Exotic Pet Laws By State in the United States of America (USA)

The United States of America (USA) has a diverse and complex set of laws and regulations regarding the ownership of exotic pets. These exotic pet laws vary significantly from state to state and sometimes even within different jurisdictions in the same state. This article delves into the intricacies of these laws, offering insight into what is permissible and what remains off-limits for exotic pet enthusiasts in the United States.

Federal Regulations

The United States primarily focuses on the importation and interstate trade of exotic animals at the federal level through legislation like the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Lacey Act. The ESA, for instance, prohibits the ownership and trade of endangered species, while the Lacey Act combats illegal trafficking of wildlife.

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The federal government prohibits the interstate commerce transport of large cats, such as lions and tigers, across state lines. Regulations on exotic pet ownership vary significantly across different states and cities in the U.S., with some implementing complete bans while others simply mandate a license for keeping such pets.

State Laws for Exotic Pets

State laws regarding exotic pet ownership are where the complexity truly lies. States like Florida and Texas require permits for owning certain exotic species, emphasizing the need for responsible ownership and animal welfare. Conversely, states such as California and New York maintain much stricter regulations, outright banning the ownership of many exotic animals.

City and County Ordinances

In addition to federal and state laws, local city and county ordinances can further restrict or allow the ownership of exotic pets. These local regulations often address specific community concerns, such as public safety and environmental protection.

Species-Specific Laws for Exotic Animals

Certain animals face more stringent regulations than others. For example, big cats, nonhuman primates, and venomous snakes are often subject to stricter laws due to their potential danger to humans and the environment. On the other hand, less dangerous species, like small reptiles and amphibians, typically face fewer restrictions.

The Role of Permits for Exotic Pets Ownership

In many states, obtaining a permit is a prerequisite for owning an exotic pet. These permits might require proof of adequate living conditions, veterinary care plans, and in some cases, liability insurance. The permitting process is designed to ensure that both the animals and the community are safe.

In many states, owning specific animals necessitates obtaining a permit, license, or registration, alongside existing prohibitions and restrictions on exotic pets. For instance, owning an anaconda in Vermont requires a permit, whereas alligators do not. Idaho mandates permits for tigers and other animals classified as “deleterious exotics.” These regulations often aim to safeguard native species within each state or local area.

Regardless of the legal landscape, responsible ownership is paramount. Prospective exotic pet owners should not only abide by the law but also consider the ethical implications of keeping a wild animal as a pet, including its welfare and the potential impact on native ecosystems.

Prohibited and Restricted Exotic Animals

The ownership of exotic animals is regulated differently across states. While some states ban wild or exotic pets entirely, others allow them with specific restrictions. For example, South Carolina forbids lion ownership but permits monkeys, Arkansas allows up to six bobcats and South Dakota approves bears but not domestic pigs. Local laws may further restrict these rules.

Exemptions in exotic animal laws often apply to zoos, circuses, and educational or scientific institutions. Owners of exotic pets may face strict liability for injuries or damages caused by their animals, highlighting the importance of understanding and complying with these varied and complex regulations.

Exotic Animal Laws by State in the United States

Below is a summary of state laws governing the possession of exotic animals. Laws vary from state to state on the type of regulations imposed and the specific animals regulated. This summary was last updated in May 2016 and may not reflect current state laws.

Note: The animals listed within the below regulations are not a complete list of the animals regulated by the various states. The listed animals are merely a sampling from each state.

B = Ban on private ownership of exotic animals — non-domesticated felines, wolves, bears, reptiles, non-human primates
B* = Partial ban on private ownership of exotic animals — allows ownership of some exotic animals but precludes ownership of the animals listed
L = Requires the “owner” of the exotic animal to obtain a license or permit or to register the animal with state or local authorities to possess the animal privately (excludes states only requiring import permits)
N = The state does not require the “owner” to obtain a license or permit to possess the animal within the state but may regulate some aspect thereof (i.e., entry permit, veterinary certificate, etc.)
O = No statute or regulation governing this issue

Alabama

Category: N

Summary of Law: No person, firm, corporation, partnership or association may possess, sell, offer for sale, import or cause to be brought or imported into the state the following fish or animals: fish from the genus Clarias; fish from the genus Serrasalmus; Black carp; any species of mongoose, any member of the family Cervidae (deer, elk, moose, caribou), species of coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk, wild rodents or wild turkey. However, there are no requirements for a person possessing exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, monkeys, etc.

Citation: ALA. ADMIN CODE r. 220-2-.26

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Alabama

Alabama allows you to possess any native animal that isn’t prohibited.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Alabama

Alabama prohibits the personal possession of numerous exotic animals, including:

Mongooses
Giant African snails
Tegus
Walking catfish
Coyotes
Foxes
Raccoons
Skunks
Wild rodents
Wild turkeys
Venomous snakes
Black bears
Mountain lions
Bobcats
Antelope
Pigs
Any species of bird, mammal, reptile, or amphibian listed as injurious wildlife under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42)

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Legally Own Exotic Animals: Possession of non-native animals owned before 10/15/2020 is allowed with a permit obtained before 1/13/2021 (Alabama Administrative Code 220-2-.26)

State Statutes (Laws):

Alaska

Category: B

Summary of Law: No person may possess, import, release, export, or assist in importing, releasing, or exporting live game animals as “pets.” Live game animals are defined as any species of bird, reptile, and mammal, including a feral domestic animal, found or introduced in the state, except domestic birds and mammals. The Department interprets live game to include all animals, including exotics, such as wild felines, wolves, bears, monkeys, etc., not listed as domestic under Alaska Admin. Code tit. 5. §92.029. No person may possess, transport, sell, advertise, or otherwise offer for sale, purchase, or offer to purchase a wolf hybrid possessed after Jan. 23, 2002.

Citation: ALASKA ADMIN. CODE tit. 5. §92.029-030; ALASKA STAT. §16.05.940

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Alaska

You can own a variety of exotic animals in Alaska, including:

One-humped camels
Domesticated reindeer
Domesticated elk
Domesticated bison
Crocodiles
Alligators
Lizards
Any nonvenomous reptiles
Toucans
Guinea pigs
European ferrets and rabbits
Gerbils
Hamsters
Chinchillas
Parrots and parakeets
Macaws
Cockatiels
Mynahs
Peafowls

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Alaska

All live game is prohibited unless specifically permitted and listed in 92.029(b)

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Legally Own Exotic Animals: You may possess a chimpanzee if you owned it before 1/31/2010 and obtained a permit before 7/1/2010. Wolves and wild cats are allowed with a permit. Permits can be obtained for using certain games to teach and preserve historical Alaskan traditions, including deer, moose, caribou, black bear, and small game.

State Statutes (Laws):

Arizona

Category: L

Summary of Law: No primate may be owned as a pet unless it was lawfully possessed before the effective date of the regulations. Persons possessing restricted wildlife must obtain a wildlife holding license to possess the animal lawfully. The Department issues wildlife holding permits for (1) advancement of science, (2) fostering an animal unable to return to the wild, (3) wildlife previously possessed under a different special license, (4) promotion of public health or welfare, (5) providing education through an organization, (6) photography for a commercial purpose, or (6) wildlife management. Restricted live wildlife includes, but is not limited to, the following species: all species of Carnivora (canines, felines, excluding domestic); alligators, crocodiles, cobras, vipers, etc.

Citation: ARIZ. COMP. ADMIN
R. & REGS. R12-4-405, R12-4-406; R12-4-407; R12-4-425; R12-4-426

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Arizona

Many exotic animals are allowed in Arizona, including:

Wolfdogs
Savannah cats
Chinchillas
Pythons
Domestic water buffalo
Domestic American bison
Long-eared and pygmy hedgehogs
Wallabies
Kangaroos
Capybaras
Sugar gliders
African crested porcupines
Short-tailed possum

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Arizona

Arizona prohibits certain wildlife, including:

Golden moles
Tenrecs
Even-toed ungulates
Pronghorns
Antelopes
Bison
Buffalo
Cattle
Duikers
Gazelles
Goats
Oxen
Sheep
Water buffalo
American bison
Bison
Buffalo
Cervids
Deer
Elks
Moose
Red deer
Wapiti
Pecaries
Bears
Foxes
Ocelot
Raccoons
Servals
Skunks
Wolves
Weasels
Bats
American opossum
European hedgehogs
Gymnures
Moonrats
Wild hares
Chimpanzees
Gorillas
Macaques
Orangutans
Spider monkeys
Hutias
Beavers
Jumping mice
Coypus
Nutrias
Pocket gopher
Chipmunks
Marmots
Prairie dogs
Squirrels
Woodchucks
Desmans
Moles
Shrews
Shrew-moles
Anteaters
Armadillos
Sloths
Grouse
Pheasants
Partridges
Quails
Turkeys
Alligators
Caimans
Crocodiles
Gavials
Burrowing asps
Brown tree snakes
Boomslangs
Keelbacks
Bird snakes
Elapids
Cobras
Coral snakes
Kraits
Mambas
Sea snakes
Gila monsters
Mexican beaded lizards
Pit and true vipers
Rattlesnakes
Snapping turtles
Gopher turtles
Desert turtles
Giant or marine toads
Bullfrogs
Leopard frogs
Clawed frogs

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally: Desert tortoises can be adopted on a short-term basis from April 1 to September 30 every year in a special program through the state. License required to possess game birds, but no more than 50 per owner.

State Statutes (Laws):

Arkansas

Category: B*

Summary of Law: It is unlawful to own or possess a large carnivore for personal possession. A large carnivore is defined as a lion, tiger, or bear. It is unlawful to possess 6 or more bobcats, coyotes, deer, gray foxes, red foxes, opossums, quail, rabbits, raccoons, and squirrels. If a person wishes to possess other animals not originally from the state and not listed above, then the person must show upon request verification that the animal was legally acquired in the previous state.

Citation: ARK. CODE ANN. §20-19-501-§20-19-511 & GFC 18.17

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Arkansas

Over 100 different species can be kept in Arkansas without a permit, including:

Buffalo
Mice
Norway rats
Coturnix quails
Emu
European domestic ferrets
Gerbils
Indian and green peafowls
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Llamas
Muscovy ducks
Ringneck doves
Wolf hybrids
Sugar gliders
Long-tailed chinchillas
Four-toed and African pygmy hedgehogs
Bactrian and Dromedary camels
African sideneck, redbelly shortneck, and African mud turtles
Bearded dragons
Water dragons
Ball pythons
Blood pythons
Geckos
Veiled chameleons
Doves
Parrots
Macaws
Alligator lizards
Austral-Asian lizards
Caimans
Specific snakes, mostly non-native
Tortoises
Iguanas
Tegus
Monitor lizards

Households can have up to six animals of the following animals taken directly from native wildlife, so long as certain confinement conditions are met:

Bobcats
Coyotes
Red and gray foxes
Opossums
Rabbits
Raccoons
Squirrels

Wolves are allowed under certain conditions. Deer captured by hand prior to July 1, 2012, are allowed.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Arkansas

Certain native and non-native animals cannot be owned as pets, including:

Mountain lions
Tigers
African lions
Bears
Apes
Baboons
Macaques
Non-native birds
Bats
Alligator snapping turtles
Ornate box turtles
Ozark hellbenders
Ouachita streambed salamanders
Collared lizards
Troglodytic species (cave dwellers)
Endangered species

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally:

Permit required for large carnivores (such as bears) owned before 8/12/2005 — must have received a permit within 180 days of 8/12/2005
Owners of apes, baboons, and macaques in 2013 who have registered and who meet certain requirements may keep them.
Some venomous reptiles must have permits starting 07/01/2021

State Statutes (Laws):

California

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess wild animals unless the animal was in possession prior to January 1992. Wild animals include but are not limited to the following orders: Primates; Marsupialia; Insectivora (shrews); Chiroptera (bats); Carnivora (non-domestic dog and cats); Proboscidea (elephants); Perissodactyla (zebras, horses, rhinos); Reptilia (crocodiles, cobras, coral snakes, pit vipers, snapping turtles, alligators); etc.

