rat-like animal
Rodents are one of the most diverse groups of mammals on the planet and are popular pets for many reasons. With the exception of capybaras, most rodents are small and many adapt quickly to life in captivity.
Some rodents take on the characteristics of unrelated species, such as the kangaroo-like design of the flying hare and the small deer-like Patagonian mara. This is thanks to convergent evolution, after which there are many similar-looking but unrelated species in the animal kingdom. Here are nine animals that can be kept as pets that look like rodents but aren’t.
9 animals that look like rodents
- African pygmy hedgehog
- skunk
- tenrec
- rabbit
- opossum
- rock hilux
- sugar glider
- Betton
- virginia opossum
1. African pygmy hedgehog
Hedgehogs are very popular in the exotic pet industry because they are relatively easy to keep, not too big, and make interesting pets. Hedgehogs are domestic animals and also come in different color forms. They are said to be a hybrid that recently entered the pet trade in the 1980s and quickly became popular.
These unique animals feature short quills that they use as a defense mechanism. Porcupines are a well-known rodent and some species can be kept as pets. But hedgehogs are completely unrelated to porcupines and other rodents.
2. Skunk
Despite the relative popularity of skunks as exotic pets, many people have a hard time classifying which taxon they belong to, and they don’t fit well-known animal groups that people are familiar with. Many people mistakenly suggest that skunks are rodents because they don’t appear to be. and.
But one look at the dentition should reveal that it’s not a rodent. In fact, these iconic animals are classified, along with the turtle badger, in the family Mephitidae, and Mustelidae. A species of polecat, the zorrilla looks a lot like a skunk, but is distantly related to it.
3. Tenrec
Oddly enough, in addition to not being rodents, these animals look almost identical to hedgehogs, but are a completely unrelated species. Tenrecs are the only furry mammals other than porcupines and hedgehogs in the pet trade. Hedgehogs are classified as insectivores, while tenrecs belong to their own group, Tenrecidae.
This strange species is actually one of the coldest mammals. Tenrecs are not as common as hedgehogs in the pet trade, with hedgehogs priced around $100-$350, while tenrecs cost around $1,000 in the United States.
4. Rabbit
Rabbits, which are sometimes considered exotic pets, are not actually rodents, even though they share the characteristic of life-long incisor teeth. Together with pikas, they are called lagomorphs, but until 1912 they were classified as rodents. The reason is that they have four upper incisors instead of two. However, they are the closest extant relatives of rodents.
5. Opossum
Marsupials are a group of animals that differ significantly in their morphology. Kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, bandicoots, and the extinct Tasmanian tiger are all cousins, no matter how different they look. Opossums are relatively popular small pets that resemble mice and other rodents, but are marsupials. There are other smaller opossums that are less common as pets.
Unlike kangaroos and wallabies, they don’t have pouches, but babies continue to grow in pouches. You can easily tell that opossums are not rodents by looking at their teeth. Instead of the bucktoothed molars characteristic of all rodents, they are lined with sharp, carnivorous teeth. Opossums are capable hunters.
6. Rock Hilux
This animal is arguably the rarest on the list and the least likely to be encountered as a pet, although it is sometimes kept by adventurous exotic pet owners. Rock hyraxes are not cheap animals, and for good reason. Rock hyraxes are the closest extant relatives of elephants and, like their pachyderms, have a very long gestation period.
This is surprising when compared to the very short gestation period of most rodents. Also, they give birth to only one of her offspring at a time, compared to most rodents that give birth to many offspring. Hyraxes have many unique features, such as small “tusks” (like elephants) sticking out of their mouths, cube-shaped feces, and very odd-looking paw pads. Rock hyraxes are not only expensive and difficult to find, they are also more challenging pets.
7. Sugar glider
Sugar gliders are very popular as exotic pets and are widely bred, so they also come in many different color forms. These small pocket pets have an unfortunate (but well-deserved) reputation for being stinky and are often purchased on a whim despite needing more care than many other conventional pets of their size. is often
Sugar gliders resemble flying squirrels, but like sugar gliders, they are marsupials. This is just another shining example of convergent evolution underway. Like flying squirrels, they need a spacious cage so they can maneuver and jump from branch to branch.
8. Betton
This is a very rare species to see as a pet, most of which exist as “animal ambassadors” in animal educator circles, but they are pets anyway. Beton has one important, relatively obscure property. They are endangered in the wild and cannot be sold or brought across state lines due to the Endangered Species Act.
If you want to keep a Beton as a pet, you must purchase it in your state. Betons are shaped like wallabies (or flying hares) and move by hopping on two legs, but resemble mice and other rodents.
9. Virginia Opossum
These native North American rats look a lot like large, white-headed rats, which might sound unnerving to some, but they are actually the only marsupials native to North America, and the environment is beneficial for They prey on “pest” species such as ticks and are one of the few mammals that are resistant to rabies. The teeth look scary, but because they are easy to handle, many people keep these surprisingly friendly animals as pets.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not a substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription or formal, individualized advice from a veterinarian. Animals showing signs or symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2018 Melissa Smith
comment
penny lee sebring From Fort Collins, May 28, 2018:
Very interesting information!
Melissa A. Smith (Author) From New York, May 23, 2018:
Barry Oswold Skunks are relatively popular among exotic mammals. They have their scent glands removed.
Barry Oswold From London on 20th May 2018:
Well, I…can I have a skunk as a pet? I think each one has its own personality!
Melissa A. Smith (Author) From New York, May 20, 2018:
Thanks Larry, yes not for most people.
Peggy Woods From Houston, Texas, May 19, 2018:
We often see wild opossums in our garden. I don’t want these animals as pets. Most of them would probably be much happier to let them roam in the wild. Our only pets were dogs and cats.
Larry W. Fish From Raleigh, May 19, 2018:
Melissa, I can honestly say that my only favorite pet is a rabbit. I used to have rabbits when I was a kid and I still think rabbits are the cutest animals. As for others, not for me.