Exotic Pets

In this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand Florida’s obsession with exotic pets. Why does the sunshine state have more exotic animal species than any other state and, quite possibly, than any other country? David discovers that there are about 50 different reptile species now thriving in Florida - most of them imports. With that in mind he explores the burmese python, an escaped imported creature which is now eating alligators out in the Everglades, taking the positions of top dog in the ecosystem. David wants to find out what happens to Florida’s unwanted exotic pets, visiting the Everglades Outpost in Homestead to meet skunks, foxes, and wolves - plus the odd goat, lion and giraffe. He ends his trip by meeting Snakes, an exotic snake dealer who is dealing with the law changes in Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices