Do you live in Florida and are looking for a new family pet? When choosing a pet, consider your location and family lifestyle so that it will adapt well to your home. The pets below are unique, thrive in small places, or are great with children. Let’s take a look at them!
Here are our Top Ten Small or Exotic Pets for Florida Families:
1. Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos are native to the Middle East and ideal pets for Florida’s warm climate. However, they will still need a properly established reptile terrarium with substrate, lighting, heat, and accessories. Setting up a basic leopard gecko habitat is easier than you think.
Because of their small size, their habitat doesn’t need to be very big, so they are great apartment pets. Their docile nature and easy care make them a great option for families and those looking for a low-maintenance pet. They typically eat live insects, so consider this if it may make you squeamish.
2. Parakeets (Budgies)
Parakeets are native to Australia, where the weather is warm year-round, similar to Florida. They don’t need much space to thrive, making them a perfect apartment pet. In fact, according to PetMD, the minimum space requirement is just 18” W x 18” D x 18” H. This is for a single bird, so you must adjust the living space if you have more than one.
One of the most appealing aspects of parakeets (also called budgies) is their vibrant colors and beautiful “songs.” They are highly intelligent and may even start to mimic human voices, making them sociable and interactive with the whole family. Check out this video to enjoy budgies singing.
3. Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are wonderful pets for families in Florida. They need a little more space than some other pets, requiring 10.5 square feet or more space, depending on how many you have living in the habitat. Creating the perfect guinea pig habitat is fun; you can move their food and accessories around to keep them active and interested.
These pets love to interact with people. They often jump excitedly when they see people nearby, a habit called “popcorning.” Handling guinea pigs is encouraged. Their gentle and friendly nature means that even children can interact with them with proper training.
4. Rabbits
Rabbits come in a variety of breeds. Some are small, like the Britannia Petite, and others can be as much as 20 pounds, like the Flemish Giant. Choosing the perfect pet rabbit can take some time, but it’s worth researching as each breed has their appearance and personality traits.
Did you know that you can train a rabbit to use a litter box? This makes cleaning up after your pet much more manageable. You may even be able to let them roam about the house without fear of messes. You can also keep rabbits indoors or out so long as they are provided the proper habitat for their location.
5. Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders are another pet that doesn’t mind the Florida heat. They require a particular and controlled diet of sweet foods like fruits and vegetables and a proper habitat setup, so it’s essential to research sugar glider care before adopting. They are very social animals in the wild and do best in pairs when domesticated as pets.
Being nocturnal, it’s essential to let your sugar glider sleep during the day and interact with them in the evenings or at night.
They tend to bond closely with their humans, making them ideal for companionship. Unfortunately, they are small and delicate when handling, so they aren’t the best choice for younger children.
6. Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are an excellent pet for Florida’s climate. They are also easy to care for and are relatively low-cost pets. If you’re trying to teach kids responsible pet care but don’t want the cost and time investment of a cat or dog, this may be the perfect option. Hermit crabs are also unique pets, and they will love showing off to their friends.
A 10-gallon aquarium is typically required for babies and smaller crabs, but you may need to upgrade this as they get bigger. You may need space for a tank of up to 75 gallons when fully grown.
These habitats should include food, water (including fresh and saltwater), and a source of heat, substrate, and hides. Hermits also need friends to thrive in captivity, so be sure to have more than one!
7. Betta Fish
Betta fish are typically housed alone or in small grounds within small tanks, making them ideal for apartments and other small spaces like your desk at work.
Like hermit crabs, betta fish can be a great learning tool for kids. They may also be referred to as Siamese fighting fish.
Many people picture the fish with long, flowing fins and vibrant colors. However, these are typically males, and you should only have one in any fish tank because they tend to fight. Females have shorter fins and less vibrant colors. However, you can keep as many female betta fish in a tank as you’d like.
8. Corn Snakes
Corn snakes perfectly acclimate to Florida’s tropical climate and are an excellent choice for beginner reptile parents. A habitat should have carefully controlled heat and humidity in which they can thrive.
Choosing corn snakes can be challenging as they come in various carefully bred colors and patterns.
Handling a corn snake is more manageable than other reptiles due to their calm nature. They are also non-venomous, so you don’t have to worry about being bitten (which typically won’t happen with proper handling). They eat live or frozen/thawed mice and other rodents based on the snake’s size, so be sure you feel comfortable with this before adopting.
9. Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are unique pets with unique needs. They are popular pets but require time and careful handling to acclimate to humans. This is because hedgehogs are typically solitary creatures. Hedgehogs usually eat insects, plants, and a variety of roots. Your hedgehog’s diet should be as varied when living in your home.
While they are cute and quiet, they are a very rewarding pet.
The minimum space requirements are a 24” x 24” cage with a proper habitat setup. However, more space is always welcome. They are legal to own in Florida but prohibited in some other states, so research before moving somewhere new.
10. Cockatiels
Cockatiels are native to Australia, just like parakeets, but are a bit bigger in size and don’t have as many vibrant colors. However, they also enjoy interactions with their pet parents, are highly intelligent, and can mimic sounds (but you’re more likely to hear them whistling).
Their affectionate nature makes them ideal for families that can provide a lot of interaction.
Feeding your cockatiel primarily consists of formulated pellets easily purchased at a pet store and dark green vegetables like kale, arugula, and spinach. Cages can have a smaller footprint if tall enough with several perches to choose from.
Choosing the Best Small or Exotic Pet for Your Florida Family
Are you looking for a new pet suited to your location and family? These are well-suited to Florida’s warm climate and family lifestyles, offering unique and manageable companionship for households with limited space. Be sure to thoroughly research any pet you consider bringing into your home so you are well prepared and they will thrive in your care.
You can also trust Space Coast Pet Services to help care for your exotic or small pet while you are away with carers experienced in many small animals, reptiles, amphibians, and more! Tell us in the comments what your favorite exotic pet you’ve had is.
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