The circumstances and influences that helped English evolve
Score: -3.9
Though they can make good pets, they have a bit of a reputation for nipping if they feel threatened!
Score: -4.7
Found in the southwestern part of the United States through Central America, the coati loves to play-fight when it's young but needs space as an adult.
Score: -4.8
This armadillo hails from the central and southern parts of South America.
Score: -3.4
Hailing from Southeast Asia, this handsome squirrel is highly arboreal, preferring forests to other forms of habitat.
Score: -3.4
Also known as the Prevost Squirrel, these stunning animals make practical pets but have long, sharp claws and they're not afraid to use them!
Score: -3.2
This species is among the smallest rodents.
Score: -3.2
These fluffy gerbils are relatively new on the pet market and can live between two and five years.
Score: -3.9
This animal from the weasel family is native to the Americas. Though playful, they are also pretty restless.
Score: -2.9
These wallabies are mainly solitary but will socialize if there is an abundance of resources such as food, water, or shelter.
Score: -2.1
These diurnal rodents are highly adaptable.
Score: -1.7
Native to the steppes of Central Asia, this camel has been domesticated to serve as a pack animal.
Score: -2.2
These cute rodents can be found in the South American Chaco region. They live in small groups of up to four animals.
Score: -0.9
Highly sociable, these rodents prefer to live in large family groups.
Score: -0.8
These marsupial animals are the smallest of the wallaroos.
Score: -0.2
Hailing from South and Southeast Asia, these squirrels are diurnal, arboreal, and sociable animals.
Score: -0.3
Highly adaptable, these animals are generally nocturnal but can adopt a daytime routine if sharing a habitat with other nocturnal rodents to avoid competition.
Score: 4.7
This wallaby prefers a solitary lifestyle but often adapts to life in groups.
Score: 4.2
This small wallaby likes to socialize, feed, and mate in groups.
Score: 5.1
Also known as spotted deer or Japanese deer, these cute lil' faces top the list of best human companions.
Source: (Frontiers)
See also: The best pet for you according to your personality and lifestyle
Score: 2.3
This domesticated South American animal has been widely used as a meat and pack animal in Andean culture since the Pre-Columbian era.
Score: -0.2
These South American rodents are closely related to the domesticated guinea pig.
Score: 1.4
Native to South and Southeast Asia, this mammal prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle.
Score: -1.6
This small wallaby gets its name thanks to its characteristic swampy odor.
Score: -3.7
Also known as Roborovski hamster, this species is the smallest and fastest of any hamster.
The animal kingdom is filled with ferocious, highly-territorial animals that are better off left alone. But nature also boasts some even-tempered animals that more easily adapt to human presence. A group of scientists attempted to study the temperament of animals to determine which ones are friendlier toward humans by assigning various scores. The study published in the journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Science excluded dogs, cats, and farm animals as they are already domesticated. Those that rank above 0 are said to be best suited as human companions.
Browse the gallery and find out which potential pets scored the highest.
Scientists reveal best mammals for human companionship
Pets vary in shape, size, and, of course, cuteness!
LIFESTYLE Pets
The animal kingdom is filled with ferocious, highly-territorial animals that are better off left alone. But nature also boasts some even-tempered animals that more easily adapt to human presence. A group of scientists attempted to study the temperament of animals to determine which ones are friendlier toward humans by assigning various scores. The study published in the journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Science excluded dogs, cats, and farm animals as they are already domesticated. Those that rank above 0 are said to be best suited as human companions.
Browse the gallery and find out which potential pets scored the highest.