My rabbit, Specky, was never a big fan of being picked up, but that is not unusual for rabbits. Rabbits feel safest on the ground and can put up quite a fuss when picked up. Unfortunately, this is not only inconvenient when you need to pick up your rabbit for some reason, but also dangerous as a rabbit who twists and kicks when picked up can really hurt themselves if they are not supported well. There are different ways to pick up a rabbit, and typically, picking up a small rabbit is different than picking up a larger rabbit. While a description the different ways can help, the links to videos and pictures that I've included in How to Pick Up a Rabbit should help you gain confidence in lifting your rabbit. It's a good idea to practice these techniques regularly and be generous with treats when you do, so that your rabbit comes to see being picked up as a good thing (or at least not quite so scary).

Ferrets can make wonderful playful and entertaining pets. Ferret facts, and a variety of topics relating to the care of pet ferrets can be found in Ferrets 101
More: Ferret Pictures
  Ferret Names

Tarantulas are pretty undemanding pets and in most cases are not as dangerous as many people believe. Some of the most popular ones are quite docile and as long as you are careful are not likely to hurt you. However, you must be very careful handling tarantulas as a fall from a short distance can seriously injure a tarantula. Some of the more common and suitable pet species include:
 -Chilean Rose
 -Costa Rican Zebra
 -Mexican Redknee
 -Mexican Redleg
 -Desert/Mexican Blonde
 -Curly Hair Tarantula

Sugar gliders are quite popular as pets these days. They are unique little marsupials that can be delightful companions, but they do require a bit of specialized care, especially when it comes to feeding. They also need a fair amount of vertical space in their cage for climbing and exercise.
More: Sugar Glider Photo Gallery

There is no simple answer to this question, as it depends greatly on the children and what a family expects from their pets. For some, it can work well -- my boys were quite young when we had our mice and were content watch the mice run and play. However, others may find mice are not the best choice. Find out more in my answer to Are Mice Good Pets for Young Children?

The stress of moving to a new home can sometimes cause turtles to act nervous and refuse to eat for a couple of days. Box turtles are quite sensitive to stress, so getting a new one to eat can be tricky. For a box turtle that is not eating, making sure your are feeding the right kinds of foods is important, but it is just as important to make sure you have a proper environment set up. Some tips on helping a new box turtle get interested in eating can be found in the answer to "Help! My New Box Turtle Won't Eat - What Can I Do?"
Related Reading

• Box Turtle Species Profiles
• Feeding Box Turtles
• Captive Bred vs Wild Caught Reptiles

One of the most confusing issues for new gecko owners it the type of substrate to use. Opinions on safety of various substrates and what to use can vary widely. There is no simple answer to the question of which substrate to choose for leopard geckos, but a quick rundown on the concerns associated with various substrates for leopard geckos is provided in "The Substrate Debate."

Box turtles are one of the reptiles that has fared poorly in the pet trade. In the past they were often mistaken for easy-to-care-for pets that could be kept in an aquarium. Now we understand more about them and their needs, which includes a large enclosure. Furthermore, they do best if they can spend at least some time outside - and depending on where you live they might be best of outdoors all year round (i.e. if you live in a warm climate or where box turtles are native). Even if they can't be out year round, they will still benefit from some time outside even if it is just for warm summer afternoons. Building an outdoor pen takes some planning and effort, but your box turtles will thank you! See "Building Outdoor Pen for Box Turtles" for tips on building outdoor housing.

Some owners are perplexed about their pet rats leaving little drops of urine around when they are out exploring. Why do rats do this? Find out here.

Frustrated by the limitations of the second story of my homemade rat cage, I decided to try replacing the second floor with a Fuzz-E-Floor. Basically, I had a wire shelf covered with plastic canvas for a second level, and my rats decided this would be a good place to urinate. As you can imagine, this made a mess of the second level as well as everything underneath it. Adding a litter pan to the second level did not help. So, I was excited to spot the Fuzz-E-Floor and immediately thought this would be a reasonable replacement for my second level. Certainly it would make cleaning the cage easier. Granted, this product can't really replace a solid floor but it worked pretty well for me and the rat boys as I explain in my review of the Super Pet Fuzz-E-Floor.