Velociraptor Awareness Day: Awareness of the Challenges and Problems in Raptor Ownership
Velociraptor, given it’s small size, fluffy body, and playful nature, may seem like the ideal pet. Since it is a solitary ambush predator, it’s much like what you would get if you combine a cat with a bird!
But, like with any pet, there are major challenges in caring for a Velociraptor. As a veteran owner, I am here to warn about some of the issues you must be prepared for in your home.
Velociraptor is a nesting animal! If you are lucky (or unlucky, depending on your point of view) enough to have a female animal as I have, it is likely that she will regularly build nests out of the various blankets and towels in your home - or even your clothes! Eggs are produced, mate or no mate, about once a year. For unfertilized eggs, simply let her brood the eggs until the incubation time has passed (about 1 month). At that point, she will accept the eggs as a lost cause, and eat them herself. Be sure to have enough nesting materials for her to use, lest your nanna’s blanket get laid upon!
If you want information on breeding your Velociraptor, ask @spirellity, who has been successfully rearing these animals for years.
Raptors are easily distracted by loud sights and sounds. Be sure to keep the sound of your television at an appropriate volume, and try to avoid bright flashes and startling imagery. Don’t be too alarmed, however, if your Velociraptor gets engrossed in whatever you’re watching! Rey in particular is fascinated with the popular show Gravity Falls, as shown above.
Velociraptor is an obligate carnivore and, as such, cannot digest plant material. Be sure to keep your Velociraptor on a raw-meat diet, utilizing various different types of animals as food. In fact, it’s often better to let your Velociraptor hunt! If you have the resources, try to build a pen in your backyard that will not let the raptor, or it’s prey, out. Release the raptor with mice and other rodents and watch her hunt!
Even though they’re obligate carnivores, you have to be careful for them getting into your food! Cookies smell yummy whether or not you should have them. Raptors aren’t as deadly allergic to chocolate as some other animals, but still, I quickly got Ray out of this situation. Don’t let the raptor into the cookie jar!
Velociraptor is a curious animal. As such, you want to keep your valuables and belongings out of reach! Ray here has gotten into @plokool‘s Star Wars novels, and has completely messed up the order! We’re lucky she hasn’t ripped out any pages. Or destroyed the wifi router.
Being ambush predators, Velociraptor can and will hide behind anything, especially when they are hungry and thus instinctually drawn to hunt. Ray here has hidden behind my Scottish flag, but luckily I saw her. Though they aren’t very inclined to hunt their humans, still be on guard for the sharp claws if you suddenly cannot find your raptor!
Velociraptor, like all animals, loves to go outside! Be sure to take your raptor on regular walks for exercise and enrichment. But definitely use a leash! Otherwise unfamiliar sights and smells will distract your raptor and lead you on an unfortunate chase.
Your raptor is going to want to sleep in the bed with you. While I’m sure this is a tempting prospect, you want to avoid that. Raptors kick naturally in their sleep and you will probably be on the receiving end of that prospect. In addition, you want to establish a hierarchy with your raptor - and allowing her in the bed with you will probably destroy that system. Make a good, small bed for your raptor, much like that for a large dog. She’ll thank you for it in the end.
Raptors are expert climbers. Ray here has managed to get on top of my fridge. It could have been a lot worse - thanks to wing assisted inclined running, they can run up vertical surfaces and get as high as they want. Try to keep the tops of various cabinets (and refrigerators! and closets! and shelving!) clean and free of things you don’t want wrecked by your pet. And free of things that can wreck her!
While this is all very overwhelming, I will say that a raptor is a very rewarding and wonderful pet. If you manage to keep her safe and happy, she will be a lifelong friend and companion!
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