Exotic Pets and How to Take Care of Them

Many of us students grow up with a variety of pets, whether it be a simple house cat, a dog, or some fish. Others don’t grow up with, or currently own, any pets. If you're on the fence about whether or not to get a pet, then this is for you. While these pets might not be conventional, they’re still deserving of love and care. Remember, if you plan on getting a pet from this list, please make sure to do your own research before deciding.

Canaries:

Canaries live a lifespan of over ten years with the proper environment and care, which can be accomplished fairly easily. They eat grains like sunflower seeds, certain fruit seeds, and veggies like bell peppers and carrots. They need, at minimum, an 18 length X 14 width X 18 height cage, but the bigger the cage, the happier the bird is. You’ll need to get some toys as they need entertainment and attention. They’ll need to be kept at room temperature, 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be able to fly within their cage and outside of  it, along with plenty of sunlight. The last thing you need is a large water dish for water bathing.

Fancy Rats:

Fancy rats are incredibly similar to normal rats; the key difference is that they are considered to be domesticated rats. They need an enclosure that has multiple levels and is at least 16 X 28 X 30 inches. Their cages should not be in direct sunlight, preferably in a dimly lit area that is kept at room temperature. Make sure to line the bottom of the cage with rodent bedding, changing it daily to reduce the possibility of illnesses. The rats need toys, tunnels, and entertainment for their well-being and happiness. For food, the rats should have a diet that consists of pellets found at pet stores (specifically for fancy rats, and not other rodents like mice) and fresh fruits and veggies. Specifically, strawberries, raspberries, sweet potatoes, and seedless bell peppers. The mix of fresh produce and pellets is optimal for the rat’s health. For your own health, make sure to wash your hands after handling the rat, and use caution as some rats bite and scratch when they feel threatened. 

Bearded Dragons:

Bearded Dragons are a very popular pet in the exotic pet space due to their resilience. When well cared for, they can live up to over fifteen years. An adult bearded dragon should have an 85+ gallon tank, as they can grow to be 16 to 24 inches from head to tail. Bearded dragons eat a variety of leafy greens and bugs. Freeze-dried mealworms and grasshoppers are among my beardy’s favorites. They need proper lighting to regulate temperature, which should be around 97.3 degrees Fahrenheit. They also require UVB bulbs and a large amount of calcium in their diet; otherwise, they may get metabolic bone disease, which could be fatal. Each bearded dragon has a different personality. Some want attention more than others, some are hyperactive, and some just laze about. Be sure to give your bearded dragon proper attention, if it is what they seek. Petting should be done with care with juveniles. 

Poison Dart Frogs:

Despite their name, poison dart frogs aren’t inherently poisonous and only gain their poison from the food they eat in their natural habitat. In reality, touching one is more harmful to them than it is to you, as the oils from your skin can irritate theirs and clog their pores, which they use to soak up water. Poison dart frogs require a temperature of 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and specific substrates that keep them moist. They also require misting to keep their humidity between 80% and 100%, so make sure to have a humidity gauge in the terrarium. Speaking of the terrarium, it must be at least 18x18x24 inches, and varies depending on how many you keep. They require a high calcium and vitamin D3 diet for the same reason as bearded dragons. They eat primarily live bugs, so they will need to be dusted with these vitamins. These amphibians can die if proper precautions with their environment in the terrarium are not taken, so make sure to do research before deciding to keep a poison dart frog.

These are but a small selection of exotic pets that you can buy at a pet store in Santa Clarita. They need people to take care of them because they can’t be taken care of forever at the pet stores. With this article, I hope readers will consider looking into adopting one of the exotic pets on this list or researching more.