Dreaming of owning a unique pet? Maybe an iguana on your shoulder at parties sounds appealing, or perhaps a cute monkey is all you’ve ever wanted. The exotic pet trade is a global phenomenon, showcasing many fascinating animals. But before you jump in, consider this: not every exotic animal makes a good pet. Some require incredibly specialized care, while others can be downright dangerous. Let’s explore ten exotic critters that might seem like a fantastic idea at first but are generally a bad choice to bring home.
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dogs are adorable rodents native to the Great Plains of the United States. Often seen standing guard outside their burrows, these ground squirrels are undeniably cute. However, keeping them as pets can be problematic.
Prairie dogs are deeply social creatures, thriving in family groups called “towns,” which can include 15 to 26 individuals. Within these groups, they engage in grooming and oral contact, or “kissing.” Depriving a prairie dog of this social structure means you’d have to replace an entire community. You would need to dedicate several hours each day to grooming and caring for your prairie dog. While this might seem fun initially, the novelty wears off as the demands increase.
While some owners manage to care for prairie dogs adequately, it’s generally recommended to keep more than one to satisfy their social needs. This commitment is time-consuming and challenging, making it a responsibility few can truly fulfill. It’s best to admire these critters from a distance and leave them in their natural habitat.
Fennec Foxes
Fennec foxes, known for their distinctive large ears, are among the few fox species sometimes kept as pets. As the smallest of all canids, they weigh less than 3 lbs (1.3 kg). Their adorable features make them a popular choice, but owning one requires serious consideration.
These foxes are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are most active at twilight. Even when tamed, this behavior is unlikely to change, potentially disrupting your sleep schedule. They also have a strong instinct to dig, often creating large holes in search of insects.
Owning a fennec fox is illegal in many areas, so it’s essential to check local laws. If ownership is permitted, their dietary needs are quite specific. Regular dog food isn’t sufficient; you’ll need to supplement their diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and even freshly killed rodents.
In captivity, fennec foxes can live up to 14 years, longer than their 10-year lifespan in the wild. However, they demand specialized attention and accommodations. Adopting one should not be taken lightly, thorough research and preparation are essential.
Servals
The serval, a wild cat species native to Africa’s non-rainforest regions, has the longest legs relative to its body size of any cat. These gorgeous animals, often sporting a golden-yellow coat, might resemble domestic cats, but they are far from it.
While some servals have been tamed, they remain undomesticated. Historically, they have been significant, appearing in 4,000-year-old Egyptian art and often given as gifts. Today, they are part of the exotic pet trade.
Servals are illegal to own in many places. A primary issue with keeping them is the misconception that they are merely exotic cats. Servals need ample space to explore and hunt, unlike domestic cats content with indoor life. They require specialized (and expensive) diets and veterinary care. These cats also mark their territory and aren’t easily litter-trained. Adopting a standard housecat is a much better alternative, allowing servals to remain in their natural environment.
Capybaras
The capybara, the largest rodent species, closely resembles a giant guinea pig. These cute, fascinating animals can be adopted as pets, but there are compelling reasons to avoid doing so.
Like prairie dogs, capybaras are highly social animals, typically living in groups of up to 100 individuals. They should never be kept alone. These rodents can grow up to two feet tall (0.6 meters) and weigh up to 170 lbs (77 kg), significantly larger than most dogs. Due to their social nature, you can’t keep just one; you need several.
Capybaras are legal to own in very few locations, and if you do, you’ll need plenty of space. They require a pool of standing water and about 12 feet by 20 feet (3.6 to 6 meters) of space per pair. While they may be cute, keeping them as pets is costly, challenging, and generally inadvisable.
Kinkajous
Kinkajous, also known as “Honey Bears,” are small, frugivorous mammals native to Central and South America. Related to raccoons but resembling primates, they are nocturnal and rarely interact with humans in the wild.
Hunted for the exotic pet industry, kinkajous can still be purchased in some regions. However, like other animals on this list, owning one is not recommended unless you have considerable time, money, and space.
Kinkajous are rarely considered tame and tend to scratch and bite, both in zoos and homes. Their saliva carries dangerous bacteria that can cause severe, potentially deadly reactions in humans if bitten.