Citation: CAL. CODE REGS. Tit. 14, §671 and §671.1

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in California

The following exotic, domesticated species are allowed:

Wolfdogs that are not first-generation
Savannah cats that are not first-generation
Golden hamsters
Dwarf hamsters
Rats
Mice
Guinea pigs
Chinchillas
American bison
Llamas
Dromedary and Bactrian camels

Certain wild animals, including lesser and giant pandas and river otters, are allowed as pets. Many types of birds and reptiles are allowed, including monitor lizards, nonvenomous snakes, toucans, and ostriches.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in California

Restricted Species Laws and Regulations Manual 671 contains a lengthy list of prohibited animals, mammals, fish, and birds, including:

Ferrets
Morro Bay kangaroo rats
Bighorn sheep (except Nelson bighorn sheep)
Northern elephant seals
Guadalupe fur seals
Ring-tailed cats
Pacific right whales
Salt-marsh harvest mice
Southern sea otters
Wolverines
Primates
Falcons
Hawks
Crows
Marsupials
Sloths
Hedgehogs
Wild rodents
Zebras
Mongooses
Gerbils

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally: Permits are required to import, transport, and possess any wild animals that are illegal to own.

State Statutes (Laws):

Colorado

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess most exotic species unless it is for commercial purposes. Persons may, however, possess up to 6 live native reptiles and unregulated wildlife. Unregulated wildlife includes but is not limited to sugar gliders, wallabies, wallaroos, kangaroos, etc.

Citation: 2 COLO. CODE REGS. §406-8

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Colorado

Colorado allows many different types of pets, including:

Alpacas
Donkeys
Bison
Camels
Chinchillas
Hybrid and wild cats
Hybrid and wild dogs
Ducks
Emus
European ferrets
Geese
Hamsters
Llamas
Mice
Minks
Ostriches
Rats
Reindeer
Yaks
Elks
Fallow deer
Hedgehogs
Red kangaroos
Wallabies
Wallaroos
Short-tailed possums
Sugar gliders
Tropical birds
Fishes
Frogs
Snakes
Lizards
Turtles
Caimans
Most marine non-mammals, except anadromous and catadromous species

Note that certain animals can only be acquired at the rate of four per year, with no more than 12 at a time.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Colorado

Colorado prohibits some animals from being pets, including:

Wildebeests
Wild hogs
Raccoons
Skunks
Hedgehogs
Opossums
Squirrels
Porcupines
Monk parakeets
Primates
Alligators
Crocodiles

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally: Tropical and non-native venomous snakes require a license.

State Statutes (Laws):

Code of Colorado Regulations Chapter W-13 – Possession Of Wildlife, Scientific Collecting, and Special Licenses 2 CCR 406-13 et seq., 2 CCR 406-11, 2 CCR 406-0:008

Connecticut

Category: B*

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess potentially dangerous animals. Potentially dangerous animals include the Felidae family; the Canidae family; the Ursidae family; and Great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans).

Citation: CONN. GEN. STAT. §26-40a and §26-55

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Connecticut

The following exotic animals are allowed as pets:

Primates under 35 lbs. at maturity and owned before 10/1/2010
Ferrets
Hedgehogs
Sugar gliders
Degus

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Connecticut

Many exotic animals may not be kept as pets, including:

Lions
Leopards
Cheetahs
Jaguars
Bobcats
Pumas
Lynx
Ocelots
All wild dogs
Wolves
Coyotes
Bears
Gorillas
Chimpanzees
Orangutans
Hyaenas
Kangaroos
Wallabies
Hybrids, except for TICA, CFA, or ACFA domestic cat hybrids

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally: Permits are required for wild animals, and in most cases, you can only own one (to prevent breeding).

State Statutes (Laws):

Connecticut General Statutes Title 26. Fisheries and Game section 26-40a, 26-55, 26-55-6

Delaware

Category: L

Summary of Law: All persons must obtain a permit before they can possess a live wild mammal or hybrid of a wild animal. It is illegal to possess, sell, or exhibit any poisonous snake not native to or generally found in Delaware.

Citation: DEL. CODE ANN tit. 3, §7201, §7202, and §7203

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Delaware

Delaware allows the following animals as pets without permits:

Chinchillas
Degus
Ferrets
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Hedgehogs
Mice
Norway rats
Possums
Rabbits
Sugar gliders
Anoles
Agamas
Asian water dragons
Basilisks
Bearded dragons
Chameleons
Geckos
Iguanas
Skinks (except the five-lined skink)
Swift lizards
Tegus

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Delaware

No specific animals are banned.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Delaware: Permits are generally required to possess wild and exotic animals.

State Statutes (Laws):

Delaware Code Title 3. Agriculture section 7201 et seq., 903-1.0 et seq.

Florida

Category: B* & L

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for a person to possess any Class I Wildlife unless the animal was in possession prior to August 1, 1980. Class I Wildlife includes, but is not limited to the following: chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, baboons, leopards, jaguars, tigers, lions, bears, elephants, crocodiles, etc. Persons may possess Class II Wildlife if he or she obtains a permit from the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Class II Wildlife includes, but is not limited to the following: howler and guereza monkeys, macaques, cougars, bobcats, cheetahs, ocelots, servals, coyotes, wolves, hyenas, alligators, etc. All other wildlife in personal possession not defined as Class I or II Wildlife must obtain a no-cost permit. In addition, FL has promulgated regulations governing possession of Class II and III animals (caging requirements, etc.). In 2010, Florida passed state regulations prohibiting importation, sale, use, and release of non-native species. The regulations include a ban on capturing, keeping, possessing, transporting or exhibiting venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern (listed python species, Green Anaconda, Nile monitor, and other reptiles designated by the commission as a conditional or prohibited species.) Persons who hold pre-July 1, 2010, permits for these species may legally possess the species for the remainder of the reptile’s life. Traveling wildlife exhibitors who are licensed or registered under the United States Animal Welfare Act and licensed zoos are exempted.

Citation: FLA. ADMIN. CODE ANN. r. §68A-6.002, §68A-6.0021, and §68A-6.0022. FL ST. §379.231-2 (nonnative animals.)

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Florida

Cougars, panthers, or cheetahs acquired before August 27, 2009 are allowed. No permits are required for:

Button quails
Canaries
Chinchillas
Cockatiels
Doves
Ferrets
Gerbils
Hedgehogs
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Honey possums
Sugar gliders
Lovebirds
Moles
Shrews
Myna birds
Parrots
Prairie dogs
Rabbits
Rats
Mice
Shell parakeets
Squirrels
Chipmunks
Toucans
Camels
Llamas
Wild horses
Jungle fowl
Peafowls
Reptiles or amphibians that are not venomous or protected or endangered

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Florida

The following animals are barred from personal possession:

Baboons
Bears
Black caimans
Cape buffalos
Cheetahs
Chimpanzees
Cougars
Crocodiles
Drills and mandrills
Elephants
Gavials
Gelada baboons
Gibbons and siamangs
Gorillas
Hippopotamuses
Hyenas
Aardwolves
Jaguars
Komodo dragons
Leopards
Lions
Orangutans
Rhinoceros
Snow leopards
Tigers
Venomous reptiles
Wild foxes
Skunks
Bats
Raccoons
Whitetail deer

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Florida: Permits are required to possess certain wildlife. A Class II annual permit is required for certain animals that pose more of a threat to human safety:

African golden cats
African hunting dogs
Alligators
Caimans
American badgers
Binturongs
Bobcats
Caracals
Cassowary
Clouded leopards
Douc langurs
Dwarf crocodiles
European and Canadian lynx
Fishing cats
Giraffe
Okapi
Guenons
Guereza monkeys
Honey badgers
Howler monkeys
Idris
Indian dholes
Langurs
Macaques
Celebes black apes
Mangabeys
Ocelots
Old World badgers
Ostriches
Patas monkeys
Proboscis monkeys
Sakis
Servals
Snub-nosed langurs
Tapir
Temminck’s golden cats
Uakaris
Vervet monkeys
Grivet monkeys
Green monkeys
Wild cattle
Wild antelope
Non-native hoof stock
Wolverines
Wolves
Coyotes
Jackals

A Class III permit is required for all other wildlife

State Statutes (Laws):

Georgia

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess inherently dangerous animals as “pets.” Inherently dangerous animals include, but are not limited to the following orders: Marsupialia (kangaroos); Primates (chimpanzees, gorillas, macaques); Carnivora (canines, felines); Proboscidae (elephants); Crocodylia (crocodiles, alligators, cobras, all poisonous rear-fanged species). Only persons engaged in the wholesale or retail wild animal business or persons exhibiting wild animals to the public will be issued a license to possess inherently dangerous animals.

Citation: GA. CODE ANN. §27-5-4 and §27-5-5

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Georgia

Permitted pets include:

European ferrets, if neutered by seven months and with rabies vaccine
Hamsters
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
American bison
Water buffalo
Llamas
English sparrows
European starlings
Hill mynas
Sugar gliders, with valid documentation from the USDA

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Georgia

Certain exotic animals may not be pets, including almost all marsupials, insectivores, and primates, including but not limited to:

Wallabies
Kangaroos
Shrews
Moles
Hedgehogs
Tenrecs
Bats
Monkeys
Apes
Sloths
Armadillos
Pangolins
Anteaters
Wild hares and rabbits
Capybaras
Cavies
Prairie dogs
Degus
Whales
Dolphins
Weasels
Ferrets
Foxes
Wild cats
Wolves
Wolf hybrids
Exotic cat hybrids, such as Savannah cats
Aardvarks
Elephants
Conies
Manatees
Dugongs
Most hoof stock
Rhinoceros
Warthogs
Hippopotamuses
Hawks
Eagles
Vultures
Wild turkeys
Cuckoos
Owls
Skylarks
Bulbuls
Thrushes
White eyes
Yellowhammers
Sparrows
Cape and Baya Weavers
Queleas
Blackbirds
Monk parakeet
Java sparrow
Starlings
Mynas
Crows
Ravens
Crocodiles
Gavials
Alligators
Venomous colubrid snakes
Gila monsters
Beaded lizards
Giant and marine toads
Banded tetras
Piranha
Grass, silver, and bighead carp
Air-breathing catfish
Giant walking catfish
Snakeheads
Fresh-water stingrays

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Georgia: Special permits are required for disabled persons to own a capuchin monkey.

State Statutes (Laws):

Georgia Code Title 27. Game and Fish sections 27-5-1 et seq., section 27-5-5

Hawaii

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to introduce exotic animals for private use into Hawaii. Exotic animals include, but are not limited to: the Felidae family (lion, leopard, cheetah); the Canidae family (wolf and coyote); and the Ursidae family (black bear, grizzly bear, and brown bear), etc.

Citation: HAW. ADMIN. RULES §4-71-5, §4-71-6, §4-71-6.1, and §4-71-6.5

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Hawaii

Legal exotic pets in Hawaii include:

Peafowls
Guinea pigs
Chinchillas
Rabbits
Domesticated mice and rats
Domesticated pigs, such as pot-bellied pigs
Select parakeets
Select doves

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Hawaii

Many pets are illegal to own in Hawaii, including:

Dog hybrids
Cat hybrids
Any hybrid with an illegal animal
Hedgehogs
Hamsters
Ferrets
Snakes
Gerbils
Lions
Tigers
Cheetahs
Jaguars
Cougars
Leopards
Clouded leopards
Caracals
Ocelots
Margays
Servals
Bears
Wolves
Hyenas
Aardvarks
Elephants
Hippopotamus
Rhinoceros
Non-human primates
Crocodilians
Bloodworms
Hermit crabs
Freshwater crabs
Honeybees
Mexican jumping bean moths
Jellyfish
Freshwater clams
Octopuses
Salamanders
Sirens
Frogs
Cuban tree frogs
Snakes
Gila monsters
Nicaraguan freshwater sharks
Freshwater stingrays
Spotted carpet sharks
Banded carpet sharks
Lampreys
Bowfins
Dogfishes
Mudfishes
Eels
Electric eels
Freshwater morays
Silversides
Needlefish
Halfbeaks
Pike minnows
Piranhas
Cacchorros
Characins
Lizard fish
Pirarucu
Snakeheads
Pike cichlids
Lionfish
Scorpionfish
Catfish
Hummingbirds
Pigeons
Doves
Crow
Finches
Grouses
Bulbuls
Sparrows
Orioles
Vermillion cardinals
Mynas
Starlings
Parrots
Parakeets
Parrotlets
Caiques
Bats
Flying foxes
Wild hares
Porcupine

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Hawaii: Permits are required for importing legal pets listed in Hawaii Administrative Rules Section 4-71-6.5. These animals are subject to quarantine rules before being lawfully distributed to their owners.

