Are you bored of the usual cats and dogs? Do you want to spice up your life with a more unusual and adventurous companion? If so, you might be interested in owning exotic pets.
An exotic pet is any animal that is not commonly kept as a domestic pet, such as a wild or non-native species. Some people are fascinated by exotic pets because they offer a unique experience, a challenge, or a connection to nature. However, owning an exotic pet is not for everyone. It requires a lot of research, responsibility, and commitment, as well as legal, ethical, and environmental considerations.
In this article, we will provide you with a list of exotic pets that are legal to own in the US, along with some information about their characteristics, requirements, and suitability. We will cover exotic pets from different categories: mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and invertebrates. We hope that this article will help you make an informed and responsible decision about whether or not to get an exotic pet.
Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded animals that have hair or fur, produce milk, and give birth to live young. They are the most diverse and popular group of exotic pets, but also the most regulated and restricted. Some of the exotic mammals that are legal to own in the US are:
Fennec Fox
- Scientific name: Vulpes zerda
- Description and appearance: The fennec fox is the smallest and cutest member of the canine family. It has large ears, a fluffy tail, and a cream-colored coat. It weighs between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds and measures between 9 and 16 inches in length.
- Origin and habitat: The fennec fox is native to the deserts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It lives in burrows and is nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning it is active at night and dawn.
- Behavior and personality: The fennec fox is a social and playful animal that can form bonds with humans and other animals. It is also very curious and intelligent, and can learn tricks and commands. However, it can also be stubborn, territorial, and vocal, and may not get along with smaller pets.
- Diet and nutrition: The fennec fox is an omnivore that eats insects, rodents, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. It needs a balanced and varied diet that includes meat, bones, and supplements. It also needs fresh water and a water bottle to drink from.
- Health and lifespan: The fennec fox can live up to 14 years in captivity, but may suffer from health issues such as parasites, dental problems, obesity, and kidney stones. It needs regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and deworming. It also needs to be spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted breeding and aggression.
- Legal status and availability: The fennec fox is legal to own in most states, but some states may require a permit, license, or registration. It is also illegal to import fennec foxes from other countries, so you need to find a reputable breeder within the US. A fennec fox can cost between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the quality and availability.
- Pros and cons of owning a fennec fox:
- Pros: Cute, friendly, playful, intelligent, trainable, adaptable, low-maintenance grooming
- Cons: Expensive, rare, noisy, stubborn, territorial, destructive, high-maintenance diet and health, potential legal issues
Sugar Glider
- Scientific name: Petaurus breviceps
- Description and appearance: The sugar glider is a small and adorable marsupial that has a membrane between its limbs that allows it to glide through the air. It has a gray or brown fur, a black stripe on its back, and a long tail. It weighs between 4 and 6 ounces and measures between 5 and 7 inches in length.
- Origin and habitat: The sugar glider is native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. It lives in trees and is nocturnal, meaning it is active at night.
- Behavior and personality: The sugar glider is a social and affectionate animal that can bond with humans and other sugar gliders. It is also very active and playful, and loves to glide, climb, and explore. However, it can also be territorial, aggressive, and noisy, and may bite or scratch if not handled properly.
- Diet and nutrition: The sugar glider is an omnivore that eats insects, sap, nectar, fruits, and vegetables. It needs a balanced and varied diet that includes protein, calcium, and vitamins. It also needs fresh water and a water bottle to drink from.
- Health and lifespan: The sugar glider can live up to 15 years in captivity, but may suffer from health issues such as malnutrition, dehydration, obesity, infections, and self-mutilation. It needs regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and deworming. It also needs to be spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted breeding and aggression.
- Legal status and availability: The sugar glider is legal to own in most states, but some states may ban, restrict, or regulate them. It is also illegal to import sugar gliders from other countries, so you need to find a reputable breeder within the US. A sugar glider can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the quality and availability.
