Many people have chosen to share their life with a pet. Pets definitely add much to our lives, companionship, service and even entertainment. While most people think of dogs, cats or horses as pets there are many other unique and interesting animals that have made their way into the human household.
Here are 7 not-so common household pets.
Sugar glider
Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal marsupials. They are about 6 inches long with the tail adding another 6 inches. They weigh approximately 6 ounces. They can live up to 14 years in captivity.
Sugar gliders naturally live in tree tops and glide from tree to tree hunting at night. Therefore they need very large cages and do best in aviaries.
They are very social and can become quite bonded to their owners, sleeping comfortably in a pocket. Be prepared to feed live meal worms, crickets, wax worms, spiders, and moths as well as a variety of fruits and nuts.
Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are amazing little creatures ranging in size from 5-8 inches. They are native to Africa. Because they have become popular pets they are now available in a wide variety of colors.
Their backs are covered with rows of short prickly spines and their bellies are covered with soft fur. When threatened, they roll into a tight protective ball. They do best when kept by themselves.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
The Madagascar hissing cockroach or the hisser is one of the largest species of roaches reaching 2-3 inches at maturity. It is because of their unique hissing sound that they have become popular pets. Unlike most roaches they are wingless. They primarily each vegetation.
Emperor Scorpion
The emperor scorpion is very large reaching up to 6 inches at maturity and is native to tropical West Africa. Their venom isnt as toxic as their smaller cousins but they can deliver a painful sting. They are popular on movie sets because of their large, scary appearance coupled with their non-aggressive tendencies.
Degu
The degu is a fairly large rodent (10-12 inches including the tail) native to Chile. They are quite social so you should keep them as pairs. Because they are social they are easy to tame and quite friendly to human handlers.
Fennec Fox
Fennec foxes are about 15-18 inches in length, weigh 2-4 pounds and are native to the desert regions of North Africa. They are extremely social, very active and need a lot of attention. They can be litter box trained and make a purring sound very similar to a cat when feeling content.
Pacman Frog
Pacman frogs are fairly common amphibian pets. They are quite large, 6-7 inches in length and are native to South America. Their name, derived from the popular video game, comes from their rounded body, large mouth and tendency to eat anything that gets in their way. Although they are a frog, they arent good swimmers so care must be taken that they dont drown in their water bowl.
This is just a sampling of the many unique animals that we share our homes with. Keep in mind that exotic pets require special care and attention so please make sure you are ready for the commitment if you choose one of these exciting and interesting creatures.
Copyright (c) 2009 Rebecca Kimes
