Saturday, May 26, 2012

New Pets For A New World Can Be Found In Exotic Animal Classifieds

By Willie McGuire


Exotic animal classifieds refers to a certain kind of advertising. It has long been the practice for large numbers of small advertisements to appear in newspapers. They are classified, or arranged under heading to assist browsers who are looking for particular items among large numbers of similar things. When animals do not originate from a particular part of the world but are imported into it they are said to be exotic. The word has also acquired a connotation of being exciting, or interesting, as in 'exotic' dancers.

Many people are opposed to this trade on the grounds that it decimates populations of wild animals in certain parts of the world. Unscrupulous poachers will catch small gorillas and sell them without thought for what is happening to a natural environment or for suffering and death imposed on animals in transit.

Opposed to this scenario is the view that species can be saved from extinction when they are exported to zoos in other countries and used in breeding programs. Many breeds of dogs and cats, for example, are exotic but that does not seem to bother the anti-exotics lobby.

In fact the trade has been going on for centuries. English pheasants were left behind after the Roman conquerors abandoned the island and Fries land cattle from the Netherlands supply milk more economically than most indigenous breeds around the world. Such facts must temper some of the objections from opponents of the trade.

In recent decades the movement of people from the country into cities has accelerated across the world. Urbanization implies less living space and traditional pets like dogs need to run and enjoy wild scents. Smaller creatures like hedgehogs, pot bellied pigs and sugar gliders might actually be happier within the confines of a city condo or apartment. They may also eat less.

Sugar gliders seem to be fashionable as pets. Being social animals with character they can become fascinating companions for city dwellers who can rest assured that they will be happy to be left together as pairs during much of the day and provide companionship and fun for owners withing the confines of a city dwelling. Such suitable pets can be found in exotic animal classifieds.




About the Author:



No comments: