If you were in the animal natural habitat along with them then you would get photographs of a different sort. But life's full of little compromises and going to the zoo when you're unable to visit these animals in their natural habitat is a great alternative.

You don't only need to take wildlife shots of big cats or soaring eagles in their natural habitats. Yes, you can go to the zoo. Wildlife photography, just like landscape photography can be accomplished from home without your even having to leave for parts unknown. To begin with if you have a pet, you can consider that your first wildlife photography target and dog them around until you get what you want (excuse the pun please!).

That was my very first experience at wildlife photography and although I didn't get too many great shots background-wise I did get many a candid shot of my dog who was admittedly curious at first of this new toy in my hands, and then latterly very long suffering. It got to the point that he would run under the table to get away from me and my camera because I had been hounding him so much (again, sorry for the pun).

I did however get some great portrait shots of him which I appreciate very much as it shows his long suffering expressions very well. There are other ways you can get wildlife shots from your home and they don't all have to be of your dog, your cat, your pet hamster, iguana or any other type of pet.

Although I have to say that a snake as a pet might yield some interesting results.
But if you have a pond at home then you can maybe try for the fish, or the frogs that are bound to be attracted to your pond. You have all manner of insects to photograph not to mention such things as butterflies and ladybugs. And if you look hard enough there are always a myriad of birds hopping in and out of your garden as well as squirrels, chipmunks and maybe even raccoons. And if these don't catch your fancy then I say go after your dog again, you can't lose out with that!