Is it legal to own a penguin in the us?

1. 79

   scoopposted 12 years ago

   Is it legal to own a penguin in the us?

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2. 76

   AnimalWritesposted 12 years ago

   I din't know if it would be legal, but it would certainly be cruel!  Penguins tend to live in colonies and in certain environments.  They need to be able to mate, swim in the ocean and hunt for food.  Unless you have enough money, space and the specialist knowledge to create the right enclosure for a group of penguins, you should not even attempt it, which is why it should be left to reputable zoos and wildlife parks.  Get a cat or a dog if you want a pet, or a domestic duck if you want something to swim on your pond!

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      Cat Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I so agree with you. They live in large groups with constant access to water and cold climates. They have no business here and in somebody's living room!

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3. 81

   Melissa A Smithposted 12 years ago

   Laws vary by state, county, town, neighborhood, ect, but I will assume that in most states it is legal. In my state (NY) no restrictions exist for birds outside of native animals/game. This is because law makers focus on banning animals in the group carnivora and generally don't focus on birds since exotic bird keeping is popular. However, I don't think you will find any penguins available in this country. I recently saw one in a pet store in Japan, that was pretty shocking. I've seen otters for sale here, but no penguins. That's probably for the best as  most would need ample space to swim and a climate controlled area. I think you will only find them among accredited zoos. This is not to say that if you did end up with something like that, they wouldn't immediately try to ban in then.
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5JOwic6 … embedded#!

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4. 79

   Cat Rposted 12 years ago

   I hope not. Too many people get exotic animals and have no clue what they are doing. They keep them in insufficient enclosures and give them the wrong care/food!
   A wild animal is a wild animal and does not belong in somebody's living room to show it off!
   The only place a wild animal may be, other than the wild and only because of what humans do to destroy their natural habitat, is a zoo that is willing and capable to provide an adequate and as natural as possible environment to this animal.
   
   Wild animals do not belong in somebody's private home, in a cage at a truck stop (like the tiger from the news), in a circus or anywhere else!

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      Melissa A Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There is no difference between a responsible zoo and a responsible private home. All you need to do is know what you're doing. Maybe you don't like the idea of exotics being in a house, but that doesn't mean the animal isn't being provided for.

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