5 of The Most Exotic Pets You Can Have

Having an exotic pet has become all the rage nowadays. a dog or cat has become too common, so people are getting into taking care of pets that are in the more exotic side. Below are a few exotic animals that you can have as pets. Before getting them, you should check your local laws to make sure it’s legal to take care of one in your area.

Fennec Fox

Although foxes don’t usually make good pets, Fennec foxes are an exception. These small species of fox are native to the Sahara desert in North Africa. One feature that makes these foxes stand out is their giant ears. These help them stay cool in the desert heat. Fennec foxes are smart and are easy to housetrain. A litter box is enough for them. They’re very active so you’ll need some space for them to exercise.

Capybara

They may be related to hamsters and guinea pigs, but they’re definitely not that small. These giant rodents grow to about 4 feet long and can weigh in at a hundred pounds. in certain areas, capybaras are illegal to have as pets, so check your local legislations. They’re also high maintenance pets. They need a lot of room and a small water pond where they can swim in.

Miniature Donkey

These fuzzy and cute donkeys look like baby donkeys for the rest of their lives. They’re great with kids and are very friendly. Getting these donkeys as a pet means you’ll have to get a couple of them. These animals are very social animals and they have to live with other miniature donkeys to survive. Although they’re mall animals, they need a lot of room to roam around.

Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are very friendly and affectionate to their owners. Although they have spines, they actually don’t hurt when you tough them. They don’t require a lot of maintenance, but do need a lot of attention. These nocturnal cuties live off worms that you can get at any petshop these days.

Skunk

People might think you’re crazy for keeping a pet skunk, but they can actually make good pets. They’re low maintenance and require little care.  Before you can get one as a pet, their scent glands are removed. This means that you absolutely have to be sure that you can take care of one since they can’t be taken back to the wild without their scent glands. Make sure you also get it from a reliable source that’s certified to breed and sell skunks.

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8 Exotic Animals that can be kept as Pets

When it comes to pets, some people think the common house cat or dog is too boring or common. Home owners are able to keep exotic pets, and there are so many to choose from. Some cities and towns will need these animals to be registered but some places are very lenient when it comes to people keeping exotic animals for pets.

Here are 8 exotic animals that you can legally own as a pet.

Capybaras

If you think hamsters and guanine pigs are too small, get a capybara. This animal is the world’s biggest rodent, reaching a weight of 150 pounds and a length of 4 feet. Unlike their smaller relatives, these rodents can live a pretty long life, spanning from 8 to 10 years. They do share similar traits with hamsters and guanine pigs, like their being very social, playful and smart. Capybaras will need fresh grass or veggies to eat and some water to swim in.

Fennec Fox

One of the cutest fox species around, there perky, large ears give them an innocent and childlike look. Originating from North Africa, these foxes can love to around 10 to 16 years and have recently become popular as exotic house pets. Having one is like owning a dog and a cat. They’re playful, loyal and protective, but they spend most of the day sleeping and have the same temperament as cats. Expect these guys to run around or jump on your couch because of excitement.

Kinkajou

This adorable little animal is actually related to the raccoons. They come from the forest of South and Central Africa, and can live up to 20 to 25 years. They’re also called “honeybears” and are incredibly sociable and affectionate. Kinkajous get along well with other animals and humans since they love to play and are docile in nature.

Serval

Servals are definitely not your usual house cat. They originate from south and central Africa and can live up to 19 years. They can grow to about 2 feet tall and weight at 40 pounds, which is about the same size of a medium sized dog. Many serval owners say that they’re cat acts more like a dog. they even take them out for walks in leashes.

Wallaby

Kangaroos are definitely too big to keep as pets, but wallabies are the perfect size for a home with a lawn or backyard. They can weigh in at 53 pounds and grow to about 40 inches. People who love the outdoors will love the wallaby since they prefer to spend more time outside. They’re also fuzzy and cute, love to hop around and are extremely friendly and social.

