Would you own an exotic animal?

Contributor: married with children married with children
no thank you.
06/13/2013
Contributor: funluvinmama funluvinmama
Like many others, I would own a sugar glider.
06/13/2013
Contributor: karenm karenm
Not a big exotic animal. I've watched enough documentaries about that to know it's a bad idea. I can see myself getting a small unusual (maybe not considered exotic) animal like a hedgehog or a sugar glider.
06/13/2013
Contributor: Herzer Herzer
I've always wanted to get a fox cub for a pet.
06/14/2013
Contributor: RedFreak RedFreak
i would like a small one they need so much more care the other pets
06/14/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
NO, NO, NOOOOOO! I do not believe ANY LARGE exotic animal belongs in someone's back yard. I live wayyyy to close to a HUGE disaster last year with a man and his large exotic animals. Those animals belong out roaming free in their homelands or on reservations and conservation centers that have acres of land for them to roam where they are protected from hunters and such. Now, as long as a zoo is taking proper care, I don't mind animals being in a zoo because they are properly cared for, someone with a DEGREE that KNOWS what they are doing are there for veterinary care. I don't care if you're rich and can afford the proper medical care and food that these animals require. No one needs these animals as pets. There was TOO much death and bloodshed close to home of beautiful animals, some endangered because they were either let loose by the owner, or foul play was involved in the whole situation and someone that did something to the owner let them out. Either way, that person never should have been allowed to have those animals, especially that many, on his property. Not even ONE.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by SMichelle
I have exotic animals -- sugar gliders. Super high maintenance animals, but so cute and sweet.
Yeah, the smaller ones, fine. I have lizards, a bearded dragon and a Mali uromastyx. But they don't require a crazy expensive diet, and they aren't going to rip my face off.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by TheirPet
As cool as it would be I wouldn't want to be on Animal Planet's MY EXOTIC PET ATE ME specials.
YES! I've watched this quite a few times.
06/14/2013
Contributor: SourAppleMartini SourAppleMartini
I would really like to have a capybara. But I am never going to get one. It is a group animal and will get lonely in captivity.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by SourAppleMartini
I would really like to have a capybara. But I am never going to get one. It is a group animal and will get lonely in captivity.
Those are adorable! I've watched YouTube videos of them .
06/14/2013
Contributor: hjtee hjtee
I think exotic animals should stay where they belong-not in homes.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
No interest at all - I have no delusions about how difficult it is to own such an animal.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Dolphin Lady Dolphin Lady
I wish I had a panda bear. I have always wanted one.
06/14/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by SydneyScreams
I've always thought it would be neat to own some sort of exotic large animal as a pet, even though it is entirely too expensive and an extremely dangerous idea. Would you do it? What would you own?
I'm sure it'd be hard work, but a lemur would be so fun! So would other exotic animals, but I would not own anything like a lion or bear. Yikes! A little too scary for me. I've always said I'd love to have my own little beach with dolphins I could interact with. Nothing I'd really do, but it'd be wonderful to be able to walk out your front door and play with dolphins everyday.
06/14/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
I'm sure it'd be hard work, but a lemur would be so fun! So would other exotic animals, but I would not own anything like a lion or bear. Yikes! A little too scary for me. I've always said I'd love to have my own little beach with ... more
you have to be careful with lemurs though.
A couple friends of mine got a ring tailed lemur years ago, but i dont think thought too much into it as they bought a female lemur. Lemurs live in matriarchal societies where the female is the head of the colony. Needless to say it caused a lot of problems in the home when their lemur got older and started to act her female owner and become highly agressive if she [the owner] was on her menstrual cycle. I heard sorties about how the lemur would jump on her attacking her by pulling hair and making loud agressive noises. Shortly after they gave her [the lemur not my friend] to the primate shelter in the area where she would get proper care and be in good home.

Also @ SMichelle i cant agree more! And i'm glad you take such good care of your babies!
I knew a lot of people in high school who wanted them for the novelty of being able to carry them around in pouches during the day while they are asleep. But even so i dont think they realize just how much of a social creature Sugar Gilders are, and they tend to thrive in a small colony.

I guess , aside form the small domestic bug cats, there are a few insects i'd really like to own for pets since their pretty easy to care for. In fact i plan on getting a few mantis' for my garden when it's up and running.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Creepellah Creepellah
I would only be friends with an exotic animal if I lived in nature with the animal as well.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Eugler Eugler
Quote:
Originally posted by lexxxmoonchild
Laws about pet ownership are really strict where I live, to the point where even animals like ferrets and hedgehogs are illegal, so I guess I would want a small exotic animal? Ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, skunks, and opossums are all really ... more
Where do you live?

Galapagos Islands?
06/14/2013
Contributor: butts butts
I've owned plenty of small exotics (all of which are semi-common pets, not any of the extreme exotics mentioned in the poll), from poison dart frogs to sugar gliders. While the animals I had were all domesticated and not super difficult to care for, I really don't think anyone should have big cats, wild dogs (like wolves), monkeys or any other larger exotics as pets... even a lot of smaller exotics like undomesticated foxes, meerkats, etc. They need such specialized care that most people can't provide, that animal is NOT going to live a happy life fenced up in the backyard of your townhome. Stick to domesticated animals! If you really want something exotic, Russia has domesticated foxes you can buy
06/14/2013
Contributor: Hallmar82 Hallmar82
I would want a cloud leopard or Iberian lynx which are highly endangered. I would take good care of them and try to find them a mate
06/14/2013
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
Quote:
Originally posted by Liz2
I really don't believe it is humane to try and keep exotic animals. So many issues, danger, climate, legality, and even care.
I'm with you there, I don't agree with it and would never do it myself.
06/14/2013
Contributor: sunkissedJess sunkissedJess
Maybe something small.
06/14/2013
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
It's not sensible climate wise for where I live, but I would love to have a lemur or small monkey. I am such anthropologist.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Bme Bme
I would like to have a Giraffe.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Virgingasms Virgingasms
I love animals, but I just don't think it'd be safe. I'd also feel guilty for taking the animal from it's habitat.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Gdom Gdom
I'd like to be buddies with a giraffe, provided I had the time to take care of it and a lot of space in an environment where it'd be comfortable and happy...and...maybe a few other giraffes to keep it company. So, maybe it would just be more feasible for a giraffe herd to adopt ME instead.
06/14/2013
Contributor: This Is For The Birds This Is For The Birds
I have always dreamed of having an extoic pet, something my husband and I talk about often, even though we know we could never afford it. However, if we could we both want a White Tiger and a Galapagos Penguin.
06/19/2013
Contributor: Marie Hanna Marie Hanna
I want a cheetah.
06/19/2013
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
I have great respect for animals, and I find owning exotic animals to cross a fuzzy line into some dubious territory. Generally I'm pretty opposed to owning any sort of animals that are endangered, have a high risk potential, or require more space than the average owner can provide.
06/19/2013
Contributor: Trysexual Trysexual
I'm happy w/dogs. Don't want/need anything exotic
06/19/2013
Contributor: Living Doll Living Doll
I love animals but I don't really feel the need to own an "exotic" one.
06/20/2013