BORN TO BE WILD
Having wildlife close to home can be an exciting way of life, but it can be a dangerous one. It's common to see more exotic pets sold at the local pet store, but is this a safe trend? We have the lowdown on which exotic pets are safe to own, and which ones you might want to think twice about.
It made national news when Charla Nash was viciously attacked by a 200-pound pet chimpanzee named Travis in February 2009, leaving her with life-long scars. Chimpanzees have been known to be peaceful creatures, but like any other animal that comes from the wild, they can act on their natural instincts without warning, with devastating consequences.
In Pasco County, Florida, a pet monkey was spotted jumping out of his owner's car at a gas station and escaping into nearby woods. In Topeka, Kansas, a zebra was spotted along an interstate.
These incidents are becoming more frequent and have sparked debates, raising the ethical question of whether exotic animals should have a place in modern society outside of zoos. Because of this, a number of states are beginning to pass legislation making it illegal to own exotic animals as pets.
Obviously, zebras and chimps are not the ideal choice for people who just want a small, unusual household pet. You might want to consider exotic pets that are more common, yet unique and non-threatening. Here are a few options that are just as cool but much safer.
Sugar gliders
These creatures are listed as non-threatening by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN). Sugar gliders are marsupials, and like most marsupials, they originate from Australia. These little critters only weigh around five ounces, but despite their small size, they are sociable and love interacting with humans. These exotic animals are nocturnal and want most of their owner's attention at night.
Nutritionists don't agree on the types of foods that sugar gliders should be fed, though they all agree that their diets should be high in protein and include a healthy dose of insects. In addition, sugar gliders suck their nutrients from their food, which means they make a mess when they spit out what they don't eat. If you don’t like insects or a mess, this isn’t the right fit for you.