John Pisciotta, DVM is one of America's leading experts on exotic pets--a category that includes everything from baby turtles to boa constrictors. At the Rye-Harrison Veterinary hospital in Westchester, NY, more than 50% of his "patients" are exotics, often the result of referrals from other vets, bird clubs and breeders.

Dr. Pisciotta has been fascinated with exotic pets since his childhood on Long Island. Both of his parents shared his love of all animals and his special interest in exotic pets. As a result, at one time or another, their home hosted snakes, turtles, tortoises, frogs, lizards, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice and many other "pocket pets." This fascination with animals led to Dr. Pisciotta's first job, leading nature tours for a local park.

It was no surprise that, after completing his undergraduate education at Muhlenberg College, Dr. Pisciotta became a veterinarian. He served an internship at the famed Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, and became an active member of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians.

Having shared quarters with so many different species of animals at one time or another, Dr. Pisciotta feels very comfortable handling, examining and discussing the proper care of exotic pets. A major part of his work is educating people about the special needs of these very special pets. Often he has to explain that, because they require too much care and don't adapt well to captivity, certain animals simply don't make good pets. Because preventative medicine is most important with such pets, he urges his clients to learn as much as possible about the basic care, nutrition and husbandry of any "exotic" animal they wish to keep. According to Dr. Pisciotta, "There's always more to learn about these fascinating animals."

Dr. Pisciotta lives in Westchester, NY with his wife, Stephanie.