Gone where the days when people thought dog as man’s best friend. The rich and famous have proved it all wrong by owning all sorts of exotic pets that range from reptiles to rats and lions to lemurs taking the human-animal bond totally to a new level. Some of them may look scary or risky to be kept in your house but these popular people have cross all bounds and levels to have an affectionate pet companion in their lives. Below is a list of few celebrities who chose not to be too mainstream in their selection of pets. Lets have a look.

 1. Tori Spelling

An award winning actress and author seems to be a dedicated animal lover and a proud owner of a lovely white chicken which she calls Coco Chanel. The pet has got all facilities that a pet dog can have with a dog bed next to its owners bedside and like any pet dog, the chicken goes around to places with her owner. Tori calls her a house chicken or a dog chicken. She doesn’t have a coop like other normal chicken in Tori’s backyard. She dresses her chicken and let her alone take posses for captures. She even pecks the dogs and other chickens which come close by. It is totally unexpected to have so much love and care towards a chicken pet but Tori loves her Coco like any other pet lover would.

2. Kristen Stewart

She appeared in news some time back, for reasons that other than her relationship issues. The actress’s mother is said to own several wolf-dog hybrids. Four not 100 percent wolves, named Jack, Lily, Tommy and Lola, stride on their own piece of land owned by mommy Stewart. Recently she was accused of keeping the animals illegally by her neighbor, to which she retaliated and defended her pets’ ownership.

P.s -And you thought Bella Swan belonged to the vampire team.

3. Leonardo Dicaprio

Jay Brewer Vella, the owner of reptile shop, was taken back when he saw Leonardo DiCaprio entered his shop one fine day. Knowing that the actor had an interest in tigers, he said in total surprise, “We had no idea he was coming.” The actor bought 38 pound, Sulcata tortoise for $400. Tortoise make good pets and give their owner a long company of 80 to 100 years. To this Leo made a note that tortoise make really good pets. The tortoise was the largest available in the retailer’s shop.

4. Nicole Kidman

Owning a farm in Nashville, the famous Nicole Kidman and her husband are raising their pet Alpacas, camel like fluffy animals with long eyelashes. Her 2 year old kid loves their pet and they even walk it around on a leash. Why [alpacas]? Because they’re pretty,” was her reply when inquisitives asked. “They have the long lashes. Have you seen them?” Seems the actress fell in love with animal’s long neck and eyelashes and admits that she would like to add a few snakes too, to her collection of pets.

5. Stewan Tailor

People go for all kind of weird pets, but Steven Tyler once crossed the limit by getting a pet raccoon. The American Idol judge and rock legend told on the famous show The Late Show With David Letterman that he used to put the raccoon on his shoulder and go for fishing every day. Raccoons are legal to own and their companionship can be compared to that of a dog. Contrary to the belief that raccoons attack people as shown in certain flicks, these pets can be litter box trained and make good pets.

6. Goeorge Clooney

He owned a potbelly pig whom he named Max. Sad to say his beloved pet is no more. We quoted him saying that the pet was like a family member to him. It lived with Clooney’s in his home at Hollywood Hills. The pet was 19 years old when he died peacefully of natural causes. He owned the pig for 18 long years and said that the pet was his longest relationship. It came as a surprise to the actor when he heard the news of his pet death since it considered him big part of his life.

 7. Slash

Slash, the guitarist from the famous American Rock Band, Guns & Roses  is said to be fascinated by reptiles and dinosaurs. From early age he started petting and caring for snakes. In 2008 he almost had hundred snakes, lizards and crocodiles at his home. Slash also been a supporter of Los Angeles Zoo and an advocate for many zoos across world. He even received Tom Mankiiewicz Leadership Award for his contribution and involvement in wildlife and environment protection. His  list of pets include Mickey (black-and-white rat), Jack (Jackson’s chameleon), Clyde and Sam (anacondas), Pandora (boa constrictor which appears in “Patience” music video), Jacob (another boa that Slash gave to the Los Angeles Zoo), Adrianna (Burmese python) and Curtis (mountain lion).

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If pocket rodents are your thing, but you think mice aren’t good enough for you, you should, I believe, adopt a Gerbil as pet. Gerbils are what you can call an exotic variety of mice. Gerbils are absolutely delectable with their petite appearance and a little tuft at the end of their long furry tails. What is intriguing about them is the fact that you can get them in myriad colours through selective breeding. The wild one, which flaunts a combination of grey, black, yellow and white is more commonly known as “agouti”.

Now what you need to remember is that though Gerbils are not really nocturnal, they can oftentimes be active at night. This is because their body is habituate to several sleep cycle during the course of twenty four hours, and they are not very accurate with their timings.

Gerbils are social animals. They are extremely curious and their alacrity to explore new things is really a spectacle for the owners. They are playful and love company. In the wilderness, they are more used to living in colonies, and that is the reason they are advised not to be kept alone. If you do intend to keep a gerbil, it is always better to adopt a pair or more. They have what you can call a complaint temperament, and do not usually bite unless threatened.  Gerbils are very touchy about their beautiful tails and will definitely approve of you picking it up by the tail although its small size can make us feel otherwise.

