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What Do You Need To Know Before Getting An Exotic Pet

on October 27, 2011 · 25 Comments

Many people often find themselves owning a pet before they are ready. Sadly this means that the pet suffers in some way, either from neglect, or it is abandoned because the owner can not continue to care for it. If you ask yourself some simple questions before you get the pet, it shows you truly care about the long term commitment of owning an exotic pet.

Are they Legal in your area? While technically any animal other than a cat, dog, fish and livestock, is considered an exotic pet, some have laws against being kept as such in a specific area. Be sure to check as if you are found to be keeping an illegal pet not only can you be fined, but your pet may be taken away and destroyed immediately. Additionally keeping a pet where one is not allowed will mean food and veterinarian attention may be impossible to find.

Do you own your own home, or have landlord permission? This is important because many pets are abandoned because the landlord will not allow them and people have tried to hide them. It is unfair to not only the pet, but also to the landlord, to get a pet you know you are not allowed to have.

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Have you researched the animal and know you can provide lifetime care for it? Just because the Iguana is only a foot long now, does not mean it will stay small for long. Eventually it will need a room of its own. If you cannot provide a space for it later, do not get a pet now.

What is the lifespan of the pet? Make sure you can provide lifetime care to the pet, in the case of longer lived pets, such as parrots, make sure you have somebody you can leave the pet to in your will.

Is there a knowledgeable veterinarian in your area that can care for your pet? Most vets can care for cats, and dogs, some in the country are familiar with large animals such as horses, or cattle. Many are familiar with the common exotic animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs (yes in most areas these are considered exotic pets), however, very few are familiar with lizards, birds, marsupials, and so on.

Do you have sufficient funding for on going care and feed expenses? Typically exotic pets have higher care costs, this includes caging and feed.

Do you have a source for food? Exotic pets have specific meal requirements, and not every store sells supplies and good food for those pets. If you want a chinchilla, make sure you have a source for chinchilla food. Other exotics require live, or “killed” food, (such as crickets or baby mice) which may not always be available in all places.

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Can you meet all the needs of an exotic pet? Many exotic pets require more mental stimulation than a typical pet. Parrots, ferrets, and monkeys, for example, all must have a large amount of the day devoted to their care and mental stimulation. Also consider the space requirement of such pets, many people keep pets in cages (or enclosures) far too small to really meet their needs and as such have behavioral problems in their pets.

Why do I want this pet? This is an extremely important question to ask, and is one often overlooked by many people. If you want the pet for the wrong reasons, you should not be getting a pet at all.

The right reasons include:

-To make its life better.

-To breed a rare animal where there is demand for them.

-Because there are more animals needing homes, than there are homes for (rescue).

The wrong reasons are:

-Because it’s cool. (very common reason given particularly by people keeping dangerous animals)

-Because I want one.

-Because I want to show it off.

-Because I want to breed them to make money.

Related Links

Ferret Facts

Bantam Chickens – small chicken pets

How to Start a Horse Rescue

Exotic Pet Information Blog – The Animal Cabin

Join Bukisa and get Paid to Write – Click Here

Written by Brenda Nelson
Pet and Animal Expert

A VIDEO PIC SLIDE SHOW OF MY SNAKES SPIDERS AND SCORPIONS

Do You Have The Time For a Pet Reptile?

on October 24, 2011 · 19 Comments

by mcwetboy

Reptiles are slow and many people think they just lay around and do not need much.

Reptiles do not need to be walked everyday but they do need care. Some need more than others. They need proper housing and a healthy diet.

Frogs and salamanders require a lot of time. Their home must be kept clean and moist. You must make sure they have food available at all times.

Turtles and tortoises require a lot of time. Turtles are very messy eaters. They need their home kept clean. They need food and fresh water.

Some turtles and tortoises need special care such as heating and lighting.

Many adult lizards need care several times a week. Feeding does not usually have to be done everyday. Cleaning their cage does not have to be done everyday. Every few days is usually just fine.

Different species require different treatment. Some require more time than others. Green iguanas require fresh food every other day. Feeding them daily is best. Leopard geckos need to be fed every 2 or 3 days. Be sure to find out what your reptiles requirements are before you bring him home. By doing this you will know if you have the time to take care of your pet the way he needs to be cared for.

