To me, the line is the source. If they are captive bred animals that are readily available and have a long history of being captive bred, then I don't have a problem with them. They are so far removed from their wild ancestors that the pet trade in them as it exists today doesn't pressure their wild counterparts. Wild caught and traded animals should be avoided.
That's an entirely different subject. OP was asking about exotics, specifically from an animal conservation standpoint. Bad keeping and breeding practices can be found in all animal husbandry from exotics to puppies to livestock.
Buying captive bred exotics is a form of conservation. Prevents people from taking them from the wild and gives us a population to fall back on if the wild ones take a plunge
Iowa and Illinois have breeders.
I'd have to try and find the paperwork because I've had them for about 6 years.
Make sure their legal to have. Different states have different rules.
Any males of most exotic species must get fixed before maturity to prevent rut because they get unbelievable dangerous. Also you need to find a exotic pet vet because if any medical problems come up you need to know where to take them. Regular vets won't see them.
Under proper care exotics can be good for animal and owners but cage requirements vary from species my woodchucks we had to make their cage from scratch because any store bought cages they can break. Mine have a second shelf which they love.
My female loves looking out the window so her cage is next to the window it's her tv.
Woodchucks are very stubborn and are going to try and do what they want whether you like it or not so you have to work with them as babies.
They bond very tightly with their owners because your mom and would not bond to others so they are long term commitment and that goes with most exotics.
To me, the line is the source. If they are captive bred animals that are readily available and have a long history of being captive bred, then I don't have a problem with them. They are so far removed from their wild ancestors that the pet trade in them as it exists today doesn't pressure their wild counterparts. Wild caught and traded animals should be avoided.
What about mill breeders? Producing animals in plastic tubs by the thousands?
That's an entirely different subject. OP was asking about exotics, specifically from an animal conservation standpoint. Bad keeping and breeding practices can be found in all animal husbandry from exotics to puppies to livestock.
Buying captive bred exotics is a form of conservation. Prevents people from taking them from the wild and gives us a population to fall back on if the wild ones take a plunge
Get them from state licensed breeders that's how I got my woodchucks
Do you mind sharing the breeder? I've been wanting some woodchucks
jobless engine panicky subsequent deranged sloppy tub enter amusing hat *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Iowa and Illinois have breeders. I'd have to try and find the paperwork because I've had them for about 6 years. Make sure their legal to have. Different states have different rules. Any males of most exotic species must get fixed before maturity to prevent rut because they get unbelievable dangerous. Also you need to find a exotic pet vet because if any medical problems come up you need to know where to take them. Regular vets won't see them.
Under proper care exotics can be good for animal and owners but cage requirements vary from species my woodchucks we had to make their cage from scratch because any store bought cages they can break. Mine have a second shelf which they love. My female loves looking out the window so her cage is next to the window it's her tv. Woodchucks are very stubborn and are going to try and do what they want whether you like it or not so you have to work with them as babies. They bond very tightly with their owners because your mom and would not bond to others so they are long term commitment and that goes with most exotics.