our "pets" - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**kingcrazylegs** · 09-22-2005, 03:46 PM

The back sliding glass door to our apartment faces a faces a lake (silver lake), and so all that is behind our patio is a small bit of grass, tree, and some undergrowth - and then there is the lake. Anyhow, we have sort of "adopted" a pair of squirrels who hang around our back patio and they have become very friendly with us because we feed them penut-butter, berries and such. If we leave the back door open they will even come right up to us sometimes.

Today I was feeding one of them some penut-butter on a spoon and forgot the empty jar near the door...this was the result.

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she cleaned the jar out!

Anybody have any "strange" or uncommon pets?

**omisan** · 09-22-2005, 07:58 PM

Ahahahahhaah.. nice.

At my folks' house, we have a couple of squirrels who are regulars, as well as an abandoned bluejay that we raised from infancy. Once he got bigger, he'd come and taunt the cat, flying around and bonking her on the head. I don't know if it's because the cat's smart enough to recognize him or if she's just lazy, but she'd never kill him like she would the other birds.

**Joker** · 09-22-2005, 08:35 PM

I have a lobster. Really. :D

I bought a 20 gallon tank about 6-7 months ago because I wanted a pet and can't afford the time to have a dog (schedule is too crazy. wouldn't be fair to the pup.). fish seemed to be a decent compromise. Plus I find staring at them to be very relaxing...

I bought the tank and was looking at different fish that were at the store, and saw "Australian Blue Lobsters" for $20. I had to have one. The ability to tell folks that I have a lobster and see their reactions are priceless. I also have some snail, 2 different types of Tetras and some Red-Tailed Sharks, too.

Name the lobster "Zoidberg." :D

Pic of a blue lobster: (not mine)

**kingcrazylegs** · 09-22-2005, 10:03 PM

^ thats so cool

**space virgin** · 09-22-2005, 11:28 PM

I used to have an iguana.

He died though. I was very careful about taking care of him, but unfortunately, some iguanas have a condition that they're born (hatched) with that keeps them from developing fully, and they die after about a year because their bodies can't absorb nutrients from food. It was sad.

danny · 09-23-2005, 01:55 AM

I used to own a pet freshwater croc but he got to big so i had to give him to a croc farm. Also i have a Huntsman spider i saw him yesterday hanging around the bathroom but once again he has vanished. hope he is alright i would hate to roll on him while i am asleep.

One of my mates is also an exotic animal dealer who thinks it is funny to let his carpet python loose in my house.

zero · 09-23-2005, 06:03 AM

I used to have a columbian boa constrictor but the girlfriend took him in the break up. His name was steve, and I had a bunny once.... but not at the same time as steve.....

**bluepea** · 09-23-2005, 07:52 AM

Cute pics KCL.

We had a pet skunk for awhile, but then one day, she ran away.

I have pics around somewhere.

We raised possums once cuz their mom was hit by a car (don't ask why my parents felt the need to stop and check for babies - just the way they are). They're pretty ugly. We let them go on a farm when they were old enough though.

I had a pet rat for a few years, then she died.

Yes, I grew up in the sticks. Jake and I only have two cats and a fish right now. Getting into "normal" pets. Plus, he won't let me get anything cool.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 09-23-2005, 09:49 AM

Years ago I had a Ball Python. However, when my GF (at the time) and I moved in together she wasn't too thrilled so that was the end of that. Oh well, I used to feel bad when I went to the pet store for his weekly feeding and if they were out of rats I had to get a hamster or gerbil. Rats are one thing but to have to throw a cute little fuzzy hamster into the snake cage used to make me feel really bad.

Now I just have a cat. He's a cool dude but he sheds way too much.

**SuDz** · 09-23-2005, 10:18 AM

i used to feed deer every morning at the same time salted apples or apples with peanut butter. Originally I had to put them out and like 30 minutes later I could see them come out from within the house. After a year or so they would come out within about ten feet of me when I was putting them down and eat them while I was there. They even started meeting me atthe same spot at the same time every day. It was cool.

Also I taught a couple foxes how to play fetch. They don't bring it back all the way to me but will come within about the same 10 feet as the deer, drop the tennis ball and when I throw it they wrestle one another for it. Bring it back part way and when I get it they start running to intercept it.

The neighbors all thought I was crazy cause they would see me outside with the deer and foxes all the time, or the occasional rabbit that I would hand feed a carrot that got to know me after a while. My family thought it was odd too.

SuDZ

**bluepea** · 09-23-2005, 02:19 PM

^^ I love living near wilderness!! Even though I'm in Chicago, we're right next a Forest Preserve, which helps keep me sane.

**Joker** · 09-24-2005, 08:19 AM

St Suz of Assisi!! :D

**Joker** · 09-24-2005, 08:19 AM

I meant to say... St. Sudz of Assisi... damn defective D key....

**Joker** · 09-24-2005, 09:24 PM

I get home from work today, and the lobster is sitting in his usual spot in the rock. And in his claws: a headless neon tetra! that little bastard! :D

**ScarlotteDorian** · 09-25-2005, 04:52 PM

yea, what are ya suppose to do when you in a tiny tank all day?

poor little tetra.

hot momma · 09-25-2005, 06:38 PM

Thats so cute. I love animals so much, and that is the same reason I don't have any pets. We are away from home traveling or camping too much to really consider getting a pet.

**Joker** · 09-25-2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScarlotteDorian@Sep 25 2005, 04:52 PM
yea, what are ya suppose to do when you in a tiny tank all day?

poor little tetra.

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Well, I've found that in the 6+ months I've had him, he's gone after two of the tetras now. But they are small, and frankly, thats okay. It would be like feeding a cichlid a live minnow.

But damn, couldn't he just eat the shrimp pellets and be done with it? They're cheaper!:D

**GoKrazy** · 09-26-2005, 09:03 AM

I had an albino rat for a pet when I was younger - she was awesome! As long as the tail and the pink eyes don't freak you out I highly reccommend them as pets. They are REALLY smart too!

The coolest/oddest pet I had was a hedgehog. The poor little guy was found on the side of the road wandering aimlessly and he was just a baby (we figured his mother was run over by a car). We brought him home and took care of him till he got big. We had tons of fun feeding him milk and digging up worms and grubs. There was a lot of mixed emotions when we released him back into the forest. Definately a cool pet - spines and all!

**SuDz** · 09-26-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joker@Sep 24 2005, 11:24 PM
I get home from work today, and the lobster is sitting in his usual spot in the rock. And in his claws: a headless neon tetra! that little bastard! :D

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What do you feed a lobster anyhow? I have been thinking about getting a fishtank myself. I mentioned it to my roomate the other day and he just said "YES!" very excitedly, which is his responce to almost anythihng. He is the easiest kid to live with hehe. I don't think I have ever seen a lobster at the fish store places around here though. Is keeping a salt water tank going hard? Is yours even a salt water tank?

SuDZ

**The Monsignor** · 09-26-2005, 11:12 AM

I'm not certain how unusual she is, but I've got a Macaw, named Cricket!

She grew up with my kids, and used to fight with my son over the toys (he was three, and they had the same taste in toys!)

She staying with friends while I'm here overseas... and boy is she being spoilt!