Statistics show that 50% of the pets in the US are categorized as being exotic. There have also been 1,356 distinct wild-caught animal species imported over the last 20 years.
If you want to own exotic pets, you may not know where to start. There are many exotic pet species, but beginners should start with something simple.
Exotic animals tend to be high maintenance when compared with other standard pets. Because of this, you want to be careful when choosing an exotic pet as a beginner hobbyist.
Keep reading to find out what exotic pets are easy to own as a beginner.
1. Chinchilla
One of the best types of exotic pets to start off with is something small. A good example of this is a chinchilla, which is a small rodent that’s considered a pocket pet.
Chinchillas are not very difficult to find but aren’t as widespread as other rodents. They’re also considered to be low maintenance pets as long as you provide the necessities.
This includes making sure they’re eating the right foods and have a comfortable-sized cage. They should be in a warm place and shielded from any drafts.
Chinchillas are also known for their unusual grooming habits. These are often called dust baths, so your chinchilla will need sand to clean itself.
As for personality, chinchillas are not very interactive, as they don’t enjoy being handled. They can be affectionate, but it may take some time.
They are much more active during the twilight hours than they are during the day.
2. Fennec Fox
If you are a pet hobbyist, you may be leaning toward something a little larger. If a chinchilla isn’t what you want, you may like a fennec fox.
This is a very unusual pet that you won’t find at just any exotic pet store. This is a species of fox that is only the size of a Chihuahua that is grown.
They are adorable and have large ears that immediately catch the eye. With that said, it is important to understand that these are not low-maintenance pets.
Fennec foxes need specific shelter as well as room for exercise and entertainment. You will also need to make sure they’re given the correct diet so that they stay healthy.
The laws around owning this kind of fox are going to be different depending on the state you live in. They are also a rarer kind of pet, so they can be a bit pricey.
3. Ball Python
Exotic pets come in all shapes and sizes, including types of mammals and reptiles. A very popular type of exotic pet is a ball python.
Some people don’t believe snakes are exotic, but that isn’t always the truth. Ball pythons are quite unusual and are breathtakingly beautiful snakes.
You will need to feed your python frozen or live mice or rats. Because of this, you will have to get used to handling these rodents and seeing your snake devour them.
Ball python snakes are also one of the easiest snakes to care for. Despite their size and dietary needs, there aren’t many other necessities that they require to survive happily.
4. Hedgehog
Small exotic animals are some of the easiest to take care of for a variety of reasons. One example of this is owning a hedgehog, which is a very popular exotic pet.
Hedgehogs are small and are covered in quills from their head to their toes. They have soft hair on their underside and they roll into a spiky little ball.
They may be shy at first, but hedgehogs can become quite affectionate and friendly. Hedgehogs are also quite easy to care for and don’t require much more care than rodent species.
Although, it is important to note that hedgehogs are illegal in many states. Because of this, you need to be careful and make sure you do your research.
5. Sugar Glider
If you enjoy small and furry animals, there are plenty of exotic species to choose from. One of these options includes a sugar glider, a marsupial that is similar to squirrels.
These little animals have thin membranes of skin on each side of their body. This stretches out and allows them to fly from one point to the other by force.
Sugar gliders have a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They are not extremely difficult to maintain, but they are more interactive than other types of pets.
Sugar gliders are also illegal in a variety of states, so you need to be careful. You need to make sure you have the time to commit to these pets and that they are not going to escape.
6. Tarantula
Those who are looking for very exotic pets may be interested in the insect variety. A very popular option when it comes to exotic pets for these people is a tarantula.
This is a very large spider that’s known for its hairy appearance. If you aren’t scared away from the sight, maintaining a tarantula is very easy.
All they require is to be fed and to have a roomy cage that is cleaned regularly. For the most part, tarantulas don’t require any interaction or exercise.
You will need to make sure their cage is secure so there’s no chance of them escaping and being harmed.
7. Degu
If you like guinea pigs and hamsters, you are in luck. A Degu is an exotic pet that looks like a cross between these two animals.
This is a very social animal, so they are best kept in pairs of two or more. Although, you need to make sure they are of the same sex so that they do not breed.
Degus are easy to maintain as they can live comfortably in a cage. Any cage large enough to fit ferrets or rats is going to be the perfect option.
Like chinchillas, these animals also enjoy taking dust baths. Because of this, you will need to make sure they have access to dust or dirt to do this.
8. Scorpion
Another low-maintenance exotic pet is another insect species. This is a scorpion that is known for its poisonous spiked tail.
Scorpions get a bad reputation, but they are quite easy to maintain as a pet. They only require a small space to live and to be fed on a regular basis.
You will need to make sure your scorpion has a humid environment with the right temperature. It is also important to make sure there is no way of them escaping and injuring someone.
What to Consider Before Getting an Exotic Pet
A big part of owning exotic pets is doing your research. This is extremely important so that you know whether this pad is going to be the right fit for your life.
Here are some examples of things you need to consider before buying an exotic pet.
Safety
A lot of exotic pets tend to have some risks involved when you own them. For example, we talked about a scorpion, which is able to change your people with its venomous tail.
If you live with your family, you need to consider their safety as well as your own. You also need to consider the safety of the animal you will be taking care of.
For example, chinchillas tend to be quite shy and reserved around people. If you have children who will be handling them, they may lash out or become highly stressed.
Available Space
A lot of exotic pets don’t require extensive environments to live in. But you still need to make sure you are able to provide a living space that is ideal.
This goes hand-in-hand with the level of care the pet is going to need. Your lifestyle needs to be flexible enough that you can cater to that pad if necessary.
This includes finding specialized foods or doing certain activities with that pet.
Other Animals
If you are an animal lover, you probably own a variety of animals. If you are planning on buying exotic pets, you need to take this into consideration.
You do not want animals posing a risk to one another if they live in the same home. Some pets may also stress each other out, which is harmful in and of itself.
Exotic Pets: Best Beginner Options
If you are a pet hobbyist, you may be looking into buying exotic pets as a beginner. There are a lot of options, but you need to make sure you find something that is beginner friendly.
Are you interested in buying exotic pets? Contact us today at Pet Marvelous to view our exotic pet options.
