Exotic Animal Species Kept In The UK


Exotic animals are rare or unusual animals kept in captivity, either in public or private collections, such as in animal care colleges, children's zoos, animal encounter companies or in private homes. These animals are not native to the UK and if found in the wild, must be returned to both protect native ecosystems and the animal involved.

Below you will find alist of over 50 different exotic animal species kept in captivity in the UK. 
 

AFRICAN GREY PARROT


Latin Name: Psittacus Erithacus
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Lowland Forests
Diet: Frugivorous Herbivore
Size: (head to tail) 33 cm
Weight :(adult) 300 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: High

AFRICAN PYGMY HEDGEHOG


Latin Name: Atelerix Albiventris
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Savannah & Dry Grassland
Diet: Omnivorous Insectivore
Size: (head to tail) 15-25 cm
Weight: (adult) 300-500 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Low

ALPACA


Latin Name: Lama Pacos
Origin: South America
Habitat: Mountain Plateau
Diet: Herbivore
Size: (height) 80-100 cm
Weight: (adult) 50-80 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Low

SILVER FOX (NORTH AMERICAN RED FOX)


Latin Name: Vulpes Vulpes Fulvus
Origin: North America
Habitat: Forests, Woodland, Mountains & Grassland
Diet: Omnivorous Carnivore
Size: (height) 30-50 cm
Weight: (adult) 2.2-14 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: High

ARCTIC FOX



Latin Name: Vulpes Lagopus (Previously Alopex.)
Origin: Northern Hemisphere
Habitat: Arctic Tundra
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (height) 15-25 cm
Weight: (adult) 2-8 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

BALD EAGLE



Latin Name: Haliaeetus Leucocephalus
Origin: North America
Habitat: Wetland, Forest & Arctic Tundra
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (head to tail) 35-37 cm (wingspan) 1.8-2.3 m
Weight (adult): 3-6 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: High

ROYAL PYTHON (BALL PYTHON)



Latin Name: Python Regius
Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Grassland, Savannah & Open Woodland
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (length) 3-5 ft
Weight: (adult) 300 g - 1.5 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Medium

CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON

Latin Name: Pogona Vitticeps
Origin: Australia
Habitat: Semi-Arid Woodland & Rocky Desert  
Diet: Omniverous Insectivore
Size: (length) 60 cm
Weight: (adult) 500 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Low

BINTURONG (BEARCAT)



Latin Name: Arctictis Binturong
Origin: South & South East Asia
Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
Diet: Omnivorous Carnivore
Size: (Head to tail) 71-84 cm
Weight: (adult female) 11-32 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

MACAW (BLUE & GOLD OR SCARLET)


Latin Name: Ara Ararauna or Ara Macao
Origin: Central & North America
Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
Diet: Frugivorous Herbivore
Size: (head to tail) 75-80 cm
Weight: (adult) 900 g - 1.5 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: Medium

BURMESE PYTHON



Latin Name: Python Bivittatus
Origin: South & South East Asia
Habitat: Rainforest & Tropical Grassland
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (Head to tail) 16 ft
Weight: (adult) 90 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: Low

CALIFORNIA KING SNAKE


Latin Name: Lampropeltis getula
Origin: Western United States & Northern Mexico
Habitat: Desert Grassland
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (length) 3-6 ft
Weight: (adult) 1.8 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: High

CAPUCHIN MONKEY



Latin Name: Cubus Capucinus
Origin: Central America
Habitat: Forest & Rainforest
Diet: Omnivorous Frugivore
Size: (height) 40-45 cm
Weight: (adult) 2-4 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

CHINESE WATER DRAGON



Latin Name: Physignathus cocincinus
Origin: China & South East Asia
Habitat: Forest Regions (near freshwater)
Diet: Omnivorous Insectivore
Size (length): 60-80 cm
Weight (adult): 400-800 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Low

CHIPMUNK




Latin Name: Tamias Striatus & Eutamias Sibiricus
Origin: North America, Siberia & Asia
Habitat: Deciduous Forest & Woodland
Diet: Herbivorous Omnivore
Size: (head to tail) 18-22 cm
Weight: (adult) 30-50 g
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: High

COATIMUNDI



Latin Name: Nasua Nasua
Origin: South America
Habitat: Tropical & Sub-Tropical Rainforest
Diet: Omnivorous Insectivor
Size: (head to tail) 85-113 cm
Weight: (adult) 2-7.2 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: High

CORN SNAKE



Latin Name: Pantherophis Guttatus
Origin: North America
Habitat: Grassland & Open Forest
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (length) 76-102 cm
Weight (adult): 800-900 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Medium

