| Exotic pets are vastly misunderstood in the | | | | cups with mesh on the top, as adults they |
| press, and are often portrayed as unruly, | | | | still only require a small home, something |
| difficult to keep and very much a specialist | | | | one foot cube is ideal. If snakes are your |
| pet. In actual fact exotic pets make exciting | | | | interest then a corn snake is an ideal first |
| and unusual pets and shouldn't be dismissed | | | | step into the world of exotic pets. You've |
| as quickly as they often are. They come in | | | | probably seen them in the pet shops sold as |
| all shapes and sizes, from the humble corn | | | | hatchlings, those small bright orange snakes |
| snake to the highly aggressive desert hairy | | | | with saddles on the back. These are ideal |
| scorpion to the stunning dendrobates. They | | | | first time exotics (and what got me into them |
| also can be surprisingly affectionate, as is | | | | in the first place) due to their size (adults |
| the case with the bearded dragon, which is | | | | usually reach 4-5ft, some individuals may get |
| well known for the bond it forms with its | | | | bigger but they rarely go over 6ft), |
| owner. They can be very intelligent like the | | | | handle-ability and good appetite. They are |
| monitors and tegu's, who are renowned in the | | | | also generally quite forgiving of the |
| trade for their intelligence. Some | | | | mistakes that people new to the hobby make. |
| unfortunately do deserve the press such as | | | | Part of the popularity of corn snakes |
| the green iguana and the Burmese python, both | | | | probably stems from the fact that although |
| of which are often bought as cute hatchlings | | | | the wild types are orange, in captivity they |
| where they then develop into monsters and end | | | | come in a vast array of colors and patterns. |
| up in rescue centers. Ideal exotic pets for | | | | Welcome to the world of color morphs. |
| the beginner include the leopard gecko, this | | | | Nowadays if you have the cash you can almost |
| is a brilliant lizard which is very easy to | | | | hand pick the color of your snake, from |
| keep, full of character and still one of my | | | | perfect white to a deep rusty brown to |
| firm favorites. They are commonly kept in | | | | purple. Due to their rarity (and most corn |
| vivariums where their needs can be met | | | | snake color morphs having to be homozygous |
| surprisingly easily. The set up costs | | | | before they are visible) they fetch a high |
| associated with all of the equipment you'll | | | | price, you could end up spending a few |
| need (the vivarium itself, a heat mat, | | | | thousand dollars on a price specimen. Most of |
| thermostat, decor, etc) are quite high but | | | | the snakes value however would be in the |
| once purchased leopard geckos make | | | | offspring it can produce so expensive color |
| inexpensive pets, they can be kept for approx | | | | morphs are generally sold between fellow |
| 2-3 ($4-6) a week. Another ideal beginner | | | | breeders. Hopefully this might make you take |
| exotic pet is the African praying mantis, | | | | another look at exotic pets, there's a little |
| these make impressive pets due to their | | | | more to them than meets the eye. |
| aggression towards pray, but they are also | | | | |
| very handleable and get to a reasonable size. | | | | Find more information on Exotic Pets such as |
| As youngsters they can be kept in plastic | | | | Leopard Gecko and how to handle them. |