Most of us know someone who has had an unusual pet — ferret, hamster,  iguana, bird or snake, the list goes on and on.

For folks considering an unconventional pet, it’s important to find the right kind.

Mindy Walker, a naturalist at Sarett Nature Center in Benton Township for the last 11 years, has some unusual pets herself, but knows too well what happens to critters that outgrow their owners’ initial fascination.

“People buy animals without realizing what they’re getting into,” Walker said.
She advises people to research, research, research — on the internet, at the library, in the local pet store —before making a choice.

“There’s plenty of information out there,” she said.

Folks should start by deciding what they want from the pet.  For instance, some animals are fine to look at but may  not be good to play with.

“I have some kinds of frogs that I enjoy,” said Walker, “but I can’t take them out and handle them.  It wouldn’t be good for them.”
How big an animal will get, and how quickly, is important.  Iguanas, for example, get very big, very quickly.  And they are definitely not a cuddly animal. In fact, they can be quite mean.

“They can scratch,” Walker said.  “They have razor-sharp claws that are designed for running up and down trees.”
In addition, their tail is “like a whip.”

Birds are popular pets, but there are some things people should consider before taking them home.

“They’re going to be loud, they’re going to like to chew on things, and they do sometimes bite,” Walker said.  “They can still be wonderful pets, but plan ahead, study, research, know what you’re getting into and then make an informed decision.”

The large, colorful parrots are appealing, but many will outlive their owner.

“You have to have a will for your bird,” Walker said.

People are often drawn to parrots because they talk.  Some talk more easily than others, according to Walker.

The African gray is a natural talker — fine if you want it, not, if you don’t.

“I read about a woman who had an aviary full of parrots,” Walker said.  “She didn’t want them to talk.  They were just birds, and she liked them that way.  A friend of hers had an African gray that she couldn’t keep anymore, and it did talk.  This woman took it in, and it taught the other birds to talk.”

Another potential problem is the bird picking up undesirable language.

Less exotic monk parakeets and cockatiels can be taught to talk and aren’t quite as demanding as the larger parrots.  And, while they can’t talk, Walker recommends the ordinary parakeet as a pet.

“The basic parakeet, if hand-fed as a baby, then handled regularly, can make an excellent pet,” Walker said.

Where the bird comes from is another consideration.    It is important to buy birds raised in captivity.  Wild birds are not only illegal and unethical, they will be less sociable and can carry diseases.

This is true of any exotic pet. Even many native animals are protected.

“There are strong laws about (taking things out of the wild),” Walker said.  “You have to check with the DN and get all the right laws with the right species.”

Some animals are problematic.  Prairie dogs were popular until found to carry monkey pox. Turtles, especially water turtles, can carry salmonella.

Snakes are popular, and Walker says if they fit a person’s lifestyle, they can be a fine pet.

“They’re not exciting.  They don’t usually do a whole lot,” she said.  “A big snake, like a boa constrictor, gets big.  And they eat mice or rats or even bigger things.”

Boas also need to be handled a lot to keep them from being afraid.

Pythons have a generally nasty temperament and grow bigger than a boa.  Walker recommends the smaller corn snake.

“Corn snakes are a calm, gentle animal,” she said.

For a small animal, Walker says rats make surprisingly good pets.

“Rats make great little pocket pets for kids.  Hamsters, that everybody wants to get, tend to be very bitey, so they really aren’t the best pet,” she said.  “Rats tend to be very gentle.  They are intelligent and affectionate.  The downside is they don’t live very long.”

Unusual pets aren’t for everyone.  It’s best to find that out before bringing one home.