Many people enjoy keeping pets, but the prices of some pets put them out of reach for many. Here is a list of the world's ten most expensive pets, including purebred horses, Tibetan mastiffs, metal chickens, platinum arowanas, white lionfish, stag beetles, Ashrax cats, Savannah cats, palm cockatoos, and hyacinth macaws. Below is a detailed introduction to each pet; let's take a look.
1. Thoroughbred (110 million)
A thoroughbred is a specific breed of horse whose ancestors can be traced back to three famous stallions: "Dare Arabian," "Goldelfin Bab," and "Peretur." In the United States, if one of a thoroughbred's parents is not a thoroughbred, the horse is called a crossbred thoroughbred; in the United Kingdom, it is called a mixed-breed thoroughbred. Thoroughbreds are world-renowned for their exceptional short-to-medium distance running ability, having created and maintained world records for speeds over various distances under 5000 meters. For nearly a thousand years, no other breed of horse has been able to surpass their speed. At a 2006 auction, a thoroughbred named "Green Monkey" sold for approximately 110 million RMB, attracting widespread attention.
2. Tibetan Mastiffs (10 million)
The Tibetan Mastiff, also known as the Tibetan Mastiff, is a large and fierce breed of dog. They typically have coat colors such as iron-gold, yellow, and black, and originated in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region. Tibetan Mastiffs possess a strong temperament, are noble and proud, powerful, and agile, but have relatively poor stamina, and puppies have poor memory before adulthood. Naturally loyal and protective of their owners, Tibetan Mastiffs are not only the best protection dogs for nomadic peoples but are also considered the best guard dogs for kings and tribal chiefs. In late 2011, a Chinese coal mining tycoon purchased a very rare Tibetan Mastiff for an astonishing price, breaking the previous record for the highest price ever paid for a Tibetan Mastiff. This exceptional Tibetan Mastiff was sold for approximately 10 million RMB, attracting widespread attention.
3. Metal Chicken (6.2 million)
In Indonesia, there is a breed of chicken that is particularly valued for its "metallic" appearance, called Ayam Cemani. Ayam Cemani are entirely black, including their wings, feet, claws, and even their tongue, meat, and internal organs. In many countries, black symbolizes bad luck, while in the West, black is associated with metal. Therefore, this entirely black chicken, including its tongue, meat, and internal organs, is called a "metallic chicken." In fact, in Indonesia, Ayam Cemani is considered a symbol of good fortune. One wealthy individual once purchased a shiny black metallic chicken as a pet for a considerable sum, approximately 6.2 million RMB.
4. Platinum Arowana (2.13 million)
The Platinum Arowana is a unique type of arowana, characterized by its white or silvery body with a metallic sheen. It is said that the Platinum Arowana's genes originate from the Green Arowana, Super Red Arowana, and Overback Golden Arowana. Among Platinum Arowanas, only those derived from the Super Red Arowana have red fins, while other Platinum Arowanas have white or yellow fins. Due to their rarity, Platinum Arowanas are extremely expensive. Records show that one Platinum Arowana sold for as much as 2.13 million RMB, further demonstrating their rarity and value.
5. White Lion (950,000)
White lions, also known as albino African lions, are a variant of the Kruger lion, native to Africa. They were first discovered in South Africa in the last century, and currently number fewer than 100 worldwide. White lions are not albino animals; their eyes are typically light blue. Because they are descendants of a genetic mutation in African lions, they share similar lifestyles; their size and development are consistent; males grow long manes upon reaching adulthood, while females do not; and their calls are not significantly different. A wild white lion cub can fetch an astonishing $138,000, equivalent to approximately 950,000 RMB.
6. Stag beetles (610,000)
Stag beetles, also known as stag beetles, belong to the order Coleoptera, family Lucanidae, within the class Insecta. They exhibit remarkable species diversity and demonstrate typical sexual dimorphism. Many species of male stag beetles are polymorphic, making them excellent subjects for studying insect evolution and phylogeny. Due to the large size and unique appearance of some species, they are highly sought after and collected. They are also kept as pets and bred, and have become important specimen commodities with significant economic and cultural value. It has been reported that a stag beetle exceeding 3 inches in length was once kept in Japan and eventually sold for approximately 610,000 RMB. This event further highlights the rarity and popularity of stag beetles.
7. Ashura Cat (160,000)
The Ashera cat is a unique hybrid breed, its lineage stemming from the African serval, Asian leopard cat, and common domestic cat. It is considered one of the most expensive cat breeds in the world, with each cat costing approximately 160,000 RMB. Developed through a collaboration between British pet retailer Simon Brody and American geneticists, only 100 Ashera cats are released annually. Purchasing a cat requires a 9-12 month advance order, with the buyer responsible for shipping costs. However, for an additional 41,000 RMB, buyers can have their cats shipped 6 months in advance. This breed holds special appeal for cat lovers, and its extremely limited availability contributes to its high price. This makes the Ashera a rare and coveted breed in the feline world.
8. Savannah Cat (130,000)
The Savannah cat, sometimes translated as "Savannah cat," is a breed developed from the African serval and domestic cat. The name "Savannah" means "tropical grassland." Savannah cats weigh approximately 8 to 15 kilograms. They resemble a miniature serval, possessing a wild-looking appearance with a tall, slender build. They have long legs, long necks, and relatively small heads compared to their bodies, with large, wide ears. The Savannah cat breed was recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) in 2001. A Savannah cat typically costs around 130,000 RMB, reflecting its rarity and uniqueness. Due to their resemblance to wild servals, Savannah cats are highly sought after and admired by many cat enthusiasts.
9. Palm Cockatoo (110,000)
The Palm Cockatoo is a unique and beautiful cockatoo, belonging to only one genus and one species. It measures approximately 49 to 68 cm in length, has a wingspan of 70 to 100 cm, and weighs between 500 and 950 grams. Due to its bare face and resemblance to the macaw, it is also known as the "Coconut Macaw." The Palm Cockatoo is a typical climbing bird with a strong, curved beak, a movable joint in the upper jaw, a cere covering the base of the beak, and a muscular, thick tongue. Its short, powerful legs have an zygodactyl structure (two toes forward and two toes backward), adapted for climbing and grasping. Native to Queensland, Australia, particularly the Cape York Peninsula, the Palm Cockatoo commands prices as high as 110,000 RMB due to its popularity in the international pet market. However, due to the difficulty of captive breeding, they are severely threatened by poaching. Therefore, the Palm Cockatoo population faces a serious threat.
10. Hyacinth Macaw (96,000)
The hyacinth macaw is one of the largest members of the parrot family, reaching up to 1 meter in length and weighing over 1.5 kilograms. They are renowned for their vibrant blue plumage and enormous, hooked beak, making them very eye-catching. The hyacinth macaw has a curved beak, a movable joint in its upper jaw, a cere covering the base of its beak, and a thick, muscular tongue at the base of its bill. They are adept at mimicking the sounds of other birds and human speech. Wild hyacinth macaws primarily inhabit Brazil, where approximately 95% of the global wild population is distributed. As one of the world's rarest creatures, the hyacinth macaw is highly sought after due to its high price, reaching around 96,000 RMB. However, due to its rarity and high value, these beautiful creatures have long been a target for poachers, leading to a severe survival crisis for them.
