Poison Dart Frogs

* Reviews *

The sunglasses and fedoras added to the covers of these odd pet books arent convincingly "cool," but some of the info inside succeeds in the hard-sell, blending history and factoids with relevant day-to-day guidelines for pet care. The general anti-pet store attitude (in favor of breeders) is well advised. "Don't rush out and get yourself a big snake," begins Boas and Pythons, before suggesting the two- to three-foot rosy boa. Just be ready for feeding (see the shots of half-swallowed mice and birds) and keep the tank lid closed "tightly." Miniature Horses trace the "minis" as being bred for royalty in the 1600s, and it's easy to see whythey're adorable. But be aware of the hefty price rag (up into the thousands), the necessary permits, and the tons of food that this cutie-pie will eat. Poison Dart Frogswait, are those even legal? Yes, because they're not poisonous in captivity. Pro: theyre beautiful. Con: you're not encouraged to pick them up. After these other beasts, Rats look pretty darn cute. Merely "rat-proof" your home, prepare for the short lifespan, and learn to appreciate bruxingthe rat equivalent to purring. Decent pictures and a spacious layout make the Far-Out and Unusual Pets series fun, though further investigation on each pet will be required., Booklist April 15, 2012