Squirrel Monkey

Originating from the forests of South and Central America, squirrel monkeys may just be the most lovable exotic pet anyone can have. They can weigh to around 2 pounds when fully grown and are energetic, playful and a lot of fun. These animals are also very intelligent, affectionate, and social, much like a child. Their brain to body ratio is the biggest amongst the primates, so potty-training is going to be a breeze.

Hyacinth Macaw

If you’re into birds, the hyacinth macaw might just be your pet. Coming from South America, these birds can grow to a whopping 3 to 4 pounds with wing spans reaching 4 feet. Keeping these as pets means you’ll need a big space and a sturdy cage since their strong beaks are known to be able to break their cages apart.

Chimpanzee

The most exotic pet of them all, chimps are prized by exotic pet lovers because they’re very similar to humans. Although endangered, some cities and countries will still let you keep them as pets. They’re very expensive and require a high upkeep. They act like a 3 year old child and are very affectionate to their owners. 

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Foxes with Giant Ears

When we think of something small with bat-like ears, a fox would probably be the last thing that comes to our mind. Fennec foxes, which are the smallest kind of foxes in the world, might have ears like bats but they look far from the night-dwelling creature. In fact, many people love these foxes because they look adorable.

They’re commonly found in the Sahara desert and areas in the northern part of Africa, but they’ve been exported to different places all over the world. Some of them even make it as pets for exotic pet lovers. These foxes are nocturnal by nature, which they need since they live in such a harsh environment which can get pretty hot during the day. A few physical adaptations have also helped these little mammals to make the most of their desert environment.

Their large ears can measure to about 6 inches long and makes up a good percent of their total body length. These ears actually help radiate their body heat, keeping them cool during the day. But at night when the temperature drops, their long, thick fur helps them keep warm. Even their tiny paws are hairy so they act like little shoes that protect their feet from the really hot sand. Like most foxes, they dig dens and live underground.

Fennec foxes are social animals that live in small groups, usually consisting of ten individuals. The male specimens mark their territories with urine, telling other foxes to stay out. They feed on insects, reptiles, eggs and smaller mammals like rodents, but they’re also known to forage on plants.

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Fennec Fox

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A Closer Look at the Fennec Fox

Just the mere sight of a fox is intimidating. The normal reaction would be fear and threat. Although
not exactly huge and powerful compared to other canines, its small stature has defined its strategy in
survival. It can outwit and outsmart other animals of its kind instead of fighting with them head-on.

Despite this perception, do you know that you can bring home a fox as a pet? Well, not exactly the fox
in the wild but the smallest one there is – the Fennec fox that grows from 16-18 inches in length and
about 8-10 inches tall at the shoulder. Its enormous, bat-like ears that measure up to 6 inches, is what
makes this smallest fox remarkable and distinctive. Normally thriving in the sandy desert of the Sahara
and some parts of Africa, they keep themselves cool, thanks to those bat-like ears that radiate heat in
the midst of it all. They have also thick and long hair that insulates them during cold nights, while serving
as protection from the rays of the sun during most of the day.

Belonging to the canine family, the Fennec Fox is also referred to as the desert fox, a beautiful and social
canine that can complete one’s home. Although not a common pet to have and to love, a Fennec Fox
behaves exactly like a dog and can be one’s best friend, too. However, careful socialization and exposure
is a must-do for a Fennec Fox to be aware of its surroundings, since they are not normally domesticated.

If you are looking for a unique pet to bond with the same qualities of a dog, the Fennec fox can be the
perfect choice. They are extremely loyal and obedient. Before deciding on having a Fennec Fox as a pet,
here are some points to consider.

-Check on the legalities on your area, if having a pet Fennec Fox is allowed.

-Start it out with a pup in order to easily train

- Kenneling is required – indoor kennels or outdoor pens will do

- Provide room and time for socialization and good amount of exposure to other people

- Practically omnivores, so the best diet should be a mixture of dog food, cat food, vegetable and fruits

- Provide adequate shelter that is tolerant to both hot and cold weather

- Find a veterinarian to look after and monitor your pet

 Fennec Fox Video

 

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