Often people ask the question: What will be the best rodent for a child? To solve this problem, however, it is worth asking another question: What conditions are you able to provide for a rodent? Be that as it may, we are talking about living creatures that differ from each other in behavior, structure and needs. Remember that caring for rodents requires our time and discipline. For example, when we decide to buy a chinchilla, we bind ourselves to the animal for up to several years! It should also be remembered that animals also require proper rodent food, a cage, a paddock, a litter box, bath dust, toys, sawdust, vet visits, medicines and many other things.
Taking into account the above arguments, we come to a simple conclusion: We don’t buy rodents blindly as a gift! If you are aware of responsibility and are looking for a rodent for yourself or your child, I invite you to a short list of popular breeding rodents.
GUINEA PIG
Guinea pig – officially Domestic coffee , but its common name, like the rodent itself, has become a permanent fixture in Polish homes
There are many breeds and color varieties of guinea pigs. We have already written about this topic in a short summary of the guinea pig breed – we encourage you to read and get to know this diverse rodent better.
Homemade coffees are active both day and night. They are herd animals and feel good in a group. They can react aggressively to new individuals, so when planning breeding, it is worth considering the company of our rodent at the beginning. There are many common opinions, e.g. that “males are more aggressive than females”, that “they emit more unpleasant odors”. However, it is not worth following them, as a lot depends on the character of the rodent, and in the second case, on maintaining cleanliness in the cage.
How long does a guinea pig live? Depending on the species, from 4 to 8 years, however, the record holders lived to be 15 years old
Fun fact: The longest stroke made by homemade coffee is 48cm. It belongs to the “Truffles” from Great Britain and was entered into the Guinness Book of Records in 2012.
HAMSTER
Hamster – by far the most commonly bred rodent in Poland. The most popular species of this cute pet are:
- Dzungarian hamster
- Bengal hamster
- Syrian hamster
- Trans-Baikal hamster (Campbella)
- Chinese hamster
- Tiny hamster (Roborowski)
We keep the hamster solo in a cage due to the rather territorial nature of this rodent. In some cases of herd breeding, keeping individuals of the same sex ends in a fight to the death. When buying a hamster, remember about the appropriate size of the cage and the running wheel(However, it must be adjusted to the size of the animal, as too small burdens the pet’s spine. Let’s also buy full circles without empty spaces between the bars).
How long does a hamster live? Depending on the species, from 1 to 5 years in the case of the Syrian hamster.
Fun fact: In Europe, as well as in Poland, you can meet wild European hamsters. Unfortunately, their numbers are constantly decreasing.
KOSZATNICZKA
A diminutive called “basket” is a very active, active and playful rodent. When it comes to the appearance of the “baskets”, they have a little bit of everything: a little rat, a little guinea pig and a little squirrel.
“Baskets” are herd animals and it is recommended to breed a minimum of two individuals. They are also demanding rodents , so it is worth analyzing their needs before buying. They require, among other things, bathing in special bath dust for rodents.
How long does Koszatnikcza live? Life expectancy in captivity ranges from 5 to 9 years.
DOMESTIC RAT(rat)
Domestic rats, popularly known as “tails”, differ from their relatives not only in body structure, but also in behavior and a multitude of varieties. They feel best in a herd of individuals of the same sex, so if we want to take care of their mental comfort, it is definitely better to buy a parka. Rats are very intelligent, quick learners, and very sociable.
How long do rats live?: On average, about 2-2.5 years
CHINCHILLA
A beautiful and long-lived rodent. It is relatively expensive to maintain, which should be remembered before buying a pet. It requires a very large cage, a paddock, proper food for chinchillas, bathing in suitable dust for chinchillas and frequent check-ups with the vet. Chinchillas are herd animals, so buying two individuals of the same sex is a great idea. The animals will play and sleep together. Of course, we should remember that the cost of living will also increase.
How long does a chinchilla live? The average age of chinchillas is about 15 years, although some individuals can live up to 20 years.
GERBIL(gerbil, zipper)
In nature, gerbils inhabit the desert regions of Asia and North Africa. The most popular in home breeding of the many species of this rodent is the Mongolian slider. Gerbils, due to their environmental adaptation to desert areas, are not very demanding animals. They have a lower need for fluids and food compared to, for example, chinchillas, which also translates into less feces and excreted odors. Gerbils are very mobile and feel best in a group. Unlike other rodents, they are active both day and night. They bite and scratch everything we can find, so we can forget about a cheap cage made of poor materials.
How long does a gerbils live? About 3-4 years
HOME MOUSE(Mouse)
Mice are ubiquitous and mobile rodents, whose activity falls on the evening and night time. It is worth remembering this when buying, because in addition to appearance, the buyer should be guided by the mobility of the pet. Mice feel good in a group. The best option is to buy two or more females. You should carefully check the sex of the pet when buying, as unrelated or unraised males will compete with each other to the death. On the other hand, when we find a male and a female, we will almost certainly have numerous offspring.
How long do house mice live? The average life expectancy is about 1.5-2 years
AFRICAN DORMOUSE (Agile brush, “mini squirrel”)
The African dormouse is a tiny, arboreal rodent with a fluffy tail, which is a characteristic feature of this animal. Dormice grow to about 8 cm in body length and additionally the same size of the tail. In the natural environment, it is found in Africa in areas south of the Sahara. The animal leads a nocturnal lifestyle. During the day, they usually sleep and should not be disturbed during this time (just like any other rodent during sleep). They start their activity in the evening. Then they start eating and become very mobile. Therefore, dormice require a large and, above all, high cage, as they are very agile and climb twigs perfectly.
How long do African dormice live? In home breeding from 3 to 6 years.
MOUSETRAP (Mastomys)
An independent species only related to the mouse and the rat. It looks like a combination of a rat and a mouse. Mastomyuses are rodents found in dry areas, which makes them, like gerbils, not demanding in terms of breeding conditions. They are also very odor-neutral. They feel good in a group, but unlike mice, males can be bred together.
How long do mastomys live? The average life expectancy in breeding ranges up to 2 years for females and up to 3 years for males
