Tarantulas may bite if they feel threatened and release hairs that can irritate your skin and eyes. Some amphibians can also be difficult to handle due to their coating of protective slime. It may be difficult to find a vet who has experience with exotic pets. Find out if there is one local to you. Children and exotic pets rarely mix.
Some species are potentially dangerous to people and other animals.
If you have other pets, be sure that they will get on with an exotic species. Exotic pets have specific dietary requirements, and may need to be fed with foods that you feel uncomfortable handling, such as frozen mice or live locusts. It may not be as easy to find a willing pet-sitter for a tarantula than for a kitten. Some species carry diseases. Reptiles, for example, can harbour salmonella.