The Smollest Pet In Utah To Help With Summer Insects

It’s basically summer and the worst part is THE BUGS! Spiders, scorpions, and all other sorts of creepy crawlies come out but there's one YOU should consider as a pet. 

The Jumping Spider is commonly seen all over Utah and on the St. George Word of Mouth Facebook Page, people have been seeing the little guys of late. They are small, fuzzy, and decidedly less creepy than your average arachnid.  

They are active during the day and even have pretty great eyesight for a spider.  

I have INSANE arachnophobia so please know that I say this with some fear but also the intent to someday beat my fear of spiders. To help with this I present the adorable animation short that helped a lot of people look at jumping spiders differently a few years ago.  

 http://https://youtu.be/GQP1MxxJt8I

In Utah, the most common jumping spider is the Phiddipus Audax or the Bold Jumper. These are colorful little spiders who obviously get their name from their unique jumping habit. Though it may sound creepy they move much differently than say a tarantula or a wolf spider (EW!).  

There are over 300 species of jumping spiders in the U.S. and Canada which is probably why these guys are known to make GREAT pets. These guys are great at getting rid of house flies, fruit flies, moths, bees, and grasshoppers.  

They tend to find a little hidey-hole and keep to themselves and just get rid of your other unwanted pests. They can even be tamed, and you can make an adorable enclosure for your new spider friend.  

Yes, they bite but jumping spiders are considered harmless to humans. Plus, they are also considered EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL to humans, according to the Utah State Parks. So, if you see these little guys try to be gentle or maybe become adventurous and make a new buddy.  

You can also grab an enclosure, supplies, and a new jumping spider at the local Cedar City Pet Supply. However, they are a bit expensive, and ordering online may be the way to go. Either way, these guys can solve pest problems and add a cute new pet to your home.  

Wildest Animals You Can Own In Utah

Utah has beautiful ranges and climates that make it the perfect place for residents to own different types of animals like a camel or a cassowary.  

Though it may not seem like a state that would allow a variety of pets, especially the wilder ones, it actually has a pretty big list of animals Utahns can own. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources gets super specific with its animal possession, importation, and collection laws.  

R657-3 is where you can get into the details but for now, here are the wildest pets you can own in the state: 

Number 1- American Bison 

I grew up around cattle and bigger livestock, but these guys are WAY too big for me to ever consider owning. Don’t get me wrong, the babies look all cute and clumsy but I have come face to face with a wild one and so I am terrified forever.  

But for you, this could be the perfect chance to discover your inner homesteader and get back to those pioneer roots. Experience the wildness of Utah’s history with one of the States most well-known animals, the bison. They do need to be privately owned but other than that, a baby bison could be yours today!  

Number 2- Cassowary 

Uh, these birds look a little wild but hey, there is something for everyone out there. If you want to scare or fascinate the neighborhood kids, this could be the pet for you. The cassowary looks like something from the dinosaur age with its hard fin on the top of its head and odd feathers that look almost like strings.  

If I squint my eyes, I can almost see the “it’s so ugly its cute” angle for this guy.  

Number 3- Elk 

If you really want to, you can privately own an elk. I’m not sure who out there is looking to have a huge, fuzzy antlered friend but the option is definitely out there. All I can say is, keep ‘em away from your hunter friends. Maybe buy a collar or something.  

Number 4- Emu 

Another big bird for exotic bird lovers is available as a pet. This one is not as unusual but, I think having a beady-eyed bird who rushes you is wild, TikTok has ruined me. Emus can be found at zoos and farms all over the country, but some brave pet owners have added them to their fur families.  

If you have little ones who visit from time to time they may not be as excited as you about your new pet. They do look a little scary, but I bet it will be a great conversation starter for those family BBQ’s. 

Number 5- American Mink 

As a ferret owner, these guys have my full support as pets. They look similar but don’t be fooled, these are not nearly as domesticated as ferrets. Minks are water fiends and are probably more similar to owning a squirrel or a skunk. They are cute and way fluffy, but they still are wild animals which means that you shouldn’t expect them to be like a dog or a cat...or even a ferret.  

Number 6- Tenrec 

This may just be the cutest animal on the list. A Tenrec is a small mammal that looks like a very weird hedgehog or some rodent. These are pets you can take with you to places since they are so small! With cute little noses and eyes.  

These are unique creatures since they are originally not from the U.S. You will probably have a pretty difficult time locating one of these guys but if you do manage it, you’ll probably own one of the most unique pets in the state. 

Number 7- Water Buffalo 

Apparently, Utah is open to letting residents own a variety of larger livestock. It may not be cuddly, soft, or common, but you can own a water buffalo. I am not really sure what you do with a water buffalo or an elk or bison for that matter, but the option is out there.  

What ridiculous animal do you think Utah should add to its pet list?