Exotic Pets: Stick Insects

Stick insects have quite a few names. First of all the order to which they belong is known as either Phasmatodea or Phasmida. Then they are called stick insects in Europe and Australasia, but walking sticks or stick-bugs in America and Canada. Some also get called phasmids, leaf insects and ghost insects.

Needless to say, most of them look like twigs, sticks or leaves. The majority of stick insects come from South East Asian countries like india and Thailand, but they are abundant in many tropical climates including Australia and the southern states of America. Most of the insects that are kept as pets are Indian (or Laboratory) stick insects and they grow to around four inches long and live for around a year.

There are very bizarre species of stick insect like the Vietnamese thorny stick insect and the pink-winged flying stick insect, but they are more difficult to look after. It is better to start with the Indian common form. They will live quite contentedly in a vivarium, which is an tank for reptiles and insects.

Except for offering fresh food and water from time to time and taking out old food, there is no maintenance necessary for these animals. They will need a fairly warm climate but that is not a problem to arrange with a heater, a thermostat and a timer.

Food is not a problem for common species, The most common foods given are privet and lettuce, but they also like ivy, oak, bramble, blueberry and raspberry. You have to place enough of these plants in the vivarium to give cover for the inhabitants so that they do not feel exposed and at risk but not so much that you never get sight of them.

Make sure that there are plenty of air holes in the vivarium, but for the sake of security, they should be covered with fly screen or netting, because these creatures are able to wriggle through small apertures. The tanks should be kept at 70F during the day and 60F at night with moderate humidity. They can be allowed to forage for food at will, but be careful that the water supply is very shallow, because they been known to fall in and drown.

You will be flabbergasted to discover that the overwhelming majority of Indian stick insects are female, but that they do not need a male to have fertile eggs. Young become capable of laying eggs after their sixth moult, all of which moults they eat. Stick insects can lay hundreds of eggs which just drop down among the leaves on the floor of the vivarium.

If you would like to hatch them out, spray a little water on them to simulate light rain and they ought to hatch. If you do not want to be troubled with them, burn the contents of the tank after the last adult has passed away. You might need a permit to keep stick insects, particularly in the United States.

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The Best Self-Assessment Practices Before You Adopt A Sugar Glider

The thought of going out to adopt a sugar glider can be quite entertaining and is an economically brighter alternative for those who cannot afford to make a purchase. However it is important to consider whether you are truly able to make the required commitment once this tiny and playful pet enters your home. The truth is, the average working person maintains a hectic daily schedule which consists of frequent travel and office work away from home and their pet, with minimal downtime afterwards. Bills are at the forefront of our conscious and mandatory expenses threaten to draw us away from spending time on other hobbies which we would rather be involved with. The nagging difficulties of life tend to drive people into making certain decisions on impulse which they anticipate will provide pleasure or escapism. Poor decisions include someone making a quick choice to rush out and adopt a glider without making educated long-term decisions which will be instrumental in providing happiness, health and longevity to this special pet. Bare in mind, before you make an adoption of this exotic mammal there are a number of things you should consider which differ from owning the average pet. You must take into account your lifestyle in comparison to the unique needs of the glider.

If you are strapped for time during the day as most 9 to 5 workers tend to be, realize that the sugar glider is a nocturnal mammal by nature. As you arrive home from work in the evening it will most likely have just awoken from it's sleep and anxious to meet you for some playtime. This contrast between your daytime schedule and it's nighttime one does have a disadvantage though. As it is active during nighttime, your glider may create some noise as it plays inside it's cage and cause distractions while you are trying to sleep at night. Your solution is to train and adjust your gliding possum towards remaining awake during day and sleep at night instead, which is perfectly fine to do and will not cause it any harm. Ideally, most people would like to carry their glider around in a pocket or pouch as their company throughout the day, but unfortunately the average work schedule and environment does not allow for adequate bonding and pet care. It is advised that you remove all work and life distractions to reserve bonding time with your pet in a calm setting. The process of bonding between this mammal is an essential part of it's development in the long term, therefore you should place quality time at the highest priority as it's owner.

