A ground squirrel is a cute rodent that is interesting to watch. But keeping the animal at home is associated with certain difficulties. An article on our website, Sobol Doma, will tell you about these difficulties and where to buy a live ground squirrel.
Ground squirrels are small rodents of the squirrel family, poorly suited for keeping in an apartment. These animals need space, which will not be available in a regular cage. Ground squirrels need a large aviary, for which you will have to allocate a whole room. Therefore, before buying a live ground squirrel, think about whether you can provide the rodent with comfortable living conditions.
Care and Keeping of Ground Squirrels
Before buying a ground squirrel, you will have to build an aviary, the dimensions of which should be at least 1.5x1.5 meters. A large amount of bedding made of natural material is necessarily placed in the aviary. Hay or fresh grass can be used as bedding.
The aviary can be organized right on the street; ground squirrels tolerate temperature changes perfectly, and with the onset of cool autumn days, they begin to prepare for hibernation. At this time, the aviary should be insulated and protected from drafts. Ground squirrels will sleep until spring.
Caring for ground squirrels is quite simple: you need to regularly clean the aviary, change the water every day, and feed the pets twice a day with grain mixtures, vegetables, and fruits. In summer, ground squirrels can be given fresh forage grasses: clover, plantain, and dandelion. Rodents also need protein food, such as grasshoppers, crickets, and worms.
A ground squirrel is an animal that you cannot buy at the market or in a regular store. You will have to look for a cattery or buy the animal from a private ad. The first option is better. Yes, you will not be able to buy a ground squirrel at a low price in a cattery, but you will know that the animal is healthy and you will be able to get the most detailed professional consultations on its home keeping.
Can You Keep a Dormouse at Home?
A dormouse is a small rodent of the dormouse family. It will be a better pet than a ground squirrel because it is quickly and easily tamed and willingly makes contact with humans. If you decide to buy a dormouse, the first thing you will need to do is organize suitable housing for it.
A dormouse will need a spacious house with ladders and shelves on which the animal can climb and get the physical activity necessary for its health. You need to organize a place for the animal to retire in the house, and put a feeder and a drinking bowl.
Berries, nuts, fruits, and acorns must be present in the daily diet of a dormouse. That is, the food the animal eats in the wild. Sometimes the pet needs to be treated to live insects, which we advise buying only in stores, and not bringing from the street. It is important not to overfeed the rodent; dormouses are prone to obesity, which leads to health problems.
You can buy a live dormouse in a pet store specializing in the sale of exotic animals. The average price of an individual is from 2 to 8 thousand rubles.