Domestic rodents: description, types and rules of detention

Almost everyone sooner or later dreams of a pet. And if not everyone can afford a cat or dog due to the lack of time or free space in the apartment, then absolutely anyone can get a rodent. These animals are unpretentious in maintenance, take up little space and are very friendly.

Rodents belong to the class of mammals and in nature can live in the most unexpected places. Some live underground without seeing sunlight, others live in dry grass or trees. There are species adapted to exist in water or even in the desert. Some rodents can be active only during the day or exclusively at night, or lead a mixed lifestyle. Certain species of these animals fall into deep hibernation.

The animals received the name of their detachment due to the special structure of their jaws. Rodents do not have fangs, but there are 2 pairs of incisors that have no roots and grow throughout life. The teeth are very sharp, but hard only on the outside. This feature allows them to self-sharpen, as they are constantly in work. A powerful muscular system allows animals to chew and gnaw food without contact between the incisors.

Representatives of the rodent squad can be of various sizes. A mouse trap, for example, has a body length of only 5 cm, and a capybara can grow up to 130 cm with a body weight of about 60 kg. In connection with such a variation in weight, the structures of their bodies are slightly different.Animals have a diverse coat: in some it is thick and short, in others it is rare, in the form of bristles or needles. Color can be monophonic or several shades.

In nature, these animals are almost omnivorous, but prefer various seeds, fruits, roots and even small invertebrate animals. Water is necessary for the vital activity of rodents. However, some species, accustomed to the arid climate, have learned to be content with the liquid obtained from food.

These small animals are very prolific. Some species are ready for breeding at the age of 3 months. They are able to acquire offspring up to 14 times a year, in the litter of individual varieties there can be up to 22 cubs. The reproduction of domesticated rodents can and should be controlled.

As pets they are very clean, easy to maintain and transport. Large individuals over time can carry out simple commands and respond to their nickname. The life span of rodents varies from 1.5 years for small and up to 7 years for larger animals.

To choose a pet, you need to study in detail information about each type of rodent and their representatives. Animals are small, large or medium sized. By comparing your abilities with the needs of the animal, you can make a choice. For a happy pet existence, food, water, a comfortable place to live and the attention of the owner are necessary, but each species has its own characteristics and preferences. They must be taken into account. The complete list includes many varieties.

• Mouse. The little white decorative mouse is a direct relative of the field mouse - a malicious pest that spoils food and nibbles everything that comes in its way. This option is suitable for home maintenance, if there is no extra free space, and you really want to get a pet.

• Rat. For many, the name of this animal causes only disgust and disgust. However, you should know that these are smart, quick-witted and easily trained animals. With some effort, you can teach your pet simple tricks and commands. Decorative rat easily makes contact with the owner and does not like to be alone.

• Hamster. Little funny animal leading an active nightlife. A hamster can be very wayward, but with gentle handling and the right approach will quickly become tame and obedient. He likes to live alone. If you have purchased a couple of animals, then be prepared for periodic fights for the territory.

• The guinea pig. This is a good-natured, affectionate and gentle rodent. Particularly attractive are long-haired animals with multi-colored shades, like furs. Having a relatively large size, is a vulnerable and shy creature. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the pet from stressful situations, without violating the usual way of life. A guinea pig needs a company for a comfortable stay.

• Squirrel. Another name for the animal is veksha. Fast and very nimble animal with a long fluffy tail and black shiny eyes. Quickly makes contact and gets used to the owner. So that the squirrel does not get bored in captivity, it is necessary to provide it with spacious conditions. It should also take into account the fact that she changes her fur coat by season. With proper care and nutrition, it can delight its owner up to 15 years.

• Daegu. A small exotic rodent native to South America. It has gray with a yellow or brown tint and a long tail with a nice tassel at the end. It is unpretentious in content, however, for a comfortable state of health, it just needs all kinds of houses, minks, labyrinths. An important factor for degu health is the presence of fine sand baths in the cell.

• Chipmunk. A small animal with a fluffy tail and alternating dark and light stripes on the back is undemanding for food and interior. These animals feel great in captivity, but prefer to live alone. When keeping several rodents, you will need a separate cage for each. Chipmunks are very clean and always relieve themselves in the same place.

• Sonia. This rodent is a cross between a mouse and a squirrel. She will like a spacious place of keeping, equipped with various interesting devices. Despite its name, the animal is very mobile and active. Quickly gets used to the owner and makes contact. The basis of the diet are fruits and vegetables.

• Gerbil. A cute sand-colored animal will no doubt become a family favorite. Breeds with other shades of wool, even black, are now bred. The animal is curious and friendly, constantly nibbling or digging something. She loves to scatter food around the cage, move her toys and small items from place to place. If you are not afraid of excessive noise and cleaning, then feel free to start this rodent.

• Jerboa. A small mouse-like rodent at first glance evokes location with its bizarre appearance. The first thing that catches your eye is its large ears and just a huge, compared to a small body, beautiful tail with a tassel. The hind legs of the animal are much longer than the front, so the jerboa moves in leaps. Homemade jerboas are affectionate, harmless and tame.

• Chinchilla. The animal is quite large, in length it can reach 50 cm, of which the tail makes the third part. A distinctive feature of the chinchilla is its soft, soft-touch gray fur. The animal is shy and cautious, leads a nocturnal lifestyle. The cage should be equipped with special shelves so that the animal can jump on them. For swimming, volcanic dust or fine sand is required.

• Rabbit. Decorative domestic rabbit, depending on the breed, can be absolutely any color and color. This is a very sociable and sweet creature, requiring attention and care. You can walk the rabbit outdoors, just buy a special leash for this. The animal feels great in a cage, easily accustomed to the tray.

