Exotic Pets

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Choosing an exotic pet such as a reptile for your home is a big commitment since they can be the most difficult and expensive to look after.

Reptiles

If you are thinking of purchasing a reptile for the first time, you will want to consider the size of animal you will be able to take in. How much space can you realistically give over to your future cold-blooded friend? If you are planning to rear a reptile from a baby, you must consider how big it is likely to get once an adult.

It is always important to thoroughly read up on the animal you are thinking of purchasing, irrespective of whether it will be a reptile or not. Once you have an idea of the type of reptile you are after, it is important to set up your new pet's enclosure, in readiness for its arrival.

A few suitable reptiles for beginners:
Leopard Geckos - small and easy to look after, they feed on small insects and don't require special UV lights in their enclosures unlike many other reptiles.

Corn Snakes - these can grow up to 3-5 feet in length, are very docile and can live up to 10 years in captivity.

Ball Pythons - as the corn snakes, these also will grow up to 3-5 feet and you can expect them to live up for up to 20-30 years.

Birds

Many people are interested in parrots due to their stunning plumage and talking abilities (notably the greys and amazons). However, these are very special birds that require a lot of attention and time. Factors which must be carefully considered. Canaries and finches are excellent for beginners as are lovebirds and parrotlets since they require much less time from their owners. Not often considered, but doves and pigeon are also very easy to look after and are quiet, sociable birds to keep.

Tortoise

If you are after a tortoise then you must carefully select the species that you'll be able to accommodate in your home. On most occasions, it is best to let them live outdoors which will require a rather large pen to be build for your pet, or indeed, secure fencing to prevent your little friend from wandering to far from home. You must consider the size that a tortoise is likely to grow to (Leopards can grow up to 16-18 inches whilst Hermann's and Russian tortoises only grow 5-8inches in size) and the type of food you will need to feed it. Many tortoises can live for up to 50 years, sometimes even 100years (such as the Sulcata/African spurred tortoise) so making one of these an addition to your family can actually mean they will outlive you! Some species will have to hibernate, some won't, eg leopard tortoises. With so many things to consider, it is best to read around and find out what is best for your lifestyle and home.

Other Exotic Creatures

For the real exotic pet enthusiast, pets such as tarantulas, hissing cockroaches, and frogs. These are good for beginners since they don't require much looking after, but can have a big impact with your friends!

If you're after a furry, four-legged and unusual pet you may be interested in the mini pig. After almost a decade of research here in the UK, breeders have created the mini pig.

The miniature pigs, a variant of New Zealand's kune kune breed, cost £150 each and are sold as pairs. They are very sociable and calm animals allowing them to be introduced into a household with other pets as well as children. They can be house-trained and are guaranteed not grow to a large size, unlike previously popular pet pigs such as the Vietnamese pot-bellied variety.

More of a tiger than a pig fan? Well, cats have also been bred to look like miniature tigers. After 15 years of research, breeders in the States have come up with the toyger which can set you back £500-£2000! Currently, they have the stripes of a tiger, but with a few more years of breeding, these cats will have features more of a tiger, such as the smaller ears and wider nose.