Once your adoption begins and your new pet enters the home, it does not take a lot to provide the ideal environment for it's health and happiness. For most owners you will likely have the ideal home setting already, a quality which is great for the average residential person looking to bring a glider into their lives. This furry little creature gets along great with other people and non-threatening animals so if you have pets and children in the home already, it may not be a large concern. The glider is nocturnal so if you work during the day prepare to meet your pet for playtime as it wakes from it's daily sleep schedule. As for bathroom cycles of this animal, they are similar to humans in having to go after a long sleep and a few times daily. This cycle makes it predictable to know when to put your glider down by itself in the proper area so it can relieve itself. With these facts in mind about the particular nature and lifestyle of this exotic pet, you can now determine whether your home and it's needs are an adequate match.

If you are a financially-conscious person at heart and can refrain from overindulgence on your pet, the sugar glider is the right choice for you. This tiny animal is relatively cost-efficient to raise considering that it does not consume large portions, occupies a cage as a living space and does not require regular visits to the veterinarian or spa. Like any other bad habit, some people cannot resist the urge to splurge on their pets with expensive gifts, food and accessories. This is especially apparent with a cute and exotic pet like the gliding possum. Some owners who are misinformed about how to raise this animal end up burning the bank by purchasing things that are unnecessary and exceed the optimal requirements. Don't end up with empty pockets like the person who rushed out and adopted their glider only to spoil it silly without studying it's minimal lifestyle requirements.

Your self awareness and commitment in life is a big factor in determining whether you are the right person to adopt a sugar glider. Before you take action towards adoption, look yourself in the mirror and identify any flaws about yourself which could jeopardize the ability to properly care for your potential pet in the long run. Objectivity of self is of primary importance, since it is ultimately your choice what type environment and care your glider pet will be subjected to in it's life. Make sure that if you choose to adopt, it ends up in a loving and caring home which will promote the longest and happiest life it truly deserves.

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Exotic Hedgehogs As Pets

Hedgehogs as pets can be entertaining and endearing, but if you want to make the most of caring for one of these fascinating rodents, you should inform yourself of their living requirements.

Feral hedgehogs can and do cover several miles in a single night in search of a good meal. You pet hedgehog will not have to worry about catching its food, but without the opportunity for exercise, it can easily grow obese for its species and develop health complications. For this reason, you should invest in some stimulating features and toys. An activity wheel will keep your hedgehog going for hours each night, providing it with a much-needed workout. Despite its modest size, a hedgehog will need a spacious environment, which means at least two square meters of cage space. If it is social, you may want to let it wander around a room or two of your home, under proper supervision, of course. Its cage should be its castle, and at least two square meters will be required to house all its needs and facilities efficiently.

Hedgehogs identify strange substances and items by tasting them. This habit can take on dangerous proportions when it involves cleansing chemicals or electric wires. If you allow your hedgehog some time out of its cage, do keep an eye on the situation, if you have cats, dogs or other pets that might threaten it. Although a hedgehog has excellent armor against potential predators, it might experience some anxiety. If you want different types of pets to get along, you will need to invest some time towards integrating them. Do not let the hedgehog roam through the whole house at once. This type of pet is quite gifted at sheltering out of sight, and may cost you hours of searching from room to room.

Your hedgehog will need a well-ventilated living area to get rid of the smell of its droppings and for this a wire cage is best. Bear in mind, though, that in the wild, hedgehogs often retreat to a hole or some form of shelter for their daytime sleep. You should provide it with a box, a tiny sleeping bag or some blanket to let it creep out of sight. The bottom of the cage should be solid, to avoid injury. Set aside some space to accommodate a litter box as well.

If you plan and prepare ahead of time for the arrival of your prickly animal companion, you will be making the most of keeping hedgehogs as pets.