- Pros and cons of owning a sugar glider:
- Pros: Cute, friendly, affectionate, playful, intelligent, trainable, adaptable, low-maintenance grooming
- Cons: Expensive, rare, noisy, territorial, aggressive, high-maintenance diet and health, potential legal issues
Capybara
- Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
- Description and appearance: The capybara is the largest and heaviest rodent in the world. It has a brown or gray fur, a barrel-shaped body, and webbed feet. It weighs between 77 and 150 pounds and measures between 39 and 51 inches in length.
- Origin and habitat: The capybara is native to South America. It lives in wetlands, swamps, and rivers, and is semi-aquatic, meaning it spends a lot of time in the water.
- Behavior and personality: The capybara is a social and gentle animal that can get along with humans and other animals. It is also very calm and docile, and can be trained to walk on a leash and use a litter box. However, it can also be shy, nervous, and skittish, and may run away or hide if startled or threatened.
- Diet and nutrition: The capybara is a herbivore that eats grass, aquatic plants, fruits, and vegetables. It needs a large and varied diet that includes hay, pellets, and supplements. It also needs fresh water and a water bowl to drink from.
- Health and lifespan: The capybara can live up to 12 years in captivity, but may suffer from health issues such as parasites, dental problems, skin infections, and arthritis. It needs regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and deworming. It also needs to be spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted breeding and aggression.
- Legal status and availability: The capybara is legal to own in some states, but most states ban, restrict, or regulate them. It is also illegal to import capybaras from other countries, so you need to find a reputable breeder within the US. A capybara can cost between $500 and $5,000, depending on the quality and availability.
- Pros and cons of owning a capybara:
- Pros: Large, gentle, calm, docile, trainable, sociable, low-maintenance grooming
- Cons: Expensive, rare, shy, nervous, skittish, high-maintenance diet and health, potential legal issues
Reptiles
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that have scales, lay eggs, and breathe air. They are the second most popular group of exotic pets, but also the most controversial and misunderstood. Some of the exotic reptiles that are legal to own in the US are:
Bearded Dragon
- Scientific name: Pogona
- Description and appearance: The bearded dragon is a medium-sized lizard that has a spiky beard, a triangular head, and a long tail. It has a brown or tan color that can change depending on the temperature, mood, and environment. It weighs between 10 and 18 ounces and measures between 16 and 24 inches in length.
- Origin and habitat: The bearded dragon is native to Australia. It lives in arid and semi-arid regions, such as deserts, woodlands, and savannas. It is diurnal, meaning it is active during the day.
- Behavior and personality: The bearded dragon is a friendly and docile animal that can bond with humans and other bearded dragons. It is also very curious and alert, and can display various behaviors, such as head bobbing, arm waving, and beard flaring. However, it can also be territorial, aggressive, and stressed, and may bite or scratch if not handled properly.
- Diet and nutrition: The bearded dragon is an omnivore that eats insects, worms, fruits, and vegetables. It needs a balanced and varied diet that includes protein, calcium, and vitamins. It also needs fresh water and a water bowl to drink from.
- The bearded dragon should be fed twice a day, with a ratio of 80% insects and 20% plants for juveniles, and 20% insects and 80% plants for adults. The insects should be gut-loaded, meaning they are fed nutritious food before being fed to the bearded dragon. The plants should be fresh, organic, and washed. Some of the best insects for the bearded dragon are crickets, roaches, mealworms, and waxworms. Some of the best plants for the bearded dragon are kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, and squash.
- The bearded dragon needs calcium and vitamin supplements to prevent metabolic bone disease, a common condition that affects the bones and joints of reptiles. The supplements should be dusted on the insects and plants before feeding. The calcium supplement should be given daily, and the vitamin supplement should be given once or twice a week.
- The bearded dragon should have access to clean water at all times. The water bowl should be shallow, wide, and easy to clean. The water should be changed daily and treated with a dechlorinator. The bearded dragon may not drink from the bowl often, but it may soak in it or lick the water droplets from its surroundings. The bearded dragon may also get some moisture from its food, especially the plants.
