4-H Pet Care Project

What is a pet? A pet is any living thing that lives in your home and depends on you for its survival. Wild animals should not be captured and kept as pets. They are difficult to tame and seldom make suitable pets.

It is your responsibility to learn as much about your pet as possible. Pet stores sell inexpensive books about small animals. Libraries and book stores have books about pets.

Consult your veterinarian on selecting and caring for a pet.

Things you can do in your Pet Project
Juniors
Check

____Own one or more pets.

____Select a suitable pet.

____Properly feed and care for a pet.

____Take part in a pet show.

____Give a visual presentation on pet care.

____Complete a 4-H pet care record.

____Report on leash laws in your community.

____Buy or build a home for a pet.

List other things you have done in the Pet Care project.

____Own one or more pets.

____Properly feed and care for a pet.

____Research and report on benefits of belonging to an organization such as the American Kennel Club.

____Give a visual presentation on pet care.

____Complete a 4-H pet care record.

____Study and report on how to register an animal.

____Tour a pet store

____Have a conference on pets with a local veterinarian.

____Read one or more books on pet care.

____Visit an animal shelter.

____Study careers relating to pets.

____List other things you have done in the Pet Care project.

Things your club can do
Check

____Plan and conduct a pet show.

____Tour pet stores, veterinarian clinics, and animal shelters.

____Conduct a workshop on pet care.

____Plan a vaccination day for pets in your community.

____List other things your club did.

Birds

Birds have been popular family pets since ancient times because of their beauty and singing ability. There are more than 9,000 species.

A bird has built-in air conditioning. Its body has air sacs, or pockets, and some hollow bones. The lungs pump cool air into the hollow bones and air pockets. The hollow bones also make birds lighter so they can fly easier.

Parakeets and other parrots are the most popular talking birds. The canary is noted for its singing. Finches, which are smaller than canaries and parakeets, are noted for their constant activity.

Birds at a Glance

Choosing a Bird
Start with a popular pet breed, such as parakeets, canaries, finches, or parrots.

Shelter
Roomy, rectangular cages, metal or wooden, with removable pan.

Equipment Needed

• Several hardwood perches of varying thicknesses.
• A hooded feeding and watering cup.
• Commercial bird gravel may be used to cover floor of cage.

Handling
Birds don't like handling (except parakeets and parrot family).

Teaching Parakeets To Talk
The first step is to have a healthy, alert bird. Let the bird become accustomed to his new home and companion. Start with one word at a time, such as "hello," and do not progress until he has mastered it. Use a high pitched voice and work for only about 15 minutes at a time. List words your parakeet can say:

Breeding
Parakeets and canaries will breed in captivity. All you need to get started is a pair of unrelated birds.

The cage should be about 16 x 18 x 36 inches or larger, with a nest box in one corner. After breeding, the female bird will lay one egg every other day. The average clutch (nest of eggs) is about six eggs. Do not remove unhatched eggs until 10 days after the first bird hatches. Eggs will hatch in 12 to 30 days; it varies by breeds. Both the father and mother birds help feed and care for the young. Do not handle young birds until they are about three weeks old.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Buy small amounts so it will stay fresh. Throw away leftover seeds. Provide clean water daily.

Feeding Time
Feed at about the same time each day.

Kind of Feed
Commercial bird food designed for your bird.

Taking Care of Your Bird

Common Ailments
Colds, intestinal ailments, lice, mites, ticks, molt, psittacosis

Health Care

• Feed a balanced diet.
• Keep cage clean and away from drafts.
• Trim nails occasionally.
• Use recommended powder for mites, etc.
• In case of diarrhea, constipation, listlessness, no appetite, closed eyes, or ruffled feathers, consult your veterinarian.

Length of Life

• 5 to 50 years; varies by breeds.

Cats

Cats are relatives of lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. They have been idolized as gods, thought to be companions of witches, and believed to bring bad luck to humans. Despite these old tales, the cat is one of our most loved pets.

As a pet, he earns his keep. He is the supreme catcher of rats and mice. Each year the cat saves millions of dollars worth of food rodents would destroy.

