Aug 17th, 2008 | Exotic Pets | Comments Off
Alligators are the most dangerous of the exotic pets. It is a crocodilian, which comes from the family of Alligatoridae. The name was derived from Anglicization of a Spanish word, which was used by Spanish explorers who were settled in Florida, United States. Alligators are found mostly in America and China.
There are two species of alligators, Alligator Mississippienis or the American Alligator and Alligator Sinensis or the Chinese Alligator. The American alligator weights around eight hundred pounds and is thirteen feet long. The record for the longest alligator is of nineteen feet two inches, from Louisiana. Comparatively, the Chinese alligators are smaller in length and measure not more than seven feet in length. Alligators live for more than fifty years. The oldest living alligator was of seventy years, at the Belgrade Zoo, Serbia.
There are many features of alligators that distinguish them from crocodiles and both of them belong to different taxonomic families. Alligators have a broader snout and their eyes are located near the upper side. When light is flashed over the eyes, bigger alligators have a red glow and smaller alligators have a green glow. This can be of help, when searching for alligators in dark. When looking in daylight, it is also observed that alligators have brown eyes and crocodiles have green eyes.
When alligators close their jaws, only the upper teeth are visible where as in crocodiles, the upper as well as the lower teeth are visible when they close their jaws. The shape of an alligator’s mouth is like a “U” and that of the crocodile is like a “V”. Although both the animals have a darker hide, almost black, the color depends on their habitats. The Chinese alligators have a light pattern, alligators living in algae growing water are greenish black and waters with high tannic acid released from hanging trees have a darker hide.
Alligators can eat anything they can find because of the gastroliths (stomach stones) present in their stomach. Young alligators feed on crustaceans, fishes, snails, and insects. As they grow so does their need for larger prey. Bigger alligators feed on turtles, bigger fishes, birds, and, other reptiles and mammals. They even eat deer, razorbacks, small alligators and carcass of animals when they are extremely hungry. Few attacks on humans have also been reported, but the number is on the rise. People get overconfident about this fact and enter alligator habitats without much care, resulting in provoking their aggression. But alligators do not immediately attack humans, like crocodiles.
The alligator farming industry is seeing a rapid rise in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. The purpose of such farms is to get alligator hides and nearly forty five thousand hides are distributed annually from these farms. The hides are very expensive and a seven-foot hide costs as much as $300, but the prices vary every year. The meat of alligator also has great demand, which is approximately three hundred thousand pounds every year.
Alligators now have become very protected and regulated animals. Special processing is to be undergone to get the custody of an alligator. Usually baby alligators can be bought from Florida. Owners are given a special license and must be aware of their responsibilities. It’s against the law of many states to remove an alligator from its natural habitat. Alligator pets should be provided with large and wet habitat, similar to the subtropical, to live in.
Alligators are bound to get aggressive and dangerous at times, which can prove fatal to people around. Owners should be prepared as their pet can grow more than twelve feet. Some owners panic when they start getting bigger and longer and decide to free it from the captivity. But this can be extremely dangerous to residents of that locality because by then the animal would loose its natural fear and will attack humans. When decision is taken for adopting an alligator as a pet, the owner should be firm enough to make a lifetime commitment.
Jun 20th, 2008 | Exotic Pets | Comments Off
Felines are wonderful creatures. They bring so much allure and delight. They have natural class and elegance.
It even gets better when they are exotic, like the tiger. Owning a tiger is such a big feat. It is like wearing a red outfit while the rest are in gray.
How to Get Tiger as a Pet?
Tigers are exotic cats. They are difficult to get. They are not the typical house cat seen in every block in the neighborhood.
Tigers aren’t available in pet shops. It is very rare to find someone who can give an offer. Yet, the moment the opportunity is out there, more things are needed in owning the exotic pet tiger.
- Is It Endangered?
Most tigers are endangered. Thus, this could be an obstacle. Make sure that the kind of tiger you get is not endangered, or else the feline might just be good for an overnight stay.
- Know the Law
Federal and local laws could restrict or regulate the ownership of exotic pets like the tigers. Get to know these first. Violating the law may be more than just losing the pet to the authorities. It could mean paying fines and more!
- Commitment and Responsibilities
Tiger ownership is a big commitment. Be ready for the responsibilities and headaches along the way.
- Financial Capability
Expenses can’t be avoided in maintaining the tiger. The tiger is a big animal, it has big needs and demands.
- Consult the Family
Owning a tiger is a big decision. Get the consent first of the family before someone gets the cold shoulder.
