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Anonymous
Pets I don't understand why people bother with (inb4 "0/10"
"URJUSTATROLL"):

1. Gerbils, mice, rats, hamsters, etc: They shit all over the place. They piss on you when you try to pick them up. They bite when you try to pet them. They never stop chewing. They never show you affection. They sleep all fucking day and keep you up all night. Hate interacting with you, but you can't even see them through their tiny cage to be entertained by them - oh wait, they don't do that either, they're either sleeping or stuffing their faces. Then they proceed to have 300 babies and methodically eat each one.

2. Snakes, lizards: Oh boy a pet that only moves once every half hour! They don't want anything to do with you and would eat you if they were big enough. Only eat the most disgusting things like frozen mice and crickets.

3. Fish: Fun to watch for about 5 minutes and then the novelty is gone. Stupidest pet.

4. Insects and spiders: Gross. Weird.

I honestly don't understand. Pets are meant to be companions. Mice aren't companions. BUGS are not companions. Owning any of these animals is not a rewarding experience like having a dog or even a cat is. Do you guys just like looking at them or something? I just don't understand the appeal.
>> Anonymous
Most pet rats are nothing like what you are talking about.
>> Anonymous
1. I agree with everything except rats. Rats are more like tiny dogs. Who thinks you're the boss rat. Which is cool.

2. Some people find exotic pets interesting to keep.

3. The Spa fishes are fun to have, lol. Get a tank of them and stick your hand (or any other limb, sky, limit) in when you're bored.

4. Refer to 2.
>> Anonymous
Rats are nothing like mice/gerbils/rabbits, etc. They're great fun and act much like a little dog. Granted you can't take them for walks or anything like that but they're definately NOT stupid and tend not to bite randomly like a mice or gerbil would. If a rat is biting you then you've either done something wrong or got an unsocialized rat. If brought up correctly they're quite affectionate and very entertaining.
>> Anonymous
I had a teddy bear hamster once when I was a kid and honestly, it was one of the sweetest pets I've ever had. I took him out of his cage every single day and played with him, sometimes for hours... or he'd sleep and I'd just pet him. He only bit me once the entire 4 years I had him and that was because I was a dumb kid and shoved my finger in his face in a dimly lit room while he was pretty old. I'm guessing he probably couldn't see well and thought I was giving him a treat and om nom nom. I can never get another hamster though because I know it will never be as perfect as Stripes was.
>> Anonymous
I've owned gerbils, hamsters and rats...gerbils and hamsters are kinda more of a pet for a kid. Easy to keep, tolerate some petting, and not a huge burden once the kid gets sick of them and the parent has to take over. So they're not meant to be excellent pets, more of starter pets. I dunno about mice.

But rats are amazing. Don't you read the 3000 rat posts that come through /an/ every day? They're adorable, love being pet and played with, and are actually smart. You can teach them tricks. Rats are definitely a rewarding experience.
>> Anonymous
Snakes, arachnids, and fish aren't pets. They're display animals mostly.
>> Anonymous
>>327753
Hey now what the fuck is wrong with rabbits? You ever get your nose licked by a rabbit while it's standing on it's hind legs?
>> Anonymous
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>>327740
> Pets are meant to be companions

I don't share your opinion and I've never wanted an animal companion.

I have had all kinds of insects and spiders, because I find them interesting.

I have had various rodents too and I find your point 1 exaggerated, even for wild animals. Well ok, it's almost to the point for voles, though. Picture related.
>> Anonymous
Birds suck too.
>> Anonymous
>>327773
Some birds can be cool. But usually they're all batshit insane.
>> Anonymous
>>327756
Cool story bro ;_;
>> Anonymous
People who keep insects are creepy. It's like being two steps away from being a serial rapist.
>> Anonymous
>>327781
Two stesps? We are already in your house dude.

All of us.
>> Anonymous
>>327781

HAHAHA. HA. THERE'S AN ANT COLONY LIVING IN MY URETHA. I HOPE YOU LIKE THE FEELING OF ANTS BITING YOUR RECTUM.
>> Anonymous
>>327784
>>327782
OH SHI-
>> Anonymous
1 Rats are the exception they are very intelligent and I will also stick up for rabbits here because they can be trained and can be a companion

2 I have a snake your right he really doesnt do much he is a show piece but as for lizards ever have a bearded dragon or some leopard geckos they are great they notice you and dont mind being held I know people who carry there bearded dragon around all day they go shopping shit they probably fuck with it on there back

3 Fish are the GREATEST pet there are so many different ones and they all have there own attitude I have a 90 gallon tank with some angels and Bolivan rams and they are always curious as to what im doing and if you do it right you can have it to where everyone interacts and makes a little biome in your house (more with saltwater)

4 I also have a Tarantula not really the greatest pet but she is interesting.

5 Birds suck all around never met a nice one.
>> Anonymous
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Pets aren't necessarily for companion.
I like insects, reptiliand and fish. They're life cycle, appearance, habits etc fascinate me.
It's hours of "fun" for me.
>> Anonymous
Trolling in /an/?

