Which miniature animals make good pets?

Victoria Beckham has bought David two micro pigs for Christmas. What other miniature animals are suitable as pets - and which are best avoided?

  • Micro pigs

    10 miniature animals that make good pets ... make brilliant pets - they are intelligent, affectionate, can be house-trained and learn their names. They need a large garden, should be kept in pairs and can live for 18 years
    Miniature animals: Miniature pig

  • Pygmy goats

    are fun-loving pets that need at least one other goat for company, or even another species such as a horse or donkey
    Miniature animals: African Pygmy Goat

  • Falabella

    miniature horses are intelligent, easily trained pets. They can only be ridden by very small children but can be taught to drive a little cart, if that's your thing
    Miniature animals: A 21 inch high Falabella mare and the smallest horse in Britain

  • Pygmy hedgehogs

    were last year's must-have pet. They are similar to a hamster in that they are nocturnal, enjoy exercise wheels and live for three to five years. They are different because they are carnivorous - and prickly
    Miniature animals: African pygmy hedgehog

  • Miniature mules

    - a cross between a miniature donkey and a miniature mare - make feisty pets. They are especially popular in America, where they are used for driving and showing
    Miniature animals: Muffin The Mini Mule, A Cross Between A Miniature Donkey and Shetland Pony

  • Babydoll sheep

    make cute pets. They're also pretty useful if you happen to own a vineyard
    Miniature animals: A flock of Babydoll sheep graze at the Navarro Vineyards California

  • Dexter cows

    are about a third of the size of a Friesian. They have become popular in recent years with those living the good life - they're a manageable breed to raise if you have a chunk of land (not a back garden, mind)
    Miniature animals: Dexter Cow

  • Fennec foxes

    can be kept as pets, believe it or not, and are very sociable creatures. However, they are extremely boisterous and difficult to train, so inexperienced owners may prefer to stick with a dog
    Miniature animals: Fennec foxes

  • Miniature donkeys

    make wonderful pets, but they need animal company and like lots of attention from their owners. You might draw the line at taking them to the supermarket, though
    Miniature animals: A miniature donkey on a shopping spree to the supermarket

  • Pygmy seahorse

    . Keeping seahorses as pets has become a popular pursuit, but there are some environmental issues to be aware of
    Miniature animals: Pygmy seahorse

  • eleutherodactylus limbatus

    And 10 that don't ...The is so tiny, you'd lose it. Plus, it's a frog - urgh
    Miniature animals: Eleutherodactylus limbatus

  • Albino microbats

    are very rare. It's probably best not to mess around with them
    Miniature animals: Albino micro bat

  • Dwarf caymans

    may be tiny - but they're still crocodiles
    Miniature animals: Dwarf caiman

  • Leptotyphlops carlae

    , the world's smallest snake, was only discovered last year. Leave it to the zoologists and play with a worm instead
    Miniature animals: Leptotyphlops carlae

  • pygmy mouse lemur

    The went missing for over a century. That doesn't bode well for a pet, especially if your house is a bit messy
    Miniature animals: Mouse lemur

  • Philippine tarsiers

    used to be kept as pets, but as they need live insects to eat, may spread worms, and often die in captivity, that no longer seems a good idea. Oh, and they're endangered, so you can't buy one anyway
    Miniature animals: Philippine tarsier

  • Pygmy leaf chameleons

    are miniscule, secretive and really good at camouflage, so you probably wouldn't see much of your new pet
    Miniature animals: Pygmy leaf chameleon

  • Pygmy marmosets

    are popular with zoo visitors - but they're a lot happier scurrying up and down trees in a rainforest
    Miniature animals: Pygmy marmosets

  • sand cats

    These may look like cute little kitties, but even if you turn up your central heating really high they probably won't like living with you - they prefer the desert (as you might have guessed from the name)
    Miniature animals: Sand cats

  • Small-clawed otters

    are the smallest of the otter species, but they still need more than a garden pond. And they have some pretty lethal fangs ...
    Miniature animals: A small-clawed otter
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