Small mammals

Hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, degu, ferret, sugar glider, hedgehog, squirrel, mouse/rat, micro pig, capybara, prairie dog, gerbil and more

Hamster

Syrian (golden), Djungarian (winter white), Roborovski, etc.

Falls into torpor (pseudo-hibernation) below 10°C. Winter heating is a matter of life and death

Manual 50 cases

Rabbit

Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, etc.

Not eating or no droppings for 12 hours is an emergency. GI stasis can be fatal

Manual 50 cases

Guinea pig

English, Abyssinian, Skinny, etc.

Cannot make vitamin C in the body. Daily supplementation is essential

Manual 50 cases

Chinchilla

Standard gray, white, etc.

Heatstroke above 25°C. Round-the-clock air conditioning is non-negotiable

Manual 50 cases

Degu

Agouti, blue, etc.

Feeding sugar causes diabetes and cataracts

Manual 50 cases

Ferret

Marshall, Path Valley and other lines

From age 4, watch for adrenal disease and insulinoma

Manual 50 cases

Sugar glider

Standard gray, white-face, etc.

Stress from being kept alone leads to self-mutilation

Manual 50 cases

Hedgehog

African pygmy hedgehog (four-toed hedgehog)

Keep at 24–29°C. Cold triggers a false hibernation that can be fatal

Manual 50 cases

Squirrels

Chipmunks, ground squirrels (including prairie dogs), etc.

During the fall "tiger period," do not handle bare-handed and minimize contact

Manual 50 cases

Mouse & Rat

Fancy mouse / fancy rat

Tumors and respiratory disease are very common. Palpate the body once a week

Manual 50 cases

Micro pig

Mini pig / micro pig

Keeps growing until age 3–4. Register and line up a vet in advance

Manual 50 cases

Capybara

The world's largest rodent. A pool is essential

Without daily access to water and companions, body and mind break down

Manual 50 cases

Prairie dog

Black-tailed prairie dog (import banned; domestically bred animals only)

Prevent obesity and odontoma. Be ready for the breeding-season personality change

Manual 50 cases

African dormouse

Small nocturnal dormouse

Never grab the tail. Enters torpor below 15°C

Manual 50 cases

Gerbil

Mongolian gerbil

Never grab the tail. Once the skin slips off (tail slip), it does not grow back

Manual 50 cases

Panda mouse

Small black-and-white patterned mouse

Never let the temperature drop below 20°C in winter. Palpate the body once a week

Manual 50 cases

Steppe lemming

Small grassland rodent

Fruit and sugar are strictly forbidden. Hay is the staple; 25°C or above is dangerous

Manual 50 cases

African pygmy mouse

One of the world's smallest mice

Handling is off-limits as a rule. Keep for viewing in a gap-free cage

Manual 50 cases

Giant rabbits

Flemish Giant, French Lop, etc.

Lift only while sitting on the floor, with both arms. Spinal fracture is the number one accident

Manual 50 cases

Mini Rex

A rabbit with a velvet-like coat

Thin fur on the soles; the wrong flooring causes sore hocks

Manual 50 cases

Armadillo

Six-banded armadillo

Keep at 22–28°C, provide a diggable floor and an insect-based diet

Manual 50 cases

Skunk

Striped skunk (most pet individuals are descented)

Obesity shortens life. A low-fat, vegetable-based diet is vital

Manual 50 cases

Masked palm civet

Rescue of injured/sick animals and permitted keeping (Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act)

You cannot keep one you find; contact the prefectural government first

Manual 50 cases

Genet

Common genet (family Viverridae)

Instinctively climbs high. Needs a room sealed up to the ceiling or a large cage

Manual 50 cases

Flying squirrel

Flying squirrel

Southern flying squirrel / Siberian flying squirrel

A rodent, not a sugar glider. Diet and bone health are key

Manual 50 cases

Japanese giant flying squirrel

Rescue of injured/sick individuals and permitted care (Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act)

If you find one, contact the prefectural wildlife office first

Manual 50 cases

Fruit bat

Egyptian fruit bat (Egyptian rousette) and similar species

Never handle bare-handed; wear leather gloves. Needs room to fly and places to hang upside down

Manual 50 cases

Mara

Patagonian mara (family Caviidae)

Never startle it. Panic running leads to fractures and sudden death

Manual 50 cases

Insectivores (other)

Musk shrews and other shrews

Never let food run out. A few hours of hunger can be fatal

Manual 50 cases

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