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How do you get an exotic animal?

Author

William Cox

Published Mar 17, 2026

How do you get an exotic animal?

Rescues and Shelters
  1. Petfinder.com: Petfinder.com and an increasing number of shelters and rescues list pets of all kinds here, and you can search by location and type of pet.
  2. Exotic Animal/Alternative Pet Shelter, Rescue and/or Adoption Links: From National Alternative Pet Association—listings by location.

Similarly one may ask, what qualifies as an exotic pet?

Sometimes any unique or wild-looking pet (including common domestic animals such as the ferret and the fancy rat) is considered an exotic pet. "Exotic" often refers to a species which is not native or indigenous to the owner's locale, and "pet" is a companion animal living with people.

Similarly, how much does it cost to buy an exotic animal? Exotic Pets: Average Purchase Price

ANIMALAVERAGE COST
Tiger$2,000 - $3,500
Leopard$3,000 - $5,000
Elephant$10,000 +
Camel$500 - $2,500

Also know, is it legal to own an exotic animal?

California is one such state with a ban on exotic pets. The law bans the possession of a large variety of animals from alligators to zebras, and enumerates them by class, order, family, genus, and species.

What are the benefits of owning an exotic animal?

Non-Allergenic. Probably the biggest advantage to owning an exotic pet is that many of them are non-allergenic. Reptiles, rodents, and birds do not have the same type of fur as a cat or dog which traps dander. Many people are allergic to pet dander, thus making them allergic to traditional pets.

What is the most exotic pet?

Wild & Dangerous: The World of Exotic Pets
  • Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. DESCRIPTION: These are one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 5-7 cm at maturity.
  • Capuchin Monkey.
  • Kinkajou.
  • Sugar Glider.
  • Reticulated Python.
  • African Pygmy Hedgehog.
  • Serval Cat.
  • Military Macaw.

What are exotic pets wow?

The following beast types are considered exotic pets.
  • Chimaera.
  • Core hound.
  • Devilsaur.
  • Silithid.
  • Spirit beast.
  • Worm.

What pet is the cleanest?

Want A Pet and A Clean Home?We Rate the Cleanest Pets
  1. Budgies. Budgies are a great pet option as they are very easy to look after.
  2. Hamsters. The benefit of having a hamster is that they are incredibly easy to look after.
  3. Guinea pigs.
  4. Cats.
  5. Dogs.

What states allow exotic pets?

State Laws for Keeping Exotic Cats as Pets. 4 states have no laws on keeping dangerous wild animals as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. 6 states do not ban or regulate keeping big cats as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Delaware, and Oklahoma.

Are exotic pets a good idea?

The most obvious pro of having an exotic pet is that they are unusual and unique. Exotic pets are also very interesting to interact with and in some cases they can produce very intense interactions. Another advantage of having exotic pets is that you may be the animal's last chance for a good home.

What happens if you get caught with an exotic animal?

Fortunately, people are rarely prosecuted in for illegal possession of exotic animals in California. Depending on the species, this can result in your illegal California pet being rehabilitated and released into the wild, sent to a care facility, or even being sold to a laboratory or euthanized.

Why owning exotic pets should be illegal?

“Large wild and exotic cats such as lions, tigers, cougars, and leopards are dangerous animals … Because of these animals' potential to kill or severely injure both people and other animals, an untrained person should not keep them as pets. Even an animal that can be friendly and loving can be very dangerous.”

Is a hedgehog an exotic pet?

Hedgehogs are usually considered an exotic animal and may be classified invasive or dangerous in some areas. Many times this is due to local lawmakers misclassifying hedgehogs as the wrong species or simply not understanding what a hedgehog is.

Can a puma be a pet?

A cougar can be tamed in the sense that it can be used to being around humans in a fairly calm manner. This is essentially what happens with animals held in a zoo. They are still wild animals and can still be dangerous. It isn't even necessary to tame the animal (and not all exotics can be tamed).

How many states ban exotic pets?

Thirteen (13) states have partial bans on exotic pets, which means that these states ban specific, listed animals by statute, but not all non-traditional, non-domestic animals (for example, these states may allow ownership of small primates).
Many people want to own tigers as household pets. However, the laws of New York State prohibit the possession, exchange, sale, import, transfer, or barter of wild animals as pets. The law also prohibits the intentional release of wild animals owned as a pet.

Can you buy a wolf as a pet?

Because of this, having a wolf or wolfdog as a pet is illegal in many places and is often associated with many rules in others – and with good reason. Sadly, there is no federal law regarding the ownership of a wolf or wolfdog.

Are foxes good pets?

Best Foxes to Keep as Pets. Pet foxes are cute, comical, and sly little escape artists. They tend to form strong bonds with their owners. As members of the canine family, they look a lot like domesticated dogs.

What states allow big cats?

