Tricks of the Trade Chapter 1: The Lesser Known Exotics

Tricks of the Trade: Chapter 1

The Lesser Known Exotics

This is the first chapter in a three part series detailing the exotic pet trade. I apologize for the delay in new posts if you've read my previous work, it's been a crazy year! The first chapter will attempt to shed more light on the more common, yet unknown peddled exotic pets: hedgehogs, sugar gliders, kinkajous, ferrets, and the large reptile trade which includes all manners of turtles, snakes, and lizards (crocodilians will be featured in the last post). The second will detail on rarer exotics that are surprisingly common, but more dangerous and require a lot of care: tigers, lions, wolves, bears, etc. The third will feature the rarest of pets, almost to the point of where private owners must support themselves with their pets: hippos, elephants, giraffes, and polar bears. The point of this series is to educate people about buying these pets. While it's too easy to get your hands on an exotic animal in the United States, there's a lot you need to know before you impulse buy. Without any further delay, let's dive into some of the more common and manageable exotic pets of America.

 

First on the list is the cuddly ferret that has received much media attention for their unusual flexible bodies and generally friendly demeanor. They're quite common on the market, but have been made illegal in many states like California and Hawaii. Why? They have a tendency to hunt down native animals when they get out which can be devastating to local populations. Ferrets can make good pets, but they are smelly and not easy animals to take care of at times. If you want a ferret, be sure to check your state and county's regulations for pet ferrets. Also keep in mind that the pet ferrets are generally European ferrets. Black-footed ferrets are the endangered U.S. native species that are protected by the government. 

Ever heard of a kinkajou? They're not the most high profile animal, but the South American  fruit-munching mammal achieved minor fame after Paris Hilton got bitten by hers. Kinkajous are nocturnal animals and sometimes when taken out of their dark environment, become vicious and ill-tempered. Many individual reports have indicated that baby/juvenile kinkajous do just fine in human households that are willing to lavish large amounts of care, but once they hit puberty, all hell breaks loose. One owner even reported that once her kinkajou hit "the magic age", she started eating her own tail.  That being said, there are also many reports of how to care for adult kinkajous properly, but most experts recommend that kinkajous are best cared for by professionals. 

Pot-bellied pigs have received a lot of attention in the media. While the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is a domesticated cousin of the farm pig that provides us bacon, they're considered "exotic" because they come from Asia. Pot-bellied pigs are rather common having been imported since the 1980's and there are many in need of a home, so consider adopting if you want a pig pet. Pot-bellied pigs have some advantages: they're relatively clean and extremely smart. However, keep in mind that pot-bellied pigs are a lot like three-year old children, they require much attention regarding nutrition, exercise, training, housing, and enrichment. Keep in mind that some cities will allow pot-bellied pigs while others won't despite state laws.

The cute and prickly hedgehogs have made headlines as good pets, but in reality, these animals are best left to professionals. Be warned if you do choose a hedgehog as your next cuddle buddy. Hedgehogs generally do not live that long (8-10 years in the best environmental conditions) and are severely inbred, causing a host of genetic defects. They are also very sensitive to temperature conditions, so getting the right hot/cold balance is essential to keeping hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are generally more affordable than some of the animals listed here which is why they're so popular. 

The large-eared desert foxes have recently broken out in the exotic pet market as "good" pets. They are easier to take care of than red foxes, but don't think that these small creatures are easy to take care of. They're flighty, require special treatment, and certainly do not do well in some household conditions. That being said, it is possible to care for fennec foxes if you have the proper training, so research a ton before getting your hands on these desert dwellers. 

Exotic birds have long been the target of aviculturalists and wild populations across the globe (notably South America which supplies the pet owners with colorful, intelligent birds). As a general rule of thumb, unless you're a professional working with a sanctioned institution, stay away from the wild birds. They fuel the exotic pet trade and often wild birds carry diseases that can affect other organisms. Small birds like canaries or parakeets have adapted well to captivity and can live in households. But if you want to shell out the money for a macaw or a cockatoo, prepare for the fight of your life. Birds like these are highly intelligent and require round-the-clock feeding, exercise, and enrichment. They can be quite loud as well and most birds will tear apart houses within days and be extremely messy. Prepare to invest a ton of money and effort if you want one of these colorful treasures and make sure you buy from a reputable breeder. 

