Which miniature animals make good pets?

10 miniature animals that make good pets ...

Micro pigs 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 Photograph: Richard Austin/Rex Features

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 Photograph: Richard Austin/Rex Features

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 Photograph: Allan Hutchings/Rex Features

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 Photograph: Caters News Agency Ltd/Rex Features

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 Photograph: Richard Austin/Rex Features

Babydoll sheep make cute pets. They're also pretty useful if you happen to own a vineyard Photograph: Corbis

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) Photograph: Edward G. Malindine/Getty Images

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 Photograph: William West/AFP

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 Photograph: Reg Burkett/Getty Images

Pygmy seahorse. Keeping seahorses as pets has become a popular pursuit, but there are some environmental issues to be aware of Photograph: Tom Campbell/Rex Features

And 10 that don't ...

The eleutherodactylus limbatus is so tiny, you'd lose it. Plus, it's a frog - urgh Photograph: Steve Winter/National Geographic/Getty Images

Albino microbats are very rare. It's probably best not to mess around with them Photograph: Brian Cassey/AP

Dwarf caymans may be tiny - but they're still crocodiles Photograph: PA

Leptotyphlops carlae, the world's smallest snake, was only discovered last year. Leave it to the zoologists and play with a worm instead Photograph: Pennsylvania State University/PA

The pygmy mouse lemur went missing for over a century. That doesn't bode well for a pet, especially if your house is a bit messy Photograph: Mark Thiessen/AP/National Geographic

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 Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP

Pygmy leaf chameleons are miniscule, secretive and really good at camouflage, so you probably wouldn't see much of your new pet Photograph: Yoshikazu Tsuno/EPA

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

These sand cats 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) Photograph: Johanna Leguerre/AFP

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 ... Photograph: Molly Riley/Reuters