An animal that looks like a rat with a long tail. Order Rodents (Rodentia). Why are rats dangerous?

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The family Mouse or mice are small-sized animals of the mammalian class, belonging to the order of rodents, which has not been definitively classified. The huge family includes 4 subfamilies, which includes 147 genera and 701 species. Animals are found everywhere, especially a species of mouse called. People's attitude towards these representatives of the fauna is ambiguous. Some people fight them, trying to rid their home of uninvited “guests,” while others specifically breed and tame small rodents.

General characteristics of mouse representatives The large family of mice is not fully understood. On the territory of Russia there are 13 species of animals from the order of rodents, representing 5 genera. They all have a similar appearance and lead almost the same lifestyle. Possessing unique ability adapt to any living conditions, mice feel great in all natural areas. The exceptions are the Far North and Antarctica. Ubiquitous various types

rodents allows us to speak about the numerical dominance of their representatives among other mammals.

Interesting!

The familiar word “mouse” translated from the Indo-European language means “thief”, which is fully justified by the habits of the nimble animal.

• Appearance:
• The mammal has a small elongated body. Its dimensions, depending on the species of the individual, range from 5 to 20 cm. This parameter is doubled due to the tail. The body of the mouse is covered with short hair, color palette
• which is presented in gray, brown, red or brown tones. In nature, there are striped and variegated individuals, as well as snow-white albino rodents.
• The average weight of a mouse is 20-50 grams.
• Animals have a short neck.
• On the pointed, triangular-shaped muzzle, there are small black beady eyes and semicircular ears, providing good sound perception.
• Due to the sensitive thin whiskers - vibrissae - growing around the mouse's nose, it is able to perfectly navigate its surroundings.

To get acquainted with representatives of the rodent order, it is advisable to carefully study the photos of mice posted on the site.

The animals, like other representatives of this family, have two pairs of large incisors located on the upper and lower jaws. They are very sharp and constantly grow - up to 1 mm per day, so they must be ground down. Failure to perform this procedure can lead to the death of the mouse if the length of the organs reaches 2 cm.

Rodents are highly fertile. At the age of 3 months, the female is capable of conception and childbearing. Wild mice living in natural conditions in the warm season, animals living in heated rooms - year-round. Pregnancy lasts approximately 20-24 days and, after this time, from 3 to 12 cubs are born.

Mice are born absolutely helpless - blind, toothless, naked. The mouse feeds it with milk for about a month. By the 10th day, the offspring are completely covered with hair, and after 3 weeks they become independent and disperse. Under favorable conditions, the population grows rapidly. The average is 1-1.5 years. Genetically, they are capable of existing for 5 years, but how long the animal will live depends on specific circumstances.

On a note!

Bats do not belong to the mouse family. They are representatives of the order Chiroptera, which ranks second in size after rodents.

Lifestyle

A mouse can cause enormous damage to humans. By nature and food preferences, a rodent is a predator. But the pest mainly consumes plant foods and therefore its diet consists of seeds, fruits of trees or shrubs and cereal crops. Mice living in swampy areas, wet or flooded meadows feed on the buds, foliage or flowers of various plants.

The herbivorous creature eats helpless chicks with appetite, steals eggs from nests, feasts on worms and various insects, replenishing the body’s protein reserves. When settling in or near a person’s home, mice happily destroy potatoes, sausages and bakery products, eggs and other food products that are easy to get to. They do not disdain soap, candles, toilet paper, books, polyethylene.

rodents allows us to speak about the numerical dominance of their representatives among other mammals.

The strong smell of cheese can repel rodents.

Various breeds of mice, having settled almost throughout the planet, arranging their habitat, can build nests from grass stems, occupy abandoned holes, old hollows, or dig complex underground systems with many passages. Once in a person’s home, rodents settle under the floor, in attics, and between walls. Unlike representatives living in swamps and near water bodies, they are steppe, mountain and swim poorly.

The active life of animals coincides with the evening or night time, but they try not to move too far from their home. The mouse has many enemies, these include birds of prey, reptiles, mongooses, foxes, cats, crows and other representatives of the fauna.

Mice make huge reserves for the winter, but do not hibernate.

Mostly voracious and ubiquitous rodents cause harm, but there is one area of ​​​​science in which the omnivorous mouse is useful and irreplaceable. These are special scientific and medical laboratories where animals become experimental subjects. Thanks to these little animals, we managed to do a lot important discoveries in genetics, pharmacology, physiology and other sciences. Surprisingly, 80% of the genes endowed with a living mouse are similar to human structures.

Diversity of the mouse family

Animals are adapted to any living conditions the best way. Agile, agile in their movements, rodents can run quickly, jump, climb, penetrate through the narrowest holes, and if there is an obstacle in front of them, then sharp teeth are used. A description of a mouse would not be complete without mentioning that they are quite smart and cautious, but at the same time shameless, cunning and brave. Possessing an excellent sense of smell and hearing, they are able to quickly respond to danger.

The names of mice, which are often associated with their habitat, as well as their varieties, are very diverse. The most common types of rodents found in nature are:

• African;
• baby mice;
• mountain;
• brownies;
• forest;
• herbal;
• striped;
• spiny and other individuals.

On the territory of Russia, the most common are the following 3 types of mice - house, forest and field.

rodents allows us to speak about the numerical dominance of their representatives among other mammals.

Most mice live in packs. Relationships are subject to a strict hierarchical system, headed by a male and several “privileged” females. Each mouse is assigned certain territory where they can get food. The offspring are raised together, but upon reaching “majority” they are unanimously expelled from the family to live independently.

The species of mice that exist in nature differ in size, color, and habitat. Let's take a closer look at some representatives of the rodent order.

African mice

This subgroup includes 5 species of animals. Average length an adult mouse is within 10 cm. The color of the back is chestnut, and the belly is most often presented in white tones. Mouse with long tail, whose length is 1.5 times longer than the body, settles in trees and makes a nest in old hollows. The rodent feeds only on plant foods. The mouse's lifestyle is nocturnal.

