The dos and don'ts of owning exotic pets

Gray parrots talking. Leopard geckos lounging. Hamsters munching on tiny burritos. Scroll through social media, and you’re bound to spot an “exotic pet,” an animal companion that isn’t a farm animal or a domesticated dog or cat. There are a lot out there: One 2024 survey found that 2.1 million US households own birds and that 2.3 million own reptiles.

These online videos don’t show the risks exotic pet keeping may pose to conservation, human health, and animal welfare—nor do they clarify the legal requirements of ownership. That’s why WWF maintains a Responsible Pet Guide, which provides breakdowns on high-profile species. Hamsters, for example, can be good pets if well taken care of. By contrast, gray parrots are considered high-risk: They’re targets of the illegal wildlife trade and are declining in the wild.

If you’re considering owning an exotic pet, ask a few questions to ensure you’re making the best choices for your family, wildlife, and the planet. Learn about the diseases your pet of interest could carry. Make sure you can meet their needs and that your local veterinarian can treat them. Obtain them legally from a reputable source. And never—ever—release them into the wild, where they could harm the local community and wildlife.

Read the Responsible Pet Guide