Lianne's Exotic Pets Blog

Golden geckos are a bit more challenging than some of the other geckos, but can make good pets. They are not the best for handling as they have delicate skin, and they are not as docile as some other geckos (translation: will bite if stressed). However, they are beautiful animals, and as long as you give them tropical conditions they are not terribly difficult to care for compared to some other lizards. Find out more in my care sheet about Golden Geckos.

More Geckos:

• Leopard Geckos
• Guide to Geckos

A reader asked me if hedgehogs could be held or cuddled, and if they were really spiky or furry. I thought this was an interesting question, though it really has several points that need to be addressed. My hedgehog, Genie, was always pretty tame and handling never posed much of a problem, though she sometimes did some huffing and rolling into a ball if she was not in the mood to be touched. However, even at her grumpiest she poked me a few times but never managed to really hurt me, though a cute little hedgehog in full defense mode can be pretty intimidating. Anyway, most hedgehogs will not mind being held, though sometimes a little patience (and training) is required, and they are quite easy to hold. However, not all hedgehogs really enjoy being held, as explained in my answer to the question "Can You Hold or Cuddle a Hedgehog? Are They Spiky?"

Photo of Genie the Hedgehog © Lianne McLeod

Hamsters are definitely born to run. Did you know that hamsters have been reported to run as much as 8 km a night on their wheels? For this reason, it is very important to pick out a good wheel that is safe and comfortable, and also quiet (unless you like to be kept awake by a squeaking wheel during your hamster's nightly marathon). Run-About balls and other out-of-the-cage exercise wheels are also popular, but are not a substitute for a freely accessible wheel in the cage. Find out how to pick a wheel in "Choosing a Hamster Wheel."
If you are curious about just how far your hamster could run, you can measure your hamsters milage by getting a Wodent Wheel equipped with a "Wodometer" (yes, that is really what it is called!)
More About Hamsters: Hamster Care

I just completed an interview with a magazine writer on the topic of "creepy" pets. Though sometimes I find doing interviews difficult, this one was rather fun, and the writer asked some interesting philosophical questions about the general perception of creepy critters. I don't want to give too much away, but the questions really got me thinking. Of course, "creepy" is all in the eye of the beholder; one person may have an extreme phobia about an animal, while another thinks the same animal is a great pet. I do have a list of creepy pets, but it was done in the name of fun and I truly consider the list arbitrary and somewhat unfair to its inhabitants! I think a lot of perceptions and fears about certain "creepy crawlies" are learned as kids growing up a society where some animals are considered cute and lovable and others revolting. What do you think is the best way to get kids to appreciate all forms of life, and stop considering some animals creepy (and perhaps less important)? Use the comments link below to share your thoughts on the topic; later on I'll share some of my comments from the interview.

It can be confusing to read that Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures who must always be kept alone, then go the pet store and see the Syrian hamsters kept in groups. Furthermore, these hamsters are often happily piled in a corner sleeping in peaceful coexistence. The reason for this is mostly related to age, as explained in the answer to this question.

Some people seem to believe that exotic pets, especially reptiles, will be fine if returned to the wild when they become difficult to care for properly. However, releasing pets to the wild is cruel to the pet and potentially disastrous to the ecosystem. Find out more here.

Guinea pigs are excellent family pets, since they are easy to tame, rarely bite, and have generally wonderful personalities. They do need a lot of space, but are not escape artists like some other small animals so large cages can be made at home from readily available and attractive materials. The biggest challenge to their care is their need for vitamin C, which can be met through appropriate diets.
More: Top Guinea Pig Cages available online.

Every so often I hear from someone who ended up with a surprise litter of hamster pups, usually due to getting an already pregnant female from a pet store. So what should you do if you find your hamster has surprised you with a litter of pups? The most important thing is not to unduly disturb the new mom, as discussed in my answer to "My Hamster Had Babies! What Should I Do?"
Suggested Reading

• Hamster Care
• Sexing Hamsters
• Hamster Breeding Data

The Degu (pronounced "Day-goo") is a fairly large rodent (10-12 inches including the tail) native to Chile. They are pretty new in the pet trade but they are quite good pets. They are very social, which means they should ideally live another degu, but their social nature makes them fairly easy to tame and handle too. Unlike some other rodents, they are not nocturnal, which makes them a bit easier to live with. With their friendly nature I imagine they will continue to increase in popularity as pets.
Also See: Choosing a Rodent Pet

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a well recognized and all too common disease of reptiles, and may also be called fibrous osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, and rickets. There is no single cause and the disease is not as simple a calcium deficiency, but the disease is almost always a result of a problem with husbandry. It is preventable by proper diet and husbandry, though, so be sure you are caring for your reptiles properly!
Also See: Reptile Light and Heat
More: Reptiles for Beginners