After sifting through memories of pets I've had throughout my life, I'd have to say the most exotic ones my family or I ever had were either a turtle or a couple of ducks.

And when it comes to exotic pet ownership, I'd say those two would be way down on anyone's list of the most bizarre creatures you could welcome into your home. Based on some pets friends of mine have owned over the years, I'd actually say WAAAAYYYY down the list.

Maybe those same friends will show up in Nashville to add to a collection or maybe REPLACE a beloved macaque or tapir. (I'm kidding, of course; I doubt either of those can be owned as pets.) Still, you might be surprised at what you WILL be able to find when the Nashville Exotic Pet Expo rolls back into Music City in April.

So yeah, there are lots of reptiles and birds. No surprise at an exotic pet expo. In fact, they might dominate the exhibits. But they most certainly are not alone. These folks came across exotic cats, monkeys (ones you CAN own), foxes, and even an albino wallaby.

And if you've never owned an exotic pet, you'll want to know exactly what your state's laws are regarding the possession of such animals. That's where FindLaw.com comes in handy. But it's not just state laws about which you need to be concerned:

It's important to keep in mind that while your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, there are often county or city rules which further restrict or prohibit such ownership. Additionally, state laws are frequently changing as concerns for public safety and animal well-being develop further, so you should always double-check to see if there is any new or proposed state or local legislation.

Also, the Nashville Exotic Pet Club, which runs the show, encourages all first-time exotic pet owners to ask LOTS of questions before making a purchase.

The Nashville Exotic Pet Expo happens on April 15th and 16th at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

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