Welcome
to Sybil's Den. This site is meant for
information purposes on raising
pet exotics animals based on my experience.
There are care sheets for black bears,
foxes, raccoons, emus, farm animals and
domestic animals. Also please
find a very informative message board with a
lot of great members.
For some of the species of animals I have or
had information on, You will find their
photo gallery.
WELCOME TO Sybil's
Den Home Page
My experience raising black bears
The information
within this web site is only based on my experience of
raising black bears.
Black Bears are definitely NOT for
everyone. Prior to even
thinking of buying a black
bear, if is very important
one should understand a
bears behavior and proper
needs. It is also
extremely important to do
very extensive research on
bears. It also
helps to speak with other
black bear owners. Visit
them at zoos.
Black Bears are expensive to keep, mostly due
to the pen, feed, activity and housing.
They require water flow. Putting a bear in a
small cage is cruel and will
only encourage bad behavior.
Please keep in mind, that owning a black
bear will change your life style.
This means no more vacations, less time for
other activities.
Also, please keep in mind, that they are
very strong animals as they grow.
This is going to require a very sturdy
enclosure and den for them.
Keep in mind, black bears still have wild instincts. Sometimes
their moods can change
in a split second. Some are
better than others.
Either way, they are still
black bears.
The most
important thing to think
about first, is to see if
black bears are legal in
your state and
county/township.
Many states are now banning large animals.
It is important
to check with your state for their
requirements. Ever since the
Zanesville Ohio tragedy many
states are are now banning
large animals.
If you are considering a bear or any exotic without a
permit (if required)
most likely the animal will be taken and
killed and the owner will be fined. You will
need a vet, so if you have
an illegal exotic, no vet
will treat exotic animals.
If you have a bear and decide to
release it to the wild.
Chances are slim the bear will
survive. So give this a lot of
thought, research prior to
getting one.
There is much more to
be said about raising black
bears, as is, other exotic
animals. Please see Black Bear
Care sheets for more
information.
Most exotic animals CANNOT be raised like
dogs or cats. They all require special care, understanding and diets.
A few words from Sybil
Lynn
My
name is Sybil Lynn I am a black bear that was
born in captivity.
My Mom and Dad adopted me April 27, 2001 at the age of 3 months.
Mom and Dad had to bottle feed me when I was a bear cub..
I was a bit cranky then. Being a real bear,
I did not understand their
type of love. I now understand them more and love
them.
Being raised in captivity is great. Unlike most other bears, we are
fed good food whenever we want.
I
have a black bear to play with, his name is Benny. We are two very happy
black bears. Benny and
I get along great. We
play all day and I now have
someone to sleep with at
night.. We both are very
happy together.
Benny and I never have to worry about being shot by a bear hunter or being
caught in a bear trap or hunting for food like the other black bears in
the wild.
Benny and I have our very own house with a loft and steps going to our
den. Of course a big yard to play in. We sure have a lot of fun together.
However, we are not easy to
raise, and use to get in a lot
of trouble when we were young.
Mommy and Daddy
does everything they can to take
the proper care needed. I
know it was not easy for them.
We do need a lot of special care
and a lot of understanding.
Please check out my
care sheet. It will give you a
little bit of an idea on what it is like raising black bears. Don't forget to
look at Benny and my
information page and
photo gallery.
Don't forget to look as some
of my friends below.
OSCAR THE PET STEER
What are cows really like when they have the
opportunity to be with people and other animals?
This is Oscar, he is a steer. I bought him when he was only a few
weeks old. bottle fed him.
I recommend having the horns removed (only when they are young calves)
Unfortunately when I had Oscar's horn removed, one grew back.
NEVER, have this procedure done in hot weather.
Oscar is a great guy. He loves attention and gets along
with all the other
animals.
Oscar is one of kind, he is
obsessed with fires. Anytime
we have a fire going, he is
there.
Oscar is also a very
sentimental steer.
Anytime we lose an animal
from illness or old age,
Oscar is always there.He
will stand where the animal
is being burying and remain
there for awhile even after
the animals burial is
completed.
