The Toucans are piciform birds of the Ranfástida family. Visually they are unmistakable due to their enormous beak and for presenting striking colors that contrast with areas of black plumage.
The different varieties of toucan live naturally from Mexico to Argentina. The largest variety is the toco toucan Ramphastos toco, it is an animal that some people choose as an exotic pet.
In this article on our site we will solve your doubts and We will explain if it is possible to have a toucan as a pet and some things you should know about this beautiful animal.
Is it legal to have a toucan as a pet?
Having a toucan as a pet is totally illegal. Their sale, possession and even the reproduction of these animals in captivity is prohibited.
The only way to respect the law and enjoy the company of these wonderful birds would be to have a certificate from zoo while always respecting the CITES agreement (for its transport and origin). However, a bird with these characteristics should be able to enjoy wildlife or reside in a very specific place.
Toucan life expectancy
As happens with a wide range of wild animals, their life expectancy is multiplied by remaining in captivity. We are talking about birds that can live between 15 and 20 years, a large time frame that we need to be aware of.
Even taking into account all the time that the toucan can accompany us by our side, we must also understand that it requires very specific care that you can't meet just anyone.
General toucan care
The toucan must have a guaranteed temperature between 18ºC and 28ºC, with a high relative humidity, from 60 to 85%. The hygiene of the toucan aviary must be very careful to avoid diseases, but at the same time it must be carried out with products that are not harmful to our feathered friends.
They can be attacked by parasites, in which case it will be necessary to consult with the exotic animal veterinarian which product is the most suitable to help these birds.
Toucans are mainly vegetarian, although they also need some animal protein in their diet, which in their natural habitat they obtain from insects, small lizards or some rodents. In any case, the basis of their diet is fruit, followed by vegetables.
Among the most recommended fruits for toucans are the following:
- Banana
- Apple (seedless)
- Pear
- Cantaloupe
- Mango
Toucans have a very small stomach in which food remains for a short time, so they need to eat very hydrated food, such as fruit, or you can feed a domesticated toucan with soft meatballs, two or three centimeters in diameter, made with boiled rice, carrots, cucumber and potato, to complete the fruit base of your diet.
These meatballs should sometimes include a bit of minced meat, to balance their diet and make it as similar as possible to what a toucan would have in the wild. Toucans must have clean water at all times.
When we talk about animals that spend much of their time in a habitat such as an aviary or an aviary, it is worth remembering that there are no cages that are too big, but too small.
The minimum desirable dimensions for the aviary of a pair of toucans are 4 meters high x 3 meters wide x 3 meters deep. The toucan's cage must have perches or transverse sticks in the absence of a hollow trunk. However, remember that these measures are the minimum and that the toucan needs to exercise very regularly.
