I work at a Zoo. We have a prairie dog in the programs department and he's super cute..but he's a total biter. So no one but the keepers can handle him.
I would never. NEVER get one as a pet. Did I mention that I would NEVER get one as a pet?
Actually, I would never get any wild animal as a pet..?
ETA: The keepers have to handle him with thick raptor gloves b/c he can bite right through regular gloves. Sweet guy. Not a pet. ?
I work at a Zoo. We have a prairie dog in the programs department and he's super cute..but he's a total biter. So no one but the keepers can handle him.
I would never. NEVER get one as a pet. Did I mention that I would NEVER get one as a pet?
Actually, I would never get any wild animal as a pet..
ETA: The keepers have to handle him with thick raptor gloves b/c he can bite right through regular gloves. Sweet guy. Not a pet.
I have to agree. They are not really a pet- more of a hopefully tame wild animal.
They are legal in VA...which I found out when someone posted an ad on Craigslist looking for a baby prarie dog and said, "please don't flag this, prarie dog's are legal in this state."
I have one, and I adore him. He is the sweetest thing, I was totally surprised when I got him. He is about 4 months old, he has never bitten me. He does have a strong personality. We are going to have him fixed. He is really attached to me. They are smart as anything, he is already litter box trained and it's so funny because in the morning when I let him out he runs to his bathroom, my downstairs "powder room". He is very determined when he wants something,but other than that I will set in my chair and read for hours and he is laying in my lap. He loves to have his belly rubbed and when you stop, he'll kick at me. Now, he doesn't like my husband for some reason. I think it's because it's just him, me and my Shetland Sheepdog she is about 10 yrs old and very patient with him. They will play together, but we are his family and he's not to happy with intruders. But you are not the crazy at all. They make great pets.I tried to attach a pic but it wouldn't work for me.
Great, you crazies have truly wild animals as pets. Please update us in 3-5 years if you still have him. I reckon you won't. Anything is cute at 4 months old...skunks, raccoons, bears, lions, tigers...but wild animals grow up, stop acting like babies, and act like the wild animals they are.
To be fair, a prairie dog does not compare to a tiger, lion, or bear in captivity. That statement was a bit dramatic. I too, do not like the idea of owning "wild animals". That said, if someone has bred said prairie dog, and they are only used to human companionship, it would be inhumane to introduce them to the "wild". Might as well help an animal that otherwise is helpless. I promise you, a prairie dog will never rip your face(or any other body part) off. Good luck!
To be fair, a prairie dog does not compare to a tiger, lion, or bear in captivity. That statement was a bit dramatic. I too, do not like the idea of owning "wild animals". That said, if someone has bred said prairie dog, and they are only used to human companionship, it would be inhumane to introduce them to the "wild". Might as well help an animal that otherwise is helpless. I promise you, a prairie dog will never rip your face(or any other body part) off. Good luck!
People shouldn't support the idea of buying or breeding wild animals to be pets. That is the problem! The problem is that they're wild animals, and shouldn't be put in the situation to be 'pets'.
Re: any prairie dog owners out there?
I'll bite. You own a Prairie Dog??
I work at a Zoo. We have a prairie dog in the programs department and he's super cute..but he's a total biter. So no one but the keepers can handle him.
I would never. NEVER get one as a pet. Did I mention that I would NEVER get one as a pet?
Actually, I would never get any wild animal as a pet..?
ETA: The keepers have to handle him with thick raptor gloves b/c he can bite right through regular gloves. Sweet guy. Not a pet. ?
I have to agree. They are not really a pet- more of a hopefully tame wild animal.
Happy Spring!.
They are legal in VA...which I found out when someone posted an ad on Craigslist looking for a baby prarie dog and said, "please don't flag this, prarie dog's are legal in this state."
IMO not domestic animals and shouldn't be pets.
Nope.
But I have about 50 wild ones in my backyard.