Welcome to the world of exotic pets. These animals can be intimidating for beginner keepers as they require much more complex and precise husbrandy compared to cats and dogs. Reptiles especially need very specific setups that replicate a slice of their natural habitat. We created these care guides to help keepers of all levels prepare for the responsibility of their new exotic pet. Each section will cover the basics of enclosure setups, feedings, handlings, and even common health problems you may face. By learning with us, we hope your new life long friend can live a happy, enriching life in your care!
Feeders
Feeder insects are essiential to both reptiles and amphibians. This can be daunting to beginners, as even the feeder insects need some care along with the pets before being consumed. Whether you are breeding your insects or hoping to keep all insects long enough to be fed off, everything you need to know is down below.
Dubia Roach
Feeder Insect Storage
Frogs
Frogs are a captivating amphibian to have as a pet as many species are highly active. They are much more sensitive to their environments, so much so that humidity levels alone can be deterimental for their survival. Frogs can live a long time depending on species, and are considered beginner and intermediate level pets.
African Bull Frog
Glass Tree Frog
Pacman Frog
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Geckos
Geckos are considered the most popular exotic pet to own, especially for kids. They are much more docile and expressive compared to other reptiles, and love to interact with people after consistent handling. There are many species of geckos with their own unique needs and appearances. Geckos can live up to 20 years in captivity and are great beginner and intermediate pets.
Crested Gecko
Gargoyle Gecko
Giant Day Gecko
Leopard Gecko
Fat Tail Gecko
Invertebrates
Plenty of invertebrates have made their way into the exotic pet world. From hermit crabs to scorpions, they all need their own specialized care and setups to ensure a maximum quality of life. Depending on the focus, invertebrate exotics can range from beginner millipedes to expert scorpions.
Hermit Crabs
Millipedes
Stripe-tail Scorpion
Isopods
Isopods are a fun addition to any setup. They are great to add alongside any existing reptile enclosures, or perfectly fine in a new colony of their own. Isopods range in all different sizes and colors, with there being over 5000 different species of terrestial isopods alone. Here we'll cover the common tropical and arid isopods great for your setups.
Tropical/Arid Isopods
Lizards
Lizards cover a broad amount of reptiles, from the small anole to a giant iguana or skink. Unlike typical indoor pets, lizards are cold-blooded and need more attention to temperatures and lighting. Feeding habits also differ much more, and each species have their own prefered food and nutrional needs. Lizards can range from a few years to over a decade of life, and range from beginner to intermediate level pets.
Bearded Dragon
Blue Tongue Skink
Green Anole
Uromastyx
Veiled Chameleon
Snakes
Snakes are among the most common and captivating reptiles in the exotic pet world. Often misunderstood as intimidating animals, most species are actually shy and docile in captivity once their basic needs are meet. Snakes, depending on species, can live for up to a decade or longer, and can range from beginner to expert level pets.
Ball Python
Columbian Red Tail
Green Tree Python
Western Hognose
Kenyan Sand Boa
Spiders
More recently, spiders are becoming a popular pet for exotic keepers. From the small but expressive jumping spider to the more slow moving tarantula, spiders thrive in simple environments that meet their basic needs with little requirement for more. They are pets that require minimal effort and are more for display rather than interaction. Spiders can range from 2 years to 10 years and are considered intermediate level pets.
Jumping Spiders
Rose Hair Tarantula
Venezuelan Suntiger
Tortoises
Tortoises are some of the most long-living, land dwelling reptiles with calm personalities. However, these are more for intermediate or expert keepers because they require high maintenance care and very large, sometimes outdoor setups that best mimic their natural habitat.