If you love exotics a lot, there's every chance of keeping one as pet.
According to recent statistics from the American Pet Products Association, over 84 million households own pets in America.
When this number is further broken down, 11.5 million homes keep freshwater fish, 5.7 million keep birds, 4.5 million harbour reptiles, and 1.6 million own saltwater fish.
The story is almost the same in countries like Australia, China and the United Kingdom.
When you look closely at the definition of exotic pets, keeping the above-mentioned animals at home have qualified them as such.
But what are exotic pets, and why should you keep them?
What Is Exotic Pet?
Exotic pets can simply be defined as animals that are non-native to a region, lack long history of domestication but are kept by humans because they're attractive and not for their usefulness.
Unlike cats, dogs, and horses that have been domesticated for thousands of years, exotic pets are just beginning to share homes with humans.
Why You Should Keep Exotic Pets
There are so many reasons you should be keeping exotic pets such as:
- Interest for the animals
- Ostentation/status symbol
- Social recognition
- Conspicuous consumption
1. Interest For The Animals
Some animals such as penguins, pandas and owls are so cute and appealing because they have features that are common to human babies.
These baby-like features can arouse special interest in you.
In order to express your interest for the animal, there may be further interaction that can lead to keeping the animal close to your home so as to derive more pleasant feelings from caring and interacting with them.
Over time, this closeness can lead to attachment or bonds that are so strong and comfortable.
2. Ostentation / Status Symbol
Many exotic pets are so beautiful to behold, rare and conspicuous when displayed.
So, if you're lucky enough to afford them, you can occasionally show them off.
Besides the occasional display, you can also feel special especially if you're among the people who believe that others will admire or respect you when you have something that is not so common.
In this case, exotic pets can show how rich or important you are in the society and draw more attention and fans to you on social media just like it did to this teenage girl with six giant pythons.
3. Social Recognition
When you keep exotic pets, you define yourself and set the stage for people in your community to associate you with such pet.
Since many people believe that you are what you have, they may associate or acknowledge you as someone with exotic, rare and beautiful animals.
This, in turn, can bring excitement or self-fulfilment.
4. Conspicuous Consumption
If you are the type that loves to separate yourself from the crowd and gain status through accumulation of material things, exotic pet is one of the conspicuous consumption you should spend your money on.
This is because many people have not seen some exotic pets before or people who spend so much in caring, grooming and maintaining animals that will not bring direct benefits to them.
When these people see you keep exotic pets, they may be surprised at first but will pay closer attention to you or respect you.
This can boost your ego, increase your social status and make you feel superior.
List Of Exotic Pets
- Parrot (Lories, Caiques, Lorikeets, Cockatiels, Amazona, Poicephalus and Pionus species, Budgerigars, Conures, Macaws)
- Guinea pigs
- Sugar gliders
- Reptiles (Reticulated pythons, black and white Tegu, ball python)
- Amphibians
- Rabbits
- Degus
- Fennec fox
- Cockatoos
- Bearded dragon
- African pygmy hedgehog
- Owls
- Capybara
- Mexican red rump Tarantula
- Penguins
- Panda
- Capuchin monkeys
- Serval cats
- Kinkajou
- Chinchilla
- Wallaby
Best Exotic Pets That Are Legal To Own
The high demand for exotic pets has given rise to loss of animal freedom and biodiversity as well as increase in extinction.
Because of these reasons, exotic pets are banned or restricted in some countries.
But there are some jurisdictions that allow the following exotic pets to be imported, exported, kept and bred.
Endeavour to check your state and country laws before buying any exotic pet listed below.
1. Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
These rodents are excellent exotic pets because of their docile nature and friendly temperament.
They're easy to handle and fed.
But you still have to be knowledgeable about guinea pigs in order to properly care for them.
They can live up to eight years and weigh between 700g to 1200g when fully grown.
You can easily get these exotic pets in different coat colours and textures because of their popularity.
2. Rabbits
These are small mammals with long ears, whiskers, and short tails.
They're more active at dusk and dawn and can live up to ten years.
If you're interested in keeping rabbits, adopt them in shelters near you since they're easily abandoned.
But ensure that you have adequate space for them to move about freely.
Rabbits require socialization, attention, good diets and care. So, endeavour to visit a veterinarian that knows more about rabbits whenever you need help.
Most rabbits do not like constant handling and may become unfriendly with children who try to handle them.
In order to take good care of rabbits, you will spend more time and money on them.
3. Budgerigars
These are small to medium-sized species of parrots with long feathers.
These beautiful birds are so vocal and can thrill you with their songs or mimic the way you talk or sing.
They do well in groups and will socialize easily with you.
Budgerigars can live up to ten years or more if you take very good care of them.
Budgerigars are so popular as exotic pets and you can easily get them because of this popularity.
Always consult an avian veterinarian for adequate care of your Budgerigars.
4. Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda)
Ownership of fennec or desert foxes is legal in some countries.
These are small foxes with large ears that are native to Sahara desert in North Africa.
Fennec Foxes can live up to fourteen years.
They sometimes behave like little dogs when kept as exotic pets but they're not as friendly as dogs.
Before you buy fennec fox, adequate space must be provided to enable the animal to roam freely.