Cats at a Glance

Choosing a Pet Cat
Select from the following: long-haired -- Persian or Angora; short-haired -- Abyssinian or domestic short-haired; special short-haired -- Manx, Siamese or Burmese.

Shelter
A box or basket elevated two or three inches above the floor. Furnish with a washable pad or cushion.

Equipment

• Scratching post for indoor cats
• Small ball, spool, string, or rubber mouse

Housebreaking
Cats that get outdoors regularly during the day do not need to be pan-trained. If pan training is needed, use a sanitary pan made of rustless metal, enamel, rubber, or plastic. Fill the pan with earth, sand, sawdust, or commercial cat letter. Clean the pan once a day with water and an unscented soap. Keep the pan in a secluded location.

It is easy to pan-train a kitten. Just place him on the pan after every meal, nap, or play.

Breeding
If you plan to keep a mature male cat for a pet, you may want to have him castrated at five or six months of age. This will insure a gentle and reliable pet.

You may have a female cat spayed by a veterinarian. If you breed her, handle her as little as possible. Before the kittens are born, provide her with a comfortable box in a dark, secluded place.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed kittens four times a day. Feed adults twice a day. Provide clean water daily.

Feeding Time
Feed at about the same time and same place.

Kind of Feed
Canned or dry food (may add meat, either raw or cooked; always cook fish).

Taking Care of Your cat

Common Ailments
Worms, distemper, enteritis, hairball, bladder trouble, pneumonia, skin disorders

Health Care

• Use a recommended preparation for external parasites.
• Consult your veterinarian when your cat is sick.
• Comb and brush your cat daily.
• Immunize for distemper.

Period of Gestation
55-65 days

Length of Life
Up to 15 years

Mice

If you have limited space and need a good 4-H project, a mouse might be your answer. Mice are rodents. They are rapidly becoming a popular "pocket pet," because they are smart, easy to tame, come in many assorted colors, cost little to feed, require a small amount of space, and are fun to watch.

Domesticated mice have been valuable to our society for psychological, biological, medical, and nutritional research studies. People who have cared for and observed these intelligent animals have come to love them.

Mice need to be handled every day, if possible, or at least three or four times a week.

Mice at a Glance

Choosing Pet Mice
Select one that is alert, active, has bright eyes, and smooth, shiny hair.

Shelter

• Metal or wooden cage with removable, easy-to-clean pan. Only equipment needed is exercise wheel.

Training

• Can be handled but are easily frightened. Usually cannot housebreak mice.

Breeding

• Mice breed at any season.
• They will reed at 2 to 3 months of age.
• Gestation period is about 21 days.
• Average litter of 6 to 10 babies.
• Separate pregnant females.
• Separate male from litter until babies are 3 weeks old.
• Feed pregnant animals plenty of milk through a gravity flow dispenser.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed only the amount they will eat each day.

Water
Provide water daily in a gravity flow bottle.

Feeding Time
At the same time each day. Feed perishable foods at night an remove the next morning.

Kind of Feed
Dry dog food is a balanced diet. May also feed grain, seed, and vegetables.

Taking Care of Your Mice

Common Ailments
Colds, fungus, fleas, lice, cuts from fights

Health Care

• Cleanliness is a must.
• Isolate sick animals.
• Use cat flea powder for lice, fleas, and mites.
• For cuts or bites, use a medicated ointment for cats.
• Feed a proper diet.
• No immunization is necessary.

Length of Life
Three to four years

Gerbils

What weighs about three ounces, eats one tablespoon of food a day, can go for months without water, and never stops growing?

It's a gerbil, one of America's favorite "pocket pets." Gerbils were introduced to the United States in 1954 from the deserts and sand wastes of Asia and Africa. They make good pets.

Gerbils at a Glance

Choosing a Gerbil
Look for bright, shiny eyes, perked up ears, slick hair coat.

Shelter

• Old aquarium or a small metal cage

Equipment

• Litter for cage, piece of burlap sack for bed
• Exercise wheel

Training
Gerbils are monogamous; they have only one mate at a time. If one mate dies, it is best to separate the new mates with a wire partition until they become accustomed to each other's smell.

