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History and Comparison
The domestication of small mammals is a relatively recent development, arising only after large-scale
were prized.Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs typically travel in groups, or herds, scavenging for grass and other vegetation who do not store their food. They are commonly active during dawn or dusk when they are less likely to encounter predators (crepuscular). As pack animals in the wild, the domestic Guinea pig also thrives when kept with one or more companions (except boars in the presence of a sow). They live off a diet consisting of grass hay and food pellets, typically synthesized from timothy hay. Like humans, Guinea pigs can not synthesize their own vitamin C making their food intake their only source of vitamin C; a lack of vitamin C will often cause fatal scurvy. At merely four weeks old female Guinea pigs become fertile and may produce as many as four to five liters a year. With an average gestation period of 59-72 days, a female Guinea pig may become pregnant again in as few as 6 hours prior to giving birth. Guinea pigs live to be around 4 to 5 years old.[2]
Fancy Mouse
Fancy mice are nocturnal animals who utilize burrowing and hiding to evade prey due to their general defenselessness. Mice also utilize burrows to avoid light when ever possible. Mice live in families with developed social structure and territorial boundaries between families. Male mice organize themselves into a social hierarchy in which the most dominant mouse becomes the "lead buck", or the one at the top of the social ladder. Only the lead buck mates during mating season, all other mice are restricted by the lead buck or downright rejected by the female mice.[4] Mice posses a highly developed sense of smell, hearing, and feeling; however, their sense of sight is poor due to the odd location of their eyes on their head. Mice can hear pitches inaudible to the human ear and communicate with squeaks, some of witch reach pitches humans can only hear through the use of a oscilloscope.
Their smell is highly developed and many mice can recognize if another mouse is part of their family groups based on smell alone. Their sense of tough is also highly developed; due to their poor eyesight a lot of movement is interpreted through the utilization of whiskers and guard hairs to orientate themselves and determine their surroundings. Female mice have a gestation period of 19 to 21 days and may have up to 15 litters a year; due to their ability to become pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth. The average litter size is 10 to 12 pups whoa re born deaf and blind; within 2 weeks the litter will resemble small adult mice.[5]
Fancy Rat
Hamster
Domestic hamsters who are caged together will typically act aggressive towards one another as they get older, one hamster may potentially kill the other hamster. Hamsters typically are nocturnal or crepuscular, though it is not impossible for a hamster to be active during both night and day especially if their sleep schedule is disturbed. Hamsters breed at accelerated rates with the potential to produce two to four litters a year. Gestation takes 15 to 22 days and the new born hamsters only require nursing for approximately three weeks. The number of domestic hamster remain large; however, despite their quick reproduction abilities the number of wild hamsters is diminishing due habitat destruction and their place near the bottom of the food chain.[11]
Gerbil
Degu
After initial interest into
Chinchilla
Ferret
Ferrets have a high metabolic rate, meaning they can eat around 8 to 10 small meals daily. They are carnivorous, like cats, so they need a high protein intake which can be satisfied using pellets. Chicken and lamb are common ingredients in ferret food, it is best to avoid foods that include grain or corn. In the wild ferrets commonly take over the burrows of other small animals such as prairie dogs, domestic ferrets live in cages but should be let out for several hours each day. Domestic ferrets enjoy having many places to hide and explore such as tunnels and closed hammocks, some ferrets may also enjoy playing in water. As natural predators, ferrets should be kept separate from any prey animals.[16] Like many other pocket pets, ferrets are social animals and thrive in groups of two or three. A ferret kept on its own will require a lot more attention from its owner than a ferret who has the constant company of his own species. [17] Female ferrets reach sexual maturity at around 8 -12 months of age. A ferret gives birth to an average of 8 kits, gestation last about 41 days.
