Are you on the market for a new pet? Usually this means one would buy a cat or dog, but I would not be so sure anymore. There has been an increased interest in strange and  unusual pets. It seems as though the outdoor inhabitants have slowly been creeping their way in doors.

    Some of these strange pets can include goats, bearded dragons and even hedgehogs For years, humans have just come to accept the fact that your run-of-the-mill pet is going to be a cat or dog, and maybe the occasional reptile, but now many new animals are joining the pet category. It’s no surprise that the occasional person owns a ferret or even a horse, but a bearded dragon? This ones new to me.

    Sophomore Kyra Risley is the owner of a new unusual pet. She owns what is known as the bearded dragon. Other unusual features about the dragon, Risley said “ He puffs out his beard sometimes and he can turn his beard black when he wants.” Contrary to what you may believe, this little creature is very friendly, explaining how he earned his name, Buddy.

   There has also been new talk of hedgehogs for house pets. So why the sudden urge? Junior Natalie Knapp said “ I want a hedgehog because they are too cute, like who wouldn’t want a hedgehog they sleep in little balls and eat pears, and are so adorable.” So, it looks like some of the interest is stemmed from the “cute factor”.  Many people seem to be tired of the cookie cutter dog or cat, so people like Knapp want to start a new trend with these exciting animals.

    Other strange pets that have made its way into the home of another Scituate High School student are goats. Senior Mitchell Loring shares his home with not one but two goats. Loring said “I’ve had goats for a long time, but we picked them up from a farm.You do not bring them inside, anything that’s linen will get eaten. You have to watch them when you’re setting up appliances outside, they will eat anything.” Loring made sure to add that there are a lot of stereotypes when it comes to goats, he said “They are incredibly smart, they have learned how to open up the gate and go into the garden.” It seems as though goats may be taking the place of your typical four legged companion; the dog.

    New pets these days seem to be more of the four legged outdoor type, rather than your usual domesticated species. So keep an open mind next time you are on the search for a new companion. With all the new trends these days, who knows what the newest pet could be.