State Statutes (Laws):

Idaho

Category: L

Summary of Law: Private possession of any “deleterious exotic animal” is forbidden unless the owner receives a permit from the Idaho Department of Agriculture. “Deleterious exotic animal” is defined as any live animal, or hybrid thereof, that is not native to the state of Idaho and is determined by the Department to be dangerous to the environment, livestock, agriculture, or wildlife of the state. This list includes big cats, all non-native canidae species, and all non-human primates.

Citation: IDAHO ADMIN CODE §02.04.27

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Idaho

No permit is required to possess agricultural or domestic animals, domestic cervids, or conventional household pets, including but not limited to:

Guinea pigs
Chinchillas
Llamas
Alpacas
Minks
Sugar gliders
African hedgehogs
Captive-bred domestic birds
Unprotected wildlife
Predatory wildlife legally taken by hunting or trapping
Up to four animals per species of native reptiles and amphibians, legally taken by hunting or trapping

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Idaho

It is illegal to take large predatory and big-game wildlife and keep them as pets. You also may not possess any nongame and endangered, threatened species as pets unless it is unprotected and predatory.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Idaho: Idaho law prohibits the possession of “deleterious exotic animals,” which are defined as non-native and dangerous. They are prohibited without a possession permit and include:

Mute swans, unless they have been pinioned
All wild dogs
Red and Sika Deer
Caracals
Cheetahs
Geoffrey’s cats
Jaguars
Leopards
Lions
Margays
Ocelots
Servals
Tigers
European hedgehogs
Brushed tail possums
All non-human primates
Barbary sheep
Mouflon sheep
Coatimundi
Kinkajous
African dormice
African rope squirrels
African striped mice
African tree squirrels
Brushed tail porcupines
Capybara
Gambian giant pouched rats
Prairie dogs
South American rodents
European or Russian wild boars
Peccaries
Pond fish

State Statutes (Laws):

Illinois

Category: B

Summary of Law: No person may harbor, care for, act as a custodian, or maintain in his possession any dangerous animal or primate except at a properly maintained zoological park, federally licensed exhibit, circus, scientific institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital or animal refuge. “Dangerous animal” means a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, bear, hyena, wolf, coyote, or any poisonous life-threatening reptile. Persons who had lawful possession of a primate before Jan. 1, 2011, from continuing to possess that primate if the person registers the animal by providing written notification to the local animal control administrator on or before April 1, 2011. No state requirements exist for a person possessing other exotic species not defined as “dangerous animals.”

Citation: ILL. REV STAT, ch. 720, para. 585/0.1, 585/1, 585/2, and 585/3

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Illinois

Residents may take, by hand or hook-and-line, two snapping turtles per day from the wild, up to four in possession
Residents may take, by hand or hook-and-line, up to eight bullfrogs per day, up to 16 in possession.
Residents may take, by hand or hook-and-line, up to four species with a total of eight native amphibians other than snapping turtles or bullfrogs.

Permitted exotic pets allowed under special handling requirements include:

Boas
Pythons
Anacondas
Captive-bred poison dart frogs

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Illinois

Private possession of dangerous animals is prohibited, including but not limited to:

Bears
Lions
Tigers
Leopards
Ocelots
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Margays
Cougars
Lynx
Bobcats
Jaguarundis
Wolves
Coyotes
Hyenas
Venomous medically significant reptiles
Flying fox
Mongoose
Meerkats
European rabbits
Indian wild hogs
Multimammate rats or mice
Raccoon dogs
Rosy pastors
Doiches
Java sparrows
Red-whiskered bul-buls
Snakeheads
Walking catfish
Ruffes
Silver carp
Bighead carp
Black carp
Round and tubenose gobies
Rudds
Stone moroccos
Zanders
Wels catfish
Yabbies
Zebra mussels
Mitten crabs
Rusty crayfish
Filler shrimp
Golden mussels
Brown tree snakes

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Illinois:

Registration is required for a permitted capuchin monkey owned by a person with a severe and permanent motor disability.
Primates owned before 01/01/2011 are allowed and grandfathered if owners registered the primate by 04/01/2011 and followed up with proper notifications.
Aquatic wildlife not on the approved species list must have a letter of authorization to be possessed.

State Statutes (Laws):

Indiana

Category: L

Summary of Law: All persons who possess certain wild animals must obtain a permit for each animal they possess. A wild animal possession permit is required for Class I animals (eastern cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, southern flying squirrel). Class II animals (beaver, coyote, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, skunk, weasel) and Class III animals: wolves (purebred), bears, wild cats (excluding feral cats), venomous reptiles and crocodilians (at least 5 feet long).

Citation: IND. CODE ANN. §14-22-26-1-§14-22-26-6.

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Indiana

Indiana allows domestic animals and domestic hybrid animals as pets without any permits.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Indiana

Indiana does not specifically forbid having any animals as pets.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Indiana: Wild animal possession permits are required for certain wild animals. They are divided into three classes, with each class of permit requiring more stringent conditions to be met for the safety of all people, animals, and the environment:

Class I:

Eastern cottontail rabbits
Eastern fox squirrels
Eastern gray squirrels
Southern flying squirrels

Class II:

American beavers
Black-footed cats
Coyotes
Fishing cats
Geoffrey’s cat
Gray foxes
Jaguarundi
Jungle cats
Least weasels
Leopard cats
Little spotted cats
Long-tailed weasels
Marbled cats
Margays
Minks
Muskrats
Pallas’ cats
Pampas cats
Pantanals
Raccoons
Red foxes
Sand cats
Servals
Striped skunks
Virginia opossum

Class III:

Bears
Crocodilians 5 feet or more
Venomous reptiles
Wild cats not listed in Class II
Pure wolves

State Statutes (Laws):

Iowa

Category: B

Summary of Law: A person shall not own, possess, or breed a dangerous wild animal. A dangerous wild animal is defined as any member of the following families, orders or species: Canidae (excluding a domestic dog), Hyaenidae, Felidae (excluding a domestic cat), Ursidae, Perissodactyla, Proboscidea, order primates, Crocodilia, and water monitors, crocodile monitors, beaded lizards, Gila monsters, designated species of venomous snakes, reticulated pythons, anacondas, and African rock pythons.

Citation: IOWA CODE ANN §717F.1-.13

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Iowa

Iowa allows the following animals without a permit:

Captive bred skunks
Offspring of a domestic dog and a wolf
The offspring of a domestic cat and a Bengal or Savannah cat are the fourth or later filial generation

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Iowa

Certain wild animals are considered dangerous and are, therefore, banned as pets:

Wild canines
Wild cats
Bears
Pandas
Hyenas
Aardwolves
Rhinoceros
Elephants
Nonhuman primates
Marmosets
Tamarins
Monkeys
Lemurs
Galagos
Bushbabies
Great apes
Gibbons
Lesser apes
Indris
Sifakas
Tarsiers
Crocodiles
Alligators
Caimans
Gharials
Water monitors
Crocodile monitors
Mole vipers
Burrowing asps
Beaded lizards
Gila monsters
Reticulated pythons
Cobras
Mambas
Coral snakes
Kraits
Adders
Vipers
Rattlesnakes
Copperheads
Pit vipers keelbacks
Cottonmouths
Sea snakes
Anacondas
African rock pythons
Wild boars
Russian or European boars
Hybrids

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Iowa:

Wild animals obtained and registered before 12/31/07 and microchipped by 09/01/07 are permitted as pets so long as they are registered with the state, and a lengthy list of requirements has not been violated.
Dangerous animals may be possessed if they are assistive animals.
License required for keeping falcons or raptors.

State Statutes (Laws):

Iowa Code Annotated Title 16. Criminal Law and Procedure Chapter 717F sections 1 et seq.

Kansas

Category: B*

Summary of Law: No person may possess or breed a dangerous regulated animal as a “pet.” Dangerous regulated animals include the following: lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cheetah, mountain lion, hybrid of a large cat, bear, or venomous snake. Persons who are licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and hold an Animal Welfare Act license are exempt as well as zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, a wildlife sanctuary, research facility, etc.

Citation: KAN. STAT. ANN §32-1301-32-1312

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Kansas

Kansas allows the possession of certain pets, including:

Amphibians and reptiles, limited to five per species, except you cannot possess bullfrogs, common snapping turtles, and soft-shelled turtles
Armadillo
Moles
Most rodents
Exotic doves
Feral pigeons
Invertebrates, though mussels are limited to five

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Kansas

It is illegal to possess dangerous regulated animals, including:

Lions
Tigers
Leopards
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Mountain lions
Bears
Hybrids
Non-native venomous snakes

In addition, certain animals may not be possessed because they are an invasive species, including:

Monk parakeets
Asian raccoon dogs
Walking catfish
Silver carp
Bighead carp
Black carp
Crucian carp (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Largescale silver carp (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Wels catfish (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Eurasian minnow (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Stone Morokos (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Snakeheads
Round goby
White perch
European perch (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Nile perch (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Roach grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Amur sleepers (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Zanders (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)
Zebra mussels
Quagga mussels
New Zealand Mudsnails
Diploid grass carp
Marbled crayfish
Common yabbies (grandfathered in if possessed before 01/01/2021)

Other native animals are also prohibited, including:

Commensal rodents (Norway rats, roof rats, house mice)
Gophers
Ground squirrels
Kangaroo rats
Porcupines
Prairie dogs
Woodchucks
Wood rats

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Kansas: Permits are required to possess:

Cougars
Wolves
Black bears
Grizzly bears
Falcons

State Statutes (Laws):

Kentucky

Category: B

Summary of Law: No person may possess inherently dangerous exotic animals. Inherently dangerous exotic animals include, but are not limited to, tigers, lions, non-human primates, dangerous reptiles, bears, etc. If you possessed an inherently dangerous exotic animal prior to July 2005 you may keep your animal, but can not possess any new animal or breed your current animals.

Citation: 301 KY. ADMIN. REGS. 2:082

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Kentucky

Many exotic pets are allowed without permits in Kentucky, including:

Domestic raccoons
Alpacas
American bison
Goats derived from the wild goat or bezoar
Chinchillas
Cockatoos
Domesticated ducks and geese
Domesticated minks, if over 1.15 kg as adults
Domesticated rats
Domesticated turkeys
Domesticated yaks
Gerbils
Guinea fowl
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Indian Hill mynahs
Llamas
Parrots
Lovebirds
Cockatiels
Budgerigar
Parakeets, except Monk parakeets
Macaws
Peafowl
Domesticated pigeons
Ratite
Toucans

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Kentucky

Animals that are considered endangered species by either the federal government or the Commonwealth of Kentucky may not be kept as pets

“Inherently dangerous wildlife” pets are prohibited unless they were owned prior to 07/13/2005, including:

Alligators
Caimans
Crocodiles
Gavials
Gila monsters
Beaded lizards
Komodo dragons
African buffalo
Bears
Elephants
Hippopotamuses
Rhinoceros
Cheetahs
Clouded leopards
Lions
Jaguars
Leopards
Snow leopards
Tigers
Honey badgers
Old World badgers
Wolves
Wolverines
Wolf hybrids over 25% wolf
Hyenas
Gorillas
Gelada baboons
Baboons
Drills
Mandrills
Sea snakes
Cobras
Coral snakes
Adders
Vipers
Venomous exotic snakes, except for hognose snakes
Copperbelly water snakes
Wild turkeys
Alligator snapping turtles
Hybrids of the above

Other animals are prohibited due to their potential injury to the environment, including:

Baya weavers
Non-native blackbirds
European blackbirds
Cape sparrows
Non-native cowbirds
Non-native cuckoos
Queleas
Fieldfares
Flying foxes
Fruit bats
Foxes
Gambian giant pouched rats
Giant, marine, or cane toads
Hawaiian rice birds or spotted munias
Jackrabbits
Java sparrows
Madagascar weavers
Mistle thrushes
Monk or Quaker parakeets
Multimammate rats
Mute swans
Nutrias
Prairie dogs
Raccoon dogs
San Juan rabbits
Skylarks
Song thrushes
Starlings, except Indian Hill mynahs
Suricates or slender-tailed meerkats
Tongueless or African clawed frogs
Weaver finches, except Passer
White eyes
Wild European rabbits
Yellowhammers
Wild or feral pigs
Eurasian boars
Russian boars
Domestic or wild hybrids

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Kentucky: Wild ferrets are allowed by permit.

