When you hear the word “pet,” what comes to mind? Cats? Dogs? Snakes? Probably not exotic animals you’d normally find in foreign countries. These 10 exotic pets are not only exotic, but they’re also legal for anyone to own – at a price. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering getting a unique pet for yourself.
Number Ten: A Fennec Fox. Perhaps the cutest animal on this list is the Fennec Fox. These animals are native to Northern Africa and can live for up to 16 years. Fennec Foxes resemble both dogs and cats in several ways; though they are genetically linked to dogs, they often share a temperament resembling a cat’s, because they love to sleep and can be trained to use a litter box.
Number Nine: A Capybara. For $600, even you can have a pet capybara. Known as the world’s largest rodent, this South African animal can weigh up to 150 pounds and needs a lot of room to stay happy. Capybaras love the water, so having access to a swimming area is essential.
Number Eight: A Miniature Donkey. A miniature donkey is a donkey that is 36 inches tall or shorter. Their size makes them an ideal pet for kids who live on a farm, and they can live for nearly 40 years.
Number Seven: A Serval. These gorgeous felines are commonly found in Central and Southern Africa. They can weight up to 40 pounds and are the fastest running cat other than the cheetah. They are significantly wilder than a house cat, but servals can be trained to live domestically as well.
Number Six: A Skunk. Though skunks may be a surprising addition to this list, they actually make excellent pets once their scent glands are removed. Skunks are very sensitive pets and can also be very playful. One caveat for people interested in owning skunks is that they tend to steal small trinkets all over the house.
Number Five: A Sugar Glider. Sugar Gliders are indigenous to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia, but they’ve recently become popular as pets everywhere. They can live for up to 15 years and weigh less than half of a pound.
Number Four: A Spotted Genet. As adults, spotted genets are very long and lean, and they appear like a cross between a cat and a ferret. Spotted genets are nocturnal, so this would not be a great pet for a light sleeper.
Number Three: A Squirrel Monkey. These adorable primates weigh just up to two pounds and are extremely playful, making them very popular exotic pets. However, of note is the fact that squirrel monkeys are very territorial and are known to spread urine all over their bodies to mark their property.
Number Two: A Wallaby. A smaller cousin of the kangaroo, you can own a pet wallaby for the small price of $3,000. Wallabies require lots of room, so this is not an exotic pet appropriate for people who live in an urban environment.
Number One: A Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Finally, at number one on our list of top 10 exotic pets you can legally own is the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Native to, unsurprisingly, Madagascar, these roaches are able to hiss by forcing air through tiny holes in their bodies. Despite popular belief, these roaches neither fly nor bite, and interested people can buy them for a low price of less than three dollar.
