You Can Legally Own These Animals, but Should You
You Can Legally Own These Animals, but Should You
Fennec Fox
Why Fennecs Are Harder Than They Look
Capybara
What Capybaras Actually Require
Kinkajou
The Kinkajou Reality Check
Hedgehog
Axolotl
Sloths
Alligators and Large Reptiles
Your State Law Is Only the First Hurdle
Find the Vet Before You Find the Animal
The Question Worth Sitting With
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The United States has some of the most permissive exotic pet laws anywhere, and the rules change dramatically the moment you cross a state line. An animal that is perfectly legal in Nevada may be banned outright in California. But legality and suitability are two different questions, and plenty of animals you can lawfully buy make genuinely difficult pets. Here are some of them, along with the realities that rarely make it into the cute videos.