We humans have a deep fascination with wild animals. We visit zoos and aquariums, marveling at creatures like lions, sharks, and playful otters from a safe distance. The thought of sharing our homes with them often seems like a fantasy, or perhaps a recipe for disaster! We’ve all heard tales of unexpected wildlife encounters, reinforcing the idea that wild animals belong in the wild.
Yet, some brave and kind-hearted individuals see things differently. They’ve opened their homes and hearts to creatures most of us would only admire from behind a fence. These stories challenge our perceptions and reveal the surprising connections possible between humans and the animal kingdom. Get ready to meet ten truly unusual pet companions and the people who share their lives with them!
Top 10 Unusual Pet Companions
10. Butter the Opossum
Many people misunderstand opossums, often thinking of them as giant, troublesome rodents. However, these creatures are far from scary and aren’t rodents at all; they’re marsupials! When faced with danger, opossums often play dead, a reflex triggered by fear, not aggression. Stephanie, a kind rescuer, discovered this gentle nature firsthand.
She found a baby opossum, Butter, who was the sole survivor after his mother had an accident. Stephanie nursed him back to health, planning to release him into the wild. But Butter had other ideas. He grew deeply attached to Stephanie, preferring her company to the great outdoors. Now, Butter enjoys a life filled with cuddles, kisses, and special opossum “slubs,” proving these animals can be surprisingly affectionate.
9. Kojek the Crocodile
Hearing about crocodile attacks might make you swear off ever getting near one. But an Indonesian man named Irwan would likely disagree. He shared his home with Kojek, a massive crocodile, for an astonishing 21 years, alongside his wife and three children! Irwan rescued Kojek as a tiny 4-inch baby from boys who were mistreating him.
Over two decades, Irwan cared for Kojek diligently, feeding him about 4.5 pounds of fish twice a week, cleaning his water, and even giving him weekly soapy baths. The family felt completely safe with their reptilian housemate. Eventually, Kojek, weighing in at 450 pounds, was moved to a conservation park in 2018 for a healthier lifestyle, but Irwan still visits his old friend.
8. JB the Beaver
If you’ve got a leak, JB the beaver might be your guy! Affectionately nicknamed Justin Beaver (JB), this industrious creature was rescued by a woman in Kentucky who runs an animal rescue center. She found JB alone, without his mother, and took him in.
True to his beaver instincts, JB spends his days gathering household items to build dams inside his rescuer’s home. He needs frequent dips in clean water several times a day and enjoys a diet of his favorite tree branches and sweet potatoes. With a specially built outdoor pond, JB is living a beaver’s dream life, combining domestic comfort with natural behaviors.
7. Gypsy & Monaco the Bobcats
For those who find lions a bit too large for house pets but still want something wilder than a domestic cat, perhaps a bobcat would do? A couple in Texas, Melissa and Mark, welcomed two bobcats, Gypsy and Monaco, into their family. They provide these beautiful felines with a rich diet of various meats.
Remarkably, these bobcats are toilet-trained, saving their humans from litter box duty! The couple reports that Gypsy and Monaco are quite loving and haven’t caused much damage to furniture, though they admit to enduring a few scratches. They describe their bond with the bobcats as the deepest they’ve ever experienced with animals, a connection they expect to cherish for many years, as bobcats can live for 20 to 30 years.
6. Toby the Pig
While bacon is a breakfast staple for many, one couple couldn’t imagine it after meeting Toby. They found Toby, a 500-pound rescue pig, at a dog kennel. He had escaped from a farm and suffered a brutal attack by dogs. Seeing him in such a sorry state broke their hearts, and they decided to take him home.
They patiently nursed Toby back to health, sitting with him daily and offering comfort. As he healed, a deep bond formed. Toby gradually regained his strength, started venturing outside, and experienced true care and freedom. Today, Toby is a vibrant, happy pig, content in his loving new home and family.
5. Jimmy the Bear
Campers often take precautions to avoid bears, but one New York couple, Jim and Susan, does the opposite. They run a wildlife rescue in Otisville and, as of 2016, cared for 11 bears as if they were their own children. Their largest Kodiak bear, Jimmy, weighed a staggering 1,400 pounds and had been with them for 21 years since he was a cub.
They feed their bears a diet of berries, baby elk, salmon, and grains. Despite the obvious risks and the immense strength of these animals, Jim and Susan interact and play with their very large “children.” It’s a testament to a unique understanding and respect between humans and these powerful creatures.
4. Tiny Tim the Donkey
Meet Tiny Tim, a miniature donkey who started life so small his human mom, Jossy, worried he wouldn’t make it. Born unexpectedly at just 10 pounds and rejected by his mother, Jossy took him into her house. She hand-fed him every 20 minutes, and he began to thrive, becoming a cherished family member.
Tiny Tim acts surprisingly like a dog! He wags his tail, drinks from the toilet, and enjoys the company of his canine siblings. Now weighing a healthy 70 pounds, Tim is fully house-trained and learned to pee outside with the dogs. According to his owners, he was even easier to train than a dog, suggestingthat perhaps a mini donkey could be a delightful, if unconventional, pet.
3. A Clan of Hyenas
You won’t find hyenas at your local pet store, and for good reason! But Kevin Richardson, famously known as the “Lion Whisperer,” has formed an extraordinary bond with these often-misunderstood animals. He has integrated himself into a clan of hyenas, a feat that requires constant vigilance and an assertion of dominance to maintain safety.
Richardson has worked with large carnivores for over 15 years, and admits to receiving his share of scratches and bites. His unique relationship with the hyenas took years to develop. Through his work, he hopes to change public perception about these intelligent and socially complex creatures, showcasing a different side to these wild carnivores.
2. Wild Thing the Bison
The song “Wild Thing, you make my heart sing” might just be R.C. Bridges’ personal anthem. This Texas man shares his life with an impressive companion: Wild Thing, a bison (often called a buffalo). This massive animal acts as a protector of R.C. and his property.
Their relationship had a challenging start, with Wild Thing constantly headbutting R.C. as a calf in attempts to establish dominance. However, R.C.’s persistence and gentle determination eventually won the bison over. Now, Wild Thing enjoys meals inside R.C.’s home, transforming into a surprisingly graceful beast once he crosses the threshold. It’s a remarkable sight, but definitely not one to try at home!
1. Jessica the Hippo
Perhaps the creators of the “Hungry Hungry Hippos” game knew something we didn’t! In South Africa, a couple, Tonie and Shirley Joubert, share an incredible bond with Jessica, a fully grown hippopotamus. Jessica enjoys treats like rooibos tea and plenty of snacks. She washed up on their doorstep as a tiny, vulnerable baby, her umbilical cord still attached, after being separated from her mother during a flood.
The Jouberts raised her, and now Jessica lives a unique dual life. She roams freely in the nearby river with other wild hippos but regularly returns to her human parents’ home for affection and her favorite tea. She comes and goes as she pleases, a truly wild animal who has also become a beloved, oversized “daughter.” Jessica’s story is an extraordinary example of interspecies connection.
These ten stories showcase the incredible capacity for connection between humans and animals, even those typically considered wild and untamable. From playful opossums to gentle giants like hippos and bison, these brave individuals have dared to form bonds that challenge our understanding of what it means to have a pet companion. Their experiences are a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected friendships are the most rewarding.
What do you think about these unusual pets? Would you ever consider sharing your home with a wild animal? Leave your comment below and share your thoughts!
