BY LYNNE INOUYE AND SYDENY WESCHCKE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IN TRAINING AND STAFF WRITER
Animal companions are something that many people have. For a good reason too – pets can give you unconditional affection and support, a friend you can always rely on, or simply be something to brighten your day. Normally, such animals are cats or dogs, but the pet industry has expanded over the years, allowing more people to have so-called “exotic pets.” It’s worth it to note that not all of these animals are domesticated, however, and sometimes it may be an unhealthy environment for them. So, we should always do our research and make sure we’re able to provide them with a good home. That being said, here are some pets that are on the weirder side.
Our first interesting pet is the African Giant Millipede, as shown above. These arthropods can reach a size between seven and eleven inches and, in some cases, can live up to a decade long. Despite what one might think, millipedes are fairly easy pets to take care of. They need a large enough tank, some moss or soil to burrow under, and a warm temperature, but nothing too specific. Plus, they’re herbivores, so they eat fruits and vegetables. Millipedes get frightened easily and as such don’t like to be handled excessively, and it’s important to make sure you get your African Giant Millipede from a reputable breeder, too.
Next, we have the Horned Frog, more commonly called the Pacman frog. This is a beginner level pet. They get this nickname because when their mouth opens, they look like Pacman. The frog can grow to a maximum size of eight inches and live for up to seven years. They also do not like being handled due to their sensitive skin, and this is one of the few frogs with teeth. These frogs are insectivores who mostly eat crickets and silkworms. Their habitat is at least a ten-gallon terrarium, with plants and branches for hiding. They are nocturnal creatures.
Lastly, we have the Ball Python. They’re named this because of the way they curl into a tight ball when they get nervous. They can grow up to five feet long and live a maximum of thirty years. This is an intermediate level pet and one of the easier snakes to take care of. The ball python is also a carnivore and feeds on rodents, but overall it is a docile and curious animal. They are easy to handle and are more active at night.
We hope that this article was informative, and you have a better understanding of some of the animals we keep as pets and their individual needs. Whenever you’re interested in purchasing a pet, it’s important to make sure you’re able to provide them with a safe and comfortable home. Thanks for reading!
Sources
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/live-reptiles/snakes-turtles-and-more/ball-python-15381.html
https://www.thesprucepets.com/african-giant-millipedes-1236755
Picture: http://amazinganimalambassadors.com/african-giant-millipede/