Breeding Facts

1. Gestation period, 24 to 25 days.
2. Litter averages about five babies.
3. At three weeks of age, they will begin eating solid foods.
4. Eyes will open within three weeks.
5. Mother will wean babies at six weeks of age.
6. Mature at three months of age.
7. Will begin pairing off at two to three months of age.

Some Don'ts

1. Don't disturb mother or babies the first week.
2. Don't touch babies until their eyes are open.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
For each gerbil, feed one tablespoon of food.

Water
Provide clean water daily in a gravity flow bottle.

Feeding Time
Feed once each day.

Kind of Feed
Use a commercial gerbil food. May also feed grain, seeds, and vegetables.

Taking Care of Your Gerbil

Common Ailments
A healthy animal -- not prone to disease

Health Care

• Feed a balanced diet.
• Provide a dry cage.
• Isolate sick pets.
• Use insecticide powder recommended for cats to control lice and fleas.
• Keep room temperature 50-80 °F.

Length of Life
Three to four years

Hamsters

The hamster, a member of the rodent family, is related to mice, rats, and squirrels. It looks like a miniature bear. When fully grown, the hamster weighs about 4 ounces and measures about 6 inches from the tip of its nose to its stubby tail.

The best hamster is a healthy young animal you can train yourself. Older animals may have been mistreated. Sometimes they are ill-tempered and hard to handle.

Determining the age of the hamster is fairly easy. The inside of the ears of a young hamster is covered with tiny hairs. As the animal grows older, these hairs gradually disappear until the ears are hairless and shiny.

Males seem to make nicer pets because of their temperaments. As they grow older, they remain tame and in a good mood. Females grow less friendly and may become snappy.
There are a few things to remember:

1. Never pick up your hamster until he is fully awake. The hamster is a deep sleeper and nearsighted. If alarmed, it may bite your finger.
2. Never leave your hamster alone on a high place. It cannot judge distance and may walk off in air.
3. Never tease or frighten your hamster.

Hamsters at a Glance

Choosing a Hamster
Select one that is alert, active, has bright eyes, and smooth, shiny hair.

Shelter

• Small metal cage with solid bottom. Newspaper and sawdust for bedding

Equipment

• Exercise wheel

Training
Can be handled and are tame, timid, and curious.

Breeding
General facts about breeding hamster:

1. The gestation period of a hamster is 16 days.
2. The mother has three to twelve babies.
3. After one week, the mother can breed again.
4. Two months after baby hamsters are born, they become sexually mature.
5. One pair of hamsters can produce 36 to 144 hamsters in one year.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed 1/2 ounce of food each day.

Water
Provide water daily in a gravity flow bottle.

Feeding Time
Your hamster will store food in his cheek pouches and in corner of cages. Remove excess food.

Kind of Feed
Use a commercial hamster food. Natural food for hamster is grain, seeds, and vegetables.

Taking Care of Your Hamster

Common Ailments
Usually a healthy animal is not prone to disease.

Health Care

• Feed a balanced diet.
• Provide dry cage.
• Isolate sick pets.
• Use insecticide powder recommended for cats to control lice and fleas.
• Keep room temperature 50-80 °F.
• No immunization is necessary.

Length of Life
Three to four years

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are good pets if you like small animals. They are clean animals, with no unusually bad odor. If you care for guinea pigs properly, you may handle them and pet them without any problem.

The guinea pig is not related to the pig. There are three major breeds of guinea pigs. All have a blunt nose, short ears, four toes on the front feet, three toes on the hind feet, and no tail. All three breeds, American Cavy, Abyssinian Cavy, and Peruvian Cavy, make good pets. The American Cavy is the most popular and easiest to care for.

Handling
Be sure to handle your guinea pig gently. It is extremely nervous when picked up. Hold it in the palm of your hand snugly and stroke it to gain its confidence. Once the guinea pig trusts you it will give you many hours of happiness.

