Small Pet Info

Two-hand hamster method: Gently scoop the hamster into two hands, and bring your hands together beneath the hamster's body. The animal is now fully supported. Slightly cup the tops of your hands inward over the hamster's back to make sure it cannot jump out and fall.

One-hand hamster method: This method should be used only on tame hamsters that are accustomed to being handled. With your fingers toward the hamster's rear end, grasp the hamster securely with your palm along the animal's back. Your middle fingers should support its rump on either side of the tail. Lift gently. You may then transfer the hamster into the palm of your other hand and stroke it as a reward.

Guinea pig method: Guinea pigs are larger than hamsters and require more support to protect their backs and internal organs. Slide one hand beneath the guinea pig's belly, hold your other hand beneath its rear end and lift.

Rabbit method: Most rabbits are larger and heavier than guinea pigs, so they will require extra support. Place one hand beneath the rabbit's chest, just behind the elbows of its front legs. Slide your other hand beneath its rump and hind legs. Hold the rabbit gently, but firmly, as you lift to ensure that it does not kick out of your grasp. Remember, never lift a rabbit by its ears. Ears are sensitive hearing organs, not handles.

Rabits:

# Rabbits are nocturnal and therefore are active between dusk and dawn.

# Domestic rabbit's lifespan is 8-12 years.

# Rabbits learn litterbox habits easily.

# Rabbits are social animals and need the companionship of humans as well as affection

# When a rabbit is happy, she will click her teeth.

Gerbils:

# Frequent, gentle handling should keep your gerbil tame.

# Gerbils love sunflower seeds.

# Gerbils, being social animals, live best in pairs; keeping two same-sex littermates is the best situation.

# "Thumping" is an interesting gerbil behavior. The gerbil will pound both hind legs on the ground when he is excited or stressed.

# Young gerbils tend to thump even when not stressed.

Guinea Pigs:

# Guinea pigs are social creatures who need daily quality time and interaction with their human family.

# Guinea pigs may live as long as seven to nine years.

# Guinea pigs love being petted and will fall asleep in your lap if they trust you.

# Guinea pigs can develop social relationships with people or other species of animals.

# A guinea pig's ears are very sensitive to loud noises.

# If your guinea pig assumes a stretched-out posture, this means that she is in a relaxed mode.

# A happy guinea pig may jump straight up and down; this is called "popcorning" in juvenile guinea pigs.

Rats:

# Rats are extremely clean pets and are among the most intelligent and curious.

# Ancient Romans considered the rat good luck, and in China the rat is considered a sign of prosperity.

# Rats, with their long tail, have a very acute sense of balance; therefore, they are excellent climbers.

# Rats can swim and many enjoy it.

# Pet rats live an average of two to three years.

# Male rats are known as bucks, females are does, and babies are pups or kittens.

# Rats are very social animals and do best when kept with other rat companions.

# The general rule is that male rats are larger with a coarser coat and more laid-back disposition, than females. Females are typically smaller and more active and playful.

Hampsters:

# Golden or Syrian hamsters must be kept singly after the age of ten weeks. Though they will bond with their human companions, they are not social with other hamsters or animals.

# Though classified as nocturnal, most hamsters divide their days with periods of sleeping and waking.

# Dwarf hamsters, unlike their Syrian cousins, are more social with their own species and sometimes live in pairs or very small groups, as long as they are introduced to each other at a young age.

# In the wild, hamsters dig extensive tunnels beneath the ground - extending as far as three feet in depth.

# In the wild, hamsters will line their tunnels with grasses and wool or hair shed from other animals to help maintain a fairly constant temperature in their burrow (often around 60°F), no matter the outside temperature.

# Like other rodents, a hamster's teeth grow continuously throughout their lifetime. To help keep their teeth worn and clean, offer suitable chew toys on a regular basis.

Mice:

# Mice have been domesticated for hundreds of years. The National Mouse Club of Britain was formed in 1895.

# Mice are nocturnal animals and are often more active at night than during the day.

# Mice are able to see some colors; however, they do lack the pigment that allows them to see red. They see shades of black and white and may be able to distinguish blues.

# Though generally classified as herbivores and eat a regular diet of grains and fruit, mice will eat almost anything they encounter.

# Many people consider mice to be great pets, thanks to their entertaining antics and - once tame - affectionate behavior.

# Contrary to popular belief, mice are exceptionally clean - often organizing their home into areas specific for food, shelter, and bathroom purposes.

# The average pet mouse lives between 1-1/2 and 2 years. This is considerably longer than the average life span of wild mice, who often live only for a few months, mostly due to constant predation from other animals.

# In addition to the ordinary domestic mouse, other pet varieties include fancy mice (with a variety of coat colors), spiny mice (with shorter, more bristly fur), and zebra mice (with attractive stripes marking their fur).

# Though mice are excellent climbers, in the wild, they prefer to remain on the ground and construct paths through the grasses and foliage to link areas of food, water, and nesting supplies with their dens.

# Some mice may play dead if they are frightened and cannot quickly escape.