DWARF CROCODILE


Latin Name: Osteolaemus Tetraspis
Origin: Western & Central Africa
Habitat: Rainforest Swamps & Pools
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (length) 1.7-1.9 m
Weight: (adult) 18-32 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

DWARF MONGOOSE


Latin Name: Helogale Parvula
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Dry Grassland & Open Forest
Diet: Omnivorous Carnivore
Size: (length) 18-28 cm
Weight: (adult) 210-350 g
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: High

FENNEC FOX



Latin Name: Vulpes Zerda
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Desert & Savannah
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (height) 20 cm
Weight: (adult) 600 g - 1.5 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

GAMBIAN POUCHED RAT


Latin Name: Cricetomys Gambianus
Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Savannah & Desert Grassland
Diet: Omnivore
Size: (length) 65-90 cm
Weight: (adult) 1-1.5 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Medium

COMMON GENET


Latin Name: Genetta Genetta
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Savannah, Woodland & Forest
Diet: Omnivorous Carnivore
Size: (head to tail) 43-55 cm
Weight: (adult) 1.5-2 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: High

GREEN IGUANA


Latin Name: Iguana Iguana
Origin: Central & South America, & the Caribbean
Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
Diet: Omnivorous Herbivores
Size: (length) 1.5-2 m
Weight: (adult) 6-8 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Low

HARRIS HAWK


Latin Name: Parabuteo Unicinctus
Origin: South Western & South America
Habitat: Desert & Dry Grassland
Diet: Carnivore
Size (height) 46-76 cm (wingspan) 100-120 cm
Weight (adult) 700 g - 1 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: High

KINKAJOU (HONEY BEAR)



Latin Name: Potos Flavus
Origin: Central & South America
Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
Diet: Frugivorous Omnivore (primarily a carnivore)
Size: (head to tail) 43-56 cm
Weight: (adult) 1-3 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

RING-TAILED LEMUR



Latin Name: Lemur Catta
Origin: Madagascar
Habitat: Forests & Dry Scrubland
Diet: Frugivorous Herbivore
Size: (height) 40-45 cm
Weight: (adult) 2-2.5 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

LLAMA




Latin Name: Llama Glama
Origin: South America
Habitat: Mountain Plateau
Diet: Herbivore
Size: (height) 1.7-1.8 m
Weight: (adult) 130-200 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Low

LEOPARD GECKO



Latin Name: Eublepharis Macularius
Origin: Asia
Habitat: Desert & Rocky Dry Grassland
Diet: Insectivore
Size: (length) 20-27 cm
Weight: (adult) 45-65 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Medium

MARA (PATAGONIAN CAVY)

Latin Name: Dolichotis Patagonum
Origin: South America
Habitat: Patagonian Steppe, Open Grassland
Diet: Herbivore
Size: (height) 45 cm (length) 69-75 cm
Weight: (adult) 9-16 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: Low

COMMON MARMOSET


Latin Name: Callithrix Jacchus
Origin: Brazil
Habitat: Secondary & Disturbed Forest
Diet: Frugivorous Omnivore
Size: (height) 18-19 cm
Weight: (adult)
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

MEERKAT



Latin Name: Suricata Suricatta
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Desert & Semi Desert Grassland
Diet: Omnivore
Size: (head to tail) 25-30 cm
Weight: (adult) 700-800 g
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Medium

MANGROVE MONITOR


Latin Name: Veranus Indicus
Origin: Northern Australia & New Guinea 
Habitat: Damp Forest & Mangrove Swamps
Diet: Carnivorous Omnivore
Size: (length) 3.5-4 ft
Weight: (adult) 500g - 1.5 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: Low

VIRGINIA OPOSSUM


Latin Name: Didelphis Virginiana
Origin: America
Habitat: Moist Woodland & Swamps
Diet: Omnivore
Size: (length) 35-94 cm
Weight: (adult) 4-6 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

EAGLE OWL




Latin Name: Bubo bubo
Origin: Europe & Asia
Habitat: Mountain Areas, Coniferous Forests  & Steppes
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (height) 56-57 cm (wingspan) 131-188 cm
Weight: (adult) 
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: High

ASIAN PALM CIVET (MUSANG)



Latin Name: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Origin: South & South East Asia
Habitat: Temperate and Tropical Forests
Diet: Omnivorous Frugivore
Size: (head to tail) 53 cm (tail) 48 cm
Weight: (adult) 2-5 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: High

PEACOCK (INDIAN PEAFOWL)



Latin Name: Pavo Cristatus
Origin: India & Sri Lanka
Habitat: Moist & Dry Deciduous Forest
Diet: Insectivorous Omnivores
Size: (head to tail) 100-115 cm (tail) 190-220 cm
Weight: (adult) 4-6 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: High