Guinea Pigs at a Glance

Choosing a Guinea Pig
Select one that is alert, active, has bright eyes, and smooth shiny hair.

Shelter

• An old bird cage or any cage that is ventilated.
• No special equipment is needed.

Training
Can be handled and are gentle, timid, and curious.

Breeding
General facts about breeding include these:

1. The gestation period is 63 to 72 days.
2. The baby guinea pig weighs about 1/4 pound.
3. A guinea pig is born with teeth, its eyes open, and it is able to run soon after birth.
4. Baby guinea pigs should be weaned when three weeks old.
5. Three to five months of age is the youngest age at which the female should be bred.

As with other pets, locate a home for all baby guinea pigs before they are born.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
20 to 30 grains of pellet each day. Provide salt spool.

Water
Provide water daily in a gravity flow bottle.

Feeding Time
Feed twice a day at about the same time each day.

Kinds of Feed
Commercial rabbit pellet food. May also feed grain, seeds, and vegetables.

Taking Care of Your Guinea Pig

Common Ailments
Bronchial troubles, lice, mites, fleas, ticks, indigestion, and diarrhea

Health Care

• Clean cage at least once a week.
• Feed a balanced diet.
• Remove uneaten food.
• Provide fresh air and enough light.
• Isolate sick animal.
• No immunizations are necessary.

Length of Life
Three to six years

Rabbits

Rabbits have been the subject of many fables and poems. The story of the Easter rabbit dates back to an old legend that the rabbit was once a bird that a goddess changed to its present form. Many people today carry a rabbit's foot with them, hoping it will bring good luck.

If properly housed and cared for, rabbits make good pets. They are highly social animals and can live peaceably in a cage with other rabbits or guinea pigs.

Breeds
Of the many attractive rabbits, some of the most common are American Chinchilla, Californian, Checkered Giant, English Spot, Flemish Giant, Himalayan, New Zealand, Rex, Satins, and Silnes Martens.

If your space is limited, one of the smaller breeds, such as the Dutch, Polish, or the Netherlands is the best selection.

All rabbits make fine pets.

Rabbits at a Glance

Choosing a Pet Rabbit
All breeds make good pets.

Shelter

• An airy hutch with an exercise run and a sleeping compartment. Keep dry. A hutch should be at least three feet long, two feet wide, and two feet high.
• Wooden box full of straw during winter months.

Training
Can be handled and is easy to train for tricks; sometimes can be housebroken.

Breeding
Male rabbits are called bucks, and females are called does. If you decide to raise a litter of rabbits, make arrangements early to sell or give away the babies.

It is best to obtain a doe that is already pregnant. The buck takes no part in rearing the babies and must be separated from them. The gestation period is only one month. The litters usually have seven to 10 babies. Small breeds can be mated at four to five months of age. A few days before the babies are expected, place a nest box in the hutch. The rabbit will pull fur from her body to line the nest.

In about ten days the baby rabbits open their eyes, and within four weeks they come out of the nest to feed with their mother. When they are two months old the mother will wean them. At this time, you should separate the sexes.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed only the amount they will eat each day. Provide block or spool of salt.

Water
Use a heavy bowl or a gravity flow bottle.

Feeding Time
Feed once each day, preferably in late afternoon.

Kinds of Feed
Commercially prepared pellets. Occasionally you may feed a carrot, apple, cabbage, or lettuce leaf.

Taking Care of Your Rabbit

Common Ailments
Colds; slobbers; eye, ear, and skin infections

Health Care

• Keep hutch and food container clean.
• Keep hutch free of drafts.
• Use a commercially prepared powder to control external parasites.
• In case of continued scratching of ears and loud sneezes, consult your veterinarian.
• No immunization is necessary.

Length of Life
Up to eight years

Goldfish & Tropical Fish

Fish live in water throughout their lives. They do not have lungs but breathe by gills. In place of legs and arms, they have fins. More than 30,000 kinds of fish are found in oceans, lakes, and streams.