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Choosing The Right Sugar Glider Pet Shop As Your First Priority

As the prospective buyer of a glider possum, you are part of a consumer base who contributes to the success of reputable sugar glider pet shops. By supporting those shops which operate according to acceptable standards of business, you will help to eliminate shops which are unsafe, unhealthy and endanger the well-being of their gliders. Upon purchase, you must understand that you are dealing with an exotic mammal from Australia which cannot be found at the average shop. To ensure you are receiving your glider in acceptable condition, you must make careful decisions and observations on the shop you plan to visit. Taking the necessary precautions to confirm whether your pet shop is reputable by law goes a long way in an industry which unfortunately consists of money-driven, illegal shops you need to avoid. With the proper buying decisions you not only help promote dealers who truly care about their gliders but you also put yourself in the position to purchase your new pet the way it is supposed to enter your life, healthy and happy.

Sugar gliders appear as very adorable creatures to the buying public but unfortunately these exotic pets are not as well understood as they could be. This lack of understanding leads to impulse purchases, a behavior of the buying public which illegal sugar glider pet shops will not hesitate to exploit. Those who are thinking about choosing a shop should realize that a bit of precaution and study before hand is essential to avoid falling into the tempting trap of shops who place their rate of income above the safety and care of their pets. By law, glider pet shops are required to own a government-issued certificate which verifies their business as worthy of operation. This is the first thing you should look for when confronting a shop and one of the important reasons why you should only make a purchase of your pet from a physical location.

The industry of gliding possums is made up of both physical brick/mortar shops and online dealers. The online world of shopping for a glider should be avoided at all costs. For one, you will be uninformed to essential information you can gain about the shop if you visited in person instead. Secondly, you are also more likely to come across a shop which is more interested in receiving fast money based on ambiguous information and fast selling tactics. Observing the shop in person is the only way to determine the cleanliness and safety of the environment while understanding the true business intentions of your dealer.

To know the nature of the gliding possum is to know the proper conditions of the pet shop environment in which they should be sold. The sugar glider is a nocturnal mammal which originates from the wilderness of Australia. It thrives in packs of it's own kind in this warm environment and is adept to bonding with a variety of other creatures during it's life span. Due to the nature of their environment and physical characteristics this creature is very playful and designed for jumping and climbing as it's daily activity. The store owner who cares about keeping the ideal environment of captivity for it's gliders should be aware of these important facts and eager to share them with you. Once you visit their pet store you should see a place which is clean, safe and without direct exposure to drastic changes in temperature. The cages should also be clean while designed with a reasonable amount of space and climbing platforms to promote the glider's active lifestyle.

The questions you ask and detailed observations which you make in the process of visiting your sugar glider pet shop will result in the quality of your purchase, consumer experience and most importantly the greater well-being of your new pet. Remind yourself that this is not he average pet you can find in common shops, it is an exotic pet and requires a bit more attention to detail by the consumer and dealer. Once you reach the shop, hopefully the dealer will appear as a generous and caring person who places the highest standards of care into his workplace. The ideal dealer will go out of his way to acquaint you with what you need to know prior to placing your money down for the purchase of your glider. This is an important part of the consumer experience which is absent in buying a glider online, not to mention you endanger a glider's life in placing an online order for it to be shipped from afar by plane. While at the shop, take your time and look around and most importantly arrange to observe the glider of your choice up close and in person. This step is one of the most essential and should be one of your main priorities: ensuring the safety and health of your glider from real-life observation within the pet shop.

You are now ready to leave your house and purchase your new pet! The careful study and precaution which you take before hand will determine the outcome of your pet store experience and the condition of your glider. Be proud of yourself for not making an impulse purchase which could leave you dissatisfied with the time and money you spent.

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Why a Hairless Rat Is the Right Pet for You and Your Family

A hairless rat is certainly one of the more unique pets available today. They make excellent conversation starters, and they absolutely thrive in captivity. Hairless rats have a very simple diet, and they make wonderful companions for both children and adults.

