• They are ready to play with people and other animals outside their cage every day.

If you want to have a bunny, then you should know that a lot of work will be waiting for you. Along with the arrival of a pet, you have a huge responsibility for it.

Marmots

Groundhog is a mammal. It belongs to the order of rodents from the squirrel family. The steppe species is the most common, in another way it is also called a bobak.

In nature, it lives in the steppe and forest-steppe areas, but it also takes root well in captivity. It requires increased attention, but quickly becomes attached to its owners. It is considered the most intelligent of the detachment of rodents that have adapted to home conditions. Each marmot has a special character and temperament.

Marmots are most often small in size. But of rodents, this is one of the most large species, adult - somewhere with a cat. They can weigh from 5 to 10 kg, grow from 40 to 50 cm. They wear a fluffy fur coat of a sandy or brown-reddish hue. They are born hairless and blind, at first they feed on their mother's milk, then they switch to grass.

Gophers

Ground squirrel is an animal of the chordate type, mammal class, rodent order, squirrel family, ground squirrel genus (lat. Spermophilus or Citellus). The Russian word “gopher” comes from the Old Slavonic “susati”, which means “to hiss”.

The body length of an adult animal averages 15-25 cm. Individuals of some large ground squirrels grow up to 40 cm, and males are always larger and heavier than females. The weight of a gopher ranges from 200 grams to 1.5 kg.

Pet lovers often try to keep these cute-looking gophers in room conditions. Despite their pleasant appearance, gophers are not suitable for keeping at home. The possibilities of taming and human contacts with him are quite limited. The smell of secretions of these animals is quite noticeable, which makes their maintenance in the apartment difficult.

In the living corners of young naturalists or in scientific institutions, keeping ground squirrels can be of interest, especially if there are programs of observation and experiments. They are used mainly as laboratory animals. Thin-toed ground squirrels differ in better side from other species, poorly accustomed to human society.

List of domestic rodents

Whom to choose?

What kind of rodent to get at home? The question is interesting, and there is no definite answer to it. It all depends on your preferences, fears and living conditions.