Technically an exotic is an animal kept as a pet that is not native to the country you live in. It is also an animal that most would consider a wild animal.
I think that a sugar gliders make good pets, though they tend to cost from $150-300 dollars. also if are looking for something more low maintence guinea pigs, rats, ferrets,and mice make good pets.
There is no self defense law in Ohio. There are stipulations tho. If you cant run away and use just enough force to stop the conflict then you can get away with it, but there is technically no self...