Snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, insects, spiders, scorpions, fish and birds, even cockroaches. These are the weird and wonderful species people in Perth are now calling pets.

Perth people chase pets of all shapes and sizes

MOST families do all they can to keep cockroaches out of their homes, but the much maligned roach is the latest “cool” pet.

Parents are forking out as much as $130 for a giant burrowing cockroach, which can live for up to 10 years.

The heaviest cockroach in the world, the insect can weigh 30g and grow longer than 85mm.

Pet Magic in Cannington had a new order of giant burrowing cockroaches arrive from Queensland this week to meet demand.

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“I don’t get it,” pet store manager Steve Hope confessed of the low-maintenance pet.

“But I see people’s excitement for something cool, something different from your normal fluffy pet.

“It just sparks people’s interest —something unusual, something creepy that they like.”

spread on unusual pets. Allanah Geldenhuys and son Matthew (16) with 1.5yo (can live to 90) called “Rocky”. Allanah’s husband who doted on Rocky died in April. Allanah’s husband who doted on Rocky died in April.
Camera Iconspread on unusual pets. Allanah Geldenhuys and son Matthew (16) with 1.5yo (can live to 90) called “Rocky”. Allanah’s husband who doted on Rocky died in April. Allanah’s husband who doted on Rocky died in April. Credit: Daniel Wilkins

Snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, insects, spiders, scorpions, fish and birds make up an eclectic range of unusual pets.

Other pets, such as the vivid macaws from South America, are a lifelong family investment as they can live until they’re 90 and are priced anywhere from $3500-$40,000 a bird.

Blue and gold macaw Rocky is 18 months old — the parrot equivalent of a playful, attention-commanding “toddler” in Thornlie’s Geldenhuys family.

“He’s like a bundle of energy,” Allanah Geldenhuys said.

“We’ve got two ridgebacks and they have to bow down to Rocky.”

Orphaned Albany lamb Rory is “like a child” to Swan Valley vet Olivia McKinley.

Olivia McKinley with her lamb Rory.
Camera IconOlivia McKinley with her lamb Rory. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper

Rory has needed a bottle feed every four hours around the clock, slept inside and gone to work each day with Dr McKinley.

“They’re just like little shadows, they love their people,” Dr McKinley said.

“They love their fun and running around playing chasey with you.”

Lilly Kavanagh, 15, talked her mum into getting her a pet Stimson’s python she named Ruby, which slides under blankets to watch movies with the family.

“My friends were a little bit scared to come over to my place for a while but now they love her,” says Lilly, of Thornlie.

Ryder Firstenberg, 2, with his pet bearded dragon.
Camera IconRyder Firstenberg, 2, with his pet bearded dragon. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper

Ryder Firstenberg, 3, has grown up in Bickley surrounded by lizards that he loves from his parents’ Perth Reptile Company.

While anyone can own a toxic scorpion or tarantula spider, reptiles and most amphibians require a licence.

The lower category 2 pets — including frogs, and bearded-dragon and blue-tongued lizards — require the owner to be 14 or older.

Snakes, turtles and geckos are rated category 3 and the owner must be aged over 18.

Frilled-neck lizards and bigger or venomous snakes require proven experience and possibly training for the handler.