#1 is it poisonous, and if it is, is there anti-venom available. I knew a guy with very beautiful, very poisonous frogs. His girlfriend would get furious when one would escape, she would not walk in his apartment until he found it.

But some other important things to consider.
-is it legal to have in your state? or in your city? Cities are only particular usually when it comes to size. But states are concerned with the indigenous wildlife and what would happen if it got loose.

-how much data is there on the animal? diet, proper environment, what if it were to get sick? Can you take it to the vet? You spend $$$ on an exotic pet that dies in a month and you have no idea why??!?

-How big does it get? One big problem we have here in South florida is all the boa constrictors, which are not indigenous to here. People let their pets go in the wild when their snakes get too big for their apartment and now they're ruining the ecology of the Everglades.

-How long does it live?

-How reputable is the seller? Wild animals do not domesticate well. You need something that's been in captivity for a few generations. Also, are they coming in to the US illegally? Are their facilities healthy?

ADOPTION! Thousands of pets are homeless and in shelters or rescues and being euthanized daily. Maybe no tarantulas, but ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils and other pets are "gotten rid of" all the time! This happens because parents think children will take care of a pet, despite that they're children and just learning what life is about. Getting rid of a pet because a child won't care for it is the opposite of responsibility! Also, most of these pets are misunderstood. Find a rescue that is dedicated to saving the animal that interests you. Research its life span, cost of vet care, if you have a vet near you who can truly care for it and does on a regular basis. Make sure you're willing to commit to that animals lifetime and not just until you grow tired of having the extra responsibility. For more information about rabbits, visit www.rabbit.org. For other pets, send me an email at deana@rascallyrabbitrescue.org, as we also rescue gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, etc and I know of quite a few resources and rescue volunteers.

Please be responsible and thank you for researching before you commit to caring for a pets Every need for Its lifetime!

-Director of Rascally Rabbit Rescue and Criter Haven of Arizona, Inc
www.rascallyrabbitrescue.org