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Pet Environment

Pet finder

Low-maintenance pets, by minutes a day

Every pet needs a correct setup. These are the ones that need the least of you once it is built: fifteen minutes a day or less.

  1. 01Isopod colonyHands-off: best watched · 12×7×6 in enclosureUSDA APHIS says a PPQ 526 permit is required to own many isopod species and to move invertebrates across state lines. Buy from US breeders who follow these rules, ask about a species before buying, and never release isopods outdoors.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $95–$210
    Daily
    1–3 min
    Lives
    2–4 yr
  2. 02TarantulaHands-off: best watched · 12×12×12 in enclosureBrachypelma species (such as Mexican red-knees) are listed on CITES Appendix II, so international shipments need permits; buy captive-bred animals from established US breeders.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $90–$231
    Daily
    1–3 min
    Lives
    5–25 yr
  3. 03Mystery snailHands-off: best watched · 5 gal tankPomacea diffusa, the true mystery snail, can be moved across state lines without a USDA permit, but other apple snails such as Pomacea canaliculata are federally restricted pests and are sometimes sold under the same name. Buy from a reputable seller, check any state rules, and never release snails or eggs outdoors.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $142–$274
    Daily
    3–5 min
    Lives
    1–2 yr
  4. 04Freshwater shrimpHands-off: best watched · 5 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $166–$336
    Daily
    2–5 min
    Lives
    1–2 yr
  5. 05Emperor scorpionHands-off: best watched · 20×10×12 in enclosureLegal in most of the US. Emperor scorpions are on CITES Appendix II and most sold here are wild-caught imports from West Africa, so buy from a reputable dealer. Some cities and counties restrict venomous animals; check local rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $200–$414
    Daily
    2–5 min
    Lives
    5–8 yr
  6. 06Praying mantisTolerates brief handling · 8×8×12 in enclosureNever release a pet mantis or its egg cases (oothecae) outdoors, as non-native species can harm native insects. Shipping live insects across state lines can require a USDA APHIS permit, so buy from US sellers who follow these rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $150–$319
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    up to 1 year
  7. 07Betta fishHands-off: best watched · 5 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $181–$357
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    3–5 yr
  8. 08African dwarf frogHands-off: best watched · 10 gal tankAfrican dwarf frogs are legal in most of the US. Don't confuse them with African clawed frogs, which California and several other states ban or require permits for.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $199–$396
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    5–10 yr
  9. 09GuppyHands-off: best watched · 10 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $217–$439
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    2–3 yr
  10. 10Bristlenose plecoHands-off: best watched · 20 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $258–$500
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    5–12 yr
  11. 11Neon tetraHands-off: best watched · 20 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $297–$570
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    5–8 yr
  12. 12Corn snakeTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureCorn snakes are native to Georgia, where state law generally prohibits keeping them as pets, and all snakes are illegal to keep in Hawaii. Check state and local wildlife regulations before acquiring one.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $569–$974
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    15–25 yr
  13. 13Ball pythonTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureSnakes, including ball pythons, are illegal to keep in Hawaii. Elsewhere, check state and municipal regulations, as some cities restrict keeping non-native constrictor snakes.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $626–$1,195
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    20–30 yr
  14. 14Milk snakeTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureAll snakes are illegal to keep in Hawaii. Some states protect their native milk snakes, so buy captive-bred and check state wildlife rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $637–$1,196
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    15–25 yr
  15. 15AngelfishHands-off: best watched · 29 gal tank
    Level
    Intermediate
    First year
    $292–$573
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    8–12 yr
  16. 16GoldfishHands-off: best watched · 40 gal tank
    Level
    Intermediate
    First year
    $316–$656
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    10–20 yr
  17. 17AxolotlHands-off: best watched · 29 gal tankAxolotls are illegal to own as pets in California, Maine, New Jersey, and Washington D.C., and require specific permits in Hawaii and New Mexico.
    Level
    Intermediate
    First year
    $264–$686
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    10–15 yr
  18. 18HamsterTolerates brief handling · 40×20×20 in cageHamsters are legal across most of the US, but Hawaii bans all pet hamster species to protect island ecosystems, and California restricts the Chinese hamster (Syrian and Phodopus dwarf hamsters are allowed).
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $311–$713
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    2–3 yr
  19. 19Pacman frogHands-off: best watched · 24×18×18 in enclosurePacman frogs are generally legal across the US, but local ordinances or state wildlife laws may restrict exotic pet ownership; always check municipal rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $490–$909
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    10–15 yr
  20. 20Leopard geckoTolerates brief handling · 36×18×18 in enclosureGeckos, including leopard geckos, are prohibited for private possession in Hawaii.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $509–$928
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  21. 21Hognose snakeTolerates brief handling · 36×18×18 in enclosureCaptive-bred western hognoses are legal to keep in most of the US, but some states where they are native protect them: Illinois lists them as threatened and requires a permit, and states such as Missouri and Iowa also restrict them. Never collect wild hognoses, and check your state wildlife agency before buying.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $521–$994
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    12–20 yr
  22. 22Dart frogHands-off: best watched · 25 gal enclosureCaptive-bred dart frogs are legal to keep in most of the US, but Hawaii restricts them and treats unpermitted imports as a serious offense. Always buy captive-bred frogs from a reputable breeder.
    Level
    Intermediate
    First year
    $494–$1,024
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    8–15 yr
  23. 23Crested geckoTolerates brief handling · 18×18×36 in enclosureGeckos, including crested geckos, are prohibited for private possession in Hawaii.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $568–$1,058
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  24. 24Gargoyle geckoTolerates brief handling · 18×18×36 in enclosureLegal in most US states. Hawaii prohibits keeping geckos like this one as pets.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $600–$1,122
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  25. 25African fat-tailed geckoTolerates brief handling · 36×18×18 in enclosureHawaii prohibits private possession of most reptiles, including geckos; elsewhere in the US they are generally legal.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $612–$1,183
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  26. 26KingsnakeTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureAll snakes are illegal to keep in Hawaii. California kingsnakes are native to California, where only captive-bred animals from permitted breeders can be sold; check state wildlife rules elsewhere.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $621–$1,205
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–25 yr
  27. 27Blue-tongue skinkTolerates brief handling · 72×24×24 in enclosureCertain states or localities may restrict keeping specific exotic wildlife or require permits; always verify state and local reptile laws before purchase.
    Level
    Intermediate
    First year
    $905–$1,825
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  28. 28Boa constrictorTolerates brief handling · 72×36×36 in enclosureBoa constrictors are legal in most US states and are not on the federal injurious-species list, but some states, counties and cities restrict large constricting snakes or require a permit. Check your state wildlife agency and local ordinances before buying.
    Level
    Intermediate
    First year
    $1,212–$2,643
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    20–35 yr

How this list is built: Animals whose guide puts daily care at 15 minutes or less, ordered by the most time a day they can need, then first-year cost. First year is the essential setup plus a year of food and supplies, at typical US prices; vet care is extra. Every number comes from the animal's own guide and its sources. How we make these guides.