Should Exotic Animals Be Kept As Pets?

Keeping pets is a global culture and a much appreciated one, as it gives animals a safe space to live and thrive. However, what we must also be mindful of is also the needs of the animals that we want to bring home as pets. Let us know a bit more about the animal world so that we understand which animals are looking for a space in our homes and which ones are best left undisturbed in their natural habitat.

‘Exotic animal’ is a term given to species of animals living in the wild that are not usually found around areas inhabited by people like cities and towns. Exotic animals differ from animals such as dogs, cats, cows, hens and ducks, which can live a healthy life in confined spaces close to people. 

Animals like snakes, tigers, chimpanzees, and koalas live in the wild and need a specific climate and terrain to survive. These are called exotic animals when they are traded to be domesticated and kept in our homes.

However, despite the good intentions behind bringing exotic animals into our homes—such as giving the animals a safe haven or perhaps showing appreciation for their species—we may end up displacing them from their natural habitat. Most exotic pets are kept caged or confined to an area that is very different from their natural habitat. This may lead to dangerous behaviour in these animals, such as attacks on the owners and their families. In the USA, there have been several reports in newspapers of exotic pets like macaques, reptiles, tigers and bears attacking their owners, even after having lived with the families for a few years.

The supply of exotic pets is a predominantly legal trade, especially in African countries. However, there is a lack of data and monitoring systems to find areas of insufficient regulations and ensure that the animals get the safety they deserve.

The problems caused by their displacement are well-known. We can understand the pain that some exotic animals undergo when they are caged and confined, displaced from their natural habitat. No matter how hard we try, it is impossible to recreate the wild habitats of these animals within our homes. Hence, we should create more national parks and forests for the wild animals to thrive in, and, to limit the trend of domesticating exotic animals, we should avoid keeping them as pets.