Pet snakes started to become a thing post-World War II and gained popularity in the 70's and 80's in a drug-fueled culture. But as the government tightened the imports of wild snakes, amateur herpetologists managed to find a way to breed select few snakes. Now millions of Americans have pet snakes. They're quiet, don't require a lot of special requirements, and rather clean. If you're looking for a good beginner snake, the corn snake (pictured below), ball python, and Kenyan sand boa are readily available at many pet stores. Most reptile owners will choose to house their snakes in a glass tank or terrarium, available online or at pet stores in all shapes and sizes. You will also have to purchase a thermometer, substrate, water dish, hide box, and heating pad (it differs from snake to snake). For intermediates, the California kingsnake and milk snake are also good choices. Reptile culture is a huge business and many breeders have use genetic mutations to create colorful morphs in orange, white, or yellow. Be warned that these cost more. Still do your research if you want a small snake!

Bigger may be better, but it's definitely a problem if you have no experience and insist on a large constrictor. Beware, numerous reports have shown careless pet owners accidentally allowing their pet snakes to eat babies and toddlers who are seen as fresh prey for many constrictors. These animals do not make good pets and it is highly recommended to be very careful whenever handling them (like three people minimum). Large constrictors; however, can be fascinating pets to those who have enough experience. It is recommended that those who would like to care for a large constrictor (Burmese pythons would probably be your best bet) gain years of experience in caring in smaller experience, be able to set aside a large amount of space, and adhere to safety protocols when feeding and cleaning. They're expensive pets too, most of them are fed chickens and rabbits (although you'll only have to feed them once a month). If you have a small child, DO NOT let your child play with it unattended! Ever!

Like snakes, lizards fall into the gray category as "good" pets. Hundreds of species are kept into captivity, but the most common kept are only restricted to a handful of species that have adapted well. For beginners, the leopard gecko (pictured above) is one of the best to start out with. Bearded dragons are also good for pet owners that want something a little larger. A common misconception is that the common green iguanas are good for beginners. This is false! Iguanas are easy in theory, but they require a fresh diet every day and are difficult to house properly. If you want an intermediate level lizard with a little more "pizazz", blue-tongued skinks are readily available and hardier than the green iguana. 

The most common pet turtle is the red-eared slider (pictured above). Red-eared sliders are actually a lot easier to care for than most people would think. Simply giving them a tank with enough water to fully submerge, a basking spot (dry land), and feeding them commercial turtle food is enough for some owners. Clean the tank once a week and your slider will be fine!  However, once you progress past the sliders and go for something more exotic, please know that the care and expenses can go up a LOT more. Also, don't be one of those jerks that release their turtle in a lake if you can't care for them anymore. They invented pet shelters for a reason and those sliders are not good for your local ecosystem. 

Most people can't tell the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, so let me make it clear. Turtles live by bodies of water (some live in the water full time) and tortoise are land-based. Tortoises are decidedly harder to take care of than turtles surprisingly. They require fresh vegetables every day, they can tear up your yard if you're not careful, and they live a LONG time. Turtles can live for 30-40 years in captivity with good care, tortoises can easily reach over 120 if cared for properly. The giant tortoises at the zoo seems like a fun pet, but there's a reason why professionals care for those. If a tortoise is on your list, I'd recommend a Russian tortoise, the most common and readily available for pet owners. For more advanced pet owners with more room in their backyard, the African spurred tortoise is a better choice. They're larger and heavier, longer-lived, and quite the interesting package. 

The creepy, crawly invertebrates have made their mark recently among pet owners. With a few exceptions, these are the easiest of the exotic pets. Madagascar hissing cockroaches (pictured above), tarantulas, scorpions, and hermit crabs can be found at most pet stores now and usually require only a tank, some cotton balls with water, and the occasional cricket, mealworm, or piece of fruit. Some will require a heat source and more people who have pet invertebrates decorate their tanks with different substrates, plants, and hide boxes. Do your research though if you want to breed, you don't want them breeding out of control. 

The point of this article was simply to educate you a little more on exotic pets. Exotic pets are on the rise, and despite the best efforts of zoos and other educational facilities, more and more people seem to buying pets. I obviously can't tell you what to do. If you want a pet tiger, I'm not going to be able to stop you (your state might, depending on your state's pet laws). But if you're not getting any of this, remember this: DO YOUR RESEARCH. Read books, read articles on the Internet, consult previous pet owners! You can't be prepared enough if you're welcoming an animal into your household. Good luck! 