Get a 100 gallon full of african chiclids and you will be far from bored. Their social behavior alone is more interesting than 90% of the crap on TV.
>> Anonymous
You are a troll, because you knew exactly what kind of responses you were going to get. I will reply to you anyway.

You don't understand why people bother with these pets because you either haven't owned any yourself or had a bad experience with one. That doesn't mean they're not worth having.

You don't seem to know shit about rodents, so maybe you should find out something about them before you criticize. I've had rats and mice, and they have both been wonderful companions. They're smart, they're clean, they're affectionate. Rats will love on you like there's no tomorrow and come running when you call their name. They look downright *happy* when they see you. Tell me that's not a worthwhile experience. And they're litter box trained! My mouse, which was just a rescued feeder mouse, rode around in my pocket or would hang out on my shoulder. Mice aren't as affectionate as rats tend to be, but they're still nice.

I kind of agree with you about gerbils and hamsters, but only in general. I know some people have had good experiences with them.

Of course, not all pets have to be companions. Sometimes they're just cool to have. I have a gecko that I feed by hand every day and it's a rewarding experience just to watch her go about her gecko business in my presence.
>> Anonymous
I used to have a gerbil and it was a great pet.
It was really clean and peed only in 1 corner of its cage
When I let him out, he run out 5 feet and then run back to me like a little kid.
I loved that guy
>> Anonymous
Our parents trained us (me and my sisters) how to take care of animals by first giving us fish and rodents. Then we eventually "graduated" to getting a cat. My only regret is that we never got any rats. I've heard a lot of good about them. Then again would I want a pet that is awesome for like a 4 years and then kicks the bucket? No. I want something that could still be around when I'm middle aged.
>> Anonymous
sometimes my goldfish and corydoras catfish provides more amusement than my cat. srsly and my bettas have personality.
>> Anonymous
People who need to cuddle and play with their animals shouldn't keep reptiles at all. They're for display only.
>> Anonymous
I've kept tons of different animals over my life, and my favorites are the ones that aren't normal...

My albino corn snake was adorable! He would slither onto my hand when I'd stick it into the cage, and would crawl all over me.

My rat was found running around a college campus, and was already potty trained, and fairly socialized! Has never bit me except for OMG GIMME FOOD accidents. Once, I had jam on my finger, he bit it, tired to grab and drag it in, realized it was my finger, and then just licked it off. ^_^

I've never liked hamsters... my sisters' always bit me. D=
>> Anonymous
>>327851
One of my rats did that once. I had peanut butter on my finger and he bit it, but I yelped and he jerked back and looked at me, and went back to my finger and started gently licking it. He never did it again.
>> Anonymous
I have two guinea pigs, and they're content to snuggle in my lap and be petted. They're active at all hours and sleep intermittently. If they're in a big enough cage, they're good pets. I used to think they were lazy animals because they were always kept in cages and sometimes even aquariums no bigger than a litter box.
>> Anonymous
I've got snakes. Fish too. The fact is, to each his own. I can see why people love dogs, for instance, but for someone like me, a dog is a bad pet. I don't have the time, or the interest to raise a dog. If someone like me gets a dog, the end result is a neglected, lonely dog. I'm not cruel by any stretch, I just simply don't have room for a dog in my life. Also, im not particularly charmed by an animal that comes up and stares at you whenever you try to eat.

Now snakes.. They just sit in their little cage, peacefully, don't need no attention, so if you dont handle him for a couple weeks, no problems.

And fish are the best pets ever. Whenever i walk into the room my fish see me and most of them go nuts, swimming back and forth against the front of the glass just to get my attention. Maybe they are genuinely happy, PROBABLY they just want to get fed, but the point is not everyone wants the rewarding experience of having a dog or a cat. Some people just want a pet that sits there and cant get loose to annoy you.
>> Anonymous
Fish are the best pets.
I keep guppies. I have a bunch, but one was special. He was a little sunrise guppy, flawless white body with perfect, bright yellow tail. He was as affectionate as a fish could get. They all came to the front of the tank and swam around when they saw me looking, but he never stopped. All he seemed to want was my attention. Every time i was in the room and he saw me, he was there, trying to attract my attention. I really loved that little guy.

