5 Animals People Shouldn’t Keep as Pets
When looking for a new pet, chances are your first thought will be a cat or a dog, maybe even a fish or a bird. But some people aren’t satisfied with ordinary pets, and instead are attracted to the idea of a more exotic, even dangerous, pet. Tony Hakim has named these 5 animals that people shouldn’t keep as pets, but still do.
Skunks
Skunks are famous for their foul odour, so we’re not sure why anybody would want one to begin with. Although most skunks in the United States and Canada have their scent glands surgically removed, they still have major drawbacks as pets. For instance, their tricky diet, difficulty in accessing veterinary care, and even the possibility of the skunk getting rabies are all downsides. Although skunks have been known to be intelligent and can even be house-trained, not enough is known about them to be a suitable option for a pet.
Venomous Snakes
Many people do actually have snakes as pets, even venomous ones. But if the right care isn’t taken with a venomous snake, or it escapes, it could seriously hurt someone. Some cobras can cause immense pain and blindness just by spitting their venom into your eyes. As for non-venomous snakes, they still aren’t the best option. Let’s not forget the story of the snake that starved itself so it could later eat its owner.
Bats
Bats don’t exactly seem to possess the qualities you’d expect in a typical pet. They have sharp teeth, sleep all day, fly all night, and more importantly, can carry Rabies and SARS. Bats would provide a difficult situation, as there is no realistic way to care for them in your home. Bats can live more than 30 years, hibernate in the colder months, and eat insects, fruit or blood.
Tigers and other big cats
A pick from the larger cat family may seem like the celebrity way to own a pet, but that’s because they cost thousands of dollars each year to properly maintain. It is estimated that about 10,000 tigers are kept as private pets in the United States alone, far more than are kept in zoos or even in the wild. Not only are they expensive, big cats are at least 12 times stronger than a man, and even if they are playful, the result can often be tragic. They also grow up fast and soon become the killers they were designed to be.
Alligators
A surprising amount of people actually own or are interested in owning a pet alligator in the United States. The cost of keeping an alligator as a pet is the highest on this list. It costs between $300 and $500 for a baby alligator, and then you have to be zoned for it. They also need an area at least 3 times their size all the way around, deep fresh water, and a sunning area. Keep in mind alligators grow about 1 foot a year, and can reach lengths of up to 15 feet. Food wise, they require a good food source, usually chicken and beef. On top of all this, alligators are predators, meaning they will take a chunk out of you if they’re hungry.
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