Coatimundis as pets

[CatLover]

For those who do not know, a coatimundi is a mammal native to Central/South America. It's a relative of the raccoon, and looks very similar to one except it has a long ringed tail like a lemur, and has a very long nose. They love to dig and climb and their diet consists of varied meats and fruits. I do not know whether they are an endangered species, but the coatimundi population is declining rapidly because of loss of habitat (mainly the Amazon rainforest).

Anyway, a new pet store opened near my home a couple of weeks ago. They have the normal bad things like "food" that is supposed to be healthy for lizards, dyed fish, etc. I nearly died when I saw they had a coatimundi. They have it priced at $900, so I'm hoping it will be very difficult to sell. They are keeping it in an enclosure with solid walls (no bars, thus poor air circulation) with a shallow bowl of water, no food, a blanket, and a dog toy. The enclosure is about the size of a 35G fish tank, is very short, and of course lacks climbing equipment.

I know coatimundis are getting popular as pets, but I do not believe they should be selling this. The people in my area would not be able to care for it. 99% of the people here don't even know what it is.

Also, I'm not even sure if owning/selling coatimundis in Kentucky is legal. Would anyone know? Would you need papers in order to own it? Knowing that this creature is being sold in an area with such ignorant people makes me sick.

 

[MAM]

its legal to sell these in the US i'm guessing in addition to that hefty $900 price tag, there will also be hefty license fees....................... that and as you said, most people would have no idea how to properly care for and house one these...................

does this petshop have a website by chance??

 

[CatLover]

I doubt they have a site because they are pretty much a hole in the wall store and have only been open a couple of weeks. I will checkand see though.

After finding out they were selling it, I spent hours researching the legality of them online. Apparently they are legal in the US, and there are many breeders across the nation. I doubt this creature can be legal in every state though, just like ferrets are illegal in CA.

I will go check if a site exists for them.

 

[CatLover]

Ok, no, the new pet store doesn't have a website.

 

[Fishy411]

would it be that hard to take care of? It could probly be kept in a two level 8 ft high cage. I have seen one like it that my friend uses for his iguana.

 

[CatLover]

I think it would be that hard to take care of. These are like monkeys - they have very nimble hands and can undo any sort of latch or knob. The only way to keep them in something would be with a pad lock, and if you have to use one of those then obviously the creature shouldn't be in that enclosure.

Their diet is very unique, and they need places to dig, as well as climb. Plus they hunt in groups of up to 30, and are highly social. Only having one, which is all they're selling, would be harmful for it mentally and cause it to do damage unless it had a spectacular relationship with its owner who would keep it occupied.

These creatures are as mischievious as a 2 year old child. They can and will get into everything, and its very easy for them to since they have hands like a monkey. You would have to be a very wealthy person with a great deal of knowledge about this animal in order to house it properly. Those people are very hard to come by in the area I live.

 

[Auratus]

I watched a show on Animal Planet about a girl who had to get rid of one that she bought at a swap market. It would unlock it's cage during the day and go through all of her things, open drawers and eat her makeup, toothpaste, and and chew on cords. They don't make good pets. They look like giant ferrets mixed with a monkey. They belong in huge outdoor cages with indoor sleeping areas. The show was really sad and it explained how they don't make good pets. Sad I wonder what will happen to it if no one buys it?

 

[CatLover]

I'm afraid to know.

 

[pnyklr3]

I saw the same program on Animal Planet. There was a reptile store in my area that was shut down about a year ago. They had an American Alligator, andd many very large reptiles there. The owner said they were "for sale" but he had an outrageous price on them so no one would buy them.