We evidently all love our cats, dogs, bunnies, etc. but have you ever owned an unusual or exotic pet? When I was around 4 years old I was given a tortoise. My cat was always rolling him over on to his back!

He only lasted about four years, although I've no idea how old he was when I was presented with him!

I used to work in a hospital path lab, we kept a tapeworm segment as a pet for a week.
(Then the consultant dissected it....)

Well, I keep snakes at the moment.

But thats not all that uncommon. Mine are only corn snakes, which in the pet snake world, is about the most commonly kept.

But ..... I did have a Water Snake for a few months ... it was evil! (The corns have a much more docile temperament)

I also had a pet earwig for a few months when I was younger. He lived in an old tub of fish-food with holes punched in the lid. He lasted for ages just eating the remains of the fish food flakes in the bottom of the tub.

I had a tarantula in 1988. I bought it to overcome my fear of spiders...it didn't work .

We had goats when I was a child - started with two Anglo Nubians (sisters) and then Teazle had one kid (Poppy) and the next year Tansy had three (Pansy, Daisy and Honey) so we had a herd of six, two of whom were milking. They were lovely. Teazle was a bit stroppy, and Poppy had one horn which pointed straight forward (they didn't debud her properly) and sometimes headbutted us. Tansy was lovely though, very sweet natured and friendly, and would let anyone milk her so long as she had something to eat.

We used to take them for walks in the woods. They would walk to heel and everything.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginger_...7601374993945/ < Tansy with the white ears

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginger_...7601374993945/ < the girls eating things in the woods

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginger_...7601374993945/ < day old Poppy.

That was brave! How long did you keep it?

I have 3 rats, but I don't think it's too unusual! They're ace pets

My aunty used to have a monkey (spider monkey I think), this was a long long time ago tho (1950s/60s) and I had 3 pigeons as pets when I was young.

I had a duck called Ed, and a tortoise called Hitler. I found Hitler in a field about 20 years ago and he had a H painted on his back - hence the name

I had 4 chinchillas but sadly I'm down to just 1 now .

Stick insects is the most exotic ive gone!

I had a cat who thought she was a dog but I don't think that counts. I've only ever had regular pets, cats, dogs, rabbits, mice and hamsters. Although last year I saw somebody in the park who had a pet skunk. I didn't even know you could keep them as pets, but it was so cute. I was tempted to look for one of my own, but think the cat would probaby fight with it if I got one.

They're not exactly exotic, but we adopted 5 Multimammate mice on Sunday from the local animal rescue group. They look a bit like a cross between a hamster and a rat and they're masters of escape. They've already managed to chew a hole in the lid of their tank, so we're going to have to buy a new home for them at the weekend, before they turn themselves into cat food!



.

Used to keep snakes and lizards, and when I was young we had an aviary and mum also used to take in sick/injured birds. So over the years we've had:

Garter snakes (red, californian, canadian, florida king)
Ribbon snake
Black Rat snake
Burmese python
Royal python
Iguana

Caught when i was a little boy:

Slow worms
Toads
Common Lizards
Grass snakes
Adder

Mum nursed to health:

Rook
Chaffinch
Blackbird
Kestrel
Crow

The aviary had various birds:

Cockatiels
Ring-Necked parakeets
Burke's parakeets
Lovebirds
Quails
Various finches
Budgies
Canaries

All the birds in the avairy had to be destroyed by the RSPCA as some budgies dad bought had Psittacosis which he caught and nearly killed him - 7 weeks in hospital with 2 in intensive care (he was actually only the 2nd person in the country to have been diagnosed with it - this was in 1980) and all the family and those who'd been in contact with the birds needed blood tests.

I have a bearded dragon. Always wanted a pet since I got my own place but I didn't want to get a cat or dog like everybody else.

He didn't last very long - only a few years. Stopped eating his crickets, bunched his legs up and keeled over . I was quite upset as he used to sit on my shoulder when I was watching telly.

Got a Yemen Chameleon (George) at the moment (as well as 2 dogs).
Have previously had iguanas, geckos, a goanna, a box tortoise, stick insects, a baboon spider, 2 ducks, 5 ferrets, a hedgehog and a ringworm (not all at once tho!).

fF
Last edited by FearFactor : 01-10-2008 at 14:37

Are chameleons difficult/expensive to look after? I'd love one! (As seahorses are sounding a little impractical for me)

I rescued a duckling from our cat when I was about 10. I think it imprinted me, because it thought I was its mum and followed me around everywhere I went. .
We used to go for walks up the lane by my house and it used to sleep in a box next to my bed. I was distraught when it got run over a few weeks later .

lol

You like picking the awkward stuff don't you!

Chameleons can be tricky. Once again, they're very environment sensitive ..... but not quite as bad a seahorses. They require a good environment setup again and most of them aren't keen on high traffic areas. They do better if they're tucked away in a quiet corner somewhere. You have to get their food supplements right as well or they can have problems. Oh, and I'm sure FearFactor will confirm but I think they only take live food so a source of feeder crickets near you would b handy! (Not sure if some species are vegetarian?)

If seahorses are a 9 for difficulty (10 being high, 1 being low) I'd put chameleons at anything from 5 to 8 .... depending on the particular species in question.

A newt.

Thanks again Sancheeez!

Hmmmm..... ruled out seahorses & chameleons..... Perhaps just another fish then!

African land snails.. well, techinically not mine.. They're gross in my opinion. My brother keeps them.

I have a tortoise called harriet she is 2 years old and that is as weird as I get. I also have 2 cats who are not allowed anywhere near harriet although when they see her in her vivarium they do not bother with her!!

Get a snake!

I have Corns. You get some lovely colour veriaties (I have an Amel, Snow and a normal at the moment .... used to have an Anery and have always wanted a Blood Red or a Pewter). As reptiles go, setup is a doddle. They generally have a nice docile temperament. Food is easy ..... frozen mice which you just buy in bulk.

I've been tagged (bitten) properly once in almost 20 years of keeping them.

If you fancy something a bit different how about an African Egg Eating snake. No teeth so you can't get bit and they're definitely unusual! Not quite as simple to maintain as a Corn but not too tricky.

I'll definitely bear that in mind - I do love snakes, and my little boy would love it! Thanks!