How to keep an exotic cat
Domestic cats have lived around humans for thousands of years and are arguably one of the most popular pets on the planet, but some owners prefer felines that are considered ‘exotic’. . These pets can be very difficult to care for or require special equipment, so caring for these unique creatures can bring pride and a sense of accomplishment.
Therefore, the bond between humans and animals that may not have been very receptive to human interaction at first is more valuable, and if these cats are rarely kept in captivity, it is important to take care of them. It’s an even greater privilege. Here are some of the rarest and most exotic cats that some people keep as personal pets.
clouded leopard
- Species name: Acinonychus jubatus
- Native: Nepal, Bhutan, India, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar.
- diet: birds, fish, monkeys, deer, rodents. They sometimes prey on livestock.
- livestock industry: Sensitive to temperature extremes, but must be stored outdoors.
- rarity: Very rare, but in stock.
Clouded leopards are beautiful, medium-sized, stocky felines that are starting to become available to private zoo owners. They are very expensive, some have sold for around $20,000. Despite the name “leopard”, it is significantly less dangerous and smaller than the Panthera leopard.
these cats highly arborealAlso, do not expose it to cold temperatures or above 85°F. Clouded leopards are prized not only for their appearance, but also for their much more manageable size.
sand cat
- Species name: Ferris Margarita
- Native: Sahara Desert including the countries of Algeria, Niger, Morocco, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- diet: Snakes, sand voles, gerbils, hares, birds and other small animals.
- livestock industry: Sand cats are small enough to be house pets, but some cats have difficult personalities.
- rarity: The number of people who keep sand cats is limited.
Sand cats are sometimes kept as pets by those who can import them. Also, sand cat breeders are limited and he usually does not sell to anyone without a USDA license. Currently, individuals kept outside of zoos are still rare.
Sand cats are one of the smallest wild cats in the world (second only to black-footed cats). Some sand cat owners have reported spraying their cats, but this can be remedied with spay/neuter surgery.
Sand cats can be a challenging pet for the typical pet owner, despite their small size and resemblance to domestic cats. Some behave aggressively and prefer little human contact. Other sand cats have a strong bond with their owners, but can be wary of strangers. Sand cats may make frequent hissing sounds during communication.
Not a cat for those who prefer the friendliness of a domestic cat. Some people feel calm when socializing a lot, while others lack confidence in public.
jaguar
- Species name: panthera onca
- Native: South America, parts of Mexico, and the United States (Arizona and New Mexico).
- diet: Large animals such as tapirs, capybaras, porcupines, caimans, and deer.
- livestock industry: A large cat kept only in outdoor enclosures.
- rarity: Slightly rare.
Jaguars are truly “big cats” and are extremely dangerous. There is a reason they are less often worked on “directly” than lions and tigers. Also, most jaguar owners are licensed zoo owners, so they are less frequently available than those species. Jaguars should be cared for in the same way and with the same level of precautions as other big cats such as lions and tigers, but their enclosures should also be covered to prevent escapes.
ocelot
- Species name: fritillary
- Native: Central America, South America, USA (Texas, Arizona)
- diet: Primarily includes small to medium-sized rodents such as mice and agouti, reptiles, birds, crustaceans and fish, as well as larger prey such as monkeys and anteaters.
- livestock industry: This small cat can be kept indoors, but like any other exotic cat, it smells and benefits from its own enclosure. You need a place to climb, and enrichments that provide places to swim and dig are also ideal.
- rarity: Very rare and may not be available anymore.
Famous artist Salvador Dali once hugged his traveling companion. Ocelot named Babu, he described as being like a normal cat, proving that at least one of this breed is a tolerant pet. In the 50’s and his 60’s, the once relatively common exotic pets. Contrary to their appearance, Ocelots are relatively affectionate when well socialized as kittens, so these cats have a ferocious growl that is actually a mating meow.
Sadly, there may be a few remaining original owners, but they were once endangered and have mostly been wiped from the private trade. However, the last time it was evaluated, it was the most concerning. They are still a protected species.
snow leopard
- Species name: panthera uncia
- Native: Central Asia, Himalayas, Bhutan, Nepal, Siberia, Mongolia, China.
- diet: blue sheep and other ungulates, marmots, hares, pikas, voles, birds and other small animals.
- livestock industry: Large cats kept outdoors in appropriately sized enclosures with sufficient space to climb.
- Rarity: extremely rare
Snow leopards used to be infrequently available, but are now even rarer and, when sold, are very expensive.Two snow leopards actually purchased for Carole Baskin of tiger king Made famous by her missing husband Don Lewis in 1998. These beautiful animals obviously love the cold, so they need to be prepared for it.
Despite their stockiness and the name “leopard”, they are known to be somewhat docile and not very dangerous.I also need a level climb up This is a cat that lives on a cliff, so it’s in an enclosure.
fishing cat
- Species name: Prionailurus viberinus
- Native: India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Java, Pakistan.
- diet: Seafood, small animals, livestock.
- livestock industry: You need a water source. It is usually kept outside in an enclosure.
- Rarity: Rare, but consistently available.
As the name suggests, fishing cats love to hunt and eat fish, and while they are often fed fish in captivity, they will also eat other small animals. However, water sources are an excellent method of nutrition for cats, as well as other methods used for carnivores and medium-sized cats.
Fishing cats are sometimes kept by owners of private zoos, but are very rarely used exclusively as pets. They are regularly available in limited quantities, but are not often sold to the general public.
Cheetah
- Species name: Acinonychus jubatus
- Native: In modern times, cheetahs have been identified in 25 African countries, and Asia has a small number of endangered cheetahs.
- diet: Small and medium ungulates such as antelopes, hares and birds.
- livestock industry: Cheetahs need access to large enclosures and locations to run at maximum speed. They are obsessed with social arrangements and sensitive to stress.
- Rarity: Very rare in the US.
Cheetahs are known to be relatively easy to handle, despite being a large member of the cat family, due to their slender and shy personality. In fact, historically, cheetahs were often kept primarily as “pets” for sport hunting. Unfortunately, cheetahs are very difficult to breed in captivity, requiring a certain social structure (males form social groups and females act alone) and plenty of space. For this reason, despite being widespread in captivity, they are often caught in the wild, and over time this has proven unsustainable.
Cheetahs have low genetic diversity in the wild and are endangered. Cheetahs are very difficult to breed and unethical to remove from the wild, so they are rarely kept in captivity. Some cheetah owners in the United States own private zoos, while others live in countries with lax laws. There are places where people looking for cheetahs can obtain and import cheetahs for a hefty fee, provided they have the approval of the facility.
References
- Shoemaker, AH, Maruska, EJ, R. Rockwell (1997) Minimum Mammal Care Guidelines: Big Cats American Association of Zoos and Aquariums
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 advisors or professional advice in business, financial, legal or technical matters.
© 2022 Melissa Smith