Housing a kinkajou in a suitable environment is challenging. They thrive in dark rainforests, requiring specific light, humidity, and flora conditions that are hard to replicate. It’s best to leave these creatures in their native habitat.
Sloths
Sloths have gained popularity thanks to numerous online photos and videos. These slow-moving, adorable animals often make people want to adopt them. While legal to own in many places, they don’t make good family pets.
Despite their seemingly harmless nature, sloths are wild animals that haven’t been domesticated and should remain in their natural habitat. They thrive in the canopies of tropical rainforests and struggle in captivity, even with excellent care.
Beneath their cute exterior, sloths can be dangerous. They possess large, sharp teeth and aren’t afraid to use them. Their bites can transmit harmful bacteria. Additionally, pound for pound, sloths are three times stronger than an average person, making an aggressive sloth a potential threat.
Overall, sloths make poor pets because captivity is stressful for them. Unaccustomed to human interaction, they don’t adapt well. While they may live longer with good care, they are best left to trained keepers or their natural environment.
Monkeys
Monkeys are undeniably adorable, resembling furry little babies that seem perfect for playtime and companionship. However, despite their charm, they don’t make great pets.
It is legal to adopt certain monkey species, like capuchins, guenons, tamarins, marmosets, macaques, and squirrel monkeys, in some areas. Capuchins, like the one Ross had on Friends, are among the most common monkey pets and are often used as animal actors in television.
However, owning a monkey is far different from what’s portrayed on TV. They can be expensive to purchase (around $7,000 and up), and their care is also costly. Monkeys require diapers, special food, specialized veterinary care, and a significant amount of attention.
Monkeys can become aggressive and pose a danger to you and your family. They cannot be kept in small homes, needing a large area to jump and climb. Keeping them confined is often considered cruel. If you want to see a monkey, visiting your local zoo is the best option.
Chimpanzees
If your interest in primates goes beyond monkeys, a chimpanzee might seem like a good choice. As our closest animal relatives, they would make excellent pets, right? Absolutely not! Keeping a chimp is generally a very bad idea.
While it’s legal in some areas, it’s illegal in most. Like monkeys, chimps require diapers outside their enclosures. They can live up to 60 years in captivity and demand a massive investment of time, money, and attention.
Chimpanzees are unpredictable and incredibly strong. Weighing up to 154 lbs (70 kg) and standing nearly 5 feet tall (150 cm), they are about 1.5 times stronger than humans.
Chimps have been known to become enraged and maul humans. They possess the strength to inflict severe injuries. They are dangerous to both strangers and caregivers. Follow Dame Jane Goodall’s advice: do not attempt to keep a chimpanzee as a pet!
Tigers
If you watched Tiger King, you might know the facts about tigers in captivity in the United States. Despite being the largest cat species and apex predators, people have kept tigers as pets for centuries. Tigers are by no means domesticated animals.
While they can be kept in loving environments, you’re still bringing a 600 lb (272 kg), monstrous creature into your home. Keeping tigers is illegal in most places, but they are legal in some places.
The biggest challenge is that they need a vast area and a lot of food to remain healthy. Captive tigers eat around 9-18 lbs (4-8 kg) of raw meat five days a week. Males need a territory of up to 40 miles (64 km). While females can manage with less space, most people can’t accommodate either. Tigers can be incredibly dangerous and may attack. There’s little one can do to stop that.
Bears
Bears are the largest land carnivores roaming the world today. Adorable as they may seem, they are insanely dangerous. Depending on the species, some bears can grow to massive proportions, and their claws are like small blades. Despite this, many people have kept them as pets.
Caring for a bear is as difficult as it sounds. They can very rarely make good pets, but only to certain people in very specific situations. Most countries do not allow their citizens to keep bears as pets, but some areas permit special licenses. It’s not advisable to take a bear home with you if you’re not a professional keeper—even then, it’s inadvisable.
Bears are large animals, weighing up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg), and they grow quickly. A bear cub can grow into an adult in very short order, and caring for them is not easy. They require a lot of food and a large enough place for them to roam about. They aren’t going to be happy in a small enclosure.
A human doesn’t win in a war against the bear. These are massive beasts with sharp claws, huge teeth, and the strength to tear a person apart.
Considering an exotic pet? Think carefully about the animal’s needs and your capabilities. Leave us a comment below sharing your thoughts!