Facts about Hairless Rats

A hairless rat is not as scary as it might look. While they do look odd, they are some of the most docile rats in the world. A true hairless rat has no hair anywhere on its body, including whiskers. They are bred from Rex Rats, which is just one of many rat species. When a rat is born with only one Rex gene, it is born with course and curly fur. When a rat is bred to have two Rex genes, however, the rat is born with absolutely no hair. The cold affects these rats much easier, and they are very prone to dry skin.

Caring for a Hairless Rat

Because of their innate lack of fur and whiskers, these rats require different levels of care than normal rats. They are unable to maintain body temperature as well as a regular rat, so they must be kept in a warm environment. Place the cage in a draft-free location, and keep it away from windows.

Although wood chips make suitable bedding for many rat species, this is not true for the hairless rat. They do not have a coating of fur to protect their skin from irritation. Shredded newspaper or newspaper pellets make the best bedding for them. Remove soiled bedding on a daily bases, and cleanse the entire cage once a week. They cannot thrive in a dirty cage because their skin is very sensitive and it is prone to sores and infections.

A hairless rat will burn calories much faster than a regular rat. For this reason, a higher fat diet is necessary. Although rat food is a great part of a healthy diet for them, they will need supplementation in order to reach their ideal daily fat and calorie count. Great foods to use as dietary supplements include cream cheese, yogurt, and avocado.

Hairless rats are prone to dry skin. If this is a problem, experts recommend soaking a piece of whole grain bread in olive oil. The skin will be exposed to the oil as the rat nibbles and chews. If this does not resolve the skin dryness, unscented baby oil can be massaged into the rat's skin daily until the problem resolves. Prevent dry skin by monitoring the humidity level in the home.

They are also prone to sebaceous cysts that require veterinary care. The vet may need to lance the cyst open, but this is for extreme cases. Usually, a course of antibiotics and a bandage are all that is necessary to heal the cyst. Although these cysts can be treated in the vet's office, there is substantial cost involved. Giving a hairless rat a bath in antibacterial soap twice weekly can help reduce the incidence of sebaceous cysts.

Hairless rats make fantastic pets for all ages, but close adult supervision is required for the rat's entire lifetime. These rats are unique, friendly, and fun, but they demand lots of attention and should be adopted by someone who has the time to provide it.

Get Your Goat!

So many people wish desperately to get back to the land...to get 'off-grid', to own animals that produce sustenance and to grow a garden for food. We dream of fresh vegetables, real milk and cheese and no electric bill! Visions of perfect rows of plants growing tomatoes and a peacefully grazing Jersey cow crowd our thoughts as we sit in rush-hour traffic.

The reality of that world is not clearly seen until you are in the middle of it. Vegetables do not always grow perfect fruit in a straight row. Off-grid power is certainly a developing area, but requires understanding and finances to acquire it. Cows can be very messy and are bigger than you may realize. They also do not always stay where you put them!

However the determination to try this lifestyle can win out and you find yourself with a hobby farmstead. One of the animals showing up more and more in hobby farms are GOATS! These adorable and endearing creatures can be fun to raise, they can also be a real headache if not prepared for. Getting a call at work by a distraught neighbor whose flower garden is now nothing but a patch of stems is not your goal.

To get your goat and enjoy her ownership requires some planning and knowledge. Fences - proper ones - are a must. You should have your fences at least 4' tall and of sturdy woven wire. Ridged panels can also be used. Fencing is one area you do NOT want to go cheap or 'good enough' since goat will test their boundaries. They will rub on the fence and climb on it. They just do!

Goats hate to get wet so be sure to include a shelter of some sort. It can be as simple as a three-sided shed with a roof for her to get into out of the weather or as elaborate as you want to have it. It should be warm enough for the winter months as well. Adding hay or straw on the floor will keep her out of the mud and on a warm, dry bed. It will need cleaned out every so often...use that old bedding on your garden! Your plants will love it.

