Even though there are a great many various kinds of animals around the world, humans rarely look past the typical when picking a domestic pet. Of course pets like dogs, cats or goldfish can be great and calming pets for the average person, but what about those excited about finding a type of pet that may be a bit more off the beaten path. Sure reptiles, insects and birds might not be normal, but what about some really fascinating animals that have sometimes become pets for the adventurous? Let's take a look at a handful of some of the more interesting and strange pets of recent memory.
Jessica the Hippopotamus
What would you have done if a baby Hippopotamus washed up on the beachfront of your riverside home? Well if you're anything like Tonie and Shirley Joubert you lovingly nurse her back to health. Right after a bad flood near their South Africa home, the former game ranger and his spouse spotted the 35 lb. dying baby and saved it. Once healed, Jessica the female hippo now feels as though she's part of the family and won't leave the property. Connected to her caretaker Tonie, Jessica wanders round the house, drinks coffee on the porch, hangs out with the pet dogs and typically enjoys a life of leisure. Attempts to reintroduce her into the outdoors have all failed and the most significant threat now is that from other hippos, not forgetting local farm owners. So Jessica is now another household pet, even when she's damaged the Joubert's bed 3 times.
Caplan Rous, Enormous Hamster
As kids, many children have had exposure to hamsters but Caplan Rous is unlike any hamster ever encountered. Owned by Texas native Melanie Typaldos , Caplan Rous is actually a large rodent known as a Capybara whose normal atmosphere can be found in the South American savannahs and woodlands alongside bodies of water. A sizable, barrel shaped animal, the Capybara can weigh up to 150 lbs, stand up to 2 feet tall and behaves in many ways like a dog. Probably one of the more fascinating attributes of this creature is its voice, which many mistake as a bird. Giving off a noisy chirp or "eep," Caplan Rous usually startles passersby with his high-pitched call. Naturally, a Capybara certainly seems to qualify as a unique pet.
Lance Corporal William Windsor: Grand Goat
While not a family pet, Lance Corporal William Windsor is certainly exotic. The mascot for Britain's 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh, or Billy as he's known, has been leading his unit in just about every celebration going back 8 years until his recent retirement from service. Adorned with a ceremonial glistening headplate, Billy has journeyed overseas, met royalty and led the regiment through its formal parades. A tradition for over 200 years, a goat has led the battalion ever since Queen Victoria picked the first goat in 1844. Though cared-for by an attendant known as the Goat Major, Lance Corporal William Windsor is unquestionably one type of pet most don't see frequently.
The Lamb That Thinks It's a Human
Little did the Palmer household recognize that an excursion to a nearby nature reserve would result in the addition to the household: Nick Boing, sheep. Having stumbled across an infant lamb at the Goldcliff Nature Park in Newport, England, David Palmer and his spouse and children did what anybody would do and drop the creature off at a local farm where it would be taken care of. Regrettably, the lamb developed an identity problem and refused to remain with animals of his own kind. After numerous efforts to guide the confused animal, the Palmers ultimately took him home where he became a close member of the family. Now Nick Boing the sheep enjoys his days relaxing near the front door, watching the world go by, and nights on the family settee watching tv. Although it might not be amazing to have a sheep, having one that will watch today's televisions certainly is.
Jessica the Hippopotamus
What would you have done if a baby Hippopotamus washed up on the beachfront of your riverside home? Well if you're anything like Tonie and Shirley Joubert you lovingly nurse her back to health. Right after a bad flood near their South Africa home, the former game ranger and his spouse spotted the 35 lb. dying baby and saved it. Once healed, Jessica the female hippo now feels as though she's part of the family and won't leave the property. Connected to her caretaker Tonie, Jessica wanders round the house, drinks coffee on the porch, hangs out with the pet dogs and typically enjoys a life of leisure. Attempts to reintroduce her into the outdoors have all failed and the most significant threat now is that from other hippos, not forgetting local farm owners. So Jessica is now another household pet, even when she's damaged the Joubert's bed 3 times.
Caplan Rous, Enormous Hamster
As kids, many children have had exposure to hamsters but Caplan Rous is unlike any hamster ever encountered. Owned by Texas native Melanie Typaldos , Caplan Rous is actually a large rodent known as a Capybara whose normal atmosphere can be found in the South American savannahs and woodlands alongside bodies of water. A sizable, barrel shaped animal, the Capybara can weigh up to 150 lbs, stand up to 2 feet tall and behaves in many ways like a dog. Probably one of the more fascinating attributes of this creature is its voice, which many mistake as a bird. Giving off a noisy chirp or "eep," Caplan Rous usually startles passersby with his high-pitched call. Naturally, a Capybara certainly seems to qualify as a unique pet.
Lance Corporal William Windsor: Grand Goat
While not a family pet, Lance Corporal William Windsor is certainly exotic. The mascot for Britain's 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh, or Billy as he's known, has been leading his unit in just about every celebration going back 8 years until his recent retirement from service. Adorned with a ceremonial glistening headplate, Billy has journeyed overseas, met royalty and led the regiment through its formal parades. A tradition for over 200 years, a goat has led the battalion ever since Queen Victoria picked the first goat in 1844. Though cared-for by an attendant known as the Goat Major, Lance Corporal William Windsor is unquestionably one type of pet most don't see frequently.
The Lamb That Thinks It's a Human
Little did the Palmer household recognize that an excursion to a nearby nature reserve would result in the addition to the household: Nick Boing, sheep. Having stumbled across an infant lamb at the Goldcliff Nature Park in Newport, England, David Palmer and his spouse and children did what anybody would do and drop the creature off at a local farm where it would be taken care of. Regrettably, the lamb developed an identity problem and refused to remain with animals of his own kind. After numerous efforts to guide the confused animal, the Palmers ultimately took him home where he became a close member of the family. Now Nick Boing the sheep enjoys his days relaxing near the front door, watching the world go by, and nights on the family settee watching tv. Although it might not be amazing to have a sheep, having one that will watch today's televisions certainly is.
About the Author:
Angela Schmidt is a feline person and recommends cat insurance to foresee emergencies. Angela's curious trio of cats need a cat insurance policy to shield them in the case of unforeseeable injury.
