Small Animal Encyclopedia — 78 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular small animal species with care guides, traits, and pricing.
Featured Small Animal
Showing 28 of 78 species(1–24)
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.
© 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.
© 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.
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.
English Lop Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rabbit breed with the longest ears, often touching the ground. Gentle, affectionate, and easy-going despite their large size.
© 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.
Ferret
Mustela furo
Curious and playful pet with an elongated body. Can play and bond with owners like cats and dogs. Has a distinctive musky scent.
© Lithonius at English Wikipedia / Public domainFlemish Giant Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
One of the world's largest rabbit breeds, weighing 6kg+. Known as a gentle giant with a calm, friendly nature.
Four-toed Hedgehog
Atelerix albiventris
The most common pet hedgehog species. Adorable when curled up, and relaxes on your hand when tamed. Nocturnal omnivore with a preference for insects.
French Lop Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Large lop rabbit, one of Holland Lop's ancestors. Calm and laid-back personality. Can weigh over 5kg — an impressive breed.
Jersey Wooly Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Small rabbit with fluffy wool-like coat. Quiet and gentle disposition with an adorable compact appearance.
Leaf-eared Mouse
Small rodent from the South American Andes. Named for large leaf-shaped ears. Native to arid regions and enjoys sand baths for grooming.
© Sistercja / CC BY-SA 3.0Lionhead Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Distinctive lion-like mane of fur around the head. Active, friendly small rabbit growing in popularity for its unique look.
Lionlop Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Cross between Lionhead and Lop breeds. Features a fluffy mane and floppy ears. Known for a sweet, affectionate temperament.
Merino Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Cross between Crested and Texel guinea pigs. Features a rosette on the crown with soft curly fur all over. Gentle and bonds well with owners.
Mini Satin Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Miniature version of the Satin Rabbit with the same lustrous coat in a compact size. Lively and curious with many color varieties.
© ZooFari at en.wikipedia / Public domainPygmy Goat
Capra hircus
Small goat from West Africa. Hardy, disease-resistant, and friendly. Loves jumping and playing, best suited for homes with outdoor space.
© No machine-readable author provided. Cszmurlo assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY 2.5Richardson's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus richardsonii
North American ground squirrel similar to prairie dogs but smaller. Easy to tame with an adorable standing pose gaining popularity.
© Bullet / CC BY-SA 3.0Roborovski Hamster
honor the
The world's smallest hamster. Extremely fast and active, best enjoyed by watching. Shy but can be kept in groups.
Satin Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Known for its uniquely lustrous coat with a satin-like sheen due to a special hair shaft structure. Gentle temperament, popular for showing.
Sheba Mini Yak Guinea Pig
Australian rosette guinea pig with a shaggy yak-like coat. Active and curious with a uniquely charming unkempt appearance.
© The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia . / CC BY-SA 2.5Short-tailed Opossum
Monodelphis
Small marsupial from South America. Solitary and omnivorous, eating insects and fruits. Curious and tames well with handling.
Skinny Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Nearly hairless guinea pig breed with warm, smooth skin. Requires careful temperature management due to lack of fur.
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.