| Lemmings: An Overview |
| There is little information on these animals on the Internet (at time of writing), especially on keeping them as pets. I have searched many a time looking for details on Lemmings, only to be confronted by multiple drones with green shaggy hair, building bridges and blowing them selves up. I of course refer the computer game Lemmings. I suspect anyone searching for ‘Lemming’ or ‘Lemmings’ will have encountered the same problem. Try this for more reliable results: be more specific, search for ‘Steppe Lemming’ or the animals’ scientific/Latin name e.g. Lagurus lagurus (the Steppe Lemming). It wont be magic but the results should be more relevant. ...more |
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| Breeding Shaw's Jirds |
| There is much contradiction in opinion about the way in which to keep and breed this species, hopefully this will iron out any problems and explain the methods that can be used. ...more |
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| Caulkhead Gerbils: Mongolian Gerbils Wild on Wight |
| On conclusion of the filming of Tales of the River Bank, an independent company working for the BBC decided to release the cast of small rodents into an area of land at Cothy Butts near Fishbourne (about 2½ miles west of Ryde). While the others- rats hamsters and cavies- died shortly after being introduced in 1973, a group of about 10 Mongolian gerbils managed to survive. ...more |
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| Phodopus in the Wild |
| Dwarf hamsters live in colonies within burrows. They are generally nocturnal but wake up for short periods during the day. They usually wake at dusk and are very active during the night. When mature, they may resent intruders and could attack others that wander into their territory. ...more |
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| Striped Grass Mice: Zebra Mice - A First Impression |
| The first thing that one would notice about this species is its attractive stripes of brown, black and buff running laterally down its body - from its sharp nose through to its long delicate tail. They have a coat of couarse, rough hairs, which is sometimes spiny in appearance. Having a sleek and slim physique they can look unhealthily thin, but - rest assured - it is quite normal. ...more |
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| Introducing Rodents including cohabiting species |
| Firstly, it must be understood that whatever the species there is no guarantee your animals will pair up easily (if at all). In particular Duprasi, Striped Grass Mice and some Shaw's Jirds are very aggressive towards each other and often have to be separated when not mating. ...more |
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| Gerbils II: Further Thoughts |
| Well, a lot has happened since I last wrote about my gerbils. My little family of 4 has expanded to a little family of 20 (plus many babies!). If I had my way I’d have more, but alas space has prevented me! ...more |
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| Sexing Rodents |
| Before you even have to pick up your animal, you can just have a look. Does your rodent have a scrotal sac? Can you see nipples? ...more |
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| Hand Rearing Rodents |
| I have had Shaw’s jirds for about six months now and, in that time, have achieved great success with them. The first female gave birth to their first litter in early November, and the second female followed soon afterwards. During this ‘baby boom’ the trio had to unfortunately been separated after serious fighting was repeatedly observed. ...more |
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| Log On: Small&Furries Website |
| I have been keeping animals of various kinds all my life, but only the usual cavies, hamsters, rabbits, etc. I did keep a pair of Pallid gerbils unbeknownst to myself what they were. I kept and bred a pair of Shaw’s jirds around 1992 (when I was 10), but these two pairs were the extent of the ‘unusualness’ at the time. ...more |
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| Cohabiting Species |
| People think nothing of keeping dogs with cats, a mixed aviary or a community fish tank. Why not rodents or small mammals? ...more |
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| Cannibalism |
| Why do your pets eat each other? I am often asked by people "Why has my animal eaten its litter?” I think this is so prominent in their mind because of the severity of the act - it shows the animal not as a fluffy pet but as the wild 'beast' it is. ...more |
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| Mutation, Hybridisation - Devastion |
| I had kept pets for many years without a thought on the subject of mutation; this was until I came across Russell Tofts. I read an article of his from somewhere or another about his opinions on the topic and I realised that there is no good to be had from mutations and was appalled by the amount of people actively breeding for mutations without a thought to the repercussions. ...more |
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| The Beaver Is Back |
| I must admit when I first read about this attempt to rebuild the part of the UK's river ecosystem I was surprised to learn that the beaver was ever native to Britain. Although feeling suitably embarrassed I realised that many people were under the same misconception as myself. This hole in my knowledge and of others was all the motivation I needed! ...more |
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| Wouldn't be Without: The Essential First Aid Kit |
| The problem facing anyone about to assemble a basic first-aid is that it is impossible to predict exactly what medicines or other equipment will be needed. After all, you can't foresee what illnesses or accidents are going to befall. ...more |
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| Pygmy Species: Mouse and Gerbil |
| Unfortunately the species of pygmy gerbil I have is yet to be identified. I purchased them as Baluchistan (Gerbillus nanus) but have since been told otherwise! Here is a quote from Ed (strogg123) “I recognise that gerbil! They came into the UK in September last year along with 3 other unidentified species and I was asked to identify them if possible. The young stock did look superficially like Gerbillus nanus, but they quickly grow larger and look and behave quite different from nanus. ...more |
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| Why Rodents and what Goals? |
| A question I get asked a lot is ‘why do you keep rodents?’, this can be interpreted two ways; either why do you choose rodents over other animals? or why do you hope to achieve from keeping rodents?, or I guess it could be both. I hope to briefly answer both questions. ...more |
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