Loving the Strange: Five Great Exotic Pets You Must Own
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© 2012 by Aurelio Locsin.
Dogs and cats are popular pets because they’re warm and fuzzy, respond to affection, and are fairly easy to care for. That may not be enough for a sophisticated person like yourself who prefers something more distinctive and challenging. These five great exotic pets can provide the novelty you crave.
Hedgehogs
As friendly as a dog and as curious as a cat, a hedgehog is an ideal exotic pet to begin with. It has a cute face and responds to affection. Their uniqueness lies in the coat of short spines that stick out when they curl into a ball for protection. But cannot harm humans. Unlike hamsters, rats and other rodents, these creatures live 4-to-7 years, are generally clean and odorless, and can be trained to go in a litter box. They are also active during day and night.
Hedgehogs average about 5-to-8 inches and require only four square feet of cage. This makes them easy to carry when you travel. Though in the wild they eat beetles, pet varieties can subsist on dry cat food, supplemented by vegetables, fruits, crickets and mealworms. For more information on pet hedgehogs, consult the International Hedgehog Association.
Seahorses
If you’re willing to take responsibility for maintaining a saltwater aquarium, then you can take care of these exotic creatures. Seahorses are actually bony fish whose skeletons are located on the outside. They range in size from about 1.5 inches for the dwarfs to one foot for the giants. Most pets are between 4-to-7-inches in size. They can display colors from a subtle brown to bright orange and yellow. But they can change their hues for courting or camouflage. They generally prefer their own tanks but can tolerate some small animal species.
Though seahorses are plentiful in the wild, you want to buy captive-bred varieties that have been raised by experts. These versions tend to be free of diseases and live from one-to-four years, depending on type. They are also usually trained to consume frozen mysis shrimp instead of hard-to-care-for live creatures. For more information on seahorses, check out FusedJaw.
Tarantulas
Though rating high on the creepiness factor, tarantulas are quiet, usually gentle and can live in a small space like a 5-to-10 gallon dry aquarium, though larger species require bigger spaces. They range in size from 2.5-to-10 inches and are generally colored brown to black, with some markings in white, yellow or orange. They do not tolerate frequent handling because some species have hairs under their bellies that can cause itching. They are also venomous. Though the poison is only harmful to insects, it can cause the same allergic reaction as a bee sting.
They subsist on live insects, particularly crickets, given every few days. Females live far longer than males. Some species, such as the Brazilian Black Tarantula, survive up to 20 years or more. For more information on these spiders, check out the Tarantula Guide.
Jellyfishes
Graceful and hypnotic, these bell-shaped creatures are more properly called jellies since they are not fish and are mostly made up of water. Their delicate nature means they cannot survive in ordinary rectangular aquariums where they can get caught in corners and torn up by filters. They require special curved containers but are otherwise as easy to take care of as any freshwater fish. They subsist on either frozen plankton food or live brine shrimp.
They range in diameter from 2.5 inches for the transparent moon jellies up to 18 inches for blue blubber jellies. They live about from one-to-three years. The transparent moon jellies are particularly attractive under multicolored LED lights. For more information on jellies, see JellyfishArt.
Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders, also known as sugar bears, win first place in the cuteness competition for five great exotic pets. They have furry, squirrel-like bodies; long tails; big black eyes; and grasping hands. These marsupials are small enough to keep in a pocket and can be trained to go to the bathroom only once a day. They are affectionate, curious, social and can subsist on commercial pellet foods supplemented by fresh fruits and vegetables. A cage that is 30 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 36 inches tall makes a sufficient home. The enclosure must have powder-coated bars that are too small for the creature to slip through.
When buying sugar gliders, make sure the dealer has a license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information on these lovable pets, see the Association of Sugar Glider Veterinarians
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Alocsin, I still say "eeeeeee" at the thought of petting any of these creatures, but the information you shared is very interesting. The name "seahorse" is very misleading; I'd be ashamed to say what I thought it was. Thanks for the education.
Before I bought my exotic pet, a chinchilla, I gave serious consideration for a hedgehog. I still think that I want one. Thank you for the interesting post!
I like this so much I'm voting up and SHARING on facebook
I worked at a pet store while in high school. I saw some of the strangest animals as pets (people were allowed to bring their pets into the store w/ them). The sugar gliders are adorable! I'm w/ homesteadbound - I don't think that I could care for a spider of any kind.