State Statutes (Laws):

Louisiana

Category: B*

Summary of Law: No person may possess, purchase, or sell any black bear, grizzly bear, polar bear, red wolf, gray wolf, wolf-dog hybrid, big cat or hybrid big cat, or non-human primates as a “pet.” Individuals who possessed a nonhuman primate prior to the effective date of the regulation or a big cat (only one) prior to August 15, 2006, are grandfathered in as long as they obtain a permit. No person may possess venomous or large constricting snakes (defined as more than 12 feet long) without first obtaining a permit.

Citation: LA. ADMIN. CODE tit. 76, §115; Part XV §101

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Louisiana

Louisiana does not list any specific pets that are allowed by law without permits

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Louisiana

Louisiana prohibits pet ownership of certain potentially dangerous animals, including:

Black, grizzly, and polar bears
Red and gray wolves
Tigers
Lions
Leopards of all types
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Cougars
Subspecies and hybrids of all listed cats
Coyotes
Foxes

Animals listed as threatened or endangered may not be kept as pets, including:

Mississippi gopher frogs
Green sea turtles
Hawksbill sea turtles
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles
Leatherback sea turtles
Loggerhead sea turtles
Gopher tortoises
Ringed Sawback turtles

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Louisiana:

Permits are required to take animals out of the wild for personal possession. You can’t use commercial gear to capture them, and there are limits:

No more than two box turtles may be taken out of the wild per day, and you can only possess four at any given time as pets
No more than two razor-backed musk turtles may be taken out of the wild per day, and you can only possess four at any given time as pets
No more than one alligator snapping turtle may be taken out of the wild per day

A permit is required for keeping the following as pets removed from the wild:

Tiger salamanders
Red-backed salamanders
Webster’s salamanders
Mud salamanders
Red salamanders
Louisiana pine snakes
Black pine snakes
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes

Permits are required for many venomous and large constricting snakes, including:

Papuan pythons
Olive pythons
Carpet pythons
Diamonds pythons
Scrub pythons
Amethystine pythons
Southern African pythons
African rock pythons
Indian pythons
Burmese pythons
Reticulate pythons
Boa constrictors
Anacondas
Pit vipers
Vipers
Cobras
Mambas
Sea snakes
Mole vipers

State Statutes (Laws): Louisiana Administrative Code Title 76 section 115, 13

Maine

Category: L

Summary of Law: A person may possess a wild animal after obtaining a permit.

Citation: ME. REV. STAT.
ANN. tit. 12 § 7235-A

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Maine

Some wild-caught native animals may be kept as pets without permits so long as their environment complies with regulations, including:

Amphibians, up to five of each species
Reptiles, up to two of each species
Invertebrates

Other animals that can be kept without a permit or license include:

Savannah cats F4 or higher.
Capuchins are used as physical aides from recognized institutions and are not in contact with the public.
Wildlife purchased from a dealer or pet shop.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Maine

The following animals cannot be kept as pets in Maine:

Monk parakeets
Mute swans
Burrowing parrots
Laughing kookaburras
Austral parakeets
Alender-billed parakeets
Anatidae
Hornbills
Cassowaries
Emus
Storks
Pigeons
Doves
Rollers
Crows
Chachalaca
Guans
Cussarows
Cranes
Turacos
Pheasants
Flamingos
Trumpeters
Toucans
Penguins
New Zealand parrots
Starlings
Bearded barbets
Birds of prey
Shorebirds
Bustards
Pelicans
Owls
Ostriches
Prevost’s squirrels
Hoffman’s two-toed sloths
Brazilian porcupines
Black-tailed prairie dogs
Red-rumped agouti
Long-nosed armadillos
Members of the Pronghorn family
Mountain beavers
Bovids
Canids
Beavers
Cervids
Elephants
Quidae
Felids
Giraffes
Hippopotamuses
Hyenas
Aardwolves
Kangaroos
Wallabies
Mustelids
Walruses
Eared and true seals
Rhinoceros
Pigs
Tapirs
Viverrids
Crested porcupines
Gray short-tailed opossum
Cetacea
Bats
Primates
Sea cows
Aardvarks
Kinkajous
Southern tamandua
Asiatic linsangs
Deer
Moose
Wild turkeys
Hybrids

The following captive bread animals cannot be kept as pets:

Western dwarf clawed frogs
African clawed frogs
Golden mantellas
Bernhard’s mantellas
Yellow mantellas
Green mantellas
Brown treesnakes
Puerto Rican boas
Grand Cayman blue iguanas
Eastern indigo snakes
Eunectes
Elapidae
Beaded lizards
Gila monsters
Viperidae
Gopher tortoises
Isla Todos Santos kingsnakes
Amethystine pythons
Scrub pythons
Atlantic Salt Marsh snakes
Crocodilians
Chinese softshell tortoises
Louisiana pine snakes
Indian pythons
Southern African rock pythons
Reticulated pythons
Northern African rock pythons
Common box turtles
Gulf Coast box turtles
Three-toed box turtles
Pond sliders
Red-eared sliders

Maine also prohibits possessing the following endangered or threatened animals:

New England cottontails
Little brown bats
Northern long-legged bats
Least terns
Golden eagles
Piper plovers
Sedge wrens
Grasshopper sparrows
Roseate terns
Black terns
American pipets
Peregrine falcons
Black-crowned night herons
Least bitterns
Box turtles
Black racers
Blanding’s turtles
Redfin pickerels
Six-whorl vertigos
Edward’s hairstreaks
Hessel’s hairstreaks
Katahdin arctics
Juniper hairstreaks
Rapids clubtails
Cobblestone tiger beetles
Frigga fritillaries
Northern bog lemmings
Easter small-footed bats
Razorbills
Harlequin ducks
Arctic terns
Upland sandpipers
Common gallinules
Great cormorants
Short-eared owls
Barrow’s goldeneyes
Spotted turtles
Swamp darters
Tidewater muckets
Yellow lampmussels
Brook floaters
Whales
Leatherback turtles
Atlantic ridley turtles
Shortnose sturgeons
Loggerhead turtles

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Maine:

Maine allows certain captive-bred animals to be kept as pets, so long as you have a permit, including:

Golden poison frogs
Golfo Dulce poison-dart frogs
Cane toads
Axolotl
Rhinoceros iguanas
Green iguanas
Pernatty knob-tails
Rock monitors
Argus monitors
Crocodile monitors
Common water monitors
Togian water monitors
Rosy and Rubber Boas
Russian rat snakes
Brazilian smooth snakes
Olive pythons
Concho water snakes
Eastern fox snakes
African spurred tortoises
Yellow mud turtles
Alligator snapping turtles
Northern diamondback terrapins
Ornate box turtles

Maine also allows for the following animals to be kept without a permit, including:

Japanese white-eyes
Camelids
Genets
Binturongs
White-nosed coati
South American coatimundi
Mountain coati

State Statutes (Laws):

Maryland

Category: B

Summary of Law: No person may possess or breed the following species of animals as a “pet”: foxes, skunks, raccoons, all species of bears, alligators, crocodiles, all species of wild cats, wolves, nonhuman primates, various venomous reptiles, etc. Persons possessing one of the listed animals prior to May 31, 2006 may continue to keep the animal as long as the person provides written notification to the local animal control authority on or before August 1, 2006 of said possession.

Citation: MD. CODE ANN., CRIMINAL LAW § 10-621

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Maryland

Maryland allows some animals to be kept as pets without permits, including:

Domestic cats
Dog
Ferrets
Non-native reptiles and amphibians that are not listed as forbidden

Maryland allows individuals to possess up to four of each of the following native reptiles and salamanders and an unlimited amount of any of these reptiles or amphibians that are albino, partial albino, or other color mutation resulting from captive breeding:

Red-spotted newts
Spotted salamanders
Marbled salamanders
Northern dusky salamanders
Seal salamander
Mountain dusky salamanders
Northern two-lined salamanders
Long-tailed salamanders
Northern spring salamanders
Four-toed salamanders
Eastern red-backed salamanders
Northern slimy salamanders
Valley and ridge salamanders
Northern Red salamander
Eastern spadefoots
American toads
Fowler’s toads
Northern cricket frogs
Cope’s gray treefrogs
Gray treefrogs
Green treefrogs
Northern spring peepers
Southeastern chorus frogs
Pickerel frogs
Southern leopard frogs
Wood frogs
Green frogs
American bullfrogs
Eastern fence lizards
Common five-lined skinks
Little brown skinks
Eastern wormsnakes
Northern black racers
Ring-necked snakes
Cornsnakes
Black ratsnakes
Mole kingsnakes
Eastern milksnakes
Coastal plain milksnakes
Eastern kingsnakes
Red-bellied watersnakes
Northern watersnakes
Rough greensnakes
Smooth Greensnakes
Dekay’s brownsnakes
Red-bellied snakes
Eastern gartersnakes

You may possess one of the following without a permit:

Broad-headed skink
Eastern six-lined racerunner
Eastern hog-nosed snake
Queen snake
Common ribbonsnake
Wood turtle, not taken from the wild
Spotted turtle, not taken from the wild
Eastern box turtle
Eastern painted turtle
Midland painted turtle
Eastern mud turtle
Northern red-bellied cooter
Stinkpot
Diamond-backed terrapin, not taken from the wild

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Maryland

Maryland forbids the possession of numerous animals as pets, including:

Felines and domestic hybrids over 30 pounds
Canines and hybrids
Foxes
Skunks
Raccoons
Non-human primates
Lemurs
Monkeys
Chimpanzees
Gorillas
Orangutans
Marmosets
Loris
Tamarins
Bears
Caimans
Alligators
Crocodiles
Poisonous snakes in Hydrophidae, Elapidae, Viperidae, and Crotolidae families
Cervids
Eastern tiger salamanders
Green salamanders
Jefferson salamanders
Wehrle’s salamanders
Eastern hellbenders
Mudpuppies
Eastern narrow-mouthed toads
Carpenter frogs
Mountain chorus frogs
Barking treefrogs
Northern map turtles
Leatherback sea turtles
Loggerhead sea turtles
Green sea turtles
Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles
Bog turtles
Spiny softshell turtles
Northern coal skinks
Rainbow snakes
Smooth earthsnakes
Northern scarletsnakes
Timber rattlesnakes
Copperheads

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Maryland: Turtles may be kept as pets under special permit:

Up to three diamondback terrapins are allowed with a permit
Turtles are limited to one, must have at least a 4-inch carapace, and be caught with a license

Certain countries have allowed regular hybrids of domestic and wild animals, including:

Carroll
Cecil
Frederick

State Statutes (Laws):

Massachusetts

Category: B

Summary of Law: No person may possess as a “pet” a wild bird, mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian unless the animal was owned prior to June 30, 1995. A wild bird, mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian is defined as any undomesticated animal that is not the product of hybridization with a domestic form and not otherwise contained in the exemption list.