The End of the Greatest Show on Earth

The End of the Greatest Show on Earth: What it means in terms of performing animals

It's been several months since Feld Entertainment announced the end of the Greatest Show on Earth. This understandably is a momentous occasion, with one side grieving for the death of a 146 year tradition and the other side cheering for the animals that will no longer be shuttled from city to city to perform. But what does this mean in terms of the performing animals? We're going to dive in to what impacts the performing animals that have entertained people for centuries and how it has drastically changed. 

Circus elephants are always the headliners of the circus, but with the controversy circling the performing pachyderms, Ringling decided to pull out the iconic jumbos from their traveling acts, with the last circus elephant performances ending in May 2016. To Feld Entertainment's astonishment, the people that had propped up the circus' attendance like a crutch had WANTED to see the elephants. Without the charismatic animals, circus attendance plummeted and Feld made the decision to close the 146 year tradition for good. For years, the circus represented human innovation and the passion they had for their art. Not many can dedicate their lives to performing acrobatic stunts or performing with lions every day. A single mistake could cost them their ability to walk or even their lives. The circus was a big deal when it began with the merger of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's circus aiming to create "The Greatest Show on Earth". They succeeded, but all things must come to an end, even the circus. 

What does this mean in the short term? For Feld Entertainment, the company that runs Disney: Live on Ice and Monster Trucks, the circus was more of a symbol of their dedication to live entertainment. Feld still is invested in the circus business, albeit with their elephant breeding center, so don't expect them to be out of the spotlight yet. In terms of the performing animals, most of the animals will be retired with their trainers. This includes a staggering menagerie of lions, tigers, kangaroos, horses, camels, dogs, and other animals. Reports have circulated the Internet about Feld Entertainment being unable to place some of their animals which may or may not be true. Animal sanctuaries tend to be full to the brim with unwanted exotic animals, but Feld definitely has the resources to place their animals well and with the constant scrutiny, it's doubtful the company would risk exposure to another animal abuse scandal.

It's odd to think that Ringling will be gone. For years, those fighting animal rights activists have pointed at circus as the pinnacle of animal training. For zookeepers and animal trainers alike, the circus was the one place that stood as the opposition against the "onslaught" of animal rights activists. The circus was controversial, yes, but they could still practice their traditions of riding elephants, performing acrobatics on horses, and having tigers jump through hoops to the joy of children and adults alike. And now that the circus has gone, it has shown another spotlight onto the treatment of animals in captivity. If we cannot justify animals performing for us, what will be next?

For the forseeable future, animals will perform under different labels. Zoos still have the popular bird shows and animal encounters with "safe" animals like hedgehogs and parrots. Sea World continues to operate marine mammal shows under more educational terms. Smaller, family-run circuses still travel the United States. Viral videos of animals doing human-like behaviors will cycle through the Internet. Pet owners continue to train their dogs to "roll over" and "play dead" for their own amusement. And while animal care in the U.S. has come into intense scrutiny in recent years, it is incredibly interesting to see the trends in international territory in terms of performing animals. While many countries in Europe and South America have moved to control exotic animal care, Asia and Africa have become sprawling centers for the animal training craze. China in particular is looking to invest billions in marine life parks as their citizens continue to pour buckets of cash into this.

Performing animals will be around for a while. For as long as man dominates animal, there will be those who use them. But are they partners, friends, or slaves? The line has blurred substantially in that area. In my opinion, it depends on the human who cares for the animal. In the United States' turbulent political climate, it is important to remember that every individual is different. There are good animal trainers and bad animal trainers. Does this mean we should get rid of animal training? No. Animal training, like it or not, is valuable in our endeavor to understand the creatures around us and creates a communication link between man and animal. But that doesn't mean we have to use animals in our shows. I'm not personally against animal shows as long as the animal is being treated ethically. But human ethics are a tricky topic and we cannot rely solely on individuals to find it in their hearts to treat their animals well. So what do we do? Oversight and legislature designed to regulate, but not restrict how we treat our animals is a start. Who knows? Maybe one day the circus will return and ignite the joy and passion that many children felt as they saw the laughing clowns, the daring acrobats, the graceful lion tamers, or the plodding elephants. But for now, the curtain has closed on the Greatest Show on Earth. 

