Pets

While all birds need daily attention in regard to food and water, did you know finches are actually low maintenance birds? Finches are content and at their happiest when left together with friends in their cage to sing, preen each other and play all day. Unlike their bigger, hook billed counter parts, finches don't require the high level of interaction that even parakeets or cockatiels crave . Another big benefit of these small birds is that they tend to chatter and whistle but don't make as much noise as larger, more demanding birds. If you like feathered friends and want to enjoy calming, colorful and cute little birds but don't have time for a larger bird, finches may be right for you!

Fun Facts about Finches: Finches are the largest family of birds yet include some of the smallest birds on Earth!

Although Pet World in Lawrence, Kansas has the largest fish selection in the Midwest, here are just a few of our favorites! Please visit our Pet World Experience Google listing to see photos from inside Pet World.

BETTAS make great pets for anyone with limited space and time! Most male bettas actually thrive while living alone or with only a few companions in relatively small designer tanks. Because of their labyrinth organ these fish can easily live in water without filtration. For new hobbyists who can't commit to a full set up, we recommend a starter bowl of one gallon or more and live plants with the end goal being a 3-15 gallon filtered, heated, fully planted betta aquarium as soon as you have the opportunity to upgrade. Depending on the aquarium or bowl, bettas usually require small, weekly water changes and typically eat once each day or two. These bright, colorful and often active fish make very rewarding pets!

Click here to read about Abe the betta!

Fun Fact about Bettas: Betta fish are believed to be named after an ancient tribe of Asian warriors called the "Bettah" because of their tendency to fight!

AQUATIC FROGS
Completely aquatic frogs, Dwarf Frogs are truly unique pets! Like Betta fish, these frogs are easily kept in small covered spaces but since they come up to the surface to breathe they might jump out of an uncovered home! They can be kept with or without a filter but a small filter will reduce the frequency of water changes. They eat thawed blood worms (purchased frozen) and sinking frog pellets. Dwarf frogs only get about an inch and a half long unlike their cousins the African Clawed frogs who grow up to five inches in length!

Fun Facts about Dwarf Frogs: As they grow, aquatic frogs shed their skin just like reptiles! It comes off transparent white and frogs will often seem distressed (very much like trying to take off a shirt that’s too tight) as they wiggle around to remove it! Also, don't be alarmed, but they often eat their old skin for its valuable nutrients!

Reptiles and arachnids tend to be very low maintenance pets. Most live in moderately sized terrariums, are very quiet, and, unlike a dog, don't need to be taken on walks!

Leopard geckos make a good choice because of their small size. They can live their entire life in a 10 gallon tank. As nocturnal lizards, they don’t require any special lighting because they sleep most of the day. With regular attention, these smart, inquisitive lizards are easy to handle, even for children. (Even though they can lose their tails and grow them back, it’s best to teach children the correct way to pick up and hold their lizards to avoid grabbing their tails.)

Fun Fact about Leopard Geckos: These lizards can actually bark! Although it sounds more like a squeak and they’re more likely to do it when they're babies, even adults will bark when scared or defensive.

Snakes also make excellent pets for a variety of reasons. Like leopard geckos they don’t require any special lighting (except maybe for heat in larger tanks). They eat once a week (which means they typically go to the bathroom only once a week) and their only daily requirements are fresh water (and maybe misting for snakes with high humidity needs). Ball Pythons and Colubrid snakes (Corn, Milk, King and Rat snakes) are some of our most popular because they stay small and very friendly with regular handling!

Fun Fact about Snakes: Snakes don't use their nostrils to smell! Instead they gather particles from the air on their tongue and "smell" by pressing their tongues against a special organ inside their mouths!

Tarantulas are another ideal pet for anyone with a busy lifestyle as they require only small amounts of daily care. Typically they eat 3-4 crickets a week (large adults can eat small rodents once every couple of weeks) and need daily misting for humidity and a small water dish with a sponge in it. With a wide variety in types of tarantulas, Pet World has some that are very friendly and easy to handle and others more ornamental with colorful, brilliant patterns.

Fun Fact about Tarantulas: Unlike spiders, no tarantulas are venomous enough to kill or even cause long term damage in people! (Although it's possible to be allergic to their venom, just like being allergic to bee stings - so it’s important to be careful if you’re ever bitten.)

Hamsters are inquisitive small mammals that make very good pets for a variety of lifestyles. One of the coolest things about hamsters are the variety of habitats available! From bright, colorful habitats with endless possibilities for expansion to simple 10 gallon tanks with plenty of things to run on, hide under and chew up! Hamsters are nocturnal so they won't be upset if you’re busy during the day but will need regular handling throughout the week to insure they’re used to being picked up and held. They spend their nights and evenings being cute and active in their cages and will sometimes make small amounts of noise so whenever possible it’s best they’re kept in family areas of the house.

Fun Fact about Hamsters: Hamsters were named after the German word, "hamstern", which means "to hoard" not only because they store food in their cheeks but because they are also known for hiding food in their burrows and cages!