Gerbils need a big enough cage since they are extremely active creatures. However, most owners prefer using glass aquariums to cages since their soft fur tends to brush against the sides of the cage causing them injuries that you would not want them to have. Another advantage of using an aquarium is that you can introduce a thick layer of bedding to give your pets the authentic experience of burrowing, which you can provide if you are using a cage. You need to cover the top of the aquarium with something akin to a wire mesh to allow ventilation and also to prevent them from escaping. As I said earlier, Gerbils are very energetic and will always be on their knees to do some unprecedented. If you do plan to use a wire cage, make sure the bar spacing is no more than half an inch. This will prevent your pets to try to kick the bedding out , or chew at the wire, causing nasal injuries and even ulcers of the mouth. Do not, under any circumstances, use plastic since Gerbils have dextrous chewing habits. Whatever you do, make sure you keep them under surveillance to prevent any mishap.

Gerbils will also need something akin to the nest box to hide in. Since they are burrowing animals, they need to feel protected and outside the vicinity of any roving eye to sleep. For that purpose, you might want to introduce a box inside the aquarium or cage, wherever you want to house your pets. The quality of the nest box is of prime importance. It is always advised that there should be no plastic around them because of their tendency of incessant  chewing. You can use a ceramic or a wooden box  for the purpose. Now, you must expect them to chew the wooden box but at least you can be sure that it will take some time and your pets will not become sick since this is a part of their wild habitat. To add some variety, you might even want to add a couple of clay flower pots. This addition, however, is possible only if your cage or aquarium is big enough.

This is actually advisable to house your Gerbil in the biggest possible cage. They are hyperactive and need lots of exercise. For that purpose you need to furnish them with an assortment of playthings from rocks, wood pieces to ladders, ramps, and platforms. You might even want to add your own discarded toys but you must only give your pet what is safe to chew since they will inevitably start chewing whatever they find in their vicinity. Toilet paper tubes, as informed by some owners, are a particular favourite. Since they are so energetic, they are more prone to be dehydrated. You must hang a water bottle preferably with a metal sprout in the cage so that they can replenish the water that they have exhausted in their play. You might also consider introducing an exercise wheel, but make sure it is not the hamster wheel because they edges might cause your Gerbil grievous harm. If can find no other, you might consider taping the surface and the side so that there are no rough surfaces. Under no circumstances should there be gaps in the wheel because there is a high risk that its tail might be injured in the process. As said earlier, the tail is the most sensitive part of your pet and it is the tail which makes it vulnerable.

If you pay proper attention to your pet and see that its safety is not compromised, I think housing a Gerbil will be easy and more importantly, rewarding.

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Tiger salamander, though quite popular among people keeping pocket pets, an also branch out to adopt is known as Axolotls. These delectable creatures look like a cross between a salamander and some fish at first sight. They are actually what you can call exotic since there is slight chance that you can get your hands on one or a pair of these. The Axolotls are native to Mexico, and what is more intriguing or alarming, whichever suits the occasion, is the fact that the name given to these creatures are also used to signify various species of Ambystoma, an edible food source!

And the intrigues continue to come! The Axolotls are neotonic in nature like the Tiger salamander. Now you must be wondering what that means. Well, if any creature is neotenic, it means that it will not undergo metamorphosis from the larval to the adult form like other salamanders but with the aid of the gills in the larval form, become capable of reproduction in an aquatic environment. This, however, is not all when an Axolotl is concerned. Not only are they neotenic, they can also metamorphose into a terrestrial variety but this often causes them unwanted stress and they do not exercise this agency under ordinary circumstances.

Have you noticed how a lizard’s tails grows back after being wounded? Well, nerds among us might want to relate that to Adamentium (Wolverine’s powers of regeneration), but on a more realistic level, Axolotls have miraculous powers of regeneration, so much so that not only tails but any part of their body can grow back.    They are exceptionally invincible for this reason and incredibly hardy. If the water quality is good, they can live up to fifteen years in confinement. There is however one loophole to their otherwise invincibility. They have very sensitive skin and gills, and it is probably in their best interests that they are not handled unless absolutely necessary.

And you thought the list of surprises was over, did you? Well, not quite. If their noetenic habits and their powers of regeneration was not enough surprises, they, especially the young Axolotls exhibit cannibalistic tendencies towards each other so if you want to adopt more than one of these absolutely queer creatures, you must make necessary arrangements to keep them in isolated enclosures. There is very few reported cases of cannibalistic tendencies in adult axolotls but you might want to keep a lookout for them, just in case. However, since they can grow back a body part in very less time, there is a very slight chance of their being grievously hurt due to such disposition. So, keeping things simple, you just don’t have to worry, mate!

Housing is one of the chief concerns while keeping an axolotl. Since they can really get quite large, I would recommend you to house it in at least a twenty gallon tank. This however does not mean that you need to fill water to the brim( trust me, that will ward off at least half of potential owners!) . If you manage to fill as much water as will keep your pet submerged, it will be more than enough for it. You can also opt for a filtered aquarium since they are easier to maintain, and thus, more popular. Cleaning the tank is nonpareil.  However, you should take proper care that the filter intake should be carefully placed so that is does not trap the gills. You can use a siphon to vacuum the bottom f the vacuum the bottom of the tank, alongwith a twenty percent water change every week. If is recommended that you use tap water and not distilled water so that the pH of the water remains in the range f 6.5 to 7.5.