Rabbit
Rabbits are herbivores and feast primarily on different grasses or cruciferous plants, as opportunistic eaters rabbits will also eat fruits, seed, and even tree bark. However, these high sugar foods should be given to rabbits in moderation. Rabbits produce two types of droppings, one of which called cecotropes which they eat directly from their bottom to gain some required nutrients. Unlike domestic rabbits who require a regulated temperature that is not too hot or too cold, wild rabbits make their homes in nearly any temperature as they have been found making homes in forest, grasslands, meadows, tundra, and deserts. Rabbits live in tunnel systems called warrens that may go as deep as 3 meters (9.84 feet) underground. Rabbits are social animals who typically live in large colonies. Rabbits are most active at dawn or dusk (crepuscular), the low light allows rabbits to evade predictors, this trend of activity carries over to domestic rabbits. Rabbits like to chew on things to wear their teeth down to an appropriate length, as their teeth never stop growing. Domestic rabbits should be placed in cages at least four times their size and allowed time outside of their cage to run around.[19]
Sugar Glider
Around the world, the
Sugar gliders are highly social animals commonly living in groups of around 7 individuals. They come communicate through vocalization and chemical odors and commonly live in trees. Male gliders become mature at 4-12 weeks and female gliders mature at 8-12 weeks. Breeding takes place in June to November and after a gestation period of around 15-17 days the glider gives birth to one child, or joey, although having twins is possible. The joey spends 2 months in the pouch only opening its eyes 80 days after birth. Male gliders do all the parental care and after 110 days the joey is ready to leave the nest. Sugar gliders are omnivorous relying on the consumption of insects in the summer. Gliders can also eat arthropods, sap, honeydew, and nectar from plants. Sugar gliders eat around 11 grams of food a day, 10 percent of their body weight.[20]
Hedgehog
The exist 17 species of
In the wild hedgehogs were considered insectivores, prior to that classifications abandonment. Presently, hedgehogs are classified as omnivorous due to their tendencies to eat what every is available. Hedgehogs have been known to eat bugs, slugs, frogs, fish, worms, small mice, small snakes, and even fruits and vegetables. A hedgehog's diet should be very high in protein. Hedgehogs can eat fruits and vegetables but only in moderation. Hedgehogs may be small but they require a large cage with bedding and plenty of furniture to hide in and explore.[23] Hedgehogs have a gestation period of about 35 days, and gives birth to on average 4 deaf and blind young (hoglets). At three to five weeks old the young leave the nest for the first time to go hunting on their own.[24]
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- ^ Pappas, Stephanie; February 2, Live Science Contributor |; ET, 2012 05:48pm. "Pocket Pets: Early Explorers Brought Guinea Pigs to Europe". Live Science.
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has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ISBN 0793810256.
- ^ http://www.afrma.org/historymse.htm
- ^ "AFRMA - Mouse Keeping: Understanding Mouse Behavior". www.afrma.org. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- ^ "Breeding and Reproduction of Mice - All Other Pets". Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- ^ http://www.afrma.org/historyrat.htm
- ^ "Caring for Your Pet Rat | Advice & Guidance". Blue Cross. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- ^ "Rat Facts: What They Eat, Size, Lifespan | Western Exterminator". www.westernexterminator.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- ^ Roger Gfeller, D. V. M.; Michael Thomas, D. V. M.; Mayo, Isaac (August 8, 2017). "Veterinary Partner". VIN.com.
- ^ http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=679
- ^ Poor, Allison. "Cricetinae (hamsters)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- ^ "Gerbil Behavior". PetPlace. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
- ^ "Understanding your degus behaviour | RSPCA". www.rspca.org.uk. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ "Healthy and balanced diet for your degu | RSPCA". www.rspca.org.uk. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ "Behaviour - Chinchillas - Our pets". www.rspca.org.uk. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
- ^ "Ferrets - behaviour - our pets". www.rspca.org.uk. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ "15 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Ferret". Care2 Causes. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ "Are Rabbits as Prolific as Everybody Says?". mentalfloss.com. 2015-01-20. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ Bradford, Alina; March 7, Live Science Contributor |; ET, 2017 04:21pm. "Rabbits: Habits, Diet & Other Facts". Live Science. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ https://appsfornexus.com (2016-01-23). "Sugar Glider Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior". Animals Time. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
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: External link in
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- ^ "History of the hedgehog". Hedgehog Street. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
- ^ "Behavior Characteristics". hedgehogheadquarters.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
- ^ "Pet Hedgehog Food, Treats, Diet & Nutrition". Retrieved 2019-04-23.
- ^ Conservation, Online editorial department Pro Igel e V. German Society for Integrated Nature. "Pro Igel e.V. German Society for Integrated Nature Conservation: Biology". www.pro-igel.de. Retrieved 2019-04-23.