The trend of raising exotic animals as a personal pet is increasing in popularity among people of all ages. Owning an exotic animal offers numerous rewards, but also requires research and specific precautions necessary for the exotic animal’s health and survival. Making a mistake while raising an exotic animal could be harmful to both owner and animal. There are numerous precautions a person can take while raising an exotic animal, which will help limit harmful, even fatal mistakes.
Born in Captivity
It is always best to purchase an exotic animal that has been born and raised in captivity. Breeders raise captive-born animals in a controlled, disease-free environment. To ensure an exotic animal has been born in captivity, purchase the animal from a retailer with a credible background. Ask for proof that the exotic animal was born in captivity. Typically, when a reputable retailer sells newborn exotic animals those animals were born in captivity.
Catching from Wild
Never catch and remove an exotic animal from the wild. If you remove an exotic animal from the wild and raise the animal as a pet numerous precautions are required.
Check to see if the animal is on the endangered species list. It is illegal to remove an endangered species from the wild.
Many exotic animals require a complex diet and living conditions making them unsuitable to survive in captivity unless being raised by an educated professional. Numerous exotic wild animals will not survive in captivity.
It is illegal to release numerous types of exotic animals back into the wild once a person removes the animal from the wild.
Size
When purchasing a newborn exotic animal it is essential to understand the full growth size potential. Most exotic animals will grow to an extremely large size, especially iguanas, pythons, and boa constrictors. Understanding the full growth size potential of an exotic animal is necessary to guarantee continued safe housing, and feeding.
Diet
Owning an exotic animal often means the diet required is much different from a non-exotic animal such as a dog or cat. It is important to understand, as the size of the animal increases so will the amount of food needed. Many exotic animals require a wide array of food such as a chameleon, iguana, and certain types of geckos, which require numerous different types of insects, plants and fruit.
Noise
Many exotic animals utilize a wide range of noises, which the animal uses to communicate. These noises are typically extremely loud. Many exotic birds such as a Macaw or Amazon parrot are not ideal to have inside of an apartment or condominium complex due to the loud noises they produce.
Strength
Many exotic animals are extremely strong. It is important to understand the strength of an exotic animal prior to attempting to raise one as a pet.
Snakes that suffocate their prey to death such as rat snakes, pythons, or boa constrictors have extremely strong bodies. These snakes are very active at night. If the top of the snake’s housing area is not secure, and reinforced, the snake will escape.
The tail of many types of iguanas, pythons, and boa constrictors are extremely strong and seemingly independent of the rest of the body. The iguana uses its tail like a whip for defense, and it will hurt when it strikes human skin. Pythons and boa constrictors use their tails like an anchor, wrapped around a tree branch while the snake moves or feeds. It is important not to allow larger snakes to wrap their tail around a person’s neck. The snake will naturally constrict its tail for support and continue to constrict until it has a firm solid grip.
Releasing
Never release an exotic animal into the wild. Introducing an exotic animal into an area not equipped to handle that particular animal could result in an infestation of the exotic animal due to lack of natural predators. This can become extremely dangerous especially with exotic animals that grow extremely large and become dangerously aggressive while mating. Always give an unwanted exotic animal to a professional facility.
