Chinchillas originate from Chilean Andes where they live in colonies at heights from 800 to 4500 meters above sea level. The breeding of chinchillas has spread to Europe in the middle of the 20th century. They are of a size of squirrel and also resemble them in their bushy tail. Their fur is most often from light to dark gray colour, white on the belly, but can also be in other colours, like black, white or dark brown. The life span of a chinchilla is from ten to twenty years. Chinchillas are night animals and sleep from dawn to twilight, which is fantastic for a busy family and schoolchildren because chinchillas are awake and ready for play when the family gathers. These animals are among the least demanding home pets; they are intelligent, they do not smell, they love and need to take bath in special sand, which makes cleaning of their cage a simple job. Sand and their love for taking bath can be used to tame them. Actually, if we want chinchilla to go back into the cage we have to offer her sand in a tub in the cage and she will soon come and take a bath. In no case should they bathe in water and it is also not advisable to catch them by the fur since they lose it easily. If we need to catch chinchilla, we embrace her with both hands.
Feeding chinchilla is very simple. They eat mixtures of seeds and pellets or just pellets, which are complete food. However, it is good to give them also hay and from time to time a slice of apple; their special titbit is raisins. Apart from that, they enjoy nibbling twigs of fruit trees as well as dandelion leaves. It should in no case be forgotten to give them fresh water which – especially in summer – should be changed several times a day.
Chinchillas are not skilled like squirrels and should be supervised in their activities. Chinchilla will not jump in your hands, but will always greet you and enjoy when you scratch its little head. Chinchillas differ in character; some are quite and more affectionate and some playful and dominant. Though, they have one in common– if you give them love and attention, you will receive it multifold in return.
As can be concluded from its name, Syrian hamster originates from Syria, actually from its desert part– from the high plateau of Aleppo. Its basic colour is golden – after which it takes its other name– however, as a result of breeding now they come in variety of colours and combinations from white to black as well as in many multicolour variations. First species were taken from nature in 1930 and then spread as pets throughout the world.
The life span of a hamster is two to three years; they are lone animals, i.e. in one cage only one can be held. Hamster does not take much space and is an ideal pet for kids older than seven since having hamster they will develop work habits and better understand natural processes which take place with all living beings. Hamster is sexually mature at the age of six weeks. Its pregnancy lasts about fifteen days and it whelps six to ten blind and bare cubs which it treats with care of and breast feeds. After fifteen days the youngsters begin to see and after four weeks they can be separated from their mother.
Feeding a hamster is not complicated since it feeds on a mixture of seeds and adores almost all kinds of fruit. Its titbit are hazelnuts, a dandelion leaf and small twigs of various fruit plants which the hamster enjoys to nibble and thus wears its teeth that continually grow. To this purpose also mineral blocks can be used, which give hamster the minerals it needs and maybe lacks in its other food. Like all animals it must have fresh water.
Anyhow, hamster has to be in cage, but we can take it out and play with it; however, an eye must constantly be kept on it especially in the first days when we get it for otherwise it will crawl wherever it can. It is not good to take it in hands while it is asleep but it should be woken up while it is in cage and then be taken in hands – to that purpose also a kind of titbit can be used. Although like a majority of rodents it is a night animal, if we play with it during daytime it will accommodate to it and enrich everyday life with its tricks.
European Rabbit originates from Pyrenean Peninsula and North Africa. In the Middle Ages their taming and successful breeding was began in France, wherefrom they were spread throughout the world. By cross breeding and selection many breeds were obtained that mainly differ in length and colour of fur. Only the ox-like rabbit has long, hanging ears and is somewhat taller than the rest (it weights up to two kilograms). The most common European rabbit breeds are dwarf rabbits (hermelin), the so called lionhead rabbit and the longhaired European rabbit (angora). What they all have in common are small ears, weight from 1.2 to 1.4 kg and their gentle and very amiable nature. With right feeding their life span is about ten years. It is practically no difference if we take for a pet a male or female but it is essential that the whole family agrees to the acquisition. The European rabbit still requires a kind of care which it will return by its attachment and wish to be cuddled. European Rabbits are sociable animals and it is innate to them to live in groups so that family makes it up for them. If we can not dedicate time to play with them, a good idea is to get a pair, but it should in advance be taken care that they are castrated i.e. sterilised to prevent possible unwilling offspring.
There should be no problem to feed the European rabbit because they adore plant foods and their major food is hay which they always must have in plenitude for good digestion. Besides, they need to be given mixture for European rabbits - vegetables (with the exception of brassicas and legumes), hard fruit sorts; a titbit and a necessity for them are twigs of fruit and other trees (lime and willow etc.). Actually, the teeth of European Rabbit grow constantly and they need to wear them. Fresh water is a must, and they also love green grass, dandelion and the like.
European rabbit is not like a dog that needs to be to taken for a walk, nor is it obstinate like a cat, but it is a wonderful pet to all who love contact with animals because it literally asks for cuddling and play.
Guinea pigs originate from South America. In the 16th century Spanish conquerors brought them to Europe where they became beloved home pets. That is how guinea pig or sea pig got its name: it was brought across the sea and it produces sounds like a small pig. There are several variants of colour and fur: short-haired, those with soft hair, silky hair, long hair and curly hair. Their life span is six to nine years.
Guinea pigs are pretty active small animals that need a lot of motion which can be achieved by letting them out of cage. However, on such occasions you must keep an eye on them since like all rodents they love to nibble anything they can get hold of. They love to be cuddled and those with long hair also to be combed, which is also necessary because their hair can get tangled and disentangling is not quite simple.
Feeding guinea pigs is simple – the basis is hay which they adore, and which must always be accessible to them in abundance. There are also ready-made mixtures of seeds and they also like to eat fresh grass. Besides, they can be given all kinds of fruit and vegetables with the exception of cabbage and kale and they also like to nibble the fruit- tree twigs. They are big eaters so that the quantity of seeds should be limited to a spoon and a half a day so that they don’t get fat. They also need fresh water which maybe they will not drink frequently if they have enough fresh plants.
If we want to keep in cage two or more guinea pigs we have to get them while they are young, because then they can get along more easily and live peacefully together. However, two or more male animals can not be put together if with them there is a female because they fight for her when they become sexually mature. In nature guinea pigs live in groups of several females with one male.
Guinea pig is an ideal home pet to all who love contact with animals because it asks for attention and cheers up at appearance of family members. It shows its joy by vivacious squeaking and running across the cage. Then it is good to give to it a titbit – a few dandelion leaves, a carrot or the like.