Grass mice

Representatives of this genus mainly live in Africa, in the eastern part of the continent. The rodent mouse settles in thickets of bushes, occupies other people's burrows or digs them on its own, but can penetrate into people's houses. The animals are among the largest and can reach 19 cm in length (with the tail this parameter is 35 cm), weighing more than 100 g. The fur on the back and sides of the mouse is colored in dark gray or grayish-brown tones. Individual stiff bristles have a darker color.

On a note!

The herbivorous mouse lives in large colonies, making devastating raids on farmland.

Forest dweller

The animal lives in natural conditions, making its home in bushes, on forest edges, and in floodplains. The main places where mice are placed are mixed and broadleaf forests Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Altai, Eastern Europe. The body length is 10-11 cm, the tail is 7 cm, and the weight is approximately 20 g. The mouse with large round ears, which is its main difference from its relatives, is characterized by a sharp muzzle and two-color colors. The upper body and tail are colored red-brown or even black, and the belly, legs and fingers are white.

The mouse overwinters in burrows located at a depth of 2 m and comes out with the onset of a thaw. The main food is grain, seeds, young tree seedlings, but rodents do not refuse insects.

Yellow-throated mouse

These rodents are listed in the Red Book of the Moscow Region. Main characteristic feature The animals are an unusual grayish-red color of mice, and they have a yellow stripe around their necks. The body size of an adult is in the range of 10-13 cm with the same tail length. The mouse weighs about 50 g. Its wide distribution area includes forested areas Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Altai, northern provinces of China. The yellow mouse eats plant and animal foods. Causes enormous damage to gardens, destroying young shoots of fruit trees

Gerbil

The mouse came to the territory of the Russian Federation from the USA. She was brought in for laboratory research, but quickly became adopted as a pet. The mouse is characterized by an unpleasant odor, although it looks like a very cute, friendly creature. There are more than 100 subspecies of gerbils in the world, of which the dwarf and Mongolian breeds of mice live here. The animal's belly is almost white, and its brown-red back is decorated with a bright black stripe located along the entire body. The rodent has neat small ears, a pink nose, a blunt muzzle and large beady eyes. A mouse with a tassel on its tail can be found quite often among lovers of exotic animals.

Harvest mouse

Externally, the mouse is very similar to a gerbil, but in everyday life it can be called a vole. Under natural conditions, it lives in fields, meadows and causes harm agriculture. In flooded areas it can make nests in bushes. The dark, reddish-brown color of the upper body with black stripes contrasts sharply with the white belly and paws of the mouse. The body length varies from 7 to 12 cm, the tail of the animal is not very large.

Mice are active at night, since during the day they have to hide from numerous predatory animals, which include such a reptile as the snake. The diet of rodents consists mainly of plant foods, but they can feast on a variety of insects. High fertility allows maintaining the size of the field mouse population. They feel great in Europe, Siberia, Primorye, Mongolia and other places. The mouse in the photo posted on the site will allow you to carefully examine the small animal.

House mouse

The most common type of rodent. The gray mouse, sneaking into people's apartments, brings a lot of problems, spoils food, gnaws furniture, electrical wiring, walls, things and other interior items. The habitat of pests is all landscape and natural zones, with the exception of the Far North and Antarctica. The gray-humped mouse (another name for a mammal) digs holes on its own, but can also occupy abandoned homes.

• The dimensions of the animal do not exceed 9.5 cm; taking into account the tail, its total length is 15 cm.
• The weight of the mouse varies from 12 to 30 grams.
• The main food products are seeds and juicy greens, however, once in a human house, the mouse becomes omnivorous.

One of the animal species is the black mouse.

People have mixed feelings about rodents. As a result of this, quite often at home you can find unusual mice that are real favorites of family members. Tame pets can be trained and perform simple tricks with small objects. A large group of rodents is capable of not only causing damage, but also giving joy.

Types of hamsters

If you decide to get a small furry pet, you should know that, unlike a dog, it will not become your servant or property. The hamster will simply live next to you and communicate with people only when he wants to. The word “master” does not exist for him, and, alas, you will have to come to terms with this.

Most hamsters living in wildlife, quite large animals. The body length of some individuals reaches 30 cm. Keeping them at home, as a rule, can be very problematic.

In the family of hamsters, there is also a genus of hamsters, numbering 5-7 species, distributed mainly in the forest-steppe and steppe zones Europe and Northern Asia. The size of these animals is small: their body length does not exceed 15 cm. Many of them do not require complex care, so they are domesticated and successfully kept in captivity.

Common hamster

The common hamster is a very beautiful animal. Its fur is painted in bright colors: the back and sides are red, the belly is black, the paws and nose are white, there are 3 white spots on the chest and sides of the head. Occasionally there are specimens with black and white and almost black coloring. The body length of the animal is 25-30 cm.

Common hamsters live in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of southern Europe, Western Siberia, in Northern Kazakhstan and east of these regions, up to the Yenisei, sometimes penetrate further north. Animals willingly settle on the outskirts of fields and vegetable gardens.

Hamsters dig good-quality holes, the depth of which sometimes reaches 2.5 m. In them they arrange numerous storage rooms connected by tunnels, as well as nesting chambers. At the end of summer, animals begin to stock up for the winter, filling their pantries with grain, potatoes, carrots, corn and other similar products.

The weight of stored food usually reaches 10-20 kg, although there have been cases when up to 90 kg of grain was found in hamsters' pantries. Animals need these reserves for nutrition in winter, when they periodically wake up and, having had enough, go into hibernation again. In addition, this food will be useful for animals in the spring, during the period of lack of sufficient food.

In summer, hamsters feed on green grass, roots, plant seeds, catch and eat insects, and sometimes small animals, such as mice. Rodents are active at night. If an enemy (fox, dog or person) unexpectedly blocks the hamster's path into its hole, it may rush at the enemy and bite him painfully.