Now you might want to add some variety and introduce some colourful gravel. When doing this, you should keep in mind that it is coarse gravel and not fine gravel that you should use. One of the main reasons of this is because there is a high possibility that your pets might ingest the fine particles during feeding.

Temperature is another important pointer to consider if you are intending to keep an Axolotl as pet. The tank should be housed in such a place that is away from bright sunlight. It is very important that the water be kept cool, ranging between 58-69 F, and under no circumstances should it shoot over 75F. Axolotls require no special lighting, and are more habituated to a world which is relatively dark.

In the wilderness, Axolotls fee on small amphibians and fishes to crustaceans, worms and snails. You can feed them an assortment of commercial fish pellets of salmon or trout, bloodworms, tubifex worms, earthworms to brine shrimp and strips of liver or even beef depending on your mood. You must, however, endeavour to give your pets a balanced diet, and if you are alarmed( and I understand that there is ample reason to be), you might opt for customized Axolotl feeding pellets which you can obtain from the internet or if you are a native of Mexico, you might even consider driving to the Indians University Axolotl Colony. Whatever food you give, do be careful about removing uneaten excess food from the tank on a regular basis.

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We all want to keep pets. However, it does not always seem plausible to keep a dog or a cat even if we ourselves are more than ready to shoulder the responsibility. The problem, as is most common in apartments in big cities, is the lack of space and the objection of flatmates and neighbors about having a pet. This, even though a problem which loos large over the urban life in general, can be somewhat alleviated by adopting what we can call apartment pets. Apartment pets can vary in genus- they can be rodents or reptiles or even mammals, but one which unites them into one single category is their small size. So, to put it simply, apartment pets are very similar to pocket pets, are easy to carry and can kept without letting the entire housing colony know. Although hamsters, rats, mice, chinchillas ,degus and gerbils are considered popular apartment pets, people who have a thing for reptiles and amphibians but do not have the time and space for a snake and the desire to house a common toad can opt for Fire bellied newts. Fire bellied newts, contrary to popular belief, are easily available in pet shops that house more than cats and dogs.

Fire bellied newts usually belong to the genus cynops, and the most available kind is called the Chinese fire bellied newts or Cynops Orientalis. You might also find them named variously as the oriental fire bellied newts or the dwarf fire bellied newts. Another variety, though not that common is the Japanese fire bellied newts or Cynops Pyrrhogaster. Both of these varieties show an alarming similarity in their appearance. They range from dark brown to black with the occasional;y contrasting fiery reddish orange markings on the belly. These markings are what you can call the newts’s self defense mechanism since these markings produce potent skin toxins which wards off potential predators. The main difference between a Chinese and a Japanese fire bellied newt is that the Japanese one can handle a larger prey while content with a little space to live in.

I will talk about housing a fire bellied newt in the next article. For now, I am limiting myself to the food habits of a newt in captivity. You can give it an assortment of bloodworms, frozen or live, according to what you are more comfortable with, chopped earthworms, which you can chop yourself or buy chopped ones from the pet shop, brine shrimp, glass shrimp, daphnia ans also freeze-dried tubifex cubes. Quite a meal, I must say! If you fail to find the above mentioned newt food, you might just consider looking for frozen bloodworms since they are the most available of the lot. Bigger shops will, I imagine, be keeping these since fire bellied newts are fairly common with people desiring to keep amphibians as pets, and are thus variously available. If you find their food habits a bit yucky , and I am sure this is not a very uncommon feeling considering their peculiar( to us, at least) dietary preferences, you might oft for floating reptile or amphibians sticks, more commonly known by the name of  Repto-Min. However, do not be cocksure that your  pet newt will be okay with this because more often than not, fire- bellied newts reject this food and wait till their choice of food is provided. They are very resilient creatures, and will not budge till they get what they want!

If you are more inclined to adopting a Japanese fire bellied newt, which, as I said earlier, are more used to hunting for larger plays, you can consider feeding them feeder guppies. This is recommended only if you are comfortable with giving your newt live food, and are okay with some bloodshed. For trust me, blood will be spilled if you introduce a guppy or any such smaller small fish into the aquarium! There is a very practical reason for the popularity of the fire bellied newt as an ideal apartment pet apart from the obvious ones that they are less vulnerable and therefore need less tending or looking after. You can take a lucky guess: it is something that makes it somewhat akin to a goldfish. Well…what do you think that is? Ta da!You do not have to feed your pet everyday if, luckily, your pet is a  fire bellied newt who can live for two to three days without food, and unlike goldfish, you do not have to worry about their dying on you if you fail to feed them. They do not require to looked after and they do not really have predators, unless in the wilderness. You might want to do a little experiment and decrease or increase the intake of food to witness at what rate it is going plumper or thinner. Also, you must keep in mind, and this is actually a common knowledge, that it is always better to underfeed than overfeed. Another reason to not overfeed your fire bellied newt in particular is because the excess food left uneaten or undigested causes the production of toxins which builds up in the tank, making a poisonous habitat of an otherwise compliant place.

