What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?

I have a dog and a guinea pig … I love them because I can give them affection (ie petting, cuddling), because that is their nature. Also, mammals give feedback that they recognize you, and both my pets are “happy” to see me (yes, I know, happy because I feed them, really!). I don’t think I would enjoy having a reptile for this reason. I am interested in why a pet like a snake or a lizard is appealing to you?



I am not trying to be judgmental … I am just curious!What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?Emotional bonding. Generally, that's the draw, the motivation for almost everyone to have a pet.



Reptiles, birds, fish, arachnids... all demonstrate a capacity for emotional bonding. I used to have a python that loved to coil up on my tummy when I was laying down [watching tv, or napping] and rest her head on my solar plexus. We had an emotional bond and that's one way she liked expressing her affection for me. Birds who like to ride on their owners' shoulders or heads, tarantulas that like to rest on certain parts of their owners; a pet/parent relationship such creatures is very much like the communication mammalian pet owners share with their charges, perhaps the primary dif for the latter being the common denominator of the mammalian brain. The only thing that never made sense to me insofar as pets are concerned was that pet rock craze in the '70's - THAT was STRANGE... and hundreds of 1000's of American consumers bought into it! -- spending hard earned dollars on stones in cardstock boxes, with or without cute faces applied to them. Where's the emotional bonding in that?; can there be that many stone, cold people out there? [No need to answer those questions. :) Btw, I've no pets now, but I do have some great rocks! They're quiet, unobtrusive - you almost wouldn't even know they're there. lol...]



Stay positively curious!What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?
theyre easier to care for and way cheaper when taken to the vet. and u dont have to have them on a leash whenever u take them somewhere...i have even taken my ball python to the grocery store with me...she snuggled in my hoodie pocket the whole entire time. and u dont have to worry about potty training them...and they dont smell bad. they dont s*** all over the house or in the yard...they do all that in their cage...and theyre prettier...they can b very colorful. o and they CAN form an emotional bond with humans...my ball python did...shes like a dog - greets me by coming out from hiding when ive been away for a few days and even gives me kisses! she'll lick tears off my cheeks if i am crying...What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?Well they are quiet, they don't smell(most of the time), they require less food, and they don't shed hair(they shed skin but I've seen them eat it plenty of times). Of course there is also the bond that you can form with the exotic creatures, I've had plenty of reptiles in the my life and they all had personality as well as recognizing me.What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?
They are quiet , feel wonderful in your hands , they do not usually care if you spend much time with them so you can decide how much handling you want to do , snakes do not need to be feed every day , they do not poop every day , snakes are easier to leave while going on vacation , many snakes are nocturnal so they are up when I am .I have over 20 years experience with many reptiles and snakes . My children grew up with them and they can be very educational . Reptiles can not form an emotional bond with someone , they do not have the mentality to do so, but we humans do get attached to them .Reptiles and tarantulas like warm , dark places but could careless if they have any human interaction .What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?lizzards ,snakes ,tuettles ,and gators/ crocdiles are interesting 2 me because the way they live where they live,move, eat are diffrently than most other animals.even though i love reptiles the most i love all animals even insects and spiders
I love owning turtles/tortoises. They all have their own unique personalities and they do come to recognize you. depending on how much you handle them too, especially if you start out when they are very young, depends on how friendly they are (i.e. not afraid). my leopard tortoise has gained all kinds of personality over the few years ive had him and has become much less afraid of ppl as he's gotten used to them. he used to be extremely shy. my first turtle, my yellow belly totally recognizes me and my voice, even though there have been many years where she didnt see me on and off for months due to me moving around so much and other ppl having to take her for me. i can pick her up and hold her without her squirming to get down, and she will listen to me as i talk to her. looks right at meand turns her head to listen, etc. plus, i love how unique of an animal turtles/tortoises are. i think they are really beautiful, and its also peaceful watching the water ones swim around.

i also have two greyhounds who i love to death. ive always been a dog person, but i love my turts just as much. :)What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?
GREAT QUESTION!



Actually, I have reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals. I have had amphibians too. A snake or gecko will never treat you like your puppy will, but the beauty is in how different they are. They all express affection in different ways, and are receptive to your attention. It is flattering to have them come out of the hides for their food for you.



And they can be soooo funny too! Like my turtle Suki, she gets overexcited and there I have to open her tank to turn her right side up!



I guess it is all in the love of animals!
What everyone else has been saying is very true. I own a bearded dragon and she tries to get out of her cage when i get home from class. I give her baths, let her sit in my lap and I pet her, and sometimes she'll cuddle her nose into my shirt and sleep during a movie. They all can be VERY affectionate and you definitly form a trust. My lizard will never be as smart as my dog, but they both recognize me and trust me.What is the appeal of non-mammalian pets?
lizards an d snakes can also recognize there owners i had an iguana and no one but me could handle him other people he would tail whip and bite. same thing with my bearded dragon. and my ball python is gettting to the point where when she sees me she tries to get out of the tank so i have to handle her thank god for cage screen locks. i also have furry animals i have a ferret a hamster and gerbils.



i also have 3 birds and fish.



and on the note with reptiles they can be a joy to keep and maintain if you really get into it i have a live plant tanks set up for each of my lizards.
I love my tarantulas. For me, it's about science. I enjoy setting up the terrarium just like their natural habitat and seeing them thrive. They come in such different colors and patterns.

Of course, you can't play with them and cuddle like you would with a dog or a cat. The other thing with my tarantulas is that most of the ones I have are burrowing species. So, I only see them very occasionally as they only come out of their burrows at night. It's like being on a nature hike every night wondering which one you're going to see.
there awesome ok just get 1 youll see and they are just as affecionate as mammals if you treat them the same.
reptilians have a beauty that not all animals have, when ever i am in need of calming down i just hold my line snake, she is really beautiful! here is a picture n.n http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/images/nv31.jpg

not of her but of her species