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Pop Quiz: Leopard Gecko

We just published an exotic pet suitability guide. Can you guess what risk WWF assessed for the leopard gecko?

© David Lawson/WWF-UK

Good try. The correct answer is: Low risk

When you hear the word ''pet,'' you may immediately think of a dog or cat. But exotic pets are challenging that perception as the demand for more unusual animals has boomed in the past 20 years. They have become more accessible and easier to keep with new advances in food and housing.

media and the internet have popularized exotic animals as pets, making them much easier to buy with the press of a button. This means that anyone can purchase an exotic pet without knowing basic information about how to properly care for it, the behavioral or health risks to people and the animals, or where the animals were sourced from. And with lucrative smuggling and illegal sales thriving, it could be that the pet, or its parents, were stolen from the wild.

Check out WWF's new Exotic Pet Suitability Guide to learn more.

Zoologist Adam Britton Guilty Of Bestiality, Animal Abuse And Possessing Child Exploitation Material Charges

A renowned zoologist has pleaded guilty to dozens of sickening charges including animal cruelty, bestiality and possession of child exploitation material.

Darwin crocodile expert Adam Robert Corden Britton, 52, was unmasked as the serial animal abuser in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Monday.

His name had previously been suppressed from the public due to the depravity of his crimes, which threatened his right to a fair trial, the NT News reported.

Zoologist Adam Britton pleaded guilty to 60 bestiality, animal abuse and possessing child exploitation material charges.Adam Britton / Facebook Britton held a Ph.D. In zoology and held the position of Senior Research Associate at Charles Darwin University.Adam Britton / Facebook

Britton pleaded guilty to 60 charges, including the torture, rape, and killing of at least 39 dogs.

The court heard he referred to the animals as "f–k toys", raped puppies and operated a nightmarish "torture room" on his property in McMinns Lagoon, half an hour outside Darwin.

Chief Justice Michael Grant excused Sheriff's officers and permitted security guards to wait outside the courtroom, sparing them from hearing the full details of the heinous crimes.

"The facts contain material describing acts that can only be described as grotesque perversity and cruelty, which are both confronting and distressing and which, in my assessment, have the potential to cause nervous shock," Justice Grant said.

The court heard he referred to the animals as "f–k toys", raped puppies and operated a nightmarish "torture room" on his property.Adam Britton / Facebook

Britton held a Ph.D. In zoology and held the position of Senior Research Associate at Charles Darwin University.

He was also co-chief of a successful crocodilian research and consulting business, Big Gecko, where he kept saltwater crocodiles as pets on his property.

The NT News reported Crown prosecutor Marty Aust revealed in court that Britton had a sadistic sexual interest in animals, particularly dogs, dating back to at least 2014 when he began engaging in sexual activities with his Swiss-Sheppard dogs, Ursa and Bolt.

Britton (top L) measuring a captive crocodile nicknamed "Lolong" in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur province, in the Philippines southern island of Mindanao.AFP/Getty Images

Between Nov. 17, 2020, and April 22, 2022, Britton obtained 42 dogs of various breeds and ages, most of which he tortured and sexually exploited for his sadistic pleasure, ultimately killing them.

Aust told the court Britton scoured Gumtree for dogs and puppies listed for sale in the Darwin area, building rapport with unsuspecting owners, many of whom had to give up their pets due to travel or work commitments.

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In one chilling instance, Britton met with the owners of a large brown dog named "Wolfe" to ensure the dog would be well cared for, the court heard.

Prosecutors told the court he even sent them a picture of Wolfe appearing relaxed and happy in his new home, all while concealing that the dog had already suffered unspeakable cruelty at his hands.

Additionally, the court heard that Britton used Telegram's encrypted messaging service to share videos of his despicable acts through accounts named "Monster" and "Cerberus."

He engaged in discussions with other users about bestiality, animal abuse, the acquisition of dogs, and methods for disposing of their bodies.

A search of Britton's laptop uncovered 15 files of child abuse material he had sourced online, including content involving toddlers being subjected to horrifying acts.

Britton pleaded guilty to 37 counts of animal cruelty causing serious harm or death, 10 counts of raping or attempting to rape dogs, four counts of possessing or transmitting child abuse material, animal cruelty, breaching duty of care to his own dogs Bolt and Ursa, and using a carriage service in an offensive manner, the NT News reports.

He has been remanded in custody and will return to court for sentencing later.

Derry Show Features A Variety Of Exotic Pets

DERRY — There was an exotic pet for just about everyone Sunday at the New England Sports Center.

The center featured reptile sellers from near and far. Hundreds of people gazed at the various snakes, frogs, lizards, geckos, fish, rats, turtles, spiders and other exotic animals for sale.

Children squealed with delight as they held a spotted gecko or a wriggling ball python.

More than just reptiles were on display and available to purchase at the Show Me Reptiles Expo on Sunday. Creatures such as arachnids, frogs, rats and even quail were on display.

"Lots come in with fear of a certain animal and by the end, they're super interested in it," said Cory Gonsalves, a Show Me Reptiles representative who organized the event. "People always fear what they don't understand."

The purpose of events such as this, Gonsalves said, is not only bringing together enthusiasts, but also educating the public.

"The biggest thing is getting people to know how to handle [reptiles] and care for them," Gonsalves said. "They can be just as loving as a dog or a cat. Get a bearded dragon and it'll be your best friend for all time."

While many at the expo were there to sell pets to new homes, some such as Niki Tracchia focused more on showing that these animals aren't something to be feared.

"In terms of fear, they're misunderstood," Tracchia said. "It's like there's either no legs or too many legs."

Tracchia owns Scales, Feathers & Fur, an exotic pet rescue based in Peabody, Massachusetts. She said it operates as a place to surrender exotic pets that are no longer wanted. They then use those animals to educate people at events like this.

Tracchia said these animals are not the ones humans should be scared of – humans are far more dangerous than snakes, tarantulas and lizards any day.

"I'm more afraid of going to a stranger's house in the middle of a bad neighborhood than I am handling these animals," Tracchia said.

Jon and Melissa Simmons, who own Little Shed Quail Farms in Windham, brought a large crate with several jumbo coturnix quail and eggs laid by the birds. Melissa held one of the birds and let children pet the quail.

Jon said events such as the expo help to open people's eyes to different animals and what actually make good pets.

"I'm learning a lot of different things and meeting a lot of cool people," he said. "Events like these bring like-minded people together."

At a table set up by CV Exotics, Joe Rogers, a seven-year employee of the Hampstead shop, said almost every person selling reptiles at the show probably grew up watching nature documentaries and became enamored with them.

"My favorite things about these shows are being able to show people things they've never seen before, or kids who get to see these animals for the first time," Rogers said. "Getting to show people animals in general, really."

Nicole Belval, who owns Painted Lady Balls in Keene and breeds ball pythons, brought her pet python Khaleesi, who curled around her arms and took in all the surrounding odors.

Belval, who owns more than 80 snakes and breeds many of them for different patterns and colorations, said these animals can be as warm and friendly as dogs, depending on the breed. To her, ball pythons are a great snake to start with, not just because of how common they are but also because they are more laid-back than others.

Belval said she will invite friends over who may feel nervous around reptiles to introduce them to the animals.

"I actually love it when someone is afraid or nervous with snakes because then I can help them get over their fears," Belval said. "[Snakes] are smarter than we give them credit for. For the most part, they aren't aggressive and they don't want to cause harm. They just live off of survival instincts."

Follow Katelyn Sahagian on Twitter at @KatelynSahagian

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