Fire bellied newts are rewarding pets if you are not a person who wants to cuddle your pets. This does not mean that these newts are unfriendly. In fact, they are quite amiable once they know you are to be trusted.  They can look after themselves and do not require constant vigil. To keep it short, they are undoubtedly the ideal apartment pets.

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I was just browsing, searching for nothing in particular, when I came across a photograph of what looked like, well, Pingu (the cartoon) with brownish black fur glued on to him! Absolutely delectable in a queer way, the photo seemed doctored so I looked them up. And lo! Mr.Pingu-with brown fur did exist, and are called by the name of Kinkajous.

These kinkajous, more commonly known as nightwalkers or honeybears, are also known by the scientific name of Poto Flavus, have several subspecies, many of which are docile and kept as pets. Now, having said that these are kept as pets does not mean that all of us can afford them. Kinkajous are extremely expensive and being exotic, are also rare. They live up to 25 years in the wild but according to recent reports, one of them staying in the Honolulu zoo is a little more than 40 years old.

Now, as I have mentioned earlier, they have several subspecies and they vary in size. However, to consider an approximation, their length ranges between 16 to 26 inches with the tail growing up to 20 inches. Quite a tail, I must say! Kinkajous are small pets, and weigh around 8 or 9 pounds.

Before embarking upon actually purchasing one of these delectable creatures, it sure is imperative to know what they really are. Kinkajous are nocturnal creatures. They reside in the treed canopy of the rainforest areas, and needlessly to say, they are tree-dwellers with prehensile tails which assist them in climbing. They do share a lot of characteristics with monkeys in general but they are actually related to racoons, red pandas and also coatimundis.  Nectar and fruits are what you can call their staple food in the wilderness.

Now, let me tell you that if you intend to keep a Kinkajou as pet, it is probably advisable to adopt them at an early age when  they are quite compliant and not to mention, friendly. However, whatever be the age at which you bring home one of these, you must remember that they are primarily wild animals and their habits and habitat are different from ours. You, first and foremost, need to be flexible with them and the less you expect them to change, the better it is for them physically and psychologically. To adduce this, you might consider that they are, by nature, nocturnal so you might get the most activity in the latter part of the evenings or even past your bedtime. They are, like monkeys, extreme curious and they tend to get into things and create quite a mess. They like to toss food around, and in case you plan to keep more than one, they can be quite territorial and you might as well expect quite a ruckus during mealtimes. Kinkajous, sadly( for you, of course!), cannot be litter-trained however much you try. The best that you can expect from them is to find some favourite toilet areas where they would like to frequent, and hope that their favourite spaces do not collide with your favourite parts of the room.

As said earlier, with kinkajous around, you can expect to have a noisy household. In fact, it will be just like having two or three mischievous boys in their early teens creating what you can call a cacophony in an otherwise quiet household. For that matter, you must do what you would have done if you had three teen-aged boys; put them in a leash! I mean, seriously. You cannot let them round around unattended. Kinkajous need a large tall cage, not less than six feet tall and more than five to six feet wide. Now, what you need to do is to create a pseudo-habitat for them inside their cages, and the more elaborate you can be with the whole cage thingy, the happier will your pets be. For that matter, you need to provide an assortment of branches, shelves and even ropes for climbing. In addition to that, you might also want to include a variety of toys, hanging wood and even wide( so that your pets do not try to swallow them) pieces of PVC pipes. You can also hang something akin to hammocks or sleep sacks. A nest box is also important, so you might try placing an opaque plastic container with a hole cut in one of the sides and suspended from the walls of the cage. You need to remember that kinkajous are hyperactive and need to play to get rid of their excess energy or they will, for sure, create quite a ruckus. Now, you need to know that however elaborate you make their cages, they will need to be taken out on a regular basis. What would be the most feasible thing to do, I think, is to let them out for a few hours during the day and confine them during the night when, due to their being nocturnal, they are most active and will tend to irritate you by their incessant slow huffing, chirping to whistling, barking( quite close), and even shrieking out loud to defend their food.

Now that we have heard about kinkajous fighting and turning territorial for food, I think we should know about what to feed them as well. In the wilderness, alongside nectar and fruits, they are used to eat a variety of insects, frogs, and eggs. However, in captivity, you might endeavour to make their food a tad bit more delicious by providing them with an assortment of biscuits, chow, fruits like figs, cherimoya, pomegranates, pineapple, grapes, kiwis, melons, mangoes, papayas and even bananas. It is best to avoid chocolates and dairy products since kinkajous have trouble ingesting milk.

Kinkajous, if you do manage to adopt one, are extremely rewarding pets, and will ensure a lively household with their chatter and endless prattle. To say the least, you can never be or even feel lonely when you are around these creatures.

The post An exotic pet for you to choose: kinkajous! appeared first on Pet Attack.

You must have come across these doe-eyes astoundingly gorgeous creatures in magazines, and wanted to own one of them. To be honest, the first time I laid my hands on such a picture, the first thought that came to my mind was, “ Are these real?” They looked for different from any animal I had ever seen that it had never struck my mind that you can keep one of these as your pet.

