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As you probably know, there are many critters to choose from; Hamsters, Dwarf Hamsters, Gerbils, Rabbits, Dwarf Rabbits, Sugar Gliders, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Mice, Rats, and Ferrets. Well, if you want information (the goods and the bads) on these following animals,then you've come to the right place.

Here's some tips:

Let the pet pick the owner (another words; stick your hand in the animal cage/playpen and wait until one comes up to you.Slowly slide your hands under the critter or wait for them to sit in your hand and then pick them up.Play and pet them for awhile. If none of the animals seem to be intrested in you, then maybe you should try another kind.).

DO NOT BELIEVE THE EMPLOYEE!They WILL lie all about the animal you want to buy; like they did to me.I came out th the pet store and I asked for a Female Gerbil. They didn't even let me choose which one I wanted; they just threw it in a box and handed it to me. Then I didn't know much about small animals, so I just took it.2 days later it was my worst enemy. It bit me right away at home and it tried to make a hole in it's cage so it could excape.6 days after I bought her it had six babies.3 of them failed to thrive while three lived. When the pups were old enough to live on their own I gave Nightwitch (the mommy gerbil) away to a pet store.I tried to keep the other ones; but I ended up trading off two of them for a dwarf hamster (Skittles). I enjoy Skittles very much; but I will trade my other gerbil off for a guinea pig in the future.

Sugar Gliders

The Goods

Wow aren't they cute, they are just like living cuddly toys and those big eyes and that amazing stripe running down their back.

The Bads

While it is inaccurate to call gliders flying squirrels as they are actually marsupials it is fairly accurate to call them marsupial flying squirrels. What does that mean as far as their suitability as pets? Well gliders are adapted to living, climbing and jumping to and from trees. And as such they have sharp little claws that they embed into whatever they are climbing. That includes your hands, arms and whatever other free area of skin they find and cling too. Glider owners frequently look as if they have just lost a fight with a fairly opinionated cat. Your hands and arms are almost always covered with scratches. Sugar gliders also get their name from their habits of gliding from tree to tree, as a pet this adjusts to them leaping from person to person and to furniture and back again. Many gliders have been known to wait until their owner looks at them then to jump onto their owners face, so you can also end up with a scratched up face and I would not be surprized if at least one person ends up losing their sight due to a scratched cornea or worse.

Sugar Gliders will live for 10-15 years if cared for properly. They tend to bond to a person but bond better if they are young, therefore selling a glider after having it for a year or two is VERY cruel and almost inhumane.If you want a glider ask yourself what you will be doing in the next ten years, will you always have time to play with him, are you going to college, going to get married, planning on children,- gliders are NOT dorm animals or even really pets for when you are sharing an apartment. If you are going to college most colleges require you to spend the first year on campus and strictly forbid pets. Therefore going to college and having a sugar glider as a pet may well be non compatible.

If you're a person who does not have a lot of time to spend with a pet, a sugar glider is not the animal for you. Gliders are social and communal by nature, and they crave time and attention. Gliders also require at least an hour of being played with a night if not more, Are you prepared to do that regardless of new potential partners? Gliders have been studied in behavioural works on depression, and when left unattended their activity level decreases dramatically. Eventually, they become highly agitated and have even been known to die from loneliness. If you can afford to buy more than one sugar glider, it is best to do so. That way, if you get terribly busy or have to be away for periods of time, your gliders will have each other for company and stimulation.

Sugar Gliders are nocturnal and their large eyes mean that they dislike normal daylight or electric lights. Sugar Gliders often do not wake up until 10pm or 11pm. Then you would be advised to play with them in a room with subdued lighting. This means that if you go to bed early you may never get the chance to interact with them. This is yet another reason not to get a glider if you are a child.

Before even considering adoption of a glider, you must find out if it is legal to keep a sugar glider in your state or locality. The laws and situations are different in every area, and since the exotic animal market is still in its infancy, the rules are changing all the time. Gliders are legal in most places, but protect yourself and check to be sure. One important thing to know, especially if you decide to breed your pet: In order to sell a sugar glider (or even give it away), you must have a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) license. You do not need a license merely to own one.

