Exotic pet buyers guide
A practical guide to buying any exotic pet; for both novice and experienced keepers.
Committing to buy any pet shouldn't be taken lightly. Be it a Cockroach or Chameleon; you need to make sure you can provide the correct environment for the duration of your pets life.
Research. Research. And more research.
Understanding your new pet is of upper-most importance; find out everything you can. Don't just stick to one book, one website or one persons advice - do your own research and make an informed decision.
- How big will it grow?
- What is the life expectancy?
- Is it easy to keep in captivity?
- What kind of enclosure does it need?
- How easy is it to maintain?
- What does it eat?
- How much will it cost to keep?
Remember, some species of exotic pet are more suited to beginners than others. There is a lot of information online; from specialised forums to dedicated sites.
Be prepared...
OK. You've done your research ~ you've decided on the right pet for you. Now what?
Next step is to set-up your enclosure. From all the research you've done, you'll have a good idea on what you need. Always get your habitat right before you introduce your pet. Make sure temperature is correct and everything is working as it should be. Depending on the pet in question; you may need this running from a few days to a couple of months before introducing your new pet.
Buying your exotic pet
Your habitat is perfect and you have a good understanding of the pet you're planning to buy.
A really important factor when buying an exotic pet is understanding where it has come from. Not it's country or origin (although you should know this from your research) - but how the pet you're going to buy became available. For example; was it Wild Caught/Collected (WC), Captive Farmed (CF) or Captive Bred(CB)?
This is a really important question; depending on the species - it can make a world of difference. Read origins of your exotic pet.
Please Note: A lot of animals in the pet trade are WC ~ general rule of thumb is; if it doesn't state it's CB - it is probably WC or CF.
It is our opinion that all good pet suppliers will volunteer the status of the pet in question, so you can make an informed choice.
Finally, buy from a reputable fully licensed trader or breeder. If you were considering buying your exotic pet from us the following links may be helpful.
