Exotic Pets and the Perils of Keeping Them
Exotic pets are becoming ever more popular. Why go with boring old cats and dogs when you can have a snake, iguana or lizard, a stag beetle or tarantula, or at least a marmoset. While most of them make comparatively dull pets, especially the cold-blooded or invertebrate creatures, they offer a chance to observe exotic nature at close quarters and impress your friends. But before 'going exotic,' take a close look at the dangers.
The bite of scorpions or tarantulas, for instance, is no laughing matter. There are no statistics for Korea, but in the U.S., some 4 million people every year come down with complaints caused by animals. "It is important to take care of pet hygiene including cleaning up the place where they are kept. People who keep them also need to be careful of their personal hygiene so they don't hurt themselves unintentionally," says Prof. Shin Nam-sik of Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Reptiles
Snakes, turtles, iguanas and lizards are prone to carrying germs like salmonella, staphylococcus or Campylobacter, which is usually found in their excrement.
Insects
A tarantula, centipede or scorpion may be attractive for the frisson of danger it creates, but remember that the danger is real. While Rosehair tarantulas have mild poison, ornamental or cobalt blue tarantulas have strong poison and pose a great danger. Their hair can worsen symptoms of people with allergies. When it comes to centipedes and scorpions, it is mostly those with mild poison that are imported, but they can still pose a danger to people with a weak immune system.
Mammals
The ferret, marmoset, monkey, hamster, guinea pig and other warm-blooded furry friends are relatively safe compared to other exotics, but Cryptosporidium, a parasite, is frequently found in their excretions. Cryptosporidium multiplies very fast, and in people it causes diarrhea. People whose immunity is weakened by pregnancy or old age should be especially careful.
Birds
Parrots, canaries and the like, of course, molt. That is bad news for people with weak bronchial tubes or lungs. Parrot disease, a famous infectious disease which both people and animal come down with, is caused by a virus carried by pigeons and canaries as well as parrots themselves. And then there is bird flu, which does not stop at chickens and ducks and which may yet kill billions of humans, if some experts are to be believed.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
