Selly Safari: It’s a jungle out there

Among the foray of concrete slabs, terraced houses and second hand motors, Selly is home to some pretty unusual pets. 

Although most landlords are adverse to keeping animals, that didn’t stop this bunch of Birmingham naturalists.

Here’s an ensemble of the coolest, cutest and down-right weirdest pets to grace the homes of Selly.

Django and Jeffrey the Rankin Dragons

These scaly critters make your typical moggy look average at best.

Native to Queensland Australia, these lizards make for an interesting addition to any student bedroom.

Django and Jeffrey’s owner Sarah decided her cold-blooded companions were far too “cute” to leave back at home.

However Sarah said the housemates are still adjusting to lizard life, and the daily feed of live locusts isn’t making things any easier to swallow.

Usain Bolt the Tortoise

A juxtaposition if ever there was one.

Nonetheless, Alton Road’s number one shell owner definitely has the charisma to match the name.

Usain was Abbie’s unusual Christmas present last year, and the two quickly became inseparable.

Abbie said the thought of leaving him behind when term started again wasn’t worth comprehending.

Although he was a bit shy to begin with, it seems Usain has really come out of his shell over recent months.

Nelson the Hamster

Just like the Nobel Prize winner he shares his name with, this hamster has spent a considerable amount of time behind bars.

Furry Nelson came into Nick’s care by mere chance, when a game of “odds on” backfired.

The forfeit was to head down to the pet shop and purchase a fluff ball, and so it was that Nelson found his way to Selly.

Silas the Albino Corn Snake

You might be thinking “the terror of Tiverton”- but you’d be wrong.

This slim-fitted customer is no slime, rather a smooth operator who weaved his way into Charlie’s heart.

You wouldn’t normally associate a Corn Snake as a spontaneous buy, but that’s exactly what Silas was.

A very common species from North America, these friendly reptiles make for excellent pets.

But perhaps refrain from telling the ladies who you hope to entice back to your abode- it might not go down the best.

Lyra and Lady the Aristocats

These hairy Hubert Road felines make for an adorable duo.

Although they may not be the most foreign pets to grace the streets of Selly, they do make for some very sociable companionship.

Owners Meg and James acquired Lyra in the summer, and couldn’t bear to see their moggy left behind.

After moving in they begged the landlord to let her stay, and were given the all clear.

Feeling guilty about leaving her on her lonesome, the pair decided to find her a partner in crime, and so Lady joined the household too.

Fenton the Bunny

Fenton was a larger than life character that kept Lydie company back at home, so it was obvious that he should hop on board when the time came to head off to uni.

Theodore the African Pygmy Hedgehog

This prickly customer is definitely one of the most interesting pets you’re likely to bump into full stop, let alone in Selly.

Although he looks adorable, Fee says Theodore is definitely a pet that can be difficult to get close to.

Native to the heart of Africa, it must be hard for the little guy given Birmingham’s notoriously wet and miserable weather.

Juan the Giant Snail

Although he’s not the most conventional tenant, rest assured you’ll find slimier suitors than Juan hanging around Fab come 3am.

And this Giant grub doesn’t mess around when it comes to eating either.

If that lettuce from your Caesar Salad goes amiss, you’ll know where to point the finger.

Have you got a Selly pet to rival these unusual residents? Send your pets in to [email protected].