Weird Pets Are Not Always Crazy
I’ve compiled the list of strange pets below as a warning. People who are considering getting some of the animals on the list need to realize that while some will make wonderful exotic pets, others will be very dangerous to own and difficult to control. If you’re considering any of the pet suggestions below, please be sure to do your research and check your local laws, as most likely come with a lot of extra rules or are actually illegal to own. .
If you’re like me, you’ve probably thought about getting some kind of exotic animal as a pet after seeing it as a pet in a movie or on a TV show. While this is a romantic idea to entertain, everyone needs to know that wild animals that are not domesticated often involve a lot of extra work and a certain amount of risk. You have been warned.
Weird Pet Ideas to Watch Out for
- Ravens or Crows: They need a lot of space to use their wings and their minds, so it is not advised to keep them in cages …unless you want them to go crazy.
- Ferrets: Very sociable and cute, but most need to be taught not to bite.
- Finches: Finches are relatively easier to care for than most other types of birds and come in a variety of beautiful colors. Usually kept in pairs.
- Hedgehogs: The more comfortable they are with you, the less productive they will be.
- Raccoons: Very unpredictable and will bite if scared or angry.
- Skunks: Domestic skunks can deodorize when young. I would go that route if you are determined to have one as a pet. I advise against walking here in heavily trafficked areas, though.
- squirrel: My grandmother had a squirrel at work who would meet her every day under a tree to share her lunch. He will feed it right out of his hand; one day he got into the car with her and she took him home. However, they can be hell if they don’t want to come to you alone.
Unique Low Maintenance Pets
The term “low maintenance” should not be confused with “no maintenance” when it comes to exotic pet ownership. These types of pets will always take a fair amount of research, preparation and care to ensure they adapt well to captivity. Don’t ignore this advice, because if you do, you’ll probably have a bad time out of the whole experience.
More Weird and Unusual Pets
Chimpanzee |
owl |
Giant Anteater |
Kestrel or Sparrowhawk |
Ocelot |
Bandicoot |
Wolverine |
Serval Cat |
Galapagos Tortoise |
Giant African Millipede |
Cockatiels |
Rat Snake |
Arctic Wolf |
Marmoset |
Lynx |
iguana |
Fennec Fox |
Black Footed Cat |
Boa Constrictor |
Blue Crayfish |
parakeet |
More Dangerous and Weird Pets
- Baboon: Quite aggressive and bold when hungry and looking for food. Not much can stop them when they need food.
- cassowary: These large, flightless birds, although usually shy, can be very dangerous if provoked. Their most dangerous weapon is the razor sharp claw on each foot.
- Hyena: While having a hyena might make you feel like a proper villain, you have to do a ton of obedience training and socialization from a puppy to get a decent reliable pet. A muzzle can also be a good idea.
- Kangaroos: Making your children ride like horses may not be the best idea.
- Komodo Dragons: The bites are poisonous. If bitten, they will follow you until you can’t run, and then start eating you.
- python: Ball and Burmese species of python are the most popular. Just remember that they eat live animals such as mice, chicks and young rabbits.
- Wolf-Dog Mixes: The most common hybrid uses a Gray Wolf crossed with dogs such as a Husky or German Shepherd.
Quirky Pet Ideas for Adults
tarantula |
Mountain Lion |
Gray Wolf |
Emu |
Wildebeest |
Zebu |
Panda Bear |
Emperor Scorpion |
Three-toed Sloth |
Harpy Eagle |
Zonkey |
Fire Salamander |
Corn Snake |
Slow Loris |
Gopher |
Red Fox |
Dingo of Australia |
European Fallow Deer |
Gorilla |
Bobcat |
Mountain Goat |
Rare Animals as Pets
It should always be kept in mind that just because an animal is labeled extinct, it does not mean that they are. There have been many cases where rare exotic animals have been spotted and documented by lucky individuals exploring the wild. Talk about a dangerous, a kind pet.
