Curious guinea pigs - guide to species-appropriate husbandry

Guinea pigs - How to make them feel good all roundBlurbEverything beginners and real guinea pig fans need to know about keeping and the special needs of these lively rodents.needs of these lively rodents - so that animals and humans feel at home together under one roof.SummaryAll the basics and practical tips from the experts - for happy rodents Guinea pigs are mainly cute, but boring? Not at all! These little South Americans like to go on voyages of discovery and are also really clever. They love company and prove to be real chatterboxes, squeaking and cooing to keep in constant contact with their conspecifics. In the new, completely revised GU Animal Guide to Guinea Pigs, renowned behavioral scientist Dr. Immanuel Birmelin explains what these cute rodents need to feel completely at ease. Whether it's cage equipment, nutrition, care or health: you will learn everything you need to know about keeping guinea pigs in a species-appropriate way in a quick, clear and entertaining way. There are also numerous tips on how to keep the animals moving in an outdoor enclosure in the home, on the balcony or in the garden and provide plenty of variety in your guinea pigs' everyday lives.Sound expert knowledge:Renowned behaviorist Dr. Immanuel Birmelin explains everything you need to know about guinea pigs, their adorable quirks and how to keep and care for them appropriately. Varied activities: With lots of tips for an exciting and healthy guinea pig life - indoors and outdoors. Practical instructions: With easy-to-understand instructions and practical tips, the book helps you to better understand the needs of guinea pigs and provide them with a home in which they feel completely at ease.

Hamsters - How to make them feel good all roundBlurbEverything beginners and hamster fans need to know about keeping these small rodents and their special needs - so that animals and humans feel at home together under one roof Summary So your hamster feels completely at ease. Hamsters are real night owls: they only really come to life when it gets dark. Then they climb, burrow and of course "hamster" for all they're worth. In the new, completely revised GU hamster pet guide, you will learn what your hamster needs to feel completely at ease - how to acclimatize it step by step, what it likes and what keeps it healthy and how to satisfy its strong urge to move. You will find lots of ideas for exciting activities and find out how the hamster house and enclosure should look and be equipped to meet the needs of these small rodents. The guide is rounded off with tried and tested tips on selection and purchase, offspring, illnesses and veterinary emergencies. Behavioral scientist Peter Fritzsche also explains typical animal behavior. You can then test your hamster knowledge in the large online hamster quiz and be well prepared for the arrival of your new pet.Comprehensive hamster care: Find out how to keep your hamster happy and healthy from settling in to species-appropriate keeping.Creative activity ideas: Discover numerous ideas on how to encourage your nocturnal hamster's strong urge to move in a sensible and exciting way.Expert knowledge and practical tips: The guide offers practical tips on selection, care and emergencies as well as an online quiz to test and expand your hamster knowledge.

Dwarf rabbitkeeping, caring for and keeping active from Beck AngelaBlurbPlenty of space to hop around, dig and make hooks, a life in pairs or in a group - that's what makes dwarf rabbits happy. Optimum husbandry, a healthy diet and an understanding of their nature provide security in their daily life together. Many play ideas provide variety and strengthen the relationship between humans and animals. Everything that is important for species-appropriate keeping: from the selection and housing of dwarf rabbits to feeding, care and activity. The plus to the book: the free KOSMOS PLUS app with additional information and films.

The Djungarian dwarf hamsterPhodopus sungorus from Zachrau AndreaBlurbThe Djungarian dwarf hamster is one of the smallest pets in the world and takes hearts by storm with its beady eyes, loyal gaze and soft fur. In this guide, you will learn all about the dwarf hamster's distribution and habitat, as well as everything you need to know about enclosure size, furnishings and food. Read everything you need to know to better understand the behaviour of these small rodents and how to prevent diseases. Summary The Djungarian dwarf hamster is one of the smallest pets in the world and takes hearts by storm with its beady eyes, loyal gaze and soft fur. In this guide by Andrea Zachrau, you will learn about the dwarf hamster's distribution and habitat as well as everything you need to know about enclosure size, furnishings and food. Read everything you need to know to better understand the behaviour of these small rodents and how to prevent diseases. Each volume offers you detailed, practical care instructions and you will find all the information you need to successfully breed your animals. All the important questions, from housing to furnishings, technical equipment, species-appropriate nutrition and disease prevention, are answered with numerous tricks and tips. Experienced, long-standing breeders reveal how you can encourage the animals to reproduce and raise the young in good health, all in full colour, generously illustrated and attractively designed - species by species.

