Top 10 strange animals you could keep as pets

The World of E-xotic Pets
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1 Video View·Mar 31, 2026
Hey YouTube, Jim here! Welcome to Top10Archive! Are you growing tired of your dull and typical
canine companion? Do you need something a little flashier than Mr. Whiskers,
who sits on the couch all day? Well, do we have a treat for you – a selection of the Top 10
strangest and most exotic pets that are completely legal to own, depending on your region, of course.
As we get started, help us out by hitting that like button and be sure to leave us a comment,
perhaps about the most interesting pet you've owned. Also, don't forget to
click the bell so you get notified every time we put out a new video.
10. Pot-Bellied Pig Pigs are getting a lot of traction as common
pets and for good reasons. Who wouldn't love a large supply of bacon and sugar-glazed ham
walking around their house? Oh, calm down. We wouldn't eat our own little porky,
making them great pets. Pot-Bellied Pigs are a very social and affectionate creature,
looking for a closeness that can be found with their human companion. The average lifespan of
the Pot-Belly ranges from 12 to 20 years and, maybe best of all, they're generally odorless
and very clean animals. Like dogs, pigs are highly intelligent but also require a lot of attention.
9. Tarantula Maybe not the most uncommon house pet,
but owning a tarantula is still a shock to some, especially arachnophobes. While they are known to
bite and tend to pack a venomous punch, tarantulas are generally safe for humans,
though some breeds may cause irritation from their urticating hairs. Typically easy to care for,
certain breeds, like the Avicularia avicularia, are more troublesome and can scurry off quickly.
Tarantulas are fragile and can suffer injury if dropped, making it imperative that they are
handled cautiously. 8. Sugar Glider
What sounds like a delicious treat is really an exotic marsupial indigenous to Australia,
several islands of Indonesia, and New Guinea. This tiny little creature is named for its ability to
glide using its front and hind limbs. As fun as it sounds to watch them glide around the house,
it can also be dangerous as one of the most common causes of accidental death is drowning
in an open toilet. Gliders may be cute and self-claiming, but they also require a lot of
attention, plenty of climbing space, and are susceptible to a number of health issues,
making them difficult for casual pet owners. 7. Kinkajou
The Kinkajou, or honey bear, shares a bloodline with the common raccoon and has an adorably
irresistible face that appeals to any lover of furry things. Though illegal in some parts of
the world, the tiny mammal is not your typical companion. On top of being noisy and requiring a
large cage with a lot of decor and functional facets, this nocturnal creature can also get
bitey and be extremely messy. Expect to spend a lot of time cleaning up food and excrement as
their wilder instincts make them difficult to house train and control. 6. Wallaby
Why go to Australia, where everything can kill you, when you can bring the best parts of the
nation home with you? We're talking, of course, about Vegemite and Wallabies. Well, maybe just
Wallabies. Those with plenty of space in their abodes will have no problem housing a Wallaby,
who enjoys spreading out in a space of their own. A herbivorous diet of chemical-free grass makes
them easy to feed, assuming you have a decent supply of it on hand. Their peculiar behaviors,
like salivating on themselves and regurgitating then re-eating their food, are strange to us,
but they can't be any worse than your first college roommate. 5. Stick Insect
Though illegal in regions like the United States and Canada, the stick insect is legal in most
European territories. This odd insect, otherwise known as Phasmatodea, makes for a unique addition
to any household. Just as the name implies, the stick insect has the appearance of a thin twig,
meaning it's not the most exciting creature to look at day in and day out. They are, however,
pretty easy to take care of, requiring little more than an enclosure with leaves for food.
4. Squirrel Monkey This tiny-faced primate from the Amazon,
Costa Rica, and Panama is a cute little critter that any animal lover would want to have as a
housemate, especially those that really want to put diapers on something. Though they can be as
cute as they look, squirrel monkeys are also among the neediest of their kind and, like many primates,
aren't well aware of boundaries and appropriate behavior. Expect to clean up after it a lot,
especially if you don't have time to devote to keeping them entertained and stimulated.
3. Capybara Look at that face, those squinty eyes!
This oversized rodent wants nothing to do with your shenanigans! Well, alright, that's not
entirely true. In fact, the capybara, a native of South America, can make a great pet for the
right person. Though they require a lot of attention and can get slightly aggressive,
this 100-pound or roughly 45-kilogram semi-aquatic intelligent rat does make for a decent companion,
though you'll want to give it a friend to play with. People with busy lifestyles may want to
steer clear of capybaras as they can get separation anxiety and get a little ornery.
2. Southern Temandua Surprisingly legal in many areas around the
world, the Southern Temandua is a species of anteater endemic to South America. While expensive,
costing upwards of $8,000, the Temandua makes a surprisingly good furry companion that enjoys a
lot of love and affection. Despite what their name indicates, anteaters dine on more than ants,
including blue cheese, avocados, thyme, and various fruits and vegetables. Of their more
negative qualities, Temandua have dangerous claws that can make their desire to wrestle
problematic, and their medical needs are typically beyond the capabilities of a regular vet.
1. Hissing Cockroaches
Want to listen to that constantly? Then you'll love to have your own pair of hissing cockroaches.
Sure, we may spend countless dollars trying to keep cockroaches out of our homes, but these
larger variations actually make great pets. They're low-maintenance, not intrusive, have an
eclectic diet of anything from fruit to leafy greens, and their slow movement is almost mesmerizing
to watch. While legal, some regions may require permits to own these exotic creatures from
Madagascar. Thanks for watching! Don't forget to give us a like, leave us a comment, and
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