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Going Beyond the Typical Pet Choices
Pet Food, Pet Bedding, Pet Cages
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Most of us trim down our choice of pets to dogs and cats when there is, in fact, a myriad
of animal species that could offer the same kind of company, entertainment and comfort. Below are brief
descriptions of some quite uncommon pet choices which you may find interesting.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are natives of the Andes regions. They are nocturnal animals that are known to adapt easily to the
sleeping patterns of their owners. They are very active and love to hop, jump and run about. Therefore, it is very
important to give them sufficient space to allow them to satisfy their requirements for physical activity. They
belong to the selection of animals that do not follow hierarchy within the clan. On the average, they live for 15
years in captivity; however, some of them reach as old as 20 years old. Needless to say, they require a long-term
commitment from their owners.
Gerbils
Gerbils look like a cross between hamsters and rats but are not identical to any of the two. They are largely
distinguished by their furry tails. Gerbils are sweet tempered rodents but are extremely curious animals. They need
a lot of space to move about and a lot of wood shavings to accommodate their need for burrowing. They are great
pets for children since they do not really need much maintenance. They are fastidious cleaners, highly organized
and very sociable.
Ferrets
While ferrets spend most of their day sleeping, they are very active animals when awake. They are highly
curious too and very good at escaping from their cages to catch some exercise outside. These animals have
interesting behaviors of wanting to play with humans as well as dancing when very excited. They are fun to watch
when they perform the weasel war dance.
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are fit for busy people as they get by well enough in
isolation. Though they look daunting and dangerous, hedgehogs are actually mild animals when tamed. Their quills
are not dangerous when they are calm and relaxed. However, when agitated, they can get pretty prickly. Crucial to
owning a hedgehog is the owner's knowledge of their temperaments.
Raccoons
It is unimaginable for some to own a raccoon as a regular pet. Unknown to most pet owners, raccoons are lively
creatures that are highly disposed to mischievous behaviors. This is an indication of their curiosity and their
want for activities. Owning raccoons, however, is illegal in some places so be sure to check for the legalities of
owning one. Getting a raccoon is a long-term commitment as they could live for as long as 15 years.
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