Most Expensive, Legal Pets in America

For those who seek the exotic, unusual and lavish, these pets can help fulfill that desire while adding to one's status symbol. These furry, feathered and scaly companions come in various sizes and are widely diverse in difficulty of care.

Ranging in price from approximately $800 to $138,000, all of these pets are legal in the United States, however, they may be limited to only certain states, counties, or cities. Each of these pets may require specialty food or care that needs to be carefully researched before obtaining them. Some may even require special licensing. It is critical to find out all of this information, as well as to verify there is a local vet willing and able to handle such an animal before taking on an exotic pet.

FELINE FRIENDS

First on the list is the Bengal Cat, which is a cross between a common domestic cat and an Asian Leopard cat. The resulting animal only weighs in around 10 lbs, and is said to be highly domesticated. The price tag for this exotic-looking house cat? Somewhere between $800 to $3,000.

White Lion Cubs. Though their white fur may give the impression, these cute animals are not albino. Priced at about $138,000, these adorable animal babies do grow up to be over 300 lbs of muscle, teeth, and claws needing to eat approximately 20 lbs. of food a day. A few resources about keeping a big cat as a pet may be found in this article, "Should Lions and Tigers Be Kept as Pets?" These animals need an environment which mimics their natural habitat with plenty of acreage to roam, and plenty of water to drink and swim in.

If your living quarters are not large enough to accommodate an exotic pet such as a lion, why not try this hybrid cat? The Ashera Cat is a mix of the average house cat and the more exotic serval and leopard. This $22,000 cat comes from Lifestyle pets of California; however, there is some debate that this cat is really just a less expensive Savannah Cat.

The Savannah Cat has been known to be priced from about $4,000 to $10,000. A serval cat and domestic cat hybrid, this animal weighs over 20 pounds in adulthood. Because they typically have all the markings of a Serval, some unscrupulous breeders have sold full-blooded servals as Savannahs. Buyers beware. One interesting trait of the Savannah Cat is that they are reputed to be great playmates with dogs.

PRIMATE PALS

The $3,500 Snow Macaque may look small in photos, but it can actually grow to be between 2 and 4 feet in length, not counting its tail; and can weigh anywhere from 17 pounds to over 60. In the wild these animals like to live and travel in relatively large groups called 'troops', so in captivity, this animal may not adapt well to being alone. They primarily eat fruit; and like humans, have opposable thumbs.

Small and adorable-looking, the Squirrel Monkey may be pound-for-pound, one of the most expensive pets on the list with a $4,000 price tag. This primate eats fruit and insects, and in the wild moves from tree to tree by leaping. It is interesting to note that they mark their territory by squirting their urine onto their hands and feet, and then leaving their 'scent' everywhere they go.

The DeBrazza's Monkey can be very sweet as an infant, but once this $10,000 primate reaches adulthood, it is known for becoming aggressive and hostile. This monkey is the natural prey of such animals as leopards and pythons, so those wishing to have multiple exotic pets may not want to get a DeBrazza's Monkey if they already have a big cat or snake as a pet.

A Chimpanzee is priced from about $60,000 - $65,000. Listed as an Endangered Species, it is still legal to have this animal as a pet in the United States. This is because under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 they are only considered 'endangered' in the wild, versus 'threatened' in captivity; and a distinction is made between those animals bred from illegally imported chimps, and those bred from domestic chimpanzees. These animals have been a popular part of the American culture, most notably in "Bedtime for Bonzo" starring the late Ronald Reagan (who later went on to become a United States President); and multiple Walt Disney films.

Two other major contributors to the love affair Americans have with chimpanzees are the book series about 'Curious George', and the tireless research and work of primatologist, Jane Goodall.

REPTILIAN ROOMMATES
*NOTE: Snakes need to be fed LIVE food.

One of many interesting forms of the Reticulated Python, the Reticulated Albino Type II Tiger Python costs about $15,000 to purchase. This species of python is known for producing several different shades of purple as well as white colored offspring in one clutch of eggs.

The Striped Ball Python has been priced from $5,000 - $20,000. In the case of these and other striped snakes, many times the stripe may not be solid, but will be 'broken' in places. This increases the value, significantly, of the rare snakes with an unbroken stripe.

A female Lavender Albino Ball Python may cost as much as $40,000. Though the typical traits of albinism such as white 'skin' and red eyes are present, this unusual animal also carries lavender coloration.

FINE FEATHERED FRIEND

Measuring approximately 40 inches in length and weighing approximately 3 pounds, the Hyacinth Macaw is the most expensive pet on the list, by weight, at $6,500 - $12,000 in price. Native to Brazil, these beautiful birds are a favorite amongst illegal animal traders due to their high price and high desirability. In the wild, these birds feed off nuts found on the ground where cattle have been. The cattle eat the whole nuts, and their digestive tract then 'shells' them for the Macaws.

