We’re about to use ChatGPT to find out!
We also keep two dogs, two cats, and an axolotl.
My older kids want another exotic pet, but I’m thinking of something simpler.
I don’t want a small mammal, and I want something we can easily accommodate.
What’s a tech writer to do, but turn to ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is anAI-powered chatbotwith a wealth of knowledge on all kinds of topics.
Margaret Samuels / How-To Geek
Prompt: What Is a Good Unusual Pet for my Family?
Can Anything Live with Our Axolotl in His Cold Water Tank?
I started with what I thought was an easy prompt.
We once tried to give our axolotl (named Pixel) a fish friend.
One morning, our fish friend was missing.
ChatGPT started off with three simple suggestions: White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Ghost Shrimp, and Apple Snails.
However, I think my kids were hoping for something a little more exciting.
They’re illegal to own, import, or transport in the US.
That is a terrible suggestion!
To give it another chance, I asked “Are African Land Snails legal in the US?”
Regarding the other suggestions, I thought frogs were a good choice.
However, we don’t already own many frog habitat supplies.
I love hermit crabs, and I’d love to get one to keep in the kitchen.
However, I don’t think my boys would be interested.
Prompt: What Pets Can Live with Chickens?
We Have Nine Big Hens
I think my kids are hoping for a reptile or insect.
GPT suggested an insect, but I’m afraid my youngest would accidentally injure it.
He is curious about bugs and knows no fear.
Conversely, my big kids might be nervous about feeding it.
Unfortunately, I didn’t specify this with GPT, and it suggested more farm animals.
We have backyard chickens, not a farm.
It would not be appropriate for us to have ducks, geese, or goats, GPT suggested.
Prompt: Do Any Cool Pets Eat Eggs?
I guess a lot of things eat eggs!
Unusual suggestions seem appropriate.
I do not want any more mammals, and the suggested birds are known predators of quail.
They also require a lot of training.
However, African egg-eating snakes have been on my radar for a long time.
I’d forgotten about them, but this might be a useful suggestion!
They are docile, have no teeth, are small, and are easy to handle.
They eat finch eggs as juveniles and quickly move to quail eggs as adults.
Sounds perfect for us, if we can find one.
The Big Omission
This snake is not found in pet stores and reptile traders rarely carry them.
Therefore, I would not expect GPT to have a lot of information on them.
Our Axolotl is captive-bred for some of the same reasons.
I would have liked to see GPT at least mention the difference.
We have experience with these little birds and already have appropriate cages.
While zebra finches are the most popular, I have always enjoyed the complex social interactions of society finches.
They have such strong personalities and a pleasant song.
More importantly, they lay the right-sized eggs for a juvenile egg-eating snake!
Should we ever come across one, we will already have the eggs needed to raise it.
Apart from the African Land Snail debacle, ChatGPT did better than I expected with this project.
I’ve already let ChatGPTplan a vacation.
I only see myself incorporating AI into more of our family projects.
