Exotic Pets

An endangered animal is one that is facing extinction. Extinct animals cannot be repopulated through artificial or natural means. Extinct animals are gone forever.

Wild saltwater hermit crabs live in the ocean or on the shore, but some species can be kept as pets. These nocturnal crustaceans feed on mussels, worms and dead plants. They carry a large shell on...

Thirty-three species of seals exist all over the world from tropical to frozen climates. Seals are mammals. While they can seem clumsy on land, they are extremely adept and agile in the water.

Walking sticks are interesting insects that have existed for millions of years--they are fairly common in the fossil record. There are many varieties throughout tropical and temperate climates...

Many of the world's wildlife suffer from dwindling populations. Scientists call these species "endangered," meaning that without human protections, they may become extinct. Tigers, giant pandas,...

Since the passage of the Endangered Species Act, there have been great strides made to protect endangered animals. Laws have been enacted to eliminate hunting and trafficking of endangered...

There are more than 5,000 endangered animals on the World Wild Life Organizations's endangered species list. Some of these animals are popular and protected by people trying to save the species,...

Sharks have body parts that are common to all species, but certain species have body parts that have evolved to fulfill certain needs for that particular species. Because sharks do not have a...

According to ARKhive.org, the Old World sucker-footed bat, a member of the family Myzopodidae, is one of only four sucker-footed bats in the world. This type of bat is known for the distinctive...

Sea cucumbers (class Holothuroidea) are part of the phylum Echinodermata, a group of animals that also includes starfish, sea urchins and sand dollars. There are over 1,000 known species of sea...

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted by Congress in 1973 and currently lists 1,890 species, including 78 species of whales and dolphins. There are 12 species of whales listed as either...

The giant panda is a member of the bear family found living in the mountains of Southwest China. The species has become one of the world's most threatened animals with less than 2,500 alive in the...

One reason for species becoming endangered is the reduction of their natural habitats. A prime example of this is the loss of most of the world's rain forests along with thousands of their...

Bird of Paradise species are relatively large birds best known for the colorful plumage sported by mature males. These bird species sport a variety of colors, from blue to green to brown, and live...

The horseshoe bat is an interesting breed of bat that is distinguished by its horseshoe-shaped nose. It can live to be up to 21 years old, much longer than most European bat species....

Insects are the most numerous organisms on the planet. Different species of insects come in a wide array of sizes and shapes and have varying features. They fly through the air, crawl on the earth...

Turbellarian is a class of flatworms. There are 4,500 species in the class, and it is a very diverse class. Most flatworms are not parasitic and find their own food. Some are nearly 2 feet long,...

Asteroidea, commonly known as sea stars or starfish, are a diverse group, estimated to include somewhere between 1,500 and 1,800 species. They are found in ocean basins around the world, including...

There are approximately 30 species of Birdwing butterflies, which are known for their exceptionally large wingspans. All Birdwing butterflies are localized in a region of the world known as...

Lemurs are rare creatures that only exist on the African island of Madagascar and the small islands surrounding it. The animals are primates, like humans, and enjoy the increased agility provided...

Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and other types of creatures of the European continent are listed as endangered. The European Commission has warned that not enough is being done to protect the...

Shrews are small, nocturnal mammals that live in a wide variety of habitats. Despite the fact that shrews can live almost anywhere and a female shrew can have up to 20 babies a year, their numbers...

Worldwide there are more than 900 species of bats, representing approximately 23 percent of all known mammalian species. They live in a variety of habitats, but are most abundant in the tropics...

Tropical rainforests can be found throughout the world from the remote Hawaiian Islands to the Amazon Regions of South America. Rainforests provide a habitat for an enormous number of animal...

The rainforest is full of different types of animals. More than half of the world's plant and animal species make their home in the rainforests. There are different types of animals within each...

Venomous animals are not to be taken lightly. A careless owner of a dangerous animal is not only risking his own life but also risking the lives of family members and neighbors. Take the time to...

Animal behavior studies attempt to explain why animals act the way they do. Depending on the type of animal, the behaviors can vary. But there are things that all animals do, no matter what...

Wolves are wild predatory animals from the family Canidae. They are related to dogs and foxes and are known for hunting large game animals, such as deer or moose, in packs. Wolves live in a...

All species of sea turtles grow to enormous proportions, especially when they're kept in captivity in zoos and aquariums, where they can easily get bored. These are creatures that in the wild swim...

Seals live in a wide variety of ocean environments ranging from frigid polar waters to tropical seas. Seals are perfectly adapted to their marine lives, with a physiology that allows them to...

Armadillos are cool little creatures. They are in the same order as sloths and anteaters but are much smaller. They have an armor-like protective shell they use for defense in the wild and live...

Armadillos are small omnivorous mammals with a hard, leathery shell. Although armadillos are not difficult to care for, and some people find them to be pleasant and exotic pets, you should...

One of the smallest-sized species of penguins, Rockhopper penguins can be found in aquariums around the world and are much loved by tourists for their unique look and distinguished brow. They are...

Zebras fall within the Equidae family. They are one of the more recognizable animals on Earth due to their trademark black-and-white stripes and generally grow to be about 650 pounds, with some...

Skunks are mammals best known for the strong and terrible odor they spray. They are found predominately in North, Central and South America, but two of the eleven species of skunks are found in...

Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous species lurking in the water at your family beach are jellyfish. Jellyfish stings happen often while swimming in the ocean because jellyfish are so...

An exotic pet is any animal that isn't traditionally considered a pet. Your exotic pet could be a monkey, wolf, python or any other animal that makes your neighbors nervous. Caring for an exotic...

Learn the various sub-species of tiger salamanders in this free video clip about caring for a pet salamander.

Squids are some of the most intelligent and highly adaptable creatures in the sea. Their long tentacles, colorful skin and respectable smarts make them fearsome hunters, a reputation supported by...

Getting the proper nutrition is extremely important for keeping a monkey healthy and energetic. Feeding a monkey should be done largely according to the species of monkey. Find out exactly what...

They are cute aren't they? The Philippine Tarsier with those bulging eyes? Often called the world's smallest primate- at 4-6 inches long, they are very hard to spot in the jungle. At one tine...

The Albino African Black Clawed Frog is a fully aquatic species of frog originating from the west coast of Africa. It makes for a fascinating pet. Both albinos and regular Black Clawed Frogs can...

So you have just returned from an incredible family trip to Sea World, and your kids, as well as your husband, are now dying to own a shark. Maybe you just have always been fascinated (like most...

It's true that bats are fascinating and intelligent creatures, but they're not really intended to be pets—even under the loosest exotic animal laws. A whole host of reasons make it better—for you...

Tarantulas are one of the oldest animals on Earth and one of the largest spiders. Most captive breeds reach about 5 inches in length and have plenty of hair and robust heads and abdomens. They are...

Scorpions are among the oldest living group of animals on Earth, the arachnids. Unchanged for centuries, scorpions cause us to marvel at their armored bodies, deadly venom and affinity for the...

This is not a comprehensive diet for all monkey breeds. Check with a local zoological society or zoo for details on feeding a particular species.