Not all pets are considered "normal" in the most traditional sense.
There are some people out there who fall in love with animals, bring them home, and raise them as their family members, much like how we would nurture our dogs and cats.
And recently, we've spotted a very peculiar pet out there who certainly doesn't fit the bill of a "conventional pet."
Juniper is a medium-size red fox who was brought home by her human mom when she was just a tiny baby.
She has her own Instagram account, and has gained more than 100,000 followers to date, and entertains all her fans with playful photos and videos.
Still, as cute as she is, Juniper causes a little trouble around the house from time to time.
The best thing that owners can do, if they choose to take care of foxes, is to give these stunning, wild creatures the respect they deserve.
Scroll further to see pictures of Juniper, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
[H/T: BoredPanda]
Juniper is an adorable red fox who loves to act and play exactly like a dog.
Because of her energetic personality and adorable photos, Juniper now has more than 100,000 fans on Instagram!
“Foxes have a very high prey drive,” Juniper’s mom told BoredPanda. “Meaning that they will attempt to hunt due to their natural instincts.”
Because of her high energy, Juniper loves following her mom around everywhere she goes, and indulges in daily games of tag.
“Her favorite game is to have someone chase her through the house,” said Mom. “And then turn around and run away from her so she can chase them.”
All foxes actually engage in natural behavior like this.
According to Juniper’s mom (and animal behaviorists), foxes are always looking out for small, scratching noises, which can signify the movement of mice and other small prey.
And while Juniper is incredibly adorable, her mom makes it clear that foxes do not make for conventional pets, like dogs and cats do.
“Foxes smell. Bad,” she said. “There’s no way to ‘de-scent’ a fox. You cannot keep a fox indoors 24/7.”
Being wild animals, foxes also tend to be more destructive if kept inside the home.
And they have to be fed raw meat, in order to have a wholesome diet.
Despite this, Mom still loves Juniper, and thinks she’s the cutest little angel.
Would you ever consider getting a fox as a pet? Let us know in the comments below.
Please SHARE if you think Juniper is one of the sweetest little fur balls you’ve ever seen!
