Breed: Dwarf Lop and Mini Lop Rabbit Temperament: friendly, docile Cost: from $30 for pets to $90 for show Lifespan: 9 – 10 years Recommended for: families Maintenance: low Appearance Dwarf lops and Mini lops are very similar in appearance, size being the only...
Rex Rabbit Breed: Rex Rabbit Temperament: quiet, intelligent Cost: from $50 for pets to $75 Lifespan: 8 years Recommended for: children over 8 years, older people Maintenance: low Appearance The Rex is classified as a medium sized rabbit weighing around 3kg (7lb). It...
Silkworms Years ago every backyard had a Hills Hoist and a mulberry tree, and most children kept silkworms. These days, according to silkworm breeder (or sericulturist) Bridget Mahoney, silk farming is a lost art. Bridget’s passion for silkworms began almost...
Processionary Caterpillars These hairy, grey caterpillars are the larval stage of the bag shelter moth (Ochrogaster lunifer). During the day groups of 300 or more caterpillars hide together at the base of a food plant (often a wattle or gum tree) in a nest of...
Mice Breed: Mouse Temperament: Curious Maintenance: Medium Lifespan: 2-3 years Cost: $2-$20 Recommended for: 5 years+ Background Although the wide range of pet mice available these days may appear to be completely different from your average brown house mouse, they...
Suffolk Sheep Breed: Suffolk Sheep Temperament: quiet Maintenance: medium Cost: from $100-$200 (ewes); $300-500 (flock rams); $1000-$10,000 (stud rams) Lifespan: 10-14 years Recommended for: hobby farmers History The Suffolk was developed in England by crossing a...
Breed: Australian Scorpions Temperament: varies according to species Cost: $40-$70 (around $140+ for full set-up) Lifespan: 2+ years Recommended for: anyone 12+ Maintenance: low In Australia there are thought to be more than 100 species of scorpion and although they...
Breed: Children’s Python Temperament: placid Maintenance: low Lifespan: 15-20 years Cost: $200-$300 ($1000+ for full set-up) Recommended for: 10+ years Background Snakes have been kept as pets for many thousands of years, although it is not known exactly when...
Breed: Ferret Temperament: playful, active, mischievous Lifespan: 6-10 years Maintenance: medium Recommended for: units, families with school aged children Often regarded as vicious, smelly and a downright pest, the ferret carries an unfortunate and perhaps unfair...
Red-back Without Red Back Red-backs (Latrodectus hasseltii) are usually glossy black, with a distinctive red/orange stripe on the abdomen. However, it is not uncommon to find variations on this pattern. Don came across a red-back without any red on its back at all....