It’s not about space.
The whole idea is that you don’t need a huge yard to have an exotic animal friend. Regular folks living in small apartments or townhouses can take care of them. The secret? Understanding their needs and habits. It makes a difference to find out how to make them happy and properly care for them despite limited space.
During the 2023 Hikari Pocket Pet Show, a crowd gathered at the Upper Box Events Center in San Juan, Metro Manila because of tiny exotic animals — the kind that could fit in your pocket, such as Bearded Dragons, Leopard Geckos, Crested Geckos, Sugar Gliders, Rabbits, Tortoises, and Hamsters.
WHAT IS A POCKET PET?
A pocket pet is, as the name suggests, an exotic animal who is usually so tiny that they could fit in your pocket.
The Hikari Pocket Pet Show served to inform guests that not all exotic animals are giant Snakes and Lizards. Friendly folks over at Hikari Philippines, together with other exhibitors, shared how to make these little creatures feel right at home, even in a small space. They recommended enclosure sizes, interesting habitats indoors, and activities that could make these animals happy.
These Sulcata Tortoises at The Big Fish Place booth had just hatched! The ones in the container came out of their eggs just a few hours before the affair started.
HANDS-ON
People who came got the chance to be with these animals and learn about what it’s going to be like to care for them.
Imagine getting to know a Bearded Dragon up close to feel their tiny scales, watch a Tortoise waddle around, or stroke a Rabbit’s soft fur. It’s like making new friends — and maybe finding one for whom you could provide a forever home.
GUIDED CARE
The people responsible for the occasion were experts you could go to for advice on how to care for these creatures, as they have been taking care of such animals for years.
They shared all sorts of tips on how to care for small animals, what food they might enjoy, and little details that make a big difference in the lives of these tiny ones.
Participants checked out the different Leopard Geckoes who were contest participants. Who was the heaviest, who was the most tangerine?
SHARED INTEREST
What made this affair different from other expos, aside from its size and the size of the animals it featured, was its sense of community. Walking into the venue was like attending an intimate family gathering: Because there were other things happening in the area, only those who were truly interested in pocket pets showed up.
Imagine the joy of being part of a small albeit cheerful group brought together by their love for these little creatures. Some others even wanted to show the rest what small animals were already under their care. No matter the age, everyone was welcome to join.
There were games where winners were given expensive enclosures and other interesting prizes. Sometimes, kids ended up becoming the victors. A few of such contests were the Bearded Dragon Contests and Leopard Gecko events.
This Dark Red Bearded Dragon by Southside Exotics stood out — this Bearded Dragon’s vibrant color was hard to miss!
For these contests, different types of animals were picked as the best ones in their respective categories: the best tangerine Leopard Gecko, the reddest Bearded Dragon, the heaviest Leopard gecko, and so on. Participants had to compete anonymously so that the judges could critique each entry as fairly as they could.
The show became a real celebration of often-overlooked tiny animals. For a change, they were finally given the chance to shine.
SMALL ANIMALS, BIG PLANS
If you missed the fun, don’t worry! We just got word that the Hikari Pocket Pet show will become a regular event, so keep your eyes peeled. You can follow Hikari Philippines on Facebook for more details.
If you’ve ever considered having a unique animal companion, this is your golden ticket. See you at the next one where more little friends are waiting to meet you!