Fish make excellent pets because they are inexpensive to feed, easy to care for, can be safely left alone for up to two weeks, and are fun to watch. Many different tropical fishes, plus exotic plants, can grow together in an aquarium.

The Aquarium
Keep fish in a large square or rectangular glass aquarium so they will have adequate air surface for oxygenation. The rule of having one gallon of water for each fish may be modified somewhat, depending on the kinds of fish, plants, and equipment you use for aeration.

Follow these steps in setting up your aquarium:

1. Clean the tank with clean, hot water. Never use soap or detergent; it is harmful to some fish.
2. If you are not using a filter system, you may use two pounds of clean sand for each gallon of water. With filter system, use two pounds of Number 3 aquarium gravel. Smaller gravel or sand will clog the system. Slope sand or gravel so it is deepest at the back where plants will be placed.
3. Install filter system (if available).
4. Install thermostatically controlled heater (if available).
5. Add plants to sand or gravel. Design your own arrangement, but set large plants at back and smaller plants in front. You can use plastic plants.
6. Place larger rocks in aquarium. Some rocks are poisonous to fish, so get your rocks from a pet dealer.
7. Add water. Place a deep dish in the aquarium; pour water into it so the water will overflow in the aquarium slowly. If tap water has chlorine in it, remove it with one of the di-chloro preparations available in a pet store.
8. If you use a heater and filter, start them and let water heat to 75 to 80 °F.
9. Add fish to tank. Make sure the tank water is about the same temperature as water in the container in which you brought the fish home.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed no more than the fish can eat in five minutes. Overfeeding is one of the greatest causes of death.

Provide Water
Refer to your aquarium instructions on when to change water.

Feeding Time
Feed morning and night. Remove all leftover food.

Kinds of Feed
Feed a commercial mix.

Taking Care of Your Fish

Common Ailments
Shakes, skin ailments, fungus, bruises

Health Care

• Do not overfeed.
• Do not overcrowd.
• Keep water temperature 75 °F.
• Clean tank and replace milky or smelly water.
• Remove sick fish from tank.

Immunization
None

Gestation
Live bearers, 1-3 months.
Egg bearers, eggs hatch in 2-14 days. Varies by breeds.

Length of Life
Up to ten years. Varies by breeds.

Frogs

Pet frogs are interesting and fun to watch. They come in a variety of colors, and some can change color. You find frogs almost everywhere from north to south. They have a head and body but no real neck. The skin is usually smooth and moist. Frogs' legs are much longer than their arms and are a great delicacy. A frog cannot walk but can leap. A bullfrog holds the record for the longest leap of more than five feet per jump for three jumps.

If you are looking for a pet with a big voice, you can't go wrong with a frog.

Frogs are amphibious, which means they lead double lives. Their life starts in a pond or stream. At this stage, they look nothing like their parents. Young frogs are called tadpoles or polliwogs. As they grow older, many species move out of water onto land. At this time, they become air breathers, and lungs replace their gills.

Frogs at a Glance

Choosing a Pet Frog
Select from the tree frog, which is the smallest; bullfrog; green frog; and yellow-legged frog.

Shelter

• A large, covered aquarium.
• A cage with solid bottom, a glass front, and small mesh wire for sides. Size: 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high.

Equipment

• Cake pan for water, rocks, etc.

Training

• Not easy to train.
• Should not be handled very much.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed only amount of insects or mealworms they will eat each day.

Water
Change when it gets dirty.

Feeding Time
Same time each day.

Kind of Feed
Insects or mealworms

Taking Care of Your Frog

Common Ailments
Frogs have few diseases if you feed them properly and the cage is properly ventilated.

Health Care

• Change water when dirty.
• Keep excess food picked up.
• In case of sickness, turn frog loose in natural habitat.

Immunization
None

Period of Gestation
Eggs hatch from 4-15 days.

Length of Life
Some frogs may live more than 15 years in captivity.

Toads

Toads are familiar animals to young boys and girls. They find them in backyards and gardens feeding on insects, usually late in the afternoon. A toad is a kind of frog. He has dry skin, no teeth, or upper jaw. He spends most of his life on land but goes to ponds, rivers, or swamps to lay eggs. The young toad is called a tadpole.

