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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 Groom a Pet Lizard

By eHow Pets Editor

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Lizards may seem like low-maintenance pets that need little care beyond feeding and tank-cleaning. However, adding grooming to your list of lizard care creates a happier and healthier lizard. There are two grooming needs your pet lizard has: claw ... more »

How to Groom Pet Mice

By eHow Pets Editor

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Like most rodents, a healthy mouse needs very little grooming because they continually clean themselves by licking and combing their fur. Your pets will be happier living in groups, and it's part of their social order that they also groom each other... more »

How to Help a Child Cope With a Missing Pet

By eHow Pets Editor

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Losing a pet can trigger an emergency for children in the family. Whether the pet is a beloved dog or a humble hermit crab, children can become preoccupied with the safety and recovery of a missing pet. Adults must help children cope while the ... more »

How to Identify a Chilean Rose Tarantula

By eHow Pets Editor

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The Chilean Rose Tarantula is the most common name for grammostola rosea but may be sold under many other names. This is one of the most popular tarantulas in the pet trade and can be found in almost any exotic pet store. The following steps will ... more »

How to Identify a Sick Turtle

By eHow Pets Editor

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One reason pet owners enjoy turtles is because they are easy to care for. In fact, a healthy pet turtle can easily outlive its owner with some turtles even living past their 100th birthday. However, improper temperature, stress, poor nutrition ... more »

How to Keep a Pet Ground Squirrel

By eHow Pets Editor

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Ground squirrels can make wonderful pets. Pet ground squirrels are inquisitive and very intelligent. Though they require a great deal of attention, they are relatively easy to domesticate and seem to enjoy being around humans. Ground squirrels ... more »

How to Know Gecko Lizard Varieties and Types

By eHow Pets Editor

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Geckos are lizards in the Gekkonidae family, which has about 1200 species. They are able to vocalize with chirps and clicks, making them unique among lizards. Geckos are unusual for their ability to adhere to sheer surfaces such as glass. Geckos ... more »

How to make a Hamster cage.

By pharnok

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Making your own hamster cage can be simple, easy, and fun. Customizing your cage to your hamster's needs, allows you make the perfect home for you small furry friend. All you need is some common everyday home improvement items and you're ready ... more »

How to Play With a Pet Spider

By eHow Pets Editor

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Fetch and going for walks may not be options for those who love their pet spiders, but it doesn't mean these eight-legged creatures are any less loved by their owners. The venomous dangers that spiders pose may make handling them a no-no, but for ... more »

How to Play With a Salamander

By eHow Pets Editor

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In order to have a salamander as a playmate, first you have to catch a salamander. Salamanders are sometimes amphibians that can survive either on land or in the water, and some live only in water. In or out of the water, they prefer dampness to ... more »

How to Properly Care for Red Ear Slider Turtles

By Deana Case

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If you properly care for your red ear slider turtle, they are a great pet that can offer many years of enjoyment. They are very interactive, though not snuggly. When they get older, some may have a tendency to nip. These semi-aquatic turtles are ... more »

How to Raise Fruit Flies for Pet Frog Food

By AnneElk

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Pet stores don't usually carry food that is small enough for small frogs like poison dart frogs. With some practice you can raise your own food and always have a reliable supply... more »

How to Tame a Hamster

By eHow Pets Editor

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A hamster can grow nervous or fearful if it has not been handled by its owner over an extended period of time, especially if it is young. Patience and constant nurturing will tame the wildest of hamsters, and soon you will be able to enjoy a ... more »

How to Teach a Rabbit Tricks

By eHow Pets Editor

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You're probably one of the many rabbit owners who thinks that your pet bunny, however cute it may be, is nothing more than a carrot nibbler. The fact is, however, that rabbits can learn a good number of tricks with relatively little amount of ... more »

How to Test Animals for Rabies

By eHow Pets Editor

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Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system, leading to serious brain damage or death if it goes untreated. Animals like bats, rodents and dogs are susceptible to rabies, and their bites can pass the disease to animals or people. ... more »

How to Treat Wet Tail in a Hamster

By eHow Pets Editor

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Wet tail, or proliferative ileitis, is an intestinal infection that sometimes occurs in hamsters, especially when they are young. Symptoms of wet tail include diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite and a cessation of normal grooming behaviors. ... more »

How to Breed Chinchillas

By eHow Pets Editor

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Chinchillas are so adorable with their fluffy squirrel-like tails that there is no reason you would not want to have more. They can also be sold for a good amount of money and it could become very profitable for you if you decided to breed them. ... more »

How to Buy a Pet Python

By eHow Pets Editor

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Buying a pet python is not a complicated process. All types of pythons may not make good pets. Try following the steps below to assist you in getting the exotic pet you want without a hassle... more »

How to Care for a Bearded Dragon

By eHow Pets Editor

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Owning a bearded dragon can be a great experience, as they are a very interesting lizard. They are named for the way they can puff out the skin below their jaw when disturbed. The bearded dragon can grow up to two feet in length but requires only ... more »

How to Care for a Brown Widow Spider

By eHow Pets Editor

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The brown widow spider (Lactrodectus geometricus) is a tropical spider and a good choice for keeping in captivity, although it is not recommended for the beginner. A female is poisonous but not prone to bite unless she is guarding her egg sac. ... more »

How to Care for a Jones Armadillo Lizard

By eHow Pets Editor

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The Jones Armadillo lizard is one of the few lizards who functions in social groups. Generally docile, they will hide if threatened and if there is no hiding spot available they bite their tail and roll into a ball very similar to an armadillo. ... more »

How to Care for a Mali Uromastyx

By eHow Pets Editor

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The Mali Uromastyx is a long-lived lizard that requires a bit more care than most. It lives for 30 years or more and reaches up to 16 inches in length. Equipped with a spiny tail used as a defensive weapon, this is a terrestrial lizard that is ... more »

How to Care for a Red Slider Turtle

By eHow Pets Editor

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Having a turtle is a great way to experience nature in your house. It is also a good pet for a child to start with, as red sliders do not require a lot of care. There are some considerations, as with any turtle, but nothing that can take away the ... more »

How to Care for Pet Degus

By eHow Pets Editor

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Degus are highly intelligent, endearing creatures. They make excellent pets, particularly for people with limited space. But these exotic creatures require owners who understand their need for special care. Read as much information as you can ... more »

How to Choose a Reptile

By eHow Pets Editor

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Choosing a reptile for a pet can be quite challenging. There are many concerns and considerations when purchasing the right reptile. Below is a list of steps that will help you decide what reptile is best for you and your family... more »