What exotic pets can you own in Delaware? You might be surprised

Thinking of owning a pet monkey after seeing the stylish monkey that dined at the Texas Roadhouse in Bear and is now TikTok famous?

Here's what you need to know about the rules of owning exotic pets in Delaware, based on information provided by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

What is an exotic animal?

An exotic animal in Delaware is defined as a live wild mammal, a hybrid of a wild mammal, and/or a live reptile that's not native to or usually found in the First State.

Since most species of exotic animals may pose an ecological or health threat to Delaware, they're regulated by the state. At the same time, exotic pets can be unique and fun additions to your household, per the Agriculture Department.

List of exempt exotic animals in Delaware

Below is a general list of exempt exotic animals from the Agriculture Department. Delaware doesn't regulate exempt exotics and these animals can be purchased and owned without a permit.

However, certain counties, cities and towns might have separate regulations regarding the ownership of these animals. If the animal isn't on the list, it needs a permit.

Hamsters
Gerbils
Mice
Guinea Pigs
Rabbits
Possums
Rats
Ferrets
Chinchillas
Sugar Gliders
Hedgehogs
Chameleons
Iguanas
Agamas
Skinks
Bearded Dragons
Asian Water Dragons
Basilisks
Tegu
Geckos
Swifts

How much is an exotic animal permit in Delaware?

The individual permit fee is $25 and is good for three years.

What is the permit process for an exotic animal in Delaware?

After you submit the application with a $25 fee, the Poultry and Animal Health Investigator will contact you to schedule a home inspection. The inspection mainly comprises three parts:

Primary enclosure: This is the habitat where the animal will be contained. It must be an appropriate size and set-up for the species you requested.

Secondary enclosure: This is an extra enclosure around the primary habitat designed to ensure the animal can't escape. It varies by species, but it's usually the home itself if the animal is housed indoors or a second fence if the animal is housed outdoors.

Owner knowledge: The investigator will ask questions to determine if the applicant is aware of the animal’s needs and how they are prepared to handle them.

Monkey dines in Delaware restaurant:Then the cops came

Monkey gets TikTok famous at Texas Roadhouse in Delaware

A fashionable monkey wearing pants and a belt found internet fame after shocked patrons recorded video of the primate causing a scene in the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Bear on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Emily Lynch of Wilmington was dining at the restaurant when she noticed the mysterious monkey stroll in.

“When my friends and I saw the monkey walk into the restaurant, we were all confused but very surprised to see a monkey in pants and a belt!” she said in a direct message on Facebook.

Delaware man's animal drama:He was denied request to retrieve horse killed in hit-and-run from landfill

Lynch said the primate, which in a video looks like it could be a spider monkey, appeared confused when it entered the restaurant. It began to walk down the aisle where Lynch was seated.

Casey Costigan said he and his girlfriend, Carley Harrison, were dining at the restaurant when he noticed the “cute monkey” inside the eatery.

Costigan and Lynch said the restaurant staff did a good job of controlling the situation, which included calling the police.

While the monkey was putting on a show in the restaurant, Costigan's girlfriend recorded a video of it. Then Costigan posted it to his own TikTok account where the video currently has over 152,000 views.

Monkey ate Texas Roadhouse’s famous rolls

Based on witness accounts, it's unclear whether the monkey's handlers originally intended for the animal to dine inside the restaurant.

Lynch said the animal's owners were eating in the restaurant, unaware that it got loose from their vehicle.

But Costigan said he believes the monkey “was brought in by one of the patrons and escaped the carrier it was in.” He said after the monkey spent about 15 minutes on top of a table, its owners reunited with the animal.

Asked questions about the incident in an email, a Texas Roadhouse representative issued a statement about the monkey business from last week:

“This was an isolated incident. Once our staff was alerted to the monkey having entered the restaurant, the local police were called; however, the owners of the monkey, who were dining with us at the time, were able to be reunited with the monkey and removed it from the restaurant,” the statement said.

Source link

What exotic pets can you own in Delaware? You might be surprised

Deadly Dog Illness Spreading In Texas

See dogs, cats available to adopt in Morganton NC

Doggone Well Staff

See dogs, cats available to adopt in Morganton NC

Youtube Channel

Jealous Dog Want Attention Compilation NEW

Jealous Dog Want Attention Compilation NEW

Best Of Funny Guilty Dog Compilation 2014

Best Dog Birthday Surprise: DIY Ball Pit for Maymo

How a little microchip changed this dog's life!!! Please share this important video. #dog

Follow Our Page

Popular Post

Follow Us

Category

Recent News

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

What exotic pets can you own in Delaware? You might be surprised

Deadly Dog Illness Spreading In Texas

See dogs, cats available to adopt in Morganton NC

Doggone Well Staff

See dogs, cats available to adopt in Morganton NC

Youtube Channel

Jealous Dog Want Attention Compilation NEW

Jealous Dog Want Attention Compilation NEW

Best Of Funny Guilty Dog Compilation 2014

Best Dog Birthday Surprise: DIY Ball Pit for Maymo

How a little microchip changed this dog's life!!! Please share this important video. #dog

Follow Our Page

Popular Post

Follow Us

Category

Tag Cloud

Recent News

Summer Sniffs & Natural Tips – Dr. Dobias Healing Solutions

Chained Dog Begs Woman Not To Take Her Last Puppy Away

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password