The old tale that toads cause warts is not true. Toads have a rough or warty skin. This warty skin secretes a substance that is irritating to the eyes and mouth of an enemy. This is why a dog or a cat quickly drops a toad it has picked up. After handling a toad, you should always wash your hands with plenty of soap and water.

Toads at a Glance

Choosing a Pet Toad
Select from plain brown to black, greenish, or red spots.

Shelter

• Aquarium with three inches of water at one end, sand and rocks at the other end. Or a cage 2 feet by 18 inches high with a glass front and small mesh wire on each side.

Equipment
If you use a cage, include a cake pan with soft earth and a pan with shallow water.

Training
Should not be handled very much.

Raising Toads
In the spring, look around the edge of ponds or streams for toad eggs. The eggs are long, jelly-looking strings. Fill a quart jar about one-half full of pond water. Hold jar in water and gently push some eggs into jar. Keep jar lid off. Put the jar in a warm, sunshiny place until eggs hatch. Then transfer the tadpoles to an aquarium. Eggs will hatch in from 2 to 12 days.

Feeding

Toads drink water through their skin and not by mouth. This water comes from dew. Most toads stay buried in the soil during daytime and come out at night to feed on insects.

Thumb Rule
Feed only the amount of insects or mealworms they will eat each day.

Water
Change when it gets dirty.

Feeding Time
Same time each day.

Kind of Feed
Insects, earthworms, or mealworms.

Taking Care of Your Toad

Common Ailments
Toads have few diseases if properly fed and if cage is properly ventilated.

Health care

• Clean water when dirty.
• Keep excess food picked up.
• In case of sickness, turn toad loose in natural habitat.
• No immunization is necessary.

Length of Life
Usually one to two years.

Turtles

If you are looking for a pet to add to your 4-H Pet Care Project, why not get one that can tell time? If you feed turtles at the same time and same place each day, they will be there waiting.

4-H'ers and others buy many turtles each year. They are inexpensive and easy to care for. They don't smell or make a mess. You can entertain your friends with a first class turtle race. A turtle pet sounds like a winner.

Turtles are reptiles that have existed for more than 250,00,000 years, during which they have changed little. There are more than 250 kinds of turtles. Three different names describe them: tortoise, turtle, and terrapin. Most of us think of the box turtle as a terrapin, a turtle that closes up completely.

Generally speaking, there are two types of turtles: the cryptodira and the pleurodira. The cryptodira turtle can draw its head into his shell. The pleurodira turtle swings his head to one side along his shoulder.

Your Health
Pet turtles can transmit intestinal disorders to people. Pet turtles can be a source of salmonella. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling. Turtles shipped from one state to another should be isolated until you are sure they are disease-free.

Turtles in the Yard
Catch a turtle native to your area. Put it in a turtle yard where shade and sun are available. Include a mud wallow and a moist place. A low fence used to edge flowers is sufficient. Pile leaves in one corner of the pen for hibernation.

You can keep a box tortoise through the winter by burying it in the ground below the frostline. Bury the terrapin about the middle of October when he becomes sluggish. Dig him up about the middle of April.

Turtles at a Glance

Choosing a Pet Turtle
Select turtles commonly sold at pet stores.

Shelter and Equipment

• Plastic or glass terrarium
• Rocks
• 40-watt bulb about 6 inches above the rocks
• Thermostatically controlled heater (75 to 80 degrees)

Breeding
The ordinary home terrarium is not suitable for breeding. Most turtles raised for pets are born in a natural habitat.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
Feed all the food he can eat. Remove food he hasn't eaten within a couple of hours.

Water
Change when it gets dirty.

Feeding Time
Same time each day.

Kind of Feed
Raw table meat, fish, and earthworms. Small amount of tomatoes or lettuce.

Taking Care of Your Turtle

Common Ailments
Turtles have few diseases if you feed them properly and maintain proper temperature.

Health Care

• Need sunshine.
• Keep water clean.
• Feed properly.

