It’s legal to own a llama in Idaho and a one-humped camel in Alaska. But some states have laws against owning certain animals (see map).

Even where it’s legal, many experts say, owning an exotic pet is risky. For starters, wild animals are unpredictable. So they can be dangerous. 

“Even when people mean well, it’s nearly impossible to fully control how a wild animal behaves,” says Michael Q. Bailey. He’s the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

The Honeycutt-Akram family knows this well. Playtime with Jalapeño isn’t the same as it is with a house cat. Shana says servals scratch and bite harder. 

“He’s not like a normal cat,” adds 9-year-old Everly. “I can’t pick him up to cuddle.” 

Bailey also points out that wild animals have needs that can be hard to meet. Many wild pets don’t eat typical pet food. For instance, pythons eat mice. Jalapeño eats 10 to 15 frozen chicks each day. Sometimes he gets a rooster.

It’s legal to own a llama in Idaho. And it’s legal to own a one-humped camel in Alaska. But some states have laws against owning certain animals (see map).

Even where it’s legal, owning an exotic pet is risky. That’s according to many experts. Wild animals are unpredictable. So they can be dangerous. 

“Even when people mean well, it’s nearly impossible to fully control how a wild animal behaves,” says Michael Q. Bailey. He’s the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

The Honeycutt-Akram family knows this well. Playtime with Jalapeño isn’t like playtime with a house cat. Shana says servals scratch and bite harder. 

“He’s not like a normal cat,” says 9-year-old Everly. “I can’t pick him up to cuddle.” 

Bailey adds that wild animals have needs that can be hard to meet. Many wild pets don’t eat typical pet food. For instance, pythons eat mice. Jalapeño eats 10 to 15 frozen chicks each day. Sometimes he gets a rooster.

Jalapeño used to live in the house. Then he started to make big messes when he got bored. So Shana’s family built a home for him outside. But in March, Jalapeño escaped through an unlocked door. 

Wild pets are harder to catch than runaway dogs. Finding them might require the police, as in Ed the zebra’s case. After three days, a professional trapper helped nab Jalapeño. 

Bailey isn’t surprised by stories of wild pets escaping. 

“Wild animals belong in the wild, not as pets,” he says. 

But Jalapeño’s family is glad to have him as a pet, despite the risks. 

“He is a beautiful creature, and I’m so glad my family has had this experience,” Shana says. “But I urge everyone to really think through the commitment level this takes.” 

Jalapeño used to live in the house. Then he started to make big messes when he got bored. So Shana’s family built a home for him outside. But in March, Jalapeño escaped. He got out through an unlocked door. 

Wild pets are harder to catch than runaway dogs. Finding them might involve the police, as in Ed the zebra’s case. After three days, a professional trapper helped catch Jalapeño. 

Bailey isn’t surprised by wild pets escaping. 

“Wild animals belong in the wild, not as pets,” he says. 

But Jalapeño’s family is glad to have him home, despite the risks. 

“He is a beautiful creature, and I’m so glad my family has had this experience,” Shana says. “But I urge everyone to really think through the commitment level this takes.”

1. What is the main difference between a domesticated animal and an exotic animal?

2. Based on the article, what are some of the challenges of caring for an exotic pet?

3. What is the purpose of the map that appears with the article?

1. What is the main difference between a domesticated animal and an exotic animal?

2. Based on the article, what are some of the challenges of caring for an exotic pet?

3. What is the purpose of the map that appears with the article?