40 species
Every species we cover
Pick a pet to see its lifespan, adult size, temperament and care level, then read the full guide to housing, diet and health.
Showing 40 species
-
BirdsAfrican Grey Parrot
African greys live 30–50 years, need a pellet-based diet and UVB light to avoid low blood calcium, and are prone to feather-destructive behaviour when bored.
Advanced · 30–50 years -
FishAngelfish
Freshwater angelfish need a tank at least 100 cm (40 in) long, water at 75–86°F (24–30°C), a group of five or more and tankmates too big to swallow.
Intermediate · About 10 years (hobbyist estimate) -
AmphibiansAxolotl
Axolotls need cold, dechlorinated, hard water kept around 60–65°F (15–18°C) and never above about 72°F (22°C), gentle filtration and no swallowable gravel.
Intermediate · 10–15 years -
ReptilesBall Python
Ball pythons need an enclosure as long as the snake, 50–60% humidity, frozen-thawed rodents sized by body weight, and a thermostat on every heat source.
Beginner · 20+ years -
ReptilesBearded Dragon
Bearded dragons need a 48 × 24 × 24 in vivarium, a 100–108°F basking zone, strong UVB and a diet that shifts from insects to greens as they grow.
Intermediate · 10–15+ years -
FishBetta Fish
Bettas need warm water around 75°F (24°C), a heater, a lid, gentle flow and their own space. Males fight. Recommended tank sizes vary widely between sources.
Beginner · 3–5 years -
ReptilesBlue-Tongue Skink
Blue-tongue skinks need a 48 × 30 × 30 in vivarium, deep substrate to burrow in, strong UVB and a diet of about 50–60% animal protein and 40–50% vegetables.
Intermediate · 10–15+ years -
BirdsBudgerigar (Budgie)
Budgies (sold as parakeets in the US) live 5–10 years, do best in pairs or groups, and need pellets rather than seed to avoid obesity, goitre and tumours.
Beginner · 5–10 years -
BirdsCanary
Canaries are hands-off songbirds that live up to 15 years. Males sing best; all need flying room, pellets with fresh greens, and protection from mosquitoes.
Beginner · Up to 15 years -
Small mammalsCapybara
Capybaras weigh up to 174 lb (79 kg), live in groups, need a swimming pool and pasture plus vitamin C, and often need a permit or are banned, so check local law first.
Advanced · Up to about 12 years -
Small mammalsChinchilla
Chinchillas need a cool, dry room that never reaches 80°F (27°C), a daily dust bath instead of water, unlimited hay and at least one chinchilla companion.
Intermediate · 10–20 years -
BirdsCockatiel
Cockatiels are gentle, whistling Australian parrots living 10–14+ years. Single hens often lay eggs nonstop, so light control and a pellet diet matter.
Beginner · 10–14 years (up to 24) -
BirdsCockatoo
Cockatoos live 25–45+ years, scream loudly, shed allergy-triggering powder down, and become hormonal and plucky if petted on the body or left without structure.
Advanced · 25–45 years (larger species 70–80) -
BirdsConure
Conures are playful parrots in two groups: small, relatively quiet Pyrrhura like the green-cheeked, and larger, far louder Aratinga like the sun conure.
Intermediate · Up to 25–30 years -
ReptilesCorn Snake
Corn snakes need a secure vivarium as long as the snake, an 82–86°F basking zone, 40–50% humidity and a thawed mouse every 1–2 weeks. Setup and pitfalls.
Beginner · 10–15 years (record over 30) -
ReptilesCrested Gecko
Crested geckos need a tall vivarium, temperatures at or below about 82°F, misting that dries out between sprays, and a mix of fruit, gecko diet and insects.
Beginner · 15–20 years -
Small mammalsDegu
Degus are daytime, burrowing Chilean rodents prone to diabetes. They need a hay-based, sugar-free diet, a cool, ventilated cage and degu companions.
Intermediate · 5–8 years -
FerretsFerret
Ferrets are carnivores needing meat-based kibble, 2–4 hours of daily play, distemper vaccination and early neutering. They are banned as pets in California.
Advanced · 6–10 years -
BirdsFinch
Zebra and Gouldian finches need a flock, horizontal flight space, indoor UV light and a mostly pellet diet. Gouldians need constant warmth.
Beginner · 5–7 years - Small mammals
Flying Squirrel
Southern flying squirrels are native wildlife, banned as pets in Georgia and permit-only in Indiana. They are nocturnal, social and can carry typhus.
