Wednesday, June 27, 2012

What Exotic Pet Do You Choose?

Domestic Skunk

The domestic skunk can be an ideal pet. While they are not legal yet in all states mostly because of misconceptions about the skunk and the fact that there is not a legal rabies vaccination approved as of yet. Many states will require a permit before you purchase a pet skunk. Also, your county laws and local laws before purchasing a skunk. Domestic/Pen Raised skunks are at no more risk of contracting rabies than any other domestic animal. Skunks can be stubborn, strong for their size, intelligent, friendly, and highly curious.

A skunk as a pet is usually a striped skunk though some people have a spotted skunk. The striped skunk doesn't climb (much - they can climb up a baby gate or playpen.) Spotted skunks are much better climbers.

It takes a patient person to own a skunk. They have their scent glands removed before they are sold. However, they have not spayed or neutered, and this is a necessary procedure. They are very quiet animals. They require both cat and dog vaccinations. They can never be caged and must have free range of most of the house. The skunk's diet is highly specialized, and they can never be fed cat food. The skunk requires the same healthy diet that we do. Most of us that have skunks end up eating much healthier because we have skunks in the house.

Skunks are highly sensitive to fumes, pesticides, cleaning agents, and deodorizers. Skunks love to play and are very loving. Skunks can be very destructive. The skunk is a very different and unique animal. It is certainly not a pet for everyone. Did I mention skunks are stubborn?

Sugar Glider

What are sugar gliders? The sugar glider is a marsupial from Southern Australia. The pet sugar glider makes a sweet, affectionate little pet. They love human attention and love to play. They sleep in the daytime and play at night, so this may make an excellent pet for a nocturnal human. These little sweeties require a healthy specialized diet.

They cannot consume fat. The majority of their diet is fruit and vegetables (75%). They should receive protein (25%).

It is unsafe for the sugar glider to roam free in your home. It is also unsafe for your home. They do chew on drapes and furniture. Keep the sugar glider out of the sunlight. Bright light can permanently blind them. Provide a proper enclosure for them. A cage should be no smaller than 24" inches in diameter and 38" tall for not any more than 2 animals. Bigger is better. They make excellent pets for the family that has time to spend with them. They are highly intelligent and social animals. Having two sugar gliders is better than one. Check out the laws in your area before purchasing a sugar glider.

Hedgehog

The hedgehog also is known affectionately known as the "Yuppie Puppy" because its popularity as a pet is a recent occurrence. Hedgehogs are around 6 inches long and have quills on the top portion of their bodies. Their undersides are soft fur. The hedgehog is nocturnal. These little-armored animals need to be caged. They require an exercise wheel and toys. Check the legalities of owning a hedgehog before purchasing. They do not take up a lot of space and are very quiet.

Unfortunately, people grow disenchanted because they are difficult to handle and many hedgehogs become ignored and lonesome. The hedgehog is another pet that can be special for the right person.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Pet Monkey Guide

Monkeys are one of the most intelligent animals on earth. The pet monkey, at least in my opinion is also the most difficult animal to keep as a pet. It is very expensive to keep a primate happy and healthy. A monkey that does not bite is extremely rare and their teeth are sharp. Monkeys are impulsive, unpredictable, and excitable. They can never be toilet trained. Monkeys should not be kept singly. They are social animals and socializing with you is not enough. I believe the socialization needs of a monkey make it very difficult to successfully rear as a pet. They will become lonely and become sick or die. Having a monkey is like having a 6-month-old baby (basic needs) or a toddler (intelligence and agility) but for the next 20 to 40 years. The capuchins monkey is a popular pet monkey.

Be very careful when dealing with pet monkeys for sale advertisements and websites or monkey breeders. Never send cash. Make sure they have a USDA permit. It is a very good idea to pick the monkey up in person instead of having the monkey shipped.

The cage or enclosure needs to be big, the bigger the cage the better. Do not use anything less than 12-gauge wire. A safety entrance must be included to prevent the escape of your monkey. Monkeys need light to survive, so provide them with a Vita-Lites (replicates natural sunlight) Primates need this light for their skeletal development.

Variety is an important key to feeding a primate. Feed him a commercial primate diet, supplemented with fruits, nuts, cooked vegetables, wheat products, and eggs. They also enjoy insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms.

Monkeys need a complete health exam once a year. They will need a TB test to protect their health and you and your families' health. Also needed are a parasite examination and a complete blood screening. Find out the vaccination requirements for monkeys.

Monkeys are like children and can get into anything. Watch medicines, poisons, anything that is dangerous to a child, is more dangerous to a monkey because he can more readily get into things.

Be sure to check with your state, county, city, subdivision, and other local government agencies to see if primates are legal. If they are in fact legal in your state, it may be illegal in your county, city, or even neighborhood. Many regulations have changed lately. Even if you think it is legal it may not be.

Please do considerable research before you purchase a monkey. If it seems like I am trying to persuade you away from buying a monkey as a pet, I am. With many exotic pet purchases, animals suffer. Luckily the cost of a monkey is prohibitive in itself and is less likely to be bought on a whim.

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Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Pet Spider Guide

All pets including exotic pets are compared and matched to your personality and lifestyle. Would an arachnid be the right exotic pet for you?

An arachnid is a spider and has eight legs. In, comparison, insects have six legs. Spiders are not for everyone, and they have extraordinary needs.

All spiders can bite, and all spiders are venomous in varying degrees. Most species do no more harm than a bee sting or even less. Like a bee sting, it is possible to be allergic to the spider's venom, and you can go into anaphylactic shock. Some spiders can be very venomous, two examples would be the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.

Any animal taken out of the wild deserves the largest enclosure possible. A fish aquarium is a good choice. The top should have a screen, cheesecloth or mesh so that the aquarium has ventilation. Keep the cage out of direct sunlight. Glass containers especially can get very hot which can kill the spider. A terrarium is also an excellent habitat for a spider. Temperatures and humidity can be controlled in a terrarium or aquarium environment. Make sure the top is secure. You don't want to lose your pet spider.

Spiders are carnivores and predators. The spider crushes its prey with its powerful mouthparts. The spider injects the venom to immobilize their prey and use its chelicerae and then insert their own digestive juices as they can't swallow whole food but suck it like you would using a straw.

A favorite arachnid of mine is the tarantula. The Grammastola Rosea, or Chilean Rose, is the most popular choice of tarantula because of its more relaxed disposition. Tarantulas are delicate creatures. When handling them be very careful that they don't fall, they can be skittish, and a shortfall can injure them severely or even kill them. Tarantulas do not like roommates. They are not social critters, so they must be kept one per enclosure.

I have had several different spiders as pets. They can get quite tame and friendly. I have one spider that comes down to the kitchen sink when I am washing dishes. He waits for a tiny fresh drop of water to be placed on the counter. He drinks from the spot of water and climbs back up to where he sits on his web. I had one spider that got so lazy he'd wait for me to put a live insect on his web. Then he'd come down and wind it up with spider silk. Maybe he wasn't lazy but had me well trained. Either way, he really got to be quite large.

A spider could be an excellent choice of exotic pet for the right person. Protect your pet from other people, and protect other people from your pet. There could be liabilities in owning a venomous pet.

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My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!