Is your home an exotic locale of Exotic Pets?

When thinking of getting a pet, you can think of dogs, cats, small rodents, fish or birds. However, there are some more unusual animals

that can also make good pets. Exotic pets come in all shapes and sizes and they include:

• Snakes
• Lizards
• Spiders
• Large Cats
• Monkeys
• Sugar Gliders

Exotic animals may not be as easy to handle or as affectionate with their owners as a traditional pet would be, but they can still provide a lot of entertainment and joy with the proper care. But why keep exotic pets when they aren't as affectionate or as easy to handle as a dog or a cat?

Can Exotic Animals Make Good Pets?

Not all exotic animals make good pets. They can be difficult to handle, hard to look after and they need a lot of care. Animals that are particularly difficult are:

• Monkeys
• Big Cats

While young monkeys may be cute and they are highly intelligent, later on they can become extremely temperamental. They need a lot of space, plenty of things to do and they need other monkeys of the same species.

Big cats are the most dangerous animals to keep. Even the smallest of the big cats such as the lynx, bobcats and servals, are all fairly dangerous animals. They are wild and no amount of rearing can change that. They also need a lot of room outdoors to live in. They are definitely not recommended for anybody living in an apartment or any small dwelling. In order to keep big cats properly you would have to have, a lot of patience and the knowledge.

So if you are thinking of purchasing a pet monkey or a big cat, you really have to make sure you know what you are doing and you have the adequate amount of space.

There are some exotic animals that make quite good pets and there are always plenty of these exotic pets for sale. These include:

• Sugar Gliders
• Reptiles
• Amphibians
• Snakes
• Stick Insects

Sugar gliders make extremely good pets. They are only becoming well known for their excellent ability to adapt to captivity, and they are one of the more unusual exotic pets. They bond quite well with their human owner, they are highly intelligent and they always love to play. They are quite small in size and unlike other smaller animals; they live up to 10 years. It is advisable to keep more than one sugar glider as they are social.

Reptiles come in all shapes and sizes. You have the larger bearded dragons which some people prefer to keep as pets, though they can be quite dangerous and difficult to handle. Most people opt for smaller lizards such as leopard geckos that are quite docile and easy to tame. They are ideal for beginners and many experienced reptile keepers, enjoy them.

Snakes are also quite popular and with regular handling they can be tamed and enjoy moving around on you. They do require a lot of care so only people who are 100% committed should purchase one. Many snakes can also grow extremely long. So you need to ensure you have the right amount of space and that you will be confident of handling them when they grow to full size. Garter snakes are one of the most popular snakes as they are smaller. Many people keep pythons and boa constrictors.

Amphibians make ideal pets for some people, and they include animals such as frogs, newts and salamanders. They do require a lot of care so it is a big responsibility taking on one of these.

Stick Insects are quite common as they are simple to keep and extremely inexpensive. They eat branches and twigs so there are no food expenses and they do not need toys. They can be interesting to watch and they make ideal children's pets.

Do I Need A License To Keep Exotic Animals?

Any dangerous wild animal such as a monkey, big cat or some large lizards do need special permits. Depending on where you live, there are some rules.The Maryland Department of Natural Resources states that you need a permit to breed and sell any native reptile and amphibian. You do not have to have a permit if you have reptiles and amphibians that aren't native to the country.

Where Can I Find An Exotic Pet?

Exotic pets are advertised everywhere these days. The most common places to find them include:

• Breeders
• The Internet
• Local Classifieds
• Pet Shops

Breeders

Breeders offer a wide variety of exotic pets for sale. You can find every type of animal with a breeder, though you should expect to pay higher prices.

A breeder is often the best person to buy exotic pets as they know about the animals and they can give you plenty of tips and advice on looking after them.

Not all breeders are legitimate and so it is always best to ask if they have a permit. If they don't, then it is possible that they are using the money for illegal purposes. The animals are not looked after properly in these instances.

The Internet

It is becoming increasingly popular to purchase exotic pets online. There are private sellers all around the world advertising on classified websites and offering direct shipping to their buyers. Prices vary but you can buy an exotic animal significantly cheaper online though it is a lot more risky.

You do not get to see the animal you are purchasing and you have no idea how tame it is. Buying online is never as trustworthy as buying from a breeder or a pet shop, so it is always advised to try other avenues before buying online.

Local Classifieds

Local classified papers generally have some exotic animals for sale. Snakes, spiders and lizards are all quite easy to get hold of and many private sellers buy these animals. The advantage of this method is that the animals are always near to where you live so they will not get too stressed from traveling.

Pet Shops

The most common method of purchasing an exotic animal is through pet shops. They have some knowledge on their animals. You can purchase everything you need in a pet shop.

So, while exotic animals can sometimes make ideal pets, they can also be hard to handle, temperamental and they aren't cute and cuddly like cats and dogs. They need lot of care and a lot of time. Most exotic animals need specialist treatment like heat pads under their tanks, special lighting, certain temperatures, and they do need a lot of commitment. It is always advisable to know any animal before you purchase it.