Global Q&A: ‘What makes [your exotic animal] a great pet?’

Erick Augusto Vanzio Pola, Itatiba, Brazil (The Epoch Times)

Endearing behavior, company, and ease of care contribute to making a great pet is what Epoch Times reporters from Peru to Australia found when they asked locals:

Iquitos, Peru Elena Pérez, 60, Housewife My monkey, Miky, is very special because it is my only company at home, because my children have moved to Lima. This breed of monkeys was commonly called “white beard.” We named him Miky. I’ve always liked the monkeys more than dogs and cats. Miky is five months; four months ago he was brought from the Cuyana community by my brother. It is very funny and playful, eating from rice, noodles, and meat to insects like spiders and crickets, he also likes jelly and candy. And like every newborn cries when left alone at home.

Itatiba, Brazil Cristina Marques Brunelli, 54, Merchant The cockatiels, if raised from childhood with you, they are like puppies. Children are enchanted with them. I’ve heard reports saying that people have recovered from depression because they had a cockatiel. They recognize my voice and they are given food in their beak until they are able to feed themselves. … Nowadays life is so rushed that it is very good to have the care of an animal.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nasim Yousefi, 18, Promotional Model Well, I love reptiles in the first place. And I like Dayna as a perfect pet, because it’s easy to maintain him and take care of him. He is cute and beautiful; he does not make any trouble of any sort, or noise, and he does not harm me. He is just a great pet!

Ohio, USA Justin Ringle, 30, Rock Band Drummer What makes a Russian tortoise a great pet is the fact that they will out live you; are easy to care for; and are fairly inexpensive to feed. They grow to be about 6–7 inches long, and eat nothing but leafy greens, grass, weeds, and the occasional fruit. The only thing that can become expensive is the heat lamps … to keep the pastures in the enclosure at a constant warm temperature. When buying a tortoise of any kind, many sellers warn that if you want to own a tortoise, it is truly a lifelong decision to own one for the simple fact that they live for 60 plus years.

Zaragoza, Spain Rafael Pascual Bello, 58, Unemployed Well, the dog is a Chihuahua and it has more hair than usual; so in Spain it’s special since you don’t see many. People on the street like him and play with him. For me it’s special since he was born from a couple of Chihuahuas that my brother brought from Mexico. The veterinarian had a problem with Trasto’s parents and his father died; his mother survived, but Trasto and siblings were born by cesarean.

Lund, Sweden Julia, Lenhoff, 42, Dietician A great pet should be easy to handle, pretty independent, doesn’t need/take too much attention and time. My turtle is old; I’ve had her for 23 years. She is from Canton, China, so her name is Cantina. Sometimes she can walk on the floor, and she likes to go after you, so she is very social in a way.

Sunshine Coast, Australia Jaylee (L) and Kalani (R), 6, Students Jaylee: Penny is a silkie chicken. She is kind to other chickens. She even lays eggs and likes to play with the other chickens. I like to feed her, and hold her, and pat her. I love her and she loves me back. Kalani: She is fluffy and we give her feed and we collect her eggs. [We’ve had her since] she was a baby and she is nearly 1. We feed her chicken food and food scraps.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What’s the biggest challenge you face as a teacher” The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.