5 Small Animals Home Owners can Keep

Keeping a pet while living in a small space can be a big problem. You can have a pet that needs to stretch out its legs or run around since space is limited, but you can make do with smaller animals which are easy to take care of and won’t really mind the small space of your home.

Below are 5 small animals that you can keep as pets.

Guinea Pig

Also known as cavies, these animals are actually not pigs. There are around 13 different types of guinea pig breeds which come in a range of colors, patters and fur length. They can reach a weight of 3 pounds and have a life span of 5 to 10 years. Guinea pigs are a great choice as starter pets for kids who are still learning how to take care of animals. Make sure they get fresh water and a good amount of vegetables. You can also give them prairie hay and commercial pellets that you can get form any pet shop.

Hamsters

These adorable little animals are commonly called pocket pets since they’re small enough that you can carry them around with you in your pockets. They’re furry, cute, friendly and super easy to take care of. They can grow to around 17 centimeters or 7 inches in length. However, there are also smaller breeds, like the Roborovski dwarf hamster, which are usually just around 7 centimeters or 2 inches in length. Life span is from two to three years and they feed on commercial pellets, fresh vegetables and fruits. Clean water is needed every day.

Geckos

For a more exotic pet, you can keep a gecko. There’s something unique and appealing about keeping a lizard as a pet. Geckos come in a variety of colors, but the most common one would be the leopard gecko. They’re naturally shy and they’ll need some time to warm up to you. But once they trust you, they’ll happily let you pick them up. Their life span is up to 20 years and they live off crickets and worms.

Rabbits

These are probably the biggest animals on the list. Rabbits can be taught tricks, come when they’re called and poo and pee in a litter box. It’s sounds like an odd mix of dog-like and cat-like qualities. There are a number of breeds which come in a variety of ear lengths, fur, color and sizes. Rabbits can live for up to 10 years and they do need a little exercise. You can take them outdoors with a leash and collar and let them walk and hop around. Feed them fresh vegetables and commercial pellets.

Hermit crab

It sounds odd, but you can keep hermit crabs as a pet. Some pet shops sell them with all the supplies you need to keep them happy and satisfied. They’re active, interesting little creatures and are definitely the usual pet. Contrary to their name, they can be active and social, especially during night. They can live up to 30 years and eat commercial pellets and occasional fruit. They also need dechlorinated salt water and fresh water.

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So Finally You’ve Decided to Get a Gecko!

So, finally, you’ve decided to get a gecko as a pet! After careful deliberation, you got one and that’s great! Having geckos in the house, according to tradition, create good omen. Well, whatever favor and luck it could give, sure makes this one a good-buy. Geckos can make excellent pets, exotic as they are, these reptiles are convenient to keep, inexpensive to maintain and easy to take care compared to other pets.

Now, that you have one or are still planning to buy one, geckos are easily sold at pet shops and do not require so much space. Before anything else, it is best to know a little something about these reptilian creatures.

Millions of years ago, along with dinosaurs, all but four of the reptiles were wiped-out from the earth’s existence. Among the four that remained, the largest of which are these cold-blooded animals called lizards. They thrive in the environment and are practically dependent of heat from its habitat. Today, lizards have about 3,000 species ranging from the smallest size of a Caribbean Dwarf Gecko at 35mm to the biggest size of a Komodo dragon at 3 meters. Although it would be daunting to have a Komodo dragon as a pet, the wisest choice there is to have a gecko!

You can tuck them in anywhere with a relative small space requirement in your home and they wouldn’t require constant bathing, no feathers or hair that continually shed and best of all, they do not need to be walked and trained given hectic schedules. Essentially, geckos live on the ground given the ability to climb, but with some limitations. Geckos that are smaller are soft and delicate, so it takes proper care and correct handling while those that are bigger are much easier to handle. Life span of most geckos is up to 20 years, so that sounds a through-thick-and-thin kind of care taking. They feed on meal worms, crickets and other locusts and by the way, geckos are nocturnal creatures and are most hyped-up when almost everyone has cooled down.

Although lizards in general tend to be intimidating and threatening because of their rough scales, mysterious bright eyes, fat tails, strong legs and reptilian stance, there are still a growing number of reptile enthusiasts that keep coming back for more reptiles to keep as pets, particularly geckos. There are five popular gecko varieties that are equally great choices for beginners and these are:

1.  Giant day gecko

2. White – lined gecko

3. Leopard gecko

4. Crested gecko

5. Fat-tailed gecko

6. House gecko

7. Tokay gecko

Pet 101 - Geckos

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