Some exotic animals have become pets that are legal to own in Michigan: the Arctic Fox, Mink, Skunk, the Bengal Cat, and many more.
However, there are a couple questions to consider before adopting a wild animal. Are they safe to own, and is it ethical? For example, North American River Otters, which are on the list of legal exotic pets, are pretty adorable and they sound fun to own – but they’re not domesticated.
Typically, it is not ethical to keep exotic animals as pets. They’re used to thriving in the wild and it’s not good for them to live in captivity. According to Paws.org, “They [Wild animals] have needs, instincts and behaviors that are inseparably tied both to their appropriate habitat…It is inappropriate and inhumane to force a wild animal to live the captive life of a pet.
Pet owners who choose to keep exotic animals need to be very cautious because in the long run, they are taking care of wild animals. “Keeping wild [exotic] animals as pets can be dangerous. Many can bite, scratch, and attack an owner, children, or guests,” says AZA.org. In general, safety should come first when caring for pets, but especially with exotic animals.
In Michigan, there are three specific legal exotic pets that stand out to me. The first animal is the Bobcat. Anyone looking to own a Bobcat in Michigan must have a permit to own game in captivity. Even though a permit is required, it still surprises me that Bobcats are legal to keep as pets. Unlike some wild animals, Bobcats rarely attack humans. They definitely aren’t as dangerous as grizzly bears. If I had to choose someone to give a pet Bobcat to, I would choose a close friend of mine because although they look big and scary, they aren’t aggressive. I bet Bobcats can easily keep intruders away too because of their intimidating manner.
The second one that I find interesting is the Sugar Glider, which is a nocturnal marsupial that is native to Australia. No permit is required to own these adorable creatures. However, breeders need a special license to do their job. Anyone considering owning a Sugar Glider won’t have to worry too much about being bitten or scratched, because like many animals, they are only aggressive when scared or provoked. If I could, I would give my boyfriend a Sugar Glider because they are really cute and would make fun pets to own.
The last exotic pet that stood out to me is the Coyote. I am shocked that it’s legal to own these canines because they can be very aggressive towards humans and other animals. If you have a permit, it is perfectly legal to own a Coyote, but many professionals suggest that it’s best to enjoy them from afar. I would give an ex-boyfriend a pet Coyote because it would give them a good scare. Plus, they would have to deal with a large, intimidating animal walking around their house as a pet.
I think that if you’re looking to get a pet, it’s always simpler to just adopt a dog or a cat. Even though it sounds really cool to keep wild animals as pets, it’s not ethical, safe, or practical.