Snakes usually need less care than other reptiles. Snakes are usually fed once or twice a week. They need their cage cleaned on a regular basis.

Getting a pet needs to be given careful thought. If you want a retile you must make sure you have the equipment, housing and time to care for the pet. What ever pet you pick he is dependent on you for his survival. You must provide him with everything he needs. Think things over and make sure you have the time for a reptile. You must also have the space to properly house your reptile.

Leopard geckos do not get very large so they do not require a great deal of room. They are fairly easy to care for. The corn snake only grows to 4 to 5 feet. They do not require a lot of room. Iguanas are very popular. When you see them in the pet store they are very small and cute. No one bothers to tell you they will grow to be 5 to 6 feet long when they are grown. They require a large cage and some people just do not have the room.

Before you decide on which reptile you want be sure to check out how big they will get when they are full grown. Reptiles live for several years so they will be around for a long time.

Written by norlaw

In part 2, prolific reptile manufacturers Zoo Med Labs, Healthy Herp, and Zeigler Bros.give ReptilesTV a first hand look at cool items the Tortoise House, the 511 Canister Filter, the Repti-Breeze Vivarium, Monster Diets, and Freeze Dried foods they demonstrated for the industry and the public at Orlando, Floridas Global Pet Expo, one of the largest pet product showcases in the world.

Not Just Another Pet!

on October 17, 2011 · Leave a Comment

by mcwetboy

Turtles have been on Earth for millions of years. People forget that they are reptiles and follow reptile rules in all matters of their lives.

I have two turtles, a female and male, my knowledge of these prehistoric animals have grown just like them. I got them both when they were small little guys. They used to swim under little rocks and would be able to sit in my palm together and still have room to spare!

That was five years ago, turtles never stop growing, (a little tidbit I found out from my vet) and they are a good size now. The female weighs around six to eight pounds and the male weighs around four. He will always be smaller than her due to the mating rituals. He also has super long nails which are also needed for mating.

When it’s the mating season, he will start the mating dance. Even reptiles can be graceful! He swims towards her, positions himself face to face with her and gently he uses his nails to stroke her face. It can take hours for him to place himself in the right position. It is something to watch!

The two of them can eat forever and ever! I used to feed them everyday, now it’s every second day and if I go away for a few days, I buy feeder goldfish for them to eat. They love their fish alive and raw. (remember they are reptiles!!) I enjoy watching them chase the goldfish around and then catch them. I asked the vet awhile back what else can I feed them when I am away? He said “crickets”. The vet also said that the turtles might not know how to eat a cricket because they never did before. The vet said I might need to teach them how. I told the vet I will not stand there and flap my arms and pretend I am a cricket! Besides, I couldn’t stop laughing!

Red Eared Slidders need to bask everyday. The upper and lower shells need to dry, totally. If they don’t dry their shells, they can get soft shell. This minute I only have the one tank which does not have enough room for both to bask. So, I put them in the bathtub. Some people lie in their tubs to bathe, others have yesterday’s drunks in the tub. Not me! You will always found two turtles in there, both trying to get out! She has even laid eggs in the bathtub! They can stay in the tub for up to six hours, then they should go back into the water. Red Eared Slidders do everything in water. They have to eat in water because they gum their food and then they gulp water to push it all down. They also mate in water.

Turtles can see and hear. They will be still with their noses and eyes out of the water, listening if I have friends over. The male is very curious and in the summer I take him ouside on the balony. He follows the sounds and movements of people. He stretches his neck and boy, it’s long and slender. The female is shy, she keeps her head in her shell til she is totally sure of what, I don’t know!?

To me, turtles are great pets. They are truly amazing to watch. I thought that they wouldn’t have personalities at all. I thought reptiles, crocs, snakes, etc. were not like other pets. I was mistaken, the turtles have very different personalities. He is curious, active and such a guy. She is careful, holds her own, a real female!

One last thing about turtles. They live for a long time. Red Eared Slidders can live for seventy years. Now I need to rewrite my will!

