Small Animal

Rat Guide
Latin Name: Rattus norvegicus
Female: Doe Male: Buck Young: Kittens Life Span: 2 - 4 years Litter Size: 6 – 16 kittens Birth Weight: 5 - 7 grams Eyes Open: 10 - 16 days Gestation Period: 20 - 22 days Average Weight: Male 400 - 800 grams; Female 400 - 800 grams Sexual Maturity: Male and Female 6 -10 weeks Weaning Age: 3 - 4 weeks Vaccinations: None required Diet: Omnivorous (average 20 -25 grams/day)

Rabbit Guide
Latin Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
Female: Doe Male: Buck Young: Kittens Life Span: 5 – 10 years (Domesticated Breeds) Litter Size: 4 – 12 kittens Birth Weight: 30 – 80 grams Eyes Open: 10 days Gestation Period: 30 – 33 days Average Weight: Female 1 – 8kg; Male 1 – 5kg Sexual Maturity: 16 – 24 weeks Weaning Age: 4 – 7 weeks Vaccinations: Myxomatosis (every 6 – 12 months) VHD (annually) Diet: Herbivorous (avg. 60 – 70 grams/day)

Mouse Guide
Latin Name: Mus musculus
Female: Doe Male: Buck Young: Pup, Pinkie, Kitten Life Span: 1.5 - 3 years Litter Size: 6 – 12 pups (average 8) Birth Weight: 1 – 1.5 grams Eyes Open: 12 - 14 days Gestation Period: 19 - 21 days Average Weight: Male 20 - 40 grams; Female 25 - 40 grams Sexual Maturity: Male and Female 6 -7 weeks Weaning Age: 3 weeks Vaccinations: None required Diet: Omnivorous

Hamster Guide
Latin Name: Mesocricetus aurantus
Female: Doe Male: Buck Young: Pup Life Span: 1 - 3 years Litter Size: 4 – 12 pups Birth Weight: 2 - 3 grams Eyes Open: 12 – 14 days Gestation Period: 15 - 18 days Average Weight: Male 85 - 130 grams; Female 95 - 150 grams Sexual Maturity: Male 6 – 8 weeks Female 4 weeks Weaning Age: 3 weeks Vaccinations: None required Diet: Omnivorous (avg. 5 – 10 grams/day)

Guinea Pig Guide
Latin Name: Cavia porcullus
Female: Sow Male: Boar Young: Piglets Life Span: 5 – 8 years Litter Size: 1 – 6 piglets Birth Weight: 70 - 100 grams Eyes Open: at birth Gestation Period: 59 - 72 days Average Weight: Male and Female 750-1000 grams Sexual Maturity: 45 – 70 days Weaning Age: 3 weeks Vaccinations: None required Diet: Herbivorous (avg. 30 – 40 grams/day)

Gerbil Guide
Latin Name: Meriones unguiculatus
Female: Doe Male: Buck Young: Pup Life Span: 3 - 5 years Litter Size: 3 – 10 pups Birth Weight: 1 - 3 grams Eyes Open: 17 days Gestation Period: 24 - 26 days Average Weight: Male 60 grams; Female 50 grams Sexual Maturity: Male and Female 10 -12 weeks Weaning Age: 21 – 24 days Vaccinations: None required Diet: Omnivorous (avg. 5 – 10 grams/day)

Ferret Guide
Latin Name: Mustela putorius furo
Female: Jill Male: Hob Young: Kits Life Span: 5 - 11 years Litter Size: 5 – 13 kits (average 8) Birth Weight: 8 - 10 grams Eyes Open: From 4 weeks Gestation Period: 38 - 44 days Average Weight: Male 700 - 2000 grams; Female 600 - 900 grams Sexual Maturity: Male 5 -9 months; Female - Spring after birth Weaning Age: 6 - 8 weeks Vaccinations: Canine Distemper Diet: Carnivorous (average 40 -60 grams/day)

Degu Guide
Latin Name: Octodon degus
Female: Female Male: Male Young: Pup Life Span: 5 - 8 years Litter Size: 1 – 10 pups (average 6 - 7) Birth Weight: 14 grams Eyes Open: at birth Gestation Period: 87 - 93 days Average Weight: Male 170 – 300 grams; Female 170 – 300 grams Sexual Maturity: 3 – 4 months Weaning Age: 4 - 6 weeks Vaccinations: None required Diet: Herbivorous (avg. 30 – 40 grams/day)

Chinchilla Guide
Latin Name: Chinchilla lanigera
Female: Doe Male: Buck Young: Kits Life Span: 10 - 20 years Litter Size: 1 – 6 kits (average 2) Birth Weight: 30 - 40 grams Eyes Open: at birth Gestation Period: 111 - 113 days Average Weight: Male 400 - 500 grams; Female 400 – 600 grams Sexual Maturity: 4 – 12 months (average 8 months) Weaning Age: 8 - 10 weeks Vaccinations: None required Diet: Herbivorous (avg. 30 – 40 grams/day)