Do These 6 Uncommon Animals Make Good Pets?

Do you love animals and keep them as pets? Would you like to keep a skunk as a pet or a boa? Sounds shocking? Actually, there are many people who keep uncommon and even exotic animals as pets.

Conventionally, we only think of dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters as pets. There are many other beautiful animals that would make for interesting pets. These are uncommon and not very frequent.

If the idea interests you, then read on. We tell you about some unique animals you could consider keeping as a pet.

1) Monkeys

Monkeys are wild animals but have learned to live with humans. It is a known fact that humans have descended from simians. A monkey is an intelligent animal and can be kept as a pet. Many people keep monkeys as a pet since they are smart and human-like in many ways. 

Toilet training monkeys is not easy. An angry monkey can throw feces around and can even attack people. They can live up to 40 years and are high-maintenance pets. But, it is legal to keep a monkey as a pet.

2) Snakes

People do keep snakes as pets, even though most people get a chill down their spine thinking of snakes. You would have seen photos of celebrities with a snake draped on their neck. Two types of snakes you can consider keeping as pets are the Western Hognose and the Ball Python. 

The Ball python is a mild-mannered reptile. If they are scared, they don’t bite like other snakes. Rather, they curl up into a ball. These colorful snakes are between 3 and 6 feet in length. They are docile and can be taken care of by kids. You don’t even need to feed them frequently (once in 1 or 2 weeks will do).

The Western hog nose is also a docile pet, though it needs time to manage. They are small snakes that are less than 3 feet in length. They are unlikely to bite when angry and non-poisonous. It is legal to keep this snake as a pet.

3) Skunks

Most people turn up their noses thinking of keeping a skunk as a pet. But many people do have a skunk as a pet. You must know the skunks kept as pets are those bred in captivity. It is not possible to keep a wild skunk as a pet. The skunks kept as pets have their infamous scent glands removed.

While animal activists call this cruel, these skunks are fairly docile and easy to manage. They are playful animals that can be kept as pets. Before you get one, check if it is legal in your state. 

4) Alligators

An alligator is a common exotic pet that used to be a favorite of many celebrities. While it is legal to keep an alligator as a pet, you need to exercise caution. A baby alligator is a great pet since it is not more than a foot in length. It is also harmless and easy to manage.

The problem starts when the alligator starts to grow. You would then need to give it away. An adult alligator can be 10 feet in length and 1000 pounds in weight. They are carnivorous and aggressive animals, and it can be risky to keep one at home.

5) Tarantula

The tarantula is one of the most feared arthropods. The reality is these spiders are shy creatures that avoid humans. It is legal to keep a tarantula and if you are looking for an uncommon animal, you can consider the tarantula.

Tarantulas prefer to stay in a dark place and dislike handling by humans. If you are the ‘non-handling pet’ type, then you can consider this spider as a pet. The Mexican red knee and the curly hair tarantulas are the best pet species. You can keep them in an aquarium with limited handling.

6) Foxes

Foxes are animals that live in proximity to humans. It is possible to domesticate them. The fennec fox and the silver fox are popular pets. They are canids, like dogs, but are carnivorous and do not eat human food. 

You cannot expect them to be as docile as dogs. While they are dog-like, they are independent in nature like cats. They are great to watch while playing. However, handling them is a challenge. They can get along with humans, but you need to be careful managing them. If you want domesticated foxes of good breeding, they can be expensive. Thanks to Dreamstime.com for the awesome animal stock photos!