From April to October, females have 2 or 3 broods of 10 to 20 young. During the period of mass reproduction, hamsters cause significant damage to fields, so they have to be exterminated. Animal skins are used as cheap furs.

Rat hamster

The rat-like hamster is found in Primorye, Korea and China. It usually settles in river valleys. The body length of the animal is 18-25 cm. Distinctive feature This species has a rather long tail. Its length, equal to 7-10 cm, is usually approximately 2 times less than the length of the animal’s body. The tail is gray-brown in color, with the bottom and tip being lighter than the top. Unlike the longer rat tail, the rat hamster's tail is hairy and does not have transverse rings. This type of rodent differs from water rats and large voles in having large ears and colored White color paws.

Compared to other members of the genus, the rat-like hamster digs the most complex burrows. In its pantries, the animal accumulates large reserves of seeds or grain from nearby fields. He eats this food throughout the winter. Rat hamsters eat seeds in summer herbaceous plants, as well as greens and animal foods. Rodents breed from April to October. During this period, the female manages to feed 2-3 broods, the number of cubs in which sometimes reaches 20, but usually there are from 8 to 10.

Gray hamster

The gray hamster lives in the territory of the European part of Russia north to the Moscow region and the mouth of the Kama and Oka, as well as in the Caucasus and the south of Western Siberia to the foothills of the Altai in the east. Prefers cereal and wormwood steppes, semi-fixed sands, areas of dry mountain steppes, and agricultural lands. Sometimes the animal can be found in urban buildings. The hamster was brought to Moscow, and wild individuals took root in some areas of the city (for example, near the Belorussky railway station).

The gray hamster is a small, short-tailed animal. The length of its body is 9.5-13 cm, and its tail - 2-3.5 cm. The hamster's ears are relatively small, round in shape; pointed muzzle; the feet are slightly pubescent, the digital tubercles are clearly visible on them; the tail is covered with short hairs.

Body coloring gray hamster can be smoky-gray, dark gray or brownish-gray, less often - reddish-sandy. Some individuals have a dark stripe running along the head and tail, colored to match the main color. The fur on the belly is light gray or white, and the fur on the legs is white.

The animal's food consists mainly of immature seeds and inflorescences of wild and cultivated plants. In addition, the hamster feeds on terrestrial mollusks, beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and insect larvae.

For the winter, the animals store a lot of food, but only those animals that live in the north of their range and in high mountain areas go into hibernation.

Hamsters breed from April to October. During this period, the female manages to feed 2-3 broods. There are from 3 to 10 cubs in a litter, but most often 7 are born.

Gray hamsters are kept at home. The rules for caring for them are the same as for Syrian hamsters.

The Daurian hamster is found in the steppe and forest-steppe zones in the territory from the Irtysh to Transbaikalia, as well as in the meadows of Southern Primorye. The body length of the animal is from 8 to 13 cm, the tail is 2-3.5 cm. The hamster prefers to make burrows on the edges, in ravines, bushes, on the outskirts of fields, and in the sandy steppes its favorite habitat is caragana thickets.

The fur of the Daurian hamster is brown or reddish. A black stripe runs along the forehead and along the back of the animal. The abdomen is gray, the ears are edged with white.

The animal feeds on seeds and eats insects. The hamster does not hibernate for the entire winter. Usually he periodically falls asleep for several days, but during periods of wakefulness he almost never leaves the burrow.

Long-tailed hamster

The long-tailed hamster lives in the mountain steppes of Tuva, Sayan and Southwestern Transbaikalia. The animal prefers to settle on rocky mountain slopes, on screes and in rocks. He makes burrows under stones among rocks.

The body length of a long-tailed hamster is 9-12 cm, the tail is 3-5 cm. The fur of the animal is most often dark gray, sometimes with a reddish mark, and light gray on the abdomen. The ears, like those of the Daurian hamster, are bordered by a thin white stripe. The tail is dark gray above and light gray below.

The long-tailed hamster feeds on plant seeds. He especially loves the seeds of wild almonds, caragana and cereals. Willingly eats animals and insects. In winter, it hibernates only occasionally.

The breeding season for long-tailed hamsters lasts from April to August. The number of cubs in a litter ranges from 4 to 9.

Eversman's Hamster

The habitat of the Eversmann's hamster is quite extensive. The animal is distributed in the territory from the Middle and Lower Volga to the upper reaches of the Lena River in the east and south to Aral Sea. He prefers to settle in wormwood steppes, salt licks, virgin lands and the outskirts of plowed lands. The hamster never makes its burrows in overly humid places.

The Eversmann's hamster is slightly larger in size than a regular house mouse. He has a very small tail and short legs. The animal's muzzle is slightly pointed, the ears are small, with rounded tips, the soles of the paws are slightly pubescent, with clearly visible digital tubercles, the tail is slightly compacted, covered with thick short and soft hairs, and widens at the base.

The Eversmann hamster is characterized by a variety of colors. The color of the fur on the back varies from black and white to ash-sandy and fawn-red. The pure white color of the abdomen contrasts sharply with the dark fur on the sides. On the neck and between the front legs on the chest there is a clearly defined spot of a brownish or buffy color. The paws and bottom of the tail are white. The hamster's short fur is surprisingly soft and velvety.

The animal feeds mainly on seeds and shoots of cereal grasses, wormwood, saltwort, and tulip bulbs. Occasionally it eats insects and their larvae.

The burrows of the Eversmann hamster are relatively simple. They consist of a main passage, which can be inclined or vertical, and a nesting chamber. Some hamsters break through branching tunnels.

The breeding season for animals begins in April and ends in September. During this time, the female raises 2-3 litters. Each litter has 4-5 cubs. Eversmann's hamsters hibernate in October. It is often intermittent.

Djungarian hamster

The Djungarian hamster belongs to the genus of hairy-footed hamsters. This species has been studied better than others. IN natural conditions The animal is distributed in the steppes and semi-deserts of Western Siberia, Central and Central Asia, as well as in North-East Kazakhstan.

