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 Exotic Pets Gaining Popularity...
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturer Association, exotic pets, such as snakes, lizards, spiders, and even hedgehogs are growing in popularity. Comprising more than 15% of American households, about 11 million reptiles, 17 million birds, and more than 18 million small mammals have joined the ranks of dogs and cats in sharing our homes. Strange new mammals, such as sugar gliders and prairie dogs are now sold alongside the more common hamsters and gerbils. Tarantulas, scorpions, and even bearded dragons are routinely seen in pet stores and at local reptile swap meets. What possibly would make a sane person want to keep something that slithers as a pet?
For people who own reptiles, the thrill is in having something so unique, a literal living conversation piece.
Some owners choose the large constrictor type of snakes, such as Burmese Pythons or Red Tailed Boa Constrictors; others might choose a pair of leopard tortoises, or maybe a colony of tree frogs. With exotics, the list seems as endless as the imagination. Other reasons that reptile owners prefer their pets to the more common kind include the fact that reptiles tend to be quiet, don't shed fur, require less maintenance and space, and often can go several days or weeks without eating. For apartment dwellers and busy travelers, these pets may seem ideal.
Many people have fears of snakes or spiders, yet they also would like to have a pet that is unique. African Pygmy Hedgehogs, Sugar Gliders, and Prairie Dogs have helped to meet the needs of those folks. As their name suggests, the pygmy hedgehogs are insectivores from the savannahs of Africa. Nocturnal in nature, the hedgehog can be a lively, inquisitive pet when properly socialized. Sugar Gliders are Australian marsupials (pouched mammals) that resemble flying squirrels. Like the hedgehogs, gliders are mainly nocturnal animals and eat insects as their main food source. Finally, despite being implicated with viral outbreaks, the Prairie dog has also found its way into many homes. A very social animal, the Prairie Dog can become a friendly, although somewhat demanding pet.
The distinctiveness and individuality of these pets are easily seen, but are there drawbacks to having an exotic pet? For snake owners, the obvious drawback might be finding suitable housing. Some of the large pythons can grow to exceed 15 feet in length. Even smaller snakes have an uncanny ability to find ways out of enclosures and into heating ducts and other inappropriate places in the home. While it might seem easy to go outside and find bugs, such as crickets, for your lizard or hedgehog friend, the nutritional needs of these pets can be very demanding.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of reptiles die due to lack of adequate nutrition in captivity. There are also major concerns about transmission of disease to others in the household. Reptiles are commonly associated with Salmonella bacteria. These bacteria can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea in humans. As mentioned above, Prairie Dogs were implicated in an outbreak of monkey pox in the Midwest. All members of the household should learn to wash well after handling these pets.
Owners of exotic pets should also learn to identify when the animal might be sick. Many of these species are critically ill before showing even subtle symptoms. Owners of these atypical pets may find that obtaining veterinary care will be a challenge as well. Most veterinarians have only basic educations in reptile and small mammal care, although occasionally veterinarians do specialize in the treatment and care of exotic pets.
While some exotic pets may require less maintenance than others, they all have very special needs. Educate yourself well before purchasing such a pet. A call to your family veterinarian should definitely be part of preparing to add any pet to your home.
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Source:
Reprinted with kind permission of Michael J. Watts, D.V.M.
Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care
(Originally published on September 21, 2008 in the Culpeper Star-Exponent with contributions
by theVeterinary News Network .)
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