Why is behavior important?

Potential pet owners should fully research the behavior traits of any small animal they are interested in. It's important to know how a particular animal will typically behave with people, especially if children will be handling the pet. If other pets are present in the home, it's equally important to know how a small pet will react to them. Potential owners should always make sure they're choosing a pet that has a "personality" that fits their expectations. Knowing whether an animal is normally friendly and affectionate with children or skittish and reclusive can be extremely important.

How should I expect small animals to behave?

You can expect the most common small pets to have appealing behavior. Mice and rats are curious, friendly, affectionate, and intelligent, making them a lot of fun for pet owners. Hamsters and gerbils are also curious and friendly and are known for making great pets. Guinea pigs have sweet dispositions and rarely bite, which is a big key to their popularity. Rabbits are normally calm and good-natured, but they can become aggressive and kick with their powerful back legs if they feel threatened.

Is the animal nocturnal?

Many small animals are nocturnal, which can lead to disappointment if children are expecting energetic little critters during the day. Mice, rats, chinchillas, hamsters, and rabbits are nocturnal by nature. By contrast, guinea pigs are active during the day and gerbils are active during both the day and night, only sleeping for short periods at a time.