Djungarian hamsters prefer to settle in xerophytic grass-desert, wormwood and cinquefoil steppes without bushes. These animals can also be found in gravelly steppes and semi-fixed sands, and occasionally on cultivated lands. In recent years, they have become firmly established in vivariums. scientific institutions and in living places.

Adult Djungarian hamsters reach a length of 10 cm. The animal has a pointed muzzle and small ears. The soles of the paws are covered with thick hair that hides the digital tubercles. The fur on the back is brownish or buffy-gray. In some animals it is darker on the sides. The abdomen is light. The border between the color of the back and abdomen is clearly expressed. A narrow black stripe runs along the spine of the Djungarian hamster. His paws are white, his ears are also white on the inside and black on the outside.

In summer, the color of the animals becomes grayish. In winter, especially when kept in cool rooms, they become almost white, and the ridge acquires a silver-gray color.

Djungarian hamsters are active at dusk and at night. The animals make burrows with several entrances, holes and a nesting chamber. Animals feed mainly on seeds and green parts of herbaceous plants. They also eat insects. Hamsters store seeds for the winter. They do not hibernate. By November-December, the fur of the animals becomes white, thanks to which they can from time to time get out of their burrows to the surface.

Representatives of the genus of hairy-footed hamsters, which include the Djungarian, Siberian hamsters, and Roborovsky's hamster, are very decorative. These animals have thick fur that covers not only the body, but also the soles of the hind legs. These animals reach only 10 cm in length. They have a very short tail (from 0.8 to 1.5 cm). The ears are black, edged with a white stripe.

The breeding season lasts from March to September. During this time, the female manages to feed 3-4 broods, each of which contains 6-8 (sometimes up to 12) cubs. Hamsters reach sexual maturity very early. Having reached 4 months of age, young animals from the first brood can already reproduce.

Djungarian hamsters are cute, good-natured animals that live well in captivity.

Siberian hamster

The Siberian hamster is very similar in appearance to the Djungarian and belongs to the same genus of hairy-footed hamsters. But his fur is much lighter than that of the Djungarian hamster. In winter it also turns white. The Siberian hamster lives in the dry flat and hilly steppes of Tuva. The animal digs holes the same as the Djungarian hamster.

Roborovsky's hamster

Roborovsky's hamster - the third species of the genus of hairy hamsters - lives in weakly fixed sandy deserts, overgrown with karagana. This is very small animal with a short tail, which is almost invisible under the fluffy fur. The hamster has a snub-nosed muzzle, relatively large, rounded ears, and the soles of its paws are densely pubescent. The color of the back is pink-fawn, the abdomen and legs are pure white. There are small white spots above the eyes. Black ears have a white border. There is no stripe on the back.

The food for the Roborovsky hamster is mainly the seeds of beets, caraganas, solyankas, cereals, sedges, and tulip bulbs. The animal catches and eats insects only occasionally.

Hamsters are active at dusk and at night. The burrows in the sand are shallow. They consist of 1-2 passages and a nesting chamber. The breeding season lasts from May to September. During this time, the female brings 3-4 litters, each of which contains from 3 to 9 cubs.

Several years ago, the Roborovsky hamster gained popularity as a pet. This is an ideal pet because it is unpretentious to living conditions and does not require complex care.

At the bottom of the metal cage in which the animal will live, pour a layer of sand 2-3 cm thick, put several stones, moss, hay, thin twigs and place a box where the animal can hide from prying eyes and rest. When sand becomes dirty, replace it with clean sand.

Taylor's dwarf hamster

Taylor's dwarf hamster lives in Arizona, Texas, south-central Mexico, southern Mexico and Central America to Nicaragua. The animals usually live in clearings or grassy edges. They create a network of paths under the thick grass. Rodents make nests in small depressions under the protection of a bush or stone.

Dwarf hamsters feed mainly on plant foods - seeds and shoots of grass, but sometimes they also eat insects. The animals are active at night. The radius of an individual plot for Taylor's hamster is small - about 30 m. There are usually from 15 to 20 individuals per hectare.

The smallest of the mouse-like rodents living in the Northern and South America, are dwarf hamsters. Their body length is only 5-8 cm, the tail is slightly shorter. The weight of adult individuals does not exceed 7~8 g. The back of dwarf hamsters is grayish-brown, and the abdomen is light.

Rodents breed all year round. The female's pregnancy lasts 20 days, after which she gives birth to 1 to 5 cubs (usually 3). In total, one female can feed up to 10 broods per year. Newborn cubs are quite large. Each of them weighs about 1 g. It is interesting that the male of dwarf hamsters does not leave the nest after the birth of the offspring. He stays with the female and even helps her care for the cubs, which is absolutely uncharacteristic for rodents.

After 20 days, the young animals leave the nest and begin to live independently. They reach sexual maturity already at 10 weeks of age.

Dwarf hamsters live and breed well in captivity. These good-natured animals very quickly get used to humans, become tame and very rarely bite. They can be kept in large groups.

Altiplano hamsters

Altiplano hamsters got their name from their habitat. They live on the dry highland plains of the Andes, from southern Bolivia to northern Chile, at an altitude of 4000-4600 m above sea level. They inhabit mainly rocky and rocky areas.

In appearance, these rodents resemble gerbils or mice and rats with well-furred tails. The body length of the animals ranges from 8 to 17 cm. The length of the tail is approximately the same. The thick and soft fur of altiplano hamsters is colored in brownish-yellowish tones. The belly or chest and neck are pure white.

Altiplano hamsters are nocturnal animals. During winter, the animals presumably hibernate, since at this time of year they do not show any signs of activity. The main food for rodents is insects.

Usually altipla hamsters do not make their own burrows. They settle among stones or occupy other people's nests, often expelling the previous owner from them. There are cases of rodents entering human buildings, but human dwellings in such high mountain areas are very rare.

