From cute tiny foxes, to bears with toxic bacteria, here are 13 of the most unusual
pets in the world!
13. Fennec Fox
The fennec fox is the smallest of all the foxes in the world. It comes from the Saharan
desert and other parts of North Africa. Their enormous ears not only make them adorable,
but also help them keep cool. They are well adapted to the desert with their thick hair
that works as an insulating system to protect them from the sun during the day and keep
them warm at night. They are full of energy and one of the few fox breeds that many believe
make a good pet.
Smaller than cats, they are intelligent and respond well to training. They are playful
and require a lot of exercise. Fully grown, they are no bigger than a Chihuahua. Any prospective
owners should know, however, that these animals are nocturnal and will be most active at night.
12. Capybara
Although it is a member of the rodent family, the capybara is nothing like a guinea pig
or hamster. For one thing, it grows up to four feet long and can weigh more than 100
pounds. This makes it the world’s largest rodent! Native to South America they can live
between eight to twelve years.
Capybaras never fully domesticate and owners must handle their pet frequently. They love
to munch on grass and swim around. Yes, these rodents are semi-aquatic! They can also be
territorial and may bite. This makes them a bad pet for a family with young children
and capybaras prefer to be the only pet in the household.
One capybara named Caplin Rous had a loyal Internet following. Caplin lived in Buda,
Texas, with his owner, Melanie and loved to eat frozen blueberry yogurt. Unfortunately,
Caplin died in 2010, possibly of chronic liver disease and encephalopathy. Now they have
a foundation to help educate pet owners about keeping a healthy and happy capybara.
11. Miniature Donkey
Donkeys have been used for thousands of years as pack animals and transportation. Miniature
donkeys originated in Sicily and Sardinia, where they were used to turn grinding stones
for grain. In modern times, they are almost extinct on these islands but they make a popular
pet in the United States.
Standing in at a mere three feet tall, mini donkeys are fuzzy and adorable. However, this
pet has serious separation anxiety and they do best if there is a second donkey to keep
them company. Despite their size, mini donkeys need plenty of room just like their full size
counterparts. They are also great with children because of their affectionate nature.
And now for number 10, but first be sure to hit that subscribe button! We have lots of
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10. Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are adorable little balls of affection. These nocturnal cuties make perfect pets because
of their calm natures and low maintenance. And though they look like tiny porcupines,
the two species are not related.
Hedgehogs vary in size from ½ to 1 ½ lbs (0.23 kg-0.6 kg). Their spines can reach up
to .75 inches (1.9 cm) in length. In the wild, they munch on insects but most pet stores
sell a special feed formulated for them. It’s good to supplement their diet with real insects,
however. The Hedgehog Welfare Society recommends to make sure their cages are big enough for
them to roam around.
Like any of these pets it is important to note that it is illegal to own these pets
in some places. For example hedgehogs are illegal in Washington D.C. and New York City.
Make sure you are aware of the laws before you get one!
9. Skunk
On a list of unusual pets, you probably weren’t expecting to see a skunk. However, these black-and-white
stink bombs make for excellent pets. Well, once you’ve removed their scent glands,
of course. Skunks as pets always have their glands removed which leads to some controversy.
With their glands removed, they can never be released into the wild, so owning a skunk
is a big commitment.
Skunks are playful and can entertain themselves with different toys. Enthusiasts describe
them as sensitive, intelligent, and curious creatures. According to expert Jane Bone,
owners must begin bonding with their skunks from a young age to ensure they grow up tame.
They eat diets similar to ferrets and can be litter-trained. However, only a few states
allow skunks for pets, so be sure to check your local legislation. And be ready for a
long term commitment!
8. Genets
Native to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, genets are an adorable combination of lemur,
cheetah, and ferret, topped off with the face of a kitten. They make great pets for people
who love independent animals. Genets are very active, strong, and very skittish. Like the
capybara, spotted genets do best in a home where they’re the only pet. In order to
keep them tame, owners must handle them frequently from a young age. Because of their independent
natures, they will never be fully domesticated.
There are fourteen species of genets, with the common and spotted varieties being the
most popular for pets. Genets are also for people really committed to their care as they’ve
been recorded to live as long as twenty years in captivity.
7. Pygmy Goat
If miniature donkeys aren’t your style, then how about a pygmy goat? These high maintenance
pets make fun and active additions to a family. Like mini donkeys, they are social animals
and don’t like to be alone. They also need plenty of space and are great escape artists,
so any enclosure would have to be, well, goat-proof. Pygmy goats are intelligent animals and can
be taught to perform tricks or obey commands.
By owning a pygmy goat, you’ll be joining the ranks of people like Abraham Lincoln,
who kept a pet goat in the White House during his presidency. Also, be prepared for the
long haul. It’s not unusual for a pygmy goat to live up to 15 years.
