Home › Rankings › Rewarding pets for experienced keepers

1. 1
   African grey parrot

   An African parrot famous for its intelligence and talking ability. Listed on CITES Appendix I since 2017, it requires proper paperwork and a commitment of several decades.
   Difficulty 5/5
2. 2
   Mini pig

   Clever and affectionate, but despite the name, adult 'mini' pigs commonly weigh dozens of kilograms. Space, noise and livestock rules all need careful thought.
   Difficulty 5/5
3. 3
   Green iguana

   A large plant-eating lizard from Central and South American forests that can top 1.5 m with its tail. Sold cheaply as hatchlings, it is really an expert-level pet needing room-sized housing.
   Difficulty 5/5
4. 4
   Ferret

   Curious, playful members of the weasel family that bond strongly with people. They need a high-protein meat diet, hours of play daily, and tolerance for a musky smell.
   Difficulty 4/5
5. 5
   Sugar Glider

   A tiny gliding marsupial from Australia and New Guinea that sails between branches on a furred membrane. Nocturnal, colony-minded and fussy about diet, it rewards owners who can commit real evening time.
   Difficulty 4/5
6. 6
   Chinchilla

   Andean rodents with the densest fur of any land mammal, chinchillas can live past 15. They overheat easily, so summer air conditioning and regular dust baths are non-negotiable.
   Difficulty 4/5
7. 7
   Dog

   Humanity's oldest animal companion, loyal and deeply social. In return a dog asks for daily walks, consistent training and well over a decade of commitment.
   Difficulty 3/5
8. 8
   Sun conure

   A medium parrot loved for its blazing yellow and orange plumage and cuddly personality. Its call is extremely loud, which matters a great deal in shared housing.
   Difficulty 3/5
9. 9
   Aquatic Turtles

   Musk, mud and cooter turtles spend most of their time in water but bask on land. They live for decades, some grow large, and every one needs strong filtration, heat and UVB.
   Difficulty 3/5
10. 10
    Bearded Dragon

    An Australian lizard that puffs out and darkens its spiny throat pouch. Bearded dragons bond well with people, but they demand a large enclosure, strong UVB and a hot basking spot.
    Difficulty 3/5