Any domestic animal has the potential to be a great pet, but there are some great exotics out there that you may not know about. Dogs and cats, while great pets, are fairly ordinary today. Below are six animals that you might not have ever considered as a pet.
The first is semi-ordinary and maybe you have considered the fluffy rodent as a pet for half a second. A chinchilla makes a great pet that can live up to 20 years. Chinchillas do best in same sex pairs and will bond deeply with one another but they can live on their own.
A chinchilla will do best in a cage with multiple levels as they like to climb and jump these rodents are also chewers so it’s important to have chew toys, along with a wheel to allow for exercise. There are a few interesting facts most people might not know about chinchillas such as their sensitivity to temperature. These animals need a cool temperature and anything over 80 degrees can kill them. They also need vitamin C supplements along with their regular chinchilla pellets and hay. It’s important to never get them wet as they need to take regular dust baths. These animals may look cuddly but are not as snuggly as you might hope. Even so they’re a lot of fun to watch run around and explore.
The second animal that would make an interesting pet is a bearded dragon. These animals can live for about fifteen to twenty years, almost as long as the first interesting pet. Its living area should consist of a 40 gallon tank (minimum) for adults. The reptile will also need a heat bulb and a UVB bulb. The UVB bulb is important for proper calcium absorption. The tank should be no cooler than 80 degrees and no warmer than 120 degrees. Their diet consists of mostly
salads, fruits, and vegetables, while 10% consist of protein. This protein can be from crickets and mealworms. These semi-exotic reptiles can be given baths to help with hydration but they do get water from greens. Unfortunately these animals are not so cuddly, but they can be held if they’ve been held since they were babies. If not, it’s possible that they could be aggressive. Bearded Dragons are also fascinating to look at, one of the multiple reasons they make good pets.
A hedgehog is another interesting pet to have. While of course they’re not very hand friendly because of the spikes, they still become bonded to their owner and are fun to watch. Hedgehogs can easily be housed in a large storage bin (minimum size 18x24 inches) without the lid. They do require a wheel for running, as they are very active. A water bottle should be attached to the inside of the tub and
can be done so with Velcro. They of course need a food bowl and the proper food, which can consist of high protein grain free cat food. The food is highly debatable, but mealworms make a great treat for the little spiky fellow. These animals do require grooming maintenance such as nail trimming and occasional baths. Be careful of the spikes!
Tortoises make interesting pets as well, even though they might not seem very exciting, but they are! They need as much floor space as possible, again storage bins work well, or tortoise tables. These reptiles can live for up to 40 years! So be prepared and know what you’re getting into. They’ll need a heat bulb and a UVB bulb just like a bearded dragon, for the same reasons as well. The tank should be no
warmer than 100 degrees by the heat bulb and no cooler than room temperature on the other side. Their diet consist of salads fruits and vegetables but it is important to do research on what items are safe for your tortoise. They have a personality and will interact with their owners to a certain degree. They need an occasional bath to wash off any waste and to help hydrate them. These animals do move slowly, but that just makes them more entertaining to watch.
The fifth animal that makes a great pet is a Dumbo rat. Before you wince, don’t think of a large dirty sewer rat. Think of a cute white or gray rat that loves to eat pasta. Of course they do come in all different colors. Always try to get two when getting rats as they are very social and do best in pairs. Rats need as much space as you can supply them. Critter Nation cages offer a lot of space and are easy to clean.
Rats can have human foods in moderation, treats such as pasta, along with certain fruits, but their diet should mostly consist of pellets, but no seeds. Oxbow Regal Rat is the best for them. They can even be litter trained! They do need toys and chew toys along with houses, hammocks, a food bowl and a water bottle. They rarely need grooming other than nail trims and very rare baths, only when they get dirty. Rats are amazing pets because they are much like dogs. They enjoy snuggling and are very friendly. They will most likely bond with their owner and can even be taught tricks.
The final pet is an exotic animal and it is the Crested Gecko or Gargoyle Gecko. These are very interesting animals and can also live for 15-20 years. A 20 gallon tank is great for adults and it is best to house them alone in order to avoid fighting. They can even lose their tail completely if they are fighting or handled roughly. Their diet consists of crickets and crested gecko diet; they’re also omnivorous.
Room temperature works well for these reptiles and 85 degrees is the warmest it should be with 50-70 percent humidity. They can be held and are a little jumpy without regular handling, but the good news is they can get used to it. Just make sure your reflexes are fast enough to catch them!
It’s important to remember that all of these animals do go to the vet, just like cats and dogs, especially the exotic ones!
(Photos courtesy of Michelle Davert)