Golden or Syrian hamster

The golden, or Syrian, hamster is one of the best inhabitants of a home living corner. It is unpretentious, hardy and prolific. In addition, this is a very funny animal that will give you a lot of pleasure with its habits. Since, unlike other types of hamsters, it is the Syrian hamster that has gained the greatest popularity as a pet, in what follows we will talk will go in charge way about him.

The golden hamster is a small animal. It is 2 times smaller in size than a rat. This rodent is very similar to an ordinary hamster. But unlike its large and angry relative, which brings a lot of harm to people, the Syrian hamster is a completely harmless creature. In addition to the fact that it has become one of the most desirable inhabitants of living corners, this animal is indispensable as a laboratory animal for a wide variety of scientific research.

The body length of the golden hamster reaches 17-18 cm. It is stocky. The animal's tail is very short. The fur on the back is usually reddish-brown, buffy-brown or golden yellow. It is thick, soft and velvety.

The abdomen is light. Currently, breeders have developed several varieties of the Syrian hamster.

In nature, Syrian hamsters prefer to live in foothill steppe landscapes, meadow steppes and crops. They live alone in burrows, the depth of which reaches 2-2.5 m. Like all their relatives, Syrian hamsters make provisions for the winter. They hibernate at temperatures around 4°C.

In captivity, the Syrian hamster lives a short time - 2-2.5 years, but when good conditions content can last 3 or even 4 years.

At least once in their life, every person has caught himself thinking about the need to have a pet. However, lack of space or time often forces you to postpone the purchase of a cat or dog indefinitely. For those who have little free time and are afraid of clutter, purchasing a pet rodent is an excellent solution.

Popular pet rodents

Domestic rodents are very popular pets, especially among children. However, before buying an animal, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of each animal and choose the perfect little friend for yourself.

Hamsters are perhaps the most popular domestic rodents and this is not strange, because they are extremely unpretentious cute animals. These rodents come in two types: regular (large) and dwarf. The color of the animal depends on its breed and habitat and varies from gray to brown tones. It is customary to get hamsters one at a time, because this is how they live in the wild, and therefore a companion will always be perceived as a competitor, even if they are of different sexes.

Important! A hamster will not immediately become a tame animal. However, it is very easy to gain his trust thanks to treats that must be given from hand to paw.

Guinea pigs are also quite common as pets. This cute large rodent has many colors and most often the animal’s fur coat combines several colors at once in the form of shapeless spots.

Pigs are very sociable animals that are always happy to see their owner and willingly show him their feelings. They say that if something happens to the owner, the little friend knows how to sympathize. And making your pet happy in return is quite simple: pigs cannot tolerate loneliness, so it is better to buy a pair at once, and to avoid the appearance of unwanted offspring, a same-sex one.
It is important to remember that this animal is very emotional and with any sharp sound or severe stress, the pig’s heart can literally burst.

Decorative rabbits have been very popular since the last century. It is a domesticated relative of the wild European rabbit.

Did you know?Spine mice, which live in the Middle East and Africa, have unique regenerative abilities for mammals: in case of danger, they shed their skin, which then grows back along with their fur.

Long ears, a cute face and a variety of colors depending on the breed will not leave anyone indifferent. The owners of these animals will literally melt with emotion when interacting with rabbits, because the character of this animal is very friendly and is almost never aggressive.

Rabbits live best alone, but if there is a desire to have offspring, then it is better to keep the female and male apart from each other.
Oddly enough, rabbits are very loyal animals, but for this the owner needs to give the animal a large number of time to endlessly pet and treat your pet. If desired, these animals can be trained, but this must be done in the form of a game.

Chinchillas have become popular relatively recently. These incredible animals come from America, but, unfortunately, in many countries they are bred for commercial purposes - fur coats are made from their fur. But many people have this animal as a pet and often buy them a couple or more, because these rodents are incredibly cute, friendly and it’s a real pleasure to watch them play.

Chinchillas come in several colors: the most popular are gray and black, the rarer ones are white and beige. The character of this rodent depends on whether it was born in a family or on a farm, because an animal that communicates with people from childhood will be open and curious, while one that lived only among its fellows will be quiet and secretive.

Important!Chinchillas do not like being squeezed against their will. If an animal wants affection, it will easily let you know, and if you forcefully try to restrain it, you can get a well-aimed stream of urine (this is how the animal expresses its dissatisfaction).

Chipmunks are rare in pet stores in Russia and Ukraine, but if you really want to, you can buy them on special farms. These babies are very similar to squirrels, but they have five characteristic black stripes on their backs, making it simply impossible to confuse a chipmunk with any other rodent.

Chipmunks are very sociable, active pets; they are often not afraid of humans if he behaves quietly, carefully and without sudden movements. It is quite simple to tame a baby: you need to constantly give him treats and always from your hands, then he will remember that a person does not pose a threat to him, but, on the contrary, is a source of food.

You need to be prepared for the fact that chipmunks love to stockpile, and therefore, even after having a hearty lunch, this sly one will beg for more nuts and other goodies.

Many people do not like rats because they think that these animals carry dirt and dangerous infections. This is true, but this does not apply to decorative (domestic) rats. These animals are extremely clean and tidy, they know where their home is, and can even carry out many commands. Rats are animals that are distinguished by their intelligence and intelligence. They know their nickname and easily remember the command “come to me” or “no”.

There are many colors of these animals, but the most popular are albino rats (white with red eyes).

Important! A serious drawback of this pet is its rather short term his life is 2-3 years.

The Chilean degu squirrel is a representative of South American rodents. The appearance of this animal combines several of its fellows: the squirrel, chinchilla and jerboa. The coat color is usually dark or light brown, less often gray.
These squirrels are very popular as pets because they are extremely friendly., quickly become attached to a person and become his true friends. With proper upbringing, degus can be trained.

Get a degu better in pairs, because in the wild they live in families. The ideal option would be to purchase from two to five individuals.

The gerbil is a small rodent with a long, hairy tail. The color of this animal is very diverse: from light to dark tones of brown. This animal is very active and inquisitive, and caring for it will not be difficult.

