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An animal is considered exotic when it comes from a natural environment foreign to the place where it is found. They can be wild or domesticated species from environments such as jungles, deserts or tropical aquatic zones. The term exotic encompasses a wide variety of animals, from tropical or desert reptiles to colorful birds and unusual mammals. They differ from traditional pets, such as dogs and cats, in their specific care, habitat and feeding requirements.
Did you know that the vast majority of health and behavioral problems observed in captive exotic animals are caused by an environment ill-suited to the individual or species? So it's up to the future owner to do enough research before adopting an exotic animal! It's important to remember that their well-being depends to a large extent on their ability to reproduce their natural behaviors in captivity. That's why their care and keeping requirements demand a great deal of effort and attention. Enabling your exotic pet to reproduce most of its natural behaviors is therefore essential to providing it with an adequate quality of life!
No matter what type of exotic pet you have, finding reliable sources of information and acquiring knowledge about your pet is a must! Our exotic pet veterinarian is available to assist you in the pursuit of better health for your pet, and to treat any medical conditions that may arise during its life. For any behavior you feel is abnormal in your exotic pet, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Highly social by nature, rabbits and guinea pigs benefit from the presence of a conspecific, although they can also live alone as long as they have plenty of interaction with humans or other household pets. Their main habitat, ideally a modular enclosure, should contain enough varied hiding places for each animal to hide at the same time, and should include an exercise area. When confined, these animals must be taken out at least five times a week to move freely for a minimum of 30 minutes. They must have constant access to forage and something to gnaw on, as well as a water source (bottle or bowl). Ferrets also appreciate hiding places, hammocks, tunnels and objects such as paper bags to explore and conceal themselves. They also enjoy the presence of a companion and stimulating activities such as food-filled balls.
When it comes to dental care, rabbits and guinea pigs have continuously growing teeth, which they wear down by chewing high-fiber foods (hay and leafy vegetables). So, if their diet is not well adapted, dental excrescences can form and cause injuries or oral infections that may even prevent the animal from eating. When dental disease is present in a guinea pig or rabbit, regular veterinary check-ups and dental trimming are necessary throughout its life!
For their hygiene and comfort, the main living area for rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs must include a litter substrate that is clean and adapted to the species, and above all, non-irritating to the skin and respiratory tract. For rabbits and ferrets, a litter tray is also required. If an unsuitable covering is used, or if there is no substrate at all in their habitat, rabbits can develop sores under their feet (pododermatitis), which can be very painful.
The aim is to recreate an enriching physical and psychological environment, encouraging the expression of their natural behaviors and preventing the onset of boredom and frustration-related disorders.
Birds demonstrate many natural behaviors that are important to reproduce in captivity. In fact, in the wild and depending on the species, birds can fly dozens of kilometers a day! Most eat and actively search for food (foraging) many times throughout the day. They often vocalize to communicate and keep in touch with their fellow birds, with whom they interact, groom and rest.
So, birds need a suitable habitat, such as a cage or aviary, of appropriate size. This should enable the bird to spread its wings and fly a short distance. In short, the bigger the space, the better! The bird's habitat should preferably be rectangular in shape to avoid disorientation, and should also have bars adapted to the size of the species.
Enrichment and mental stimulation are also crucial for birds. You can give them access to perches of different textures (natural wood, rope, etc.), sizes and heights, and to toys (wood grub, swings, interactive toys, avoiding bells) which are essential to combat boredom. You can alternate them regularly to avoid boredom. The best enrichment for a bird in captivity is to provide foraging activity for a minimum of 2 h a day, by hiding food in various ways in their habitat. Your feathered companions will also need to be allocated time outside the cage, i.e. a minimum of 1 to 3 hours of supervised freedom per day. What's more, gregarious birds like parakeets and parrots need social contact, either with avian companions or with humans on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, the majority of birds kept as pets don't get any exercise in captivity, and many are also kept and left alone for many hours a day, which can cause stress. Denied the opportunity to express most of their natural behaviors, birds turn to the most accessible activity: grooming. This is often the time when compulsive feather-destroying and self-mutilation behaviors are observed. Bird owners also need to keep an eye on the health of their beaks. It's important to check their growth and consult a veterinarian if necessary. Never try to cut the beak yourself! The beak contains blood vessels and nerves, and improper handling can cause pain, bleeding and even infection. A beak that is too long will have serious consequences, especially for the bird's feeding and grooming. To avoid this problem, enrichment with gnawing toys or non-toxic natural branches and a balanced diet adapted to the species is necessary.
Reptiles are animals that are highly adapted to the climate and environment of their native region. They therefore need a habitat that is perfectly adapted to them, i.e. one that more or less reproduces the conditions of their country of origin. A terrarium or vivarium is generally used as a habitat, and must be of a size appropriate to the species. For example, a snake needs space to lie down, and a lizard needs a suitable environment for climbing. The type of terrarium and substrate should also correspond to the type of reptile it houses: desert for reptiles like leopard geckos, tropical or humid for chameleons, and aquatic or semi-aquatic for water turtles. Make sure your terrarium has good, draught-free ventilation and a secure lid to prevent escape and ensure the reptile's safety.
Next, several environmental parameters need to be fine-tuned to ensure good health for your reptile. Temperature and humidity control are crucial. You'll need to create a thermal gradient, with a warm zone for digestion and activity and a cool zone for rest. You can use heat mats, heat cables or reptile-friendly heat lamps, and don't forget to provide hiding places in each zone. For humidity, you can measure it with a hygrometer and adjust it according to the species, i.e. 20 to 40% for desert animals and 60 to 80% for tropical animals. Lighting is another parameter that requires a great deal of attention. The use of UVB lamps is essential for the reptile's metabolism of calcium. Without UVB, your pet is at risk of developing bone disorders. All reptiles require a light cycle of 10 to 14 hours a day to mimic natural cycles. The UVB lamp should also be changed every 6 months on average.
But why are all these details so important? Many people believe that reptiles are inactive when not feeding. This idea often stems from the fact that their environment often doesn't allow them to express their natural behaviors, such as climbing, bathing, foraging, hiding or basking in the sun. Given the right conditions, reptiles can be just as active as other animals. Encouraging natural behaviors in captive reptiles is essential to their well-being! What's more, the absence or incorrect setting of these facilities can lead to serious health problems, and is often the reason for veterinary consultation. For example, during moulting, insufficient humidity causes incomplete shedding of the old skin, which can lead to a variety of problems. In addition, self-mutilation can occur in inappropriate environments. Knowing how to recognize normal behavior from abnormal behavior is necessary to prevent the onset of serious medical conditions. In particular, changes in coloration are good indicators of a reptile's state of health and well-being, and the absence of thermoregulatory behavior is highly abnormal in most reptiles and should sound the alarm!