Domestic vs. Exotic: What's the Difference?

The Blurred Line Between Domestic and Exotic Animals

Today's issue will focus on how we define the lines between domesticated and exotic animals, something that many people are confused of in regards to captive animals. Like how do we define a zoo tiger confined in its' enclosure, dependent on human care? The tiger is not strictly "wild", but at the same time, it would easily rip out your throat, so it's not tame. And what about the disappearing habitats where animals normally live in? Is this considered the natural habitat or must the animals adapt? We as humans know the old adage "home is where you make it". Does this apply to animals as well? This post will try to explore the intricate details of how we see animals under our care.

Most people see domesticated animals as "fully tame" animals that have been bred and raised by humans for profit, be that food, wool, companions, or some other use. Horses, dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, and even koi fish fall under that category. Exotic animals are generally considered those who live in the "wild" and are not under human control. It is important to note that all domesticated species have "wild" counterparts that they are either related to or descended from. Wolves are the ancestors of dogs, tigers and lions are the much larger counterparts to their house relatives, and even wild boars still populate much of Asia. 

The lines though between domestication are definitely blurred to an extent. Even animal scientists disagree on the exact definitions of domesticated, although most agree that it involves being intertwined with humans until they could never be released back into the wild. This can be a little confusing when you factor in feral animals. Feral is an individual of a domesticated species that is not dependent of humans for care, most notable dogs and cats. 

Domesticated is different from the word "tame" which means that the animals is no danger to humans, which is sort of misleading. Even dogs, "man's best friend" attack humans on a daily basis. And it gets a little bit more confusing as you dive into every animal species and their own individual case.

 For example, Asian elephants have worked with humans for thousands of years in the logging business (more have moved into the tourist industry after bulldozers took their place). But the elephants of Thailand and Burma could hardly be considered tame as multiple people are crushed by the imposing animals. Furthermore, while a large number of Asian elephants are "domesticated" and trained from life, they do not pass on those traits to their offspring. 

The list of individual cases go on. It is argued that cats were never truly domesticated. Historians have uncovered evidence that the ancient Egyptians made steps to domesticate the hyena, but never succeeded. Cheetahs were captured and trained to hunt alongside the ancient Emperors of Assyria. War elephants were used by the famous military leader Hannibal. Asian water buffalo exist in both domesticated and wild scenarios. Scientists still debate whether it is possible to domesticate koi which are officially under the domestication list. It's clear that there's a fine line between domestication and wild. 

Zoo animals present another interesting case. As thousands of animals dependent on human care for their food and shelter, they cannot be classified as "wild" as they would die if placed in their natural habitat due to a lack of knowledge on how to take care of themselves. But then again, they are not tame or domesticated, the history of animals attacking their keepers or visitors are well-documented. The death of Carlos Sousa on December 25, 2007 by Siberian tiger Tatiana is one of the most famous, along with the recent death of killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau by the recently-departed bull orca Tilikum. So zoo animals exist in another limbo where they remain too wild to live with humans (indeed, some zoo animals are set for reintroduction programs) and too tame to live in their natural habitat.

The common course of action when categorizing animals is captive or wild. But really, what is the wild? Most think of the wild as the savannas of Africa, the rain forests of South America, or the Arctic tundras. But the wild has been confined and squeezed into small pockets as humans continue to expand. Most of the world's lion population lives in game parks. It is estimated that a rhino is killed every six hours. The African elephant population has gone down 30% in the past three years. However controversial, the wild is gone. Even in Africa where it is common to think of lush rain forests and expansive savannas, most elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and lions live in game parks with borders drawn by humans.

Domesticated animals are a testament to man's will to dominate nature, there is no other way to describe it. Humans have bound species to help their own survival, for food, friendship, or fur. This is not necessarily bad, as long as the domesticated species are treated ethically. Domesticated animals present an interesting challenge for many as we dive into the next era where animal care has come into more scrutiny than ever before. The exotic animals under our care may receive the most attention, but we as humans also have a duty to also pay attention to the many domesticated animals under our care.

Author's Note: This is a vast subject of many controversies and I intend to write more about the plight of domesticated species. This was meant to be a very brief overview of the fine lines between domesticated and exotic species. It is clear to many that some methods in which we treat domesticated animals are no longer acceptable. Animal science is constantly evolving and shifting. This should hopefully be for the best.

