These five pets are ideal for first-time owners of exotic animals, due to their friendly nature and their low-maintenance lifestyle, ball pythons. Of all the pet snakes available, these are ideal for beginners, as they are usually docile and easy to handle. First of all, it is important to establish what exactly is considered an exotic pet. An exotic animal is one that is not domesticated or that is rare.
There are many animals that are technically exotic (they are not domesticated or have changed very little from their wild ancestors) but that do not look as such, such as several birds and fish. On the other hand, there are many other non-exotic companion animals, such as pygmy hedgehogs and chinchillas, which are considered exotic, but which are very different, both physically and mentally, from their wild counterparts. Hedgehogs belong to the Erinaceinae family and are not rodents nor are they related to a porcupine, which is very similar. Hedgehogs are by far the easiest exotic animal to care for and are ideal for someone who wants to have a pet but doesn't have a significant amount of time or resources to devote their care and attention to it.
Hedgehogs need a simple terrestrial enclosure large enough for them to run and play. They thrive on a simple diet of fruits and insects, all of which can be found in the kitchen or backyard. Hedgehogs aren't social creatures, unlike many other smaller animals, so it's not recommended to house more than one in an enclosure. There are about 50 breeds of rabbits that people like to keep as pets.
Most of them are social animals that want to keep you company. Rabbits are a suitable option for living in an apartment, as they can be trained in sandboxes, groomed on their own and are relatively quiet. Many people allow their rabbits to roam freely around their homes, which is a good way to exercise. One disadvantage of keeping rabbits is that they like to chew and dig.
You'll need to protect your house from rabbits by making sure there are no exposed wires and allowing the rabbit to roam only in carpeted or uncarpeted rooms. Ferrets love to play with humans and with each other. To adapt to their playful nature, provide them with a large cage. They are excellent apartment inhabitants because they sleep most of the day while the landlord is away.
They are quiet creatures but they also like to hide and play tricks. You'll need to make sure your home is ferret-proof to prevent them from escaping or hiding unsafe places (such as in the oven). Mice don't need a lot of space or a large cage. Their size requirements are just one of the reasons they make great pets for small spaces. They are also quiet and annoying self-hairdressers, and are relatively easy to care for.
They're also intelligent and their playful antics are fun to watch. While skittish, they can be tamed if handled regularly and fed by hand. Pet-free apartment rentals are generally hamster-friendly, and are an ideal pet for apartments, as they don't require a lot of space. They are quiet, clean, require little maintenance and do not come off.
Most allergy sufferers can live comfortably with a hamster at home. All a hamster needs is a 2-cubic-foot cage equipped with an exercise wheel, chewing items, absorbent bedding, a hiding place, food and water. Guinea pigs crave socialization and, in general, they are easy to handle. They make a whistle as a vocalization, but it's not loud enough to bother neighbors in an apartment.
Its enclosures are also manageable in size. At a minimum, these rodents need a cage that covers 7 to 8 square feet. Height isn't critical; they don't tend to climb, so you don't need to measure more than a foot or 18 inches. They appreciate the time they spend outside the cage to socialize, explore and play.
Like other pets that are allowed to roam around your house, make sure there are no exposed wires or toxic plants and protect wooden accessories. Reptiles, such as smaller lizards and snakes, aren't as social as mammals, but they can be good for small spaces. They don't make noise and are relatively easy to care for. Lizard species that are good for beginners include leopard geckos, crested geckos, domestic geckos, bearded dragons, and anoles. Snake species that do not require large enclosures include corn snakes, king snakes, milk snakes and ball pythons.
Hedgehogs don't need a large cage; a good size for an enclosure is at least 2 feet by 3 feet. Mostly at night, they won't mind you being out for daytime. Hedgehogs are quiet and produce very little dander, making them the right pet for people with allergies. They tend to be friendly and usually solitary.
One downside is that in some parts of the U.S. In the U.S. they are illegal or require permits; check state laws on exotic pets before adopting one. Guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets love to cuddle with humans. Guinea pigs and ferrets enjoy being cuddled.
Ferrets, without a doubt, are the most sociable small pets. Enter your email in the box below to receive the most amazing animal stories and videos directly in your inbox every day. They require a lot of space to graze and be active, but if you have the means, a pygmy goat is one of the most suitable exotic legal pets. But did you know that these animals have extremely sharp teeth and claws that can cause serious harm if they feel threatened or irritated? Exotic animals require much more expertise, care and precautions than a Labrador or rag doll, so it's best to leave them in their natural habitat to avoid harm to them or to you.
That said, the goal of this list is to provide you with information about interesting and truly exotic animals that are easy to care for. However, the decision to do so should not be taken lightly, as these animals need a lot of space to roam. Foxes can also be quite loud and playful, just like a standard domestic dog, so if you want an exotic domesticated animal, a fox may not be ideal for you. Some animals make fantastic pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs and chinchillas, as long as you give them the space and care they need. Turtles are a common exotic pet, and I myself have friends who keep turtles and turtles as pets, but one thing to remember is that even the smallest turtles can live up to 25 years, which is a huge commitment for any owner of a mascot.
Many exotic pets are difficult to care for, as they all have their own diets and environmental needs to keep them happy and healthy. Of all the exotic pets, tigers, bears and pumas are probably the most difficult, as you'd have trouble handling them, feeding them and getting veterinary help if needed. There are many beautiful exotic animals, but some that stand out from the crowd are the macaw, the hyacinth, the Bengal cat, and the Fénec fox.
