Britain is a nation of pet lovers, and the money we spend on our pets each year is steadily increasing, according to the Statista.com website. Some of the most common pets in Britain include:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Hamsters
- Rabbits
- Guinea Pigs
If you are keen to get a pat for your home and family but want something different, other options are available. Below are some of the lesser common pets you can consider keeping if you have the time and space available that can make excellent pets for you and your family to enjoy.
Snakes
Snakes are becoming increasingly popular as UK citizens look for more exotic pets to keep at home. There are various snakes you can consider keeping at home, but you need to be careful with some snakes that can hurt your family or other pets. Some snakes are more complicated to care for than others, and you will need to start by getting a suitably sized aquarium for them to stay in, and you will usually need a heat lamp. There are other things you will need, and you will have to do lots of research to prepare your home and ensure you also select a suitable breed of snake.
Lizards
There are also more people keeping lizards as pets in their homes, and there are many types of lizards you can choose to keep. Some popular kinds of lizards you can consider keeping as a pet include:
- Leopard Gecko
- Bearded Dragon
- Tokay Gecko
- Blue Tongued Skink
- Frilled Dragon
Lizards can make an excellent pet, and some are more affectionate than others. Each type of lizard has different requirements, so you will need to research the lizard you want to keep before bringing them home.
Pigeons
There was a time when it was highly popular to keep pigeons at home, and many people would race these homing birds. Unlike other pets you can have, you will need to keep the pigeons outside of your home, so you will need a secure wooden aviary that can help protect them from predators. Some people find the sound of pigeons cooing relaxing, and some birds can be highly affectionate once they get to know you. However, if you are not a fan of pigeons, there are other pets you can consider adopting and taking home with you.
Turtles & Tortoises
Other animals that you can keep in your home are turtles or tortoises. However, you will need a special permit to get a tortoise as a pet, as it is not legal to buy, sell, or trade tortoises in the UK. It is straightforward to get a turtle, and various options are available, and they are relatively easy to take care of them. You can get a suitably sized aquarium for them to live in and provide them with everything they need for a healthy life, including a heat lamp and some water for them to swim in, depending on the breed. As with any other type of pet, do plenty of research before deciding what to get and ensure you have everything you need before bringing them home with you.