As the happy companion of two cats and a sweet, loving vizsla, I just can't fathom what pleasure people find in reptiles, fish, and the like.
People have pets like turtles, snakes, lizards, and fish because they are beautiful and interesting.
They are also relatively low maintenance-they can be left for a week or a weekend without requiring a pet sitter. And caring for something other than ourselves can help us feel less lonely. Some people like exotic pets because it makes them feel good to own something rare. But everyone should know that in the United States it is illegal to own or import an endangered species, and there are both fines and jail terms to stop that kind of inhumane trafficking in animals. An exotic pet should be captive bred.