Citation: MASS. REGS. CODE
tit. 321, §2.12 and §9.01; and MASS. GEN. LAWS
ANN. ch. 131, §23

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Massachusetts

Permits are not required for:

Fathead minnows
All amphibians
All turtles, up to 100 each of any combination of turtles and eggs, unless the turtle species requires a permit
Boas
Most pythons
Shield-tailed snakes
Sunbeam snakes
Work snakes
Thread snakes
Asian ratsnakes
Trans-Pecos ratsnakes
Brown and redbelly snakes
Diadem snakes
Garter and ribbon snakes
Gopher and pine snakes
Ground snakes
House snakes
Kingsnakes
Milk snakes
North American ratsnakes
Mole snakes
Puffing snakes
Texas indigo snakes
Tropical ratsnakes
Water snakes
Western hognose snakes
All skinks, except for Florida sand skinks and Soloman Island ground skinks
Flash-club tailed lizards
Girdle-tailed lizards
Plated lizards
Rock lizards
Teiids
Jungle runners
Tegus
Wall lizards
Sand lizards
Asian grass lizards
Alligator lizards
Glass lizards
Slowworms
European legless lizards
Geckos, except Big Bend geckos
Basilisks
Collared and leopard lizards
Common or green iguanas
False of spring-tailed iguanas
Tree iguanas
New World chameleons
Spiny lizards
Tree and bush lizards
Diving lizards
Zebra-tailed lizards
Dragon lizards
Forest, garden, and bloodsucker lizards
Sailfin lizards
Bearded dragons
Water dragons
Frilled lizards
Uromastyx lizards
All night lizards except the Utah night lizard
All true chameleons
Spiny-tailed monitor lizards
Ridge-tailed monitor lizards
Blue or button quail
Pigeons
Doves
Waxbills
Finches
Weaver finches
Parrots
Toucans
Aracaris
Toucanets
Starlings
Mynahs
Emus
Rheas
Ostriches
African pygmy hedgehogs
Chinchillas
Deer mice
White-footed mice
Degu
Egyptian spiny mice
House mice
Jerboas
Pacas
Southern flying squirrels
Striped hamsters
Golden hamsters
Sugar gliders
American bison
Ferrets
Most hybrids
Domestic greylag geese
Domestic swan geese
Domestic Egyptian geese
Domestic mallard ducks
Domestic muscovy
Common coturnix
Domestic chickens
Peafowl
Domestic helmet guineafowl
Domestic turkeys
Blue rock pigeons
Domestic asses
Domestic horses
Minks propagated in captivity for at least two generations
Domestic swine
Llamas
Alpacas
Dromedaries
Domestic water buffalo
Domestic cows
Domestic yaks
Zebus
Domestic goats
Domestic sheeps
Domestic hamsters derived from the golden hamster
Mongolian gerbils
Lab rats
Lab mice
Guinea pig
Domestic rabbits, but not the wild European rabbit or the San Juan rabbit

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Massachusetts

None of the following can be kept as pets:

Threatened or endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Those listed in the Red Book(s) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Any animals on the Massachusetts lists of endangered, threatened, and special concern species

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Massachusetts: Permits are required for certain animals, including:

Grass carp
White amur
Piranhas
Rudds
Walking catfish
Argentina or Chaco tortoises
Gopher tortoises
Pancake tortoises
Spotted turtles
Red-eared sliders
All venomous snakes
African rock pythons
Reticulated pythons
Anacondas
Black ratsnakes
Gila monsters
Beaded lizards
Florida sands skinks
Solomon Island ground skinks
Desert tegus
Big Bend geckos
Utah night lizards
Migratory birds
Birds native to the United States and Canada
Red-billed, black-fronted, and Sudan Dioch finches
Rose-colored starlings
Rosy pastors
Wild canid hybrids
Wild felid hybrids

State Statutes (Laws):

Michigan

Category: B*

Summary of Law: No person may possess as a “pet” any member of the Felidae family (large cats), including their hybrids, any bear species, and any wolf-hybrid unless the animal was possessed prior to July 7, 2000. A prior entry permit must be obtained from the director for all other wild animal or exotic animal species not listed above or regulated by the fish and wildlife service of the United States Department of Interior or the Department of Natural Resources of this state. Prior to an exotic animal entering the state the Department of Natural Resources may require the possessor to have the animal examined by an accredited veterinarian to determine the health status, proper housing, husbandry and confinement standards are being met.

Citation: MICH. COMP. LAWS §287.731, MICH. COMP. LAWS §287.1001-1023, MICH. COMP. LAWS §287.1101-1123

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Michigan

Native herp are allowed as pets in limited number, including:

10 frogs, toads, and salamanders
Four snapping and softshell turtles, limited to two per species. Snapping turtles must be 13 inches
Six in total of any other turtles, snakes, and lizards, with the caveat that you are limited to four turtles

You can possess up to 12 of the following birds without a permit:

Pheasants
Bobwhite quail
Hungarian partridges

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Michigan

The following “large carnivores” are prohibited from being kept as pets:

Cheetahs
Cougars
Jaguars
All leopards
Lions
Panthers
Tigers
Hybrids of large carnivore cats
Bears

Other forbidden animals include:

Wolf-dogs
Wolf-dog hybrids

The following wild-caught animals are also forbidden:

Any game
Eastern massasaugas
Queen snakes
Blanding’s turtles
Wood turtles
Eastern box turtles
Grey ratsnakes, except for common albino colors
Boreal chorus frogs
Western lesser sirens
Mudpuppies
Fowler’s toads
Pickerel frogs
Butler’s garter snakes
Smooth green snakes
Northern dusky salamanders
Northern two-lined salamanders
Mink frogs
Kirtland’s snakes
Copper-bellied water snakes
Eastern fox snakes
Six-lined racerunners
Spotted turtles
Marbled salamanders
Small-mouth salamanders
Blanchard’s cricket frogs

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Michigan:

Permits are required for “large carnivores” and wolf-dogs grandfathered in with proper permits.

Permits are necessary to hold certain games that were reared in captivity. Such game includes:

Badgers
Bobcats
Foxes
Raccoons
Coyotes
Beavers
Otters
Muskrats
Minks
Squirrels
Skunks
Woodchucks
Possum
Pheasants
Bobwhite quail
Hungarian partridges
Ducks
Geese
Wild turkeys
Ducks
Pheasant

Registration is required to possess non-native fish taking and possessing non-prohibited wild reptiles and amphibians requires a fishing license.

State Statutes (Laws):

Minnesota

Category: B*

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for a person to possess a regulated animal. A regulated
animal is defined as all members of the Felidae family (except domestic cats); all bears, and all non-human primates. A person who possesses a regulated animal on the effective date of the law, January 1, 2005, has 90 days to register the animal with the local animal control authority. Persons possessing a registered regulated animal may replace the regulated animal if he/she dies, but may replace he/she only once.

Citation: MINN. STAT. 346.155

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Minnesota

You can possess numerous domesticated animals, including:

Degus
Rabbits
House rats
House mice
Sugar gliders
Hamsters
Gerbils
Ferrets
Hedgehogs
Chinchillas
Guinea pigs

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Minnesota

Minnesota bans “regulated animals” from being kept as pets, including:

Felines, except domestic cats and breeds recognized by national or international multi-cat registries
Bears
Nonhuman primates
Hybrids

Other animals prohibited as pets include:

Deer
Wolves
Mourning doves
Bats
Snakes
Salamanders
Lizards
White-tailed and mule deer
Moose
Elks
Black bears
Antelopes
Caribou
Game birds
Gray squirrels
Fox squirrels
Cottontail rabbits
Snowshoe hares
Jackrabbits
Raccoons
Lynx
Bobcats
Short-tailed weasels
Long-tailed weasels
Red foxes, lynx, and gray foxes
Fishers
Pine martens
Opossum
Badgers
Cougars
Wolverines
Muskrats
Minks
Otters
Beavers
Lake and shovelnose sturgeons
American eels
Black and white crappies
Largemouth, rock, smallmouth, white and yellow bass
Sunfish and hybrids
Muskellunge
Northern pikes
Burbots
Blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Saugers
Walleyes
Yellow perch
Paddlefish
Atlantic, chinook, coho, kokanee, and pink salmon
Brook, brown, lake, and rainbow trout
Ciscos
Lake whitefish
Carp
Buffalo fish
Suckerfish
Sheepsheads
Bowfins
Gars
Goldeyes
Bullheads
Minnows
Leeches
Alewives
Chubs
Lake whitefish
Coregoninae
Rainbow smelt
Frogs
Turtles
Clams
Mussels

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Minnesota:

You may have a pet “regulated animal” if, before 03/02/2005, you qualified and registered the animal or were the animal’s parent
Permits are required to have pet native frogs. Bullfrogs and Northern leopard frogs are required to be over 6 inches.

State Statutes (Laws):

Mississippi

Category: L

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for a person to import or possess any wild animal classified inherently dangerous by law or regulation unless that person holds a permit or is exempted from holding a permit. Inherently dangerous animals include, but are not limited to the following animals: orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, macaques, mandrills, baboons, wolves, bears, hyenas, lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, elephants, etc. However, there are no state requirements for private possession of small non-domesticated felines such as ocelots, servals, etc.

Citation: MISS. CODE ANN. §49-8-5 and §49-8-7

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Mississippi

Laws generally limit the import and export of animals. Possession is generally allowed unless it is specifically not allowed.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Mississippi

You cannot have a pet alligator in Mississippi. You will need a permit for any other “inherently dangerous” animals.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Mississippi: Permits are required for having “inherently dangerous” animals as pets, including:

Gibbons
Orangutans
Chimpanzees
Siamangs
Gorillas
Macaques
Mandrills
Drills
Baboons
Gelada baboons
Wolves
Jackals
Dingos
Hybrid canis
Maned wolves
Red dogs
African hunting dogs
Bears
Wolverines
Hyenas
Lions
Tigers
Jaguars
Leopards
Snow leopards
Cheetahs
Cougars
Elephants
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamuses
African buffalo

State Statutes (Laws):

Missouri

Category: L

Summary of Law: A person may not keep a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, coyote, or any deadly dangerous, or poisonous reptile unless such person has registered the animal with the local law enforcement agency in the county in which the animal is kept. As of Jan. 1, 2012, pursuant to the Large Carnivore Act (§578.602), no person shall own or possess, breed, transfer ownership or possession of, receive a transfer of ownership of possession of, or transport a large carnivore without a permit. “Large carnivore” is defined as tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard and cheetah, including a hybrid cross with such cat, but excluding any unlisted nonnative cat, or any common domestic or house cat; or a bear of a species that is nonnative to this state and held in captivity. Any person possessing, breeding, or transporting a large carnivore on or after Jan. 1, 2012, shall apply for and obtain a permit from the division. Circuses, the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, and zoos are exempt.

Citation: MO. REV. STAT. §578.023; §578.600-624

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Missouri

The following out-of-state animals may be possessed without any documentation:

Bison
Herp
Mammals
Asian clams

You can possess birds that are not native to the continental U.S., except for ring-necked pheasants and gray partridges, so long as they are not on the U.S. endangered, prohibited, or Species II list

You may possess a “dangerous wild animal” if registered with local law enforcement. “Dangerous wild animals” include:

Lions
Tigers
Ocelots
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Margays
Mountain lions
Canada lynx
Bobcats
Jaguarundis
Hyenas
Wolves
Coyotes
Bears
Nonhuman primates
Coyotes
Any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptiles
Any deadly or dangerous reptiles over 8 feet long

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Missouri

Some native wildlife may not be kept as pets, including:

Skunks
Hoofed animals
Cooperheads
Cottonmouths
Timber and pygmy rattlesnakes
Massasaugas
Wolves and hybrids
Black bears

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Missouri: You will need a permit to possess the following “large carnivores,” including:

Tigers
Lions
Jaguars
Leopards
Snow leopards
Clouded leopards
Cheetahs
Large cat hybrids
Non-native bears

You may keep the following native wildlife as pets so long as you have a Wildlife Hobby Permit:

Badgers
Beavers
Bobcats
Coyotes
Gray and red foxes
Groundhogs
Minks
Muskrats
Virginia opossum
River otters
Ring-necked pheasants
Bobwhite quails
Eastern cottontail and swamp rabbits
Raccoons
Eastern gray and fox squirrels
Least and long-tailed weasels

State Statutes (Laws):

Montana

Category: L & N

Summary of Law: A person may not operate a wild animal menagerie without obtaining a permit. A “wild animal menagerie” means any place where one or more bears or large cats, including cougars, lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, pumas, cheetahs, ocelots, and hybrids of those large cats are kept in captivity for use other than public exhibition. All other exotic animals entering the state, such as reptiles, monkeys, etc., must be accompanied by a one-time entry permit and an official health certificate.

Citation: MONT. CODE ANN.
87-4-801, 87-4-803, and 87-4-804; MONT. ADMIN. R. §32.3.202

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Montana

Domestic animals kept as pets do not require a permit and include:

Cattle
Horses
Mules
Asses
Sheep
Alpacas
Bison
Swine
Ostriches
Rheas
Emus
Goats
Dogs
Cats
Rodents
Eurasian ferrets
Poultry

The following exotic animals may be kept as pets without a permit:

African pygmy hedgehogs
Degus
Jungle cats
Serval cats
Sugar gliders
Two-toed sloths
Bennets and Tammar wallabies
Cameroon volcano frogs
Eritrea clawed frogs
African reed frogs
Leptodactylidae frogs
Emperor scorpions
Tanzanian red claw scorpions
Terrestrial hermit crabs
Mynahs
Toucans
Toucanettes
Siskins
Finches
Cardinals
Weavers
Sesias
Tanagers
Zosterops
Parrots
Lories
Cockatoos
Most non-native Phaisianae except chukar partridges, gray partridges, ring-necked pheasants, and turkeys
All tropical fish, subtropical fish, marine fish, common goldfish, and koi
Boas
Round Island boas
Dwarf boas
Pythons
Modern snakes
File and elephant trunk snakes
Sunbeam snakes
Pipe snakes
Shield-tailed snakes
Blind snakes
Chisel-teeth lizards
Worm lizards
Limbless lizards
Glass and alligator lizards
Legless lizards
Chameleons
Girdle-tailed lizards
Casquehead lizards
Collared and leopard lizards
Eyelid geckos
African snake skinks
Geckos
Beaded lizards and Gila monsters
Iguanas
Wall lizards
Earless monitors
Earless, spiny, and horned lizards
Anoles
Snake lizards
Skinks
Whiptails
Neotropical ground lizards
Monitor lizards
Night lizards
Knob-scaled lizards
Harlequin frogs
True toads
Glass frogs
Poison dart frogs
Tree frogs
Rain frogs
Narrow-mouthed toads
Spadefoot toads
Old-world tree frogs
Mexican burrowing frogs
Caecilians
Mole salamanders
Amphiumas
Hellbenders
Giant salamanders
Asian salamanders
Woodland salamanders
Waterdogs
Newts except for rough-skinned newts and Taricha granulosa
Sirens

All nonnative tropical and subtropical turtles can be kept as pets without a permit, so long as their shell length is more than 4 inches and they aren’t a controlled or prohibited species. Allowed turtles include:

New Guinea softshell turtles
Snake-necked turtles
Snapping turtles
Central American river turtles
Pond turtles
Mud turtles and musk turtles
Hidden-necked turtles
Big-headed turtles
Tortoises
Soft-shelled turtles

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Montana

Wild-caught species of large cats and bears are forbidden as pets.

Some wildlife is banned under the rabies control laws, including:

Skunk
Foxs
Bats
Raccoons

Other exotic wildlife banned as pets include:

African clawed frogs
North American bullfrogs
Rusty crayfish
Bighead, black, grass, and silver carp
Eurasian ruffes
Round gobies
Snakeheads
Walking catfish
White perch
Zanders
African natal rats
Multimammate mice
Argali sheep
Brush-tailed possum
Short-tailed possum
Hyenas
Aardwolves
Nutrias
Small spotted genets
Southern flying squirrels
Virginia opossum
Transcapian urial sheep
All monkeys and apes
New Zealand mudsnails
Quagga mussels
Zebra mussels
Alligators
Crocodiles
Caimans
Red-eared sliders
African rock pythons
Amethystine pythons
Burmese pythons
Reticulated pythons
Boomslangs
Green anacondas
Coral snakes
Cobras
Kraits
Mambas
Nonnative Viperidae
California quail
Gambrel’s quail

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Montana: A “wild animal menagerie” permit is required to possess up to 10 captive-born bears or large cats. Permits are required for some controlled exotic wildlife, including:

Barbary falcons
Taita falcons
Brolga falcons
Buff-banded and giant wood rails
White-breasted waterhens
Exotic ducks
Geese
Swans
Cranes: black-crowned, black-necked, common, demoiselle, blue, grey-crowned, hooded, red-crowned, Sarus, Siberian, wattled, white-naped
Pacific white shrimp
Coho salmon
Goldfish
Koi
Wallaroos

State Statutes (Laws):

Nebraska

Category: B*

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess any wolf, skunk, or any member of the Felidae (cats, except domesticated) and Ursidae (bear) families unless the animal was in possession prior to March 1, 1986. However, there are no state requirements for non-human primates and reptiles.

Citation: NEB. REV. STAT. §37-477

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Nebraska

Domestic pets are allowed as pets without a permit, including:

Guinea pigs
Ferrets
Chinchillas

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Nebraska

Some animals are banned as pets if acquired after March 1, 1986, including:

Wolves
Skunks
Felines, except domestic cats
Bears
Hawks
Owls
Eagles
Jackrabbits, including blacktail and whitetail
Short-horned lizards
Asian raccoon dogs
White-tailed deer
Mule deer
Red deer
Wild pigs
Bighorn and thinhorn sheep, in certain counties
Any wild bird or mammal in need of conservation
Any wild bird or mammal listed as an endangered or threatened species

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Nebraska: A Captive Wildlife Permit is required to keep certain captive wild birds, mammals, or wildlife, including:

Badgers
Beavers
Gray and red foxes
Minks
Muskrats
Opossum
Raccoons
River otters
Long-tailed weasels
Flying squirrels
Fox squirrels
Gray squirrels
Cottontail rabbits
Hungarian and Chukar partridges
Ringneck or Common pheasants
Bobwhite quails
Trumpeter swans
Crows
Sharptail and prairie chick grouse
Wild turkeys
Bighorn sheep, though restricted in some counties

State Statutes (Laws):

Nevada

Category: N

Summary of Law: Specific animals, set forth in NEV. ADMIN. CODE ch. 503, §110 are prohibited from private ownership except if the animal was in possession prior to February 28, 1994. Examples of animals listed under §110 are the following: alligators, crocodiles, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, etc. However, other exotic animals may be possessed without a permit or license. Examples of these exotic animals are: monkeys and other Primates, Marsupials, elephants, felines, wolves, etc.

Citation: NEV. ADMIN. CODE
ch. 503, §110; ch. 503, §140; ch. 504, §488

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Nevada

Nevada has a long list of animals that can be kept without permits, including:

Canaries
Toucans
Lovebirds
Nonindigenous house finches
Parakeets
Cockatiels
Mynah birds
Parrots
Hamsters
Domesticated races of rats and mice
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Monkeys and other primates
Aquarium fish
Marsupials
Elephants
Felines, except mountain lions and bobcats
Wolves lawfully acquired and bred in captivity
Camels
European ferrets
Llamas
American bison
Marine mammals
Ostriches
Emus
Rheas
Nonvenomous, nonindigenous reptile species and subspecies
Albino forms of indigenous reptile species
Alpacas
Guinea fowl
Old World species of pheasants, partridges, quails, francolins, peafowl, and jungle fowl, except Chukar partridges, Hungarian partridges, snow cocks; and ring-necked and white, winged pheasants
Domesticated turkeys
Domesticated races of ducks and geese
Domesticated races of chinchillas
Domesticated races of minks
Yaks
Cassowaries
Coturnix quail
Zebras
Saltwater fish, crustaceans, and mollusks
Nonindigenous species of amphibians, except bullfrogs
African pygmy hedgehogs
California kingsnakes that do not have between their head and vent a continuous pattern of bands or rings regardless of whether the bands or rings are opened or closed

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Nevada

Some animals are not allowed as pets in Nevada, including:

Wild pigs and hogs
Axis deer
Red deer elk and wapiti
Rusa, Sambar, Sika, Roe, and white-tailed deer
Moose
Reedbucks
Oryxes and gemsboks
Addaxes
Blesboks, topi, and bonteboks
Wild dogs or dhole
Raccoon dogs
Mongooses
Meerkats
Wild European rabbits
Multimammate rats or mice
Bats
Nutrias
Coyotes
Foxes
Raccoons
Skunks
Hartebeests
Wildebeest and gnus
Chamois
Tahrs
Ibex, wild goats, turs, and markhors
Barbary sheep
Mouflon sheep, urials, bighorn, and argali
Alligators
Crocodiles
Gharials
Bird snakes
Boomslangs
Keelbacks
Burrowing asps
Coral snakes, cobras, kraits, mambas, Australian elapids
Pit vipers and true vipers, except indigenous species
Snapping turtles
Giant or marine toads
Clawed frogs
Pink starlings
Rosy pastors
Red-billed dioches
Red-whiskered bul-buls
Lampreys
Freshwater stingrays
Freshwater sharks
Bowfins
Gars
Herrings and shads, except threadfins and gizzards
European whitefish
Mexican banded tetras
Piranhas
South American parasitic catfish
White perch
Freshwater drums
Grass carp, except certified triploids with a permit
Pike topminnows
Snakeheads
Walking catfish
Tigerfish
Sticklebacks
Tilapia
Nile perch
Goldeyes
Carp (various species)
Rudds
Northern pikes
Asian swamp eels
New Zealand mudsnails
African giant snails
Zebra and quagga mussels
Crayfish
Asiatic mitten crabs

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Nevada: If the Nevada Department of Wildlife issued you a permit or license to keep an animal prior to February 28, 1994, you are allowed to keep that animal and its progeny under certain conditions.

State Statutes (Laws):

Nevada Administrative Code. Wildlife and Management section 503.140, 504.295, 503.110, 503.140. 504.488

New Hampshire

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess exotic animals, such as felines, bears, wolves, poisonous reptiles, and non-human primates, unless they are exhibitors. However, there are certain noncontrolled animals that may be privately possessed within the state without a license. Noncontrolled animals include, but are not limited to: sugar gliders, non-venomous reptiles, ferrets, etc.