Well, now you can! Exotic though they are, they can be adopted, or rather purchased, to be exact.First things first, I must acquaint you with these strangely mythical creatures which, now that I know, actually do exist. They are called Fennec Foxes, more commonly known by the name of the ‘desert fox’. They, like dogs, are a small member of the canine family. Like dogs, they share a lot of behavioral characteristics, but since they are rarely domesticated, require cautious socialization as well as necessary precautions against escape. Now, do not be intimated about keeping a pet whose sole purpose might seem to run loose because, frankly speaking, this is not the case more often than not. Belonging to the canine family, fennec foxes, once tamed, are rewarding and more importantly, loyal.

Fennec Foxes, save for their beautiful over-sixed ears, are petite. An adult weighs about two to four pounds. One of its striking features is the soft, thick coat that is reddish and tawny on the back, and whitish on the underside. They also have some curious black markings on the back and tail.

Fennec Foxes are astute creatures. Quick and agile, they have a high pitched yelp like puppies, and are extremely cautious creatures. They are nocturnal in the wilderness, but can be adopted to the human timings if brought home at an early age. The fact that they are, like cats, extremely clean animals, and can be litter trained, if adopted at an early age. The age is an important issue when Fennec Foxes are concerned, and more often than not, owners find it difficult to tame the animal if not adopted at a very early age.

Fennec foxes are omnivores in the wilderness, their diet including s wide range of insects, rodents, plants, fruits and also reptiles. However, it is advisable to  feed it, when adopted, what-you-call a commercially wild candid diet, which will be available in pet shops where they house exotic pets. However, taking into account the fact that these are exotic animals and you might not come across any such pet shops in your area, I would advise you to provide your pet fennec with a healthy mix of dog food, cat food, fruits and vegetables. One in a blue moon, you might also want to treat your pet with an assortment of raw meat, vegetables, and necessary vitamins.

Playtime for a Fennec is nonpareil. Like Labradors, they are hyperactive and need an outlet for their energy. Like small kittens or puppies or who-am-I-kidding even babies, they are extremely inquisitive and will get into probing anything and everything.  In fact, your fancy pet can be also act like a pig at times. Do not be alarmed; I meant that Fennec foxes have quite a penchant for digging. For that matter, you must devise the outdoor enclosure cautiously to prevent them from digging under or climbing over the fence (if you were planning on a fence, that is), and trust me, they can do this gamely. The best thing to do is to bury a significant portion of the fence and turning the fence in at the top or even completely casing the enclosure to avert escape.

You might want to teach them to fetch like dogs, which will help them burn off the excess energy.  However, if you are intending to play fetch with your fennec pal, do not forget to leash him or her since they are exceptionally agile, and if they once do escape, it would be extremely knotty to recapture them. However, if you can, and I hope you will, establish a close bond with your fancy big-ears, it might just stop it from trying to escape.

Weather or rather temperature is not an issue with Fennec foxes provided they are sheltered adequately. It is true that keeping a Fennec fox will cost you quite a handful. However, if you consider the fact that they are a curious assortment of all the animals you’ve ever wanted as a pet, then I do believe that it is really worth it. To adduce this fact, let me make you aware of another Fennec characteristic  that is rather croc-like: One of the favourite activities of a Fennec fox is basking in the sun!

Well, considering all the pros and cons, and of course the astoundingly cute face, I believe that if you do intend to get one or a pair of these as pets, it would be a rather rewarding experience. Almost similar to dogs in certain character traits, Fennec foxes, especially the hand-raise pups, are generally compliant and do not resort to biting unless cornered or threatened. They are generally not apprehensive about strangers, and are quite friendly to everybody. One in a while, they might irritate your other pets but, trust me, this is because the Fennec expects them to play with him, all the time!

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If you have a thing for pocket friendly pets, as in one that you can purchase without burning a hole in your pocket, and are small enough to fit into your pockets, then I think you should get a Sugar Glider for yourself. These petite creatures are ridiculously delectable in their appearance, and relatively easy to care for.

First things first: you need to know that Sugar Gliders are marsupials, and like the kangaroo, they start their life in their mother’s pouch. They are usually found in places in and around Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia. Their diet and habits actually account for their being named so, much like our Snot-nose and Smelly-pants. They, when in the wild, feed on nectar and the sap of eucalyptus sap, and are therefore called ‘sugar’, and gliders because the flap of skin in between their ankles and wrists allows them to glide between trees
.

Contrary to their being called so, their staple food is not just sugar( honey or sweet sap). They are omnivorous animals, and their diet includes a plethora of items like fruit, honey, insects and even small birds and rodents.

Sugar Gliders are social creatures, which is one of the reasons why you will love having them as pets. In the wilderness, they usually live in social family units, and just cannot stay alone, without social interaction. In fact, there are many cases of them dying due to depression induced by staying alone. For that reason, you must, if you are thinking about getting one of these delectable creatures as pets, meditate on the amount of time you can spend with it so that it does not suffer from bouts of negligence or depression. A practical thing to do would be to get more than one, so that your pet gets to have his social interfaces even when you are not around.

