29 Most Expensive Pets You Can Own

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Flying Deer

Source:uksafari.com

Estimated Value: $89,000
Other Pet Expenses: tank and habitat ($50), food

The flying deer is not a hoofed mammal with wings or a member of Santa’s herd but, in reality, the most known species of stag beetles. It’s the largest beetle, and its mandibles’ resemblance to the horns of a deer give it its name. It mostly flies at sunset and rests and walks on trees during the day.

Many insect enthusiasts, mostly in Japan, readily pay up to $89,000 for this visually stunning insect. Its high price is based on its aesthetic appeal, and much work is done in hatcheries that cross beetles to come up with unique, magnificent breeds. Unfortunately, these beetles are made to compete in illegal beetle battles where several people bet thousands of dollars, and the winners are sold at higher prices to produce a more dominant breed.

If you’re getting a flying deer as an exotic pet, you need a glass or plastic tank and set it up to replicate its natural habitat, layering it with soil and filling it with twigs or branches for your beetle to walk on. You can buy a regular tank for $20, but a bigger one is better. Heat the terrarium with a lightbulb and use a beetle spray to keep the bedding moist. Feed your beetle daily with fresh fruit.