No Henry, You Cannot Keep This as a Pet. Quiz

Answer: Burmese python

The Burmese python can grow up to 19ft in length. It is one of the six largest snakes in the world, and unless you are a very experienced reptile keeper, it is not suitable as a pet. They are found mainly in southern and Southeast Asia. In the wild they live on rodents, small mammals and other reptiles, but the larger they grow, the larger prey they hunt.

They have been known to eat pigs and goats which they can swallow whole. In Florida, where they are a classed as a nonnative pest, they have been known to eat alligators and crocodiles.

Not surprisingly, Henry has been told he cannot have one of these as a pet.

Answer: Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth. It can run at speeds of 70-75 miles per hour, but only in short bursts. It cannot sustain a long chase at that speed. They can be found in most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. Females live alone, coming together with males only for mating. They have litters of around five or six cubs, although nine has been recorded. The cubs stay with their mother until they are approximately eighteen months old when she leaves them to fend for themselves. The cubs may stay together for another six months or so before splitting up. Male cheetahs are more social and will form loose social groups or sibling pairs which may last for life. At various times they have been kept as status symbol pets, but no member of the large cat family is ever truly tame. The main advantage with a cheetah is that where a lion or tiger will kill you, a cheetah attack will only injure you. Instances of them killing humans are virtually unknown.

Again Henry has been refused his choice of pet. Mum doesn't want a cheetah using the furniture as a scratching post.

Answer: Gorilla

Gorilla babies can develop a very strong bond with humans if they have to be hand reared, and this bond can last throughout their adult life. They are not however suitable pets. Adult males can grow up to six feet tall, females slightly shorter. They live in social family groups and can be found in various parts of Africa. In the wild, provided there is no outside interference, their life span is 35-40 years. In captivity up to fifty years is not unusual. They are intelligent; look a gorilla in the eyes and there is someone looking back at you. They are curious and playful. However, Henry's Mum has decided that a large, smelly, male or female gorilla in the average sized living room is not a good idea.

Many people do keep primates and monkeys as pets. However, they are not domesticated animals, and can, without warning, become very destructive and will bite. A normal domestic setting is not a good environment for any of these animals.

Answer: It can be unpredictable

In recent years wolf hybrids have become popular, and in the hands of a very experienced owner they can be domestic pets. Most are the grey wolf crossed with something like a German shepherd or husky type dog. However, the wolf is a wild, untamed animal, and enough of it remains in the hybrid to make it unpredictable in certain circumstances. If a child or adult does something to startle it, or make it think it is being attacked, it will bite without thinking.

It is the natural reflex defence action.

The exception to this is the Saarloos wolfdog, which has been bred since 1921. It is however cautious and reserved in nature, retains many wolf characteristics, is very strong, and not really a family pet. For this reason wolf hybrids are not recommended pets where there are children in the house.

In any case no young child should ever be left alone with a dog, no matter how placid it appears to be. Some European countries have completely banned private ownership of these wolfdogs after several fatal attacks, as have many American states.

Their main use is in guarding and herding, where they do excel. Once again Henry is disappointed, his choice has been rejected and he still has no pet to call his own.

Answer: Capybara

The South American capybara is the largest rodent in the world, measuring around four feet in length. Unlike their smaller guinea pig relatives, they are not usually kept as domestic pets, mainly due to the space they need. They need somewhere to swim, a constant supply of fresh drinking water, and space to roam and graze.

They certainly cannot be kept indoors. Because they are never completely domesticated they need frequent handling from a very young age to stop them from biting, but they will never be tolerant of humans.

Henry I'm afraid is doomed to disappointment on this choice.

Answer: Bear

Black, brown and even grizzly bear cubs have been taken from the wild and kept as trained dancing bears, or even family pets. However, that cute and cuddly bear cub grows into a massive and powerful animal. One swipe from a paw can kill a person quite easily. Bears are found all over the world and there are many species and sub-species. None of them are domesticated.

There have been some quite famous captive bears. Hercules, a grizzly bear, was owned from a cub by British wrestler Andy Robin. He made regular television and film appearances, and lived with Andy and his wife until his death.

He however was the exception, and Henry is not having a bear as a pet.

Answer: Crocodile

Crocodiles and alligators look quite cute as babies. But they grow, and grow fast. Genetically they aren't far away from dinosaurs, which explains the somewhat prehistoric look they have. In the wild they are found in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

They are very dangerous animals. Although their diet consists mainly of fish and small mammals, there are several recorded cases of crocodiles and alligators attacking and killing people. A fully grown large crocodile can break your legs with a swipe of his tail.

The American alligator can be fourteen feet long and can kill cattle. Keeping one in the bath is not recommended. Sorry Henry, another choice turned down.

Answer: Porcupine

There are several species of porcupine. All are rodents and all have coats of sharp spines or quills. Despite their appearance they are not related to the hedgehog. While hedgehogs will settle down quite happily in a domestic environment, porcupines will not.

They have never been domesticated. In the wild they use their quills as protection against predators. They can raise their quills to form a spiny barrier when under threat, and also shake them so they make a rattling noise. They are found in the Americas, and parts of Asia and Africa.

In some parts of the world, Vietnam and Kenya in particular they are seen as a food delicacy. Sorry Henry, a porcupine cannot live in your garden.

Answer: Meerkat

Cute though they look, meerkats are not something that is suitable as a pet. They live in family groups of around twenty, sometimes more, in underground burrows. These can be extensive with several entrances and exits. A member of the mongoose family, they are found mainly in desert areas in Botswana and Namibia.

They eat insects, plants, small mammals, lizards, snakes, scorpions, and birds eggs. They can stand upright by balancing on their tail. Typically most of the group will forage for food while one stands guard as a sentry.

He will alert the group to danger from eagles and other predators. Henry will have to content himself with a meerkat toy instead.

Answer: Mexican beaded lizard

The Mexican beaded lizard and its relative, the Gila monster, are the only two venomous lizards in North America. The venom of the beaded lizard is the subject of quite a lot of research as the venom has been found to contain enzymes useful in the treatment of diabetes.

However, it is a very rare creature, and is a protected species. One subspecies found only in the Motagua Valley is thought to have only 200 animals left in the wild. The Mexican beaded lizard should not be confused with the bearded dragon, which is non venomous and can make a very good pet lizard. So, whilst some lizards can make good pets provided they are kept in the right conditions, this one is another animal that Henry is going to be refused.