File :-(, x, )
Ferrous_Fellow
hi guys! I just moved to the San Diego area, and it's too darn hot to get a chinchilla. I'm going to be spending a lot of time away from home during the day but was looking to get a pet.

I'm not into the whole aquarium reefer thing, but all i really want is a low maintenance pet with some degree of interaction. any recommendations?

pic unrelated now ):
>> Ferrous_Fellow
help, /an/! please?
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>311514
guinea pig?

>>311516
give the board some time they arent' gonna answer right away
>> Ferrous_Fellow
>>311517
(: thanks. i heard you guys were nice from a friend of mine who only goes to here and /a/.

i wasn't sure how fast you guys post, though.
>> Ferrous_Fellow
still looking for more pet options, though. guinea pigs are too noisy ):.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>311526

noisy? my piggies aren't noisy at all-- just get males, not females! Though i guess they do squeal at you when they want veggies
>> Stabby
Do you not have air conditioning?

If you're away from home most of the day, get a pair of whatever species you decide upon.... unless its a solitary critter like a hamster. A pair of cats, guinea pigs, or rats may be a good choice.
>> Ferrous_Fellow
>>311532
>>311529
no air conditioning, unfortunately... only fans.
oooh...

i didn't even think about getting a pair! hrmm...
>> Stabby
Pairing is essential in your situation. I'd get some male rats if I were you. They fucking own.
>> Anonymous
How about hamsters?
>> Ferrous_Fellow
>>311548
i had a golden hamster before. she was one of my favorite pets... surprisingly loving for a hamster. sometimes she'd come back to me if i'd call her name enough times if she'd get lost in my house. (:

i'm mulling over that.

any recommendations for reptiles? or not reptiles?

so far my list of maybes: golden hamster(s), two guinea pigs, two rats, or a chinchilla and air conditioning.
>> Anonymous
>>311554
>any recommendations for reptiles?

Crested Geckos and Leopard Geckos are extremely popular because they're low-maintenance and docile
>> Anonymous
blue tongue skinks and bearded dragons are really cool lizards. they really know who their owners are, and are actually social and like to be out and about with you. check out www.bluetongueskinks.net and www.beardeddragon.org ....great sites!
>> Ferrous_Fellow
thanks everyone! you're the nicest and most helpful board, ever. so glad you guys are here.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
oops i forgot to add a pic of my baby blue tongue!
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
this is a pic of thier natural habitat,seems pretty rocky and sandy to me,so i dont think where u live is too hot
>> Anonymous
>>311586
The chinchilla lacks the ability to sweat; therefore, if temperatures get above 25°C (80°F), the chinchilla could get overheated and may suffer from heat stroke.... oops my bad :(
>> Ferrous_Fellow
>>311583
that's adorable!
>>311586
>>311590
yeah... that makes me so sad. i've always wanted a chinchilla.
>> Anonymous
>>311586
That's high up in the Andes mountains where it's cool, dork.
>> Anonymous
Turtle. Bearded Dragon maybe?
>> Anonymous
*Some* guinea pigs can be noisy. They start whistling when they hear plastic bags or the refrigerator opening. You can nip this before it gets bad, or train them out of this if it already is, by NOT feeding them when they do that. Most guinea pigs are pretty quiet, they are prey animals, after all, and don't want to draw attention to themselves for fear of getting attacked or eaten. A lot of owners feed them when they whistle, either because they think it's cute or just to get them to be quiet, which of course just reinforces the behaviour.

Rats are great, but make sure you're not allergic to them, and be aware that they leave piddle trails behind them everywhere they go to find their way around.

Always be careful when trying to get two males of any species to live together. They naturally try to compete for territory. If you get two male guinea pigs, get brothers that have been raised together since birth.

Have you considered a bird? Finchs are very small, and they have a quiet little beep instead of the ear-splitting calls of macaws or some others.

Chinchillas need dust baths, so you'll probably want to keep them housed away from your computers.

Tarantulas have padded feet and feel like tiny kittens when they walk on you. There's also salamanders, crabs (hermit crabs too!), or frogs, if you like terrariums. Or an ant farm.

Just note that you might have to pay a pet premium or have difficulty finding an apartment. I didn't think any places existed in California without air conditioning. They even open emergency cooling shelters for the homeless and elderly in the summer, it gets so hot here. You're probably going to want to do something about that.
>> Anonymous
I dont find chincillahs low maintenance... nor guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are just furry mini Pigs... Hamsters slightly less only. Cage cleaning a chore for me.

Best rodent I got before was gerbils. They don't pee so much nor stink. Have not tried rats.

So far my cat has been the lowest maintanence pet. High interaction - esp when hungry.