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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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