Captive Breeding: Noah's Ark or Human Transparency?

Captive Breeding: Noah's Ark or Titanic of Destruction?

Humans have been breeding animals for thousands of years, whether for food, entertainment, or wool. However, the art of breeding animals to save endangered species is a relatively new art that humans have still not perfected. We are currently facing a global extinction crisis, with more and more animals slipping away every day due to habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, and other factors that humans have wrought in expanding our land. Today we'll be focusing on breeding wildlife and how it may or may not be beneficial.

First of all, let's start out with zoos. Zoos had evolved to their current form where their missions are to promote recreation, conservation, research, and education. And one facet of their enormous system is breeding of animals. Hundreds of elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, polar bears, red pandas, zebras, and other animals are bred in zoos every year. But what is the value of these captive breeding programs? There is some validity in the Species Survival Plans, the official AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) coordinated plans to breed endangered species. The more than 500 SSPs cover mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates exhibited in zoos. The programs shuffle animals around American zoos to promote genetic diversity. While critics of the SSPs argue that the animals are simply being bred for a life of captivity, there is another side. The SSPs provide a stable reservoir of thousands of animals, which could prove valuable in the future if the species go extinct in the wild. Learning how care for animals is something that zoos must learn fast, lest they must save a species from extinction.

Some zoos tout reintroduction programs as the reason for breeding animals. Zoos are the leaders of their field in reintroducing animals into the wild, succeeding in rejuvenating life into the California condor, Arabian oryx, Przewalski's horse, golden lion tamarin, and whooping crane. But taking a hard look at the zoo reintroduction programs show that the successes are not as much as they potentially could be. Zoos must look after their resident animals before and therefore cannot devote tons of resources into breeding animals for reintroduction. Most animals in zoos will never be reintroduced into the wild. The question is, is it worth it?

Zoos aren't the only organizations breeding animals. Hundreds of breeders cater to America's hunger for exotic animals. Popular among these breeders are small wild cats (servals, ocelots, bobcats), monkeys, reptiles, antelope, and other rarities like kinkajous and capybaras. America is also home to an incalculable amount of tigers, lions, bears, chimpanzees, and alligators who are held in captivity by thousands of exotic pet owners. Rarer animals, such as elephants, rhinos, red pandas, snow leopards, and gorillas have been kept out of the pet trade for the most part, due to a coordinated effort by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to keep those endangered species only in respectable institutions. Breeders serve to replenish the trade. Owners prefer young and cute animals, so breeders churn the babies out to keep profits up.

Sanctuaries fall under a gray area in the art of captive breeding. The definition of "animal sanctuary" is muddled since there is not governing body of sanctuaries. So-called sanctuaries can declare themselves the rescuers of animals while breeding tiger cubs for visitors to pet or bear cubs to be placed in petting zoos. As a general rule, true sanctuaries do not breed their animals, so keep in mind the next time you visit a "respected facility" that they're adding to the problem.

To be blunt, zoos must breed their animals in order to keep their businesses alive. With no tigers, elephants, or polar bears to attract audiences, it's unlikely that the zoo business will survive. Without zoos, less endangered species will be saved. Current zoos are not perfect, but they do a lot of good in the areas of conservation, research, and education. Without zoos at the forefront, it is likely that the extinction level will proceed even faster. And there are reasons for why zoos breed animal besides profit and conservation. Some animals do better in a family unit, so zoos breed those animals to provide social interactions. Some zoos have taken to breeding amphibians and reptiles in behind-the-scenes rooms for future release. That's good. But what about the lady who breeds tigers to satisfy her desire to care for the massive cats? Do we interfere with her right to own an animal? It is a complicated messy issue that will not be easily solved as there is often a reason for breeding an animal. And those reasons are often controversial in the animal world.

Author's Note: Captive breeding in zoos will, for the most part, proceed as usual for the next several decades. Attendance at zoos have skyrocketed for the past few decades. But at the same time, a harsher light has been shined on the zoo animal trade and zoos must be more careful in their breeding of their animals, less they devalue the genetic stock or breed purely for profit, igniting a wave of anger from the public. Already, SeaWorld has stopped the captive breeding of their killer whales. Will elephants or dolphins be next?  I can't predict where the captive animal industry will turn next, but it is clear that people are paying more attention to animal welfare than ever before. Zoos and other breeders must evolve to keep up in the next century.