My partner took me to a place where we got to hang out with all sorts of animals, capybara included. They live up to their rep, for suuuuure. They just let me pet and hug them, and they loved being hand fed.
My favorites were binturong though. They had two babies they just let loose in a room with us. They were crawling all over our heads and bodies. I cried. I loved them so much.
Porcupines were also WAY more chill than I expected. I was scared to touch their quills, but they were happy to let me pet them and feed them carrot. They were pretty much as chill as capys!
I love cats, but in a fantasy world I'd like a horse. I'd have to be mega rich and have someone care for the horse, but it would be cool to be able to go out for rides when I fancied it
But this is fun and games, so I get to pretend that the tiger would be happy, enjoy being a pet (those two aren't inherently the same), and safe completely.
None of the big cats should ever be a pet, even cheetahs that have sometimes been kept and bred as hunting animals. Hell, no wild animal should be a pet at this point. Domestication is a massive undertaking when done intentionally. And we've got plenty of domesticated animals as it is, plenty of captive bred species that should more than satisfy the folks that just have to have something not domesticated (and likely can't be) and exotic that's a realistic "pet". So taking a wild animal that's in no way realistic is just stupid.
I'd love to have ferrets. They are illegal where I am, but more importantly I couldn't afford to take care of multiple ferrets, which is problematic with how social they are. They are soooo cute and fun though. ❤️
It's actually legal in my state to own a crocodile as a pet with no permits or anything, but I don't have the time, space, or adequate habitat for such a critter. Ignoring that Craigslist post was soooo difficult..
My kid is absolutely hurting to have a Giant African Snail, but they're illegal here.