What Are the Easiest Exotic Pets to Look After?

Sometimes you might get bored just raising dogs and cats and you might feel like becoming a high-performance exotic animal keeper. This is an ordinary stage in every animal lover’s path. Probably. However, if you dream of having a tiger or lion, you will have to revise your dreams and switch to animal species that you can legally possess. There are a lot of such species, and we will present a few in this article.

Servals

They are a medium-sized predatory cat species. They are sometimes presented as cheetah cousins. Those exotic cats have slender bodies, long limbs and neck, with a small head. Their color is bright yellow and mottled. In the diet of this wild cat you must include meat (in the form of poultry or mice), add vegetables and fruits, and take care of the right balance of micro-and macro-elements as well as vitamins.

Servals are very intelligent and talented cats that can even be taught some basic commands. Servals, like any other cat, can learn how to use a litter box which is designed to the size of a house cat. A Serval lives under an endless supply of energy that will bring a lot of joy to your home.

African Pygmy Hedgehog

A cute, tiny animal originally living in central Africa has already stolen the hearts of many people. Its maximum size is about 25 cm. The Hedgehog can be kept in a cage or terrarium, which must be lit and heated at night. This mammal lives up to eight years. The Pygmy Hedgehog adapts very well to home conditions. It is a very undemanding animal that needs some food, water, a tiny hedgehog house, and a bit of attention.

Let’s deal with the issue of feeding our hedgehog. Usually, it hunts for insects under natural conditions. However, you can also provide your pygmy hedgehog with a dry cat food of very good quality. These foods are usually rich in vitamins and microelements, which ensures proper development of the animal. It is worth giving the hedgehog insects of all kinds, e.g., cockroaches or crickets, from time to time. Cooked meat, hard-boiled eggs, and fruits with vegetables will also work.

Tarantulas… Why Not?

Tarantula farming is cheap and doesn’t have many requirements. For the novice breeder, the Brachypelma will be the easiest genus of Tarantula species to maintain. They are massive tarantulas, reaching 5-8 cm in length of the body itself and are characterized by night activity. This group consists of the largest, most diverse, and the most beautifully colored species.

They are inherently slow, poorly venomous (venom toxicity is comparable to bee venom), and not very aggressive. However, they developed a different defense strategy. When they feel attacked, they comb the hair stinging from the abdomen towards the attacker, e.g., breeders, which can cause a strong reaction, and after getting into the nostrils or eyes are very irritating. It gives our animal time to escape; that is why caution is the most important rule.

Snakes

If you aren’t completely scared of them, then you could also think about snakes as a pet option. Corn snakes, royal snakes, milk snakes, and ball pythons are a good choice for beginners. But be very careful: snakes can easily escape, and you will not be popular with your neighbors if that happens.

It is said that small corn snakes are ideal for beginner breeders. Those snakes are reaching 120 to 180 cm in length, with a weight of just 1 kg. It is a snake very commonly bred at home, with a mild disposition that tolerates very well being handled by the owner. Thanks to their colorful varieties, corn snakes are extremely popular amongst snake lovers.

In captivity, snakes should have the ability to move freely. The larger terrarium for a snake, the better. The minimum wall length recommended by experienced breeders is 80 cm. The radiant heater and appropriate lighting are crucial. You will also need a small swimming pool inside; your snake may usually avoid it, but the pool can often be used before molting (the process of replacing the old and worn skin). Their diet comes down to eating small rodents and chicks. Feeding is relatively rare: once every 2-3 weeks for adult specimens and up to twice a week for juveniles.

Summary

When deciding on an exotic animal, please remember to find a good veterinarian near you, in case of any problems that your new friend may have. Regular vet clinics are typically used to accepting dogs, cats, rabbits, and other house pets as patients. Not every veterinarian has special medical training, which could have prepared him or her to treat exotic animals.

Let’s remember that animals live in various environments in the wild. It is our responsibility to provide them with the best place for stress-free development. Buying a spacious and well-stocked terrarium in the case of snakes and spiders, and the right attitude and knowledge on your part will allow you handle them with care and ensure them a good life.