Oscar and Sybil still remain
friends. Many times,
Oscar will lay next to
sybil's enclosure for hours
(next to Sybil).
There is more to be said
about Oscar. So check out
his
pagefor more
information and pictures of
Oscar.
RACCOONS
Do raccoons make good pets? Yes, assuming the owner understands their
behavior, care and proper
needs.
As with all animals, I highly recommend doing a lot of research prior to owning a raccoon and checking with your
state and county/township/city to find out the legality of owning a raccoon.
If they are not raised properly, you will have a
mean raccoon. It is a MUST they get fixed, and you will need to find a
good vet that will treat them.
Raccoons can bite very hard, sometimes to the point where it would require
hospital treatment.
This don't happen often, but, usually if it does, it is usually due to the fact,
the owner lacks the proper understanding of handling and/or raising raccoons.
Mine have never bit
me, and never showed aggression.
My raccoons have a lot of activity and are never bored .(which is important and
helpful)
Keeping a raccoon in a small cage is asking for trouble. It is best to have an
outdoor enclosure for a raccoon.
They don't have to stay there 24/7. but, since raccoons love water, it is best
to have somewhere for a raccoon to go where there is a water source. Also,
having a secure enclosure, the raccoon can be safe without worry of
any destruction done to your house.
When raccoons are raised properly, they are full of personality and will love
their owners attention. (personally, I find raccoons much more personable than
foxes.
Again, a bored animal is a bad animal. So raccoons also need lots of activity.
Mine play with the dogs and foxes.
Have you ever thought of raising a fox? or
do you already have one. Foxes are very intelligent and yes, SLY animals.
I highly recommend doing research prior to owning a fox.
Foxes are NOT like dogs or cats, therefore, they need to raised
different than dogs and cats.
Foxes need special care as with most
other exotic animals.
Did you know that foxes will mark?
Their urine smells almost like a skunk.
Please do extensive research prior to buying any type of fox.
Please check out a care sheet
for information on raising foxes.
Have questions, see my Q&A PAGE.
The most important fact is to check with your state and county/twp/city to make
sure they are legal.
I currently have 3 foxes. (silver fox, marble fox and glazier fox)
All three are in the red fox family. I have
raised foxes for over 10 years
To see my foxes, CLICK HERE.
There is a lot of good information on my message board,
along with many
experienced fox owners. Feel Free to join Sybil's
Message Board.
EMU'S
Emu's are in the ratite
family and stand about 5ft
tall (including their head)
Do Emu's make good pets? You bet they do.
Emu's are very gentle birds, assuming the owner understands the proper care an
emu
CLICK HERE for more Emu
Pictures and information and the care sheets for
Emu's.
MINI DONKEYS
Mini
Donkeys generally make nice
pets. They are usually
naturally friendly and can
get along great with other
animals.
Mini
Donkeys love attention and
like to be petted.
Mini Donkeys will help trim
your grass as they graze.
In the winter, they will
require hay. Overall,
Mini Donkeys are fairly
low-maintenance. They
generally need wormed and
hoofs trimmed. (there
are farriers that will trim
them for a fairly low cost)
However, it can be done by
the owner, assuming they
know how to. it
Their gestation time is
usually 11-12 months and
will generally have a baby
once a year (assuming the
female is with an intact
male)
COONHOUND DOGS
What are coonhounds like?
Do they make
good pets?
Coonhounds are not
strictly working dogs.
If raised properly, coonhounds can
co-exist with other species of animals. (foxes, raccoons, bears, mini
donkeys, cats.)
Keep in mind, just like all dogs, they need understanding, attention and
exercise.
It is sad that there is so many unwanted dogs and cats. Many are given up
because the owner can't control them or get bored with them. When you
bring a dog home, be sure to
understand his/her needs.
You give them love, and you
will have more love
returned. All dogs need
their owners attention and
proper care.
Take a look at my
care sheet
for dogs. (this would
pertain to any dog, not just
coonhounds)
I have raised coonhounds for
many years, along with other
types of dogs.
CLICK HERE to view the
dogs I have and had.
and county/twp/city to make 
