Would a bobcat or a lynx be too dangerous to keep as a pet?

[RedRalph]

Straightforward, does anyone know?

 

[Quiet Sound]

My understanding is that they are untameable but I couldn't give you a source for that.

 

[Cutlass]

Most places it's illegal to keep them as pets because there is no true taming of them, so they remain unpredictable.

 

[downtown]

Hell yes they are too dangerous.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

It's probably dangerous to keep any wild animal as a pet unless you get one at an early age and know how to raise them probably, and even then it probably won't be the same as a regular pet.

 

[RedRalph]

Have they been known to attack people?

 

[Quiet Sound]

Housecats have been known to attack people.

 

[RedRalph]

Housecats have been known to attack people.

Yeah OK, but you know what I mean, is there recroded instances of them posing real threats to humans or are they just considered not really pat material?

 

[Bast]

You shouldn't be keeping wild animals as pets. It's not good for their welfare and for you.

 

[Truronian]

I'd try keeping a hummingbird first. See if you're ready...

 

[RedRalph]

I'd try keeping a hummingbird first. See if you're ready...

Or a bag of sugar

 

[Loppan Torkel]

Yeah OK, but you know what I mean, is there recroded instances of them posing real threats to humans or are they just considered not really pat material?

They're probalby too small to pose a threat to a grown man. I think I remember a woman getting killed by a cougar though...

Edit: Here you go - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51yQ7vxKQkE

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It'll be hell on the furniture for sure.

 

[Miles Teg]

I'd say hands off unless you're a trained animal handler who can procure a very young bobcat. A very tolerant animal handler. Otherwise, NO!

 

[Vertinari118]

A lynx would be quite dangerous. One of their common choices of prey is wild boar and I would say any animal able to kill a wild boar on its own is strong enough to kill a man. Also in my local newspapar a few years ago there were several reports of confirmed attacks by escaped wild cats like lynxs leaving people badly mauled before getting scared off. If you had one in your house and it decided you were prey you would be killed or badly injured. So yes there are a bit dangerous for a pet. This assumes you are talking about a Eurasian lynx not one of the other breds.

A bobcat is another species of lynx and is the smallest of the genus. It could make a pet albiet a rather wild one.

I think I remember a woman getting killed by a cougar though

Cougars are a bit bigger than what we are talking about, about the size of an adult human and you get warned that they are a serious risk when you enter places like Yosemite.

 

[Shekwan]

Anyone who's seen Talladega Nights knows the usefulness of a domestic cougar.

 

[Yeekim]

A lynx would be quite dangerous. One of their common choices of prey is wild boar and I would say any animal able to kill a wild boar on its own is strong enough to kill a man.

WILD BOAR a common choice of prey for lynx?! Lynxes usually hunt roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) or hare. I very much doubt any sane lynx would attack a healthy and grown wild boar, unless really really desperate. Piglets - sure. Old and sick animals - maybe.

Anyway - I agree lynx would likely be able to kill his owner, if he was so inclined. So more dangerous than a housecat. Less dangerous than tiger or lion (both of which some people keep as pets).

Also, Google is our friend here as well.
http://www.exoticcatz.com/specieslynx.html

In captivity, Eurasian lynx are easily kept. Though a large cat, they are able to be contained by fencing that is at least 14 gauge welded wire. The enjoy resting spots that are high off of the ground. Even though they are a species that occurs in the far north, Eurasian lynx do tolerate warm weather quite well, unlike the Canadian lynx. In more northern areas, they love the cold weather and particularly enjoy playing in snow. An adult lynx will eat about 3 pounds of meat per day. In temperament, the Eurasian lynx are very similar to that of a bobcat. When hand raised, they remain quite tame throughout their life, but do tend to be quite a handful when kept inside a home because of their size and sometimes rambunctious play.

 

[Mowque]

Dangerous animal, don't get one. I wouldn't look forward to fighting one bare-handed.... besides, i know it is illegal in most US states....Where do you plan on getting one?

 

[Onionsoilder]

If you can find one at a really young age(before it's eyes open) and give it a lot of human exposure(the good kind) it should be doable.

 

[LesCanadiens]

They're probalby too small to pose a threat to a grown man. I think I remember a woman getting killed by a cougar though...

Edit: Here you go - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51yQ7vxKQkE

Many women I know positively hate any cougar they see - but I think they just can't stand the competition.