Citation: N.H. REV. STATE ANN. §207:14 and N.H. CODE ADMIN. R Fis §802.01, §804.01, §804.02, §804.03, §804.04, §804.05, Table 800.02

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not require a permit to possess “non-controlled” wildlife, including:

Ornamental aquarium fish
Exotic amphibians
Up to five indigenous amphibians
Exotic reptiles, except alligators, crocodiles, and venomous reptiles other than Western Hognose snakes
Cockatiels
Canaries
Parrots
Parakeets
Mynah birds
Finches
Pekin robins
Weavers
Toucans
Button quail
Pigeons, exotic and feral
Doves
Emus
Ostriches
Rhea
Exotic migratory waterfowl, except mute swans
Mallard waterfowl
Some gallinaceous birds
Chinchillas
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Mice
Ferrets
Llamas
Alpacas
Potbelly pigs
Rabbits
African pygmy hedgehogs
Sugar gliders
Tenrecs
Yaks
Camels
Asian water buffalo
Degus
Guanacos
Bison
Most local marine species

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in New Hampshire

Some animals are prohibited as pets, including:

Armadillos
Anteaters
Badgers
Barbary sheep
Bears
Beavers
Wild boars
Bobcats
Chipmunks
Deer
Elephants
Kangaroos
Kinkajous
Lemmings
Leopards
Lions
Lynx
Mongooses
Mouse
Muskrat
Virginia opossum
Prairie dogs
Porcupines
Primates
Raccoons
African pouched rats
Shrews
Skunks
Squirrels
Flying squirrels
Tigers
Voles
Wallabies
Water buffalo
Weasels
Wolverines
Wolves
Zebras
Zebra mussels
Spiny waterfleas
Fishhook waterfleas
Non-indigenous catfish
Asiatic clams
Walking catfish
White amurs
Grass carp
Black carp
European rudds
Round gobies
Tubenose gobies
Ruffes
Snakeheads
Bighead carp
Silver carp

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in New Hampshire: Permits are required for certain animals, including:

American toads
Gray treefrogs
Spring peepers
American bullfrogs
Green frogs
Pickerel frogs
Mink frogs
Wood frogs
Spotted salamanders
Northern two-lined salamanders
Northern dusk salamanders
Eastern red-backed salamanders
Red-spotted newts
Musk turtles
Painted turtles
Snapping turtles
Ring-necked snakes
Northern watersnakes
Brown snakes
Red-bellied snakes
Garter snakes
Ring-necked pheasants
Chukar partridges
Grey partridges

State Statutes (Laws):

New Jersey

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess a potentially dangerous species as a “pet.” Potentially dangerous species include the following orders: Primates; Carnivora (nondomestic dogs and cats, bears); Saura (venomous gila monsters); Serpentes (venomous coral snakes, cobras, vipers, pit vipers); Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles, gavials); Psittaciformes (ring-necked and monk parakeets); and Rodentia (prairie dogs, ground squirrels). Zoos and other exhibitors may possess these animals upon showing that specific criteria have been met, such as extensive experience in handling and caring for the animal.

Citation: N.J. ADMIN. CODE tit. 7, §25-4.8 and §25-4.9

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in New Jersey

Some animals may be kept as pets without any permits, including:

Budgerigars
Cockatiels
Peafowl
Rock doves
Canaries
House sparrows
European starlings
Zebra finches
Society finches
Ostriches
Greater rheas
Lesser rheas
Emus
Hamsters
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Pigmy goats
Mice
Rats
Chipmunks
Red squirrels
Flying squirrels
Alpacas
Guanacos
Llamas
Bison
American anoles
Common iguanas
Boa constrictors
Eastern painted turtles
Snapping turtles
Fence lizards
Garter snakes
Tokay geckos
Ribbon snakes
Leopard frogs
Green frogs
American toads
Fowlers toads
Bullfrogs
Red newts
Dusky salamanders

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in New Jersey

Prohibited pets include:

Any African species
Elephants
Rhinoceros
Tigers
Lions
Leopards
Cheetahs
Pangolins
Marine turtles
Rays
Monkeys
Baboons
Apes
Non-domestic dogs
Bears
Non-domestic cats
Gila monsters
Coral snakes
Cobras
Alligators
Caimans
Crocodiles
Gavials
Ring-necked parakeets
Monk parakeets
Patagonia conures
Prairie dogs
Ground squirrels

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in New Jersey: Permits are required for certain animals, including but not limited to:

Red-fronted parrots
Turquoise-fronted parrots
Yellow-cheeked parrots
Half-moon conures
Jenday parrots
African gray parrots
Macaws
Ferrets
Kinkajous
Coatimundi
European hedgehogs
Llamas
Exotic sheep
Exotic goats
Pythons
Rat snakes
Members of the Bosas family, except boa constrictors
King snakes
Racers
Ringneck snakes
Green snakes
Collared lizards
Monitors
Skinks
Ameivas
Chuckwallas
Alligator lizards
Geckos other than Tokay Geckos
Armadillo lizards

State Statutes (Laws):

New Mexico

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for a person to possess non-domesticated felines, primates, crocodiles, alligators, and wolves.

Citation: Policy Statement by the Department of Game & Fish.

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in New Mexico

New Mexico does not specifically list any exotic animals that can be kept as pets.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in New Mexico

Though many New Mexico cities have much more stringent exotic pet laws than at the state level, some animals are forbidden as pets in the state of New Mexico, including:

Felines
Crocodiles
Wolves
Alligators
Primates

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in New Mexico: The health department has reserved the authority to place regulations on the following animals as pets:

Subhuman primates
Captive-born skunks
Raccoons
Foxes
Sylvatic carnivores

State Statutes (Laws):

New York

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for a person to possess a wild animal. A wild animal is defined as: all members of the felidae family (except domestic cats); all members of the canidae family (except domestic dogs); all bears; all non-human primates, venomous reptiles, and crocodiles. A person who possesses a wild animal on the effective date of the law, January 1, 2005, has 60 days to obtain a permit for the animal with the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Citation: N.Y. ENVTL. CONSERV. §11-0103, §11-0303, §11-0511, §11-0512, §11-0516, §11-0103, and §11-0917; N.Y. AGRIC. & MKTS. §370.

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in New York

New York allows feline hybrids F4 or later as pets without any license or permit.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in New York

You can’t have the following pets in the state of New York:

Any wild animals
Nonhuman primates and prosimians
All cats and hybrids except domesticated and feral cats
All dogs except domesticated dogs and captive-bred fennec foxes
Bears
All venomous snakes
Burmese pythons
Reticulated pythons
African rock pythons
Green anacondas
Yellow anacondas
Australian amethystine pythons
Indian pythons
Asiatic monitors
Nile monitors
Whitethroat monitors
Black throat monitors
Crocodile monitors
Komodo dragons
Crocodiles
Lions
Raccoon dogs
Wolfdogs
Animals indistinguishable from wolves or coyotes

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in New York: Animals that are grandfathered in under a Dangerous Wildlife License may be kept as pets.

State Statutes (Laws): New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law – ENV section 11-0103, 11-0511, 11-0512, 11-0917

North Carolina

Category: N

Summary of Law: A county or city may by ordinance regulate, restrict, or prohibit the possession of dangerous animals. In addition, an entry permit from the State Veterinarian is required before importing into the state a skunk, fox, raccoon, ringtail, bobcat, North and South American felines, coyote marten, and brushtail possum.

Citation: N.C. SESS. LAWS §153A-131 and §160A-187; N.C. ADMIN. CODE tit. 2, r. 52B.0212

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in North Carolina

North Carolina does not list any specific animals that can definitively be kept as pets.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in North Carolina

The possession of dangerous animals is regulated by cities and countries.

State Statutes (Laws): North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 153A. Counties section 153A-131, 160A-187

North Dakota

Category: L

Summary of Law: Category 3, 4, or 5 of nontraditional livestock may be possessed in the state after obtaining an import permit; a nontraditional livestock license; a certificate from a veterinarian. Category 4 is those species that are considered inherently dangerous, including bears, wolves, wolf hybrids, primates, all non-domesticated cats except Canadian lynx, and bobcat.

Citation: N.D. ADMIN. CODE §48-12-01-02 and §48-12-01-03

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in North Dakota

The following animals can be kept as pets in North Dakota without a permit:

Arachnids
Amphibians
Invertebrates
Nonvenomous noninjurious reptiles
Tropical freshwater fish
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Mice
Rats
Sugar gliders
Turkeys, geese, and ducks morphologically distinguishable from wild turkeys, geese, and ducks
Pigeons
Rabbits
Ratites
Chinchillas
Guinea fowl
Ranch foxes
Ranch mink
Peafowl
All pheasants
Quail
Chukar
Hedgehog
Degus

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in North Dakota

North Dakota forbids some animals from being pets, including:

Skunks
Raccoons
Venomous reptiles

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in North Dakota: License and import permit is required for certain animals, including:

Wild pigs
Mountain lions
Jaguars
Leopards
Lions
Tigers
Cheetahs
Bears
Wolves
Nonvenomous injurious reptiles
Primates
Non-domestic sheep and goats
Deer
Pronghorns
Zebras
Non-domestic cats
Waterfowl
Shorebirds
Some upland game birds
Crows
Wolverines
Bats
Otters
Martens
Fishers
Kit or swift foxes
Badgers
Coyotes
Mink
Red and gray foxes
Muskrats
Beavers
Weasels
Opossums
Prairie dogs
Ground squirrels
Black sheep
Hawaiian sheep
Corsican sheep
Painted desert sheep
Multi-horned hair sheep
New Mexico dall sheep
Texas dall sheep
Desert sand sheep

State Statutes (Laws):

Ohio

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful to possess a dangerous wild animal after Jan. 1, 2014. Persons in possession of dangerous wild animals prior to Oct. 1, 2013, must obtain a permit in order to keep the animal(s) after Jan. 1, 2014. The definition of wild animal includes, but is not limited to: hyenas; gray wolves, excluding hybrids; lions; tigers; jaguars; leopards; cheetahs; cougars; bears; elephants; rhinoceroses; hippopotamuses; African wild dogs; Komodo dragons; alligators; crocodiles; caimans, excluding dwarf caimans; black-handed, white-bellied, brown-headed and black spider monkeys; common woolly monkeys; red, black and mantled howler monkeys.

Citation: O.H. REV. CODE §1533.71; and §935. O.H. ADMIN CODE 901:1-2 and 901:1-4.

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Ohio

Ohio residents cannot have more than four of each species of collectible reptiles or collectible wild, native amphibians. Service spider monkeys are allowed

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Ohio

“Dangerous wild animals” may not be kept as pets, including:

Hyenas
Pure grey wolves
Lions
Tigers
Jaguars
Leopards
Clouded leopards
Sundra leopards
Snow leopards
Cheetahs
Lynx
Cougars
Caracals
Servals
Domestic cat hybrids, except for Savannah cats
Bears
Elephants
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamuses
Cape buffalo
African wild dogs
Komodo dragons
Alligators
Crocodiles
Caimans, except for dwarfs
Gharials
Nonhuman primates except lemurs
Golden lions
Black-faced lions
Golden-rumped lions
Cotton-top tamarins
Emperor tamarins
Saddlebacked tamarins
black-mantled tamarins
Geoffrey’s tamarins
Southern and northern night monkeys
Dusky titi and masked titi monkeys
Muriquis
Goeldi’s monkeys
White-faced, black-bearded, white-nose bearded, and monk sakis
Bald and black uakaris
Black-handed, white-bellied, brown-headed, and black spider monkeys
Common woolly monkeys
Red, black, and mantled howler monkeys

Some invasive species are also prohibited as pets, including:

Walking catfish
Diploid white amur
Diploid grass carp
Silver carp
Black carp
Ruffes
Round gobies
Snakeheads
White perch
Three spin sticklebacks
Sea lampreys
Eastern banded killfish or hybrids
Raccoon dogs
Marrons
Yabbies
Zebra mussels
Quagga mussels
Rudds

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Ohio: Dangerous wild animals were grandfathered in Lemurs, marmosets, squirrel monkeys, and capuchins, which require registration. Permits are required for restricted snakes that are 12 feet or longer, including:

Yellow anacondas
Green anacondas
Reticulated pythons
Indian pythons
Burmese pythons North and South African rock pythons
Amethystines

Permits are required for the following restricted snakes of any length:

All Atractaspididae
All Elapidae
All Viperidae
Boomslangs
Twig snakes

Non-native raccoons may be kept as pets with proper certification of veterinary inspection and proof of legal ownership

Non-domestic animals require an entry permit and a certification of veterinary inspection within 30 days of entry into the state

If you wish to keep and propagate certain animals, even with no intention of selling them, you will need to obtain a “noncommercial propagating license” for the following animals:

Game birds
Game quadrupeds, except captive white-tailed deer, reptiles, amphibians, and fur-bearing animals

Possessing wild reptiles and amphibians requires detailed records and written permission from the chief of the division of wildlife

State Statutes (Laws):

Oklahoma

Category: L

Summary of Law: No person may possess or raise wildlife for commercial purposes without having first obtained a permit. Regardless to whether the possession is actually for “commercial purposes,” all persons owning these animals as “pets” must obtain this particular permit.