Guinea pigs keeping, caring for and keeping activefrom Beck AngelaBlurbA life in pairs or in a small group, a nice enclosure and daily free run make guinea pigs happy. Optimum husbandry, a healthy diet and an understanding of their nature provide security in their daily life together. A wealth of play ideas provides variety and strengthens the relationship between humans and animals. Everything that is important for species-appropriate keeping: from the selection and housing of guinea pigs to feeding, care and activity. The plus to the book: the free KOSMOS PLUS app with additional information and films.

Can my cat eat daisies? Is it safe if my Wellensitticham Ficus nibbles? Broken down by wild plants, house and garden plants, fodder plants, herbs, poisonous and medicinal plants are described with which pet animals may come into contact. With advice for individual species.

The Persian gerbil book Among the many gerbil species, Persian gerbils are something very special. Their graceful appearance and highly interesting behaviour make the "Persians", as they are affectionately called by many owners, fascinating pets. Due to their curiosity and open-mindedness towards humans, they are also real "heartbreakers" Unfortunately, there is hardly any literature on keeping and breeding these beady-eyed rodents. Author Anne Weber is editor-in-chief of the small mammal specialist magazine RODENTIA and summarises her many years of experience with the care and breeding of "Persians" here. Benefit from her practical tips and detailed husbandry descriptions so that you can enjoy your Persian gerbils right from the start! Contents:Biology,Acquisition,Husbandry,Food and water,Keeping healthy,Fun and games,Offspring

Rodentia 01 - Chinchillas Guinea pigs in the gardenDegus and their relativesSee the most beautiful rats Contents: 2 INTERN 3 EDITORIAL AND ADVISORY BOARD 5 INTERESTING FACTS 11 legal 12 Dates & TIPS 15 MY STORY: Refined guinea pig, by Marion Zeddies 16 PHOTOstory: Chinchillas, by Christian Brüggemann 23 KEEPING AND BREEDING: The keeping of chinchillas, by Anke Suchy 28 REISE: Amy and the chinchillas, by Dr Martina Raffel 34 KEEPING AND BREEDING: Chinchilla colour breeding, by Rebecca Schmidt 38 BIOLOGY: Chinchilla genetics, by Christian Brüggemann 39 POSTER: The Campbell dwarf hamster, by Christian Brüggemann 43 HEIMISCHE TIERWELT: The brown hare gives up the spoons, by Christian Brüggemann 46 REPORTAGE: Guinea pigs in the garden, by Iris Küster 51 KEEPING AND BREEDING: The breeding of Virginia opossums, by Dirk Fußbahn 54 REPORTAGE: See the most beautiful: Rat exhibitions in Germany, by Simone Grigat 58 KEEPING AND BREEDING: Together they are strong: spiny mice, by Frank Böhme & Peter Kneisel 61 KEEPING AND BREEDING: Degus and their relatives, by Sabine Gehrsitz 64 KEEPING AND BREEDING: Persian gerbil, by Michael Herting 66 ZOOLOGISCHE GÄRTEN: The Zoo of Small Mammals: Tierpark Berlin, by Christian Kern 70 SPRECHSTUNDE: Anaesthesia in small rodents and rabbits, by Andreas Küster 73 SCIENCE: What kind of house does the mouse want?, by Lars Lewejohann 76 MAUSKLICK 77 RAT & TAT 78 BOOK REVIEW 80 snickers' wild life: Wild Westphalia, by Christian Brüggemann