Gerbils in the wild move quickly so as not to become prey for snakes, and therefore, if you want to release the baby, you need to prepare the room well (hide all objects that can be chewed and close all cracks).

Did you know? Many species of mice lack collarbones, so the animals can crawl into rather narrow places.

Features of caring for pet rodents

Despite the fact that rodents are one of the most unpretentious animals, each animal has certain needs and care characteristics that must be taken into account.

Climatic conditions

People are used to thinking that room temperature is optimal for all animals, and they feel comfortable in it, but this is not entirely true. Most pet rodents love warmth. Hamsters and mice will feel great in a room with a temperature of 24...25 degrees. But guinea pigs need a stable 20...22 degrees, otherwise they will often get sick.

Rabbits and chinchillas are relatively unpretentious; any temperature in the apartment is suitable for them, but drafts are extremely undesirable for these pets. The chipmunk, being a tropical rodent, loves warmth and also does not tolerate drafts.

Housing requirements

Rodents can be roughly divided into those that are terrestrial and those that jump in trees. Depending on this, you need to equip your pet’s home.

Hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils do not require special conditions. A small metal cage is suitable for them, but it is advisable that it has a couple of floors (the animal cannot sit in one place). You also need to buy a wooden house (or make it out of cardboard) and a wheel in which the fluffy can warm up.
Rabbits can live in small enclosures, but they must be given time to roam around the room. If locked up, this animal will quickly wither away.

Chinchillas and squirrels are skilled jumpers. They need tall cages with wooden shelves (shelves) at different heights on which they can jump back and forth. A tall cage with a house and a wheel will also suit a chipmunk.

Important! Since all these animals are not called rodents for nothing, it is important that the walls of the home are not made of painted or chemically treated material, since the animal can simply get poisoned and die.

Nutrition

Most rodents can do just fine with food sold in a pet store, because it is balanced and contains all the microelements necessary for health and life. However, kids need to be pampered with something. For example, raw carrots and dried apples will not harm your pet, but cabbage should be avoided. Dried fruits are suitable for both large and small rodents (except raisins).

Also, various nuts (peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews) will be an excellent treat (especially for squirrels and chipmunks). The main thing is that the nuts must be raw, and in no case fried. Chocolate is contraindicated for all rodents, especially those who hide food in their sinuses.

Rodent in the house: is it worth getting a pet?

If a child asks for a pet, and a cat or dog is too troublesome, a rodent will be an excellent alternative.

Advantages

Some of the positive aspects of keeping rodents at home include:

1. The main advantage of rodents is their hypoallergenicity, because most of them do not cause allergies at all. For example, the chinchilla is one of the few animals that sheds hair, but does not cause hair loss. allergic reactions even the most severe allergy sufferers.
2. The rodent takes up little space and does not require round-the-clock care.
3. All animals choose a place for themselves “for the toilet” and do not shit anywhere.
4. Pets will quickly become tame if you give them as much free time as possible during the first few days.
5. It's a pleasure to watch these adorable kids play.

Did you know? The world's largest rodent is the capybara. Its weight can reach 91 kilograms.

Flaws

There are also some unpleasant moments:

1. The main disadvantage of a rodent is its natural reflex to chew on everything. When releasing your pet, you need to make sure that wires and other important objects are not accessible to him.
2. Not all cage inhabitants can boast of high intelligence.
3. These mammals have a very short life span.

So, having studied the lifestyle and character of all domestic gnawing mammals, we can conclude that these animals are an excellent alternative for those who want to make a friend and do not have the opportunity to constantly go for a walk or clean the litter box. Domestic rodent- the key to a great mood, and even a child can take care of it.

The Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) is a mammal from the genus Chipmunks, which belongs to the squirrel family. This is the only chipmunk in the world that lives in Eurasia. The fossil remains of this animal are known to paleontologists already from the Late Pleistocene cave deposits of Altai, Sayan and Primorye.

Degu

Degus (Octodon degus) are rodents that belong to the genus of eight-toothed animals. People started keeping some of them as pets in apartments relatively recently. The homeland of these animals is the foothills of the Andes of Chile and Peru, where they local residents called the "bush rat." Only in the mid-18th century did Europeans discover these animals. At first, there was great controversy in the scientific world about who degus belonged to. They were said to be relatives of squirrels, chinchillas, rats, mice and guinea pigs, but after the debate subsided and the taxonomy was revised, they were classified as the eight-toothed dormouse.

Egyptian spiny mouse

Spiny mice, also often called akomis (Acomys cahirinus), are representatives of the deomiin subfamily, family mouse squad rodents. These amazing animals weigh 40-48 g in adulthood, and their body length, together with the tail, which is almost half of their total size, does not exceed 14 cm. A characteristic feature of these animals is that they have spines growing on their backs. Their color is usually pale yellow, but sometimes reddish brown and dark gray can be found. The color of spiny mice is light sandy or brown, it depends on the age of the animal, since young individuals are paler in color than adults. The underside of the Akomis body (belly and chest) is covered with soft white hair. In mature males, the fur on the neck is longer than in females and immature ones, and forms a so-called mane on it. The tail of these animals is scaly and very brittle. Spiny mice have a narrow muzzle with large dark eyes resembling beads, their large round and very mobile ears are set vertically on the head. The animals' whiskers are very long, which helps them in life in the wild. Hind legs Akomis are short and have wide feet.

Rabbit

Rabbits are animals that are hard to imagine as wild today. Nowadays they are raised by rabbit breeders in special conditions. Among the breeds bred as a result of the domestication of rabbits, several directions can be roughly distinguished - meat, down, meat-skin types. This is the so-called “economic” classification of rabbits, since a scientific classification of breeds has not yet been developed. For keeping at home, special ones are also bred. ornamental breeds. Rabbits became domesticated animals about 1000 years ago, which by nature’s standards is not that long. Their common ancestor is a wild European rabbit. The rabbit belongs to the genus of mammals from the hare family, but unlike hares, small rabbits are born blind and without fur. Wild rabbits They raise their offspring mainly in burrows, and this is also their main difference from hares. It is very easy to tame these cute animals if you wish; all you need to do is show them attention regularly.

