DUs unusual pets...post pix if you have'em or tell us about them.

I'm considering adopting a small monkey.

I'm an animal lover but have never met anyone who had a monkey as a pet who didn't live to regret it. I know one couple who divorced over the absolute havoc created in their lives by having one.

They're very social creatures and don't like being left alone for very long so they tend to get destructive and if they are caged when left alone, they're prone to developing all sorts of behavioral problems.

Also, most can live up to 50 years. That's a heck of a long term commitment in my book.

be a BIG mistake.
Sounds like I should for get the whole kid thing to!!!!
:loveya:

and sometimes in their teen years.

Couldn't imagine my life without my kid and love him so-o-o. I am of the belief that some folks are breeders and some really are not. Others are on the fence. You'll figure it out over time I'm sure. :loveya:

Monkeys need to be with their monkey families in their natural habitat. The exotic pet market is one of the cruelest of them all.

Please, DUers *DON'T FEED THE ANIMAL EXPLOITING INDUSTRY*

Our parrot is very destructive when she's bored. She once got out of her cage and into our kitchen pantry while we were away, where she ripped open everything and tossed it out onto the floor. She couldn't open the cans but she tore all the labels off.

She will also chew on the furniture and dig holes in the walls if she gets a chance.

Our parrot is very quick to try and establish her dominance over any new creature that comes into the house, including people. She doesn't bite people like many parrots do, but she can be very intimidating. She's twenty years old. Life expectancy for her species is 50-70 years.

All said, dogs, cats, or even rabbits or rats are much better pets than parrots. Whenever I'm working at the computer our dog will happily sleep near my feet, or remind me gently when I should get up and walk. The parrot is always busy. She wants to pull the keys off my keyboard (which she has done before) or chew on the cables, or sit on my shoulder and reach around to groom my eyelashes -- which hurts like hell if she has been eating hot peppers or if she impulsively decides some stray hair should be removed.

Birds in general don't care where they poop.

Okay, let's face it, parrots are terrible pets.

My most exotic pet is the ant colony that lives on our property. A stable ant colony is an amazing creature, and possesses some sort of intelligence.

It really hacked me off because I realized it takes about 100 to make a damn jacket for J.Lo. They are really cute.

They are really cute.

their fur. :mad:

But my "unusual" pets are ferrets and sugar gliders - 3 of each.

Also in the current crew are 3 kitties, a dog, and a bird.

ok ok, i realize that sal is just a cat, but he is unusual, i swear!

:hi:

whoa! he looks like he's in charge.
is he a bad ass kitty? or just a baby that thinks he's bad ass (like mine:)) ?

He's cute, cuddly and toilet trained! YEEEAH.

That is a rarity.

Ginger


And Koko

How are they, as pets?

wow how cute!!! They require cages? Do you have other pets? how do they get along?

I use 8-1 hedgehog food. They are omnivorous insectivores, in other words they eat anything but like insects. I feed them dried crickets and used to give meal worms, but I don't like keeping the meal worms around. They live in a two story ferret cage that has a lined bottom, wire floors are bad for their feet. They need a wheel as they can run up to 5 miles a night. Their nocturnal so that needs to be figured into whether they are a good pet for you. Some people get allergic reaction to the quills. If you get them young and handle them often they will be pretty calm and not ball up on you. Life span is about 4-7 years.
They about as big as a small guinea pig. The type sold for pets in the US are white bellied hedgehogs that came from Africa. Wild ones in europe are larger, same size as a groundhog.
They are pretty easy to care for. You just need to keep up on the poo and cleaning the wheel. Hedgehogs have a habit of going while on the run so the wheels get dirty fast.
I've had hedgehogs for about 10 years now, but this pair may be my last. We have a new dog and unfortunatley the hedgies play time has suffered a bit because of it

Monkeys are incredibly strong, their teeth are sharp and they use them often, and they have a temper. AND they climb. They'll put a cat's antics to shame.

Trust me- you do NOT want a monkey in your home.

Actually thought about it last week and talked with the husband. I probably won't do it because they are suppose to be wild animals not indoor pets. Of course my love for my Welsh Corgi's brings me to love this fox.

Link for pics

http://www.ratkateersrodentry.com/custom.asp?id=191046&page=24&shopperid=

it would be hard to keep them entertained.

bad, bad idea. the exotic pet trade causes incredibly destruction of natural populations, and they are very bad pets. a friend of mine had one as a kid. a little capuchin. poor lonely little thing sat in his cage and whacked off all day. they need other monkeys.

Monkeys are a bad idea for pets.

He's a bearded dragon.

He claws his cage when he wants to be held. He jumps up and down when he's hungry.

I love the little guy. :D

How big is it?

His body, not counting his tail, nestles comfortably in my hand.

He was only as big as my index finger when I got him last August. He eats about 200 crickets a week. He's GROWN quickly. :D

bearded dragons are great little reptiles, adapt well to captivity, and have gentle temperaments. breed well in captivity, too.

My iguana, hell no, he hates being handled. but Geo, the bearded dragon, was held from his very first day, so he loves human contact.

He's a sweetie. :D

if you are (un)lucky enough to have one that lives to a ripe old age, especially if it is a male, you are likely to find yourself with a raging maniac lizard. they get very big, and very mean, biting, whipping with that big tail. or harming themselves with captive behaviors like banging their heads. i know one that has lost half his bottom jaw by repeatedly bashing his face into the side of his tank. hello vet bills.

I think he's untamable.

He's a sweety. We also have a Leopard Gecko (along with assorted "normal" pets. Growing up, we had a pet raccoon.

Debbi

just giving a fantastic home to one or the other, you can help many many of any species in need...

It's astoundingly rewarding and fulfilling to give a child or a critter a safe, loving haven as they transition into a new forever home.

And I had some giftwrap just like that a couple of Christmases ago. :D

Love the ratties. I miss mine. :cry:

We lost Henry last week,but we still have Louie and Sqeaky.

I had 5 girls and lost the last one about a year ago. It was so sad - but I was holding each and every one when them passed. Oddly enough, they all passed at night when I was not at work, or out somewhere.

They were really lucky to have you.

He is adorable!! :D

:shrug:

he had an extensive vocab when we bought him at a year old. he is 9 now and smarter than my red neighbor :7