Considering an exotic animal as a pet?

We observe a growing fascination many people have with exotic animals. While these animals are unusual and often very interesting, the responsibilities that come with them are great. When you take an animal into your home, you are making a commitment to the life of that animal. Are you prepared? Be sure that you can answer the following questions responsibly before you adopt an exotic pet:

• What kind of habitat does this animal need to be physically and mentally healthy?

• How big will the animal grow?

• How long will it live?

• What is the temperament of the animal? How will it change as it ages? (Sexual maturity often is accompanied by marked changes in behavior, in some cases aggression or destructiveness.)

• What licenses (if any) do I need to possess this animal?

• Who will care for this animal if it gets sick? Not all veterinarians know how to care for exotics.

• What food will it need?

• What will I do with it if I (or my children) no longer want it?

Vero Beach Animal Control Officer Bruce Dangerfield holds a Burmese python while Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County Animal Care Manager Maria Ramirez scans the animal for a microchip.

Be aware. It is ILLEGAL to release any non-native animal into the wild in Florida. The reasoning behind these laws makes sense. The animal may have diseases that will spread to other wild animals. It may not survive the weather conditions here. It may not have an adequate food supply or it may deplete the food supply for native species. And, it may not have predators to keep its population in control (or it may prey on our native species).

Our neighborhood is beautiful and full of native wild animals. Please do not jeopardize them by releasing non-native animals here.