Having a pet has a bunch of different benefits for both you and the animal in question. A pet can offer companionship, and perhaps more importantly, give you a separate soul to care for and be responsible about. This allows you to grow and develop, while also nurturing a very special, complex bond between you and your pet.
And while most of us have at some point considered (at least) getting a dog or a cat, or maybe a goldfish, few have thought about the animals you’re going to read about below. From keeping mice as a pet to even more extreme exploits, here are the five animals you wouldn’t have thought you could keep as a pet.
1. Goats.
Believe it or not, you are actually allowed to adopt goats, at least in some areas of the country (though we would recommend checking locally before heading on to the goat store). Goats, like most other pets, come in a range of different breeds and sizes, with the ability to adopt a fully-grown goat, or if you don’t have too much space available, even bring home a pygmy goat.
Obviously, a goat can create some obvious hygiene concerns, and will require a special kind of vet care, but other than that, owning a pet goat doesn’t sound so bad.
2. Snakes.
While many humans out there start shivering at the mere mention of a serpent, there are those who not only like them, but actively wish to keep one as a pet. Now obviously, with hundreds of snake breeds at large in the United States alone, there are some that are easier to own than others.
The non-venomous ball python is believed by many to be the best snake to own as a pet, especially for beginner snake owners. The ball python is docile and allows you to physically handle it without any fuss. While there’s still a chance of angering it, it’s fairly low, when compared with other serpents.
Similarly, a boa constrictor, despite its scary name, will be surprisingly docile, if you handle it properly. We would recommend keeping someone like Complete Wildlife Removal on speed dial just in case, though.
3. Llamas.
Pet llamas have actually been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years, being often recommended by therapists as a great stress-relief pet. The idea with the pet llama is that it’s actually way more low maintenance than you’d expect.
The llama is a fairly clean, and easy-going pet that won’t give you a lot of headaches, but will provide you with all the benefits of having a furry friend. On top of that, llamas are known to be extremely loyal and loving, which makes them a great pet to have around, especially when you’re feeling down or unhappy.
Tip: as with all the animals on this list, do make sure you’re in contact with a vet who is willing to treat llamas, and who is within a reasonable distance from where you live.
4. Rodents.
While the rats vs mice as pets debate has been raging on for literally ages, the anti-climatic truth is that they both make surprisingly low maintenance, fun pets. Despite common misconceptions, rats and mice are among the cleanest critters in the nuisance wildlife category, as they will go to extensive lengths to keep their fur clean and well-groomed.
Obviously, thanks to their small size, they won’t expect to eat a lot, and can be fed with a lot of household items, like peanut butter, in a pinch, making them a surprisingly easy pet to take care of.
5. Skunks.
At present, seventeen states in the U.S. have legalized keeping skunks for a pet, and no, it does not stink. Quite the contrary. Within these states, the skunks typically kept as pets have been bred in captivity and have had their scent glands removed at a young age. This doesn’t stop them spraying, contrary to expectation, but rather renders the spray odorless.
While this is a dangerous practice (since the skunk, if lost in the wilderness, could not survive without its scent glands), it has created some amazingly fun and loving pets to keep around and pamper.
It turns out, skunks are quite cute when they’re not trying to spray you.