Rodentia 78 - Small Animal Doc's Content:With the acquisition of a new home animal always the question about the choice of a competent veterinary surgeon arises. Since not each veterinarian is specialized in rabbits and Nager, small animal owners should inform themselves first, to whom they can turn in the case of an illness of their favorites trustingly. But how do I find a good veterinarian, how do I recognize his qualification? What should be considered before, during and after a visit to the vet? What are the most common questions and problems with rabbits and rodents that come "on the table" at the veterinarian? How does the everyday life of a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary nurse look like in practice? The title theme of the next RODENTIA - Nager & Co. is dedicated to these and other questions.Overweight with guinea pigs, rabbits & CO.: As with dog and cat also with the small domestic animals the number of overweight animals constantly increases. Unfortunately, obesity is not a harmless "blemish", but leads to limited mobility, digestive disorders and other serious illnesses, so that the life expectancy of fat animals is considerably reduced. But how do I know if my animal is overweight? What can I do if my pet is overweight? RODENTIA author Sara Roller will answer all these questions in the next issue.Alternative methods to animal testing: Animal experiments save human lives, say many scientists. Animal experiments are ethically unacceptable, contradict critics. The public splits itself particularly at medical animal experiments, because here it concerns human lives. A considerable number of scientists argue that many new therapies cannot be developed without animal experiments. The question is: Are we really faced with this choice? Do we really have to sacrifice human lives if we decide against exposing laboratory animals to terrible torture? Kerstin Han at RODENTIA - Nager & Co. is investigating these fundamental questions.Play behaviour of rats: Colour rats are extremely curious and playful animals, which explore the unknown through their playing behaviour and have learning experiences. The development of curiosity, play and learning depends not only on the individual, but also on the social situation of the animals and the "environmental enrichment". This means that rats that grow up and live in a richly structured environment are much more explorative and playful than their peers, who are cared for under unstructured conditions. Rat owner Katharina Groß gives insights into the fascinating curiosity, playing and learning behaviour of these rodents.Content:EditorialThings to knowTips and DatestitleThe veterinary profession in Germany. Trends and developments in the field of small animals and petsKathrin Aretz     titleDevelopment of veterinary care for small mammals. More need for specialisationsProf. Dr. Michael Fehr  titleDream jobs with animals. Which "animal" job description suits me best?Sara Roller         titleIn search of the "right" one. How to recognize a competent veterinarianKerstin Han        demeanorThe scared guinea pig. Dealing with fearful contemporariesDr. Marion Reich           Humans and animalsThe other way. How research works without animal suffering Kerstin Han        nutritionWhat's the truth? Grains and seeds in rabbit nutritionViola SchillingernutritionOh, you fat pig! Overweight with guinea pigs, rabbits & Co.Sara RollerpostureFree housing of ferrets. A field reportSabine HumburgnutritionIt works without pellets, too. Five years of near-narture chinchilla nutrition Part 2David KüpferpostureSprightly pensioners. Rabbits in old ageKerstin HandemeanorGenes and behavior. The influence of genetics and epigeneticsDr. Marion Reichservicedemeanor"Rattus ludens." The playing behaviour of colour ratsCatherine GreatmedicineDigestive problems in rabbits. When is it an emergency?Dr. med. vet. Jennifer Nehlsinternet forumspreviewLast but not least Full Pulle PaulaEpisode 13: We at the stationKathrin Aretz

Rodentia 19 - Rabbit nutrition Rats: Breeding and animal welfareFeeding marmosetsSteppe lemmingsLarge poster: Golden hamster Contents: 2 INTERN 3 EXTERNAL 6 THINGS TO KNOW 12 DATES & TIPS 14 PHOTOSTORYRabbit nutritionFrom Christian Ehrlich 19 REPORTSpecies-appropriate nutrition for rabbits –The digestive system and basic feeding principlesBy Jolf Meyer 24 BIOLOGYConsequences of incorrect feeding –Diseases of the digestive organs in rabbits caused by feeding errorsBy Prof Dr Michael Fehr 28 REPORTAGESnacks for rabbits –What is tasty and healthy?From Christina Busch 31 POSTERThe Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus f.dom.)From Christian Ehrlich 35 BIOLOGYSpecies-appropriate feeding of marmosets –Not an easy task for the carer…From Daniel Bürkle 40 REPORTAGEAnimal welfare and breeding?! – The idea of an alternative using the example of rat breedingFrom Simone Grigat 44 KEEPING AND BREEDINGFamiliarisation of chinchillas –So the first time in the new home is not a tortureFrom Daniela Müller 50 BIOLOGYThe steppe lemming (Lagurus lagurus –Legend and truth about a rodent From Ralf Sistermann 53 KEEPING AND BREEDINGFerret colour scienceThe most common colour and pattern variations of the small predators From Christian Ehrlich 56 CLASSIFIED ADS 58 BIOLOGYSmall prey – great varietyPart 2: Distribution and species diversity By Udo Gansloßer 62 REGIONAL GUIDE 64 FRITZYS WORLDPedicure against your willFrom Christian Ehrlich

