A mouse sounds ok. Or another hamster.
OK, since it sounds like you are wanting to re-use your hamster cage I am a little confused as to why people are suggesting a guinea pig.
Basic facts here guys
1) Guinea pigs should be kept in PAIRS. Same sex unless you go to a shelter and adopt a bonded pair where the male is *neutered*.
2) Guinea pigs need at LEAST 7.5sq ft, this is whether you have one pig or two. Anything smaller than 100cm x 50cm / 36" x 22" is just cruel. In fact, having seen my small Abyssinians living in a cage just under 4x2 (it's about 118cm x 57cm) I would not advise getting a cage of any less than that. (Dont forget that once you add a food bowl, a pigloo, and a tunnel and toys, there is little room left even in a big cage)
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
To the comment about leaving the guinea pig for 2 days, then letting it have a run around/'explore your home' (floor time?) you were very lucky, this is actually a bad idea in most cases.
Guinea pigs, like all small animals, should be left alone for 12 to 24hrs to settle into their new home.
If you leave them alone for longer than this, like two days, or longer, you will end up with a timid piggy who is less likely to let you near it, and more likely to run and hide. You may have had success with this, but most experienced handlers will recommend *not* leaving a guinea pig for several days without attempting to handle it.
Also, having to 're catch' a piggy who is having 'floor time' or exploring, in a large area (like free run of a living room or a large pen), can be very difficult, and has the potential to stress a piggy out.
You are best waiting a week or so before allowing floor time, unless you are very confident of handling and catching your guinea pig quickly.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
In the mean time you should talk to your guinea pig lots, and stoke often (but avoid 'chasing' it round the cage with your hand), handle it regularly, but briefly, so it gets used to being handled without getting too stressed. Build it up gradually so you start holding it more often, and for longer at a time.
You need to allow your piggy plenty of time to get to know you and trust you.
Right, back to the original question, a mouse would probably be ok, or a hamster. Gerbils like to dig so are better with a tank filled with safe substrate, and then a cage attached to it.
So, if you are willing to research your pet *before* you buy, and if necessary buy a cage better suited to it, then go for it!
If not you may be best with another hamster.
I think you should get a hamster or a gerbil. Hamsters are nocturnal and love to eat and sleep. Gerbils are a little different. They aren't exactly nocturnal but have naps through out the day, they keep going on their wheel. (if they have one). They are exciting to watch but a plastic cage wouldn't be a good idea as they tend to constantly chew. Hamsters, on the other hand, never bother trying to escape unless they are really desperate but I doubt that. Hope I helped. =D
I know your 'mum' (I'm American and we say mom =D) hates them, but I would go for the rat. I've had rats before and they are LOTS of fun! They have really sweet personalities and are adorable. Mice are so small it would be easy to lose or crush them. Rats are basically a bigger version of mice and are loads of fun! Look them up on the internet. They are one of the smartest rodents! Get a rat and hopefully, you won't regret it.
you should get a baby guinea pig if you take your guinea pig out after a couple days (dont take him/her out before u have had him/her for atleast 2 days they need to get used to their new home) let it explore your house feed it some treats keep it out for half an hour and after that put it in its cage and leave it their for an hour then take it back out for half an hour then leave it for the rest of the day maybe u could do it one more time but if u do that for a few days soon it will adjust to u and want to be ur best friend and not be scared trust me my guineapig loves coming out of her cage and i did that when i got her and she loves me so much now so i think a guineapig would be a good idea.
