From tarantulas to axolotls: demand for exotic pets has grown during the self-isolation period

Self-isolation made many feel lonely and think about how to fix it. The demand for cats and dogs has grown worldwide. However, some people have more exotic favorites, according to The Guardian.

According to the website pets4homes.co.uk, through which people in the UK buy and sell pets, the demand for parrots has increased dramatically. In 2020, 20,000 birds found a home for themselves, which is 79% more than in 2019. Popular are salamanders, chickens and ghosts, they are also stick insects - large insects that look like sticks or leaves. The demand for quails, ferrets and tarantulas has grown.

On TikTok and Instagram, communities of pet lovers have become active. Some people, after posts about how people "incubate" quail eggs at home with the help of an incubator, got themselves quails. It is especially convenient to handle birds for those who have a garden or courtyard where the birds can walk. According to the owners, after the appearance of quails, life became more fun: the birds are funny, each has its own personality. In addition, with quails, you can forget about buying eggs, and there is always something to treat your neighbors to.

Some have adopted ferrets - and even entire families of rodents. The owners admit that it is not easy to gain the trust of these animals, and the attempts cost them many bitten fingers. On the other hand, a tamed ferret is a wonderful companion that subtly captures the mood of the owners and, by its very presence, provides a kind of psychotherapy.

They give birth to tarantulas: the owners of "fluffy" claim that watching them weave a web or swim in the pool is an extremely exciting experience.

Potential owners are not stopped by the fact that many exotics require careful care. Such are, for example, axolotls, or "water dogs". These are the larvae of some species of amphibians from the amphibian family, similar to a loggerhead newt, from whose muzzle a smile never leaves. Axolotls are very difficult to maintain and require a lot of effort and time - but this is exactly what many are happy to share in self-isolation.

Neophyte owners admit that communicating with animals and caring for them distract from heavy thoughts, give meaning to existence and bring the whole family together in a common cause. The main thing is that this attitude does not disappear when self-isolation is canceled: will the animals turn out to be unnecessary if their owners can finally return to their usual life?