I want an animal that is in a cage, as my dog does not get there .I’m kind of more mammals because they are too hard. Mainly because I'm studying every day and I have to do chores all night and I have things to do on anything, so I can have an animal that needs a lot of attention.

I thought fish but what if I have to buy the tank, filter, heating, PLUS the fish? I also thought some kind of reptile or amphibian, e.g. - A lizard or a frog ... any advice or thoughts on what I should get?

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savannah cat

A lizard of frog will still need a tank, heating, lighting etc. I'd go with fish - go for a cold water one - then pick up a tank and filter from ebay and buy a goldfish (about £4) or two.

there's also things like stick insects, giant millipedes and giant african snails on the non-mammalian side - or even an ant farm (I find them fascinating)

*shudders*

There are very few animals that don't need much care. Fish tanks will need to be cleaned regularly, frogs etc need to kept in the right environment, even stick insects etc will need to be kept in proper conditions.
I guess you are still living at home and maybe should consider a pet when you have your own place and more time to take care of it. Enjoy your dog

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How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

If you want an animal you have to be prepared to put time and care into it!

I was really busy when I was at university as I worked quite a bit too and I had Chinese hamsters, they're very easy to handle and very very cute. However, lots of pet shops say they can be kept together, they CAN'T! Until they're mature they can but then they will start fighting. They don't require loads of maintenance but still need cleaning, feeding etc.

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huh my chinese hamsters lived quite happily together - used to snuggle up in a ball together at night - all 5 of them. Lived 3.5 years there-abouts with only the odd squabble

Ok mine must have been an exception to the rule!!! it was completly physcotic!!!! it lived alone and if you dared walk in front of the cage it used to shreak/growl at you and launch itself at the bars... god help you if you tried to pick it up!!! it'd have your hand off! My normal hamsters on the other hand where the best!! I had henry who was a golden colour and use to happily sit on my shoulder while i did stuff (think he thought he was a parrot!!) and he loved chocolate buttons, then had Harley who we nick named frankenhamster after his countless deathbed/ reincarnation moments!!! he broke a leg... got over that... had fits... got over those....and lived to a grand age of 4

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I've had a lot of hamsters over the years - some of the dwarfs have lived together happily and others have fought and had to be separated... it all depends on the individual hamsters, but you should always be prepared to separate! Personally I prefer keeping Syrian hamsters which are solitary creatures anyway. Like my lovely Marvin!

I will say that Syrian hamsters make lovely pets. They are fairly low-maintenance though obviously they need food and water every day, and a thorough cage clean-out once a week. This is a good page for learning about them: http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp

They're the only pets I've ever had except the kittens.

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Bonnie and the gang xxx

I don't think any pet would be suitable if you are unable, or unwilling to put in the time, effort and money.

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