Can you keep an otter as a pet? How about a lynx?

Question

Any animals you would not expect to able to keep as a pet but you can? (assuming you could properly tend to the animal and provide it a large home that mimics its habitat)

Answer 1

In the US, it is illegal to own a sea otter or lynx unless unless they are offspring of domesticated parents, or unless a special permit is issued by the Fish & Wildlife Service. Sea otters are protected by the federal government under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and both lynx and sea otters are protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). State governments may also regulate ownership of these animals, depending on the state you live in.

Answer 2

You should have special licenses to keep wild animals at home. Plus, if it is not properly kept, the animal department of the government will blame you for the reason. Besides an otter or a lynx needs lot of mud, mud water, shrubs, tall grass & things which it needs to eat as well as survive which you can't keep so easily.

Answer 3

No, its not a good idea to keep only one as a pet. Otters are very social and hate to be alone. If you have ever seen them at a zoo, you would know how family oriented they are. Some otter pups swim together on their backs and hold hands, its such a cut sight. :) Its better to leave them in the wild, or to keep captive otters in zoos that have the time and money to keep them.

Answer 4

Sea otters, no, not feasibly, but people have kept river otters as pets and they are worse then ferrets in that they get into everything, are very curious and require a lot of outside time. Lynx have also been kept, but similiar to keeping a tiger as a pet. Not exactly cute and cuddly.

Answer 5

Besides the difficulties in physically raising a wild animal in captivity, in many jurisdictions it is illegal to own animals native to that region.

Some areas allow it if you have special licenses, such as for research purposes, but many areas do not. You would have to check your local regulations before even attempting to obtain the pet.

Answer 6

you can but u need a special licence

Answer 7

if its trained or well behaved then yes either one is fine ^_^