A squirrel, possum, and a raccoon

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Which Pet Should You Choose?

Wild pets are taking over social media, but experts say it might not be a good idea to let them into your home.

February 28, 2022
By Jasmine Ting

As You Read, Think About: Do wild animals make good pets? Why or why not? 

via Instagram

Meet Juniper, a North American red fox that’s also a social media star. The 6-year-old rescue pet has more than 3.6 million followers on TikTok. Photos and videos of Juniper playing with chew toys, rolling around in her owner’s bed, and wearing funny clothing (right) have racked up millions of views. Juniper’s owner also posts videos of her other rescued pets, including several more foxes, a raccoon, and an opossum.

You might expect to see Juniper and her furry animal family in a forest or scurrying through your neighborhood. But they’re part of a growing trend on social media: animal influencers. An influencer is anyone, including a pet, with a big social media following who influences the way people think and act. Videos of furry critters like Juniper may encourage people to get wild pets of their own.

That can be a problem. Experts point out that it’s illegal to own wild animals in many states. Plus, new owners of wild pets often don’t realize there is more to caring for these critters than what they see on TikTok or Instagram. They don’t fully understand the responsibility—or the dangers. 

“There are consequences for the animal and for the human,” says Terry Messmer. He’s the director of the Berryman Institute for Human-Wildlife Interactions at Utah State University.

Meet Juniper. She’s a North American red fox that’s also a social media star. The 6-year-old rescue pet has more than 3.6 million followers on TikTok. Photos and videos of Juniper playing with chew toys, rolling around in her owner’s bed, and wearing funny clothing (right) have racked up millions of views. Juniper’s owner also posts videos of her other rescued pets. They include several more foxes, a raccoon, and an opossum.

You might expect to see Juniper and her furry animal family in a forest or scurrying through your neighborhood. But they’re part of a growing trend on social media: animal influencers. An influencer is anyone, including a pet, with a big social media following who influences the way people think and act. Videos of furry critters like Juniper may encourage people to get wild pets of their own.

That can be a problem. Experts point out that it’s illegal to own wild animals in many states. Plus, new owners of wild pets often don’t realize there is more to caring for these critters than what they see on TikTok or Instagram. They don’t fully understand the responsibility—or the dangers.

“There are consequences for the animal and for the human,” says Terry Messmer. He’s the director of the Berryman Institute for Human-Wildlife Interactions at Utah State University.

via Instagram

Nearly 7,000 people have liked this Instagram photo of Lionel the hedgehog wearing shades. 

Born to Be Wild

Millions of people in the U.S. own pets, mostly dogs, cats, and fish. These animals are domesticated, or tamed enough to be able to live with humans. 

Most other animals, including squirrels and raccoons, are considered exotic pets. These types of pets have plenty of followers on social media. But Messmer warns that the cute creatures you see on TikTok or YouTube are often not the best pets.

“Wild animals are wild,” he explains. “Over time, they have developed behaviors that allow them to survive in the wild.”

Many animals have a natural instinct to fear people and new environments. That can lead to unpredictable behavior. A snuggle with a pet fox can turn into a bite if it thinks you are invading its territory. Also, hedgehogs, opossums, raccoons, and other animals can carry diseases that are harmful to humans.

Living in people’s homes can also be harmful to wild animals. Many need large open spaces to roam. Others require a specific diet to stay healthy. Countless pets have been abandoned by owners who didn’t realize what they were getting into. 

“By taking an animal into your home, you’re actually disrupting the flow of nature,” Messmer says.

Millions of people in the U.S. own pets. They are mostly dogs, cats, and fish. These animals are domesticated. That means they’re tamed enough to be able to live with humans. 

Most other animals, including squirrels and raccoons, are considered exotic pets. These types of pets have plenty of followers on social media. But Messmer warns that the cute creatures you see on TikTok or YouTube are often not the best pets.

“Wild animals are wild,” he explains. “Over time, they have developed behaviors that allow them to survive in the wild.”

Many animals have a natural instinct to fear people and new environments. That can lead to unpredictable behavior. A snuggle with a pet fox can turn into a bite. That’s if it thinks you are invading its territory. Also, hedgehogs, opossums, raccoons, and other animals can carry diseases that are harmful to humans.

Living in people’s homes can also be harmful to wild animals. Many need large open spaces to roam. Others require a specific diet to stay healthy. Countless pets have been abandoned by owners. That’s because the owners didn’t know what they were getting into. 

“By taking an animal into your home, you’re actually disrupting the flow of nature,” Messmer says.

via Instagram

Jill the squirrel has more than 700,000 followers on Instagram and YouTube! 

TikTok vs. Reality

Sarah and Mitchell Thyme know all about the challenges of caring for wild animals. They have two rescued raccoons, Piper and Cheeto. The Thymes use their Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts to try to show that raccoons aren’t the pests that many people think they are. But the Thymes warn that owning a wild pet is not for everyone. 

“We do not recommend pet raccoons to most people,” says Sarah Thyme. “Before adopting any pet, whether it be a raccoon or a cat, you should make sure the pet fits your home and lifestyle.” 

Sarah and Mitchell Thyme know all about the challenges of caring for wild animals. They have two rescued raccoons. The pets’ names are Piper and Cheeto. The Thymes use their Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts to try to show that raccoons aren’t pests. But the Thymes warn that owning a wild pet is not for everyone. 

“We do not recommend pet raccoons to most people,” says Sarah Thyme. “Before adopting any pet, whether it be a raccoon or a cat, you should make sure the pet fits your home and lifestyle.” 

via Instagram

Piper the raccoon and her adopted brother, Cheeto, have nearly a million social media followers. 

Buyer Beware

Do Instagram photos and TikTok videos have you considering a wild pet of your own? Take this advice from raccoon owner Sarah Thyme first.

Make sure you aren’t breaking the law! Pet raccoons, and many other wild animals, are not legal in most states. Laws differ from state to state. 


Having a trusted veterinarian nearby is vital for any pet owner. But few vets specialize in the care of exotic pets like raccoons. 


Like dogs, raccoons can learn tricks and to respond to their name. But they need to be constantly watched. They can open drawers and cabinets with their paws. 


Buyer Beware

Do Instagram photos and TikTok videos have you considering a wild pet of your own? Take this advice from raccoon owner Sarah Thyme first.


Make sure you aren’t breaking the law! Pet raccoons, and many other wild animals, are not legal in most states. Laws differ from state to state. 


Having a trusted veterinarian nearby is vital for any pet owner. But few vets specialize in the care of exotic pets like raccoons. 


Like dogs, raccoons can learn tricks and to respond to their name. But they need to be constantly watched. They can open drawers and cabinets with their paws. 

1. What does the author mean by the term “animal influencers”?

2. Terry Messmer says that when people keep a wild animal as a pet, “there are consequences for the animal and for the human.” What consequences are described in the article?

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Buyer Beware”?

1. What does the author mean by the term “animal influencers”?

2. Terry Messmer says that when people keep a wild animal as a pet, “there are consequences for the animal and for the human.” What consequences are described in the article?

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Buyer Beware”?

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