Thinking Of Getting An Exotic Pet? These 7 Easy-Care Pets Are Potentially Good Choices

Dogs, cats, goldfish. Everybody has the same, common kinds of pets. You want something a little bit different? But what, exactly? Something unusual, something unique or something dangerous? We don't recommend living with a pack of wolves or a kangaroo, but we have put together a list of 7 relatively easy to obtain and easy to care for exotic pets that are just off the beaten path. Click through to check which one is your favorite.

Get to know these 7 mysterious and incredibly unique looking creatures from our blue planet that can be kept as cool pets. You would also be surprised to know that the pets listed here are incredibly easy to care for because of their little peaceful tendencies, reasonable housing needs, little social needs and more.

1. Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs deserve the first place for being the easiest exotic pet to care for.

● These spiky little cuties hail from Europe, Asia, and Africa, having a lifespan 3-8 years.
● They are not social and fitting for people who travel often.
● Hedgehogs have a simplistic diet such as a high-grade prepared food, or fruits, insects.
● Hedgehogs can be temperamental, but they will tame down with the right handling and habituation.
● Hedgehogs can be the pets of children.

2. Rodents: Degus, Flying squirrels, Prairie dogs, Chipmunks, Spiny mice, and Patagonian cavies

There are many kinds of rodents animals that are also exotic pets. These include:

Degus

● Degus are highly social. It is recommended that they are housed with more than one individual.
● Degus need sufficient space since they also need plenty of exercise.

Flying squirrels

● Flying squirrels are more suitable to be called "gliding squirrels."
● Flying squirrels eat a variety of foods including nuts, seeds, fungi, fruit, and insects.
● They can live up to 10 years.
● Flying squirrels are highly affectionate with their owners.

Prairie dogs

● Prairie dogs are social, so the owner needs to spend as much time with them as possible.
● Prairie dogs' diet is simple including fresh hay, grasses, fruits, vegetables, and pellets.
● Prairie dogs have strong territorial instincts.

How to care for Pet Prairie Dogs

Chipmunks

● Chipmunks require more space relative to their size.
● Chipmunks are not the best pets for handling, but they are more interesting than a typical hamster.

Spiny mice

● Spiny mice are not the domesticated mice sold in stores, but they demand similar care.
● Spiny mice need an omnivorous diet, spacious glass aquarium, and an exercise wheel for exercising.

Patagonian cavies

● Patagonian cavies are best suited as outdoor pets.
● Patagonian cavies are large. Their enclosure should be lined with heavy wire sunk underground several feet.
● Patagonian cavies eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, grass and some commercially prepared rodent food.

Patagonian Cavy Care 101

3. Short-Tailed Opossum

● Short-tailed opossums are slowly growing in popularity as an exotic pet. They are small and friendly creatures that have great pet potential.
● Short-tailed opossums are from South Africa, and they are 4-6 inches long.
● Short-tailed opossums are adept at escaping, so make sure the enclosure is thoroughly escape proof.
● Short-tailed opossums need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. They like other treats such as crickets, fresh fruit, mealworms, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs.
● Short-tailed opossums are recommended to be kept as solitary animals. A tame, often-handled opossum will make the best pet.

Here is a video telling some basic knowledge about short-tailed opossums and how to care for them.

4. Fennec Fox

Fennec Foxes are not common, but they can be kept as pets. They are petite, save for their enormous ears.

● Fennec foxes are nocturnal in the wild although pet fennec foxes adapt to their owner’s schedule. The mature fennec foxes weigh 2-3.5 pounds.
● Fennec foxes are active and need an outlet for their energy. They are known for their digging habit. So outdoor enclosures should be designed to prevent them from digging under.
● The ideal diet for a fennec fox would be a commercial wild canid diet. Some breeders recommend a diet of raw meat, vegetables, and a vitamin mix.
● Fennec foxes are quite similar to dogs and hand raised pups are docile, only biting if they are cornered or threatened.

5. Skunks

Skunks as pets, an unusual choice? Many skunk owners will tell you that skunks are surprisingly good pets and they are quite intelligent. They are de-scented surgically at an early age.

Before getting a skunk, it is often recommended that you find a veterinarian who is willing to treat a skunk if it becomes ill.

● Skunks are active, curious and will get into everything.
● Their home will need to be thoroughly escape proof, too.
● Skunks need a wide variety of healthy foods. As for medical care, they should be vaccinated against common dog and cat diseases.
● Skunks as pets are not legal in every state because they are rabies vectors.

Pet Skunks 101

6. Arthropods: Cockroaches, Tarantula, African Millipedes, Scorpions, and Giant Land Crabs

Hissing Cockroaches

● Characteristics: The life span of hissing cockroaches is 2-3 years on average.
● Housing: A 10-15 gallon tank with house several hissing cockroaches comfortably. Provide with some hiding places which can be as simple as cork bark, small cardboard boxes.
● Feeding: Hissing cockroaches need to be fed a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits in the combination of dry dog food.

Tarantulas

Tarantulas have been a popular pet for several years. There are many species available in the pet trade in a wide variety of sizes and appearances.

● Characteristics: There are over 800 species of tarantulas.
● Housing: Tarantulas should be housed in a cage as they are not social.
● Feeding: A diet of crickets, other insects is fine for pet tarantulas. Adult tarantulas only need to eat about once a week.
● Handling: If you want to handle your pet a lot, tarantulas may be not the best choice.

African millipedes

● Characteristics: The size of an adult African millipede is about 10 inches long. Giant millipedes have an expected lifespan of 7-10 years.
● Housing: A 10-15 gallon aquarium is a proper room for several millipedes. Make sure that the length of the tank is at least twice the length of the millipede.
● Feeding: African millipedes can be fed a variety of fruits, vegetables. They prefer food that is starting to decay.

Scorpions

● Characteristics: Scorpions are becoming popular as pets, especially emperor scorpions. Emperors are large ones and can grow about 6 inches long.
● Housing: Proper heat and humidity is important for keeping scorpions. A large tank will be necessary if keeping more than one emperor.
● Feeding: Scorpions do fine with a diet of crickets, supplemented with other insects such as moths and mealworms.

Giant land crabs

● Characteristics: The average life span of Halloween moon crabs can range from months to 5 or 6 years. Halloween moon crabs sleep during the day and come out at night. They require a lot of heat and moisture.
● Housing: Halloween moon crabs don't need much space when they are young. As they grow, their environment must be able to sustain them.
● Feeding: The food for Halloween moon crabs include fruits such as mangoes, papayas, coconuts, vegetables, meat.

7. Hybrid Cats: Savannahs and Bengals

Savannahs

The Savannah is a hybrid cross, between a domestic cat and an African serval. It is a relatively new breed, but there have been already dozens of Savannah breeders both in North America and in Europe.

The generations of Savannahs vary from F1 to F6.

● F1 will be a challenging animal. They are horrendously expensive. The lower generations of Savannahs provide a good substitute for the cheetah look in the package of a mostly domesticated but interesting cat.
● F5 (12.5% serval) make great pets. They are mostly domesticated cats but with a more exciting personality.

Note: The higher the serval percentage, the more likely potential challenges may arise.

Bengal cats

● Bengal cats are beautiful, wild looking cats who are growing in popularity due to their personalities and patternation.
● Bengal cats eat what other house cats eat - cat food.
● Diseases Bengals are prone to getting: an autosomal recessive disorder that causes early blindness in young cats.
● Bengal cats have high energy needs that should be met.