How to Care for the Tiger?
Once a tiger is fully settled in the household, a lifetime of companionship also entails proper care. Here are some tips to remember:
1. Housing
Get a structure to house the tiger. This should be roomy enough for the feline to move around and play around.
2. Diet
Tigers are heavy and expensive eaters. Keep a good stock of food. The food should meet the nutritional requirements of the feline
3. Veterinarian
Seek regular veterinary care. This is to ensure that the tiger gets the needed vaccination and treatment. Make sure there is one available within the vicinity who will be willing and able to attend to the exotic needs of the pet tiger.
4. Safety
Make sure the tiger is properly secured in their spot. Put structures that will confine them to avoid unnecessary escapes, for the safety of everyone in the household and neighborhood.
Conclusion
Owning an exotic pet isn’t an easy thing, but once the decision is made, live up to the requirements. Provide only the best care possible.
May 2nd, 2008 | Exotic Pets, Unusual Pets | Comments Off
Choosing the Best Exotic Pet For You Pets are normal parts of people’s lives, it isn’t at all unusual for a person to have a dog, a cat, a bird, a fish, or even a frog at home. Some want to have more exciting companions at home, and thus, there are people who choose to have an exotic pet instead. While having an exotic pet can be quite rewarding, choosing the best exotic pet for you can be very confusing. You should know what your motivation is to choose and exotic pet, because it involves a continuous commitment. The best exotic pet for you is one that is legal. You should also consider an exotic pet’s adult size. Be sure that you have enough space for you exotic pet to live in by the time it reaches its full growth. You must also have in mind the expenses needed in maintaining the exotic pet. A good pet would not be your pet for long if you don’t have enough money to feed it and take care of it. This could even be truer with exotic pets that might need special care and attention. Read more in French: Résidence principale
Feb 17th, 2008 | Exotic Pets | Comments Off
Baby alligators have been popular as exotic pets. They can be bought in special pet stores and souvenir shops. Some states have made rules against taking care of alligators.
But if you are still keen on getting one as pet, read on the things below so you’ll know what to do or what to expect.
1. You need a special license to buy an alligator. In Florida for example, this is being practiced. There are laws regulating alligators that are taken as pets. People who wish to buy an alligator shouldn’t only be licensed. They should also know exactly what they are doing.
2. Taking an alligator from its natural habitat isn’t allowed in some States. Before you go to the wild and get an alligator, check the local laws of the state first. There are states that don’t allow it entirely. And some even control the feeding and harassing of alligators.
3. Alligators require a large habitat. An alligator can grow to as long as 12 feet, which is about average. Some species can even grow longer than that. That being the case, you have to make an alligator pen for them, maybe in your backyard, as big as thrice its size.
4. Alligators can be dangerous. Everybody knows this. So just because you wanted to have something exotic as a pet shouldn’t be the only reason why you get an alligator. You should be ready for all the things it can do to you and the rest of the people that it can come in contact with it accidentally or intentionally. If you don’t have any experience in controlling a full-grown brusque alligator think, twice in getting one for yourself.
5. Most alligators are used to a subtropical wetland climate. If you live in a rather cold state, please, don’t get an alligator. It isn’t used to that environment and it is going to be harmful to it and in certain instances, to its owner as well.
6. It isn’t advisable to keep a baby alligator with an intention of releasing it when it is grown up. Many alligator pet owners do this. But this is really not a good practice. It makes the alligator do one of two things - to be fiercer or to lose fear entirely.
The lesson? Don’t get an alligator and make it a pet unless you are ready for the responsibility that comes with it. Know what you have to know about alligators. And decide for yourself if you really want one.
Nov 7th, 2007 | Exotic Pets | Comments Off
Two things may happen when taming an exotic pet. Many veterinarians are, in fact, against taking care of exotic animals as pets. At times, even if they were tamed as babies, in the long run, they still end up as wild animals. These remain to be the beliefs of most experts yet exotic pet owners don’t seem to decrease in number. Many still do their best to tame their pets. If you are already an exotic pet owner or are planning to be one, it would be wise to know the animal’s background. Ask if it came from the wild or if it was bred in captivity. This type of information will somehow help you in identifying the best way of approaching your pet. Try to dig out as well if it has previously manifested a negative behaviour. Confinement in very small enclosures often triggers negative behaviors as it causes them stress. There are still several other ways by which you can successfully tame exotic pets. Read also: take picture of your pets