The Exotic Animals That Have Been Domesticated

He's friendly, he plays fetch, he's family. This 200 kg crocodile is one Indonesian family's beloved pet. Mohamed Irwan lets his two children play with the tame crocodile, who has been a family pet for 20 years. So much cooler than a cat. Admit it, you've thought about getting an exotic pet? You're bored with common pets, you want something unique. Maybe a chinchilla, or a monkey, or a tiger. Many people agree with you. In fact, some exotic pets have become quite common. According to WorldWildlife.org, there are over 5,000 tigers kept as pets in American homes. With only 3,200 tigers left living in the wild, that means there are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than there are roaming the jungles and savannas. Most exotic pets bring meaning and joy to their owners' lives. On the other hand, some people have been hurt or killed by exotic pets. Afterward, these animals are tragically killed on sight. So, which exotic pets should stay wild? Wild animals need expensive, specialized diets, like 20 pounds of meat a day. Big Cat Rescue claims that it costs between $7,500 to $10,000 a year to care for a big cat. They also present a danger to humans, as they can infect us with a variety of diseases, including rabies, salmonella, and ebola. However, many people will not be deterred from owning wild animals. Animals like chinchillas, in particular, are hard to resist. They're cute, have exceptionally soft fur, and are friendly if raised by humans from when they're kits or babies. However, they're high-strung, and shouldn't be around human children so that nobody gets hurt. Worst of all, like gremlins, you can't get them wet. No, they won't turn into monsters, but they will fall ill. Tarantulas are a fairly common pet. Their venomous bite is comparable to a bee sting. You can't defang or de-venom them, as they need both these defense mechanisms to process their food. You can, however, de-skunk a skunk. Pet skunks' scent glands are usually removed at four weeks of age. Skunks are intelligent and can be housebroken, but they have a big appetite, and can have obesity problems as pets. While often friendly, skunks have extremely sharp fangs. A stuffed toy or hand puppet is recommended while playing with your smart fat skunk. Everyone wants a monkey. The downside is they constantly fight for alpha status, and are more likely to make you the pet. Monkeys are hard to house train, as they use their pee to mark territory. Plus, they'll shriek at you, hit you, and steal your food. The only truly tame species of fox is the Russian Red. Also known as the Siberian fox, it's regarded as a genetic freak, as it was specifically bred for domestication, and no other foxes resemble its appearance or behavior. Unfortunately, importing pet foxes is illegal in many countries and states. Snakes can accidentally strangle their owners to death when they're trying to be affectionate. Pet constrictor snakes such as pythons are especially responsible for human injuries and deaths. Pet lions, bears, chimps, even camels have been known to kill their owners too, despite having been raised by them from infancy. Cute, but wild. Exotic pets can be soft and cuddly, or they can strangle and maul you. And that's what makes them crazy creatures.