Indian Palm Squirrels

[Laghairt]

Squirrels on sale: trendy pets or just a little nuts

Aside from all the other issues, I don't think it's worth paying $1200 for a glorified rat.

 

[Fantazmic]

I didnt know we had squirrels here in Australia......how on earth were they introduced ?????? They'll be trying to breed foxes next saying they are some breed of dog or something and putting $$$$$ on them...makes me sick.

 

[Tegstep]

This is utterly mental!

 

[Sock Puppet]

Yeah I saw some at a pet shop in north ryde a couple of months ago, very hyperactive things.
Quite cute, but they didn't stop running around. Not something I'd be interested in, personally, but I guess I can understand their appeal.

 

[Tikanderoga]

Hmm... funny... nothing is a pest - until it gets out and starts breeding. Then there will be finger pointing with lots of "I told you so" and "why didn't anyone listen?"
So other than rabbits on the ground, we'd have rabbits in the trees... so to speak.

 

[wokka]

45 years ago i can remember writing to Taronga Zoo asking for permission to catch some "chipmonks" which ran wild through the trees of the Zoo. Luckily someone did catch or eradicate them, but not before a few got into private hands. Obviously not everyone asked for permission first.
Hopeful as long as Palm Squirrels maintain a high value the likelihood of escape or release will be reduced, as they do have a great potential to become the rabbits of the sky. I am sure they would make quality snake food!

 

[AUSGECKO]

The couple of people in Australia that do breed them have a licence from parks and wildlife to do so and all animals are desexed before being sold, i believe they may also possibly be microchiped prior to sale.

 

[jbowers]

Can't understand why we are allowed to own these, yet exotic pets which would surely never flourish in our climate naturally are not allowed to be kept.

 

[Jay84]

Why would you pay $1200.00 for a desexed animal you can get NO return from......?

How long do they live also? I'm sure they wouldn't live long enough to warrant that price tag!

 

[DAVEL-P]

I heard they were already in the wild in Nth QLD

 

[Snowman]

Can't understand why we are allowed to own these, yet exotic pets which would surely never flourish in our climate naturally are not allowed to be kept.

Probably the same reason we can have cats, rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferretts, exotic birds, dogs, goats etc etc... the general public and the powers that be find them adorable.

 

[giglamesh]

previous threads
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/animals-5363/indian-palm-squirrel-136196
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/animals-5363/indian-palm-squirrels-sale-81612

 

[Tegstep]

Why would you pay $1200.00 for a desexed animal you can get NO return from......?

How long do they live also? I'm sure they wouldn't live long enough to warrant that price tag!

Because most people keep animals as companions. Not money-making schemes.

 

[benjamind2010]

Can't understand why we are allowed to own these, yet exotic pets which would surely never flourish in our climate naturally are not allowed to be kept.

Which ones are they? Surely they're not snakes are they? I wouldn't let corns in, as much as I love corn snakes and other exotic reptiles, but some of them really do pose a risk that would be best avoided. I do like most exotic animals, but I think it's time we stopped supporting something that is questionable at best. For me, I don't like cats either because I know only too well the severity of the damage that they inflict on ecosystems all across Australia. Snakes can inflict similar damage, all we need to do is look at Guam and Christmas Island for good examples of what can go wrong when introduced snakes go ballistic.

I'm not saying I don't like them, I sure as hell do. But I know the risks and for me it just isn't worth it. Really the only exotic that served any purpose here in Australia is dogs and farm animals, and even those have caused serious problems. My opinion is that if you look at any exotic animal hard enough you will find an achilles heal in the Australia ecosystem that the exotic animal in question will, sooner or later, take advantage of.

 

[Magpie]

Why would you pay $1200.00 for a desexed animal you can get NO return from......?

You mean like a desexed pedigree dog?

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Used to be very common at Perth Zoo, and spread along the golf course along Labouchere Road. Not sure if there are still any there these days, but they seemed to be pretty self-limiting, as they were at Taronga. They have been around for many decades (at least 70 years) so I supect their pest potential is not very great.

Jamie.

 

[giglamesh]

yer there still at perth zoo loads of the little buggers

 

[Sel]

Hehe i saw one months ago at a Sydney petshop and wanted it..
I enquired about them, $1200 , you get put on a waiting list which could be 6 weeks or more, they come to you Desexed and Microchipped, and they're lifespan is about 5 years.

Cute little things, but not for that price

 

[Jay84]

You mean like a desexed pedigree dog?

A little common sense here please..... why are we comparing a squirrel to a dog?!?!

A pedigree dog will give you 10+ years of COMPANIONSHIP. When purchasing a dog you are looking for a companion, show animal, working dog etc - all things worth the money.

What can a little rodent give you? For a max lifespan of 5 years?

 

[wokka]

A little common sense here please..... why are we comparing a squirrel to a dog?!?!

A pedigree dog will give you 10+ years of COMPANIONSHIP. When purchasing a dog you are looking for a companion, show animal, working dog etc - all things worth the money.

What can a little rodent give you? For a max lifespan of 5 years?

Well, I am sure they could bite like a dog!lol