FROM Shetland ponies to tarantulas – these are some of the exotic pets kept within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service submitted a Freedom of Information request to the council to find out the types of animals people are allowed to keep and exhibit under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulation 2018.

In 2022 alone, the Royal Borough has seen 176 exotic species kept in the area. A request was made to Slough Borough Council and stated they have seen none this year.

Exotic animals from away places already call the Royal Borough their home thanks to the zoo at the Berkshire College of Agriculture in Hurley – which keeps porcupines, monkeys, lemurs, reptiles, amphibians, and more.

Slough Observer: A Royal Python (PA)A Royal Python (PA) (Image: PA)

One resident is keeping a Royal Python whilst others are holding Mexican Rosy Boa and a Corn Snake. A Fat Tailed Gecko, two Leopard Geckos, and a Bearded Dragon are also being kept somewhere within the borough.

If you’re an arachnophobe, you might want to check with your neighbour if they are holding tarantulas as two licenses were granted this year.

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If cold-blooded creatures or spiders aren’t your thing and want something much larger, then some households are keeping three Shetland ponies and donkeys as well as one alpaca, six equines, which is a type of horse, and 12 goats. The council also licensed eight sheep to be kept.

The Guinea Pigs on display at Ray Mill Island may have seen more friends this year after the Royal Borough issued 16 licences this year.

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Meanwhile, three Syrian hamsters are being kept along with two dumbo rats and a chinchilla.

Over 40 licences to keep chickens were issued in 2022 as well as 15 rabbits, five pigs and quail, 12 Indian runner ducks, eight ducks, and one cockatiel.