Pick a Pocket Pet

There are many types of pets. And many types of pet owners. There is no one 'right' pet for everyone. This is an attempt to help you pick the right pet for you. To see the scientific classification for common pets and others visit the Rodent Family Tree page.

There is a prominent Gerbil breeder with a web page titled "Gerbils vs. Hamsters (Why Gerbils are better then Hamsters)". Interestingly this person has bought Syrians, Campbells Dwarfs and Winter White Dwarfs from me but refuses to edit or remove that page. I have been jokingly accused of corrupting Gerbil people with Hamsters and Hamster people with Gerbils. I have never tried to convince anyone to like a species. I have allowed them to get to know the species in a comfortable environment and answered any questions they have. Proper breeding and early handling make a big difference. The animals sell themselves.

• Crepuscular animals are active day and night taking naps. Their peak activity is at dawn and dusk.
• Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the night.
• Diurnal animals are primarily active during the day.

Measurements are: Length = inches; Weight = grams; Lifespan = years; all other Ages = days (unless otherwise noted). I use grams since it's more accurate with small measurements.

Rats Mice Degus Gerbils Syrian Hamsters Chinese Hamsters Campbells & Winter White Dwarf Hamsters Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters Pygmy Mice Body Length 6 - 10 3½ - 4 10 - 12 3 - 4 6½ - 7 4 - 5 3 - 4 2 2 - 3½ Tail Length 5 - 9 3 - 3½ 5 4 ½ 1 ¼ ⅛ 1 - 2½ Weight 250 - 500 20 - 40 170 - 400 40 - 60 120 - 210 40 - 50 40 - 60 25 - 40 2½ - 12 Lifespan 2 - 2½ 1½ - 2 5 - 8 3 - 5 2 - 4 2 - 3 1½ - 2 3 - 4 3 Species Socializing Colony Colony Mate for Life Mate for Life Solitary Colony Mate for Life Colony Colony Lifestyle Nocturnal Nocturnal Crepuscular Crepuscular Nocturnal Nocturnal Crepuscular Nocturnal Nocturnal Pet Personality Intelligent & human socialites Inquisitive Intelligent & sensitive Curious as cats Inquisitive & willing to cuddle Timid & fast If bred correctly - Feisty Mighty Dog attitude Timid & fast Timid & fast Origins Russia Unknown Chile Mongolia Syria Chinese Siberia, Djungaria, Central Asia China, Mongolia, Russia Africa south of the Sahara Habitat Water ways House Mouse Subtropical shrubs & rocks Deserts Prairie Steppes & Semi deserts Steppes Deserts & Semi deserts Deserts Sexual Maturity 5 weeks 4 weeks 2 - 20 months 8 weeks 5 - 6 weeks 3 months 1½ - 2 months 4½ months 6 weeks Gestation 21 - 23 18 - 24 87 - 89 23 - 43 16 - 18 21 18 - 25 20 - 22 20 - 21 Number of Nipples 10 10 8 8 14 8 8 8 ? Litter Size 12 - 24 5 - 22 4 - 12 1 - 11 1 - 20 4 4 - 8 6 2 - 8 Weaning Age 4 - 6 weeks 21 - 25 5 - 6 weeks 20 - 30 15 - 21 21 20 - 21 19 21 Age to Separate Young weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week weaning plus a week Age Eyes Open 14 12 - 14 birth 14 - 15 14 - 15 14 9 - 10 14 10 Trivia traveled around the world via ships about 500 species of Mice Octodontidae means figure 8 teeth because of their molars Meriones unguiculatus Latin 'clawed warrior' Hamstern German 'to hoard' Known as the Rat-like hamster Campbells Dwarf named after founder & Winter White Dwarf also called Djungarian Named after Roborovsky & Kozlov expedition Smallest of the Mus family

This page was last edited on October 12, 2011