Best Exotic Pets For First-Time Owners

Air Date:
Heard On The Larry Meiller Show

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, but there are many other species that make great companions. Larry Meiller finds out what birds, reptiles, small mammals and arachnids are good for first-time exotic pet owners.

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  • When Choosing A Pet, Don’t Overlook Exotic Options

    When Americans think of the word “pet,” they most likely imagine a dog or cat, but there are many other types of animals that are fascinating and fun to have around.

    Dr. Kurt Sladky is a clinical associate professor in zoological medicine and section head of the Special Species Health Service at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. In his practice, he sees everything from invertebrates like tarantulas to small mammals, as well as birds, tropical fish and reptiles.

    According to him, when it comes to exotic pets, certain species are better-suited for first-time owners.

    Snakes And Other Reptiles

    Sladky said that a great first snake to have as a pet is the ball python. It’s originally an African species, and got its name because of its tendency to curl up in a ball when held. He said that in ancient times, the pythons were a fashion accessory, and were called “royal pythons” because they were worn as jewelry around the neck of rulers.

    Sladky said that ball pythons are probably the most popular pet snake species, and for good reason. For one, they are easygoing, he said. In addition, the care needed is not very demanding on the owner.

    “Whenever you have a carnivorous animal like a snake, they’re pretty low maintenance for feeding compared to some of the other exotic pets … An occasional rodent is kind of a perfect nutritional package compared to what some of the herbivorous reptiles need for a balanced diet,” Sladky said.

    Sladky did caution, however, that frozen prey is safer for snakes than live specimens.

    “If you were a rat trapped in a small cage with a snake, you would bite, right? Rodents tend to do some serious damage to snakes. So we recommend thawed frozen prey,” Sladky said.


    Ball pythons have a tendency to curl up when held. The Larry Meiller Show


    Budgies are smaller than other popular exotic birds. Micolo J (CC-BY)


    Dr. Kurt Sladky at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine highly recommends rats as pets. Dario Linsky (CC-BY-NC-SA)

    A good option for those who would like to have a lizard is a bearded dragon, according to Sladky. They are the most common reptile species that the veterinary school sees, and he said that their dietary needs are comparatively easy to meet. They are omnivorous, so a diet of greens “with some invertebrates mixed in” will keep them in good health.

    “The bearded dragons are a good choice. They’re pretty hardy, and they’re pretty easygoing. They’re not a species that you need to worry much about biting you,” Sladky said.

    Another reptilian option is a leopard gecko. These insectivores come from arid locations originally, and adults range in size from about 8 to 11 inches. Leopard geckos prefer to hunt their own prey. In a captive setting, that means providing them with live crickets, roaches and worms.

    Sladky said that with most of these species, the more they are handled by their owners, the more comfortable they are and the more relaxed they are with contact.

    Birds and Mammals

    For people who are interested in owning birds, Sladky recommended some of the smaller species as good “starter birds.” He said that budgies, parakeets, and cockatiels are some of the smaller species, but just as interesting and as full of personality as larger birds.

    “You’d be surprised how many people come to me and say that they have a macaw as their first bird. It’s generally a bad idea to have a large bird that screams and bites, and if you’re not used to parrot behavior, (it) can be quite challenging to deal with,” Sladky said.

    There are also mammals that fall under the exotic pet heading. For Sladky, rats are an especially good choice.

    “I think they’re a great first pet. They’re super-intelligent, they’re easy to take care of … There’s nothing negative to say about rats, other than that they have a very short life span,” Sladky said.

    Guinea pigs are also a good choice for a small mammal, Sladky said. He described them as very friendly and easygoing, and without a tendency towards biting.

    Sladky added that chinchillas are also great pets, but a little more high-strung than rats or guinea pigs, so perhaps not the best choice for a novice owner.

    Whatever exotic pet is selected, Sladky strongly recommended taking the animal to a specialized veterinarian for care. That holds especially true for first-time owners, he said. Finding out how to properly care for the animal and what its need are will make it a better experience for everyone, he said.

Episode Credits

  • Larry Meiller Host
  • Judith Siers-Poisson Producer
  • Kurt Sladky Guest

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