国外最受欢迎的10种神奇宠物：从豚鼠到侏儒山羊
随着人们对饲养宠物的兴趣日益高涨，不仅是常见的狗狗和猫咪外，养漂亮独特的宠物的人也不难看到。那么，今天来了解一下，除了猫咪和狗狗之外，有哪些深受欢迎的神奇而可爱的宠物吧。
As interest in pet ownership continues to grow, it's becoming increasingly common to see people keeping beautiful and unique pets beyond just dogs and cats. Today, let's explore some of the most popular and adorable exotic pets besides felines and canines.
10. 豚鼠 (Guinea Pig)
豚鼠是来自南美洲的啮齿目动物。现在豚鼠经常被人们饲养作为宠物。虽然长相和仓鼠差不多，但比起仓鼠，它更接近于水豚。豚鼠是植食性动物，主要以草、叶子、根茎、水果和一些植物为食。
Guinea pigs are rodents originating from South America. They are now commonly kept as pets. While they resemble hamsters in appearance, they are actually more closely related to capybaras. As herbivores, their diet mainly consists of grass, leaves, roots, fruits and various plants.
9. 刺猬 (Hedgehog)
体型肥矮、爪锐利、眼小、毛短，浑身布满短而密的刺。当有威胁接近时，刺猬会像刺球一样蜷缩身体来保护自己。刺猬源自非洲或炎热地区的品种，通过人工改良而成。
With their plump bodies, sharp claws, small eyes, short fur and dense spines covering their bodies, hedgehogs curl into spiky balls when threatened. Originally from Africa or tropical regions, they have been domesticated through selective breeding.
8. 草原犬鼠 (Prairie Dog)
因其生活在草原上，一受惊动会发出类似"汪汪汪"的叫声。草原犬鼠是社交性的动物，生活在群体中。它们通常以家庭单位生活，由一对成年犬鼠和它们的后代组成。
Living in grasslands, prairie dogs emit "barking" sounds when alarmed. These highly social animals live in colonies consisting of family units - typically an adult pair and their offspring.
7. 蜜袋鼯 (Sugar Glider)
蜜袋鼯乍一看具有小飞鼠的外观。但雌性蜜袋鼯有类似袋鼠的育儿袋，可以孕育幼崽，而且和小飞鼠一样有翼膜，因此可以进行滑翔。
Sugar gliders resemble flying squirrels at first glance. However, females possess marsupial pouches like kangaroos for carrying their young, along with gliding membranes that enable them to glide between trees.
6. 小飞鼠 (Flying Squirrel)
虽然不能像鸟或蝙蝠一样飞翔，但前后腿之间有翼膜，使它们能够在树与树之间像滑翔机一样飞行和移动。2012年被指定为濒危野生动植物二级保护物种。
While unable to fly like birds or bats, flying squirrels have patagium (gliding membranes) between their limbs that allow them to glide between trees. They were listed as Class II protected species in 2012 due to endangerment.
5. 蒙眼貂 (Ferret)
蒙眼貂在海外，受欢迎程度不比狗和猫低。蒙眼貂是鼬科，大小从30到50厘米不等，重量在0.5到2公斤之间，蒙眼貂也被认为是超小型动物。
Ferrets enjoy comparable popularity to dogs and cats overseas. As mustelids, they measure 30-50cm in length and weigh 0.5-2kg, qualifying them as ultra-small pets.
4. 耳廓狐 (Fennec Fox)
耳廓狐是最小的犬科动物，以其尖尖的耳朵和迷人的外貌而著名。而且，据说耳廓狐的耳朵有助于它们调节体温的功能。
The fennec fox, smallest of canids, is famous for its oversized ears and charming appearance. These distinctive ears actually help regulate body temperature in desert environments.
3. 墨西哥钝口螈 (Axolotl)
墨西哥钝口螈有着令人惊奇的再生能力，能够再生受损的身体部位，包括四肢、心脏和大脑。虽然对于很多成年人可能会感到陌生，但是对于孩子们来说，墨西哥钝口螈已宝可梦乌波而闻名。
Axolotls possess remarkable regenerative abilities, capable of regrowing damaged body parts including limbs, heart and brain tissue. While unfamiliar to many adults, they've gained fame among children through the Pokémon character Wooper.
2. 浣熊 (Raccoon)
浣熊的外貌特征包括灰色至灰棕色的毛皮，黑色的面具状斑纹围绕着它们的眼睛，以及尾巴上的黑色和灰色环带。它们有一双灵巧的前爪，使它们能够灵活地使用工具和觅食。
Raccoons feature gray to brownish-gray fur with distinctive black "mask" markings around their eyes and ringed tails. Their dexterous front paws enable remarkable tool use and food manipulation skills.
1. 侏儒山羊 (Pygmy Goat)
目前，在美国，侏儒山羊作为宠物备受青睐。不同于其他山羊，小而可爱的侏儒山羊也被称为矮山羊，作为宠物在国外饲养很多。
Currently gaining popularity as pets in the U.S., pygmy goats differ from standard goats with their compact size and adorable appearance. Often called dwarf goats, they're widely kept as pets internationally.