Written by Rochelle.com

How to safely and properly pack, transport and move your reptile.

on October 13, 2011 · Leave a Comment

by Pahz

Moving is one of the top 10 most stressful events in a person’s life- we can all agree on this fact. Wherever you go, your pet is part of the journey and is hopefully not lost, injured or stressed during the moving process. Most animals are creatures of habit and become very nervous when they’re relocated to a new and different environment. When you start to move, they start to freak out. It’s just their nature and is to be expected. At Rent A Green Box, we have seen our share of moving related pet issues: sad pets, missing pets and really pissed off pets. With over 80,000 moves completed in the last 5 years, we’re constantly asked the same question “How do I safely move my Reptile”. We’re happy to share with you, our free reptile friendly packing and moving tips. If you’re looking to move your other animals, we also have a special articles packed with great advice on “How to pack and move your Bird”, “Cat”, and “Dog”. Enjoy!

HOW TO SAFELY AND PROPERLY PACK, TRANSPORT AND MOVE YOUR REPTILE.

1.) Moving Prep: In transporting any pet, have your regular veterinarian do a routine checkup to update your pet’s health records for your own files and for your new pet doctor ( if your moving out of state). This routine checkup is a great time to obtain an extra copy of your pet’s medical history ( this can save you up to .00 dollars at the next office). Ask your vet if they know of any special state laws or requirements that pertain to your reptile. Some states have very strict guidelines on specific reptiles and require registration and or special licenses.

Although you may be swamped during your pack and move, don’t forget to keep your reptiles daily routine and feeding schedules the same until the actual move day. This regular schedule will help keep your reptile calm and secure. Reptiles are creatures of habit (no pun intended)!

Also, it’s really important to have your pet accustomed to the crate, box or carrier he or she will be transported in during the move. Remember that your carrier must be large enough for the reptile to turn around in but not large enough for it to get hurt. Also, refrain from placing too many objects inside of the crate for comfort as these objects can hurt or injure your pet in transit. Having a copy of all of your pets recent medical history attached to the front of the carrier can also prevent your pet from entering any quarantined area during routine transportation inspections ( especially at border crossings between countries (USA to Canada and USA to Mexico in addition to all domestic airports). Check with the state of relocation to make sure that you’re able to have your particular species as a domesticated pet.

2.) Moving Day: Depending on what type of reptile you have, there will be many different procedures based on their particular species traits. Always remember that venomous reptiles should be packed in two boxes where as non-venomous reptiles can be placed inside one sturdy box. Be sure the containers are well ventilated with proper size holes and the box is marked “Fragile” and “Live Cargo”. Some reptiles need a wet environment, so keep moist towels in the box as well to prevent dehydration if applicable. Make sure that you write your first and last name and cell number on the moving carrier.

3.) Travel by Car: Travel by car is the least stressful mode for your reptile because you can adjust the ambient temperature, time of travel, surrounding noises and have a greater variety of pet carriers to choose from for your move. Check with your vet, as many will loan you a professional carrier to move your reptile (just ask them for a one day loaner). Make sure the carrier is in a safe place inside of the car and will not be crushed by other boxes. It must be properly ventilated at all times during transport. Even if it’s a short trip, bring extra food and water just in case of an emergency or traffic delay in arriving to your new place.

4.) Traveling by Air: Airlines transport pets everyday and this can be a good resource/option for you to investigate. Airlines will take reptiles as “cargo only” and will be an expensive mode of transportation. The other issue is that they are not going to care for your pet like you care for your pet. Make sure all of your current medical records are easily accessible and attached to the front of the cage. Clearly write the type of reptile (not the crazzzy long and usually scary scientific name but the consumer name for your pet), required temperature, feeding times and any additional special medical needs. Include your first and last name, cell number and an alternate number in case you’re delayed in route, in addition to your home address and address of your new residence. Cover all of your basis and it’s a very good idea to have a small and cute picture of your pet taped to the front of the cage, to minimize additional interest during the course of transport.

5.) Post Move: As soon as you arrive at the new residence, settle your reptile into his/her new home/habitat to alleviate moving stress as quickly as possible. Place the cage in a quiet room away from all the unloading and unpacking that may also add stress to your reptile. Verify the right temperature in the cage and refresh the food and water before your pet enters. Try not to change his habitat for at least 3 weeks, until your reptile begins to act normal.

We know that packing and moving your pet via car or air can be very complicated and stressful for all involved and we encourage you to follow these suggestions, so your moving day will be smooth sailing for your and your reptile. Thank you from all of us at Rent A Green Box! Good luck with your move and send us a picture of your happy stress free pet in their new home!

