There has always been a fascination with keeping exotic animals as pets. From colourful birds to unusual amphibians, the allure of owning a unique pet has captured the imagination of many. And exotic pet ownership only continues to increase. This continuing trend raises significant ethical questions about the boundaries of pet ownership. When does keeping an exotic pet cross the ethical boundary? When does it become unethical to keep such pets? Understanding where to draw the line requires us to consider various factors, including the welfare of the animal, ecological implications, and the responsibilities of the owner.
Table of contents
- Different types of exotic pets
- The appeal of exotic pets
- Animal welfare concerns
- Wider concerns
- Human safety and public health
- Legal and regulatory frameworks
- Drawing the ethical line
- 1. Can the animal’s needs be adequately met in captivity?
- 2. Does the owner have the knowledge and resources to provide proper care?
- 3. Does owning this animal contribute to the depletion of wild populations?
- 4. What are the potential risks to human safety and public health?
- 5. What are the broader societal implications?
- Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership
- Is it all bad?
- Alternatives to exotic pet ownership
- Conclusion
- Further Reading:
Different types of exotic pets
When talking about exotic pets, it is important to clarify what exact species you are referring to. For the purpose of this article exotic pets are animals that are not dogs, cats or small native furries, such as rabbits and guinea pigs (OK, they’re not native, but they’ve been domesticated a long time, and here in the UK long enough we mostly know what we’re doing with them!). Farm animals and equids are excluded on the most part. “Exotic” pets are commonly, but not always, not native to the United Kingdom.
So, the following can be classified as exotic pets:
- Reptiles e.g. snakes, tortoises and geckos.
- Amphibians e.g. frogs and newts.
- Small mammals e.g. chinchillas and sugar gliders.
- Birds e.g. parrots and budgies.
- Arachnids and insects e.g. tarantulas and stick insects.
- Zoological species e.g. monkeys.
As an aside, it is also important when looking for an exotic vet to care for such species, to check what species they treat. Exotic vets can specialise in different areas, such as zoological species, small mammals, reptiles and also birds.
The appeal of exotic pets
Exotic pets have long captivated humans due to their unusual appearance and rarity. They offer an alternative to conventional choices like cats and dogs, and carry with them a unique sense of distinction. Social media has amplified this appeal, with influencers showcasing their unusual companions and contributing to the perception that owning such pets is achievable, trendy and desirable.
Animal welfare concerns
The most critical factor in determining the ethics of keeping an exotic pet is the welfare of the animal. Exotic animals have complex physical, behavioural, and social needs that are challenging to replicate in captivity. Many species require specific diets, temperature ranges, and habitats to thrive. For instance, reptiles like chameleons and iguanas need precise humidity and lighting conditions, while birds like macaws require extensive space and mental stimulation.
When these needs are not met, the animals can suffer from physical ailments, psychological stress, and/or behavioural problems. Signs of distress, such as feather plucking in birds, repetitive pacing in mammals, or a refusal to eat, are all too common in exotic pets kept in inadequate conditions. In some cases, ignorance or neglect on the part of the owner exacerbates these issues, leading to unnecessary suffering and premature death.
Wider concerns
Not only can these pets face difficulties in captivity, but they often experience unacceptable welfare conditions during their journey to your home. The exotic pet trade often involves practices that are far from glamorous. While some exotic pets are bred in captivity, others are taken directly from the wild. These animals may suffer immensely during capture, transportation, and acclimatisation to captivity.
So, you can appreciate that the glamour of exotic pet ownership is often overshadowed by the ethical dilemmas it presents.
The exotic pet trade also has significant ecological consequences, especially when wild-caught animals are involved. Removing animals from their natural habitats can disrupt ecosystems, threaten wild populations, and even drive species toward extinction. For example, the global demand for reptiles has contributed to the decline of wild populations of species like the radiated tortoise and the green tree python.
Additionally, escaped or released exotic pets can become invasive species, causing havoc in non-native ecosystems. Over in the US, the Burmese python in the Florida Everglades is a notorious example; these snakes have established breeding populations and are devastating local wildlife. Such cases highlight the ripple effects of the exotic pet trade, where the impact extends far beyond the individual animal and its owner.
Human safety and public health
Keeping exotic pets can also pose risks to human safety and public health. Large mammals like big cats and primates are inherently dangerous, capable of inflicting serious injury or even death. Even smaller animals, such as certain reptiles and amphibians, can pose a threat. These species have the potential to carry zoonotic diseases – illnesses that can transfer from animals to humans. Salmonella, for instance, is commonly associated with reptiles and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues in humans.
