Fighting to keep wild animals where they belong - in the wild
Wildlife. Not pets.
Our houses are no home for a wild animal. Yet, hundreds of thousands of wild animals are suffering right here in the UK, because of the 'exotic pet' trade. Help us tackle it.
Our houses are no home for a wild animal. Yet, hundreds of thousands of wild animals are suffering right here in the UK, because of the 'exotic pet' trade. Help us tackle it.
No wild animal can have its needs entirely met when kept as a pet
Ball pythons, bearded dragons, African grey parrots, macaws, sugar gliders, African pygmy hedgehogs - even crocodiles, marmosets and wild cats - these are just some of the species suffering in the UK because they are kept as pets.
Pets like cats and dogs are domesticated. Through generations of breeding by humans for thousands of years, they’ve become comfortable in our homes.
Wild animals aren’t domesticated, even when bred in captivity. Wild animals have complex behavioural, social and physiological needs which make them unsuitable to be kept in domestic environments. Their home is the wild where they can thrive. Outside their natural habitat they suffer.
Sugar glider
African grey parrot
Ball python
Sugar glider
- A sugar glider’s home range is 3.5 – 4.6 hectares; they can glide up to 45 meters between trees.
- They are highly social and live in groups of up to 12 individuals with a dominant male.
- They are nocturnal, highly vocal and scent mark.
- In captivity, a lack of exercise and boredom can lead to behavioural problems such as overgrooming, fur loss, pacing.
- Sugar gliders are easily disturbed and prolonged stress can make them prone to health problems.
- Inadequate diets can lead to obesity and metabolic bone disease.
African grey parrot
- African grey parrots have a lifespan of up to 60 years.
- African grey parrots live in large family groups and nest in flocks of thousands of birds. They pair bonds for life.
- They are highly intelligent animals that require constant stimulation. In the wild they fly many miles every day.
- In captivity, lack of exercise and boredom leads to them showing behavioural problems linked to stress, such as feather-plucking and shrieking.
- They strongly pair bond with their with owners but can be aggressive to others. Rehoming can cause them great emotional trauma.
- Common health problems are linked to poor diet.
- Natural foraging behaviour can mean they are very destructive in home environments.
Ball python
- Ball python’s have highly specific environmental needs related to temperature, humidity and UVB light that are challenging to meet.
- Commonly misrepresented in the trade as being a ‘beginner’ reptile that is easy to care for; poor husbandry leads to a range of health problems and premature death.
- Often kept in enclosures too small to fully stretch out and without adequate environmental enrichment. Captive ball pythons often exhibit captivity stress as a result.
- Ball pythons may live 20-30 years in captivity and are frequently sold online as unwanted pets or abandoned.
- Selective breeding for atypical colour and pattern variations has been found to cause genetic disorders, most notably ‘wobble syndrome’ - a condition affecting the nervous system of some ball pythons bred for the so-called 'spider morph' skin pattern.
Wildlife or pet?
How can we tell if an animal is wild? Take the wildlife or pets challenge today and see if you know the difference.
How can we tell if an animal is wild? Take the wildlife or pets challenge today and see if you know the difference.
Exotic pet owners
We know people often purchase exotic pets because they’re animal lovers. Animals bring joy to our lives, so it’s understandable that we’d want them to be part of our home.
We know people often purchase exotic pets because they’re animal lovers. Animals bring joy to our lives, so it’s understandable that we’d want them to be part of our home.
Owners love their pets, but most are unaware of the suffering they endure
We encourage everyone to appreciate and respect wild animals where they belong – in the wild. We should only share our homes with domesticated animals who’ve evolved over thousands of years to be our companions, and whose needs can be completely met as pets. If you already own an exotic pet, find out more information here.
Join our movement
Become a Wildlife Protector by pledging not to buy or replace an exotic pet and help make a difference for wild animals. Sign up below and we’ll keep you updated with our Wildlife. Not pets campaign and how you can help us tackle the exotic pet trade.
