Animals are a great addition to any family. Dogs and cats can be a big responsibility, and some pet-owners might want to start small. You can find a great selection of small pets for sale to suit your financial needs and busy schedule. Smaller animals require less maintenance and generally cost less over time, but they can still bring joy to everyone. Getting a pet is also an amazing way to inspire your children to learn about different types of animals including turtles, birds and snakes.

Turtles

Turtles are beautiful aquatic and land-based creatures. Although turtles are generally low maintenance animals, there are some things to keep in mind. They need a large glass tank called a terrarium habitat, with space to climb and swim as well as ample light, warmth and hiding places. Turtles are omnivores and enjoy a diet that includes insects, such as crickets and mealworms, leafy greens and prepared turtle pellets. Turtles are a more unique option and may require you to look outside the small pets for sale aisle at the pet store.

Snakes

Having a snake as a pet is an acquired taste. If you’re trying to determine whether a snake is the right pet for you, consider these few facts. Snakes are great at escaping, so you’ll need to ensure you can secure an escape-proof tank. They can live for a very long time, in some cases up to twenty years, so make sure you’re ready for the commitment. Snakes also require either live prey or heated pre-frozen prey. Make sure you’re up for this unique feeding method and devoting space in your freezer for rodents before choosing a snake. Lastly, for everyone’s safety, don’t select a venomous or constricting snake.

Fish

Fish are the ultimate low maintenance pets, yet they’re beautiful and add great atmosphere to any room. There’s an extremely wide range of fish to choose from varying in size, shape and color. You can even buy fish that glow in the dark. Like any small pet tank, fish tanks need regular cleaning and a functional filtering system. While the materials to set up a tank might be expensive up front, a fish’s diet is cheap and you won’t need to make any other expensive purchases.

Birds

Birds are exotic and intelligent. It’s no wonder they make great additions to families. However, it’s important to do your research before adopting a bird. If you’re a first-time bird owner, start small. The larger the bird, the bigger the responsibility. Some birds also require special diets which may be costly. Lastly, determine the amount of time you’ll be able to interact with your bird outside the cage. This amount of time will help you decide the type of bird based on its independence.

Doing the research to find what animal meets your needs and desires is the first step to finding a lasting companion to bring home. Once you know your match, visit the small pets for sale aisle in the pet store.