Cats are the creatures most commonly associated with magic. We’ve all seen images of a witch sat on her broomstick accompanied by her black cat, the stereotypical familiar. As independent, clever and occasionally nocturnal creatures, maybe it’s not surprising that cats have been linked with witches and maligned by ignorant No-Maj.

 

Ferrets are a lot like cats: independent, curious and mischievous. However, they make great pets, as they’re highly energetic and intelligent. Children especially love ferrets, and if trained properly, they can be the loyal and low-maintenance companion you desire. Keep in mind though that because of their curiosity, your common room should be ferret-proofed. All things that could potentially harm or trap your pet put up and out of reach.

 

Guinea pigs are much more active than hamsters and have a much more expressive personality. Once you get to know your piglet, you’ll be able to tell when he’s happy, sad, mad or excited. Guinea pigs prefer a large open space where they can run around, graze freely and be safe from predators. Guinea pigs also need to be with others of their species, as loneliness tends to set in with these animals, which contributes to depression.

 

While hamsters are fun and active pets, they are nocturnal. If you study long days and return to the common room at night, a hamster might be ideal for you, as a hamster serves as great company in the evening hours. Hamsters are relatively low maintenance and can entertain themselves with a hamster wheel, tubes, and toys. They need a wire cage with a solid bottom to live in that is nicely padded with shavings.

 

Mice are interesting animals to watch, as they’re very active and playful and able to climb robes, run around in tunnels and put on a show for children. However, they are very squeamish and not easy to hold. If you want to buy a small animal to hold and cuddle, you may want to consider buying a rat. Rats are hugely fond of social interaction, and they are highly intelligent, making them great pets for children and adults alike. Without attention, rats can become very depressed, thereby shortening their lifespan. Rats and mice both need ample space, though rats need more than mice. While a large aquarium might work for a mouse, rats need a cage with multiple levels, similar to a hutch you might buy for a hamster.

 

Rabbits are difficult to care for and temperamental. That is not to say that they don’t make great pets—they do!—they are just not the “easy animal” everyone assumes them to be. Rabbits are extremely complex creatures, and they need a very specific environment to be happy. For starters, rabbits cannot be placed in an enclosed hutch and left alone. They need an enclosed space for sleeping and resting, but that space needs to be attached to an outdoor area where they can run around and play safely. Rabbits are also naturally skittish creatures, so they need plenty of coverage to hide from predators, such as cats. Finally, rabbits need a companion of their own kind in order to thrive both physically and emotionally.

Lizards are often the first pet reptile for many folks. They are the closest reptile that looks like a dinosaur, and they don’t carry the innate fear that snakes bring to certain people. Lizards can make magnificent display animals and, depending on the species, can be regularly handled. Recommended beginner-friendly lizards include the Bearded Dragon, Gold-Dust Day Gecko, Leopard Gecko, Crested Gecko, and the Blue Tongue Skink.

 

Snakes are, by nature, typically solitary creatures. They most definitely do not enjoy crowds or loud noises. Because of this solitary nature, it’s usually best to have just one snake per habitat. Try to keep the snake handling to a minimum, as most snakes aren't the touchy-feely type. However, you do need to handle your snake for about five minutes a day, so it is accustomed to human contact. They also love consistency and routine, so stick to the same method for feeding, changing of water, and cleaning the tank. It depends on the species, but most snakes tend to live long lives. Make sure you do your research on the type of snake you want beforehand to determine if you're ready for the time commitment that comes with it. Many experts would recommend the Corn Snake, Ball Python, and Kingsnake as good pet snakes.

 

Turtles may not be cuddly, but they are charming and generally easy to care for if you’re well researched and prepared. Although turtle-care isn’t too tricky, it’s essential that their environment be well maintained. In general, turtles spend most of their lives in the water and thus need an environment that has water to swim in and a place to climb out if they so choose. You’ll likely want a terrarium for your turtle, and it’s better not to skimp on size. These animals require water and land with ample room to explore- the bigger the enclosure, the better. Maintaining your turtle’s environment is very important to stay on top of. The following types are considered ideal for beginning turtle pet parents: Red-Eared Sliders, Painted Turtle, Central American Wood Turtle, African Aquatic Sideneck, Caspian Pond Turtle, Greek Tortoise, and the Russian Tortoise.

