Many people think of exotic pets only as creepy crawlies and how dangerous some exotic animals can be. While some of those animals are dangerous, only a small number have been recorded attacking their owners. But the truth about exotic pet owners is that a majority own lizards, snakes, and spiders.  But for those who treat their pets well and give them everything they need to survive, the animal often lives longer in captivity than out in the wild.

After asking a student who has never owned an exotic pet there were some interesting revelations about how people perceive exotic pets. 

Freshman Sophia Rush said, “I think they (exotic pet owners) spend a couple hundred bucks.”

It seems many people often overestimate how much time, and effort you have to put into owning an exotic pet, and they often underestimate how much money people spend on their pets.

Junior Allison Henry said, “I think owners of exotic pets spend a couple hundred to get started and then like fifty on food.”

After looking at total.vet they approximate that the average exotic pet owners spend around 500-1000 dollars per year, and after talking with exotic pet owner Travis Stevens he said, “I spend on average 200 dollars per month”.

But with owning an exotic pet there are still plenty of positives that make spending so much money worth it. Many lizards like bearded dragons and geckos don’t require much skill to take care of so they are beginner-friendly, and often make great companions due to their laid-back personalities.

Many lizards, snakes, and birds are exceptionally easy to handle as well as them being friendly and social pets most of the time.

Stevens said, “ My snake Bumblebee is shy in her cage, loves people, and often likes to climb on me while I do household chores. When meeting other people, she’s very curious and has a big personality.”

Some lizards and snakes are often reported as being more beginner-friendly than most cats and dogs due to their low maintenance, fewer required vet visits and you won’t have to worry about grooming.

Being an exotic pet owner myself, and owning a bearded dragon, I can say they are much easier than most pets to handle. Despite being so chill and laid-back, my lizard Surfer Dude, or as we call him, has a big personality.

Exotic pets also come with their downfalls, you can’t bring them with you when going to public events due to their skittish nature and difficulty transporting most lizards and snakes comfortably.

They are very sensitive to temperature so bringing them places is always a gamble and owners often have to pack heating pads and a few other items to keep their pets comfortable.

Junior student Abbi Ramirez said, “My crested gecko is almost impossible to bring to different places since he requires such a specific temperature to be in, but when I can bring him places safely it is always so much fun since people love to see him.”

Exotic pets are always fun to have since they give you a chance to brag about having a wild and weird pet, but they are also a joy to have due to their personalities and unique looks. I’d recommend getting an exotic to everyone if they can afford the expense.