Finding something to do around campus with your friends can always be a challenge. Go to the gym? Already went. Do homework? Finished. Go to a party? Well it is Tuesday afternoon. Go to the mall? I don’t have a lot of extra money. LET’S GO TO THE PET STORE OR THE POUND AND LOOK AT THE CUTE ANIMALS. So you and the girls pile into the car and make a visit to the local pet store or animal rescue. Finally you find the most adorable Chinchilla you have ever seen in your life and suddenly that money that you don’t have is burning in your pocket. Then you see the rabbits, the reptiles, the hamsters, the puppies and so much more.
You and your roommates decide you have to have one. But which one is for you? This can be a tough decision because all of them will require money, time and lots of love. The lots of love we can provide, but how about the money and time? You know you don’t have time or money for a cat or a dog. So what is left? Well, there are plenty of animals left to choose from!
Here is a list of eight pets that are suitable for a college student:
*NOT ALL APARTMENTS, DORMS, TOWNS, OR STATES WILL LET YOU HAVE THESE ANIMALS. CHECK WITH YOUR LANDLORD AND STATE LAWS*
1. Betta FishAlso called the Siamese fighting fish, betta fish are solitary fish that can live in small bowls with no filtration. They can range anywhere from about 4 to 30 dollars depending on the variety. They live about two years and require a weekly water change adding water conditioner each time and they need to be fed 3-5 pellets every 2-3 days. The entire set up will end up costing around $20-$40.
2. HamstersHamsters are cute little mammals that require only a 10-gallon tank or a wire cage similar in size. Hamsters are nocturnal so they will be wide awake when you are staying up studying. These are creatures that generally do better alone. When they are in pairs they can fight, and even fatally harm one another. A fun fact about these guys is that they can hold twice their weight in food in their cheeks. Hamsters will only live about two years and will run in their exercise wheel all night. Along with a cage and an exercise wheel, they will need an exercise ball, wooden chews to keep their teeth filed down, a bag of food, a food dish, a water bottle and bedding. The whole thing will end up costing around $50. Changing the bed weekly is a must.
3. Guinea PigsGuinea pigs are some of my favorite small mammals. They require a cage that is about 2½ feet long by a foot wide. They are also colony animals and do better in pairs. However, they can do very well alone. They eat pellets and timothy hay to help with digestions. The hay should be the main part of their diet supplemented with the pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition they need a Vitamin C supplement. They need a hide in their cage in along with wooden chews, a water bottle, a food dish and plenty of bedding. Guinea pigs require nail trimmings and brushing. Their setup will cost anywhere from $50-$110. Guinea pigs require spot cleaning with a weekly bedding change OR a bedding change twice a week. They live up to eight years.
4. RabbitsRabbits are one of the cutest small animals. Although they are sweet they have their own language that can be hard to understand. They need a cage that is about 3 feet by 2 feet and need to be let out to run around several times a day. Like guinea pigs, they need their nails clipped, and also feed on rabbit pellets, fruits and vegetables and timothy hay, which should be most of their diet. Some rabbits can shed a lot, which means they need to be brushed and groomed. They need lots of wooden chews to keep their teeth filed and they can be litter box trained. Rabbits are not fond of being picked up, but once they are up they are usually okay. A rabbit setup will be about $90-$150. The rabbit will live up to 10 years if it is healthy and properly maintained.
5. Leopard GeckoLeopard geckos are a desert dwelling lizard that feed on crickets, worms and other small insects. They are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. They will tolerate being held and have quirky little personalities. They only require a 10-gallon tank kept to a temperature of about 85° F. They will also need calcium base sand, a water dish, water conditioner, a heat bulb and a hiding cave. The total setup will cost around $60-$80 dollars. Crickets will need to be bought weekly, usually around 10 cents per cricket and should be fed to the gecko every other day. Spot cleaning will also be required.
6. Ball PythonThe ball python is a snake that only grows to be about 4-5 feet long. They need a 20-gallon tank, with a locked screen lid, a hide, and Cyprus mulch for the bedding. Their temperature should be from about 81-85° F with a hot spot of 90° F. They have a very mild temperament and rarely strike at their owners. They will eat once a week on the same day but the size of the snake is going to determine what it eats. The total cost of the setup will be anywhere from $100-$200 depending on the morph of the snake. Although not typical they can live upwards of 40 years, but usually only live around 10-15. They require frequent spot cleaning.
7. Pet RatsYou may be thinking “ew” or “gross” but pet rats are actually the smartest of all the small animals and are the most affectionate. They are the only small animal that can recognize their owners solely on their face. They require a multi-level cage, a food dish, a water bottle, wooden chew toys, an exercise wheel, a bag of food and bedding. They are a colony animal which means they do better in groups of two or more but can be okay alone with proper attention. They are very happy sitting on your shoulder or in your hoodie. They can be taught a variety of tricks and learn their own names. The entire setup will probably cost you around $50-$80 and they also require a weekly cleaning. They live about 2-3 years.
8. TarantulaTarantulas are easy animals to take care of. They live in a 2½ to 5-gallon tank with a lid. They do best on eco-earth or Cyprus mulch. Most of them will eat crickets however, the bigger ones can eat small rodents. Some tarantulas can be handled, like the rosehair or the pinktoe, while others like a horned baboon or a starburst baboon, should not be held. They need a very small water dish so they do not drown themselves and they need something small to hide under (like a piece of bark). They require clean water every day and will eat 1-2 times every week. The total cost will probably be around $40-$50 depending on the species and they will only live about two years.