WHENEVER Fu Jiajun returns home from college, the first place she rushes to is her balcony, where she`s greeted by her growing family of reptile companions.

A large white lizard lies lazily in a white container, while nearby a digitally controlled cabinet houses a range of creatures. Snakes, lizards and turtles all coexist in a temperature-controlled environment.

`I just love to spend time observing them,` said Fu, a college junior, who was born and raised in Shanghai.

Playing with her reptile friends was a daily routine during the recent Spring Festival holiday.

Fu`s fascination with exotic pets began when she stumbled upon an ad for a leopard gecko in an online pet enthusiasts` group during her freshman year in 2022.`It looked cute, and the price was right just 200 yuan ($27.40). I couldn`t resist, so I brought it to my apartment and then introduced it to our college`s pet club,` she recalled with a smile.

Fu quickly realised how soothing it was to unwind by simply watching her new pet or holding it in her hands. `It`s quiet and needs very little maintenance.

All I have to do is make sure it has enough food and water, and the right temperature,` she explained.

What started with one gecko soon grew into a menagerie of exotic creatures, thanks to pet shops, markets and online channels. `It`s easy to get hooked,` Fu said. The biggest expenses are the enclosures and heating equipment, which cost around 700 yuan, she said.-China Daily/ANN