Length of Life
Usually three to four years in captivity.

Chameleons

Now you can own a pet that changes its colors. This color change occurs through a combination of light, temperature, and mood of the animal. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? That's only the beginning. Your pet chameleon can look up with one eye and down with the other.

Its tail is another unusual feature. It is brittle and easily broken. If this happens, don't worry; it will grow a new one.

A chameleon is a reptile, a member of the lizard family. It has a body about three inches long, four legs, and long tail, short teeth, and a layer of scales. The male chameleon has a dewlap, an extra fold of skin on the throat. When meeting another male of when in danger, the chameleon will puff out its dewlap.

The chameleon is sold in pet shops and is adapted to Mississippi's climate. Given proper care, these little animals do well in captivity and become quite tame.

Chameleons at a Glance

Choosing a Pet Chameleon
If you start with more than one chameleon, you may let females stay together, along with one male. Keep only those of the same size.

Never put two males together. (To determine sex, place a mirror in front of the chameleon. The male will inflate his dewlap and try to attack the mirror.)

Shelter

• A large mouth gallon jug made into a terrarium.
• A terrarium may be used.

Equipment
Colored gravel along with artificial plants and a small rock.

Easy To Train
Gain his confidence by leading him with a string around the room. Teach him to jump through a hoop, climb a ladder, and seesaw.

Breeding
In June, July, or August, the female chameleon will lay two or more eggs. Eggs are light green or light brown. The female will move the eggs in a few days under a small pile of leaves or sand. The mother's job is now complete. After eggs hatch, the babies look after themselves.

You can make an incubator from a quart jar. Fill the jar with two inches of sand, and cover sand with moist moss. Punch holes in jar top. Set the jar in the sunlight. Keep moss and sand moist. Eggs will hatch in four to eight weeks.

Feed the baby chameleons sugar dissolved in water with an eyedropper and meat on a fine straw. After two weeks they will be able to catch insects.

When the baby chameleons are the size of an adult, put them in a larger terrarium. Remember, never put two males in the same terrarium.

Feeding

Thumb Rule
A chameleon eats little and can go without food for two weeks. During the summer, palce a piece of fruit in the terrarium to draw insects.

Water
Provide water by sprinkling lukewarm water on the plants in the terrarium each day.

Feeding Time
Feed during daylight hours.

Kind of Food
Feed insects in summer months. In winter you can buy grubs, mealworms, or fruit flies.

Taking Care of Your Chameleon

Common Ailments

• Colds and larvae of a batfly.
• Relatively free of diseases.

Health Care
Keep terrarium warm in winter with a light bulb.
If you find a worm-like larva in the body, pull it straight out with tweezers.

Length of Life
Up to five years

Immunization
None

List the pets you own or have owned:

Kind of Pet	Pet's Name	Breed	Comments

I have completed five or more requirements listed:

Signature of 4-H'er	Date
Signature of Volunteer Leader	Date

References

Enjoy Your Terrarium, Richard Haas, The Pet Library, Ltd., New Jersey. Pets, 4-H Bulletin 75-1970, University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service.

Enjoy Your Parakeets -- Budgies, Earl Schneider, The Pet Library, Ltd., New York.

Enjoy Your Chameleon, Earl Schneider, The Pet Library, Ltd., New York

Enjoy Your Goldfish, Sylvon Coben, M.D., The Pet Library, Ltd., Harrison, New Jersey.

Frogs and Polliwogs, Dorothy Childs Hogner, Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York, 1956.

Enjoy Your Gerbils, Rats and Mice, Helen Perley, The Pet Library, Ltd., New Jersey.

Enjoy Your Guinea Pig, The Pet Library, Ltd., Harrison, New Jersey.

Your Own Golden Hamster, Ohio State University Extension Service.

The 4-H Pet Care Project, Dennis Hartman, New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University, Guide M-4-21.

Enjoy Your Turtle, Richard Haas, The Pet Library, Ltd., New York.

Frogs and Polliwogs, Dorothy Childs Hogner, Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York, 1956.

Mississppi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 1183
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director