PetMall Encyclopedia
Browse published small-pets breed profiles curated by the PetMall editorial desk.
28 breeds available
Abyssinian Guinea Pig is a small guinea pig breed originating from South America. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 4-7 years.
The African Pygmy Hedgehog cannot legally be kept as a pet in New Zealand — there is no lawful import route (MPI allows only rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from the UK), and DOC treats hedgehogs in NZ as an animal pest that preys on native lizards, invertebrates and ground-nesting birds. This page explains the species and the NZ legal reality; it is not a care guide for keeping one here. Typical lifespan overseas is 3-6 years.
American Guinea Pig is a small guinea pig breed originating from South America. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 4-7 years.
Angora Rabbit is a medium rabbit breed originating from Turkey. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 7-12 years.
Chinchilla is a small chinchilla originating from South America. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 15-20 years.
Deer Mouse is a small mouse variety originating from North America. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 2-5 years.
Degu is a small rodent originating from Chile. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 5-9 years.
Dumbo Rat is a small rat variety originating from USA. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 2-3 years.
Dutch Rabbit is a small rabbit breed originating from Netherlands. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 8-12 years.
Dwarf Hamsters are popular globally but completely prohibited in New Zealand under biosecurity laws protecting native wildlife.
Fancy Mouse is a small mouse variety originating from Worldwide. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 1-3 years.
Fancy Rat is a small rat variety originating from Asia. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 2-3 years.
Ferret is a small ferret originating from Europe. This animal has verified NZ restriction or pest context; check MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council rules before keeping, moving, breeding, selling, or sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 5-10 years.
Flemish Giant Rabbit is a large rabbit breed originating from Belgium. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 5-8 years.
Gerbils are popular social rodents in many countries but prohibited in New Zealand due to biosecurity concerns about feral population risks.
Hairless Rat (Sphynx Rat) is a small rat variety originating from USA. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 1-3 years.
Holland Lop Rabbit is a small rabbit breed originating from Netherlands. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 7-12 years.
Lionhead Rabbit is a small rabbit breed originating from Belgium. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 7-10 years.
Mini Lop Rabbit is a small rabbit breed originating from Germany. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 7-14 years.
Mini Rex Rabbit is a small rabbit breed originating from USA. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 7-10 years.
New Zealand White Rabbit is a medium rabbit breed originating from USA/NZ. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 5-8 years.
Peruvian Guinea Pig is a small guinea pig breed originating from South America. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 4-7 years.
Rex Rabbit is a medium rabbit breed originating from France. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 5-6 years.
Rex Rat is a small rat variety originating from UK. Its NZ legal status has not yet been verified against official MPI, EPA, DOC and council records, so don't source, import, breed, sell or keep one on the strength of this profile alone. Check MPI, EPA, DOC, and local council rules before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 2-3 years.
Skinny Pig (Hairless Guinea Pig) is a small guinea pig breed originating from Canada. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 4-6 years.
Sugar Glider is a small marsupial originating from Australia. This animal is prohibited or restricted in New Zealand under official rules; do not import, buy, sell, breed or keep one as a pet unless an explicit official exemption applies. Typical lifespan is 10-15 years.
The Syrian Hamster is one of the worlds most popular pet rodents — but completely prohibited in New Zealand. Escaped hamsters could establish feral populations threatening native ecosystems.
Teddy Guinea Pig is a small guinea pig breed originating from USA. PetMall has an official-source NZ status note for this listing; follow the listed MPI, DOC, EPA, and local council conditions before sourcing one. Typical lifespan is 4-6 years.