The zoo is no longer the only place you can see wild animals up close and personal. Regular households around the world own exotic animals as pets, and none of them bark, meow or chirp. If you’re considering getting an exotic animal as a pet, you’d better do your homework – these are wild animals after all; we aren’t talking about cats and dogs here. This list presents the top ten most popular exotic pets.

10. Tarantula

Tarantulas are one of the most popular exotic pets to own. Although tarantulas aren’t exactly playmates, they are very interesting to look at and study closely. From feeding time to the molting process, tarantulas are fascinating to watch. But do they bite? Yes, tarantulas do bite sometimes, and it can be painful, but they are not usually venomous to human. Some people may experience allergic reactions to a tarantula bite. Things can get a little hairy when tarantulas are threatened, and they react with hissing noises by rubbing their fangs together and releasing itchy hairs. If conditions are suitable in captivity, female tarantulas can live up to 20 years while males’ lifespans are much shorter.

9. Fennec Fox

Fennec foxes are not only incredibly cute, but they also make wonderful pets. The fennec fox is the smallest member of the fox family, but it’s the only type that can be domesticated. These furry foxes are best known for their oversized, bat-like ears that radiate body heat and keep them cool. Fennec foxes behave much like dogs. They’re full of energy and need to exercise daily, or they might take out their pent-up energy on your furniture or yard. These curious creatures need to be monitored when playing outside to make sure they don’t escape. Fennec foxes are extremely affectionate and can even be trained to walk on a leash, use a litter box and come when called. Make sure it’s legal to own a fennec fox in your state before buying one of these cuddly canines.

8. Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragon lizards are magnificent looking reptiles with a calm and friendly nature, which explains their popularity as exotic pets. This Australian lizard has a broad triangular head, flattened body and a pronounced spiky beard that puffs out when threatened or mating. Beardies are skilled climbers and simply enjoy being around you. They are omnivores, but you should beware of certain insects and vegetables they cannot eat. Beardies are fairly easy to care for and, if living conditions are suitable, they can live anywhere from 4 to 10 years old.

7. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

The word cockroach is enough to make some people scream, but not if you’re a true bug lover. The Madagascar hissing cockroach is no ordinary cockroach. This popular exotic pet is clean, odorless, docile and harmless to its owners. They are one of the largest species of cockroach, measuring anywhere from 1.5 to 3 inches at maturity. Expect to hear their unique hissing noise during mating rituals, when they’re disturbed or when there’s aggression between males. Sometimes a whole colony of cockroaches will hiss in unison for reasons we cannot understand. If cared for properly, hissing cockroaches generally live for 1 to 3 years and sometimes 5! Cockroaches may seem like an unsuspecting creature to keep in your house, but people, especially children, really love these hissers.

6. Sloth

Some sloths have been known to be over thirty five years old. This is an incredibly long time so if you plan on getting a sloth, make sure you have a lot of time available for the next thirty years or so. If you are the kind of person that works long hours and doesn’t have a lot of time you should consider getting a pet that is more independent.

The Cute Baby Pet Sloth Home Video:

5. Frog

Frogs are popular exotic pets that know how to make their owners happy. But, before you go snatch one from the backyard, you need to brush up on the facts and requirements of owning a pet frog. First off, you’ll want to get your pet frog from a breeder or pet store that breeds captive frogs locally and are free of disease, because the wild frog population is declining from human activities. Once you have your frog, you’ll want make sure its enclosed aquarium fits the temperature, humidity and light requirements for your particular frog. Also, you will need to keep it very clean because they are sensitive to contaminants and waste in their environment. Small frogs are generally livelier than larger frogs, but most are a joy to watch and play with. Captive frogs can live a long life, typically 4 to 15 years. It’s very important to do your homework before buying a pet frog to make sure you can accommodate its needs and know what to expect with each type of frog.

4. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees have become popular exotic pets for animal lovers around the world. Perhaps it’s their communication skills, incredible intelligence and close relation to human beings that continue to win over animal owners. As wonderful as these primates are, they are not recommended as domestic pets. Chimps are very expensive and a huge physical liability. They quickly develop incredible strength – seven to 10 times more strength than a human – and are quite risky to handle once they begin to mature. Chimpanzees are capable of attacking humans and causing deadly damage to those who care for them, as we’ve all seen in the 2009 brutal chimp attack that left a Connecticut woman disfigured and blind. Chimps are extremely emotional animals that often throw tantrums, scream and throw their feces at each other and their owners. Plus, they are highly susceptible to human illnesses, especially colds and respiratory problems, which could mean a sick ape and expensive vet costs. But since these pets can be very unpredictable, it is a good idea to consult an expert before buying one.

3. Burmese Python

Burmese pythons are very popular exotic pets, but raising these massive snakes is no piece of cake. An adult constrictor can grow anywhere from 15 to 20 feet long and weigh 100 to 200 pounds or more. It’s expensive and dangerous to house a snake this big. Just feeding and handling is a multi-person job because of its size and aggressive feeding behavior. Burmese pythons are non-venomous and generally docile compared to other snakes, but handling errors can become deadly if the snake wraps itself around you and constricts. It’s crucial that you consider all of the requirements and risks involved with owning one of these beautiful creatures ahead of time. On the same token, you cannot simply release these animals back into the wild if you no longer want them. Burmese pythons have caused havoc in the Florida Everglades because too many owners have released their snakes and they’ve rapidly reproduced. The Everglades now has a significant population of poisonous snakes and large lizards that did not exist twenty years ago.

2. Alligator

Believe it or not, some people love alligators so much that they’ve made them pets. Alligators have become popular exotic pets, but unlike most pets, these highly aggressive reptiles are a serious risk to your life. Alligators are not kept for companionship because they do not like to be touched and prefer to be alone. Owning an alligator does have some cool perks, like watching and learning about this powerful prehistoric animal. If it’s legal to own an alligator in your state, you’ll most certainly need to speak with experts before buying one for yourself.

1. Wallaroo

Wallaroos are popular exotic pets that will hop their way into your heart. Wallaroos are bigger than wallabies and smaller than kangaroos. They have a stocky and powerful body with shaggy grey or red fur and a black snout. Adult wallaroos can weigh anywhere from 40 to 50 pounds for females and 50 to 100 pounds for males. These marsupials are intelligent creatures and very affectionate. They develop bonds with their owners when hand raised and well socialized. With training, they can even be taught to understand the word “no”. These loving animals are quite curious and can get into trouble if not monitored closely. If the living conditions are suitable and they are treated well, wallaroos can live up to 15 to 20 years.