With proper care, frogs & toads in captivity are quite long-lived, so be prepared for a long-term commitment. Some people find frogs boring, but some of the smaller frogs are quite active. However, many of the larger frogs are quite sedentary and don't move around much. Frogs are not a pet that should be handled regularly due to their unique, sensitive skin. Make sure you know the right kind of tank your frog will need. A half land and half water environment is probably the trickiest to set up but is also one of the most common types of tank required for frogs. Good frog species for beginners include the Dwarf Frogs, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads, White’s Tree Frogs, African Clawed Frogs, American Green Tree Frogs, and Pacman Frogs.

 

Newts & Salamanders make great pets for their ease of care as well as the many distinctive markings and colorings across different breeds that make them appealing to view. Still, like all amphibians, it does take work to maintain these pets. Salamander diets will vary by type, but most salamanders are carnivores. They eat insects such as roaches, slugs and flies, and even certain types of fish and worms. Common species kept as pets include Fire Salamanders, Spotted Salamanders, Tiger Salamanders, and Axolotls.

Hermit crabs don’t get enough credit as pets, which is a shame, as they are highly active, exciting and social little creatures. While hermit crabs can be great fun for kids—after all, they get to pick out cool new shells as their little friend outgrows hers—they require more commitment than most children are ready for. Hermit crabs can live for up to 30 years when taken care of properly. Proper care includes providing them with an environment with a continuous temperature of 75 degrees. They love humidity, so daily misting is encouraged. They also need sand to dig in, rocks to climb and places to hide out in.

 

The praying mantis is so called because of its long spiked forelegs that are bent as if in prayer. Using these legs, the mantis lunges grabs its prey and holds it while eating it alive. They are predators, living on other insects, even cannibalizing one another at times. Feeding is generally smooth, as they are aggressive and quick to snatch the offered food. Watching them may take a strong stomach, as the prey is alive and struggling through most of the ordeal.

 

Tarantulas are a noiseless creature, and many are quite docile. These pet spiders require very little space and are easy to care for and feed. They can be handled, but they are not a pet you should handle due to the possibility of injuring the spider. If you want a unique and exciting pet, a tarantula would be an excellent choice. They range in size from a fingernail to a dinner plate. In an appropriate size enclosure, the burrowing species will dig and line a hole with webbing. Feeding is entertaining. Drop the cricket or roach in and watch the tarantula dash out and grab it. The largest ones can be fed mice or rats, but it is inadvisable because the rodent might hurt the tarantula.

Sea monkeys are ideal for those who want to look at things moving but not actually care for a live creature. They require hardly any maintenance and only need to be fed growth food every five to seven days. If the water starts to get too cloudy though, you can negate the food for a while longer. Sea monkeys live up to two years, the typical lifespan for small children that want a pet but that doesn’t firmly grasp what owning a pet entails.

 

 

Slugs & Snails make excellent pets as they are easy to keep and need not be taken for a walk. Besides they are also fascinating to observe. Slugs and snails are delicate creatures. Even the snail’s shell is fragile. Handle them gently, if at all. Try all sorts of vegetables, fruits, and plants on your slug or snail. Slugs and snails seem most partial to soft fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, summer squash, and zucchini (sliced); leafy greens like lettuce, mustard greens, and dandelion greens; and fruit like strawberries and peaches. Ornamental plants like hostas, oxalis, and similar are also an option. Different species have different preferences; it’s best to experiment.

Crows & Ravens are brilliant animals and are very difficult to care for, so the decision to care for a corvid should never be made in haste or for the wrong reasons. Behavior-wise, there is not that much of a difference between a crow and a raven. Physically though, the differences add up. Ravens are much larger than crows. A notable difference is a manner in which each bird flies. Ravens love to soar and glide and show off with their aerial acrobatics while crows will never be seen doing dives and somersaults in the air! Crows and Ravens should NOT be confined to cages. If you intend to keep a corvid, it is best to construct an outdoor aviary that is secure and safe for your bird. A caged bird is a bored bird — and corvids require proper mental stimulation. Corvids are omnivorous birds that eat both meat and vegetation. Believe it or not, a good source of food for a corvid is fresh roadkill because they can rend the flesh like they would in the wild! In captivity, crows and ravens should have their meals duplicated to closely represent what they'd eat in their natural habitat, if possible. The key here is variety.

 

Owls have a long history with magic, so it isn’t surprising that they are one of the wizarding world’s most popular creature companions. Owls have often had a reputation for being wise, but there have also been numerous myths portraying them as bringers of death and dark prophecy. So, like the witches and wizards they serve so efficiently in the wizarding world, owls have been the subject of No-Maj superstition. It’s a pity. They run a very efficient postal service.