Despite living in SC, you can get a chinchilla. You simply need to provide ample air conditioning for it, as with any other pet. Most pets related to or similar to chinchillas aren't too heat tolerant. Degus fair a little better, but I highly doubt you have your house above 80 degrees. Any pet is safer and healthier when kept inside, as rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits) are prey animals, therefore dinner to the neighborhood cat or hawk or owl flying over your house. I personally love rabbits, but they, too, are sensitive to heat. If you are looking for more information about rabbits, I recommend visiting House Rabbit Society at www.rabbit.org. As for chinchillas, visit www.azeah.com and look for the chinchilla caresheet they have posted online. It is an exotic-only animal hospital and they do a great job of keeping up with current research and of caring for my pets and rescue pets.

Another really fun pet is a rat. They don't have as much difficulty with heat, but still need temperatures that you or I would consider comfortable. They're very intelligent and enjoy human companionship, often "grooming" their human friends and hanging out on shoulders. I highly recommend contacting a rescue for any pet you require, as they often are spayed and neutered prior to adoption and a rescue can help you with any questions you have about your new friend. Visit www.anyratrescue.org for more information about pet rats. And, no, the tail isn't scary, it is used for balance, just like a cat or dog tail.
Source(s):
I am a veterinary technician with 4 year of experience with exotic pets. I am also the director of a rabbit and small mammal rescue (including chinchillas and degus), in Az. www.rascallyrabbitrescue.org

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