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[Aspen and Misty]

My sister is giving me a HUGE tank. Not sure how big but could fit like a dozen rats in there . But, My dad has alreayd odered me a nice big wire cage for them so I have a new huge tank and a very big heart and am considering adopting a new animal. I want something fun. I don't care how much work it is, I'm used to work so a hard to care for animal would be fine. I open to all and any suggestions. I was thinking a hedge hog. But I don't know much about them so I'm on my way to do research. I would like ot hear what ya'll think. I really want a skunk but my dad is refusing. I will have to work on it!

Ash

PS: Thank you in advance to those of you who take the time to post.

[Fuzzy317]

Do I recall that you can have a skunk de-stink? Maybe if thats possible, perhaps your dad would think again?

[Uabassoon]

I don't think you can keep a skunk in a tank. There's really curious and they like to run around, i don't think it would be happy in a tank. It's kind of like having a cat, they need to run around. And yes they can have their glands removed to keep them from spraying. What about a Chinchilla (sp) or a guinea pig?

[Kater]

Some ideas from our very own pets of the day....
http://petoftheday.com/archive/1999/May/08.html
http://petoftheday.com/archive/2000/August/22.html
http://petoftheday.com/archive/2002/November/10.html
http://petoftheday.com/archive/2002/July/07.html
http://petoftheday.com/archive/1999/April/09.html


or snakes...but if you have rats maybe that is sort of a conflict of interests. Some people like 'em, some don't.

....granted I haven't done any research as to whether these creatures fair well in aquariums. I'll let you do that part!

[jenluckenbach]

If you aren't thinking about more rats, then I would like to suggest guinea pigs.

[luckies4me]

First off skunks cannot be kept in a tank! Period! They are very curious critters and they need a huge amount of space, like your whole house, hehe. They usually roam the house and are kept in a kennel at night, like those that you sometimes see kittens in at the petshop, the wire ones. Skunks are VERY hard to take care of. You need to have exactly the proper diet or there is risk of obesity and diabetes. Yes they can be descented and this is usually done before they are sold, while still young. They must also be spayed or neatuered before you purchase one. DO NOT buy an unaltered skunk! Females if not bred when in heat will die, and males become overly agressiv and territorial. Trust me I have had a bunch of skunks and know them all too well. Not a kids pet at all. They need attention 24/7 and you have to always be on guard with these guys. They need a specific diet which is pretty spendy. Do you know how big they get? Most are bigger than cats. Can you imagine keeping a cat in a tank? Not such a good idea.

[luckies4me]

As for degus, these eas easily maintained in an aquarium type setting. However you need to provide a solid running wheel and the tank needs to be more than 15 gallons. A twenty gallon would be sufficient for a pair. They also need to have branches to climb on and chew. They CANNOT have sugar because they cannot digest it, however apples they can have but in moderation. Sugar causes diabetes and also cataracts in degus.
You need to be very careful of their tail because it can be 'skinned" which means if you grab the tail the skin will slip. It will come off exposing the bone, flesh and muscle. You will then need to amputate it.

Hedeghogs also would fair fine in a tank. They need to stay very warm though because if they get too cold they can go into hybernation and die. You must not let your hedgehog get too cold. I provide an undertank heater during the winter time as well as lots of fluff and extra protein such as chicken and ground beef.

Duprasi can also be kept in a tank. Their tails are the same for the degu as well as gerbils, which I would also highly recommend. If you like the more exotic pets, maybe some zebra mice or spiny mice? Sugar gliders would not be a good idea because the need a tall wire cage which allows them to glide, one that can fit plenty of branches.

It is also a good idea that you get same sex pairs and also make sure you check with your local Fish and Wildlife to see whether keeping certain exotics are legal in your area. I would suggest getting the same sex for exotics because you need to be USDA licensed if you live in the US to sell or breed exotic pets.

But yes guinea pigs are also a good idea. What about a rabbit?

[luckies4me]

Chinchillas would not be good either as they need to have stories in the cage to climb.

Here is a pic of one of my degus.

[luckies4me]

Another degu pic.

[luckies4me]

Gerbils

[luckies4me]

Chinchilly Willy

[Desert Arabian]

To me Degus look like little mini Capybaras (sp??), with long tails.

I think I rabbit would be a good critter to keep in a HUGE tank.

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
To me Degus look like little mini Capybaras (sp??), with long tails.

I think I rabbit would be a good critter to keep in a HUGE tank.

They do! Their faces are almost exactly alike, only that they are about five times smaller, hehe.

[luckies4me]

Here is a pic of my guinea pig.

You should get one of these!!!! I love my guinea pigs, they are absolutely the cutest things ever and they love to communicate with you.

[luckies4me]

Forgot the pic lol, Here it is.