Look But Do Not Touch Pets
- Blue-Ringed Octopus: A sea animal as poisonous as this is beautiful. They spend a lot of time hiding in crevices, so you may not see them as often as you’d like. Mesmerizing spectacle, though.
- copperheads: I once had a friend who tried to kiss this snake on the mouth. He regretted it, but lived through the event …barely.
- Crocodile: They don’t care what they eat, and they don’t like how you look at them. You have been warned.
- Mad Monsters: Although shy and not really known to attack humans, they will if disturbed …and their bites are venomous.
- Mandrill: Big, really strong and some very sharp canine teeth. Not the best trait to consider for a pet.
- Polar Bears: Despite the cute Coca-Cola commercials, these giant animals are quite dangerous and mostly meat. They look cute and harmless until the moment they attack.
- Sydney Funnel Web Spider: The venom from this strange arachnid is highly toxic. Enough said.
A Cool Way to Showcase a Weird Pet?
Walking any pet in public for all to see is a time-tested tradition for many years. It’s a way for proud owners to strut their stuff with their pride and joy included. However, imagine if someone was walking down the sidewalk with a hyena, komodo dragon or black bear on a leash. You probably don’t have a problem with someone asking you for change.
Unusual Family Pets to Think Twice About
Praying Mantis |
King Cobra |
Giraffe |
Zebra |
Rhinoceros |
Weak Goat |
Badger |
Platypus |
Cloud Leopard |
Grizzly Bear |
Lemur |
Kinkajou |
Pangolin |
Wombat |
lion |
Tasmanian Devil |
Bison or Buffalo |
Glass Frog |
Leafy Seadragon |
Screw Horn Goat |
Hippopotamus |
Arabian Wolf |
tiger |
Know Your Wild Animals When Keeping Them as Pets
- Eastern Box Turtle: Possibly the perfect pet for someone who doesn’t want a lot of drama. You can get two more.
- Elephants: The main reason they are dangerous is that most people think they are not dangerous.
- gerbils: An important point to observe while you have these animals as pets is never to touch the tail as it breaks very easily and hurts the animal.
- Mongoose: Although small and cute, this strange animal fights with great tenacity. They can make great guard animals because they will fight almost anything, even King Cobras.
- Moose: These animals are especially dangerous during mating season (late September and October).
- Pygmy Goats: These adorable animals are quite friendly, easy to handle for most and quite social. Although they can be trained like normal pets, they can be one-handed if you have more than one.
- Sugar Gliders: Many consider this animal to be one of the most adorable pets in the world. A warning: these little exotic pets have skin …a strong one.
Extinct or Supernatural Pets to Own and Love (Imagination Can Be Fun)
Phoenix |
Griffin |
Indus worm |
Rabbit of the moon |
Unicorn |
Allosaurus |
Bear with a short face |
Gigantopithicus |
Say the Balloon |
Chupacabra |
Golden Frog |
Manticore |
Jackalope |
Erymanthian Boar |
Gremlin |
Ankylosaurus |
Terror Birds |
Titanoboa |
Dragon |
Irish Elk |
Raptorex |
Keeping Dangerous Animals as Pets Can Be a Really Bad Idea
Again, I want to emphasize that the purpose of this article is to help writers who want to make their story more interesting by having their characters own an interesting pet. If anyone is planning to try and make any of the animals in this article a pet, they better do their research and think it through. There are always drawbacks to owning exotic pets.
Quirky Pet Ideas for Kids?
Bearded Dragon |
Pig |
Mice |
Aardvark |
Ghost Crab |
Llama |
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach |
Red-Eared Slider Turtle |
clownfish |
Capybara |
Chinchillas |
Wallabies |
Leopard Gecko |
Little Donkey |
Little snake |
Guinea Pig |
Chipmunks |
chicken |
Rabbit |
Opossum |
parrot |
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2022 Don