Top 5 Most Expensive Pets In The World

How much is too much when it comes to owning an exotic pet? Take a look at just how expensive exotic, rare pets can be in the following profile of the top 5 priciest pets in the world.

5. Hyacinth Macaw

Hyacinth Macaws are the largest parrots in the world when it comes to length and are also the largest flying parrots in the world. The birds are native to South America and out of the 16 different species of macaw; the hyacinth macaw is the rarest. These birds typically measure about 40 inches and weighs less than 3 pounds. The coloring of the birds is considered to be quite stunning and is usually a deep cobalt blue; the birds also usually have a gray beak with yellow along the edges and yellow around the eyes. The Hyacinth Macaw is easily trained, even-tempered and affectionate. Due to the high-demand for Hyacinth Macaws as pets, their numbers have drastically decreased in their natural habitat and pushed up the price for purchasing this exotic bird as a pet, avid bird lovers have paid as much as $12,000 for one Hyacinth Macaw.

4. Type II Tiger Python

Known by the common name reticulated python, these snakes are commonly found in South-Eastern Asia tropic regions and are considered to be the longest snakes on the planet. Pythons are a very popular type of pet due to the many color variations or morphs that are available. The typical reticulate python will feature diamond shaped patterns running down the length of its back. The albino type II tiger python, however, is a specific morph that lacks the black pigmentation commonly seen in the species. These snakes are typically light yellow in color with black stripes running down the back, giving the snake a tiger like appearance, that makes it worth $15,000.

3. Lavender Albino Python

The lavender albino python is a spectacular looking python that features a pearly lavender color with neon yellow patches in various sizes and shapes throughout the body. This snake type lacks the brown or black pigment normally featured in pythons and its rarity has made it quite expensive. Currently breeders charge $20,000 for female lavender albino pythons.

2. Chimpanzee

With a price tag that can run over $65,000, chimpanzees are the second most expensive exotic pet in the world. These animals call central and western Africa their native habitat. They characteristically feature black fur throughout their bodies with a bare face that is usually pinkish to black. Also known simply as chimps, chimpanzees can walk upright or on all four limbs and can weigh up to 120 pounds. Chimps are endangered and only about 200,000 or less can be found in the wild. These highly intelligent primates may be an expensive investment but they can also live for several decades.

1. White Lion Cubs

By far, the most expensive pet is the white lion cub. This color mutation of lions is actually extinct in the wild and is only found in Kruger National Park in South African and in a few other zoos around the world. In total, it is believed that less than 300 of these lions actually exist today. The white color is the result of a gene mutation and gives the lions an appearance that ranges from a very light blonde to white. The extreme rarity of these lions makes them worth about $140,000.