Saturday, November 7, 2009

Miniature Animals

Falabella miniature horses are intelligent, easily trained pets. They can only be ridden by very small children but can be taught to drive a little cart, if that's your thing.
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Pygmy goats are fun-loving pets that need at least one other goat for company, or even another species such as a horse or donkey.
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Pygmy hedgehogs were last year's must-have pet.
They are similar to a hamster in that they are nocturnal, enjoy exercise wheels and live for three to five years. They are different because they are carnivorous - and prickly.
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Fennec foxes can be kept as pets, believe it or not, and are very sociable creatures.
However, they are extremely boisterous and difficult to train, so inexperienced owners may prefer to stick with a dog.
Micro pigs make brilliant pets - they are intelligent, affectionate, can be house-trained and learn their names. They need a large garden, should be kept in pairs and can live for 18 years
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Miniature mules - a cross between a miniature donkey and a miniature mare - make feisty pets. They are especially popular in America, where they are used for driving and showing.
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Philippine tarsiers used to be kept as pets, but as they need live insects to eat, may spread worms, and often die in captivity, that no longer seems a good idea.
Oh, and they're endangered, so you can't buy one anyway.
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Pygmy leaf chameleons are miniscule, secretive and really good at camouflage, so you probably wouldn't see much of your new pet.
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Pygmy marmosets are popular with zoo visitors - but they're a lot happier scurrying up and down trees in a rainforest.
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These sand cats may look like cute little kitties, but even if you turn up your central heating really high they probably won't like living with you - they prefer the desert (as you might have guessed from the name.)
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