just for fun! and it is also a project

1. 10 MOST POPULAR
SMALL PETS
By animal planet
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

2. 1. HERMIT CRAB
 They burrow in the sand, crawl on top of rocks and will even curiously investigate items in their
environments. Occasionally, you may even hear a chirping sound from your hermit crab.
 Life Span: Up to 30 years
 Best For: Any age
 Feeding: Commercial pellets, dechlorinated fresh water and salt water, occasional fruit.
 Housing and Exercise: Hermit crabs can live in terrariums. They thrive at temperatures of
about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) and love humid conditions, which can be
encouraged with a daily misting. With sand to dig and rocks to climb, hermit crabs don't need
additional exercise.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

3. 2. CHINCHILLA
 This South American native is technically a rodent. But it's so charming, with its saucer-like eyes and
bowl-like ears, that we'd rather not give that too much thought. Chinchillas resemble a kangaroo, with
front legs that are markedly shorter than their back legs, and a thick, bushy tail.
 Life Span: Up to 20 years
 Best For: Children over 10; chinchillas are fragile animals
 Feeding: Commercial pellets, fresh water
 Housing and Exercise: The chinchilla doesn't need complicated care. It will thrive in a variety of
environments and temperature conditions, but it's most comfortable at a balmy 65 degrees to 75 degrees
Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). Most chinchillas live in wire cages with solid floors.
 Good to know: The chinchilla doesn't have body odor. Even its droppings will take several days to
emit a smell; if the animal's cage is cleaned frequently, odor becomes a non-issue.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

4. 3. TURTLE
 It's nice to have a small pet that can't outrun you, and a turtle certainly fits that bill. They're happy to set
up camp in your home and are always ready for an adoring audience. Box turtles are a popular choice, with
their colorfully patterned shells and winsome good looks, but they are picky eaters. Red-eared sliders are more
aerodynamic, sport distinctive red marks on each side of the head and aren't so fussy.
 Life Span: Up to 40 years
 Best For: Children 8 or older
 Feeding: Earthworms, insects, and fruits and vegetables; or commercial pellets, depending on turtle
breed.
 Housing and Exercise: Turtles require a terrarium or aquarium that's roomy enough for a few rocks
large enough to perch upon, as well as dry areas in which they can burrow and shallow water in which they
can rehydrate. They don't need a lot of exercise.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

5. 4. FISH
 Not just any ol' fish will do for a pet. We need an easy-to-manage breed with an equally manageable
tank. So, we're opting for a betta fish. These vibrantly colored fish come in shades of green, red, violet and
orange; sometimes the shades seem to blend into each other like an Impressionist painting. Aside from the
big visual impression they make, bettas are quite small. Most are only a couple of inches in length.
 Life Span: Up to 3 years
 Best For: Any age
 Feeding: Commercial betta food
 Housing and Exercise: You can skip the complicated aquariums and filter. Just keep your betta's fish
bowl water clean and warm. They do best in water that's 78 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 26
degrees Celsius), probably because they originated in the tropical waters of Southeast Asia.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

6. 5. FERRETS
 Curious and covered in fur, ferrets are an interesting pet. But they aren't low-maintenance; they like
to explore and roam. This makes it tricky if you've got a lot of visitors opening and closing your front
door. And, ferrets can be temperamental toward visitors, making them prone to proffer a nip if
mishandled. The reward for all your ferret-care, however, is a pet with personality-plus.
 Life Span: Five to 8 years
 Best For: Children 12 and olderFeeding: Commercial ferret pellets or cat food, fresh water
 Housing and Exercise: Although you'll want a wire cage with a solid base for your ferret, they
prefer to have the run of the house instead of caged confinement. When given their freedom, they will
investigate every nook and cranny.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

7. 6. PARROT
 Life Span: Up to 80 years
 Best For: Any age, but better for teenagers and adults
 Feeding: Commercial seed mixes, fresh water; fresh vegetables and fruit
 Housing and Exercise: Cage should be large enough for bird to fly short
distances and should be cleaned every other day. Lining the cage with a thin
layer of gravel will aid in the cleaning process -- and the parrot's digestion.
That's because ingesting an occasional piece of gravel helps a bird grind seeds
in its belly
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

8. 7.RABBIT
 They can come when called, use a litter box and exercise on a leash. Sounds like a strange mix of
cat- and dog-like qualities, but for this household pet, it's all in a day's work. There are more than 60
breeds of rabbits in the United States, so you can choose from a variety of sizes, colors and ear
lengths. Even weight is an option, because rabbits can range from 2 to 13 pounds.
 Life Span: Five to 10 years
 Best For: Children 8 and older
 Feeding: Commercial pellets, fresh vegetables for a treat, fresh water
 Housing and Exercise: Indoor-only rabbit cage with a solid floor. Rabbits need lots of
exercise; specially made enclosures can provide a safe outdoor environment for hopping, as can an
enclosed indoor space. Some rabbits can be trained to exercise outdoors with a collar and leash.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

9. 8. GECKO
 Life Span: Up to 20 years
 Best For: Children 10 and older
 Feeding: Worms and crickets, fresh water
 Housing and Exercise: Heated terrariums ranging from 75 degrees to 85 degrees
Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius) during the day, and only slightly cooler at night. Minimal
exercise, especially if there are rocks or pieces of wood under which it can hide.
 Good to know: Mishandling could cause a gecko to shed its tail, which is a natural defense
mechanism. Also, a gecko's a night owl, so to speak. It likes to spend the night feeding and
investigating its surroundings rather than sleeping, which is reserved for daytime.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

10.  Life Span: Two or three years
 Best For: Children 8 and older; hamsters are nocturnal -- unlike young kids
 Feeding: Commercial pellets, fresh water; occasional treats of fresh fruits and vegetables,
and cheese
 Housing and Exercise: Wire hamster cages with a solid bottom; hamster wheels, tubes and
other toys. Shredded paper or tissue makes good bedding. Most hamsters don't mind living alone.
In fact, they tend to be aggressive in same-sex pairs.
 Good to know: If you adopt two hamsters of the opposite sex, you may soon have a bevy
of baby hamsters. That's because a hamster pregnancy only takes about two weeks, from start to
finish. Why the rush? It's all part of nature's grand design to keep the breed alive.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc

11. 10. GUINEA PIG
 As small pets go, guinea pigs -- also known as cavies -- are virtual giants. In fact, each of the 13
guinea pig breeds recognized by the American Cavy Breeders Association can weigh up to 3 pounds or
1,360 grams (that's a lot compared to a parakeet). They come in several colors and patterns, and can have
short or long hair.
 Life Span: Five to 10 years
 Best For: Children of any age; a great "starter" pet
 Feeding: Commercial pellets, prairie hay, fresh vegetables and water; daily dose of vitamin C
 Housing and Exercise: Guinea pigs need lots of exercise. Pet retailers sell portable enclosures in
which your guinea pig can safely explore an indoor or outdoor environment. You can add pipes for your
pet to run through or offer hiding places like small boxes. However, resist the urge to add an exercise
wheel to its cage. That's because running in a wheel could cause injuries to your guinea pig's back or legs.
 Good to know: Guinea pigs are actually from South America (not Guinea) and aren't pigs at all.
Alexia Frances Z. Baruc