Choosing a Pet: Captive VS Wild Caught

When you’re browsing the Puppies for Sale through the pet store window, chances are very slim that the puppy you set your eyes on was plucked from its natural habitat in the forests of South America, and shoved in a box with hundreds of other puppies, then shipped to a pet store near you.

In fact, that example is completely outrageous.

Cats and dogs, however, aren’t the only animals that find their way into the hearts of pet lovers today. Reptiles, small mammals, and birds have become increasingly popular pets throughout the past decade. Many of these animals offer relationships that are just as rewarding as those of more conventional pets. They can adapt to life around humans, show affection, and some can even learn tricks! One thing that often goes unnoticed is where these exotic pets come from.

Each year, thousands of exotics are imported from their native countries and shipped wholesale to pet shops. First off, this affects the wild population of the species and in time can cause a large impact in their numbers. And the number of adult species directly affects the amount of offspring that are produced in the wild each year. Nature depends upon survival of the fittest, and when the fittest survive to adulthood, humans come by and snatch them out of their ecosystem. In turn, we’re leaving a smaller gene pool, and a much higher chance of genetic mishaps.

It’s fair to say that keeping an animal in a cage is a substantially different life than it would lead in its natural environment. Along with this, there are many problems that can arise from wild caught animals. Many carry diseases or illnesses that will only become present after being housed in captivity for an extended period of time. Others seem to just “stress out” and cannot cope with the captive life. They will become so stressed that they will refuse food and eventually die.

Captives, on the other hand, have a lot going for them. First of all, they are produced by breeders who have hand-picked the animals they choose to breed. Those chosen usually show positive feedback towards the captive lifestyle, show no signs of illness, and may have a docile disposition. All are characteristics that are considered favorable to pet owners.

Captive bred animals are by far the better choice for people interested in keeping them. Although they may be a little more expensive than their wild caught counterparts, the benefits of owning a captive animal are great.