exotic animal care

Exotic animal care is the specialized husbandry and medical attention required for non-domestic species kept as pets or in captivity—reptiles, birds, small mammals, and other animals outside the typical cat-and-dog range.

The field covers diet, habitat, veterinary needs, and legal requirements that vary by species: She studied exotic animal care before getting her first parrot.

Exotic animal care demands research, as these species often have precise environmental and nutritional needs that differ dramatically from conventional pets.