Decorative rabbit

The decorative rabbit is an animal around which there is a lot of controversy. There is a debate about who should be considered an ornamental rabbit - any rabbit living in captivity, or only a selective one. Obviously, under the name of a decorative rabbit there is still a specially bred and even purebred animal hidden, since the word “decorative” means “created for decoration.” And it is unlikely that an ordinary rabbit on a livestock farm is intended to decorate anything. However, the controversy still does not stop. One way or another, the decorative rabbit is a particularly beautiful representative of domesticated rabbits. Most often, skin breeds of rabbits are considered decorative - with especially beautiful and soft fur. Today more than 60 such breeds are known. But in general, a rabbit is an ideal pet, affectionate, playful and happy to communicate with humans. Compared to a cat and a dog, keeping a decorative rabbit is cheaper, and there is much less hassle with it.

Dwarf rabbit

One of the most popular animals in Lately became dwarf rabbits. They are absolutely adorable and, thanks to their small size (adult rabbits reach the size of a well-fed cat), they are loved not only by children, but also by adults. Like any other pet, rabbits require knowledge of certain rules for maintenance and care. First of all, you should keep in mind that rabbits need to be looked after regularly: including weekends and holidays, and also during school holidays and vacations. In the latter case, therefore, it is necessary to think in advance whether you will take the rabbit with you on a trip, or leave it with your friends who love rabbits as much as you do. With good care, no special problems will arise with the maintenance of the rabbit and its health.

Rat

Many of us associate rats with unsanitary conditions and dirt, perhaps because they live close to people - in basements, sheds, that is, where conditions, frankly speaking, are not the most hygienic. In addition, rats living in basements are considered carriers of various unpleasant diseases, and therefore various means are constantly being improved to combat these pests, which also spoil food and other objects used by humans. This applies, first of all, to the most common types of rats – gray and black. But the main habitat of the rat is not human habitation, but tropical and subtropical forests. Recently, the practice of keeping tame rats at home has become widespread. These rats, however, are descendants of those same basement pests. There are also nurseries where special decorative breeds of rats are bred. Such pet rats are, of course, safe for the health of the owner. They are easily tamed, willingly communicate with people and are even able to show affection and play with pleasure.

Pet rodents have always been very popular. Parents often purchase them for their children. Previously, the main types of rodents kept at home were hamsters and mice, but now you can find more unusual animals in the pet store. When choosing a pet, you need to take into account its behavioral characteristics, as well as its attitude towards people. If you communicate with him regularly, he will get used to his owner and become a true friend.

Show all

Popular pet rodents

Rodents that live in indoor environments do not require the same amount of human attention as a dog or cat.

Usually there is no need for animals to be toilet trained, because they relieve themselves on the wood floor in the cage. You can leave your pet with your neighbors during your vacation, as it is easy to care for.

• List of pet rodents that are popular:
• hamsters;
• rats;
• mice;
• chinchillas;
• chipmunks;
• proteins;
• degu;
• Guinea pigs;
• gophers;
• marmots;
• hares;

rabbits;

To choose a pet, you need to know what each rodent species is.

Small pet rodents are very popular because they are easy to care for. A house must be equipped for them, in which a feeder, a drinking bowl and small toys are placed.



Hamsters

The hamster is a very popular pet rodent. But you need to keep in mind that this is a nocturnal and aggressive animal. He often sleeps during the day. If you add a relative to it, conflicts will begin, sometimes leading to the death of one of the animals. To accustom a rodent to your hands, you will need persistence and patience. Otherwise, it may bite painfully.




Hamsters need a durable wire cage, equipped with a wheel, a house, and tunnels. They are unpretentious in food. It is recommended to give them seeds, peas, oats, rye, and wheat. Among succulent foods, the animals prefer carrots, cucumbers, cabbage (not white cabbage), celery, beets, apples, and corn. Hamsters are very shy, so it is forbidden to shout or talk loudly near the cage. The average lifespan of this small rodent is 2–3 years.



Mice

Decorative mice adapt quicklyto new living conditions, unpretentious in maintenance and care. Most often, these representatives of rodents lead night look life. They calmly go into the arms of their owner. Mice should be kept in a metal cage, because they chew through wooden housing. The bottom is covered with paper or shavings. The home is also equipped with various toys - ladders, branches, pots, running rings. Decorative mice live in groups and, without communication, withdraw into themselves and may even die from boredom.




Rodents should be fed:

• grain;
• corn;
• barley;
• oats

It is recommended to give them dry food. Since mice have a very high metabolism, you need to constantly monitor the fullness of the feeder. To avoid problems with teeth, it is recommended to provide them with branches of fruit trees, on which they will grind down their incisors. The lifespan of mice is from 2up to 5 years.

Rats

Ornamental rats are small animals with a longer nose than mice. They are smart, sociable, and easily make contact with people. You can't leave them alone, as they will get bored. For the animals, they purchase a low, long cage (from 60 cm in length), in which ladders, ropes, and hammocks are placed, since they love this kind of obstacle.




Rats are omnivores and eat food of animal and plant origin.

Can be given to rodents:

• boiled chicken bones;
• persimmon;
• cucumbers;
• carrot;
• apples;
• grain mixture for rats;
• yogurt;
• Super premium dog food.

You should not place the cage in a draft, because rodents often suffer from colds. Rats live very short lives - only 3 years.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are also suitable for home keeping. The animals received this name due to the fact that they were brought from America, and also due to the sound they make, similar to grunting. They are also known as Guinea pig, cavy or kewi.

Guinea pigs can become attached to their owner and enjoy interacting with him. The popularity of this animal is due to its unpretentiousness, attractive appearance, good-natured character and peaceful temperament.




