On unconventional animals
I am, of course, autistically overthinking the question. What makes an animal "unconventional"? Where do you draw the line? Are bears unconventional? Are camels? Or sharks? And also, how am I supposed to pick a favorite when there are so many creatures out there?
Okay, I do have a favorite animal, and it's classed as an exotic pet, so maybe that counts: the hedgehog.
I have long been a hedgehog girlie like dolphins in the nineties. This for a few reasons, the most notable being that I can identify with something small, prickly, and reclusive. As with dolphins, I have learned that hedgies can actually be fairly unpleasant, but look, it's tough out there for an insectivore. You gotta do what you gotta do.
Is that unconventional enough? I also like octopuses.
They are so weird, and so smart in their squishy alien way, and I just find them fascinating. And bizarrely beautiful, once you get used to the cephalopod silhouette.
But I like a lot of animals for a lot of reasons, really. I like crows because they're clever little shits, and bears because there's something numinous about them, and all mustelids because a) it's a very attractive body plan and b) I respect the Chomp. I like maned wolves because they're ridiculous and komodo dragons because they're uncanny and red pandas because those things are genetically engineered to be lovable. I like snakes, although I keep my distance from them, and many birds, and sloths and manta rays and alligators and hippos and possums.
I also eat animals, because I can't afford not to, quite frankly. But I feel best about eating pigs, because I know they wouldn't mind eating me. Respect the pig. Honor the pig. Savor the pig.