From a Chris Gourlay article on the rising popularity of the mini-cow — i.e., one ”that stands no taller than a large German shepherd dog, gives 16 pints of milk a day that can be drunk unpasteurised, keeps the grass “mown” and will be a family pet for years before ending up in the freezer” — comes this sidebar of other trendy pets:

African pygmy hedgehog:

Only a quarter the size of wild British hedgehogs, their purring noises and “smiling” expression have made them the latest fad in pets. They’re expensive, though, costing up to £200.

Dwarf hamster:

Russian dwarf hamsters are becoming popular in Britain. Good-natured and energetic, they’re also compact, fitting neatly into the palm of the hand. As they can squeeze through the bars of most hamster cages, owners usually house them in fish tanks.

(h/t A&L Daily)