Some exotic pets are backyard natives. What's common in the forests around your U.S. home would be an uncommon pet.
Skunks are native to everywhere but Alaska and Hawaii. These striped mammals may resemble weasels or rats, but they're Mephitidae.
Skunk
Raccoons foraging through trash cans in human areas may imply they've adapted to humans. It's how dogs self-domesticated, therefore raccoons as pets aren't surprising.
Raccoon
North America's lone marsupial, the Virginia opossum, is exceedingly unusual-looking. More people than you'd imagine keep them as pets.
Opossum
Ringtails are native to Arizona, Kansas, California, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah. Very few breeders produce them as pets, but they are occasionally available.
Ring-Tailed Cat
More states allow these rodents than others. Small squirrels sleep for hours in many owners' pockets. Good first non-traditional pet.
Flying Squirrel
Hand-raised bobcats are affectionate and interactive. This species' assertive nature is more like dogs than shy felines.
Bobcat
Prairie dogs are the most widely available and legal to keep as pets on this list. Despite their popularity, they make difficult pets since they require a lot of enrichment and are aggressive.