The ABCs Of Exotic Pet Care
Long gone are the days of Rover the dog and Mittens the cat.
Feline and canine creatures are no longer the only household pets as the hedgehog and albino salamander can also be found in some American homes.
Conservation biologist Frank Indiviglio offers to CBS News This Morning advice on how to keep these pets happy and healthy.
As a 15-year veteran of the Bronx Zoo and other NYC area zoos, Indiviglio has seen many unwanted exotic pets returned to the zoo.
"Many of these animals turn out to be the victims of impulse buying; people don't realize how much work and care is required for these animals," he says.
And he notes it always comes down to a health issue, not just for the animal, but for the pet owner as well.
Some exotic animals can live to 60 or 70 years and may even outlive their owners. So he encourages people to research the animal before they buy it and understand that it is a long-term commitment.
The following are some of the exotic pets that can be found in American households.
 | Albino python The albino python likes to eat rodents and fish. Many of these snakes are inexpensive, so people tend to buy them on impulse. When they grow, some owners don't want them anymore. | |
 | Sugar Glider From the possum family, the sugar glider only comes out at night. It eats seeds, fruit and nuts. | |
 | Hedgehog Many people buy hedgehogs because they are unusual looking and friendly. But they only venture out at night and often get colds that need to be treated. | |
 | Albino Salamander Inside homes or apartments, albino salamanders can become overheated. These animals are almost completely extinct in the wild but they are thriving in captivity. | |
 | Chinchilla This rodent is very active in the daytime and requires lots of room to roam. So make sure the cage is at least 4 or 5 feet long. | |
The following are some of his suggestions:
- Understand your home situation and what animal would be mst appropriate for the household.
- Decide what level of care you would be able to give to an animal.
- Keep in mind light, heat and humidity are very important to many of these animals.
- Find out if there is a vet in your area who knows how to take care of an exotic animal. Many vets don't know the first thing about them.
- Never give an exotic animal as a gift.
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