CANINE COHORT

Chinese Crested Hairless Dogs. These dogs come in two varieties: Hairless and Powderpuff. The powderpuff variety has fur, but the hairless variety is not completely without fur. The 'Hairless' variety does in fact have some fur around its feet, tail, and head. Priced from about $4,000 to $5,000, this small dog is rare, odorless, and active. It also craves companionship, and will develop behavioral problems if not given the activity level it needs. Breeders highly recommend that owners do not take to carrying this animal around everywhere as they need the exercise walking gives them. Being mostly hairless, these dogs will need to wear a sweater in cold weather.

DISPLACED EXOTICS AND HYBRIDS

Because of the unusual and oftentimes demanding needs these exotic and hybrid pets present, many end up in exotic or alternative pet shelters. The price tag may be a little lower to obtain an animal from such an establishment, but adoptive families will need to pass careful scrutiny to ensure the animal is not displaced again.

One place to obtain a listing of such shelters around the world is http://www.altpet.net/Rescue/. This same website for the National Alternative Pet Association also features helpful information and resources for those considering adding an exotic pet to the family.

SOURCES:

America's Priciest Pets. Marianne Hayes. August 5, 2004. 6:00 a.m. Forbes Traveler.
http://www.forbes.com/home/personalfinance/2004/08/05/cx_mhay_0805ppetintro.html
Accessed November 7, 2007

The Most Expensive Pets. Forbes Traveler. August 3, 2004.
http://www.forbes.com/2004/08/03/cx_mhay_0805petslide.html?thisSpeed=20000
Accessed November 7, 2007

Bengal Cat
http://www.bengalcat.com/main.aspx
Accessed November 14, 2007

Lion Facts. Tim Stoffel.
http://www.lionlamb.us/lion/lionfact.html
Accessed November 15, 2005

How to feed a pet lion. E-how Pets Editor.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2061580_feed-pet-lion.html
Accessed November 15, 2007

How to provide adequate housing for pet lions. E-how Pets Editor.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2061584_provide-adequate-housing-pet-lions.html
Accessed November 15, 2007

Exotic, Hybrid Cat Being Sold for More Than $20,000. Fox News. November 6, 2007.
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?110607/110607_ff_cat&Pricey%20Pet&FOX_Friends&Exotic%2C%20hybrid%20cat%20being%20sold%20for%20more%20than%20%2420%2C000&FOX%20&%20Friends&Pricey%20Pet&Video%20Launch%20Page&-1&Shows
Accessed November 6, 2007

Ashera vs Savannah Cat. Brigitte. June 5, 2007.
http://ashera-savannah-cat.blogspot.com/
Accessed November 15, 2007

Savannahs: the Exotic Feline of the 21^st Century. Holly Hummel.
http://www.savannahcatbreed.com/savannahs.shtml
Accessed November 15, 2007

Snow Macaque. Central Pets.Com
http://www.centralpets.com/animals/mammals/primates/pri4772.html
Accessed November 15, 2007

Squirrel Monkey. Zoo School.
http://www.zooschool.ecsd.net/squirrel%20monkey.htm
Accessed November 15, 2007

DeBrazza's Monkey. ThePrimata.Com. June 10, 2007.
http://www.theprimata.com/cercopithecus_neglectus.html
Accessed November 15, 2007

Animal Legal and Historical Center
http://www.animallaw.info/
Accessed November 15, 2007

Detailed Discussion of Laws Affecting Chimpanzees. Alicia S. Ivory. 2007.
http://www.animallaw.info/articles/dduschimplaws.htm
Accessed November 15, 2007

Endangered Species Act (ESA)
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/esa/
Accessed November 15, 2007

Type II Albino Reticulated python & type II Tiger. Steve Gooch. June 2, 2004. 10:47 a.m. Herp-fan Bulletin Boards.
http://forums.bobclark.com/showthread.php?t=18303
Accessed November 15, 2007

Striped Ball Python. Bob Clark. 2007.
http://www.bobclark.com/d_learn.asp?id=76&cat=learn
Accessed November 15, 2007

Reticulated Python Forum. Albino Genetics Question. August 13, 2004. Constrictors Unlimited Forums.
http://constrictors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2872
Accessed November 15, 2007

The Hyacinth Macaw
http://www.hyacinthmacaw.org/
Accessed November 15, 2007

Chinese Crested. Dog Breed Info Center.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chinesecrested.htm
Accessed November 15, 2007