Current States Where Big Cats Are Legal (Whether All Big Cats or Only a Few)
  • Indiana.
  • North Carolina.
  • Mississippi (small cats)
  • Missouri (with a permit)
  • Montana (bobcats and lynxes)
  • Nevada.
  • North Dakota.
  • South Dakota.

What is a finger monkey?

What is a "Finger Monkey"? As the name implies, these adorable animals are true monkeys. They're the smallest species of monkey and one of the smallest primates in the world. Baby pygmy marmosets are tiny enough to cling to your finger, much like other monkeys cling to tree branches; hence the nickname.
Is It Legal to Own a Hyena in the United States? Owning a hyena as a captive animal is allowed in certain states within the United States. Nevada has some of the loosest pet restrictions, while California and Hawaii have some of the strictest.

Can you buy a tiger in the US?

Owning a pet tiger is considered legal or is unregulated in eight states, all of which have rather lax regulatory laws concerning animal rights in general: North Carolina, Alabama, Delaware, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Tigers are surprisingly cheap to purchase as a pet.

What's the cheapest exotic pet?

Cheap as some of these animals may be, almost all of them will require at least $100 worth of supplies if they are cared for adequately.

Conventional Exotic Pets Under $50

  1. Green Iguana $15-25.
  2. Degu $10-20.
  3. Budgerigar $10-35.
  4. Hermit Crabs $5-35.
  5. Axolotl $15-35.

What is the most expensive animal to own?

Which Pets Are the Most Expensive to Own?
  1. Horses. Not surprisingly, horses come out on top, price-wise, thanks to hefty expenses like boarding, stable help and food—on top of trainers, saddles, hoof care and vet visits.
  2. Dogs.
  3. Cats.
  4. Fish.
  5. Hamsters, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits.

Can you buy a baby tiger?

But the more alarming fact is that it's not illegal—and actually terrifyingly easy—to buy or sell a tiger in the United States. It's actually simpler in many states to purchase a tiger cub than to go to your local humane society and adopt a puppy.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has outlawed the keeping of wild animals, like lions or tigers, as pets. For some in the oil-rich Gulf State, owning the likes of a cheetah is a status symbol, but they now risk jail or a fine.

What is the best exotic pet to own?

13 Exotic Pets You Can Actually Own
  • SERVALS. Some exotic pets are riffs on established categories.
  • FENNEC FOXES. If you like cats but you also like dogs, the little fennec fox might be the right choice for you.
  • AFRICAN PYGMY HEDGEHOGS.
  • SUGAR GLIDERS.
  • PYGMY GOATS.
  • MICRO PIGS.
  • CAPYBARAS.
  • TARANTULAS.

How much would a lion cost?

Most of the mid size cats, like Servals and Caracals cost $1700.00 to $2800.00 and Ocelots can run as high as $15,000.00. Prices for lions range from 5,000 USD for an adolescent lioness, to a whooping 140,000 USD for a rare white lion cub.

Can you buy a lion?

Tigers and lions are surprisingly easy and inexpensive to purchase as pets. While import and interstate trade are prohibited, they are available in many states from captive breeders. This means it is possible to own a large and powerful carnivore whether or not you are equipped to properly care for them.

How much is a kinkajou pet?

Purchasing Your Kinkajou

If you're ready for a pet kinkajou, find a reputable breeder or rescue organization. Expect to pay around $1,500 to $3,000 on average.

How expensive is a capybara?

Ideally, try to buy a capybara from a reputable breeder. The cost of these creatures runs about $1,000 to $3,000. Females are usually more expensive.

Why are exotic pets dangerous?

Monkeys and other primates are more dangerous to people than other exotic pets because of their tendency to bite and scratch, Roberts said. Exotic snakes and reptiles are also particularly dangerous. Turtles, snakes and other reptiles can be carriers of salmonella.

Which wild animals can be kept as pets?

16 Wild Animals That Are Becoming Domesticated Pets
  • 16 Wild Animals That Are Becoming Domesticated Pets. iStock.
  • Wallabies. iStock.
  • Prairie dogs. iStock.
  • Foxes. iStock.
  • Genets. Shutterstock.
  • Fennec foxes. iStock.
  • Minks. iStock.
  • Sugar gliders. iStock.

Should wild animals be kept as pets?

You can't provide the right home for them. Wild animals have complex behavioral, social, nutritional and psychological needs. Most people cannot meet the needs of wild animals kept as pets. Wild animals need to be with members of their own species.

Should animals be kept as pets pros and cons?

The Pros and Cons of Getting a Pet
  • Increased Personal Safety. One definite positive to having a pet unfortunately only applies to larger, free roaming pets.
  • Receiving Love.
  • Learning Patience.
  • Pets Empathize with You.
  • Improved Mental Health.
  • Saving an Animal from a Shelter.
  • Responsibility.
  • Allergies.