Random Weirdest Animals You Can Legally Own In US (15 items)

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  (#6) Chimpanzee

  Out of all the animals in the world, chimpanzees are perhaps the most closely aligned with humans. We share 96% of our genetic makeup with chimps. In several states, like Alaska and Texas, you must obtain a license to keep a chimp, while others outright ban owning the primates. Many other states don't have chimp-specific laws on the books, but it's always wise to check with your local wildlife service before adopting one.

  Living with a chimp is a big commitment. These fascinating creatures, native to sub-Saharan Africa, can live well over 50 years and require just as much care and attention as humans. And while chimps aren't typically suited for life as a service animal, some breeds of monkeys are.
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  (#14) Madagascar hissing cockroach

  • Gromphadorhina portentosa

  If your first apartment didn't satisfy your cockroach craving, you might consider owning a Madagascar hissing cockroach. The only thing that could make a standard cockroach more appealing is the ability to hiss at you from across the room. Originating from their namesake African country, the Madagascar hissing cockroach doesn't have wings like many other breeds. They do grow unusually large, though - as much as two or three inches long. 

  It's perfectly legal to own Madagascar hissing cockroaches in the United States, but some states, like Florida, reportedly require special permits. It's also important to keep in mind that their bodies and feces can harbor certain types of mold dangerous to humans. 
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  (#3) Serval

  • Leptailurus serval

  Servals are native to specific sub-Saharan regions of Africa. They look like a big domestic feline, and it's probably this oversized house cat appearance that makes people think of them as ideal pets. Servals are wild cats, though, and numerous risks and considerations need to be assessed before purchasing one.

  Servals are a member of the order Carnivora, and state laws vary wildly when it comes to keeping these types of animals. They can't be legally owned in Ohio, but residents in Texas, Tennessee, and several other states are permitted to have them.
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  (#1) Alligator

  • Alligator

  The American alligator is native to Florida, Louisiana, and other parts of the American South. Whether you can legally own a gator is determined by the laws in these regions. In Florida, for instance, you can have an alligator after obtaining a license to do so from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service. Not surprisingly, alligators must have suitable enclosures that give them room to roam comfortably and enough water to submerge themselves completely.

  Given the responsibilities involved, it's not uncommon for state or local animal welfare agencies to perform random, unannounced checks on the wellbeing of alligators living in private homes.
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  (#7) Fennec Fox

  Fennec foxes are undeniably adorable, but that doesn't make them an ideal house pet. As the smallest fox breed on the planet, they only grow (on average) to a little over three pounds. Native to North Africa, their energy and appearance make them similar to puppies. But they also possess an independent streak, which is more of a house cat trait.

  They reportedly can't be owned in California, but many states, like New York, consider them "non-dangerous exotic animals" and allow them to be kept as pets.  
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  (#15) Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig

  Though not common, pot-bellied pigs are kept as pets in many American households. There's no one specific type of Vietnamese pot-bellied pig; in all likelihood, the ones in the US descend from a variety of different pot-bellied pig breeds native to Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.

  Pot-bellied pigs can be aggressive, but they're also known to be gentle, devoted, and affectionate when brought up properly. They are also sometimes utilized as therapy or service animals. It's important to check with your local wildlife agency to make sure your area allows pot-bellied pigs as pets, as states like South Dakota have outlawed "non-domestic pigs."

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