I really love to pet and show affection to animals, but not all animals like that. I’m trying to figure out which ones enjoy being petted or held. Does anyone know of any exotic animals that like this, or maybe even the females of certain species (I know sometimes females can be more friendly)? Let me know if you have any personal experiences or if you know anyone who does. Thanks.
Just to clarify: I’m not looking to buy an exotic pet on impulse. I just want to get an idea of which animals I can learn more about and maybe think about getting one in a few years.
I had a very large male Argentinian Tegu who loved head scratches. He would even raise his butt like a cat asking for more. He would come over when I called his name, and he’d sleep like a baby.
He was chill with me, but not as much with my dad, who was his main caretaker. I also had a snake who liked getting his chin rubbed. It seems like reptiles can enjoy being petted too, sometimes.
It really depends on the individual animal though.
Patagonian maras are pretty friendly if they’re socialized from birth. If you raise them right, they’re affectionate and love being around people. If they aren’t properly socialized, though, they can be a bit skittish and shy.
Woodchucks are great pets. Mine like to snuggle with me. They’ll even wrap their paws around my leg and stand on their hind legs, looking up at me, wanting to be picked up.
Ferrets are great pets too. Neutered male ferrets are usually calmer and more likely to enjoy cuddles, though some ferrets can be super hyper. I’ve had a bunch of ferrets, and they’ve all loved human interaction. They also enjoy getting scritches and even going on walks.
I run a small ferret rescue. If you’re thinking about getting one, it’s a good idea to reach out to rescues and maybe volunteer first to learn more about their care. When you’re ready to adopt, look for a ferret who enjoys being around people. A ferret between 6 months and 2-3 years is a good choice. Seniors are often super affectionate but can have serious health problems, so I wouldn’t recommend adopting one as a first pet.
If you’re unsure, fostering might be a good way to see how you feel about ferrets before committing. Also, ferrets have a bad reputation for smelling, but if you feed them a good diet, don’t bathe them (bathing actually makes them smell worse!), and keep their space clean, they don’t smell bad at all.
Peyton said: @Peyton
One more thing; ferrets do best in pairs. If you get one, it’s important to get them a buddy. Don’t separate bonded ferrets.
My mom had two ferrets, and they were hilarious. They were such little thieves. She would let them roam freely in the house, and they would get into everything. They’d even steal things and hide them in secret spots. Once, they rolled a small watermelon down the hallway.
They were so funny, but you do have to watch out. They ended up chewing through the couch and getting into places like the oven, dishwasher, and dryer. You’ve got to keep an eye on them.