Exotic Pets
Growing up I always had the classic pets: dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, and gerbils. But these days the term “pet” can refer to just about any animal you can think of! I have a cousin older than me who used to own an iguana – she loved it, and took it out of it’s cage to play with it. I thought it was kind of odd to have that kind of animal but I never said a word. I figured it made her happy and made her smile, so it didn’t matter much to me at all.
Today, there are virtually tons of animals you can own as a pet. Some people own tigers and lions as pets (yes, as silly as this sounds, it is legal in some states). Still others own boa constrictors, or tarantulas. Personally, I would never own a snake or spider – I am kind of a scaredy cat when it comes to those two animals.
An exotic pet is defined as a rare or unusual creature kept as a pet. Now to me, anything beyond dogs, cats, small rodents (mice, hamsters, gerbils, etc.), some species of birds, and rabbits would be considered “exotic”. What I want to do is go over various exotic pets and give you a little more information about each of them. This is a new topic for me, so hopefully you enjoy it!
- Sugar Gliders: These little guys are incredibly cute…..the are small gliding possums who come from Australia, New Guinea, Bismark Archipelago, and have been introduce to Tasmania. They are considered very social creatures and it is very difficult to raise a single Sugar Glider. They are very active at night (when the owner is usually sleeping), so their needs are being neglected during this time. They may live up to 15 years, so it is very important you know what you are getting before you purchase!
- Capuchin Monkeys: This specific monkey is the most popular breed kept as an exotic pet. Their habitat is Central America and South America. Some organizations such as Helping Hands in Boston, Mass train and place Capuchin monkeys with quadriplegics (similar to guide dogs), they help with washing dishes, microwaving food, and various other tasks.
- Hedgehogs: This is a small, prickly mammal originating in Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. They live on a diet supplemented by insects and baby mice. Their outward appearance may be cute, but they do not adapt to climate changes or enclosed environments. For these reasons, they are not logical as a pet.
- Snakes: Perhaps one of the most common animals kept as a pet, and sometimes the most dangerous. Docile species such as the corn snake and ball python are kept as pets while others purchase boa constrictors. The boa constrictor is very dangerous to keep as a pet (especially if you have small children or other pets such as cats, dogs, or rabbits) and if you are thinking about one, you need to be sure you are aware of the dangers and what precautions you need to take.
- Last I am going to talk about keeping lions, tigers, or bobcats as pets. This has become increasingly popular in recent years and I am not quite sure what the draw is. I suppose as humans we are captivated by wild animals and see them as beings to be conquered. I do not agree with allowing pet owners to house lions, tigers, or leopards on their property. I think they are a grave danger to their neighbors as well as their communities. Do the people who own these animals play with them? I don’t think so. I think the animals are locked up most of the time in sub-standard environments and their lives are just absolutely miserable.
If you are interested in purchasing an exotic animal there are a couple of things I would like to tell you about first:
- Scams
- Veterinary care
First, let’s talk about the scams. When you are purchasing an exotic pet, you need to be sure the animal has arrived legally. Check up on the seller, see where they get their pets. You also need to make sure that the animal you are purchasing is tame and not completely wild. Beware of purchasing on the internet……as you would with anything else take a closer look at the company you are buying from, look at their record and look to see if they have any complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Ask them what their refund policy is (or if they even have one) so you aren’t completely left high and dry if you aren’t satisfied.
The other major thing to take into consideration when purchasing an exotic pet is veterinary care. Before you buy, check out local vets, see if any of them treat exotic pets. If they don’t you may have to drive out of your area to find one.
The best thing you can do is research every aspect about getting an exotic pet and make sure nothing is left to chance. You want to be 100% sure your state and county allow exotic pets and there isn’t a license you have to get in order to have one. The one thing exotic pets and “regular” pets have in common is the amount of time and effort you need to put in before you purchase – getting a pet of any kind adds one member to your household so doing your research beforehand is absolutely imperative!
If you have an exotic pet you would like to see featured on this post, please send your pictures to:dsheffler@petstrong.com
Thanks for reading! As always your participation in comments and discussions are encouraged and greatly appreciated!!