Legal and regulatory frameworks
Many countries have implemented laws to regulate the ownership of exotic pets, but these regulations vary widely. Certain species in the UK are banned due to their potential to harm native ecosystems. To own animals such as terrapins and the grey squirrel, owners need particular licensing and are liable to prosecution if certain rules are not followed or the animal is released into the wild.
Drawing the ethical line
So, what exotic animals are actually ethical to keep as pets? Determining the ethical boundaries of exotic pet ownership requires consideration of several key questions:
1. Can the animal’s needs be adequately met in captivity?
This question is the most important when considering homing an exotic pet. Species with highly specific environmental, dietary, or social needs are often poor candidates for captivity. Those that need a large amount of space, for example birds, require extensive enclosures to replicate the environment they should have in the wild. There are also social and behavioural factors which need to be considered. For example, large parrots like cockatoos are intelligent and social animals that can suffer immensely when kept in isolation or confined spaces.
2. Does the owner have the knowledge and resources to provide proper care?
Exotic pets require specialised care that demands time, effort, and financial investment. Before homing an exotic animal, owners should thoroughly research the animal and their needs. Often, owners inadvertently cause harm to their pets when this research is not undertaken.
3. Does owning this animal contribute to the depletion of wild populations?
Ownership of exotic animals should not come at the expense of wild populations. Choosing captive-bred animals over wild-caught ones can mitigate this concern, but both options are suboptimal. There are ample welfare concerns with both sources of exotic pets.
4. What are the potential risks to human safety and public health?
Keeping predatory animals or venomous reptiles poses obvious inherent dangers. However, animals considered “less exotic”, for example Hermann tortoises or geckos, still have the potential to be vectors for zoonotic disease.
5. What are the broader societal implications?
Normalising the ownership of exotic animals can perpetuate harmful trends and further breeding of captive exotics, which has the potential to fuel the illegal wildlife trade.
Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership
Advocacy and education are essential in addressing the ethical challenges of exotic pet ownership. Prospective owners should be encouraged to research extensively before acquiring an exotic pet, ensuring they fully understand the commitment involved. Vets, wildlife organisations, and ethical breeders are all valuable resources for those considering exotic pet ownership.
Additionally, raising awareness about the consequences of the exotic pet trade can help shift public attitudes. Campaigns highlighting the suffering of wild-caught animals, the ecological damage caused by invasive species, and the risks of zoonotic diseases can discourage unethical practices and promote more responsible choices.
Is it all bad?
Of course not! Responsible owners are incredibly good at looking after their exotic pets. Those with extensive enclosures, with their dietary and social needs being met, offer exotic pets an acceptable and enjoyable quality of life. The main thing to remember about owning these species is that they are not easy to keep, and nor should they be. Exotic animals kept as pets are often found in wildlife, and would be much happier out there in the wild. Therefore, it is our responsibility to provide them with replicas of the wild, so keeping them as pets is not detrimental to their health.
Alternatives to exotic pet ownership
For those drawn to exotic animals, there are alternatives that do not involve keeping them as pets. Supporting wildlife conservation organisations, visiting accredited zoos and sanctuaries, or participating in ecotourism are ways to appreciate exotic species without contributing to their exploitation. Virtual platforms and documentaries also offer opportunities to learn about and connect with wildlife in a way that respects their natural habitats.
Conclusion
The ethics of exotic pet ownership is a complex and multifaceted issue. Whilst some exotic pets can be kept responsibly and ethically, others present insurmountable challenges that make their ownership inherently problematic. Animal welfare, ecological sustainability, and public safety should all be considered when considering a more exotic pet. It is essential to balance our fascination with exotic creatures with a deep respect for their intrinsic value and well-being.
Further Reading:
- Invasive non-native (alien) animal species: rules in England and Wales – GOV.UK
- Exotic Animals as Pets
- Exposing ‘exotic pet’ ownership in the UK – Born Free
- Wild Animal License – UK Government Portal
- Is your viv set up properly? Proper environmental conditions for common pet reptiles – Vet Help Direct
- Animal Rehabilitation in the Amazon Rainforest
Discussion
Today reptiles are the third most common pet taxa and only just behind dogs and cats in terms of numbers kept and the real issue is the veterinary world keeping up to date with demands from its clients?