When it comes to choosing a pet, options are typically limited. You might find a few exotic birds or decide to take on hampsters which can be purchased at the local pet store. According to Forbes, dogs are still the most common pets, followed by cats and then fish.
However, this doesn’t mean incredibly exotic pets aren’t an option. The list below includes unique pets that have all been owned at some point throughout history. Many of these pets have been owned by celebrities as well. From dangerous sharks to cute and cuddly-looking kinkajous, the animals on this list aren’t your usual pets.
It’s also worth noting that many of the pets listed here either aren’t legal to own in the United States or require some form of licensing for ownership. Many are also considered dangerous and aren’t recommended for use as a domesticated pet. If you’re looking for more information on household pets, check out 10 weird things both cats and dogs do.
To compile this information, 24/7 Tempo used sources from various animal and informational sites. These include The New York Times, Business Insider, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Here are 15 of the most exotic pets people have ever owned.
Sharks
Great White Shark, photographed from the safety of a cage in South Africa
Because sharks need to move in order to breathe, an extremely large aquarium is required to house this aquatic animal. Rocket Lawyer also provides a list of sharks that are legal to keep, along with specifications for their environment. While a shark is not an easy pet to keep, that hasn’t stopped others from trying. Ice-T is famously known to have had sharks in the past.
Tigers
Tigers may seem like a fun and exciting pet, but did you know that they can require up to 90 pounds of meat in one meal? They also need lots of space to roam to avoid the animals attacking if they feel cooped up. However, tigers are still surprisingly legal to own, and Mike Tyson is one celebrity who is famously known to keep them as pets. Also, let’s not forget the popularity of the show “Tiger King,” which documented the lives of tiger owners.
Lions
Similar to tigers, lions can be an aggressive animal. But that hasn’t stopped stars like Tippi Hendren and Humaid AlbuQaish from taking them on as pets. Tippi is famous for purchasing a pet lion named Neal after filming a movie in Africa. She is also known for her love of large cats, still owning both lions and tigers today at over 90 years old.
Grizzly Bear
Throughout history, bears of all kinds have been kept as pets. Few have succeeded in their attempts to domesticate the animals, however. But that hasn’t stopped Casey Anderson, who owns a pet grizzly bear named Brutus. Anderson is also known as the owner and operator of the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a company that specializes in rescuing and educating the general public about the local animals.
Hippopotamus
When considering your next pet, it’s unlikely that you thought of a hippopotamus. These animals can be extremely aggressive and territorial. You’ll often find more stories of hippos killing their owners than stories of the large animal as a safe pet. However, that didn’t stop owners Tonie and Shirley Joubert who are famous for their ownership of the calm and friendly Jessica the hippo who was found in 2000 after surviving a flood.
King Cobra Snake
Most state and local laws prohibit the ownership of venomous snakes. However, some states do allow legal ownership of snakes like king cobras (with specific rules and permits, of course). Florida is known primarily for their looser laws on snake ownership, but the state did implement new restrictions in 2021, reducing the breeds of venomous snakes that are legal in the area. Actor Nicholas Cage is famous for his ownership of different reptiles, including two albino king cobras named Sheba and Moby.
Piranha
Tired of basic goldfish? Then you might want to consider a red-bellied piranha. While piranhas may be dangerous in the wild, many people over the years have managed to safely keep them as pets. Keep in mind, however, that this fish requires a lot of aquarium space as it matures. It also requires more food as it grows, often requiring frozen seafood as opposed to typical fish flakes.
Capybara
Considered the world’s largest rodent, a capybara looks like a giant hamster. While adult capybaras can weigh anywhere from 60 to 174 pounds, don’t let their large size scare you. These animals generally have a mild temperament and can be very social. They do have a lot of requirements, however, including water for swimming and plenty of outdoor space to roam. One of the most famous capybara pets is Gary, who is owned by Melanie Typaldos and Richard Loveman in Texas.
Kinkajou
This rainforest mammal appears cute and cuddly, making it popular in the exotic pet industry. However, many owners report that kinkajous can be unpredictable, sometimes showing aggression despite their normally calm demeanor. They are also nocturnal animals, becoming more aggressive if they are startled or bothered while sleeping. Paris Hilton was famously known to own a kinkajou illegally, and for having to visit an emergency room after the animal bit her in 2006.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
If you’re looking for an insect pet, you might want to consider the Madagascar hissing cockroach. These insects are considered to be very tame and calm, requiring little maintenance. Many have been found in classrooms and their popularity has made them available for sale from retailers like PetCo.
Geoffroy’s Cat
While these animals are similar in size to a housecat, a Geoffroy’s cat is spotted like a leopard. It’s also a wild cat that is native to South America, making it hard to domesticate and keep as a pet. That hasn’t kept many from trying though. Dia, a Geoffroy’s cat who now resides at the Denver Zoo, was confiscated by a passenger at the Denver airport after being transported illegally.
Alligator
Most consider an alligator to be a dangerous animal, but some have made these reptiles their pets. An alligator is usually taken as a pet when it’s a baby and less than a foot long. However, these animals can grow up to 11 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds. That doesn’t stop some pet owners, though, especially in Florida, where it’s legal to own an alligator privately.
Kangaroo
Kangaroos and wallabies have been growing in popularity as pets over recent years. These animals need lots of space to roam, however, so they are not recommended as house pets. However, that didn’t stop Vanilla Ice from owning a wallaroo (a cross between a kangaroo and a wallaby) named Bucky Buckaroo. While this animal was in the house at a young age, he eventually got too big as he grew into adulthood, reaching 5 feet tall.
Lemur
While lemurs may appear cute and cuddly, these primates can also be aggressive and hard to tame. According to the Duke Lemur Center, it’s ill-advised to take on these animals as pets, as they often need more care than pet owners can provide. However, this animal is still legal to own in many states throughout the U.S. Kristie Alley was also known to own about 14 of these animals as pets at her home in Los Angeles before her passing in 2022.
Fox
Similar to raccoons, opossums, and skunks, foxes are becoming increasingly popular as pets. The most popular breed is the red fox. While many of these animals seem calm and content (like Juniper, a popular red fox who lives in Florida), they are often still prone to digging, scratching, and biting. It’s advised that pet foxes should be kept outdoors as their destructive behaviors can be challenging for indoor captivity. For more reading on pets, here are 20 interesting facts you never knew about cats.