I want to work in wildlife conservation, but I also own tarantulas, a snake, and a frog. I even use my tarantulas in lessons with kids to teach them that these animals aren’t aggressive like people think and to show how fragile they actually are.
But now I’m wondering… can I really call myself a good conservationist if I own exotic pets?
A lot of species are struggling because of the exotic pet trade. For example, my P. metallica tarantula is endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and being collected for pets. That’s just one case, but it makes me wonder—how can we help protect these animals in the wild while still wanting to keep them as pets?
Is it possible to own exotic animals without adding to the problem? I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts and experiences on this.
I think it depends on where the animals come from. If they’re captive-bred and have been for a long time, there’s no real pressure on wild populations. But wild-caught animals or species taken directly from the wild should definitely be avoided.
Sam said: @Davi
What about those big breeders who keep animals in tiny plastic tubs and churn them out by the thousands?
That’s a whole other issue. The person who posted this was asking about conservation and exotic pets. Bad breeding and care practices happen across the board, from exotic animals to dogs to farm animals.
Getting captive-bred exotics can actually help conservation. It keeps people from taking animals out of the wild and gives us a backup population if the wild ones are at risk.
I got my woodchucks from breeders in Iowa and Illinois. I’d need to dig out the paperwork since I’ve had them for six years. Check your state laws, though—some states don’t allow them. Also, any male exotic animal needs to be neutered before they mature to avoid aggressive behavior. You’ll also need an exotic animal vet, as regular vets won’t treat them.
Exotics can make great pets if you know what they need. For my woodchucks, we had to build a custom cage because they’re too strong for store-bought ones. Ours has a second shelf, and they love it. My female likes to sit by the window and look outside—it’s like her TV.
Woodchucks are super stubborn, so you need to start working with them when they’re babies. They bond very closely with their owner, which means they don’t usually warm up to other people. They’re a long-term commitment, like most exotics.