The Internet’s Exotic Pets, and the People Who Love Them

The stars of Pet Tube are modeling the radical caretaking of strange animals. But they are only human.

Tomas Pasiecznik lives in New Jersey with his parents, his dog and 26 other species of animals, including a reticulated python, a Chilean rose hair tarantula, a colony of Central American giant cave cockroaches and an African pygmy hedgehog named Chloe. That count does not include all the animals that Pasiecznik acquires to feed to his other animals. When we spoke on a recent afternoon, over Zoom, Pasiecznik dipped out of view for a moment and returned with two electric blue hornworms wriggling in his palm — dinner for his scorpions and tarantulas. “They’re super cool,” he said. “I have a hard time feeding these. I’d rather just, like, watch them turn into moths and stuff.”

To read more on this story, click here: The Internet’s Exotic Pets, and the People Who Love Them

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Meet Darius, the Worlds Largest Bunny Rabbit - He Weighs 49 Pounds!

Darius weighs 49 pounds and measures 4ft 4in, making him the world’s biggest rabbit, according to Guinness World Records.

His owner, Annette Edwards, 62, from Worcester, is considering putting him on a diet after revealing that he eats 12 carrots a day – more than 4,000 a year.

He also gets through piles of cabbage, apples and two large bowls of rabbit mix - at an annual cost of $2,400.

                      Carrot cruncher: Darius with six-year-old Mia, a family friend of his owner                              Annette Edwards.

              Darius the rabbit munches his way through a staggering 4,000 carrots a year                        costing over $2,000 a year.

                       Darius weighs over 49 pounds and measures 4ft 4in - making him the world's                         largest.

Ms. Edwards is well used to looking after bunnies with big appetites as Darius’s mother Alice held the record title before him.

And Ms. Edwards couldn’t believe the speed Darius grew at when he was born – and she never thought after just five years he would hold the crown for biggest rabbit in the world.

"Darius is from a family of giant rabbits but he is the biggest bunny in history. It’s amazing just how big he is."

"If Darius had his way he would never stop eating," she said. "He is very greedy. I have to really watch him."

"He has a great personality and so I can’t be too angry when he is trying to sneak more food."

                          Darius' owners say he has a great personality and so gets away with                                      sneaking extra snacks.

              Owner Annette Edwards, 62, from Worcester says if the greedy creature had his                    way, he'd eat all day.

            As the bunny's birthday is in April, the family say he really is the real-life Easter                      Bunny

"Darius eats me out of house and home but he is very active which is good for his health.’
graphic."

"Luckily he likes to hop around all the time. I had to put a child gate on the stairs to stop him going up there."

"I treat him like a dog. He even sits on the sofa with me to watch TV.  People love coming round to  see Darius – he is bigger than most dogs."

"The family all love him and he has a mischievous glint in his eye."

"He really is the real-life Easter bunny, as his birthday is in April and it always falls around Easter."

"There is no secret to growing the world’s biggest rabbit. I treat him really well and indulge him in the odd carrot or 12."

Continental giant rabbits usually live to four or five years, but can last up to seven if well cared for.

They are considered docile, friendly and intelligent, and are relaxed around humans if socialized when young. They were originally bred for their meat and fur.

        The family treat Darius like a dog - and let him sit on the sofa and watch television.

            The rabbit enjoys a stroke on the sofa after hopping around the family home.

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Continental Giant Rabbit Looking for His Forever Home: Please Share His Story

This is the monster-sized rabbit who is on the look-out for a loving new home in Scotland.

The continental giant rabbit - appropriately named Atlas - could no longer be taken care of by his former owner.

And staff at the SPCA's centre in Glasgow have taken the seven-month-old in until they can find him a new home.

Anna O'Donnell, the centre's manager, thinks Atlas will be a great pet for any potential owner.

She said: 'Atlas is already about the size of a Westie [west highland terrier] and is still young with some growing to do.

'He is a very friendly rabbit who loves attention and getting cuddles.

'Atlas is also an inquisitive boy who makes everyone laugh with his mischievous character.'

Anna stressed that only experienced owners will be considered for Atlas.

She added: 'We are looking for a specific home for Atlas due to his breed and size. A standard rabbit hutch won't do so his new owner will need plenty of space for him.

'Atlas needs an owner with the knowledge to properly care for him, so ideally someone who has kept a continental giant before.'

If anyone is interested in offering him a home they should give the centre on 03000 999 999.

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