Pet Environment

Which pet is right for you?

Every animal we cover, side by side: what it costs in the first year and every year after, how much floor space it needs, how much time it takes each day, how long it lives and whether it likes being handled. Filter to what fits your home.

32 of 32 animals. Click a column to sort.

Handling
TarantulaInvertebratesbeginner$90–$231$30–$751 sq ft1–3 min5–25 yrHands-off: best watched
Praying MantisInvertebratesbeginner$150–$319$80–$1750.4 sq ft5–10 min≤1 yrTolerates brief handling
Freshwater ShrimpInvertebratesbeginner$166–$336$38–$770.9 sq ft2–5 min1–2 yrHands-off: best watched
Betta FishFishbeginner$181–$357$40–$850.9 sq ft5–10 min3–5 yrHands-off: best watched
Baby Chicks (Brooder)Backyard Poultrybeginner$235–$564$110–$2358 sq ft15–30 min8–12 yrTolerates brief handling
Hermit CrabInvertebratesintermediate$316–$616$105–$2202.5 sq ft10–20 min10–40 yrHands-off: best watched
GoldfishFishintermediate$316–$656$80–$1554.5 sq ft5–15 min10–20 yrHands-off: best watched
AxolotlAmphibiansintermediate$264–$686$105–$2102.5 sq ft5–15 min10–15 yrHands-off: best watched
GerbilSmall Mammalsbeginner$338–$700$150–$3054.5 sq ft10–25 min2–4 yrTolerates brief handling
HamsterSmall Mammalsbeginner$311–$713$125–$2555.6 sq ft5–15 min2–3 yrTolerates brief handling
QuailBackyard Poultrybeginner$385–$723$225–$3906 sq ft10–20 min2–4 yrTolerates brief handling
Ducklings (Brooder)Backyard Poultryintermediate$379–$760$205–$4108 sq ft25–45 min8–12 yrTolerates brief handling
Pet RatSmall Mammalsbeginner$401–$839$180–$3603.8 sq ft60–120 min2–3 yrEnjoys handling
African Pygmy HedgehogSmall Mammalsintermediate$418–$854$160–$3256 sq ft15–30 min3–6 yrTolerates brief handling
Pacman FrogAmphibiansbeginner$490–$909$205–$4103 sq ft5–15 min10–15 yrHands-off: best watched
Leopard GeckoReptilesbeginner$509–$928$140–$3004.5 sq ft5–15 min15–20 yrTolerates brief handling
Corn SnakeReptilesbeginner$569–$974$105–$2208 sq ft5–10 min15–25 yrTolerates brief handling
Budgie (Parakeet)Birdsbeginner$457–$985$270–$5603.8 sq ft30–60 min8–12 yrTolerates brief handling
Crested GeckoReptilesbeginner$568–$1,058$140–$2852.3 sq ft5–15 min15–20 yrTolerates brief handling
Russian TortoiseReptilesbeginner$590–$1,167$235–$4608 sq ft10–20 min40–50 yrHands-off: best watched
LovebirdBirdsintermediate$569–$1,180$360–$7206 sq ft60–120 min10–15 yrEnjoys handling
Ball PythonReptilesbeginner$626–$1,195$135–$3058 sq ft5–10 min20–30 yrTolerates brief handling
ChinchillaSmall Mammalsintermediate$593–$1,230$185–$4206 sq ft15–30 min10–20 yrTolerates brief handling
CockatielBirdsbeginner$588–$1,246$370–$7804 sq ft45–90 min10–20 yrEnjoys handling
Veiled ChameleonReptilesintermediate$607–$1,263$210–$4754 sq ft15–30 min5–8 yrHands-off: best watched
FerretSmall Mammalsintermediate$715–$1,378$340–$6806 sq ft120–240 min6–10 yrEnjoys handling
Sugar GliderSmall Mammalsadvanced$696–$1,430$370–$7504 sq ft120–180 min12–15 yrEnjoys handling
Red-Eared Slider TurtleReptilesintermediate$718–$1,433$165–$3709 sq ft10–20 min20–40 yrHands-off: best watched
RabbitSmall Mammalsintermediate$648–$1,438$470–$1,06016 sq ft30–60 min8–12 yrTolerates brief handling
Bearded DragonReptilesintermediate$828–$1,664$340–$8508 sq ft15–30 min10–15 yrTolerates brief handling
Blue-Tongue SkinkReptilesintermediate$905–$1,825$220–$52012 sq ft5–15 min15–20 yrTolerates brief handling
Sulcata TortoiseReptilesadvanced$918–$2,055$385–$990192 sq ft15–30 min50–80 yrHands-off: best watched

First year = setup essentials plus a year of food and supplies; vet care not included. Floor space is the adult minimum enclosure footprint.