NTV Life with chinchillas Chinchillas are simply marvellous animals: Their exceptionally dense, soft fur, bushy tail and large ears make them unmistakable. Thanks to this cute appearance and their friendly, inquisitive nature, these lively rodents are becoming increasingly popular as pets. This guide explains the requirements of chinchillas in terms of housing, nutrition, care and reproduction in a clear and easy-to-understand way. A book for anyone who wants to know more! As a long-time chinchilla keeper, author Tatjana Jonca has extensive experience in keeping and breeding these adorable rodents. Habitat and way of life Before buying: What do chinchillas need? All information on species-appropriate keeping: housing, accessories, care The right diet Socialising chinchillas Understanding chinchillas Breeding and genetics All colours at a glance Keeping healthy and diseases Brilliant photos Author: Tatjana Jonca 256 pages 190 colour photos Format: 16.8 x 21.8 cm, softcover

Rodentia 49 - Life behind barsColour mouse. The story of a clever rodentHamsters in distressSocial behaviour of guinea pigsContents:All about guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and co. The cover story focuses on keeping rabbits cage-free: Most rabbits spend the majority of their lives behind cage bars. However, this type of housing does not meet the needs of these animals, which love to move around. Rabbits need plenty of space to run, jump and hide. In order to fulfil these needs, it is possible under certain conditions to keep rabbits cage-free in a part of the home, on the balcony, on the patio or even in the garden. In the next issue of RODENTIA - Nager & Co. you will find out how you can make your home or garden rabbit-friendly and safe."Hamsterhilfe NRW": Emergencies involving unwanted and neglected hamsters are on the increase. However, as the small rodents are neglected in many animal shelters, 26 hamster lovers in North Rhine-Westphalia have joined forces to provide species-appropriate accommodation and placement for surrendered and found animals. RODENTIA editor Kathrin ARETZ visited the "Hamsterhilfe NRW" team and gives an exciting insight into the difficult work of the animal welfare activists.Clever rodents: They come in a variety of colours and have been delighting people for several centuries - coloured mice. But where did it all begin? RODENTIA editor RALF SISTERMANN looks at the history of these small rodents from antiquity to modern times. Social behaviour and communication in guinea pigs: Guinea pigs have complex social behaviour and fascinating vocal and body language. These sociable rodents only feel comfortable in social groups and maintain their contacts through intensive communication. RODENTIA author Dr med. vet.Bernhard LAZARZ explains the sound and body language of the animals and explains how stress affects their social behaviour. 2 Editorial3 Things to know8 tips and dates9 My Story And again and again on Fridays .. by Anne Weber10 Cover story Free-range keeping of rabbits in the garden Animal-friendly outdoor husbandry without wire mesh by Verena Stiess13 City air sets you free Keeping rabbits on the roof terrace by Kathrin Hentzsche16 Cage-free rabbit keeping in the flat A room for rabbits by Sarah Brzoska 18 Keeping rabbits on balconies all year round Compromise between indoor and outdoor keeping by Stefanie Kasimier22 Portrait Mighty coal The cabbage fox gerbil by Ralf Sistermann24 Health Three steps to the recovery of coloured rats Recognising and treating diseases in good time by Frauke Herbrich 28 Reportage Hamster help NRW Active animal welfare for hamsters in need by Kathrin Aretz31 Animal portrait The rosette guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) by Ralf Sistermann35 Homemade Goblins with a passion for climbing The keeping of chipmunks in the Aviary construction by Eva Gärtner-Plückthun38 Biology Mouse with tradition The history of the colour mouse by Britta Suhre41 Homemade A home for ferrets More space and play opportunities for lively predators by Iris Krause44 Behaviour Social behaviour and communication from guinea pigs The basics of sound and body language Dr med. vet. Bernhard Lazarz 48 Health The sick chinchilla Husbandry-related and hereditary diseases with the chinchilla by Manuela Mielke 51 Quiz The squirrel quiz by Nina Droste52 Medicine Digestive disorders in rabbits Part 2: Diarrhoea by Dr Barbara Glöckner, veterinary surgeon54 Consultation hour with Prof Dr Michael Fehr56 Classifieds57 Service59 Internet forums60 readers active62 Preview64 Last but not least Peppi on tour Episode 17: Rabbits without borders by Kathrin Aretz