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 an alphabetical list of over 50 different exotic animal species kept in captivity in the UK. If you have identified an exotic animal in the wild, then please don't delay, get in touch to Report Your Sighting today.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