Sugar Gliders, if you are a mushy shilly-shallying pet lover, are the perfect match. They are playful and extremely endearing pets. You must. As mentioned before, keep them in groups of two or four. Company is nonpareil for sugar gliders. Other than food and company, they are not really exacting pets, so to say. They are clean and do not need multifarious housing requirements. They are what you can call long-term pets, for they, if provided for in a proper manner, can live up to fourteen years in captivity.

Now, there are some things which you should keep in mind while tending for a Sugar Glider. As said earlier, their need for company tops the charts. You need to around them as much as possible, and I cannot stress this enough. Since they are such tiny creatures, you might, if possible, take them with you in your pockets! Trust me, they will love riding around in your pocket or a gunny bag.  Delectable as they are, they are not very good with training, so you will have to take necessary precautions. To adduce this, I may add that Sugar Gliders have sharp nails which will dig in to you when they are either climbing on landing on your body. Now, since, you cannot train them to be gentle on you, you need to trim their nails on a regular basis. Their teeth is another such concern. Although, they are not aggressive creatures to begin with, if threatened or scared, there is a high tendency that they might bite.  Now, you cannot, of course, chop off their teeth. What you can do, however, is to be patient enough to get your pet to like and trust you so that it does not feel threatened in your presence. Also, it might be in your best interests to not let anybody whom your pet is not familiar with touch or cuddle it.

Now, you need to give your pet a full meal, which contains all the necessary requirement, including vitamin and mineral supplements. Whether sugar gliders should be given sugar to eat has become a highly debatable matter, which has heightened in the wake of a disease typical to them called nutritional osteodystrophy, which stems mostly from an imbalance of calcium or phosphorous in the diet. So, I would advise you to consult a good vet-dietician for the purpose.

Housing is another important part of keeping a Sugar Glider. You might be good enough to let your pet share your pet but I would advise you against it. Other than infections that are fairly common, there is also the risk of other animals trying to make a meal out of your pet. The best thing to do is to get a cage, of more than 36 inches, for a pair. In this respect, let me remind you that bigger is better, and they are more keen on the height of the cage than the floor space. The cage should be no more than two inches wide, since horizontal bars will induce them to climb and they will not lose their typical agility.  Now, you should be creative in your decorating the cage with toys, boxes and glider pouch. An exercising wheel would be wonderful. You primary endeavour should be in keep your pet active and busy.

Sugar Gliders make wonderful pets, and I can assure you that if you do get one of these endearing  creatures for yourself, you won’t ever regret it. As said earlier, Sugar Gliders, unlike other pets, do not respond to castigation at all, so the best thing to do is to take precautions and always treat them with the love, care and respect they deserve.

The post Craving for a Sugar Overdose? Bring home a Sugar Glider! appeared first on Pet Attack.

Since childhood, my younger brother has always wanted a pet. But his demand is not of an average pet like a dog, cat, horse, bird, turtle, fish or any other everyday creature of nature that we think of keeping in our house. He wants to pet a tiger and /or a lion and /or an elephant! Ridiculous, is it not? Since he does not have the means to fulfill his needs (currently), he keeps dreaming of becoming rich and keeping a real ‘Sheru’ at home. Rich people who can afford exotic animals and have a fixation for the same, often fulfill their desires. But is it a wise thing to do? What if your beloved pet turns on you one day thinking that you are its prey? Let me give you an insight into this kind of a lifestyle. These are two cases of what happened when you pet a wild animal.

Folly: Sandra L. Piovesan (50) had nine dogs. Except that they were not regular dogs- they were hybrids between dogs and wolves. Ms. Piovesan also had two Rottweilers that were neither kept nor bred with wolf-dogs. Aside from her animals she’d lived alone in the same house for about two decades and had separated from her husband and her daughter had grown up.Sandra thought that she had a spiritual connection with wolves but since she could not keep real wolves in her house, she decided to get half breeds as pets. She had raised all of them since childhood. She once told a neighbor they “give me unqualified love.”  Ms. Piovesan treated her wolves like children, and said as much when neighbors asked about them. The fenced area in her backyard was about the width of a three-lane road, running the length of her house. The area was divided into sections: one for the wolf-dogs, one for her pair of Rottweilers, another for wolf puppies, with whom she’d play and romp. Ms. Piovesan provided the wolf-dogs with toys — a replica igloo, balls, a plastic playhouse.

Wolves have the tendency to claim leadership of their area once they mature– they want to become the Alpha. The owners of other breeds do not have to think about returning home from work and be scared to confront their Lab, Rottie or Poodle and fight for the Alpha status. Ms. Piovesan was last seen alive on a Sunday evening at around 8pm. Her body was found on Monday morning in a caged rectangular enclosure in her backyard, home for nine hybrids. The autopsy reported that she had suffered multiple soft tissue injuries and had been mauled to death by her very pets. These 9 hybrids were later euthanized while her 2 Rottweillers were sent to foster homes.

