It really does depend on which country you live in. In some Caribbean countries iguanas can be pets, I liked to catch slowworms (they look like a small snake but really are legless lizards and thus harmless) and keep them in a pocket. Becaue it's warm in there, they stay put but occasionally stick the head out, which scared some kids...
Actually cats are ecotic pets everywhere but in North Africa which is their region of origin. I knew a guy, who had a pet scorpion !