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The African Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides) is a charming little rodent suitable for those with some mammal-keeping experience…please see Part 1 of this article for more on its care and natural history.

Substrate

Pygmy Mice burrow in the wild – provide yours with 3-4 inches of pine shavings into which they can dig.  They will construct enclosed nests, often shared by several individuals, of dry grass or pet nesting material.

Self-constructed burrows are preferable to plastic caves or nest boxes.  Pygmy Mice have high metabolisms – condensation from respiration can build up on shelter walls, causing a damp, unhealthy situation (this helps them gather water in the wild – please see Part 1). Read More »

The African Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides) is a delightful little creature that is sometimes available in the US pet trade.  Its care differs slightly from that of its giant (by mouse standards!) cousin the House Mouse, but experience with House or Fancy Mice will be very useful should you decide to give these diminutive fellows a try.

Note: Be sure to check local laws before purchasing an exotic rodent, and ask your doctor if there are any health issues to consider.  All animal bites and scratches, however minor, should be attended to by a physician. Read More »

Cat owners quickly notice how closely their pets’ behavior follows that of their wild relatives…in fact, Domestic Cats are classified by many mammalogists as a subspecies of the Wildcat.  Recent research has shed light on the Domestic Cat’s true ancestor and its original time and place of domestication.

Supreme Survivors

Domestic Cats slide seamlessly from indoor to outdoor life, and their adaptability amazes biologists who study feral populations.  Those living in one Australian desert never encounter standing water, yet get along quite well; a group shipwrecked on Marion Island, off the tip of South America, thrives in the shadow of Antarctica – further south than any other non-marine mammal!

Adaptability has helped the 5 subspecies of the Wildcat (Felis sylvestris) to survive in habitats ranging from Chinese deserts to African village outskirts (please see map).

Domestication Theory Overturned

The Near Eastern or African Wildcat (please see photo) has commonly been credited as the ancestor of the Domestic Cat.  Because of its prominence in ancient Egyptian culture, it was believed that Wildcats were the first domesticated there.  Based on archaeological studies, the time of domestication was given as approximately 4,000 years ago. 

The discovery of a 9,500 year-old apparently Domestic Cat in a tomb in Cyprus set the domestication date much further back in time.  Wildcats are not native to Cyprus – the animal is believed to be a Near Eastern Wildcat, taken there by people from Turkey (please see article below).

Wild Ancestor(s)

Each of the 5 Wildcat subspecies – the European, Near Eastern, South African, Central Asian and Chinese Desert – interbreed among themselves and with feral Domestic Cats, so the ancestor of our pets could have been any of these.  Advances in genetic studies, however, has now given us a definitive answer.

Researchers at the US National Cancer Institute and the University of Oxford analyzed DNA from all 5 Wildcat subspecies, and determined that the Near Eastern Wildcat (Felis sylvestris lybica) gave rise to the modern day Domestic Cat, and that the site of original domestication, some 10,000 years ago, was in the area known as the “Fertile Crescent”, in what is now Iraq.

This finding coincides nicely with other evidence.  The cat’s association with people came when grains were first being cultivated and stored…the cat’s prowess as a rodent killer would have made it a welcome guest.  Interestingly, Near Eastern Wildcat kittens are relatively easy to tame and even today they often reside near people and interbreed with Domestic Cats.  Not so with all Wildcats – colleagues of mine contend that the European Wildcat (please see photo) is impossible to tame, even when bottle-raised!

What is a Domestic Cat?

The traditional definition of a species is the ability to mate and produce fertile young – Domestic Cats do so with all Wildcat subspecies.  Many taxonomists, therefore, classify the Domestic Cat as a Wildcat subspecies, Felis sylvestris catus, rather than as a distinct species (F. catus).

The odd appearance of a young Bobcat I once trapped led me to believe that one of its parents was a Domestic Cat, but experts are split on this possibility – more on that in the future.

Further Reading

Leopard Cat/Domestic Cat hybrids are popular pets; read more here.

Discovery of the Oldest Known Pet Cat.

Small Wild Cat Conservation

European Wildcat image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Aconcagua

African Wildcat image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Sonelle

When thinking of house pets, pigs may not immediately come to mind. Most often we associate pigs with kid’s movies, farms, mud, and…bacon. However a few species of domesticated pig have grown in popularity considerably since the 1980’s, when people began to keep for a new kind of house pet. A pet that would be intelligent, affectionate, easy to train, and above all, clean. The new trend would turn heads…Potbelly Pigs! A few weeks ago I saw one of these little critters first hand, on the end of a harness, proudly strutting down the dog toy aisle with his short tail a-waggin’, and I had to stop and gawk. I will admit pigs have always intimidated me because of their large size and loud vocalizations, but after getting to know a few pigs first hand and doing a little reading, I must admit the thought of having one is pretty appealing. Let me share with you a little about the care of the most popular type of pig, the Pot-belly. Read More »

Tigers and other big cats rival Pandas as “conservation darlings”…so much so, that an Africa-based colleague of mine recently commented that she doubted there was “…a single Cheetah alive that had not been radio-collared and filmed chasing down a Gazelle”!  However, 30 of the 37 known cat species are small, secretive creatures that, lacking the glamour of their larger relatives, are disappearing without generating much notice.   The plight of Chinese Desert Cats, Flat Headed Cats, Iriomote Cats, Kodkods and other rare felines should be of concern to all, especially Domestic Cat owners – after all, many taxonomists consider the Domestic Cat to be a mere subspecies of the African Wild Cat, and not a distinct species at all. Read More »

In 1984 a new breed of cat became recognized into the International Cat Association, and since then it has become one of, if not the most popular cat breed in the United States today. I am of course talking about the sleek and stylish Bengal, which is in my opinion the Maserati of cat breeds. Originally crossed from the wild Asian Leopard cat, this cute, adventurous, and sometimes trouble making feline has worked its way into the hearts and homes of cat enthusiasts everywhere, including mine. Detracting from my usual blogs on small animals, I’d like to share with you a little bit about this cat and why I ended up with one.

