Long-tailed Chinchilla
The long tailed chinchilla, also called the Chilean, coastal, or common chinchilla, is one of two species of rodents from the chinchilla family. Chinchillas are best known for their plush, dense silky fur which has been highly prized by humans since the time of the ancient Incas. Some long-tailed chinchillas were brought into captivity in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and today millions of their descendants are bred commercially throughout the world. However, wild chinchilla populations have been decimated by hunting and subsequent trade in their pelts. Their population is declining so rapidly that long tailed chinchillas are currently critically endangered in the wild.
Interaction Level: Moderately Interactive
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Vulnerable Species
Skinny "Hairless" Guinea Pig
The skinny pig, or sometimes called house hippo, is a nearly hairless Guinea pig. Despite common belief skinny pigs are not a "breed" of guinea pig, they are a recessive genetic mutation. Skinny pigs typically have hair on their muzzles, feet, and legs, but are usually hairless over the rest of their bodies. Sometimes pigs are born with a thin covering of fuzzy hair on their backs. These fuzzier versions of skinny pigs are often referred to as "werewolves". Skinnies can come in a variety of colors and patterns, such as Dalmatian, Tortoiseshell, Himalayan and many others. "Skinny" is the term used for hairless guinea pigs to describe the illusion of their visually thinner appearance.The modern Skinny Pig breed originated with a cross between haired guinea pigs and a hairless lab strain. The hairless strain that it is most likely related to was a spontaneous genetic mutation that was first identified in 1978, in a colony of lab guinea pigs. In 1982 skinny pigs were bred for laboratory use and have been commonly used in dermatology studies and research.
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive; Our skinnies can be petted and possibly fed during presentations
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Ferret
Ferrets are affectionate, intelligent small animals that love to play and explore. They are known for their happy, inquisitive nature and humorous behavior. The ferret is a descendant of the European polecat, which is native to western Eurasia and North Africa. It is a common misconception that ferrets are rodents. Ferrets are actually in the Mustelid family which also includes otters, mink, weasels, and polecats. They have been domesticated for over 2,000 years, and have been used to hunting rabbits, vermin control, running cable and wire through small spaces and, of course, companionship.
Diet at Exotic Edventures: A raw diet of fresh meat (chicken), pinkie mice, chicks, and premium dry cat food (high protein/low fat)
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Guinea Pig
Exotic Edventures also has two furry guinea pigs in our pig colonies named Einstein and Gus. All of our guinea pigs (furry and hairless) live together, but we do seperate our males and females to prevent unwanted breeding. Our standard guinea pigs are very soft and are great pet therapy animals when we visit hospitals and retirement homes.
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive; Our skinnies can be petted and possibly fed during presentations
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive; Our skinnies can be petted and possibly fed during presentations
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Norway Rat
Norway rats are commonly referred to as rats, brown rats, and wharf rats. Norway Rats have been present in North America for so long that many people forget they are an invasive animal species. Despite the name, Norway Rats are not native to Europe either. They received their name because they originally arrived in England via Norwegian ships that were returning from Northern China, which is the norway rat's native range. They have been in close association with humans throughout history, following them as stowaways on ships for centuries. They do well both in the wild and in close association with humans.
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive
Audience: Great for all ages
Diet at Exotic Edventures: Oxbow rat food, fruits, vegetables, nuts, pasta, whole grain cereal, and sweet potato
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Syrian Hamster
More Information Coming Soon!
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
Rabbit
Where did the Easter Bunny really come from?
The domestic rabbit that we keep as pets today are decedents of the wild European rabbit. These rabbits likely were first domesticated in the 5th Century by the monks of the Champagne Region in France. Monks were the first to keep rabbits in cages as a readily available food source and the first to experiment with selective breeding for traits such as weight or fur color. Rabbits were introduced to Britain during the 12th Century and during the Middle Ages, the breeding and farming of rabbits for meat and fur became widespread throughout Europe. The selective breeding of European rabbits meant that distinct breeds arose in different regions, and the origins of many old breeds can be traced back several centuries. Domestic rabbits eventually made their way to America and quickly became popular sources of meat, fur, wool, and eventually as companion animals.
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species
The domestic rabbit that we keep as pets today are decedents of the wild European rabbit. These rabbits likely were first domesticated in the 5th Century by the monks of the Champagne Region in France. Monks were the first to keep rabbits in cages as a readily available food source and the first to experiment with selective breeding for traits such as weight or fur color. Rabbits were introduced to Britain during the 12th Century and during the Middle Ages, the breeding and farming of rabbits for meat and fur became widespread throughout Europe. The selective breeding of European rabbits meant that distinct breeds arose in different regions, and the origins of many old breeds can be traced back several centuries. Domestic rabbits eventually made their way to America and quickly became popular sources of meat, fur, wool, and eventually as companion animals.
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive
Audience: Great for all ages
Conservation Status: Domesticated Species