Eventually he got the bloat. Their little body swells up violently, they lose their ability to swim very well, and die what has to be a horrible death. He ballooned to twice his size. Even then, barely able to move, in what had to be terrible pain, he swam up to the glass and so pathetically still tried to get my attention. I liked him the best, and he was the only fish i ever intentionally killed. I couldnt stand to see him suffer, and i knew he was a goner anyway. I fished him out and i killed him and i hated it. I know its just a stupid fish to people like you OP, but it tears me up inside to know my little guys last thought, last feeling was probably the shock of being betrayed by me, being murdered by me. and before you say it, YES fish can be that intelligent.

Owning fish can be every bit as rewarding, and heartbreaking as owning a dog.
>> Anonymous
>>327978
I forgot the pic. Just like this but he was so much more vibrant. I actually buried him.
They come in all different colors and patterns, you should try keeping an aquarium sometime OP, its soothing.
>> Anonymous
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.>>327979
DAMNIT.
>> Anonymous
>>327740

1/10 the warning was both the high and low point of your post
>> Anonymous
Damnit guys, now you made me want to have a rat.
>> Anonymous
I've dogs, cats, budgies, mosquito fish, tropical fish and lizards. I have a tank set up for a scorpion, I just have to find a heat source that I like. I hope to eventually get some rats when I find a cage that is both affordable and practical. One day I hope to get a snake when I have a bit more money.

OP strikes me as the type that doesn't park themselves next to an ant nest for an hour or two just to watch. Just because you can't pat something it doesn't mean that it isn't fascinating and enjoyable. Lizards? Brilliant little buggers, I can watch them for hours. Geckos are energetic and frantic. Dragons are just adorable; if I find one when I'm out bush I'll sit there and watch for as long as I can. I swear I once saw one that was over a metre long! Cats and dogs are the best friends you can ever have. Birds are highly interactive and sometimes highly affectionate. If what I've heard of rats is true, then they're a great pet provided you put the time in. About the only pets I haven't enjoyed are my tropical fish, and that's because I kept them in the days of highly erratic and unreliable heaters. After spending months and months getting the tank just right, getting the silver dollars up to a decent size, having the heat pump go and fry the lot- THREE TIMES!- I don't care if modern pumps are a thousand times better, I'm not taking the risk of going through that heartbreak again. And that's the main reason I don't have a tank right now.
>> Anonymous
>>328323cont'd


Having a pet doesn't always mean having a companion. Snakes are the most amazing creatures, living proof that minimalism can be beautiful. Spiders and scorpions? Fucking amazing. Brilliant engineering, body design perfected over a billion years. So are praying mantis'. And you wouldn't believe the complexity of interactions that go on inside a fish tank. You just have to sit and watch for a while.

OP, you need to learn to sit, watch, and appreciate just how fucking awesome ANY animal can be. Just because it doesn't give a fuck about your raging ego and desire to be acknowledged, it doesn't mean that it isn't thoroughly incredible.
>> Anonymous
miniature ponies are so fucking awesome.
>> Anonymous
I think some animals are hobbies and some are "pets". Dogs/cats/rats/ferrets/etc are pets, less interactive things like fish/lizards/insects are hobbies. Personally I LOVE having fish... it's my favorite hobby and has been since I was a kid.
>> Anonymous
>>328366
Our cats used to consider the aquarium more interesting than the TV. We didn't. Nowadays we have just the cats.
>> Anonymous
>1. Gerbils, mice, rats, hamsters, etc: They shit all over the place. They piss on you when you try to pick them up. They bite when you try to pet them. They never stop chewing. They never show you affection. They sleep all fucking day and keep you up all night. Hate interacting with you, but you can't even see them through their tiny cage to be entertained by them - oh wait, they don't do that either, they're either sleeping or stuffing their faces. Then they proceed to have 300 babies and methodically eat each one.

I have mice. I have never been bitten by them, or any mouse for that matter. I also (responsibly) breed them - they have yet to eat their young. The more tame they are, the less likely they are to pee/poop. So mine don't do that either. They also interact with me. I put my hand in my girls cage and I immediately have 4-5 mice running onto my hand and climbing up onto my shoulder to hang out. I have a few boys that will "brux" out of happiness when I rub their cheeks, and close their eyes and absolutely relax.

You need to meet some well-breed, tame and loved small animals before making such sweeping judgments. *Most* small animals in this world are brought into it for the wrong reasons (money!) and with no real care given to them. How much can you expect from some poor mill-critter at your local petstore who has never been shown an ounce of care in its life?

btw, you sound like a troll OP :)
>> ROCKET JOE-LUMBERMOUTH !2vToiPG2ig
I agree on your first point, but only as far as Hamsters and Gerbils. Mice and Rats can make very good pets.

Everything else is STUPID.