Lisa O
Keeping wild animals as pets is always a bad idea. Some can be dangerous to people, while others struggle to live outside their natural homes. Even if raised from babies in a house, these creatures often keep their wild instincts, making them hard to predict and handle. Here are ten animals that should never be kept as pets.
Bears
Bears are big and dangerous creatures that can seriously hurt humans if things go wrong during an encounter. That’s why trying to keep them as pets is unsafe. Moreover, babies are often taken away from their mothers, or older bears are harshly treated to force them to behave calmly around people. Bears are wild animals—they do not want to be handled or touched by humans.
Elephants
Elephants are big and can be dangerous to humans, and they aren’t meant to be touched or trained. Sometimes, sanctuaries and zoos let people interact with them to make money, but this needs to be corrected. Even in their own homes—elephants used for rides and close-up encounters are often poorly treated to make them suitable for this. Petting them encourages the mistreatment of these animals.
Kangaroos
While kangaroos are sometimes sold as pets or found in petting zoos, they really don’t enjoy being kept in small spaces or cuddled by humans. Simply put, they’re not fit for places where people pet them. Also, adult kangaroos have strong legs, sharp claws, and powerful jaws. They can be very protective of their joeys and aggressive during mating season.
Sea Lions
Sea lions are adorable and often perform tricks in shows—appearing playful and cheerful. However, it’s important to remember they are wild animals that can inflict serious harm if their freedom is invaded. Moreover, interfering with baby seals in the wild can lead to their parents abandoning them. It’s best to leave them undisturbed.
Sea Turtles
Even in their natural habitat, sea turtles appear calm and easy to approach. They glide gracefully and don’t seem much bothered by humans nearby. However, touching them can spread harmful bacteria that may make them very sick, alter their feeding habits, and interfere with their mating rituals. So it’s best to watch them from a respectful distance.
Big Cats
Lions, tigers, and leopards are the most common large cats people choose to keep as pets. They are incredibly strong and dangerous. Declawing these cats doesn’t make them less of a threat—it removes the entire last bone in each toe, leading to walking problems, severe pain, and nerve damage. Plus, big cats kill their prey by biting their throat. If their teeth don’t get you—their powerful jaws certainly will.
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes have bites that can kill with one strike, and finding antivenom can be difficult. Some cobras can cause intense pain and blindness just by spitting venom into your eyes. That’s why taking extreme safety precautions is crucial when keeping venomous snakes at home. If they escape—it endangers not only your family but also your neighbors.
Bats
What has rabies, sharp teeth, sleeps during the day, and flies at night? Bats. They’re adorable and fascinating, but it’s best to admire them in their natural habitat. Bats can live for over 30 years and hibernate for months in colder places. Also, their diet varies between insects, fruit, and blood, which is hard to replicate properly in captivity.
Wolves
Wolves are not like pet dogs. They follow their instincts: hunting when hungry, playing at will, and sleeping the rest of the day. If they feel threatened, they can attack and take down animals much bigger than themselves. While wolfdogs are somewhat popular as pets, they aren’t very different from pure wolves and should also be avoided.
Alligators
The American alligator can grow over 14 feet long and hunt prey as big as cattle. It’s not right to hold such a predator in most homes. These animals can cause infections from bites, knock you over, or break your legs with their powerful tail. Their bite can exert a force of about 2,000 pounds—which can be deadly. It’s also best to steer clear of male alligators during mating season.