What Is That? Fifteen of the World’s Most Exotic Pets


Dogs and cats are perennially popular pets … but what if man’s best friend isn’t cool enough for you? Try the exotic pet trade! Most of these animals are illegal, but hey, you can bet your labradoodle-owning neighbor is jealous of your albino crocodile.

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1. Sugar Glider

These Australian marsupials are curious creatures and much easier to care for than a fussy koala. Easy to smuggle and cute to boot? What’s not to love?

<i>Photo Source: Flickr user Agent Retro</i>

6 readers liked this story.
From Around the Web:
05.02.2012
andré jensen
i can't make up my mind. is this post just a bad joke, or does these people really think having one or more of these dangerous and almost extinct animals as pets is a good idea? first of all, except for the small critters and the small monkey, there is no way in your life time you could tame these animals and have them as a functional pet, and not just something in a glass container to look at. not to mention the lion cubs who gets big enough to eat your ass and the smaller cats who would rip out your throat in you sleep if given the chance. long peace of text made shorter, there is no way these animals would get a decent life in you backyard, so get a dog or a parakeet like normal people do, and stop destroying whatever's left of earths more delicate lifeforms
02.01.2012
Winged Wolf
Erm...while you might find wild caught reticulated pythons for sale, you will not find wild caught Lavender Albino Reticulated Pythons. If you do, I guarantee you will have to pay as much as you would for a small house...not $1000. ;) Lavender albino is a recessive mutation that is propagated only in captivity, and derives from a single wild caught individual found by chance. I definitely second the opinion that this is not a pet for everyone! It is a huge animal. Research carefully and follow safe handling practices for large constrictor snakes, if you fall in love with the giants. Otherwise...consider a lavender albino ball python, instead.
01.03.2012
Julia M.
The camel spider is just one hooked onto another just look closley
10.14.2011
Christine Danka
Albino Lavender Reticulated Pythons are beautiful and impressive snakes. They might be considered "exotic", but are available LEGALLY in the pet trade as captive-bred or wild-caught individuals, usually in the low to mid $1k range from reputible breeders such as the owner of www.monstersnakesforever.com. Despite this, THEY ARE NOT FOR MOST PEOPLE. They are large, powerful, smart animals that command respect from diligent, knowledgable owners that understand and accept the fact that their beloved animals *can* hurt or even kill them if they were to do something stupid. They grow up to 22ft long, weigh 180lbs+, need large enclosures and eat big meals. However, there are thousands of retic owners around the world (I am one of them) that happily live with and care for their animals in a healthy, responsible way. If you get one, be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Be a responsible owner willing to commit to the care of your animal for the entirety of its life.
10.06.2011
Emily Gross
This list is ridiculous and definitely shouldn't be labeled under "pets". More likely exotic animals you would buy, not be able to care for properly, then would release into the wild to turn into an invasive species. I work at a Zoo. Those "pet" cats they have listed will actually bite your fingers off. Alligators get huge, within a couple years you would be pawning them off to zoos. Be smart and buy a domesticated animal.
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