Are you thinking about getting a pet, but want something a little more exotic? You don’t have to go down the same old route of a cat, rabbit, or dog – there are plenty of other amazing animals you can keep at home. We’re going to take a look at five pets that will give you something different, and that will be a talking point amongst your friends and neighbours. Ready? Then let’s get started.
Capybara
OK, so these impressive rodents aren’t all that easy to look after. And, they can be expensive. But, if you have a lot of outside space, they are worth a look at. The capybara is the world’s largest rodent, weighing in at around the same as a full grown man. They are strange to look at because it seems they should be much smaller than they are. They can be noisy, too – alternating between a dog-like bark and the purring of a cat. You will need a license to keep one as a pet, and you can expect to spend a few thousand pounds for one.
Domestic Rat
A lot of people are put off by rats – and rightly so. However, domestic rats aren’t like the ones you see loitering around train stations and are excellent pets. They are intelligent, inquisitive, and like having fun – so they are great if you have kids. Rats all have their own personalities, and will bond with their owners, as well as any other rats they share space with. They’re quiet pets -the vast majority of their squeaks can’t be heard by the human ear. Rats are easy to feed, and although their cages need cleaning out often, they aren’t too much bother at all.
Alpaca
First thing’s first – when you find some alpacas for sale, don’t just come away with one. Like horses, they are social animals, and a single alpaca will get depressed, lonely and have security issues. You will need some land to keep them in, although not a great deal. You can keep between four and six alpacas on an acre of land. They will eat grass and a little hay, don’t need special fencing, and they are intelligent. So, you can train them to walk with you and enjoy being handled. A good option if you have a field – but remember, they are herd animals!
Tarantula
Could you go for a tarantula? They are a popular pet and don’t need too much looking after – as long as you aren’t frightened to death of them! There are many different varieties of tarantula, and although they are often thought of as dangerous, they aren’t. Yes, their venom is poisonous. But most people will only feel it like a bee or a wasp sting. However, some people could be allergic to their venom, which might result in a fatal bite. If you want to get a tarantula, you should see your doctor first, to rule out any allergy.
Burmese Python
Burmese pythons are huge creatures – they can grow to over 20 feet long. Because of this, you will need to have space for an enormous tank for them – almost the size of a small room. Also, they can be dangerous, so this is not a choice for someone who doesn’t know anything about python behaviour. Interested? Head over to Reptile Expert for an excellent guide.
Do you have a strange and exotic pet? Let us know what it is and how you get on with them!
