I want to work in wildlife conservation, and I currently own tarantulas, a snake, and a frog. I show pictures of my tarantulas to kids when I teach to show them that these animals don’t attack people like they think, while also explaining how delicate they are.
But now I’m questioning if I can be a true conservationist if I keep exotic pets.
A lot of species are really struggling because of the exotic pet trade. My P. metallica tarantula is a rare species, endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and the pet trade. That’s just one example.
We all want these animals, but how can we help the ones in the wild?
Is it possible to own exotics without supporting the pet trade?
I love animals, and I know you all do too, so I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts and experiences on this.
To me, the key is where they come from. If they’re captive bred animals that are available in large numbers and have a history of being bred in captivity, then I don’t see an issue with them. These animals are so far removed from their wild ancestors that the pet trade today doesn’t impact wild populations. But wild-caught animals should be avoided.
@Zion
What about mass breeders? You know, producing animals in plastic tubs by the thousands?
Leander said:
@Zion
What about mass breeders? You know, producing animals in plastic tubs by the thousands?
That’s a different topic. The OP was asking about exotics from a conservation perspective. Bad breeding practices can happen in any type of animal care, whether it’s exotic pets, puppies, or livestock.
Buying captive bred exotics is actually a form of conservation. It keeps people from taking animals out of the wild and gives us a backup population in case the wild ones are in danger.
I get mine from state-licensed breeders, that’s how I got my woodchucks.
Zora said:
I get mine from state-licensed breeders, that’s how I got my woodchucks.
Mind sharing the breeder info? I’ve been wanting some woodchucks.
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Iowa and Illinois have breeders.
I’d have to dig up the paperwork because I’ve had them for about 6 years.
Make sure they’re legal where you live. Different states have different rules.
Also, most male exotic animals need to be fixed before maturity to prevent dangerous rut behavior. And make sure you find an exotic pet vet, regular vets won’t treat them if something goes wrong.
Exotics can be great for both the animals and owners if cared for properly. The cage requirements can vary greatly between species. For example, I had to build a custom cage for my woodchucks because store-bought ones were too weak. My female loves looking out the window, so we put her cage next to it - it’s like her TV.
Woodchucks are stubborn and will do whatever they want, so you need to work with them as babies.
They form strong bonds with their owners. My female won’t bond with anyone but my mom, so they’re a long-term commitment, which goes for most exotics.