When we (Westerners) think of the word “exotic”, especially when we think of animals, it means colorful, strange or unfamiliar creatures that inhabit remote places like the humid jungles of Asia or Africa. It conjures up images of living things.

If the term “exotic pets” only refers to animals that are not native to the area in which we live, dogs and cats are actually “exotic”, but some rare pets are not.

exotic pets from america

Sometimes, exotic pets inhabit your backyard. If you live in the United States, wild animals that are common in the woods around your home can be very unusual pets to have in your home. Most or all states ban or restrict the ownership of animals that come directly from the wild, but some areas allow native animals raised in captivity as pets.

1. Skunk

Skunks live in every US state except Alaska and Hawaii. These iconic striped mammals may resemble weasels or even rodents, but they belong to their own family, Mephitiidae. They are one of the few animals native to the Americas to be considered “domesticated” by mainstream standards if derived from a captive breeding program (scent glands removed).

again, an array of colors, champagne, albino, apricot, etc. Skunks are rabies vectors and are legal in a limited number of states. They are sometimes considered one of the “easy” exotic pets to care for, but they can be prone to aggressiveness.

fact

• Skunks are believed to be domesticated.
• They have a turtle badger in their family.
• You can use a harness or do potty training.

2. Raccoon

Raccoons are already famous for scavenging trash cans in human environments, but this could possibly indicate that nocturnal creatures have evolved some tolerance to being around humans. It’s been theorized that dogs self-domesticated in this way, so it’s no wonder raccoons are kept as pets.

However, like other members of the Procyonid family, they are known to be prone to aggressive outbursts, and their sharp teeth can easily end up in the hospital. Raccoons, like skunks, are rabies carriers, so most states have strict regulations for the species.

fact

• Raccoons are prone to outbursts of aggressive emotions.
• They are commonly kept as pets from the wild, but in most cases this is not legal.
• They are smart and should be kept as pets.

3. Opossum

Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), not to be confused with the Australian native possum. This is the only marsupial in North America and has a very unusual appearance. They also surprisingly make good pets for more people than you might think.

They are sometimes unjustly persecuted by those who believe they are dangerous or disease spreaders, but they rarely contract or spread rabies.they are also famous for mythology They eat thousands of ticks a day. But what’s no superstition is that hand-raised opossums can be docile and affectionate pets.

However, this can be a problem for many people. Sadly, opossums have incredibly short lifespans. About 3-4 yearscomparable to small rodent species.

fact

• They can make good pets if they follow traditional standards.
• Opossums are very short-lived.
• They rarely contract rabies.

4. Fox

There are several fox species available in the exotic pet trade. Two-pound fennec foxes are very popular. However, native foxes include the iconic red fox, gray fox, swift, and more. Unlike small exotic foxes, native foxes (with the possible exception of gray foxes), especially red foxes, are known for their foul-smelling urine and destructive habits, making them unsuitable for indoor keeping.

Nonetheless, foxes are popular as exotic pets, even though they are not legal in most states. Most red foxes in the trade are descended from fur farms, but so-called Russian domesticated foxes have piqued the interest of many. These intensively and selectively bred foxes are extremely rare in the United States and are not allowed to breed (all imported Russian foxes are spayed and neutered). So if you’ve seen a pet fox, it’s likely that it came from a typical breeding method.

fact

• Foxes are domesticated, but the majority are not “Russian foxes”.
• Available in a variety of colors.
• Their urine smell is comparable to that of a skunk.

5. Wawoneko

Many people would think that this beautiful animal lives on a continent like Africa. After all, it resembles Madara Jennet, or perhaps the Wow Mongoose.Galidia Elegance) native to the island nation of Madagascar. Surprisingly, swollen ducks live in several states such as Arizona, Kansas, California, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah, and actually belong to the same family as raccoons. Also, there are very few breeders who produce them, so they are very rarely kept as pets, but they do become available from time to time.

fact

• They are rarely sold or kept in captivity.
• they are arboreal.
• Also called “miner’s cat” or “ringtail”.

6. Giant flying squirrel

There are two species of gliders kept as exotic pets (not to be confused with the more popular marsupial sugar glider). Southern flying squirrel (Volans in Glaucoma) of the eastern half of the United States and the much less common flying squirrel (glaucoma subrinus), with a sporadic distribution in some northern states, but is more common in Canada and Alaska.

These little rodents are known to be affectionate and are legal in more states than other native animals. The bonds these little squirrels form with humans are so strong that many owners carry them around in their pockets, where they can sleep for hours. It’s an excellent option for those unfamiliar with non-traditional pet ownership.

fact

• According to anecdotes, Kitamonga is said to have a superior temperament.
• Momonga is very affectionate.
• They do not “fly” but glide on a special membrane called the patagium..

7. American Pine Ten

This cute little creature is actually a vicious predator. They may resemble foxes and minks and belong to the same family (Melidae) as the latter. Very rare for a pet, he has at least one breeder offering these unique animals to those who can legally keep native breeds. With so little information available about what it’s like to keep a pine marten as a pet, the breed is only intended for the most adventurous and resourceful pet owners in the few states where it can be legally owned. increase. They inhabit Alaska, Canada, and some northern regions of the United States.

fact

• It belongs to the same family as ferrets.
• They are rarely kept as pets.
• It seems that only native varieties are sold in the United States, not European ones.

8. Bobcat

A ferocious stray cat? Being raised by humans from an early age, bobcats are actually very affectionate and interactive. The breed is known for its bold personality, which is sometimes more reminiscent of a dog than a capricious feline. Exotic cats are considered to be groomed pets that need a large space of their own (ideally an outdoor cage to shelter in) and an energy outlet.

One bobcat was raised with a deer and two of them swam well (bobcats enjoy water recreation too!). Bobcats can develop strong bonds with familiar humans and pets.

fact

• Bobcats form strong bonds with humans and the animals they are raised with.
• Bobcats can kill animals several times their size, including deer
• No human has died from a bobcat in recent history.

9. North American Porcupine

No, they do not fly their feathers and are completely safe to keep as pets. However, one of the world’s largest rodents requires a fairly large enclosure to properly care for. It is arboreal, so it needs to be tall enough to climb.

Another big downside to owning a New World porcupine. It is said to have a strong body odor similar to human BO. This large rodent is rarely kept as a pet for some reason, but is enjoyed by some USDA-licensed exhibitors.

fact

• Less commonly owned than other porcupine species. The most popular is the African Crested Porcupine.
• This species has barbed wings that will stick to the skin if not properly removed.
• In the wild, it feeds on plants, bark, and pine cones. In captivity, rodent blocks and vegetables can be given.

10. Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs are the most available species on this list and are legal to keep as pets in most states. Prairie dogs actually belong to the squirrel family, and the most popular species kept as pets is the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), the Great Plains, including Wyoming, Kansas, and Montana, and the Southern states, including Texas and Arizona.

Despite their relative popularity, they are actually very difficult to keep as pets, as they require a great deal of nutrition to keep them busy and are prone to bouts of aggression.

Unfortunately, they can contract a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague and, more famously, one group contracted monkeypox in 2003 from captive bag rats in The Gambia. This started a ban on prairie dogs, which was later lifted, but some states still ban the keeping of these rodents because of the fear of the disease.

fact

• Prairie dogs are being studied for their use of “words” such as warnings to predators.
• They are very active and destructive and require certain items to bite and destroy.
• It is illegal in some areas because of the 2003 monkeypox scare.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. The Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for personal or professional advice in business, financial, legal or technical matters.

© 2022 Melissa Smith