Man has been domesticating animals for more than 15,000 years. Dogs are likely to be first, followed by sheep, pigs, goats and horses. Widely accepted criteria for “domesticated” include genetic differences from their ancestors, dependence on humans for food, and the unlikelihood or impossibility of reproducing with their wild counterparts.
Although some people keep wild and exotic animals as pets, it is not recommended. Here are six animals that people should not domesticate.
1. Can raccoons be domesticated?
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No, raccoons are not social creatures and generally do not belong to a community. They require a large area and should never be kept in cages. In the wild, they roam and explore, something they can’t do when confined.
Are raccoons good pets?
Although they can bond with humans when raised as babies, they are quick to bite if they are stressed or scared, which makes them bad choice for a pet. And they are nocturnal, which causes their owner to spend sleepless nights. In the wild, they use their sharp claws to climb. Those claws, along with their sharp teeth, will damage property.
Read more: Docile raccoons are better scavengers and better suited for cities
2. Can foxes be domesticated?
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Although foxes can be trained, this should not be confused with domestication. Unlike dogs, foxes have not lived with humans for thousands of years. Of the four species of fox found in the United States: arctic, gray, kit, and red, none are considered domesticated.
Do foxes make good pets?
As solitary animals, foxes are not suited to life as pet. They need to be in a habitat where they can search for their own food. As crepuscular animals, they typically forage and hunt at dawn and dusk. They also carry the risk of transmitting diseases to humans. These include scabies, leptospirosis, roundworms and rabies.
Read more: Hybrid animals are a problem, scientists say, no matter how cute they are
3. Can chimpanzees be domesticated?
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No, chimpanzees are wild and not intended to be domesticated. Although we share almost 99 percent of the same DNA — and they are both primates, there are still 35 million differences between these animals and humans. We share similar traits, such as intelligence, the ability to solve problems, play, and experience and express various emotions.
Are chimpanzees good pets?
They enjoy being held and interacting with family members when they are young. Once they reach adolescence and adulthood, they become increasingly stronger, unpredictable, and aggressive. No matter how affectionate they are, they retain their wild instincts. There have been several cases of extremely violent chimpanzee attacks.
Read more: Happy chimpanzees: Are animals really happy when they smile?
4. Can parrots be domesticated?
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No, even when parrots are born in captivity, they are not domesticated. In the wild, they spend their time flying, foraging, establishing nesting areas, socializing, bathing, and mating. They are very social animals that live and travel in large flocks, communicating with each other through vocalization and body language.
Do parrots make good pets?
Since parrots are not solitary, they are unsuitable for keeping as a pet. They require a lot of interaction and often experience separation anxiety when their owner is away. When a parrot is very stressed, it may become agitated, depressed, and even scream loudly. It can result in self-harm, where they pluck out their own feathers.
Read more: The parrots live in New York City. This is how they get by in the urban jungle
5. Can capybaras be domesticated?
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Social and friendly, capybaras live in groups of up to 14 members, where they communicate through a multitude of sounds. Capybaras should not be domesticated because their bonds with other members of the group are integral to their well-being.
At over 100 pounds, the capybara is the largest rodent in the world. Native to South America, they live in semi-aquatic environments.
Do capybaras make good pets?
Their gentle and sweet nature can make them attractive as pets, but their needs generally cannot be adequately fulfilled when they are not in the wild. They require access to a thermally regulated pool and must eat six to eight pounds of grass per day. Above all, they need the company of another capybara.
Read more: 5 Strange and Wild Animals You’ve (Probably) Never Heard of
6. Can sugar gliders be domesticated?
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Despite being able to bond with certain people, sugar gliders have not evolved with humans and remain wild animals. These cute, furry marsupials require a large area, as they can glide across half a football field. They live in colonies when in the wild and use vocalization and smell. communication to interact with each other.
Do sugar gliders make good pets?
The company that humans can offer is is not a viable substitute because of what they experience in nature. When a sugar glider is kept alone, it will experience detrimental effects, which can lead to depression and self-harm. Additionally, pet food will not be enough, as they need to eat food sources they find in nature, such as eucalyptus and insects.
Read more: 20 things you didn’t know about… animal domestication