Goats do not eat anything and everything. They need a proper diet of browse and fresh water. Browse includes things like brush, bushes, trees and such. They will walk, take a bite, walk, take another bite. They browse much like deer. They like fresh, clean browse and will chose that over grass. If you have them on a small lot without much browse you will need to provide them fresh hay in a feeder. If they pull hay out onto the ground, and they will, and they step on it they will not eat it! It is the same with their grain. If they are fed on the ground and it gets 'dirty' they will not eat it. They must also have fresh water every day.

Goats can survive in a small paddock but they will not thrive like they would if let out on pasture. Even an acre or two of browse or even grasses is preferable to a small lot. Do not ever tie your goat out! They can choke on their leash or be harassed and even killed by neighborhood dogs. When you tie her for milking, feeding or grooming be sure to stay with her and keep an eye on her.

Milking is easy enough to do by hand and is actually quite an enjoyable time for you to get to know your goat better. While milking you can inspect her for injuries, bumps and scrapes. You will want a milking stand and a dish for her to eat from while you milk. Use a stainless steel bucket to collect the milk in and be sure to keep everything clean before, during and after milking. Always clean and sterilize your bucket after use.

To get her milking you will need to have her bred. The farm you buy her from will be able to help you find a buck to breed her to. Then you get to enjoy one of the most amazing things ever...the birth of new life into the world! Those kids can be awfully cute! Before you know it you will have several goats in that area you fenced so be sure you think of that during it's construction.. The kids that she produces can be sold for profit..either as bottle babies or after they're weaned.

Getting your goat and bringing her home is a fun adventure. Be prepared and it will be enjoyable as well.

Types of Exotic Pets

Dogs, cats, hamsters and parrots are some of the most common domesticated animals and pets in households today. While they are truly adorable and lovely to have around, some people may prefer more exotic pets rather than generic household pets.

There are different types of exotic pets available. Although certain species of animals are protected by laws and are prohibited from being treated as a household pet, some pets can be lawfully taken care of as a pet. Basically, an exotic pet is a rare or prodigious animal that is kept as a pet. Other technical definitions of exotic pets are those that are kept as a companion or pet, yet are not typically considered as a pet. In some occasions, any distinct or wild-appearing pet is regarded as an exotic pet.

Furthermore, this term may be used to refer to a species of animal that is not domestic within the owner's area or region. Below are some of the many types of exotic pets you can find today.

Sugar Glider
These well-known small marsupials originate from Northeast Australia. The Sugar Glider weighs less than 5 ounces. They are characterized by their active and curious being, which helps them in achieving a greater bond with their human companions. Sadly, they are also social and nocturnal, so they can normally be found calling for your attention when you're asleep at night. With that said, you should consider purchasing a pair of Sugar Gliders if you plan on having them as pets.

Kinkajou
Kinkajous are also nocturnal animals that can be found in rain forests in the Sierra Madres in Mexico and Central America. Kinkajous are characterized by their friendly and affectionate nature. In spite of their sharp and carnivorous set of teeth, they are known to eat only fruits and can be fed with sweets like marshmallows, Fruit Loops, and Gummy Bears.

Squirrel Monkey
Derived from the South and Central parts of the US, the squirrel monkey is an omnivorous type of exotic pet, which means that their regular diet consists of fruits, legumes, small vertebrates, and bird eggs. Weighing at around 2.75 lbs, squirrel monkeys are known to run with a posse that can amount as great as 500. Squirrel monkeys are also known to be intelligent in nature and quite affectionate, making them trainable as a house pet.

Bengal Cat
If you're more of a feline type of owner but prefer a more exotic looking pet, the Bengal cat is a great option. The Bengal cat is a combined creation featuring a pre-developed genetic code that is crossbred from the looks of something more exotic, like the Asian Leopard cat. There are different variations of the Bengal Cat including the Serengeti, the Toyger and the Cheetoh. The higher the percentage of purebred the cat is, the steeper the costs can be.

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