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