Due to improper diet, guinea pigs often get sick and even die. They mainly feed on hay. The rest of the diet is grain mixtures sold at the pet store. Vegetables and fresh herbs will also work. Water should always be freely available.

The following herbs are suitable for guinea pigs:

• clover;
• wheatgrass;
• mallow;
• plantain;
• dandelion leaves;
• yarrow;
• shepherd's purse;
• sedge;
• nettle.

As coarse fibers, animals are given tomatoes, different varieties of cabbage, hay, apples, beets, turnips, dandelions, bran moistened with water, cereals, seeds, potatoes, parsley, broccoli, and lettuce. It is forbidden to feed the animal stale or expired food, moldy foods, unripe or rotten fruits or vegetables. With proper care, pigs live 8–9 years.

Squirrels

The squirrel is a small forest animal, nimble and easy to climb. It weighs about 25 kg, and its body length reaches 20–28 cm. The tail is the longest part and is equal to a third of the entire body. The rodent needs to be trained immediately after it adapts to new conditions. It is necessary to feed him by hand as often as possible and try to ensure that he makes contact with a person. Squirrels have a short memory and without constant communication they quickly run wild.

Since these are active animals, a good option for them would be a high enclosure with a height of at least a meter, and its width and length should be 50 cm. A birdhouse or nest, several branches, shelves and planks are placed in it.




The enclosure should be cleaned once a week. The drinking bowl and feeder are washed once a day. The squirrel must be fed fresh and dried mushrooms, pine nuts, hazelnuts, acorns, beetles and various insects. They are also given spruce or pine cones with seeds, aspen or willow catkins, and young birch leaves.

If well cared for, squirrels can live up to 15 years.

Chipmunks They are easy to care for and not picky about food. The animals do not get along with each other, so they must be kept in an individual cage. It’s easy to tame them: you should constantly give them treats from your hands, they will remember that a person is not dangerous to them, but is a source of food.

Choose a spacious cage for a chipmunk. The bottom is covered with any organic matter. These pets are very clean, so the cage and all its components should be cleaned, washed or changed regularly. The peculiarity of the animals is that they themselves choose a place for the toilet and do not relieve themselves anywhere else.




The chipmunk is fed cereals, sunflower seeds, cereals, and thick porridges. You can give them fruits, berries, sugar, and cookies as treats. Solid food is alternated with soft food. You can also purchase special balanced food for chipmunks.

You are allowed to let the animal roam around the house, observing it. Be sure to close all windows and doors before doing this so that he does not escape. The lifespan of a chipmunk is 10 years.

Degu

Degus are small animals that look like a rat or a jerboa. Other common names for the animal include Chilean squirrel and bush rat. It is distinguished by its high activity, but is not the most demanding in terms of content.

Degus love to live in spacious cages. The aviary should have enough space for research. A house and several shelters in the form of burrows are installed inside it (you can use old clay pots for this). The cage should have shelves located at different levels. Be sure to provide bowls, drinking bowls, a sand bath for bathing, and lay bedding. You also need a running wheel and a strong block for grinding down teeth.




The degu diet includes:

• hay;
• lettuce, plantain;
• leaves, bark and branches of linden, pear, willow, apple tree;
• flowers and leaves of dandelion and clover;
• alfalfa;
• grain mixture (cereals, oats, millet, barley, wheat);
• dried fruits (pears, apples).

Degus should not be bathed in water, but in sand. To do this, purchase a special bath and pour fine clean sand and 1 tsp into it. talc. Such bathing degreases the coat, which is very important for the health of the animal. In captivity, degus live 6-8 years.

Large rodents

Large pet rodents are also popular.

Many of them are undemanding in maintenance and care.

Chinchillas

Chinchillas are rodents with very soft and beautiful fur. They are distinguished by their cleanliness, timidity, and nocturnal lifestyle. They make high demands on their content. The animal should only be in a cage, since any exit from it is a great stress for the animal.

A chinchilla's home should be spacious and comfortable. The higher it is, the better. Rodents love to jump and climb on bars. The cage must be equipped with at least two shelves. It is also equipped with a drinking bowl, a feeder, a house, a hole, branches and stones, and a stone for pointing teeth.




Chinchillas are herbivores. At home, their diet should consist of dry grass, tree bark, hay, and cereals. It is forbidden to give raw food to animals. Leaves, branches, fruits and berries must be dried.

Once a week the animal is bathed in sand. To do this, you can purchase volcanic dust or special sand for chinchillas. It is prohibited to wet the fur. It takes a long time to dry, which can cause your pet to catch a cold. The lifespan of chinchillas is about 20 years.

Nutria

Nutria resemble beavers in appearance and are usually bred for their fur and meat, but they can also serve as pets.

Without taking into account the tail, these rodents reach a length of 60 cm, and their weight ranges from 5 to 12 kg. Nutria is a school animal and therefore needs company. She quickly gets used to people and has an affectionate character. When kept at home, animals need a cage with a ratio of at least 80x60x50 cm.




It should contain a sleeping place, feeders, and toys. A tray or tray is placed directly under the cage.

Nutria can be given granulated feed; their diet must include fruits and vegetables. Animals like bread crackers, but you should not give them fresh bread. Rodents are prone to obesity, so it is forbidden to feed them baked goods and other food from the table. The pet needs to be provided with regular water treatments, since in nature nutrias settle near bodies of water. It is better to bathe the animal daily. To do this, you need to pour a full bath cold water

so that the rodent can swim freely in it.

At home, nutria can live up to 12 years. Ferrets

At home they also keep such nimble predators as ferrets (ferrets). The animal's body length can reach 60 cm excluding the tail, and its weight can range from 1 to 2.5 kg.




The basis of ferret nutrition is meat in the form of boiled and raw chicken, turkey, and offal. They can be given periodically sea ​​fish boneless, lean beef or lamb. About 15% of the diet should consist of porridge, eggs, and cottage cheese. You can give your pet specialized food for ferrets.

Animals should be bathed once every 1-2 weeks. Ferrets live at home for 6-10 years.