CHAPTER VI 



SMALL WILD ANIMALS 



Except for the domesticated forms, mammals are not espe- 

 cially popular as pets in this country. In England, on the 

 other hand, interest in these creatures has spread to such 

 an extent that the Amateur Menagerie Club, devoted to fur- 

 thering the interests of this particular branch of pet-keeping, 

 has recently been organized. The reasons for this difference 

 in the public attitude are not easily set forth ; but the fact 

 remains that, with the exception of the commoner monkeys 

 and a few others, small exotic mammals suitable for the 

 amateur are not at all freely imported here. Such as do 

 come are in demand among zoological gardens, and seldom 

 are obtainable by private persons. 



Many of our own native animals, however, make engag- 

 ing pets, and there is no great difficulty in securing speci- 

 mens. It is generally best to obtain young creatures, which, 

 if reared by hand, soon forget their native timidity and 

 become perfectly tame. Even if very young, most mammals 

 are easily reared on the bottle, if reasonable attention be 

 given them. 



Mammals are more easily fed than birds, and since they 

 are less active, generally are happy in comparatively small 

 quarters. On the other hand, their cages must be strongly 

 built, and are not so readily kept clean as are those of birds. 

 No creature should be confined in a cage too small to allow 

 it sufficient exercise. Most of our native species are quite 

 hardy, and out-of-door cages, with suitable shelters, should 

 be provided for them, 



so 



