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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 Deal with Guinea Pigs That Fight

By Angela Dalecki

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Guinea pigs are social animals, and they thrive best when living with at least one other guinea pig. However, just like people, guinea pigs have personalities, and sometimes those personalities don't mesh. Sometimes a pair of guinea pigs can go ... more »

How to Determine the Gender of a Grasshopper

By eHow Pets Editor

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Many people have wondered if a grasshopper is a male or female at least one time in their lives. There is a specific way to determine the gender of a grasshopper. However, grasshoppers are very delicate and you must handle them gently when ... more »

How to Determine the Sex of a Degu

By eHow Pets Editor

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The ability to tell the sex of a degu is essential before bringing one home as a pet. Males and females are not easily distinguished, and pet stores often make mistakes. Avoid bringing home a pregnant degu, or accidentally adding a male to an ... more »

How to Feed a Mouse to a Corn Snake

By eHow Pets Editor

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A corn snake typically makes a good pet snake because they rarely bite and are generally passive. It is a constrictor snake, which means it wraps its body around its prey to suffocate it before eating. In the wild, you can find them in corn ... more »

How to Feed a Pet Snail

By eHow Pets Editor

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For some, snails seem like ideal pets because they require a minimum of maintenance. However, snails are living animals in need of constant care, including feeding. Keep your snail happy and healthy by feeding your snail a variety of natural foods... more »

How to Feed a Pet Tarantula

By eHow Pets Editor

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If you don’t have a fear of creepy-crawlers and you’re looking for a “different” kind of pet, you might consider a pet tarantula. Their feed consists of live insects such as beetles, moths and crickets, or in the case of larger varieties, ... more »

How to Get to Know a Hamster Better

By eHow Pets Editor

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Having a pet hamster can be a great experience. Getting to know your hamster can benefit both you and your pet because you will be able to care for it more completely. Follow these tips in order to get to know your hamster better... more »

How to Groom a Pet Chipmunk

By eHow Pets Editor

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Chipmunks are fastidious animals by nature, and your pet chipmunk will keep his coat lustrous, his teeth clean and sharp and his toenails adequately trimmed with very little assistance from you. Following these simple steps will help your ... more »

How to Groom a Pet Mouse

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. They are happier living in groups, and it's part of their social order that they also groom each other... more »

How to Have an Indoor Rabbit or House Rabbit

By edotnet

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The best way to enjoy a relationship with a pet rabbit is to keep him or her as an indoor pet. The benefits of an indoor rabbit far out weigh the occasional inconvenience that a house bunny can cause. The interaction between you, your family and ... more »

How to Hire a Pet Sitter

By Valerie Brooks

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If you’re tired of asking your neighbor to take care of your cat while you’re away or the thought of putting your dog in a kennel makes you cringe, hiring a pet sitter might be your best option. The business of pet sitting is flourishing and ... more »

How to Hold a Hamster

By eHow Pets Editor

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Hamsters are fragile, quick, and have sharp teeth, so picking them up and holding them should be done with care. There are several ways you can pick up and hold a hamster. Read on to learn how... more »

How to House a Bearded Dragon

By eHow Pets Editor

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Bearded dragons are excellent pets to have. Originally from Australia, bearded dragons are good-natured, small in size, love attention and are relatively easy to care for. Follow the tips below for housing a bearded dragon... more »

How to Identify an Indian Stick Insect

By eHow Pets Editor

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The Indian Stick Insect is the common name for Carausius morosus. This is a large, hardy species that makes an excellent pet, but a permit is needed to keep them because the Indian Stick Insect is a potential pest. Stick insects are also known as ... more »

How to Increase the Humidity in a Snake Cage

By eHow Pets Editor

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When we think of pet care, the things that we usually think of first are feeding, grooming and medical care for our pets. For all snakes, especially tropical snakes, the humidity level in the cage is also a major consideration. If a pet lives in ... more »

How to Introduce a New Pet Rat to Another Rat

By eHow Pets Editor

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Need to introduce a new rat to another or an existing group? Whether you have cage mates that have been apart for awhile, babies or an older rat, adding a new companion can cause problems as the new rat finds its place in the social structure. ... more »

How to Introduce Chinchillas

By eHow Pets Editor

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Chinchillas are quite sociable creatures and can be housed together in the same cage. Be sure to properly introduce them first in one of the following ways, which involve gradually introducing the smell of the newcomer to the group... more »

How to Keep a Pet Chinchilla

By eHow Pets Editor

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Chinchillas make wonderful pets if you take care of them. Chinchillas require some special care but once you understand how to care for them, it becomes natural to you. Keep your chinchilla happy and healthy and they will be with you for many years... more »

How to Keep a Rabbit Cool in Summer

By eHow Pets Editor

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During the hot summer months people escape the heat by going into air conditioning, finding some shade or jumping into a pool. Your rabbit needs to escape the heat as well, but they require your help to do it. As a pet owner it's up to you to ... more »

How to Know if a Newt is Ill

By eHow Pets Editor

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Newts, like other pets, sometimes have health problems. However, because they are small and often solitary pets, diagnosing an illness can be a little complicated. An official diagnosis should be left to a certified veterinarian, but you can help ... more »

How to Know if a Pet Chipmunk is Ill

By eHow Pets Editor

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A healthy pet chipmunk will be energetic but not frantic. Its coat will be shiny, and its eyes will be bright. To get a pet with the least likelihood of sickness, look for one that has been raised in captivity. If you see the following signs of ... more »

How to Know If a Rabbit is Pregnant

By eHow Pets Editor

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Discovering if your rabbit is pregnant is much easier than people think. Even though a veterinarian can give you a definite answer about this question, there is a way that you can put your suspicions to rest as well. Follow the steps below to ... more »

How to Make a Home Safe for Pet Sugar Gliders

By eHow Pets Editor

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Making a home safe for a pet sugar glider is an essential part of its care requirements. Don't attempt to bring a sugar glider home before you've made your home safe for it. Put extra effort into sugar glider proofing your kitchen, laundry room ... more »

How to Make Your Home Safe for Your Rabbit

By eHow Pets Editor

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Rabbits will chew almost everything in your home, perhaps because their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and they need to gnaw on something to keep the teeth the correct length. Protect your rabbit from dangers like toxic paint, ... more »

How to Play with a Pet Snail

By eHow Pets Editor

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Snails are popular pets that are big hits with kids. However, snails are gentle and delicate creatures that need to be handled with care and respect, even during mutually enjoyable play. Have as much fun with snails as they have with you by ... more »