Meet The World’s Most Unconventional Pets

If you think you know someone with an odd pet, think again. We bet these 20 people have them beat! They’re best buds with some of the wildest creatures imaginable. If you’ve ever wanted to see someone hug a hippo or cuddle a kangaroo, then read on. Just don’t try this at home...

20. Gary the capybara

Yep, you heard us right ‒ a capybara. That’s the world’s largest rodent for those of you who aren’t in the know. Although capybaras are indigenous to South America, Gary’s owner couldn’t look after him any longer. So he went to live in Melanie and Richard Typaldos’ Texas home. They went so far as to get the water-loving rodent his own swimming pool!

He almost gets along with everyone

In 2013 Melanie told British newspaper The Sun, “Although some people might find it strange, it's really no different than having a dog or a cat. Gary is really very smart and he’s very affectionate.” Apparently he gets along with the other pets in the family’s menagerie, too. Except the tortoise, who apparently has a penchant for invading Gary’s “personal space.”

19. Filé and Gumbo the rat snake(s)

We’ll grant you that snakes, and rat snakes in particular, are a fairly common pet. But stay with us here. You see, Filé and Gumbo aren’t your average reptiles. It’s hard to say whether you’d even count them as a pair of snakes or a single one, because they share the same body.

Two brains are better than one

Tanee Janusz took Filé and Gumbo in after their neighbor found them in a Louisiana backyard. Apparently, their unique appearance is probably the result of their embryos not splitting properly, leaving them with separate brains in a single body. What’s more, snakes such as this don’t usually live long in the wild either. At least the serpent siblings are in good hands with Janusz.