You love animals? Probably yes. But, if you are reading this article, your tastes go beyond having a simple cat or dog at home, no matter what breed they are or what their characteristics are.
In reality, it seems that the time of having these animals at home has been gradually falling behind. At present, there are more and more risky people who are committed to taking care of other types of pets, some that go beyond the parameter of what is called “normal”, some that are considered exotic.
Therefore, it is not surprising that we visit the house of someone who has a fish tank with a large snake, tarantula spiders or any other animal different from our eyes. In fact, until recently, they could not be classified as pets and people who owned them were seen as eccentric.
Of course, as expected, these types of animals require special care. We cannot simply throw a bone to feed it, nor can we open the cage and let it be free in the house, as they could represent a real danger to all members of the family, especially children.
Now, if you want to have an exotic pet at home, what should you keep in mind before making a choice? What are exotic pets like? What is your behavior? How should you take care of it? What precautions should you take?
In this article, these questions and many more will be answered. So you can’t stop reading it. In a few lines you will be aware of everything you need to know about the care of exotic pets. This will help you make a good decision, taking into account not only your tastes, but also the characteristics of the animal.
Instructions for exotic pets
Experts believe that if it is not a cat or a dog, it is not intended to be eaten and it lives inside our house, then it is an exotic pet. In fact, those that might seem domestic to us, such as the rabbit, the lizard and the birds, are considered that way.
Unfortunately, in this world everything is a matter of fashion. The problem is that, over time, owners end up abandoning their pets, either because they have grown too large, because they no longer have a way to care for them, or because they have caused some physical damage, such as scratches or bites.
For a rare animal to be considered exotic, it must have been legally acquired and raised by professional people who have the authorization to do so. It must also have been gestated and be in captivity throughout its life.
On the other hand, it should not be protected by any law, whether national or international. And, whoever wants one must be aware of what its nutritional needs are and the special care that it entails.
But what other things do you need to know about exotic pets? Which ones do you know? We will be looking at it below.
Important details
Some of the most exotic pets that can be are reptiles, especially iguanas. It is a species that can live in captivity for up to 12 years. However, it is worth mentioning that, from the age of 8, they begin to suffer from kidney problems.
The care of iguanas is considered expensive and they depend 100% on their owners, since they must have a specific temperature, humidity, food and lighting. As they come from tropical climates, in order to survive they require very strict environmental conditions.
One of the most common diseases of iguanas is decalcification, this occurs when they do not have enough ultraviolet light to synthesize vitamin D, responsible for the use of calcium.
This decalcification causes spontaneous fractures of their bones, among other problems in the jaw. Therefore, before deciding to have one as a pet, it is important that you analyze whether you have the appropriate conditions to give it quality of life.
Other exotic pets are rodents; among them we find hamsters, gerbils, etc. Their life expectancy is about 8 years. They have incisor teeth that grow continuously, so they require objects to gnaw and thus wear down their teeth.
Regarding the specific case of hamsters, they have problems dissipating heat when the temperature exceeds 32 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, they are omnivores, which mean that they can eat seeds and grains, but also fruits.
Among the problems that can occur in their upbringing is malocclusion, that is, the overgrowth of their incisions making it impossible for the teeth to close properly? This causes the mucosa to begin to break down and they have difficulty eating, which causes them to end up starving.
In the case of hamsters, they can suffer from wet tail syndrome; this is a very liquid and smelly diarrhea, caused by a bacterium, which causes a quick death. On the other hand, if they are deficient in vitamin C, they are prone to swollen joints, which will cause them a lot of pain.
What do you need for exotic pets?
- Vietnamese pigs – These animals gained popularity thanks to Hollywood stars. When he is small he can seem very cute. However, when it grows it can weigh up to 150 kilos and requires a lot of daily food. If you don’t have a house with a large yard or garden, then it’s best to refrain from having one.
- The clown fish: it is a highly sought after fish to have at home, in view of its striking colors and because it is the same fish from the movie Finding Memo. This is a tropical fish that can change sex if necessary. On the other hand, they require that the water is always at a certain temperature and that it has a specific PH.
- The gecko: it is a reptile that has very striking colors and within its species we can find hundreds of classes. They are docile, colorful and beautiful animals. The main problem they present is their diet, since they eat insects.
If you don’t want to start hunting those insects, you would have to leave it outdoors and take all the risks that this entails.
Other exotic pets are spiders, especially tarantulas, lemurs, armadillos, snakes, the Moorish guinea pig, ants, among many others. But, what should you take into account when having an exotic pet at home? We’ll be looking at it right now.
Tips for exotic pets
Before bringing an exotic pet into your home, the first thing you should do is learn a little about its history. This way you will be familiar with its characteristics and with the conditions of its natural habitat. In this way, you can try to adapt the space to provide an optimal and pleasant environment for her.
At this point we also find what concerns their food and where you can get it. Do not get carried away by impulse, talk to people who have the same kind of pet you want so that you have some references about their behavior and special care.
You can do the same with veterinary doctors. They know the living conditions of these animals, what diet they require, among other things related to their care. If you do an objective analysis and you realize that you cannot give him quality of life, the best thing you can do is give up having one.
Having an exotic pet is not just a hobby. Since it is a living being, it needs care and understanding. Also, many of them are not allowed at home and having them could land you in legal trouble.
If you want to have an exotic pet, you must educate yourself to know what is necessary about the breeding of the species you choose, so that it can keep you company for a long time.
