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The Problems with Exotic Pets |
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Exotic pets may carry diseases that they can pass on to you. Mammals might carry rabies, and certain reptiles and amphibians may carry salmonella. |
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It is possible for any pet to bite, but it is much more likely with an exotic pet. They still have their strong wild instincts and are often afraid of people (even their owners). Even bites from small animals can hurt, and they can pass on diseases. |
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Taking exotic pets out of their homes is bad for ecosystems. Everything in nature depends on everything else in nature - and together they make up an ecosystem. If we start taking a certain kind of animal out of the ecosystem, it can throw everything out of balance. |
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Exotic pets will often lead unhappy lives. Think about how you would feel if you were taken out of your natural home and had to live in a cage in a stranger's house. These animals' instincts tell them what kinds of things they should be doing - like hunting or travelling great distances - but they can't do these things in captivity. |
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Sometimes people don't know how to take proper care of exotic pets, or the environment might not be right. Imagine what it would be like for a lizard from Mexico to be left in a home with the heat turned down low on a cold Canadian winter day. Brrr... |
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Finally, some exotic pets just get too big or too dangerous. The owner might decide to "set them free", but the animal hasn't learned to take care of itself. Abandoning a pet is against the law - no matter if it is a domestic pet or an exotic pet. |
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Now that you know about exotic pets, it's time to test yourself again! Click here. |
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