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Reptiles, Rodents & Small Pets

Expert tips on reptiles, rodents and small pets will take the mystery out of caring for these little critters, whether you’re wondering what to feed a guinea pig or where to house a pet tarantula. All creatures need tender loving care, even pet turtles, snakes, lizards and scorpions. Need to research your pet python’s health condition? Want to know how to care for a baby rabbit? Advice from eHow's pet experts can make caring for your pets a breeze.

Categories in Reptiles, Rodents & Small Pets

Articles in Reptiles, Rodents & Small Pets

How to Make Guinea Pig Treats

By Sandy Smith

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Guinea pigs, wonderful pets that they are, have two chief pleasures in life: food and fellowship. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can add a little sparkle to the former. Hand-feed these nutritious little biscuits to your squeaky friend, and ... more »

How to Pick up Guinea Pigs

By eHow Pets Editor

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Guinea pigs are charming and easy pets to care for. They are a nice alternative when space and schedules do not allow for dogs, cats or other larger animals. When caring for and socializing your guinea pig, it is often necessary to pick up the ... more »

How to Play With a Hamster

By eHow Pets Editor

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Playing with a hamster can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning one. Regularly play with your pet hamster so that you can bond with it and give it the love, attention, exercise and stimulation that it needs to remain happy and healthy... more »

How to Play with a Pet Chipmunk

By eHow Pets Editor

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Chipmunks are curious and playful pets. However, you may end up being more of a witness to your chipmunk’s play than a participant! A pet chipmunk will often enjoy interacting with her owners, but she also may just see you as another perch. As ... more »

How to Play With a Pet Python

By eHow Pets Editor

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Pythons are beautiful and unusual pets to have, but owners must keep in mind that pythons won't play in the traditional sense like a cat or dog. Instead, you can play with your python by learning how to give it the specific care it needs and ... more »

How to Play With Your Rabbit

By eHow Pets Editor

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The more you get on the floor and play with your rabbit, the more he will consider you his playmate, especially if he doesn't have a rabbit companion. This is a great bonding time, and you will see him do things you didn't think rabbits could do ... more »

How to Potty Train a Hamster

By eHow Pets Editor

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If you have doubts about potty training a hamster, don't worry. With a few simple steps and some persistence, you can train a hamster to go in a litter box. Hamsters do not like dirty bedding, and they have a natural instinct to relieve ... more »

How to Potty Train Pet Rats

By eHow Pets Editor

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If you have a pet rat, you know that these intelligent animals are easy to train. Pet rats can be litter box trained fairly easily. While younger rats tend to catch on more quickly, you can usually potty train a rat of any age which will make ... more »

How to Raise Lizards

By eHow Pets Editor

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Pet lizards can be easy and inexpensive to acquire but may be prohibitive in cost to raise and breed properly. Each lizard has breed specific requirements. You also need to find out if there are licensing requirements in your area. You can still ... more »

How to Raise Minks

By eHow Pets Editor

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Minks are beautiful creatures from the weasel family. They have long bodies, short legs and gorgeous dark brown or black fur. Minks have been trapped or raised for centuries for making fur coats. You may want to raise minks as a business or just ... more »

How to Raise Snakes

By eHow Pets Editor

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Regardless of whether you raise snakes for profit or have them for a pet, the process is still the same. Raising a snake to sell can be profitable but depending on the state and the type of snake, you may need a permit to do both. If the snake is ... more »

How to Recognize a North American Poisonous Snake

By Rodney Southern

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You are working in your backyard when suddenly you happen upon a snake curled up and hissing. Would you know what type of snake it was but more importantly, whether it was poisonous or not? This article will arm you with that information. Read on ... more »

How to save a mouse or rat from a glue trap

By emmabushyo

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Many people buy glue traps with the thought in mind that they do not wish to kill the rodent, they just want to rid themselves of it. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FREE THE ANIMAL WITH OBJECTS SUCH AS COAT HANGERS, PENS, ETC. This will only result in ... more »

How to Shop For a Guinea Pig

By Beren deMotier

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When you feel that tug at your trouser leg, and the big eyes are turned up at you appealingly, what can you say? “Yes, honey, you can have a guinea pig,” are words that can start a fun-filled day of pet shop hopping, Internet searching and ... more »

How to Show 4-H Rabbits

By eHow Pets Editor

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Good care will produce a showy rabbit for you to enter in the fair. A 4-H rabbit project will also help young people learn responsibility and meet other kids with similar interests... more »

How to Spin a Spider Web

By eHow Pets Editor

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One of nature's most beautiful and fragile creations is the spider web. We see them everywhere and probably take them completely for granted, never wondering how on earth they were made. Spider webs are like works of art. There are different ... more »

How to Stop a Guinea Pig From Shedding

By eHow Pets Editor

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Guinea pigs are lovely pets, but they can shed and leave your home in a mess. Follow these steps to prevent excessive shedding... more »

How to take care of a toad as a pet.

By latasha43055

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People reading this article will learn how to raise a toad and keep him happy. They will learn how to decorate his tank, clean it, what to feed it, and play time... more »

How to Take Your Rabbit Outdoors

By eHow Pets Editor

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The great outdoors are very dangerous for your house rabbit. Domestic rabbits are not bred to live running free outside. Eagles, hawks, coyotes, dogs, the neighbor's cat are all predators who may threaten your rabbit. Cars, trucks, and other ... more »

How to Teach a Pet Rodent Tricks

By eHow Pets Editor

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Rodents are considered pests by many homeowners who take every measure to ensure they don't become a problem in their household. Domesticated mice and rats, however, have become popular pets. These rodents, especially rats, are highly ... more »

How to Teach a Pet Snail Tricks

By eHow Pets Editor

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Snails make remarkably quiet and self-sufficient pets. They provide their own housing and go about their days industriously and without complaint. One sad snail fact, though, is that these creatures are notoriously challenging to train. By ... more »

How to Bathe a Hamster

By blueclover

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Sometimes a hamster becomes as stinky as their cage, but there is a way to solve that problem, here’s how... more »

How to Breed a Gerbil

By eHow Pets Editor

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Even though breeding gerbils is not hard to do, it is still a very serious matter. Amateur gerbil owners or others without experience should not attempt gerbil breeding without help from a professional or a great deal of research and reading. The ... more »

How to Breed a Pet Chipmunk

By eHow Pets Editor

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In contrast to some exotic pets, chipmunks can be easy to breed. If you provide the proper conditions for your chipmunks, they can have up to seven babies in their first litter of the season. You can expect a second litter if you keep the male ... more »

How to Breed a Pet Snake

By eHow Pets Editor

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Pet snake breeding varies slightly between each type of snake, but there are basic precautions that you should take to ensure your pet snake’s health both before and after breeding. Keep in mind that you can often breed your snake with the male ... more »