Section 1: 20 Things to Consider Before Buying an Exotic Pet
- Legal restrictions in your area
- Lifespan and long-term commitment Many big birds and tortoises live 50+ years.
- Adult size of the animal An 8" monitor becomes a 40" monitor faster than many realize.
- Housing and enclosure requirements
- Temperature, humidity, and lighting needs
- Diet and feeding requirements
- Availability of exotic veterinary care
- Initial setup costs
- Ongoing monthly costs
- Temperament and handling ability
- Noise levels Macaws and cockatoos can be heard from a long distance.
- Odor and cleanliness
- Daily time commitment
- Experience level required
- Availability of supplies
- Escape risk and enclosure security Never underestimate monkeys and raccoons — they get out of anything.
- Allergies and health risks
- Compatibility with other pets
- Travel and vacation care planning
- Backup plan — and a backup backup!
Section 2: 20 Things to Look at When Assessing an Animal's Health
- Clear, bright eyes (no discharge or swelling)Eyes are a health indicator on ALL animals.
- Clean nose/nostrils (no mucus or bubbles)
- Healthy skin, fur, feathers, or scales
- No visible parasitesMites often look and feel like "live dust"; ticks typically look like small seeds.
- Proper body weight (not too thin or obese)
- Strong, steady movementSedated animals may appear calm but behave very differently once it wears off — commonly reported at some auctions.
- Normal posture (not hunched or lethargic)
- Clean vent/cloaca areaBuilt-up or stuck feces is always a warning sign — diet, parasites, or poor care.
- Regular, healthy droppings
- Good appetite and feeding response
- Shedding conditionUneven shedding isn't always serious, but avoid animals with layers of stuck skin especially around eyes or toes.
- Normal breathing (no wheezing or clicking)
- Alertness and responsiveness
- No unusual lumps or swelling
- Healthy mouthEspecially in birds — issues like canker are often visible (common in parakeets, pigeons, and doves).
- Proper hydration (not dehydrated or wrinkled skin)
- Strong grip or muscle toneEspecially important in tree-dwelling animals like sloths, iguanas, and chameleons — poor grip often means stress or underlying issues.
- No signs of injury or scars
- Consistent behavior (not overly stressed or erratic)
- Clean enclosureSome mess is normal, but built-up waste, crusted bowls, and dirty water sources are major red flags.
Section 3: Common Terms and What They Mean
C.B. — Captive Bred
Bred in captivity. Generally the preferred source for most exotic pets — animals are acclimated to captive conditions and often more predictable in temperament.
F.B. / C.H. — Farm Bred / Captive Hatched ("Farmed" reptiles)
A controlled practice with international quotas and limits on many animals. Two common methods:
- Wild gravid/pregnant females are collected, housed and cared for until they lay eggs or give birth, then released to help maintain a viable wild population.
- Some reptiles are farmed similar to livestock (example: caimans in farm ponds). Eggs are collected, incubated, and babies are raised indoors and fed fish and/or commercial diets.
Farmed — Exotic Mammals
Often very different from reptile farming. Many are raised in small cages with little human interaction and are primarily bred for fur — not as pets. While some can become good pets, others may have behavioral or genetic issues due to poor breeding practices including inbreeding.
Collected / Wild / W.C.
Animals taken from the wild (legally, when applicable). Some can make good pets and many are excellent breeders. The biggest issue is that even minor health problems can become serious under stress from shipping, acclimation, etc.
Collected animals often get more negative attention than they deserve, while many assume species have been captive bred for decades — which is not always true. Many reptiles commonly seen as C.B. today were primarily wild-collected through the 1990s and early 2000s.
Example: Crested geckos were thought extinct until 1994 and didn't become widely available until around 2010. A small number of wild animals led to the large captive population seen today.
For buyers, the most important thing is understanding what you are getting — fresh import, acclimated, feeding reliably, etc.
CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora — An international agreement ensuring that trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten species survival.
→ Learn more about CITESLacey Act
A U.S. law affecting the transport, sale, and possession of wildlife. It is important to understand and comply with this law when buying, selling, or traveling with animals. If your state prohibits based on the Lacey Act (like Alabama), this is good information to know.
→ Read the official Lacey Act informationSection 4: Quarantine — Non-Negotiable
It doesn't matter who you buy from — store, breeder, zoo, or top name in the hobby. Always quarantine new animals.
- Stress affects everything: shipping, relocation, and acclimation all weaken animals.
- Hidden or dormant issues can surface under stress.
- A minor issue in a stressed animal can quickly become serious — or even fatal.
- One sick animal can spread problems to an entire collection.