• Marmot. An active and inquisitive large rodent. Quickly makes contact and can be trained. From food, the animal prefers fruits and vegetables, sometimes you can diversify the diet with crops. A groundhog cage should be closed with several locks, preferably of different designs, since a quick-witted quick-witted animal can easily cope.

• Nutria. Nutria is bred for industrial purposes on specialized farms or in private farms. But this large rodent is suitable for home keeping. For proper care, animals need to provide daily water procedures and a spacious cage. They are unpretentious in nutrition, they have a stable immunity to diseases. An adult has a weight of about 10 kg. Nutria has a lifespan of approximately 7 years.

Pets are most often brought up for children. Caring for the animal helps develop a child’s responsibility for their actions, attention and integrity. It is rodents that are very popular due to their compactness, unpretentiousness, ease of maintenance.

Communication with your pet will be a joy if you follow several rules before purchasing:

• If you get not an adult, but a rodent cub, make sure that its age is already more than a month.
• Having decided on the type and breed of the animal, buy a cage that will correspond to it.
• Learn the nutritional and lifestyle features of your pet.
• Keep in mind that even with the most careful care, it will not do without extraneous odors.
• Remember that you consciously made your choice, so try to get the most out of communication with the animal.
• Most domestic rodents are neat, neat animals, but do not forget that it is not for nothing that they got such a name. If the animal is outside the cage, you must constantly keep it in sight, otherwise shoes, curtains, food or furniture may suffer from its teeth.
• Keep in mind the nocturnal lifestyle of these animals. With active actions in the dark, the rodent can make characteristic sounds, squeak, nibble something or rustle the litter.

In order for the animal to have something to do in the cage, you need to purchase additional accessories designed specifically for rodents. When buying a particular toy, it is necessary to take into account the habits of the animal and its temperament. All these items are divided into 3 subgroups according to their purpose.

• Attributes for health and comfort. These include houses for sleeping, drinking bowls, feeders, hammocks, carrying, trays or toilets, baths for sand. It is advisable to buy these things in specialized pet stores to be sure of their quality and safety for pets.
• Devices that satisfy physical activity. They contribute to the proper development of muscles, providing the necessary load. This includes swings, floors, tunnels, walking balls, wheels, mazes. If you have free time, then some items can be made with your own hands.
• Toys for fun and entertainment. This can be absolutely any item that appealed to your pet. One animal may like a small wooden figure or a small plush toy, while another will like a bright bottle cap. You can decorate the cage with colorful accessories purchased in the store.

Almost all animals can be trained to relieve themselves in a particular place or corner. For this purpose, there are special corner trays. They do not take up much space, fit well into the interior of the cell, they are easy to wash. Modern odor-absorbing fillers prevent the spread of specific aromas.

At home, rodents do not have the opportunity to grind constantly growing teeth in a natural way. To meet this need you will need a mineral stone. It can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy. It can be square, round or decorative.

If a pet loves to try everything on the tooth, and the turn has already reached the bars of the cage, then sooner or later he will break free. It is impossible to wean an animal to gnaw objects, it is inherent in nature.

Special terrariums for rodents can be purchased already fully equipped or filled as you wish.

This is a ceramic container in which fine sand or volcanic dust is poured. A couple of times a week, the animal must necessarily take such a procedure. Tumbling and frolicking in the sand, the animal cleans its chic fur from pollution.

A fairly new invention for rodents is the walking ball. By placing your pet inside, you can be sure of its safety. The ball will provide the animal with useful physical activity, in warm and dry weather it can be used even on the street. The main thing is to remove the animal from the device in time in order to avoid overheating or excessive loads. The task of additional devices is to give the rodent maximum benefit and pleasure, and he, in turn, will provide a charge of positive emotions to its owner.

Nutrition for the pet is selected individually.Typically, the diet includes compound feed for a specific type of rodent and hay. You can vary it with seasonal fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to periodically supplement the menu of medium thickness with branches of willow, acacia, linden.

Rodents should be protected from high humidity, direct sunlight and drafts. They, like any other animals, are susceptible to various diseases. To prevent them, timely vaccination is necessary. Before her, anti-parasitic prophylaxis is carried out. These animals, especially rats, are prone to the occurrence of tumor neoplasms.

Given that rodents are very prolific, sterilization of the animal is recommended in order to control their livestock. The procedure is indicated at the age of 4-6 months, when the genitals are already formed. This surgery is performed in a veterinary clinic, but now there is a service when the doctor leaves the house and carries out sterilization. In this case, the animal receives less stress and recovers faster.

After a short time, you will notice a change.

• The animal will become less aggressive.
• He will stop marking the territory. Sterilized animals practically do not smell.
• The pet will turn into a calm, gentle and kind creature, retaining its instincts, playfulness and curiosity.

From what conditions rodents live in, their behavior and life span depend. If you follow all the rules for caring for them, then these domestic animals will give you joy and love throughout their lives, without causing much trouble.

In the world of rodents, there are unique individuals and champions. Their abilities and skills sometimes simply amaze the imagination. For example, a pair of rats under favorable conditions can breed up to 15 thousand individuals per year. Despite the short life span of rodents, long-livers are also found among them. The Malaysian porcupine is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-living rodent. His life expectancy was 27 years and 4 months.

Scientists have discovered an ancient rodent that lived in South America about 4 million years ago. Its weight could be 1 ton. Now the most impressive size is the capybara. The weight of an adult reaches 65 kg.

Rats are very intelligent and smart animals, able to anticipate events and draw conclusions. It is for these reasons that rodents leave the ships shortly before the crash, migrate entire settlements from landfills before testing weapons. In Vietnam, there is a law that forbids keeping hamsters at home. If it is violated, the rodent owner faces an impressive fine: the equivalent of about 57 thousand rubles.

If you still have not decided which rodent to start, we advise you to watch the next video.