Science in Seconds - Exotic Pets

Science in Seconds Know Everything RANTS - Exotic Pets Rheanna Sand: The term "pet" has come to mean a lot of things. Cats and dogs deserve the title. They've been a part of human culture for tens of thousands of years. Through selective breeding, we've tailored them into unique breeds, each with its own practical purpose. Domestication has also selected traits that make them more docile and comfortable with human contact - usually. But these days, some people think it's cool to call animals like tarantulas and Burmese pythons pets, too. Admittedly, I find these creatures terrifying, so my opinion is biased. Help! Help! Rheanna Sand: But our brains have circuits, specifically in the amygdala or emotional learning center, that reacts specifically to snakey, spidery shapes moving into our field of vision. There's a reason for that: these creatures have not historically been our friends. And once these animals are taken home and grow to full size, owners realize their mistake after, say, looking at their food bills, or finding the remnants of Sparky in Goliath's cage. Then, a worse decision happens: to release them into the wild. In the case of Burmese pythons, the release of these massive snakes is literally disrupting the ecosystem of the Florida Everglades. Eradication programs are in full swing to control the growing population, which is now breeding in the wild, and feasting on bird and mammal species that are already threatened by human activity. So, yes, snakes and spiders can be cool. But only if they're left where they're supposed to be. And that goes for cute things, too. Animals like sugar gliders and monkeys are highly social and require very attentive and specialized care. But in the end, unlike cats and dogs, these animals are still wild, and no matter how much fun it looked on Friends, bringing them into your home can hurt more than just your wallet. Courtesy of Science in Seconds – All rights reserved Only for educational/non-profit purposes. (Translators are invited to put their name here)