Are you looking for a pet but don't want to get something common like a dog or cat?
I'll be introducing a few exotic pets that are beginner friendly and doesn't need you to fork out a copious amount of cash to buy and maintain.
When people think of reptiles, they think cold, slimy, dangerous or something among those lines. That's....sort of true. They might be cold blooded and some reptiles are dangerous, but they are definitely not slimy.
Let's start with snakes. Probably one of the more misunderstood creatures, snakes are often looked at upon as dangerous aggressive animals.
Truth is, snakes are inherently defensive in nature, meaning all the news and reports you hear about snakes biting people, it's most probably some poor soul who wandered into their territory and accidentally somehow made the snake feel threatened in one way or another.
Remember, snakes do not and will not strike if there is no need to.
Back to our topic, snake-keeping has actually progressed from a niche hobby to a widely accepted one in the pet industry. Because of the increased demand and popularity, snakes are actually quite cheap to procure these days.
The two major family of snakes that are commonly sold are the pythons and colubrids. These are snakes that have relatively docile temperaments and very low care requirements so it's pretty easy for someone who's new to the hobby.
Snakes do not require complicated or expensive habitats, it can be as minimal as a enclosure with newspaper as bedding. Include in a hiding spot, and a water dish and you're set!
Feeding wise, depending on the age of the snake, you only have to feed them on average once every two weeks, and for some once every month.
Snakes don't require attention or need you to interact with them, in fact they are happier when they are left alone.
A very popular pet among even the most seasoned exotic enthusiasts, leopard geckos are docile, cute and easy to care for.
They have a wide range of colors and patterns to choose from and due to the ease of breeding them, most of them are available at a affordable price.
Just like snakes, a leopard gecko's enclosure need not to be complicated, but basic bedding with a suitable hide and water dish is enough for them to be happy.
Food-wise, you can feed them crickets or mealworms, both easily obtainable in petshops.
Unlike snakes, they are more accepting in human interaction, just be gentle and they won't bite.
Inverts covers a large amount of different species but here I'll only be showing insects.
I know what you're thinking, how can something like a tarantula be a pet for a novice exotic keeper? Aren't they dangerous?
Well, contrary to popular belief, none of the known Tarantula species' venom are actually fatal to humans. In fact, the larger they are the more mild the venom.
Thanks to Hollywood, the fear of Tarantulas have been greatly exaggerated and they do not deserve that kind of reputation.
Note : Tarantulas are a different family compared with spiders. Some spiders are fatally dangerous so don't get confused between them.
Tarantulas are often slow moving (except for certain species) and they can be kept easily in modest sized glass enclosures. They only require feeding once a month and just like snakes, do not require any extra attention.
Again, another greatly misunderstood creature. There are a humongous amount of scorpion species and some are great for pets.
The Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator) for example, is a fairly docile and slow moving species that is very hardy to different environments. They are also widely available in pet shops at a very affordable price.
Their venom is even milder than a tarantulas , the only thing you would have to be worried of are their massive crab-like claws which would definitely hurt, a lot (I learnt that the hard way).
No I'm not going to recommend exotic cats like Leopards or wolves, let's start with something small and cute.
Just look at that furry little creature! How is that not adorable? Don't feel intimidated by the spikes on the back, they aren't as sharp or dangerous as they look.
Hedgehogs grow to about the size of a adult human palm and being mammals, they can be very affectionate if you take very good care of them. They are a very popular choice of pet for people who live in apartments. Unlike dogs or cats, they don't make any noise, don't smell and don't leave their hair everywhere on furniture.
Hedgehogs only live up to 5 - 6 years maximum, so there's no need to be afraid of commitment issues.
Sugar gliders are like flying squirrels but much smaller and cuter. They have a very thin stretch of skin on their arms and legs where they will use to glide from tree to tree. Being very social animals, they require a lot of care and attention (compared to reptiles and inverts).
Due to their small size and their nature of hiding in small spaces, you can buy glider pouches (available in pet shops) that hangs around your neck and you can bring them everywhere!
Eventually they will bond with their owners and treat them like their personal tree where they will climb and play on.
And there you have it, remember to do your research before making the plunge on a scaly reptile or a fluffy hedgehog. Your pets will thank you for it!