Slightly more than 300 people were killed by 403 dogs in the period from 1979-96, a report says. Fifteen wolf dog hybrids were involved in fatal attacks. Number one at 118 deaths was “pit bull types”, purebred and cross-bred; second was Rottweilers with 67 killings, third was mixed breed and fourth was German shepherds. Wolf dog hybrids came in ninth.There are not too many certified incidences of wolfdogs causing human fatalities. On August 1999, 4 year old Cody Tyler Fairfield was killed by his family’s German shepard/wolf mix when the animal crushed his throat and trachea. Another incident involved 8 wolf dogs killing a 73 year old woman whose son owned the animals.

Not a mistake yet: They are one of the most dangerous animals in the world. Yet, one family does not show any fear when it comes to their 7 pet tigers! Despite having no experience with tigers, Ary Borges rescued two tigers from a circus eight years ago, and has since multiplied the endangered species in his home in Brazil. Now he has a total of 7 tigers. His wife, 3 daughters and granddaughter also love the tigers and play with them. The daughters swim with the tigers and the granddaughter rides them around the backyard. The girls feed meat directly into the mouths of the fully-grown cats as they join their human friends in the kitchen for dinner- and they even lounge around the house in the evenings. The girls even walk the tigers on leads. “Every day since they were born we have taken care of them and fed them so their instincts become dormant”, they say. The eldest daughter’s husband is afraid of these big cats and wishes his wife and daughter were not so close to the tigers as they can be lethal. He fears that something will go wrong even after all the safety precautions are being taken, due to his innate fear of tigers, like most people. Ary was forced to abandon a breeding program after being told by officials that he needed a permit. But he now hopes to build a park so his beloved pets can roam free and he can educate others of the plight of endangered tigers. The Borges family is happy and safe so far.

Big cats (lions, tigers, mountain lions, jaguars, leopards etc) probably provide the most exciting news stories when they attack or fatally maul their caretaker, and the news media never misses a beat reporting on it. So if you can recall the last time you heard of a big cat attack, you will probably realize that they aren’t very common either, occurring on average about twice a year. The victim is almost always the owner or caretaker. Many fear that big cats will be a significant public safety threat should they escape into the wild, however it should be noted that no big cat escapes off the property of the animal’s enclosure have resulted in a fatality thus far.

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Here is the real truth about cats and dogs- they are just not as desirable as they used to be to a new generation of pet lovers. These days exotic is the new buzzword when it comes to having a pet- and from horses to guinea pigs, parakeets and white mice, Indians are increasingly choosing the more unusual option. And when they do opt for a cat or a dog, there is an unique request like a Brown Labrador or a Persian cat. Exotic is the new trend and people are hugely buying into it.
People are becoming more experimental about the kind of pets they want, especially small animals which they can easily keep in smaller places and flats. But even as animal breeders seek to introduce new varieties into the country, ultimately for most pet owners, there is only one reason to choose an animal, bird, fish or a more exotic creature and that’s the love, affection, companionship they receive from their pets.
You are in the market for a new pet, but cats are too insolent, dogs are too subservient and tropical fish can’t garner any envy from your neighbour. There is no need for despair, as there is a massive- and mostly legal exotic pet business that makes the rare, the freakish and the wildly expensive companions available for purchase.
There is a seperate allure of owing exotic pets. A Menagerie in the house, snakes wrapped around any kind of a post, rhesus monkeys leaping from counter to counch, lions sunning themselves on your gravel driveway, capuchins and bears and wolves hugging you and clambering over you; the experience or if an imagination in itself will be awesome. They are the most unusual animals kept in captivity and there can be a difficulty in meeting their needs. But this challenge is a must if you house exotic animals, under the law of Animal Welfare Act.
FENNEC FOX is a small desert fox, one of the most popular mammals because they thrive with the owner being more ‘easier’ to manage. Unlike other foxes they make good house pets. They are high maintenance animals but are harmless.
BENNET’S WALLABY are simply too small, unlike kangaroos. They come with no possible threat and should be kept in a sufficient pen with available shelter. They thrive in domestic settings after adolescence and are cool and calm to handle.

SUGAR GLIDER are popular marsupials who weigh not more than five ounces. Their lively and curious nature help them bond with the humans. They are social and nocturnal and tend to seek attention. They need suitable environment and diet which sometimes become a matter of concern.
KINKAJOU are nocturnal rainforest mammals, friendly and affectionate and therefore can enjoy human companionship. They have sharp, carnivorous teeth, marshmallows and gummi bears. This preserves their wicked, bacteria loaded bite for when scared.

