2: Chinchilla

Chinchilla fur is so velvety that the best thing about your new pet will simply be holding it. A chinchilla's luxurious coat comes in a range of colors, from white to charcoal. Unlike most furry mammals that have one hair fiber per follicle, a chinchilla can sprout up to 80 hairs from just one follicle. This South American native is technically a rodent. But it's so charming, with its saucer-like eyes and bowl-like ears, that we'd rather not give that too much thought. Chinchillas resemble a kangaroo, with front legs that are markedly shorter than their back legs, and a thick, bushy tail.

• Life Span: Up to 20 years
• Best For: Children over 10 chinchillas are fragile animals
• Feeding: Commercial pellets, fresh water
• Housing and Exercise: The chinchilla doesn't need complicated care. It will thrive in a variety of environments and temperature conditions, but it's most comfortable at a balmy 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). Most chinchillas live in wire cages with solid floors.

Good to know: The chinchilla doesn't have body odor. Even its droppings will take several days to emit a smell if the animal's cage is cleaned frequently, odor becomes a non-issue.

3: Box Turtles

It's nice to have a small pet that can't outrun you, and a turtle certainly fits that bill. They're happy to set up camp in your home and are always ready for an adoring audience. Box turtles are a popular choice, with their colorfully patterned shells and winsome good looks, but they are picky eaters. Red-eared sliders are more aerodynamic, sport distinctive red marks on each side of the head and aren't so fussy.

• Life Span: Up to 40 years
• Best For: Children 8 or older
• Feeding: Earthworms, insects, and fruits and vegetables or commercial pellets, depending on turtle breed.
• Housing and Exercise: Turtles require a terrarium or aquarium that's roomy enough for a few rocks large enough to perch upon, as well as dry areas in which they can burrow and shallow water in which they can rehydrate. They don't need a lot of exercise.