“What kind of animal is that, anyway….?”

As an exotic animal veterinarian, I am asked this question at least once a month, particularly when it comes to rodents. Now, when I say the word, “rodent,” out loud, many pet owners cringe. They think of parasite-infested, sharp-toothed, dirty, quick-moving creatures that squeak and run through the trash and around subway tracks. And while these creatures are, in fact, rodents, there are many other pet rodent species that often people don’t know are truly rodents.
For example:

Chinchillas: These are soft, fuzzy, highly active, skittish rodents that are unfortunately coveted for their fur coats. They come in a variety of colors, including gray, black, beige, white, ebony, violet, sapphire, and hybrid colors. They are curious, social pets that bond closely with their owners. They generally like to be held close and petted, and they can be trained to use a litter box. When chinchillas are stressed, they may chew on their own fur – a habit called barbering – and they may release large clumps of fur when they are restrained against their will. They are herbivores that must be fed a large amount of coarse hay to keep their continuously growing teeth from overgrowing and becoming impacted. Chinchillas need to bathe 1-2 times a week in fine dust (available in pet stores) to keep their coats healthy, and they should be housed at cool, dry temperatures (55-70°F), since they overheat easily.

Degus:Medium-sized, herbivorous rodents about the size of rats, degus are very personable, social, and very active during the day, increasing their attractiveness as pets. When handled frequently, they bond closely with their owners and are highly intelligent, making them easy to tame. They have light brown to gold coats, long tails covered with hair (as compared to rats), and live, on average, 6-8 years but can live even longer in captivity. Like chinchillas, they like to dust-bathe and have continuously growing teeth. They are constant chewers and can be real escape artists if they are enclosed in containers (including plastic) which they can nibble through. They must be housed in securely latched cages lined with deep layers of paper-based bedding to prevent foot ulceration. Another unique feature is that they are very sensitive to dietary sugar and prone to developing diabetes; thus, they must be fed low-sugar pelleted formulas made specifically for their species.

Prairie dogs: These large, short-coated, squirrel-like rodents have stubby tails, brown fur, and can grow to over a foot long. They are very social animals that live in multiple-family containing colonies in the wild that create elaborate underground burrows. They are known for their unique method of communication via a complex series of chirps and barks. As pets, they live about 8 or more years and eat a pelleted diet made for prairie dogs, plus hay and a variety of vegetables, with limited fruit. If they are not neutered, sexually mature pet prairie dogs can become aggressive and bite; with neutering and a great deal of handling, they recognize their owners readily and make gentle, highly intelligent companions.

Spiny mice: Unlike their familiar soft-coated common mouse cousins, spiny mice have bristly tan coats made up of stiff guard hairs, with hairless, scaly-skinned tails that can break off easily if they are grabbed. They have large erect ears, pointy fox-like faces, and large dark eyes. Unlike chinchillas, spiny mice thrive at temperatures near or above 80°F. They are very active and social and often do well as pets when kept in same sex pairs or groups if cage mates are introduced to each other at early ages. They are nocturnal and love to run on smooth-sided wheels at all hours of the night; thus, they are not ideal pets for light sleepers.

So, now that you know about the variety in these uncommon rodent species, the next time you hear someone say “rodent,” think social, active, intelligent, communicative pets, and give these animals a better rep. Does anyone else know a rodent who’s been unfairly represented?

Photo credit: chinchillaplanet.com, critterconnection.cc, tcfexotics.com, mnh.si.edu

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