Exotic pet

An exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal pet, or an animal kept within human households which is generally thought of as a wild species not typically kept as a pet.

Definition

Commonly, the definition is an evolving one; some rodents, reptiles, and amphibians have become firmly enough established in the world of animal fancy to no longer be considered exotic. Sometimes any unique or wild-looking pet (including common domestic animals such as the ferret and the fancy rat) is called an exotic pet.

Specifically, "Exotic" refers to a species which is not native or indigenous to the owner's locale; and "pet" is a companion animal living with people.However, many misuse the term to include native species as well. Therefore, the American College of Zoological Medicine has defined the group as "zoological companion animals".

Legally, the definition is subject to local jurisdiction, but is defined federally in the US, in part: "[An animal] ...that is native to a foreign country or of foreign origin or character, is not native to the United States, or was introduced from abroad." However, "[The term pet] ...excludes exotic animals and wild animals."