Gerbils are friendly and generally docile pets and come in a variety of colors. Gerbils can sometimes be kept together if they were raised together and the same gender, however some will still fight and will need to be separated. Males should not be kept with females unless they are neutered because they breed readily and have large amounts of babies. Use caution when picking up gerbils because if you hold the end of the tail the skin may come off!
Rats are social, inquisitive animals that make great companions. They very rarely bite so they are often great pets for children. Rats should be kept together in at least a pair although sometimes they may fight and need to be separated whereas spaying and neutering usually helps. Males should not be kept with females unless they are neutered because they breed readily and have large amounts of babies.
African Pygmy Hedgehogs or Four-toed hedgehogs are unique, nocturnal mammals related to shrews and moles. As of December 5, 2015, African Pygmy Hedgehogs have been removed from the restricted wildlife list in Arizona, and can be legally kept as pets. Legal restrictions vary from state; be sure to check with your local laws before pursuing ownership.
Many different species of bird fall into the category classified as waterfowl. Birds that belong to this group are members of the order Anseriformes and include ducks, geese and swans. Similar to chickens these birds have historically been kept for their meat and eggs but have also turned into pets or have been used for ornamental reasons. Ducks and geese have been domesticated and there are many different breeds.
Cockatoos belong to the Psittaciforme order and the family cacatuidae. They originate from Australia and the surrounding islands of the Phillippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. There are about 21 different species in the wild with only a portion of those commonly found in the pet trade. They are often recognized by a crest on the top of their head that they can elevate and lower to show different types of emotions. Cockatoos are variable in color but often are white, pink or black.
Budgerigars, also known as budgies or parakeets, are one of the most common parrots in captivity. Despite their small sizes, these birds pack powerful personalities. Hand-raised budgies can be great companions and many even are very good talkers and mimics. Budgerigars need a lot more care to stay healthy than most people expect. A balanced diets (not just seeds), spacious cages with different heights of perches and different diameter perches, access to ultraviolet-B radiation, and regular baths are needed to stay in peak condition.
Chickens were domesticated from the Red Junglefowl in Asia and are the most common bird kept living amongst people. We have utilized them for centuries for meat and egg production. More recently, people in urban settings have been raising chickens to be closer to their food source and have a better understanding of agriculture. As a result, people are discovering what great pets chickens can make! They are personable, friendly and can even learn tricks.
Known for their intelligence and amazing vocabulary, African grey parrots are a popular pet psittacine. There are two species of African grey parrot. The Congo African grey is the larger of the two and is more well known. It has a completely black beak with bright red tail feathers. The Timneh African grey is the smaller of the two species and has a more pale colored upper beak and darker tail feathers. Due to their extreme intelligence and sociable nature, they require lots of attention from their family and plenty of stimulating activities throughout the day to keep their minds occupied.
Large, beautiful and sociable, the macaws are the typical bird one thinks of when they hear the name “parrot”. They have large beaks, long tails, and can be found in a variety of colors. Originating from South America, macaws include about 19 different species, some of which are extinct or critically endangered. Many different hybrids exist as well in the pet trade and some even in the wild. Zazu, our hospital mascot, is a hybrid known as a Catalina macaw.