6. Sugar Gliders
Also known as pocket pets, sugar gliders are native to Australia. These cuddly critters
are playful, loyal, and can be taught numerous tricks. Like the hedgehog and the fennec fox,
sugar gliders are nocturnal. So, if you aren’t a night owl, this may not be the pet for you.
Sugar gliders, who are part of the possum family, are growing in popularity. They get
their name from the membrane that extends from front to hind leg, which allows them
to glide from tree to tree. They are also tiny, with a full-grown glider weighing in
at 3oz (85g) and measuring 7 inches (17 cm) in length. They are social animals and do
best in pairs. They eat cooked meats and eggs, fresh veggies, and raw nuts. Veterinarians
recommend owners supplement their diet with insects, leaves, and fresh branches which
can be pretty messy!
Despite their friendly nature, these are not good animals for a house with small children.
A sugar glider’s sharp teeth and claws can hurt inexperienced handlers.
5. Boa Constrictors
A lot of people are afraid of snakes. However, for those who love slithery serpents, a boa
constrictor can make a good pet for some. (I personally wouldn’t want one!) Despite
their reputation, boas are friendlier than most snakes. The only downside is their size.
Constrictors can reach six to eight feet in length. Prospective owners need to be certain
they have the space for their pet and make sure they are ready for a long term relationship
because a constrictor can live up to thirty years!
Boa constrictors come from the Amazon rainforest, so owners should build enclosures that are
high up and heated to mimic the snake’s natural habitat. As adults, these snakes will
need larger prey, like large rats or even rabbits. And whatever you do, if anything
ever happens, DO NOT release it into the wild!!
4. Serval
Servals are also known as a Savannah cats and they has a spotted coat similar to that
of a cheetah. Servals are a small wild cat that can live up to 19 years in captivity!
In the wild, these felines are the most successful hunters of all wild cats. They make one kill
for every two attempts, while most wild cats make one kill in every six attempts. The serval
is one of the more popular exotic cats in the United States.
They have pointed ears like a fennec fox. Skittish around strangers, they’ll run away
from anyone they don’t know. This could be a problem if your serval ever managed to
escape your home. And since they love to jump, escaping is a definite problem. They are also
very active, requiring frequent exercise, and can be trained to walk on a leash. Despite
their skittish nature, they can tolerate other pets if they’ve been raised with them.
3. Chinchilla
Originally from the Andes Mountains in South America, chinchillas are famous for their
incredibly soft fur. In fact, their fur is so dense that water can’t even penetrate
to it skin. Chinchillas take dust baths, which absorb the dirt and oil from their fur. Kind
of like dry shampoo!
A member of the rodent family, these balls of absolute adorableness are full of energy
and make perfect pets for small families. In captivity, they can live between 15-22
years. They are also sensitive and fragile, so be careful if a small child holds your
pet chinchilla. If squeezed too hard, they will bite. You would too probably! Like several
other critters on this list, the chinchilla is mostly nocturnal and prefers cooler temperatures.
2. Axolotl
In the wild, axolotls can be found in only one place: Xochimilcho Lake in Mexico. Unfortunately,
because of the growth of Mexico City, which depletes the lake, axoltls are considered
an endangered species. However, the good news is that they breed easily in captivity and
are popular subjects for research because of their ability to regenerate entire limbs!
Quite the amazing superpower!
These aquatic salamanders can live up to 15 years and require specialized care and equipment.
Their aquariums should be at least 15 gallons and juvenile axolotls should be kept separate.
Why? Well, because at that stage in their lives, they kind of become vicious cannibals.
Then, it appears they grow out of that phase….don’t we all? Their water should be kept cool, no
warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). In captivity, they eat brine shrimp,
bloodworms, and commercial fish pellets.
In very rare cases, the axolotl can undergo a metamorphosis into a terrestrial form. However,
this is very hard on this alien-like creature and experts recommend owners not to try to
induce this change. It is not a Pokemon.
1. Kinkajou
Speaking of Pokemon, this one kind of sounds like one! From the rainforests of Central
and South America, the kinkajou is a member of the raccoon family. They are also known
as honey bears and nightwalkers. Generally, their body is about 16-25 inches long, and
their tails are just as long! They have a very long lifespan and can live up to 25 years!
Kinkajous love eating fresh fruits, figs, and flower nectar. Maybe that’s why they’re
known as honey bears? Even though they are solitary creatures in the wild, they can be
very social and can bond closely with their owners. However, their bite can land someone
in the hospital because of a bacteria they carry in their saliva. A girl in Tennessee
went to the emergency room complaining of stomach pain, severe headache, and high fever,
all of which were caused by a bite from her aunt’s pet kinkajou.
Thanks for watching! Do you own any of these pets? Let us know about your experience in
the comments below! Remember to subscribe and see you soon! byeeeee