Advanced · About 10 years in captivity (3–5 in the wild) -
GerbilsGerbil
Gerbils need a glass tank with 8–12 in (20–30 cm) of diggable bedding, a same-sex companion and 18–20% protein pellets. Banned as pets in California.
Beginner · 2–4 years -
FishGoldfish
Goldfish can live 25 years and grow past 12 in (30 cm). They need cool, filtered water at 50–70°F (10–21°C) and at least 60 L (16 gal) each, never a bowl.
Beginner · Up to 25 years -
Guinea pigsGuinea Pig
Guinea pigs need daily vitamin C, an 80–90% hay diet, a group of their own kind, and temperatures held between about 63°F and 75°F (17–24°C).
Beginner · 4–8 years -
HamstersHamster
Hamsters need a floor of 39 × 20 in (100 × 50 cm) or more, 10 in (25 cm) of bedding and a solid wheel. Syrians must always live alone.
Beginner · 1.5–3 years -
Small mammalsHedgehog
African pygmy hedgehogs need 75–85°F (24–29°C) to avoid torpor, rationed insectivore kibble, a solid wheel and a solo cage. Illegal in California.
Intermediate · 4–6 years -
InvertebratesHermit Crab
Most land hermit crabs sold as pets are wild-caught and can live for decades. They need humid air, deep substrate for molting, fresh and salt water pools, and spare shells.
Intermediate · Up to 40 years with good care -
ReptilesIguana
Green iguanas reach 3–6 ft, need room-sized housing, 90–100°F basking, daily UVB and a leafy-green diet. Why they suit experienced keepers only.
Advanced · 10–15+ years -
ReptilesLeopard Gecko
Leopard geckos need a warm belly-heat basking zone of 82–86°F, dry air, low-level UVB, gut-loaded insects and a calcium dish. Setup, feeding and pitfalls.
Beginner · 10–20 years -
BirdsLovebird
Lovebirds are small, feisty parrots that need a cage of at least 2 × 2 × 3 ft, a diet of 75–80% pellets, and watching for chronic egg-laying in lone females.
Intermediate · 10–15 years (up to about 20) -
BirdsMacaw
Large macaws live 50–60 years, need a cage of at least 4 × 5 × 5 ft plus daily flight, and eat more fat than other parrots but still need a pellet base.
Advanced · 30–60 years (by size) -
ReptilesMonitor Lizard
Monitor lizards are advanced pets: savannah and water monitors reach about 5 ft and need room-sized housing. Sizes, setup, and the smaller Ackie compared.
Advanced · 10–15 years -
FishOscar Fish
Oscars reach about 13 in (33 cm) and live 10–20 years. They need a very large, heavily filtered tank at 72–77°F (22–25°C) and prepared foods, not feeder fish.
Intermediate · 10–20 years -
BirdsPet Quail
Quail need 12 in (30 cm) of headroom under a soft roof, a littered floor with cover, sensible sex ratios, and gamebird feed matched to their age.
Intermediate · Up to about 6 years -
Small mammalsPet Rat
Pet rats need same-sex companions, a large multi-level cage with solid floors, 66–73°F (19–23°C) and dust-free bedding for their lungs.
Beginner · 2–3 years -
Small mammalsPrairie Dog
Prairie dogs need deep digging bedding, a grass-hay diet, company and an exotics vet. A 2003 monkeypox outbreak halted their US trade until 2008.
Advanced · 8–10 years -
RabbitsRabbit
Rabbits need a bonded companion, a 3 × 2 × 1 m space they can use around the clock, a diet that is 85% hay or grass, vaccinations and neutering.
Intermediate · 8–12 years -
TurtlesRed-Eared Slider Turtle
Red-eared sliders need 10 gallons of water per inch of shell, UVB and a heated basking spot, and live 30–40 years. Setup, Salmonella and legal rules.
Intermediate · 30–40 years -
Small mammalsSugar Glider
Sugar gliders are nocturnal colony marsupials. They need a 50/50 diet of nectar and protein, calcium supplements, a tall cage and at least one companion.
Advanced · 9–12 years -
BirdsSun Conure
Sun conures are among the loudest small parrots and are Endangered in the wild. Buy captive-bred only, and plan for 30+ years of dawn-and-dusk screaming.
Intermediate · Up to 30–35 years -
InvertebratesTarantula
Female tarantulas can live past 30 years, males about 10. New World vs Old World species, setup at 70–85°F (21–29°C), safe feeding and molting.
Beginner · Males up to about 10 years; females 30+ years