Written by Spencer Brown
Green- Zero Waste Moving Expert. Recycling and Upcycling Expert. Zero Waste Product Designer.

Question by Mikel V.: (10 points) What is your take on small children/pet reptiles?
Is it okay to allow a small child to have a pet reptile?

By small children I mean ages 5-12, when everyone wants that big puppy dog at the pet store. Usually this involves mom/dad doing most of the feeding and cleaning, and of course being okay with it.

My nieces are too small for pet reptiles yet, imo; and my sister won’t step near anything with scales so, I just want to know what your personal opinion on the subject is.

Best answer:

Answer by Kelvin C
Well, reptile as a pet is not re command for a child at this age, first of all, those reptiles are like lizards and snake which can pose some danger to children that young, ut on the other hand reptile like tortoise would be ok but require some attention. If they are just for display for the kid which mean mom and dad do all the cleaning and so reptile like snake and lizard is still a no no, as for tortoise is still ok as they are not that aggressive.

Give your answer to this question below!

Fun Facts on Pet Ferrets

on October 10, 2011 · Leave a Comment

by sgvisuals

Ferrets are members of the weasel family. They are not rodents. They are carnivores (meat eaters) and were once used to hunt rabbits. As such anybody who keeps rabbits, or rodents, as pets should think again before getting a pet ferret.

Ferrets are incredibly smart, active, and curious. They do not do well in living situations were they are kept caged for any length of time. Experts recommend ferrets have at least three hours out of their cages every day. Failure to provide them with this additional stimulus can lead to aggression, boredom, or health problems.

The average lifespan of a ferret is 6-8 years, depending on care, health, and where it came from (the animals from mass breeders often have shorter lifespans with more health complications).

Many ferrets sold in pet stores come from mass ferret breeders (eg. Marshall ferrets). It must be noted that if you want a quality animal you will not buy from these sources. Rather you should look for a ferret from a reputable breeder. Ideally one who has taken their animal to shows. Most importantly look for a breeder who has handled the young ferret a lot before selling them.

When out of their cage they might nibble on cords so all electric cords should be up or safely covered so that a curious ferret cannot get at them. Additionally their curiosity might get them into trouble so they should be supervised when out of their cage.

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The cage itself should be large, typical ferret cages are 3, or more, feet tall, with several shelves and climbing opportunities. Ferrets enjoy nesting places and most stores sell ferret sacks, or hammocks, which can be suspended in their cages.

Ferrets can be litter trained but typically they decide where they want to go to the bathroom and will always use that place, so it is best if you follow there example and put the litter box where they want it to be rather than trying to get them to change their behavior.

Ferrets are not legal in some areas. Although you might think it is okay to smuggle an illegal pet into an area this is entirely unfair to that animal. Not only will it be hard to find food, and veterinary care, but if caught the pet might be confiscated immediately and euthanized.

They have stong scent glands which are smelly, this smell is often reduced by having the ferret descented at the same time it is spayed or neutered.

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Ferrets love toys and should have a variety of toys and tunnels. You can expect them to destroy some toys.

Ferrets are prone to diseases, including Adrenal disease, be sure you have a knowledgeable veterinarian in your area, and funds to cover vet expenses.

Ferrets can be fed good quality kitten food in an emergency, but this is not a good option for long term feeding. They really should have a good quality ferret food (one without fruit and vegetable filler).

Dried fruit is often sold as a ferret treat but cannot be digested properly by them in the short time it is in their digestive system and can actually cause blockages.

Ferrets can, and do, bite, especially if purchased from a place where they were not frequently handled as youngsters. These pets are best for people who are experienced with animals and aware that biting is a natural response to fear and poor handling. Ferrets should never be encouraged to nip.

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Ferrets can be leash trained and taken for walks, in fact this is a very good activity for them when out of their cages. Use caution when walking them near dogs who may see them as prey.

If you plan on getting a ferret, please do more research. These are not easy pets, nor are they for beginners. Never let a ferret lose to live on its own, this is animal abandonment and is illegal. If you cannot provide a home for a pet ferret that you have acquired, return it to its breeder or take it to an animal shelter and have them assist you in rehoming.