Exotic Pets
There are many suitable exotic pets for kids available, but some are much better choices than others. Consider this list, and what you are looking for in a pet before making a decision on an exotic pet for your child
Guinea Pig. Guinea Pig are long term commitment. They can be lovely pets, but there are a few things you should know before getting a pet guinea pig. From expected life span to the social nature of guinea pigs, here are some things to consider before choosing a guinea pig as a pet. They live about 5 or 6 years, which is much longer than a hamster will last, and love to be pet and scratched. Some pigs even enjoy running around in a large hamster ball to get exercise. Guinea pigs don’t typically bite, are not as fragile as the more popular hamster, and are low-maintenance.
Rats
These rodents are so smart! They have unique personalities and love to play with toys and puzzles. Rats are hardier than hamsters and typically live longer than them too. Rats don’t have the reputation for biting like hamsters have either.
What You need to know about keeping Rats as a Pets.
- Rats are intelligent, social animals that can make wonderful pets.
- Easily tamed.
- Relatively easy to care for, but are not low maintenance pets.
- Require a fair amount of attention and exercise time outside of their cages (at least an hour a day is ideal).
- Rats are very social and do best if kept with other rats. Same sex pairs or groups are ideal. Males usually get along fine with other males especially if introduced at a young age or they are littermates. Keeping rats in groups does not make them more difficult to tame if they are handled from a young age.
- Rats are very curious.
- Many owners compare the companionship of a rat to that of a dog.
- As a rule, males are larger and somewhat lazier than females, and have a coarser coat. Females are smaller and tend to be more active and playful.
Leopard GeckoThese little lizards don’t require a large tank like many reptiles do and are very docile for children to handle. They don’t have the tendency to bite, especially when raised from the common 3 or 4 week old hatching. They don’t require UVB lighting because they are nocturnal creatures and don’t need fresh fruits and veggies prepared daily. They don’t smell and are quiet so no need to worry about squeaky hamster wheels turning in the middle of the night.
A 15-20 gallon tank is large enough for 2-3 leopard geckos, but there should only be one male per tank (and only keep males and females together if prepared to deal with offspring!). Half logs provide hiding and climbing space, as can commercial reptile caves and simple cardboard boxes. A damp hide box can help with shedding (a plastic container with a hole in the lid, with moist soil or moss inside).
Rabbits
There are so many different breeds of rabbits to choose from, but the more common varieties are hardy pets for kids. They aren’t usually biters, live longer than hamsters, and are very personable.
The first thing to consider is that rabbits have a long life span, so be prepared to care for your pet rabbit through the long term. They are also unique creatures, who form tight bonds with their families, though they have some quirks you should know about. They also require some routine vet care from a good rabbit vet, and are not low maintenance pets. If you are prepared for all the unique qualities and needs of rabbits, you will best be able to fully enjoy the wonderful companionship they can offer. Rabbits are really quite trainable, but it may take some patience, especially when it comes to litter training and redirecting very natural behaviors like chewing and digging.
Bearded Dragons Popular as pets, beardies are gentle creatures. A little hardier than the geckos, bearded dragons don’t bite and are the perfect size for small hands. These lizards love to hang out on a child’s shoulder while homework is being completed, and are quiet, don’t smell, and live up to 20 years.
Bearded Dragons or "beardies" are moderately sized lizards native to Australia. While they are generally considered good pets even for beginner reptile owners, they do have fairly complex nutritional and environmental requirements so need special equipment and a fair amount of time to care for properly. However, they are social and easy to tame and handle, and show a range of fascinating behaviors that make them interesting to watch.
Although several other species are becoming available to the pet trade, the most commonly available variety is the central or inland bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps. This species is native to arid, rocky areas of Australia, and is typically tan/brown in coloration (several color morphs are also available). Their name is derived from the spines that line their throats. These spines usually lie flat but if the dragon feels threatened the throat is expanded causing the spines to stand up, making the dragon look more intimidating (especially combined with their tendency to flatten their bodies to appear wider). However, bearded dragons are generally docile, and their aggressive displays are rarely seen in captivity. They are noted for an endearing greeting behavior, in which they lift their front leg in an almost circular motion, so it looks like they are waving.
