Small Animal Encyclopedia — 78 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular small animal species with care guides, traits, and pricing.
Featured Small Animal
Showing 78 of 78 species(1–24)
© Ilyusha isakov / CC BY-SA 4.0Abyssinian Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Distinctive guinea pig with rosettes (swirled fur patterns) all over the body. Active and curious personality.

Acacia Rat
Acacia rat
Small African rodent with large eyes and ears, nocturnal. Excellent climber preferring vertical cage setups. Can become shoulder-tame with patience.

African Dormouse
Palm-sized tiny rodent with large eyes and a bushy tail. Nocturnal and quick, best enjoyed as an exotic pet to watch.
© Kguzman99 / CC BY-SA 3.0American Fuzzy Lop
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Small lop rabbit with fluffy long fur. Bred from Holland Lop with Angora coat. Affectionate and cuddly personality.
© Ross Little / CC BY-SA 2.0Angora Rabbit
Angora rabbit
Large rabbit with extremely long, fluffy wool-like coat. Strikingly fluffy appearance but requires daily grooming — for experienced owners.

Baldwin Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Rare hairless guinea pig that loses all fur within weeks of birth. Different genetics from Skinny pigs. Temperature management is critical.
© Hagen Graebner / CC BY-SA 3.0Belgian Hare
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Athletic rabbit resembling a wild hare with a lean body and rich chestnut coat. Very active and best suited for experienced owners.
© Noodle snacks ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/)Bennett's Wallaby) / CC BY-SA 3.0Bennett's Wallaby
Small kangaroo family member from Australia. Bennett's wallaby is most common as pets. Tame individuals bond with owners but need vast space.
© Cat19y / CC BY-SA 4.0Californian Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Medium-sized rabbit with distinctive black markings on ears, nose, feet, and tail against a white body. Docile and easy to care for.
© BettyBen / CC0Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
Phodopus campbelli
Close relative of the Djungarian with many color varieties. Can be feisty but tames down with patience.

Chinchilla
Chinchilla lanigera
Famous for the softest fur in the animal kingdom. Exceptionally long-lived for a small animal at 15-20 years. Nocturnal and active. Daily dust baths keep them clean.
© Tristanspotter / Public domainChinese Hamster
Chinese hamster
Slim hamster with a notably long tail. Gentle and affectionate, endearingly wraps around fingers when held.
© Chuck Homler, Focus On Wildlife / CC BY-SA 4.0Coatimundi
Raccoon family member with a long snout and banded tail. Curious, intelligent, and social but strong — for experienced owners.

Coronet Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Guinea pig with a single rosette on the head and long flowing coat. Sheltie-type with an added crest for an elegant look.

Crested Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Short-haired guinea pig with a single rosette (crest) on the head. American Crested has a white crest. Easy to care for.

Degu
Octodon degus
Highly intelligent and social rodent from Chile. Called the singing mouse of the Andes for its vocalizations. Diurnal and easy to bond with.
© Philipp Salzgeber / CC BY 2.5Djungarian Hamster
Phodopus sungorus
Popular small hamster with a gentle temperament. Easy to tame and ideal for beginners. Some individuals develop a winter coat.
© Sahrazad at Czech Wikipedia ( Original text: sahrazad ) / Public domainDutch Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Classic two-tone color pattern rabbit breed. Gentle and social temperament, great for families with children.

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Small rabbit with distinctive black eyeliner markings on white fur. Active, curious, and popular for its compact size.

English Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
The most common standard guinea pig breed. Short-haired and easy to groom. Gentle and ideal for first-time owners.

English Lop Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rabbit breed with the longest ears, often touching the ground. Gentle, affectionate, and easy-going despite their large size.

Fancy Mouse
Mus musculus
Tiny and adorable pet mouse with many color varieties. Compact housing needs and curious, active personality.
© No machine-readable author provided. Pemelet assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domainFancy Rat
Rattus norvegicus
Highly intelligent and affectionate pet rat. Can learn tricks and responds to its name. Clean, social, and an underrated companion.
© P.H.J. (Peter) Maas / www.petermaas.nl / CC BY-SA 2.5Fat-tailed Gerbil
Pachyuromys duprasi
Gerbil with a distinctive fat, club-shaped tail. Also called Duprasi. Docile desert rodent that tames easily.
Related Content
Small Animal FAQ
- Can beginners keep small animals?
- Hamsters and guinea pigs are relatively easy to care for and popular with beginners. Rabbits and chinchillas are also tame-friendly; choose gentle individuals for a smooth start.
- How much do small animals cost?
- Hamsters cost 1,000-3,000 yen, rabbits 10,000-50,000 yen, guinea pigs 5,000-15,000 yen, chinchillas 30,000-80,000 yen, and hedgehogs 15,000-40,000 yen depending on species.
- How long do small animals live?
- Hamsters live 2-3 years, rabbits 7-12 years, guinea pigs 5-7 years, chinchillas 15-20 years, hedgehogs 3-5 years, and ferrets 6-10 years.
- What supplies do small animals need?
- Basics include a cage, bedding, food dish, water bottle, and a hideout. Depending on species, you may also need a wheel (hamsters), chew sticks (rabbits), or a dust bath (chinchillas).
- What should I check when buying small animals?
- Look for a shiny coat, active behavior, clear eyes and nose, and a clean rear. Getting parent information and temperament details from the breeder is reassuring.