Sugar gliders are insectivores. They enjoy eating insects in the wild. If you can't face feeding your glider either mealworms or crickets do NOT get a sugar glider. Their natural diet also includes scavenging off small dead mammals. Zoos tend to feed their gliders a one day old chick (dead) once a week. You can provide a dry food such as Mazuri Omnivore or Insectivore food or cooked meat instead. Also a whole animal also provides calcium and vitamins more effectively than other foods. Whilst feeding baby mice/rats is not essential the insects are. This protein is supposed to be at least 25% of their diet while the rest comes from fruit and vegetables. More recent studies suggest they need up tp 35% protein. Therefore you have to cut up fruit and vegetables every night for them. This can be a lot of work and can not be neglected.

Sugar gliders can be fairly expensive to buy with prices ranging from $100 to $400 for a single, hand-raised glider. Sugar Gliders are also expensive to keep so please don't look for a cut price glider. If you cant afford the pet, you can't afford to keep it. You should be able to afford a emergency vet visit at any time if you are a responsible owner.

I would NOT recommend this pet to ANYONE! I do NOT even call it a pet! This is the wildest maniac ever lived!!!But...if you want something that can blind you...erm...go for it;I guess...

Hamsters

The Goods

The Hamster is becoming the most popular rodent in America for being inexpensive and their different coats.Once a hamster is tame, it can crawl on you. Some hamsters enjoy sitting in pockets or on shoulders. Others love to explore and will want to run all over your couch (or where ever you have sat down).

The Bads

For a hamster to be tame and a good pet, it must be socialized. This means frequent, gentle and respectful handling that helps the hamster become comfortable with people. Many petshop hamsters never receive this important one on one training, and as a result, being handled by humans is frightening. Hamsters will bite when frightened.Even a tame hamster may bite if startled.

Hamsters have poor eyesite, but a strong sense of smell. It is not uncommon for peopel to handle food (or even use a fruit scented soap) and then handle their hamster- the result often being painful! The hamster is not being hostile- it honestly thought your fingers were food becuase they smelled like food.

Hamster are noctornal, and sleep through most of the day. Many times, people (esp. children) want to play with their hamsters when they are awake during the day. From the hamster's perspective this is to be suddenly shaken awake. Most times people talk about being bitten its because they scared their hamster this way.Try making time to play with your hamster in the evening or early morning when its more likely to be awake. If you must wake your hamster, uncover its nest and gently wake it by talking to it, tapping on a treat next to the nesting area or gently pet it while talking to it. Do not grab it or shove it out of the nest or poke at it it hard.

I would not recommend this pet to most people because it urinates constantly, it's cage smells (along with the room it's in), and it bites very hard if provoked. It has a life span of about 3-5 years.But my friend Alisha's hamster Jay is very sweet :) .Jay's dad lived for 9 years! I hope Jay does too.

Dwarf Hamsters

The Goods

Surprisingly, dwarf hamsters are totally different than your average hamster.They're cute because of their "Chipmunk" like features and their size. Dwarf hamsters can get up to 2-5 ounces. They don't smell like other rodents/small animals and they're easy to handle. I'd stongly recommend this pet to anyone; if you've never had a small animal before,I'd also recommend this pet.

The Bads

They don't have a long life span-they only live for about 2-4 years.

Guinea Pigs

The Goods

Guinea pigs are very popular in the USA for the highest number of breeds.Guinea Pigs are often shy when they are first adopted; but they'll get used to you.Guinea Pigs do not make many messes.They make a "grunting" noise when they are happy, or when they feel safe.I would Highly recommend a Guinea Pig to almost anyone.

The Bads

The bad part about owning these cute little critters is that once you buy one; you'll want another one...DON"T DO IT!!!Guinea pigs WILL fight with any new animal that is living in it's "territory".

Guinea Pigs will "scream" when they are in grave pain or near death. Contact your vet IMEDIATELY.

If your Guinea Pig senses danger it will squeal loudly.