Define Exotic Pet

Although many animals can be kept domestically as pets, some are considered to be more exotic than others. Dogs and cats, for example, are common domestic animals that make up a large portion of the pet population. Exotic pets include many reptiles, rodents and other animals that are domesticated but are not typical or traditional pets.

  1. Definition

    • There is no specific definition for what does and does not qualify as an exotic animal, and many pets that are out-of-the-ordinary are considered to be exotics simply because they are uncommon. Some "exotic" pets are naturally more common than others, such as rabbits, chinchillas, snakes and frogs.

    Rodents and Furry Exotic Pets

    • A number of rodents and other small, furry pets fall into the exotics category. Hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats are the more common types of exotic pets. More exotic varieties include prairie dogs, flying squirrels, dormice, gerbils, degus and chinchillas. Ferrets, hedgehogs and sugar gliders are exotic pets that are actually illegal in some states because of their non-indigenous nature. In California, for example, residents cannot keep gerbils, sugar gliders, ferrets or hedgehogs as pets.

    Reptiles and Amphibians

    • Reptiles and amphibians may be considered exotic pets by nature, but some species are more exotic than others. Ball pythons, iguanas and bearded dragons, for example, are common reptile pets in the United States. On the other hand, axolotls, ornate horned frogs, tegus, Tokay geckos, Burmese pythons and Sulcata tortoises are less common in American households.

    Other Exotic Pets

    • Other exotic pets include scorpions, tarantulas, fennec foxes, raccoons, goats, monkeys and pot-bellied pigs. Alpacas, large cats, fiddler crabs, kinkajous, llamas, primates, opossums, skunks and wolf-dogs are also considered to be exotic pets, and are substantially rarer in American households. Many of these exotic pets require special considerations, since there are legal requirements and special care requirements that a pet owner has to contend with.

    Concerns

    • The three most important concerns in owning an exotic pet are legalities, safety concerns and health concerns. Laws vary from state to state regarding the purchase, sale and keeping of exotic animals. Certain types of animals are not allowed at all, while others simply require that you obtain a specific type of license to keep the exotic pet in the home. Health concerns primarily relate to reptiles and amphibians, as some exotics can carry disease such as salmonella. Some exotic animals may also be carriers of rabies, so proper testing is vital in ensuring the health of the pet and the owner. The final concern is safety, as small exotics can grow into adults that are unpredictable, and some exotic animals become too much to handle when they grow up and should not be kept as pets.