Approximately 90.5 million American households own at least one pet. Most common are dogs, cats, fish, and birds, but some people prefer reptiles, rodents, or other exciting pets.
Having pets that others don’t have surely catches the attention of others and makes you stand out, but it’s also a great experience for animal lovers.
Are you thinking of adding a new member to your family? If so, keep reading! This post will review \ about five unique pets and their care requirements.
1. Hedgehogs
In the wild, hedgehogs live alone and like their solitude. As pets, they display a similar disposition and like spending most of their time in their enclosure.
That’s not to say they won’t warm up to you after some time, but you will need to be patient to earn their trust. Handling your hedgehog gently every day can help them relax and get used to being touched.
Thankfully, although hedgehogs are exotic, they are one of the best pets for beginners because they require little care. So if you travel often but still want the company of owning a pet while you’re home, a hedgehog may be a viable option.
Caring for a Hedgehog
Your hedgehog will need an enclosure they can’t escape from, such as a cage with a solid floor. Make it more comfortable by lining it with newspaper.
Although your new hedgehog will likely spend most of its time in the enclosure, it also needs space to run. So you’ll have to prepare at least one room of your home for them to roam. You can do so by picking up small items they may eat or covering openings where they may get stuck or lost.
Unfortunately, hedgehogs tend to gain weight quickly. A healthy diet can combat this, with hedgehog pellets as their primary energy source. Supplement their meals with insects, small fruits, and veggies.
Exercise will also help them maintain a healthy weight, so be sure to provide a smooth-sided exercise wheel in their enclosure.
2. Skunks
It may come as a surprise, but these animals known for their foul smell, make great pets. Skunks born in captivity and adequately raised tend to be friendly, playful, and even cuddly.
Most owners prefer to have their pet skunk’s scent glands removed to prevent them from spraying them. Yet, this procedure is still controversial since it removes their primary defense mechanism.
If attacked or released in the wild, the animal would have no way of protecting itself. So, if you have a skunk, it’s vital to keep them indoors and have them on a leash outdoors.
Caring for a Skunk
Owning a skunk comes with challenges. These animals are mischievous, so they require your attention and supervision. When you aren’t watching them, you should keep your skunk in a large dog kennel, so it stays out of trouble.
Provide them with a litter box, water, and a soft bed in their enclosure. However, skunks don’t like being in cages for long periods, so you will want to let them out as often as possible, preferably every few hours. You can walk your skunk on a leash outdoors or let them roam free in a safe indoor environment for exercise.
There are only a few formulated skunk foods on the market. It’s up to you to ensure they get a balanced diet. It should be about 60-70% lean protein (chicken, eggs, insects) mixed with vegetables, yogurt, nuts, or cooked grains.
3. Capybara
The capybara is the world’s largest rodent, making it one of the coolest pets! Their personality is similar to that of a guinea pig, although they tend to be shy at first.
You can bond with your capybara by feeding it grass while combing it. After warming up to you, it will be an affectionate companion. Eventually, it will even look for attention and want to cuddle.
Caring for a Capybara
Caring for a capybara requires a lot of outdoor space. Most owners create an enclosure, such as a fenced-in area. The fence must be at least four feet tall to prevent them from jumping or climbing out, and it should be gap-free.
Capybaras also need a pool where they can hydrate their skin. Without it, they will dry out. Ensure the pool you provide is at least three feet deep and partly sheltered from the sun.
As for their diet, capybaras mainly eat grass and hay. You should supplement their diet with guinea pig pellets and give them fruits and vegetables as occasional treats.
4. Tarantulas
While they aren’t for everyone, tarantulas can make interesting pets. They are ideal for apartment-dwellers since they take up little space. They’re also relatively easy to care for.
Caring for Tarantulas
Most tarantulas do well in three to five-gallon aquariums, and they don’t need heat lamps. However, they do need someplace to hide, such as a hollow log or piece of cork bark. They also require a substrate, such as vermiculite and peat moss, where they can burrow.
A shallow dish with pebbles inside will give your tarantula safe access to water and prevent them from drowning.
Tarantulas have a simple diet of insects, including mealworms, crickets, and roaches. It’s best to ask your veterinarian about the quantity and variety since it can vary depending on the species and size of your tarantula.
5. Axolotls
Thanks to Minecraft, these adorable salamanders have a growing number of fans. After being added to the game, many people wanted to have one of their own and started purchasing baby axolotls from suppliers.
Like chameleons or reptile pets, axolotls are fun to care for and observe. But, you have to ensure you provide them with the right environment since they have unique needs.
Caring for an Axolotl
Despite having lungs and gills, axolotls spend most of their lives underwater. They need a deep aquarium filled with water, ideally twenty gallons or more.
Their habitat should have a layer of aquarium sand and plenty of spaces to hide, such as rocks and plants. They prefer cold water, so you may need an aquarium cooler to keep them comfortable.
As carnivores, axolotls eat bait worms, bloodworm cubes, frozen shrimp, and raw hamburger meat.
Add One of These Unique Pets to Your Family
After reading about these five unique pets, you may be ready to bring one home! Before you do, check local laws to ensure they are legal in your state and county. If so, remember to bookmark this post so you can refer back to it for care suggestions.
If you enjoyed learning about safe exotic pets, don’t forget to browse more of our content about pets and animals!
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