Ensure that you're ready to train and take care of this animal even at night since they can be very active during this period.
If you love quiet exotics animals, fennec fox is not for you because it can sometimes make very loud noises.
5. Wallabies
These are small to medium-sized pouched mammals that are native to Australia.
Wallabies require special care, attention and training which can be costly and time-consuming but they can be very friendly with you.
6. Llama
These are friendly exotic animals that are kept as pets and companions.
They can live up to twenty-five years.
They are intelligent, social and easy to maintain but will require a large space to roam and graze.
Before buying a llama, endeavour to get more than one so as to enable them thrive well without boredom.
Disadvantages Of Having Exotic Pets
There are instances where exotics strangled their owners and mauled innocent children to death.
The diets of some exotic pets are specialised and since you may not be aware of this at first, the pets can suffer from malnutrition.
Amphibians and reptiles do not make ideal pets because they need special care and grooming.
Some exotic pets are known to carry zoonotic diseases that can be passed on to humans such as Salmonellosis, monkeypox, etc.
Your veterinarian may not have specialised knowledge on how to treat exotic pets when they're sick.
Exotic pets are not easy to keep contrary to what you must have been told by pet traders.
You may find it difficult to handle your exotic pets correctly and this can lead to injuries, anxiety and stress.
You may not be able to meet the behavioural needs of some exotic pets and this can lead to abnormal behaviours that can be difficult to modify.
Exotic pets needs are so complex and will require more time, resources and learning in order to be met.
Some exotic pets such as Guinea pigs and Budgerigars can suffer from social isolation when you don't buy them in pairs.
Exotic pets in aquarium, menagerie, and cage are restricted from moving freely like those in the wild.
Exotic pets can compete with native wildlife for space, food and resources thus endangering them.
Why You May Abandon Or Release Exotic Pets
Every year, people abandon or toss their once beloved exotic pets into the wild without giving second thought to what happens next.
The reasons why they do this include but are not limited to:
- Frustration (when they realise that exotic pets are not as easy to maintain as they once thought),
- Unpreparedness (when they bought exotics on impulse without realising that time, money and resources will be needed in taking care of these animals for a very long time),
- Size (when a once small and beautiful exotics grow too big to become an aggressive monster that is difficult to handle).
You may think that out of sight is out of mind, or that you're doing good by releasing exotics originally meant for the wild back to their homes.
But you will be doing more harm than good if you do.
By abandoning or releasing these exotic pets, you're introducing them to new environment which they hitherto weren't supposed to live in.
In some cases these exotics may cause no harm but suffer and die in these new habitats, in many instances they may survive and wreak unimaginable havoc when they succeed in establishing themselves.
The harm can range from eating up native wildlife they consider as prey, struggling with them for food, space or mate to spreading diseases that can be deadly to the native species.
I know you wouldn't want your lovely exotic pets to suffer and die or want them to threaten the native wildlife and cause imbalance in our ecosystem.
So please don't release or abandon those exotic pets yet.
Follow the steps below and learn about what you can do instead.
What To Do If You Don't Want Your Exotic Pets
You might have purchased your exotic pets based on impulse but the problems you're facing now because of them are not worth it anymore.
We understand your situation since it has happened to many other exotic pet owners.
In fact, study shows that exotic pets caused serious health problems to people.
But with the right approach, the problem you're facing will be solved when you take any of the following steps.
1. Contact Animal Sanctuary Or Rescue Organisation Near You
If your exotic pet behaves abnormally or show health challenges that your veterinarian is unable to find solutions to, quickly contact the nearest animal sanctuary or rescue group for advice.
Most exotic animal shelters have workers and volunteers who are experts in handling exotics related problems and will be willing to help you out.
In situations where they're unable to solve the problem, they can help you find a new home for the exotic pets.
Don't try to solve these problems alone or cope with aggressive behaviours because it can be dangerous to you and the people around you.
2. Contact Animal Control Or Wildlife Agency
Depending on where you live, animal control or wildlife agency can be of help by giving you advise on what to do with your unwanted exotic pet.
Most of them can only take certain class of animal but can direct you to where you can find suitable animal sanctuary for your pet.
Since some of these organisations lack permanent housing arrangements for unwanted exotic pets, they may euthanize your animal if you permit them.
3. Return Your Exotic Pet To The Store
If you're unable to find animal sanctuary near you, visit the pet store where you bought the exotics and return it to them.
Most pet stores will accept the exotic pet without refund instead of allowing you to abandon or release the animal to the wild.
4. Euthanize Your Exotic Pets
If you explore all the available options without getting the necessary results, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian for humane eunathasia of your exotic pet.
This may be a difficult decision to make but you just have to do it for public health and safety.
Conclusion
Your exotic pets can be everything for you.
They can act as companions, and help you express your feelings and personality to the world.
But many of these exotics can suffer when you try to change their original homes, diets, and behaviours.
They can as well bring home various diseases that can be harmful to you.
Since there are very few veterinarians that are specialised in taking care of exotic pets, many of them can die in your care.
So, to avoid subjecting your beloved exotics to inhumane treatment while at the same time putting human safety at risks, we recommend you to keep pets that have a long history of domestication.
Many of these traditional pets are legal to own, easy to maintain and harmless, unlike some exotics animals.
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