CRESTED PORCUPINE



Latin Name: Hysterix Christata 
Origin: North Africa & Italy
Habitat: Woodland Savannah & Dry, Rocky Grassland
Diet: Omnivorous Herbivore
Size: (head to tail) 60-80 cm
Weight: (adult) 13-27 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Medium

PRAIRIE DOG (BLACK TAILED)


Latin Name: Cynomys Ludovicianus
Origin: North America
Habitat: Grassland & Prairie
Diet: Herbivore
Size: (head to tail) 35-40 cm
Weight: (adult) 700 g - 1.5 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Medium

RACCOON




Latin Name: Procyon Lotor
Origin: North America
Habitat: Deciduous & Mixed Forests
Diet: Omnivore
Size: (height) 20-30 cm
Weight: (adult) 3.5-9 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: High

RACCOON DOG (TANUKI)


Latin Name: Nyctereutes Procyonoides
Origin: East Asia
Habitat: Forest, Coastal & Sub-Alpine Regions
Diet: Omnivore
Size: (height) 50-68 cm
Weight: (adult) 3-5 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: High

COMMON RAVEN



Latin Name: Corvus Corax
Origin: Northern Hemisphere
Habitat: Forests, Grasslands, Desert & Arctic Tundra
Diet: Omnivore
Size: (Height) 60-65 cm (Wingspan) 115-130 cm
Weight (adult): 600 g - 2 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Medium

GREATER RHEA



Latin Name: Rhea Americana
Origin: South America
Habitat: Grassland, Savannah and Desert
Diet: Herbivorous Omnivore
Size: (height) 100-150 cm (wingspan) 1.5 m
Weight: (adult) 20-25 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: High

SACRED IBIS



Latin Name: Threskiornis Aethiopicus
Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Freshwater Wetlands
Diet: Omnivorous Insectivore
Size: (height) 68 cm
Weight: (adult)
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: High

SERVAL & SAVANNAH CATS


Latin Name: Leptailurus Serval (Serval), Felis Catus x L. Serval (Savannah Cat)
Origin: Africa
Habitat: Savannah and Grassland
Diet: Carnivore
Size: (height) 55-65 cm (head to tail) 60-90 cm
Weight: (adult) 7-18 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Medium

SQUIRREL MONKEY


Latin Name: Saimiri Sciureus
Origin: Central & South America
Habitat: Rainforests, Mangrove Forests & Wetlands
Diet: Frugivorous & Insectivorous
Size: (height) 25-35 cm
Weight: (adult) 700 g - 1 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Medium

STRIPED SKUNK



Latin Name: Mephitis Mephitis
Origin: North America
Habitat: Woodland, Forest & Grassland
Diet: Insectivorous Omnivore
Size: (head to tail) 55-78 cm
Weight: (adult) 1.8-4.5 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: High

SUGAR GLIDER



Latin Name: Petaurus Breviceps
Origin: Australia
Habitat: Rainforest, Eucalyptus & Acacia Forest
Diet: Insectivorous Omnivore
Size: (length) 25-30 cm
Weight: (adult) 115-140 g
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: Medium

LESSER HEDGEHOG TENREC

Latin Name: Echinops telfairi
Origin: Madagascar
Habitat: Dry Forest, Coastal Regions and Semi-Desert
Diet: Omnivorous Inesctivore
Size: (head to tail) 12-15 cm
Weight: (adult) 200 g
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: Low

THREE BANDED ARMADILLO



Latin Name: Tolypuetes matacus
Origin: Brazil
Habitat: Open Savannah & Dry Woodland
Diet: Insectivore
Size: (head to tail) 22-27 cm
Weight: (adult) 1-1.6 kg
Captive Population: Low
Escape Rate: Low

RED NECKED OR BENNETT'S WALLABY


Latin Name: Macropus Rufogriseus
Origin: Eastern Australia
Habitat: Coastal Heathland & Eucalyptus Forest
Diet: Herbivore
Size: (head to tail) 70-90 cm (tail) 70-80 cm
Weight: (adult) 10-25 kg
Captive Population: High
Escape Rate: High

WOLFDOGS OR WOLF HYBRID



Latin Name: Canis Lupus Familliaris x Canis Lupus
Origin: North America, Europe & Asia
Habitat: Tundra, Woodland, Forest, Desert & Grassland
Diet: Omivorous Carnivore
Size: (height) 70-85 cm
Weight: (adult) 20-80 kg
Captive Population: Medium
Escape Rate: Medium