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14 animals that are surprisingly legal to own

as pets in the US
Kristine Solomon Oct 4, 2019, 9:02 PM

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It's legal to own a pet fox in 15 US states. Artyom Geodakyan / Contributor /

Getty Images

Celebrities from Michael Jackson to Salvador Dali have

popularized the idea of owning exotic animals as house
pets.

From lions to tigers to bears, some of the exotic animals

that are legal to own in the US will surely surprise you.

Though it may be legal to own some of these animals,

many experts advise against it because of the special
care these animals require.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

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Salvador Dali owned a pet anteater — and you

can too.

Bruno Vincent / Stringer / Getty Images

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The majority of tigers live as pets, not in the

wild.

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A white Bengal tiger cub plays with its sister, a golden Bengal tiger cub, at the
Circo de Renato (Renato Circus) in Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua.
Reuters/Oswaldo Rivas

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Foxes are as smart as dogs, and could be on the

way to domestication.

Shutterstock

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Pet tarantulas can be quite the handful.

John Fowler/Flickr

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An alligator is a huge commitment — and it

might outlive you.

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If you're stressed out, consider a pet llama.

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JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images

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Owning a skunk isn't as stinky as it sounds.

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A porcupine can be a pretty easygoing pet —

but it can also be prickly.

Youth Photographer of the Year Jenaya Launstein, age 15, captured a tranquil
moment in the life of a porcupine in Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory,
Canada. This image was selected out of more than 20,000 photo entries from
nature photographers in 50 countries and displayed in the “Nature’s Best
Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards” exhibition on view
at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History through April 20,
2015. Jenaya Launstein / Nature’s Best Photography Awards

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Yes, boa constrictors can easily kill you, but they
probably won't.

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A pet cougar can be tamed, but it can never be

domesticated.

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Two-toed sloths are the darlings of the exotic

pet world — just ask Kristen Bell.

A rescued baby sloth rests over a stuffed toy at the Sloth Sanctuary in
Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned
and injured sloths REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate

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A pet bear can be your best friend — or your

worst enemy.

Beverly & Pack

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Owning a pet monkey is like raising a toddler for

40 years.

REUTERS/Yves Herman

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