A pet of a different kind
 

Merle F. Marks, DVM
 

Timberland Animal Clinic
 

Throughout modern society, people have always liked the unusual,

the different, the far-out. That's our nature. Carnival side shows

will survive forever. And as our society expands demanding newer and

stranger hobbies, so too will our desire for newer and stranger pets. There

will always be our favorite four legged friends, the dog and cat,

as well as our two winged friend the bird.
 

But coming onto the scene over the past decade or so has been an enormous

increase in the group of pets termed exotic. I have 5 categories that

I classify exotics into.
 

1. Pocket Pet Exotics.
 

These are usually harmless, inexpensive pets which are fairly easy

to keep and most children can take care of. It includes hamsters,

rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, rats and ferrets.
 

These furry friends do develop relationships with people and can easily

become part of the family.
 

Unfortunately, their life expectancy is fairly short, many only living

three years. However, this is often when the novelty has worn off,

so they tend not to be replaced.
 

2. Reptile Exotics
 

This particular group is growing in popularity very rapidly, mostly

due to easier access to purchase them and the increase of knowledge

concerning their husbandry. This group includes salamanders, snakes,

lizards, iguanas, turtles, frogs, toads and tortoises.
 

The price tag on many of these can get high, especially if they are

somewhat rare or have a specific color. They also require a great

deal more husbandry, equipment, environmental control and understanding

of nutrition.
 

They do have, depending on the species, a much greater life span,

ranging from a few years up to decades.
 

3. Strange Exotics
 

This group is one that requires a little questioning. It also borders

on a safety issue. This group can include scorpions, tarantulas, spiders,

monkeys, large constricting snakes, poisonous frogs and devenomized

poisonous snakes. Many in this group can inflict bodily harm even

under normal circumstances. Not recommended in my book.
 

4. Bad Idea Exotics
 

These are animals which were never meant to be pets. It may be illegal

to own or possess these animals. They include possums, raccoons, poisonous

snakes, alligators and crocodiles. They cannot be trusted and make

very poor pets. Enough said.
 

5. Forbidden Exotics
 

This group I call forbidden because I think they should be. The best

example I have right now is the man in Southwest Portland who keeps

a tiger in his backyard. Granted, he may have a permit and the grounds

may have met the legal requirements, but how much sense does it make

to own a tiger? This animal may already be doomed to euthanasia, as

most zoos will not adopt people owned big cats. They don't socialize

well with any other cats. These beautiful animals are on the endangered

species list. Wolves, bears, mountain lions, African lions are all

being kept as pets and shouldn't be. That's why they are called wild

animals. EC
 

Merle F. Marks, DVM is a co-owner of Timberland Animal Clinic, 17641

SE Stark. He can be reached at

255-9766.