List of Exotic Pets
My Pet is Cooler Than Your Pet...
List Of Exotic Pets To Consider
I've always been attracted to exotic pets. Why not? They're unique, they display qualities you won't find in more common pet species, and they'll wow your friends. However, exotic animals come packed with surprises. They haven't been domesticated nearly as long, and lots of their wild habits are still there.
I'm going to go through a list of exotic pets that are your best bets. All of these animals are going to be a little more expensive and high maintenance than an conventional one. You need to be prepared for the extra work. This list of exotic animals isn't exclusive, just my favorite ones.
Serval Cat
List of Exotic Animals as Pets
A serval cat is an interesting breed of wild cat, still found wild in the African savannah. They are larger than the typical house cat (around 25 to 35 pounds), and they're very distinctively marked: they look like little leopards.
As weird pets go, they don't have too many downsides. They are extremely high energy and love to play: think of a cat on steroids and Red Bull! Their reflexes are very quick, much faster than a domestic house cat. Any damage that a cat normally does, a serval cat does twice as much.
Serval cats should have an outdoor enclosure so they can spend some quality time outdoors, as they need plenty of exercise and love to climb things. An enclosure is a necessity: imagine what your neighbours might do if a 35 pound spotted cat wanders into their backyard.
Servals are also prone to spraying to mark their territory, but they aren't as vocal as house cats, chirping instead of meowing.
I've placed Servals at the top of my list of exotic pets for a reason: they're probably one of the most easily domesticated breeds out there.
Kinkajou
List of Exotic Pets
Next in the list of exotic animals is the Kinkajou. A kinkajou (or honey bear) is a nocturnal animal with a prehensile tail that lives in trees in the wild. They are becoming popular pets due to their relative lack of odor and pleasant, curious manner.
Kinkajous sort of resemble monkeys, but they are actually related to racoons. Their diet is mostly fruit, including banana, mango, kiwi and figs. They can also eat dried monkey chow. They need a large cage, about 4 x 6 x 8 feet in dimension, and you need to provide them with lots of stuff to climb on: branches, swings and ropes.
Kinkajous have a few downsides. They can be pretty noisy, and make sounds such as barks, whistles and chirps. They can be messy with their food, so be ready to do some cleanup after them. And they are not really house-trainable, though they'll sometimes have a designated bathroom area.
Kinkajous are nocturnal and they'll be most active and playful right before you go to bed. If that matches your lifestyle, the kinkajou might be a match for you.
Fennec Fox
List Of Exotic Animals
If you're a fan of smaller dogs but want something a little different, you'll like the next on our list of exotic animals. A fennec fox is a good option to consider. Not only do they have lovely personalities, they are one of the most common exotic pets for sale, so they're less pricey and easier to track down.
Fennec foxes are small, only between 2-4 pounds. They're very friendly, energetic and curious animals. They have extremely large ears used for hear dissipation, and they will purr much like a cat. They also have very little odor, and fennec foxes are litter trainable, so they're cleaner than a dog.
Fennec foxes can be pretty loud, and their energy can be a bit much for some people. They will get along with dogs or cats if properly introduced, and with their high energy level, a playmate is a good idea.
How to Choose From This List Of Exotic Animals
Serval Cat, Kinkajou, Fennec Fox
There are so many other exotic pet options out there, I'm going to have to write a part 2! In my opinion these three are the best options for new exotic pet owners, but there are tons of alternatives out there.
I hope my list of exotic pets has helped. Do your research, check out the pros and the cons, and remember that an exotic pet is a big responsibility.
Good Luck!
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