What Makes a Pet Exotic

Over the years nearly all states have had to deal with those who possess exotic pets and the aftermath of the relationship between these owners and pets. Through no fault of their own many of these pets have presented a threat to human safety. This is not a one-sided situation however, many of these pets are at risk as well.

Many of these pets which include boas, pythons, monkeys,rats, chimpanzees, lizards, tigers, bobcats, and; well you get the picture. The list goes on and on. So many of these animals carry diseases and bacteria that are communicable to humans including tuberculosis, hepatitis, herpes, tularemia, leptospirosis, salmonella, ringworm, and other parasites. Large snakes have strangled babies, raccoons have killed children, and big cats have mauled their owners.

On the other hand, many of these animals have been abandoned or has escaped from owners, traveling shows, and road side petting farms. In many cases they have lost their hunting skills, minimizing the opportunity to survive. Depending on the animal's size, it may even become prey for the indigenous animals in the area.

A Few Facts

90% of these potential exotic pets die within two years of captivity. There are about 5000 to 7000 tigers kept as pets in the United States (more than exists in the wild) and about 10,000 other big cats are also considered pets. There are about 9 million reptiles and 3000 great apes kept as pets here. Some of these animals are held legally while others are not.

In the United States alone, the exotic pet trade is a 15 billion dollar a year enterprise. World wide, this trade is worth many billions of dollars and ranks second only to drugs and weapons on the black market.

People often confuse a trained animal with a domesticated one. Just because an animal has been trained to jump through hoops and the like does not make it tame. Let us not forget that dogs and cats have been selectively bred for over a thousand years just to develop certain desired traits.

The average person does not have the knowledge or finances to adequately care for these animals as they grow into adulthood. Once they are mature, aggressive tendencies often begin to emerge, particularly in the males of some species. This is when they are no longer cute and cuddly and many people try various methods to control them. The pets may be chained, caged, put in basements, housed in small enclosures, be fitted with shock collars, have teeth and claws surgically removed, and even beaten. Remember, these are animals who in the wild have vast jungles to roam.

There are people keeping big cats in basements, backyard cages, and in some cases even apartments. These cats which include tigers, lions, and leopards weigh around 600 pounds or so. These animals pose a definite threat to other neighbors. It costs about $12,000 a year to provide decent food for an animal of this size. The likelihood is that an animal of this size will end up under fed, under weight, and possibly diseased.

Most zoos do not accept pets and they also have housing and feeding arrangements all ready planned out for the animals presently in their care. Many people seeking to rid themselves of these once adorable cats will try to sell them to pet stores, petting farms, traveling shows, or leave them abandoned.

Florida is dealing with animals that have been released or escaped and have reproduced prolifically over the years. Florida has Burmese python, the Nile monitor lizard, macaque and capuchin monkeys, parrots and cockatiel all of which are thriving and upsetting the ecosystem there.

Just Ask

If you must have one of these animals as a pet, ask the questions necessary to let you know the care and cost of having such an animal.

Ask about the lifespan and how big your potential pet can get.

Ask about its temperament as a species when attaining adult status. Be aware that as adults, most wild animals become more aggressive.

I welcome any comments or thoughts regarding this subject.

The Humane Society of the United States site: www.hsus.org