Can you keep exotic animals?

The laws regarding exotic pet ownership vary by state. Animal rights advocates advise against keeping most wild animals in captivity, but that hasn't stopped exotic pet lovers from legally owning everything from ferrets and foxes to more dangerous beasts like alligators, bears, and tigers.

1. Is it OK to keep exotic animals as pets?
2. Is keeping exotic animals illegal?
3. Why exotic pets should be legal?
4. Why exotic pets are bad?
5. Can you own a penguin?
6. What species no longer exists?
7. Is it legal to own a tiger?
8. How much does a tiger cost?
9. Can I buy an elephant?
10. Can you own a wolf?
11. Where are monkeys legal?
12. Where do exotic pets come from?

Is it OK to keep exotic animals as pets?

Exotic animals do not make good companions. They require special care, housing, diet, and maintenance that the average person cannot provide. ... Individuals possessing exotic animals often attempt to change the nature of the animal rather than the nature of the care provided.

Is keeping exotic animals illegal?

It's Against the Law

It is illegal to provide rehabilitation to a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal without proper permits and licenses. It is illegal to possess potentially dangerous wild exotic animals, such as monkeys, bears, tigers and venomous snakes.

Why exotic pets should be legal?

Exotic animals are not necessarily harder to care for than domestic ones. The risk of zoonotic disease spread from exotic pets is misrepresented. If they escaped, exotic pets would have the same type of invasive effect on the environment as regular pets would. Exotic pet ownership generates niche jobs.

Why exotic pets are bad?

Malnutrition, stress, trauma, and behavioral disorders are common in exotics kept as pets. Unfortunately, getting medical care is extremely difficult-and not just because it may be illegal to have them. For one, many exotic animals hide symptoms of illness.

Can you own a penguin?

Penguins are considered exotic animals. Now, that doesn't necessarily make them illegal to own. ... Bearded dragons and hedgehogs are even considered to be exotic animals, but you can keep them without any permits or special paperwork. However, penguins are not one of these species.

What species no longer exists?

extinct. A species that no longer exists anywhere on Earth.

Is it legal to own a tiger?

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.

How much does a tiger cost?

Exotic cats range in price from a $900.00 Bobcat to a $7500.00 tiger cub. 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.

Can I buy an elephant?

Who can own an elephant? ... The Wildlife Protection Act makes elephant trade illegal but captive elephants can be transferred from one owner to another. An elephant owner must get an ownership certificate from the Chief Wildlife Conservator of the state.

Can you own a wolf?

It is illegal to own a pure wolf in the United States; they are classified as an endangered and regulated species. While it is legal to own a 98%/2% wolf-dog federally, many states, counties, and cities are outlawing all wolves and wolf-dogs. Any wolf or wolf-dog found within these areas is immediately killed.

Where are monkeys legal?

Pet Monkeys Allowed

Currently, Washington state, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have no restrictions on keeping monkeys as pets.

Where do exotic pets come from?

Where do exotic pets come from? Though genetically the same as their wild brethren, some exotic pets are bred in captivity for retail sale. Others are captured directly from the wild. According the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) the illegal trade of wildlife is a multi-million dollar industry.