BENGAL CATS have no relation to the Bengal Tiger but is a hybrid creation featuring pre-designed genetic characteristics that are cross-bred with the likes of something more exotic like an Asian Leopard cat. The result is a new feline breed that acts more like a mellow domestic but looks like he just walked off the Savannah plains. The more pure bred the cat, the more costly it is.
MUNTJAC DEER are kept by some as House Pets as they are unique to their larger counterparts. They reach the size of a large housecat, are extremely affectionate and thrive with proper human care. A deer indoors can sound a bit bizarre to your neighbour but they are excellent pets, apart from the owner’s dealing with the chewing habit of this species.
SPOTTED GENET are wild African exotic mammals, attractive due to their harmless intimidating look. They are higly energetic nocturnal and arboreal ‘cat-ferret’. They combine several good qualities of other animals as well as possessing some of their own, making a rewarding pet for the right owners. They are skittish, hate to e restrained by human’s; scratch marks can be expected. Every Gennet owner knows their animal’s behaviour well.
BOBCATS are great pets; a small exotic feline, correct for homes but the trouble is deciphering how the ‘right owner’ of these animals are. Bobcat owners must be willing to fully anticipate issues like spraying, aggression, the need for outdoor enclosures and other modifications to accomodate potentially destructive factors, whether they occupy or not.
CAPYBARA AND PANTAGONIAN CAVIES are the world’s largest rodent clocking in at 150+ pounds and their alone world could arouse interest from the non-exotic pet owner’s crowd. Pantagonians are small, terrestrial versions who just require some room to roam and obviously aren’t dangerous.

The word ‘exotic’ can frighten many people but little do many people know that when they support exotic pet bans, they may be empowering bans for their own pets. The word ‘exotic’ was never synonymous to the words “large” and “dangerous” but this is what people associate them with. Animal Rights Groups are not ignorant to the word- they just keep quiet on their anti-position towards more common and less overtly threatening animals such as hedge dogs and other reptiles. Housing Exotic creatures can sound a little weird and can even invite objection from your neighbour, but you enter into a completely unique pet world which thus becomes an experience of a lifetime. No wonder, your attachment with them becomes exotic and memorable.

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Let’s say there’s someone who really loves animals, someone who genuinely cares for animals and would find it a privilege to be able to own a pet. But due to some reason is unable to fulfill this wish of theirs. Financial constraints, lack of space, unavailability of time to devote to them or incompatibility with the other members of the household. Sometimes, one’s profession is such, that it demands constant travel. This translates to inability to take proper care of the pet. In cases like these, there is a need for establishments that cater to such people. A place where one can go and live the life they have always dreamed of.

The concept of petting zoos first came into the picture when the London zoo started a children’s zoo with domesticated animals and trained wild animals, which they could play with, touch, pet and even feed. With time this idea grew and spread to other cities around the world. There are places that are still reluctant to accept the idea of opening up their zoos for human contact. The apprehension could be due to the investment that it requires in terms of capital and staff. While at the same time, some might say that there’s a certain risk factor involved for people and animals alike. One cannot expect every person to be genuinely caring towards the animals. Certain people including children find it amusing to try and harm or pester the poor creatures. Similarly, some time an animal might be particularly unpredictable.

But zoos, where this experiment has been successful, vouch for the increased acceptance and popularity of animals as an integral part of one’s well being, compared to where one could only view them from beyond safety enclosures. It is also an effective source of revenue generation as well as increased employment opportunities amongst professionals trained in handling animals. The importance of affinity towards animals was propagated through such an experience. Awareness towards how they should be treated was also generated. Hands on experiences are useful in making professions to do with animals, an evidently viable career option too. It also helped to change the thought amongst people that one must stay away from animals. One needs to be careful but not scared of them. As a result people got an opportunity to experience bonds with animals. One could explore the love that any animal feels for someone who treats it right, whether they are pet, domestic or even wild, in most cases.

The animals that are usually considered for petting zoos are well trained. Domestic animals such as cows and goats are often used. Some wild animals that are harmless are also present. Alpacas, llamas, monkeys, pythons and even kangaroos are often found to be some of the popular choices. Guinea pigs, turtles, birds, miniature donkeys, rabbits and ponies are especially loved by young children. The zoos provide the patrons with relevant food, to ensure the health and well being of the animals is not compromised, and at the same time it is convenient for them. Food often fed to them includes hay, grass or crackers based on the animal in question. This is an exception to the general rule of not feeding zoo animals.

Animal lovers will tell you that the mere petting of an animal can successfully help you release the stress and tension of regular day-to-day life. Even watching them go about their business at leisure soothes the nerves. A genuinely happy animal can transmit similar feelings into those around it. Their lovable and adorable nature makes one feel special in an instant. Scientific studies have proven the benefits of constant interaction and contact with animals. Kids benefit especially from pet animals, and since one may not be able to own one, having a place where they can experience the joys of being a pet owner, even for a short time, can help make the child less aggressive, sharper and a better human being.

While there are innumerable benefits of contact with animals, one needs to be aware if they are allergic to any particular animal. Some people might be prone to allergic reactions to animals such as cats, or animal hair. If so, one must avoid any contact with them, at the risk of fatalities. Apart from that, there is also the risk of transmitting diseases to and from the animals. Hence, it is critical to properly cleanse yourselves before and after coming in contact with them.

Along the lines of petting zoos, cat cafes are now popular in some eastern countries especially Japan. These cafes allow people to interact with cats exclusively at nominal charges. The physiological and psychological benefits of petting cats are well documented, especially among the elderly. The purring sound that they emanate while being petted is deemed to be comforting for most people. Their unassuming, no-fuss temperament is highly appreciated by cat lovers. There is an increasing need of establishments along such lines considering the kind of lifestyle that is becoming common lately. A place where one can rejuvenate among silent, loving, non-judgmental creatures that help you relax without asking for anything in return.

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