11 animals you won’t believe are legal in Michigan

From coyotes and bobcats to otters and skunks, there are tons of wild animals that are legal to own in Michigan.

If you ask someone what kind of pet they have, you might expect them to answer with a common critter such as a cat, dog, or hamster. But here in Michigan, the list of possible pets someone can own goes beyond the usual suspects.

From coyotes and bobcats to otters and skunks, there are tons of wild animals that are totally legal to own in Michigan. Keep reading to learn more (but keep in mind that just because you can keep these animals as pets, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should). 

1. Arctic fox

According to Exotic Pet Wonderland, all species of fox are legal to own in Michigan. While some species require a permit, others, like the Arctic fox, do not. These furry mammals can reach two feet in length (not counting their tail) and weigh as much as 17 pounds. 

If you are going to keep an Arctic fox as a pet, you’ll want to build an outdoor enclosure because they don’t do well indoors. It’s also important to note that, unlike a cat or dog, you probably won’t be able to go to the pet store to get food for an Arctic fox. Instead, they prefer a diet of mostly raw meat.

2. Bobcat

While the possession of many large cats, such as lions, tigers, jaguars, and panthers, is illegal in Michigan, not all wild felines are off-limits. For example, you can own a bobcat in the Great Lakes State if you have a permit to hold game in captivity. Additionally, the bobcat must have been reared in captivity—not taken from the wild.

According to The Nature Conservancy, the bobcat is the most common wildcat in North America. It can reach about two feet in length and weigh as much as 20 pounds. 

If you do choose to have a pet bobcat, you need to keep in mind the enclosure requirements. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the enclosure must have a climbing tree with at least three four-inch diameter branches. 

3. Mink

The mink is another animal you can legally possess in Michigan with a permit to hold game in captivity. Minks are semi-aquatic mammals that look like a cross between a weasel and a ferret. They have a long, slender body and partially webbed toes and tend to live near a body of water. According to Animal Diversity Web, they can be found in every state except Arizona. 

4. River otter

With the same permit you can use to possess a mink, you can also keep an otter as a pet in Michigan (there are several types of otters, but the North American River Otter is most prevalent in Michigan). Like minks, otters are semi-aquatic mammals with slender bodies. They have fully webbed feet and non-retractable claws. Male river otters can grow to weigh more than 30 pounds and reach five feet in length. Enclosures for minks and river otters must contain a pool, climbing surfaces, and gnawing material. 

5. Coyote

Coyotes are abundant in Michigan, and while you can legally keep one as a pet (with a permit), the Michigan DNR Wildlife Division recommends enjoying them from a distance. These medium-sized wild canines weigh, on average, between 25 to 40 pounds, and their size is often compared to that of a German Shepherd. You’re most likely to spot a coyote during the animal’s breeding period—January through March—and when they’re most active—at sunrise and sunset. 

The Coydog—a hybrid of a coyote and a domestic dog—is also a legal pet in Michigan if you have a permit. 

6. Skunk

While most people tend to try to avoid skunks due to the foul-smelling spray they use to keep predators away, if you’re so inclined, you can have one as a pet in Michigan. Again, a permit to hold game in captivity is required to cohabit with one of these black-and-white mammals. Skunks must be bred in captivity, but even when you purchase a skunk from a breeder, there’s no guarantee it’ll be free from diseases like rabies. 

7. Bengal cat

Bengal cats have a wild ancestry—they’re a hybrid breed created by breeding domestic felines with Asian leopard cats. These cats are more active than your average house cat and tend to be more territorial, too. Sizewise, they are similar to house cats, weighing between eight to 15 pounds on average. 

petMD suggests that Bengal cats can be suitable pets for “experienced cat parents looking for an energetic and intelligent feline companion,” but if you have smaller pets or young children, you might want to reconsider.  

8. Asian leopard cat

Speaking of Asian leopard cats, you can also keep this feline as a pet. As their name implies, these small cats are native to parts of Asia—specifically the south, east, and southeast regions—and often live in rainforests. They’re similar in size to a domestic house cat, though they’re usually a bit slimmer. 

like Bengal cats, Asian leopard cats are athletic, high-energy creatures. They’re also excellent swimmers. 

9. Serval

Serval cats are wild and native to Africa, but Michigan is one of seven states where you can legally own one without a permit. Serval cats are much bigger than your average house cat, weighing between 20 to 40 pounds and measuring up to two feet in length.

While it’s legal to have a pet Serval, after one escaped years ago from a Caseville, Michigan, home, the manager of a nearby zoo strongly advised against it. “It’s not a safe thing to do, and generally people don’t have the facilities to deal with that kind of animal. Wild animals may be cute when they’re young, but they grow up. Then they can become aggressive instead of cute,” the zoo manager told MLive. 

The Savannah cat, which is a hybrid of a Serval and a domestic cat, is also legal in Michigan.

10. Opossum

With the proper permit, you can have a pet opossum in Michigan. They are nocturnal and shy and are known for playing dead when they feel threatened. Male opossums can grow up to about 14 pounds and three feet in length, and females tend to be a bit smaller.

While these furry critters might look cute, beware of the 50 super-sharp teeth they have (more than any other mammal in the United States). 

11. Sugar Glider

Sugar Gliders—named for their preference for sugary foods and ability to glide through the air—are legal to own in many states, including Michigan. These small, nocturnal possums can make great pets, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, because they’re playful and, if socialized properly, enjoy cuddling and will bond with their owners. Sugar gliders prefer to cohabit in groups, and therefore, it’s not recommended that you keep one as a single pet. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.