Most people have had a pet at some time in their life and many of us cannot imagine having a household without a pet. However, not all people have pets such as cats, dogs, or rabbits. Some pets are far less common! While laws may vary depending on state and country, it is possible to keep some exotic animals as pets if you know how to care for them properly. Here are some interesting animals that are becoming popular companions.
1. Axolotl
What is an axolotl? You will not be blamed if that is your first thought upon seeing the unusual name. The axolotl is an adorable salamander that is native to Mexico. It was discovered in several lakes near Mexico City, including Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. Sadly, much of the axolotl’s natural habitat has been destroyed and the species now exists mostly in captivity as pets and in zoos.
Axolotls typically grow up to nine inches in length and can live up to 15 years in a good home. They spend most of their time resting at the bottom of their water environment. In the wild, axolotls eat small prey such as mollusks, worms, insects, and small fish. In captivity, they can eat fish pellets and live worms or frozen worm cubes. Fresh fish should be avoided as they may contain parasites.
Your tank should be at least 40 gallons in size for a single axolotl and get larger to accommodate more of them. Water temperature should be maintained between 61 °F to 64 °F for optimum health. Chlorine is harmful to axolotls so any tap water with chlorine must be treated before being added to the tank. Aquatic plants can be a helpful addition to provide shelter and water filtration.