The genetic make-up of the original Bengal went further than just an average house cat and a wild animal. They share traits with many other breeds including Egyptian Mau, Burmese, Abyssinian, and the American Shorthair. The producer of the Bengal breed was an American named Jean Sudgen, who crossed a black tom cat with a female Asian Leopard cat in the 1960s. From then on, further crossing experiments eventually gave way to the breed we know and love today. The Bengal combines the beautiful patterns of wild cats with the affectionate, adaptable personality of the domesticated cat, giving cat lovers a little taste of the wild with the convenience of being able to keep their pets just like any other house cat. Read More »

I consider myself extremely fortunate in having been able to spend a lifetime working in zoos with animals from all over the world.  However, zoo work is not for everyone – even those who are passionate about wildlife may become frustrated by the lack of opportunities (not to mention the exceedingly low salaries!).  There is, however, a very pleasant alternative for those who wish to be around exotic creatures on a regular basis– volunteering.  Many zoos, aquariums, nature centers and museums accept volunteers, and most provide extensive training.  Read More »

Pygmy Mice, Ground Squirrels, Civets – all sorts of interesting small mammals have found their way into the pet trade and are regularly being bred.  Please see Part I of this article for a look at my favorite, the Flying Squirrel. Today I’d like to introduce several others that I’ve enjoyed keeping and learning about.

Note:Please see Part I of this article for health-related and legal considerations.  Read More »

An amazing array of unusual small mammals have long been bred in captivity and sold within a rather small circle of exotic pet enthusiasts. Some, such as Fennec Foxes and Bennett’s Wallabies, are suitable only for well-experienced keepers with ample room and resources while others, including Servals and Coatimundis, can be downright dangerous and are best enjoyed in zoos or the wild. Today I’d like to introduce an animal that, while not suitable as a “first-time pet”, is a great choice for experienced hobbyists looking to expand their pet-keeping horizons. I’ll cover captive care in greater detail in future articles and move on to Sugar Gliders, Degus, Hedgehogs and Spiny Mice in Part 2.

Note: Be sure to check your state’s laws regarding exotic pets…please write in if you need help in locating this information.

It is imperative that you locate an experienced exotic mammal veterinarian before deciding to keep any of the animals mentioned below. You should also consult with your family doctor regarding any potential health hazards. Read More »

Life as a zookeeper provided me with countless unforgettable experiences.  I place rearing orphaned mammals – creatures I never expected to see up close, much less handle – right at the top of my list.  I’ve had the great fortune to have raised a number of species (i.e. Snow Leopards, Gorillas, Wolves, Red Pandas), but it is the good-natured Capybara that I remember most fondly.

Observations in Venezuela

Largest of the world’s rodents, Capybaras inhabit river edges and flooded grasslands from Panama to northern Argentina.  Quite common on a cattle ranch in the Venezuelan llanos where I was involved in Green Anaconda research (please see Hunting Anacondas in the Venezuelan Llanos), I was able to spend a great deal of time observing them.

Near the ranch buildings, they were quite tame, even wandering through open doors on occasion.  The Capybaras that lived further out on the llanos, however, were entirely different creatures.  Their meat is considered a delicacy, and they have learned to charge headfirst into the water, uttering their strange “barks”, upon sighting people.

A Capybara Ruins my Film…

The Capybara is a highly social animal.  Females are very protective of their

young (I’ve seen them stand between intruders and their litter on many occasions), and the dominant male will try to hold off a threat while his harem flees.

Well, not always…while explaining this very behavior during the filming of a sequence on Capybaras, I was made to look foolish by a male who considered chivalry quite dead.  Approaching a group by boat and with my back to the Capybaras, I rambled on about the male’s soon-to-be-seen valor.  Noticing my colleagues laughing hysterically, I turned to see him disappearing into the brush, leaving his females and offspring unprotected and confused!

Capybaras as “Pets”

Baby Capybaras, or “Chiguires”, as they are known in Venezuela, are often taken in and raised until their care becomes too much of a burden (multiply your Guinea Pig’s droppings a thousand-fold, add the need for a pond, and you’ll see why they are not ideal house pets!).  After that, they are kept at semi-liberty – feeding largely on their own but returning to their adopted families regularly.  On many Venezuelan ranches, Jaguar, Puma, Caiman and Anacondas render life dangerous for a solitary Capybara unschooled in the ways of the wild, and I imagine that some meet their end when they wander too far afield.

I cannot recommend a Capybara as a pet – their teeth are not to be believed, and throughout their range stories persist of hunters and horses killed by bites that severed leg arteries.  And no matter how well adjusted, any wild animal remains wild – those that become very calm are in a sense all the more dangerous, as it is easy to forget that they are not domesticated.  However, cared for in a zoo setting, by well-experienced keepers, Capybaras make ideal animals for use in educational programs.  They are just as responsive as their cousins, the Guinea Pigs, and readily bond to people who care for them…and it’s hard to put into words the looks on the faces of children when a “tame” Capybara enters the classroom!

Learning More

If you are interested in working with wild mammals, consider becoming a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.  Learn more here.

I was surprised to learn that a small population of Capybaras – released pets, no doubt – thrives in northern Florida.  For more info, please see this article.