Teenagers are most commonly found perusing social media and avoiding school work, but Jasmine Talarico has a different passion.
Jasmine, 16, has a way with animals, from fur and feathers to scales and shells.
She said she leaned more towards the uncommon pets because of just that — they were unique.
“I think they’re really cool, and more interesting. Unique,” Jasmine said.
But, as one would expect, unusual pets lead to unusual challenges.
“Feeding can be pretty gross with all the bugs and dead mice, even though they think it’s delicious,” she said.
In her home, she has a python, two frogs, two lizards, a turtle, a hermit crab, two dogs and a cat, all of which she loves and cares for.
However, the three scaly mates recently had a renovation to their dens, now residing in a three-tier home handmade by Jasmine’s dad.
“I had a makeshift three-layer home, but I like this one a lot more, it looks a lot cleaner and just fits better,” she said.
Jasmine has collected her pets from a variety of places, including adopting one from a local school.
Her parents are supportive of her passion for animals, allowing her to take in more pets and care for each one.
Despite what one might think, all of Jasmine’s pets have unique personalities, and she learns more about them every day.
“Of course they’re all different, for example Rory is very temperamental, and Squirt gets hangry, but Ziggy is very chill,” Jasmine said.
News photographer Rechelle Zammit went to say hi to Jasmine’s pets. Here’s what she captured.
Gallery below: