We love our cats and dogs, but some would rather have more – exotic animals as pets. Depending on the animal they want, this is not too hard to do, and once a few problems are worked out, the relationship can be just as rewarding as having any other pet. Having exotic animals can be expensive, and because they are rare, it can be hard to find help with or for them if you need it. In light of that, here are seven of the strangest pets ever.
12 Exotic Animals as Pets
Degus: The Adorable and Social Pets
Degus looks like a Guinea pig, and a hamster had a baby. They are social animals and must live with at least one other degu to be happy. Conversely, men will fight, so it’s best to put the degus of different sexes together. They can live in the same cage as a ferret or rat and play with many of the same toys and accessories.
When compared to other pocket pets, degus aren’t active at night. Instead, they’re most active during the day, when you’re more likely to want to play with them. Degus can bite if they are scared or haven’t often been handled enough or when they are scared.
Ocelots: The Exotic and Wild Pet Choice
Ocelots were once considered an endangered species, but they are just small leopards that don’t get much bigger than the average house cat. They act like other cats, sleeping and hunting during the day. They are mostly active at night, though; if they feel threatened, they can be very mean.
Millipedes as Pets: The Fascinating and Uncommon Invertebrates
Millipedes are a strange choice for an exotic animals, but they are easy to take care of and don’t need much space. The African giant millipede is a type of millipede that is often sold as a pet.
They will need specific substrates, lighting, and heating elements to keep the temperature and humidity at the right level, but you can get them all at most pet stores. The millipede eats plants, so you can give it fresh fruits, veggies, and a calcium supplement.
But they can make something irritating your skin, so it’s best to wear gloves when handling them. Hedgies, as they’re lovingly called, are cute little animals with quills on their backs and fur on their bellies. When they feel scared, they roll into a spiny ball, but with gentle persistence, you can teach them to let you touch them.
Chinchillas: The Fluffy and Playful Pet Choice
Chinchillas are a lot like Guinea Pigs because they are not the easiest pet to care for. They need a lot of exercises, and their constantly growing teeth must be worn down. They can’t get wet; since they don’t sweat, they must be kept cool. Their digestive system is also very sensitive. However, they are very cute, making it easy to overlook their flaws. Length of life: 19 years.
Domestic Mink: The Unique and Affectionate Pet
Even though minks have been raised in the United States for more than 150 years and are considered domesticated, they are not safe or easy pets to take care of. Even though they look like ferrets, they need a much bigger cage and a way to get water to stay healthy. They are natural predators that can kill animals much bigger than themselves. Because of this, they should never be around other pets, like fish, rabbits, or even small dogs.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as Low-Maintenance Pets
Hissing cockroaches from Madagascar can live in captivity for up to five years and grow up to 3 inches long. They don’t have wings like most cockroaches, so it’s safe to take them out of their cages and handle them without worrying that they will fly away and get away. They are good at climbing on glass, so their terrarium needs a lid that won’t fall off. Some states require owners and breeders to get a permit, and precautions must be taken to keep pregnant females from escaping into the local environment.
Fennec Foxes: The Cute and Unusual Pet Companion
When fully grown, these foxes are roughly the size of a Chihuahua. Getting a fennec fox is difficult, and it can be expensive. However, as their popularity grows, they may become easier to get and less expensive. Articles Similar they do need a lot of time with people to get used to them, and even though they look like dogs, you can’t take this pet to the park without a leash.
They can be trained to use the bathroom like a cat, but most people keep them in a big cage instead of letting them run around the house. They do need to get out of their kennel every day, though. This salamander is becoming more and more well-known. They are strangely cute and come from Mexico.
Capybaras: The Unusual and Lovable Pet Option
Capybaras are cute but hard to take care of as pets. They are very social and usually live in groups, so owners must have at least two for the animals to be happy. They can also live in water, so they need a deep pool or place to swim. They can grow to be 2 feet tall and 170 pounds and need a large space to move around. Capybaras are from Central and South America. They are considered exotic animals, and owning one may not be legal in all states.
Bearded Dragons: The Easygoing and Entertaining Reptile Pets
Bearded dragons are popular pets because they are among the most beautiful and easy-to-care-for lizards. They like to play with people and can be taught to walk on a leash outside. Since they are natural omnivores, they will eat mostly crickets and other insects and vegetables. Because they come from Australia, they like warm weather and a dry environment. Bearded dragons can be kept as pets in the U.S. and are easy to find in pet stores.
Snakes: The Intriguing and Low-Maintenance Pet Choice
Some pet owners may not think of a snake as “exotic,” but for most pet owners, having a reptile as a pet is definitely out of the ordinary. Ball pythons are one of the easiest snakes to keep as a pet, so they are a good choice for someone who has never had a snake before. They are usually calm and easy to handle, and getting them to eat is usually the hardest part of owning one. They can be picky about what they eat and sometimes refuse to eat.
Spotted Genet: The Uncommon and Interesting Pet
These beautiful animals look like cats crossed with ferrets, but they are neither. Instead, they are feliforms, which means they are related to cats and ferrets. These exotic animals can be scared, and if they think they are in danger, they won’t think twice about climbing up their owner like a tree. They look like cats but don’t act like cats, so people often give them up when they don’t act like cats.
Serval Cats: The Wild and Fascinating Pet You Can Own
Even though serval cats are becoming more popular as house pets, they are not domesticated. If you wanted to keep one of these wild African cats as a pet, you would need a large outdoor enclosure, whole prey animals, and access to an exotic animals vet. They aren’t very loving and don’t get along well with kids or other pets. However, they are indeed very playful and full of energy. You can get close to a serval cat, particularly if you bottle-feed it when it’s young. However, they usually only get close to one person and fear others. In many states, owning a serval is against the law, and in others, you need a permit.
About Author: The content is written by Maha. She has five years of experience in educational articles.
