Rats
I absolutely love rats.  No, not diease-infested street rats, but pet rats.  Rats are by far the best small animal pet.   They are smarter, cleaner, and a ton nicer than gerbils, hamsters, mice.  I've been bitten numerous times by mice, gerbils, and hamsters, but not once by a rat.  I now have two rats, Peace and Harmony, both females.  Check out the adorable rats below!
Peace
Female
Harmony
Female