Breeds and species
Rodents
Small, endearing animals for indoor keeping: hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus, gerbils, rats and mice. Discover their species, character and care.
11 animals in this selection Each has a story.
Animal list
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Rodents Degu
Active The degu is a diurnal, extremely social and intelligent rodent from Chile that lives in groups and communicates with a rich repertoire of at least 15 distinct … 6 – 8 yrsSmall -
Rodents Chinchilla
Active The chinchilla is an exceptionally soft, agile nocturnal rodent with the densest fur of any mammal. It is a long-lived, sensitive animal that bathes not in wat… 10 – 20 yrsSmall -
Rodents Roborovski Hamster
BeginnerActive The Roborovski hamster is the smallest and fastest pet hamster – barely 4–5 cm long. It is extremely lively and more for watching than cuddling, a delight for … 3 – 4 yrsMini -
Rodents Syrian Hamster
Beginner The Syrian or golden hamster is the largest and most popular pet hamster. A solitary nocturnal animal with an endearing look, it becomes trusting with gentle h… 2 – 3 yrsMini -
Rodents Fancy Rat
BeginnerActive The fancy rat is regarded as one of the most intelligent and affectionate small pets. It is a clean, extremely social and trainable animal that recognises its … 2 – 3 yrsSmall -
Rodents Chinese Hamster
The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) is a small rodent native to northern China and Mongolia that, despite appearances, is not a dwarf hamster but its own … 2 – 3 yrsMini -
Rodents Guinea Pig
Beginner The guinea pig is a friendly, sociable rodent that vocalises loudly and recognises its keepers. As a strongly social animal, it should never be kept alone – it… 5 – 8 yrsSmall -
Rodents Winter White Dwarf Hamster
BeginnerActive The Winter White or Siberian dwarf hamster is a small, stocky hamster with a dark dorsal stripe that can fade to white in winter. It is more social than the Sy… 1 – 2 yrsMini -
Rodents Mongolian Gerbil
BeginnerActive The Mongolian gerbil is a clean, nearly odourless, daytime-active rodent that lives in company and digs burrows with passion. Its curious, tame nature makes it… 3 – 4 yrsMini -
Rodents Fancy Mouse
BeginnerActive The fancy mouse is a tiny, lively, curious rodent that is mainly for watching. It is strongly social – females live very well in groups – but needs patient tam… 1 – 3 yrsMini -
Rodents Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
BeginnerActive Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) is a dwarf hamster from the steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia, usually sold in pet shops simply as a Russi… 2 – 3 yrsMini
Showing 11 of 11
All animals in this selection are shown.
Which rodent should you choose?
Do not choose by appearance alone. Temperament, size, activity level and daily care needs matter just as much.
Think about how much time you can spend on grooming, training, play and companionship. Beginners often do best with breeds whose needs are clear and manageable.
Be careful with broad health claims: some breeds may be more prone to certain issues, so speak with a veterinarian or a responsible breeder.
Frequently asked questions
Which rodent suits children best?
The guinea pig is the largest, calmest and least likely to bite, so it usually suits children better than a hamster.
Are rodents active during the day?
Hamsters and degus are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, while guinea pigs are active by day. This strongly affects how much you will actually see your pet.
How big should the cage be?
Always larger than the packaging suggests. Too little space is the most common cause of stress and repetitive behaviour in rodents.