UNUSUAL PETS If you’re looking for a pet pal with a difference check out these cool creatures CHAMPION CHEWERS Chinchillas and degus are South American rodents These active animals need large tall cages with plenty of space to jump and climb Rodents teeth never stop growing so they have to chew to wear them down Give these pets lots of chewing material in their cages otherwise they may gnaw on the furniture when you let them out REMARKABLE REPTILES Reptiles such as snakes and turtles are cold blooded creatures so they need to bask under a heat lamp to raise their body temperature They also need an ultraviolet UV lamp to keep them healthy Reptiles can carry a disease called salmonella so it’s very important to wash your hands after handling them 4
AWESOME AMPHIBIANS Amphibians start life in water then grow legs and lungs As adults some live on land and others spend all or part of their time in water but they all need damp conditions and dark hiding places Amphibians have sensitive delicate skin and should be handled as little as possible Members of the salamander family including axolotls and newts can regrow lost limbs INTRIGUING INVERTEBRATES Insects and spiders are invertebrates Their bodies are protected by a tough outer shell called an exoskeleton that allows them to live in places where other creatures wouldn’t survive An insect’s exoskeleton doesn’t grow so they have to shed it as they get bigger Shedding or molting is a dangerous time in an insect’s life as their new exoskeleton is very delicate until it hardens TOP TIPS Never keep an animal that has been taken from the wild It may have parasites and carry diseases and it will not adapt well to life as a pet Some of these animals have surprisingly long lifespans so think about whether you’ll be able to look after your pet for the rest of its natural life It’s best to keep your unusual pet pals in single sex pairs or groups or you may end up with many babies that you will need to find homes for Never release an unwanted pet into the wild Animals who have been pets rarely have the skills to survive and you could upset the balance of the natural environment Consider adopting a pet Having an older animal is a good solution if you’re not sure you can care for it for 20 to 30 years 5
CHINCHILLAS Chinchillas are nocturnal animals so they sleep during the day They are active in the early mornings and evenings and need to be let out of their cage at least once a day They can live for more than 15 years TWO IS COMPANY A single chinchilla will be lonely so it will need at least one pal It’s best to choose same-sex littermates or a neutered male and a female If chinchillas don’t already know each other keep them side by side in separate cages until they get used to one another’s scent When you move them into the same cage put their beds at opposite ends and give them separate dust baths see page 7 until they’re friends ROOM TO CLIMB Chinchillas need a large cage with platforms to jump onto and branches to climb They have very thick fur and can survive cold temperatures but drafts are dangerous so keep them indoors The cage should be away from heat vents and out of direct sunlight because they can easily overheat if your pet’s ears go red it’s too hot Chinchillas need a hay-filled nest box that’s big enough for them to cuddle up together with an extra box so they can sleep alone if they want their own space 6
TAMING AND EXERCISE Before you let your chinchilla out of its cage you’ll need to tame it so you can catch it Chinchillas love raisins so train your pet to come to you for a raisin and then gently stroke it under the chin Early evening is a good time to let your chinchilla out Keep it confined to a small space and watch it carefully Chinchillas love to explore and will chew anything including electric cables which is very dangerous FEEDING Chinchillas need vitamin C so chinchilla pellets are the best food for them Good quality hay provides fiber and wears down their teeth too Don’t give them too many treats a rich diet can make chinchillas sick They should always have fresh drinking water PET TALK I love to play with cardboard boxes Please put one or two in my cage I’ll probably chew them up so make sure you take away any staples or plastic tape KEEPING CLEAN Chinchillas clean their fur by bathing in fine dust so you’ll need a dust bath for your pet You can buy chinchilla dust from pet stores and it should be changed about once a week Never use sand because it’s too rough and never put water on your chinchilla If it gets wet dry it with a towel immediately 7