I never would've thought a jellyfish would make a decent pet. Interesting!
Voted up, useful, and interesting.
Good information here. It's important to understand how to care for your new pet before you buy. Some people just into getting a pet and are unprepared to care for it. I did not even know you could have a jellyfish as a pet. Thanks for all the useful information.
I know only dogs and cats as pets. Thanks for this interesting article.
I vote for sugar gliders, since furry is an important factor in a pet (for me, anyway). Voted up and interesting!
I like the idea of the jelly fish although I amnot sure what they eat! Thanks for SHARING
Remarkable. Pets never fail to amaze. Like any animal, they still require love, care and specific living arrangements to keep them happy and healthy. The Hedgehogs look amazing- yet curious to watch them. Interesting fun hub and learned something new!
Thanks for SHARING
As children, my sisters and I had many tarantulas as pets...as an adult I don't think I want one in my house!
I would love a hedgehog and a sugar glider, tho!
Thanks for SHARING!
Thanks all for stopping by and giving me your thoughts. This is my first pets hub and didn't think it would be all that popular. Glad I was wrong.
..another one my fine friend with an attention grabbing hub title - lol - like your million dollar hub - and yes - destined for greatness on my Facebook page with anoher posting and a direct link back here - your research and content is world class all of the way too.
lake erie time ontario canada 8:50pm
I vote for sea horse :D something about aquatic creature that relaxes me. I would have voted for jelly fish but the memory of what they did to be always pop up into my mind hehehe.
Interesting hub and voted as such
I shared your hub on facebook and my friend Glo loved it and she shared it too. Hope you get lots of visitors.
There is also a the GloFish pet, which is a genetically modified fluorescent zebrafish with bright red, green, glowing colors. Just google "Wikipedia GloFish"
Great hub article. My nephew has a tarantula spider that is about twelve years old. He takes it out once in awhile and lets it roam his room. Not a fan of these creatures. I loved the jellyfish video. The music and fish floating in the bowl is so relaxing. I could possibly enjoy these as pets.
I have never seen a sugar glider. They are so cute. Great hub. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by. BlissfulWriter, what an interesting pet -- I'll have to investigate that.
I have never heard of a sugar glider. Definitely exotic.
Voted up and interesting.
really nice article, well written and interesting
Sorry, not trying to promote myself, but I couldn't resist because this is the perfect opportunity...I love your list, but I think the only one I would want for myself would be a hedgehog...they seem like the most fun and easiest to care for. Also, they're a lot cuter than tarantulas.
This is my dream exotic pet: A muntjac!
How cute! I love exotic animals. I am not sure I would want a bird though. They bit and always try to eat my earrings off in stores. :) The sugargliders are adorable! This is an outstanding hub!
I dunno-- maybe I could deal with a hedgehog. I sure like the hedgehog meme online-- but a tarantula or a jellyfish ??? nooooooooooooooo. I just stick to the mini poodle-- but this is a great idea for a hub and I really enjoyed reading it so voing it up all the way around
Okay, now I want ALL the critters you listed - exept the spider! Eeeew....my brother has a shop with unique/exotic animals and he has spiders, snakes, scorpions, hissing cockroaches, and HUGE centipedes
Wow, sugar gliders? Never heard of them! Interesting and informative :-)
Wow, I know only from Dogs, infact was just writing about that. I'm more of...say...a mainstream pet person, but I liked this very educational information. Great hub. Voted up,
I have never heard of a sugar glider before--but they sure are cute!
I never realized you could have jellyfish as a pet, but it sounds interesting. I am thinking about buying fish again (as opposed to becoming the crazy cat lady!), so I am going to look into it. A hedgehog sounds pretty cute, too! Thanks for the info!
I want a sugar glider!!!
Thanks for stopping by. I'll have to agree with those who picked a sugar glider -- it's my favorite too.
These pets are just amazing...i wish i would have one of them.
homesteadbound Level 8 Commenter 3 months ago
I have long wanted a sugar glider, but I haven't gotten one yet.
I don't like spiders, and the thought of a 10" tarantula sent chills down my spine!
Great summary of each animal. Thanks for SHARING!