About Exotic Rodentry

Exotic Rodentry grew from a lifelong fascination with animals—particularly the unusual, overlooked and distinctly “oddball” species that sit outside mainstream pet keeping and media.

Our founder was brought up keeping and breeding a wide variety of animals and has since developed extensive practical, academic and professional experience across the animal-care, zoological and education sectors.

This background includes working in domestic and exotic pet shops, undertaking a variety of roles within zoological collections, delivering animal education, and working as a lecturer in animal science. Our founder also holds a BSc in Zoo Biology, providing a strong academic foundation in animal biology, behaviour, welfare, husbandry and the management of captive species.

A Passion for the Unusual

Over the years, this experience has involved keeping and working with an extensive range of species across almost every major taxonomic group available to private keepers—not only rodents.

From mammals, birds and reptiles to amphibians, fish and invertebrates, the focus has always been on understanding each species’ individual biology, behaviour and husbandry requirements. Captive breeding and population management has remained a key area of interest.

While rodents remain at the heart of Exotic Rodentry, our interests extend throughout the animal kingdom. We are particularly passionate about species that are rarely seen, poorly understood or simply considered a little unusual.

These animals often require a more specialist approach to their care. We believe that responsible animal keeping begins with careful research, practical experience, appropriate facilities and a willingness to continue learning.

Exotic Rodentry is not about keeping animals purely for novelty. It is about appreciating the remarkable diversity of the natural world and providing thoughtful, informed care for species whose needs may fall outside conventional pet-keeping advice.

Professional and Zoological Experience

Our founder’s professional background combines practical animal husbandry with formal education and experience within zoological collections.

A BSc in Zoo Biology was followed by a range of roles involving the care, management and interpretation of animals. This experience has included work in pet retail, zoological environments, animal education and further education as a lecturer in animal science.

Working across these different settings has provided experience in areas including:

• Animal husbandry and welfare

• Captive-animal management

• Animal behaviour and biology

• Public education and engagement

• Enclosure design and environmental provision

• Staff and student training

• Regulatory compliance and licensing

Freelance educational and consultancy work is now available for organisations, institutions and projects seeking knowledgeable and engaging input relating to animal care, husbandry, biology, welfare and captive-animal management.

Consultancy and Licensing

Consultancy work has been undertaken for a variety of projects and institutions over the years.

This has included work relating to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act licensing process, Local Authority Inspection of Animal Establishments, and contributions to the zoo licensing process.

This combination of hands-on keeping, academic study, zoological experience, teaching and regulatory consultancy gives Exotic Rodentry a broad and practical perspective on responsible animal management.

Any guidance provided is tailored to the individual project and is informed by the relevant species, facilities, welfare requirements and regulatory framework.

The Exotic Rodentry Venture

The current Exotic Rodentry venture began following the purchase of a new home in 2019. This provided the opportunity to develop dedicated animal spaces and begin building the project into what it is today.

Since then, Exotic Rodentry has continued to evolve around specialist animal keeping, responsible breeding, education and the sharing of practical experience.

Although the name reflects our particular enthusiasm for unusual rodent species, the venture is supported by a much wider background in zoo biology, exotic-animal husbandry and the care of species from across the animal kingdom.

Education and Consultancy

Freelance support may be available for:

• Animal education, presentations and specialist talks

• Lecturing, teaching and staff training

• Animal husbandry and welfare consultation

• Enclosure planning and environmental provision

• Research and project support

• Licensing preparation and regulatory guidance

• Zoological and animal-care projects

• Specialist advice concerning unusual privately kept species

• Collection planning within education or zoological settings

For enquiries about our animals, educational work, consultancy or potential projects, please contact us through our website.