Citation: OKLA. STAT. Tit. 29, §4-107

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Oklahoma

The following animals do not need a license to be kept as pets:

Alpacas
Guanacos
Vicunas
Bison
Camels
Cats, except native cats
Cattle
Chickens
Chinchillas
Dogs, except native foxes and coyotes
Exotic tropical fish
Ferrets, except black-footed, Mustela nigripes
Gerbils
Goats
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Hedgehogs
Horse
Donkeys
Mules
Llamas
Domestic mice
Native invertebrates, except for crayfish and all freshwater mussels, including Zebra and Asian clams
Peafowl
Pigeons
Migratory waterfowl
Pigs, except for javelinas
Rabbits, except cottontails, jackrabbits, swamp rabbits, and other native wild rabbits
Domesticated rats
Saltwater crustaceans and mollusks
Sheep, except dall and bighorn sheep
Turkeys, except Rio Grande, Eastern, Merriam, and Osceola
Zebras
Gerboasies
Sugar gliders
Civets
Wallabies
Kangaroos
Fennec foxes
Coatamundi
Primates
Most monotypic species or reptiles and amphibians not indigenous to Oklahoma

Some imported birds must have legal import documentation, which then excludes them from requiring a license, including:

Cockatoos
Cockatiels
Canaries
Macaws
Finches
Parrots
Parakeets
Budgerigars
Ostriches
Rheas
Emus

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Oklahoma

Oklahoma bans certain pets:

Native bears over 50 pounds, including black bears
Native cats over 50 pounds, including cougars

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Oklahoma: A Noncommercial Wildlife Breeders License is required to own any wildlife not specifically allowed as pets, including:

All venomous reptiles in the Elapidae family, including cobras and coral snakes
All venomous reptiles in the Hydrophidae family, including sea snakes
All venomous reptiles in the Viperidae family, including vipers
All venomous reptiles in the Crotalidae family, including rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths
Boomslangs
Gila monsters
Beaded lizards

State Statutes (Laws):

Oregon

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for a person to possess an exotic animal. Exotic animal is defined as any wild cat, non-human primate, canine not indigenous to Oregon, bear (except black bear), and any alligator, crocodile, or caiman. A person who possesses an exotic animal on the effective date of the law may continue to keep the animal and has 90 days to obtain a permit for the animal with the Department of Agriculture.

Citation: OR. REV. STAT. §609.305-§609.335

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Oregon

Some exotic animals are not considered to be wild and, thus, can be pets with no permit required, including:

Alpacas
Guanacos
Llamas
Asses
Burros
Donkeys
Bison
Camels
Domestic cats
Cattle
Yaks
Chinchillas
Domestic dogs
European rabbits
Ferrets
Gerbils
Goats
Guinea pigs
Common hamsters
Horses
House mice
Mules
Mute swans, so long as males are neutered and all are surgically pinioned
Hinnies
Rats
Sheep
Swine
Vicunas
Cassowaries
Chickens
Ducks
Geese
Emus
Guinea fowl
Ostriches
Parrots
Parakeets
Lories
Cockatoos
Peafowl
Pigeons
Rock doves
Rheas
Turkeys

Oregon lists some wildlife as “noncontrolled,” and, thus, these pets do not require a permit:

Antelope
Buffalo
Giraffes
Okapi
Pygmy hippopotamuses
Hippopotamuses
Peccaries
Chevrotains
Aardwolves
Seals
Sea lions
Red/lesser pandas
Olingos
Coatimundis
Kinkajous
Binturongs
Whales
Dolphins
Old World fruit bats
Numbats
Flying lemurs
Short-tailed opossum
Feathertail gliders
Kangaroos
Wallabies
Striped possum
Sugar gliders
Cuscuses
Four-toed hedgehogs
Dry county bandicoots
Rainforest bandicoots
Zebras
Asses
Rhinoceros
Tapirs
Pangolins
Tree-toed sloths
Two-toed tree sloths
Anteaters
Elephants
Scaly-tailed squirrels
Maras
Hutias
Dwarf hamsters
Pacas
Agoutis
Acouchis
Pacaranas
Prehistoric-tailed porcupines
Spiny mice
Bushy-tailed cloud rats
African giant pouched rats
African white-tailed rats
Slender tailed rats
Degus
South African springhares
Prevost’s squirrels
African palm squirrels
Pygmy flying squirrels
Old palm squirrels
Giant squirrels
Manatees
Aardvarks
Senegal thick-knees
Water thick-knees
Mousebirds
Collies
Blue-winged kookaburras
Woodland kingfishers
African pygmy kingfishers
Hornbills
Rollers
Bee-eaters
Motmots
White-browed coucals
Pheasant coucals
Senegal coucals
Greater coucals
Turacos
Plaintain eaters
Go-away birds
Curassows
Guans
Chachalacas
Megapodes
Trumpeters
Buttonquails
Hemipodes
Orange-breasted bunting
Cotingas
Red-crested finches
Pileated finch
Yellow-breasted buntings
Golden-breasted buntings
Yellow cardinals
Black-crested finches
Crested buntings
Yellow-billed cardinals
Red-crested cardinals
Black-capped warbling finches
Saffron finches
Double-collared seedeaters
Rusty-collared seedeaters
Parrot-billed seedeaters
Slate-colored seedeaters
Swallow tanagers
Cuban grassquits
Blue-black grassquits
Waxbills
Mannikins
Munlans
Broadbills
Black siskins
Linnets
European goldfinches
Red siskins
Hooded siskins
Yellow-breasted greenfinches
European siskins
Yellow-rumped siskins
Yellow-bellied siskins
Yellow-billed grosbeaks
Oriole finches
Brown bullfinches
Eurasian bullfinches
Black-throated island canaries
Island canaries
Yellow-crowned canaries
White-rumped seedeaters
Yellow-fronted canaries
European serins
Long-tailed rosefinches
Troupials
Allies
Leafbirds
Fairy bluebirds
Honeyeaters
Old World flycatchers
Sudan sparrows
Red-headed weavers
Yellow-crowned widowbirds
Red-collared widowbirds
Black-winged bishops
Jackson’s widowbirds
Yellow-shouldered widowbirds
Red bishops
Long-tailed widowbirds
Red fodies
Orange weavers
Village weavers
Lesser masked weavers
Little weavers
Baya weavers
Vitelline-masked weavers
Speckle-fronted weavers
Scaly weavers
Sugarbirds
Golden-crested mynas
Violet-backed starlings
Emerald starlings
Golden-breasted starlings
Common hill mynas
Long-tailed glossy-starlings
Bronze-tailed glossy-starlings
Greater blue-eared glossy-starlings
Lesser blue-eared glossy-starlings
Hildebrandt’s starlings
Chestnut-bellied starling
Purple-headed glossy-starlings
Purple glossy-starlings
Rueppell’s glossy-starlings
Splendid glossy-starlings
Superb starlings
Bali mynas
Golden mynas
Yellow-faced mynas
Tanagers
Allies
Babblers
White-eyes
Barbets
Toucans
Penguins
Tinamous
Trogons
Allophrynid tree frogs
Hairy frogs
Cane toads
African tree toads
Live-bearing toads
Glass frogs
Poison arrow frogs
Ghost frogs
Shovel-nosed frogs
Leaf frogs
Casque-headed frogs
Water-holding frogs
Marsupial frogs
Marbled tree frogs
Australian giant tree frogs
Slender-legged tree frogs
Cuban tree frogs
White’s tree frogs
Golden-eyed tree frogs
Monkey frogs
Burrowing frogs
Casque-headed tree frogs
Shovel-headed tree frogs
Banana frogs
Reed frogs
Running frogs
Forest tree frogs
New Zealand frogs
Common horned frogs
Rain or robber frogs
Paraguay horned toads
Asian horned toads
Tomato frogs
Narrow-mouthed frogs
Sheep frogs
Malaysian narrow-mouthed frogs
Tusked frogs
Pouched frogs
Giant burrowing frogs
Cannibal frogs
Turtle frogs
Australian spadefoot toads
Browned toadlets
Gastric brooding frogs
Torrent frogs
Australian toadlets
Parsley frogs
Dwarf clawed frogs
Surinam frogs
Mantella frogs
Foam nest tree frogs
Gliding or flying frogs
Tonkin bug-eyed frogs
Mexican burrowing frogs
Seychelles frogs
Axoloti
Gold-striped salamanders
Black-spotted and striped newts
Spectacled salamanders
Caecilians
Worm lizards
Pricklenapes
Rainbow iguanas
Frilled dragons
Humphead forest dragons
Sailfin lizards
Anglehead forest dragons
Splendid japalures
Water dragons
Bearded dragons
Mastigures
Strange agamas
Chameleons
Geckos
Gila monsters
Beaded lizards
Iguana lizards
Asian grass lizards
Skinks
Ameivas
Tegus
Monitor lizards
Night lizards
American knob-scaled lizards
File snakes
All nonnative pythons and boas
Milk, pine, corn rat, garter snakes
Kingsnakes
Gopher snakes
Egyptian cobras
Black and white cobras
Red spitting cobras
King cobras
Bush vipers
Gaboon vipers
Rhinoceros vipers
Horned vipers
Rattlesnakes
Saw-scaled vipers
Bushmasters
False horned vipers
Pygmy rattlesnakes
Pignoise turtles
Austro-American side-necked turtles
Marine turtles
River turtles
Leatherback turtles
Sand and box turtles
American mud and musk turtles
Bighead turtles
Tortoises
Softshell tortoises

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Oregon

Oregon prohibits “exotic animal” pets unless the owner obtained a valid Oregon exotic animal permit prior to 2010. No new permits are being issued. Exotic animals include:

Non-human primates
Bears, except the American black bear
Non-indigenous canines that are not domestic or domestic hybrids
Non-indigenous felines that are not domestic or domestic hybrids
Skunks
Crocodilians

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Oregon: Oregon will honor USDA permits obtained on “exotic animals” as well as permits issued prior to 2010. Oregon allows disabled people to own service monkeys as pets. Falcons and hawks are only allowed with a falconry permit.

Oregon allows some native nongame wildlife to be held as pets, but you must have a valid Wildlife Holding Permit and are limited to three per household. Native nongame wildlife includes:

Northwestern salamanders
Long-toed salamanders
Pacific giant salamanders
Ensatinas
Western red-backed salamanders
Rough-skinned newts
Pacific treefrog or Pacific chorus frogs
Northern alligator lizards
Southern alligator lizards
Western skinks
Northern sagebrush lizards
Western fence lizards
Common side-blotched lizards
Western rattlesnakes, excluding those in Willamette Valley
Pacific gopher snakes
Western terrestrial garter snakes
Northwestern garter snakes
Common garter snakes
North American porcupines
Long-tailed voles
Montane voles
Creeping voles
Ermines
Long-tailed weasels
bushy-tailed woodrats
Dusky-footed woodrats
Deer mice
Great basin pocket mice
Coast moles
Northern pocket gophers
California ground squirrels
Belding’s ground squirrels
Brush rabbits
Douglas’s squirrels

The following animals are considered “prohibited” and cannot be kept as pets without a Prohibited Species Permit:

Chamois
Tahrs
Wildebeests
Central Asian gazelles
Wild boars
Foxes
Wild dogs
Mongooses
North American otters
Asian small-clawed otters
Civets
Genets
Bats
Nine-banded armadillos
Broad-footed marsupial mice
Brush-tailed marsupial mice
Dunnants
Virginia opossum
Common brushtails
Common ringtails
Eurasian hedgehogs
Hares
Jackrabbits
Cottontails
Argentine Plains visachas
Chinese jumping mice
Desert jerboas
Kangaroo rats
Pale kangaroo mice
Pocket mice
Capybaras
Old World porcupines
Mouselike hamsters
Ratlike hamsters
Bushy-tailed jirds
Nutrias
Fat dormice
Antelope ground squirrels
Tricolored squirrels
Prairie dogs
Southern flying squirrels
Marmots
Giant flying squirrels
Eastern gray squirrels
Eastern fox squirrels
Eurasian red squirrels
Ground squirrels
Chipmunks
African ground squirrels
Egyptian geese
Spotted thick-knees
Kingfishers
Laughing kookaburras
Yellowhammers
European greenfinches
Chaffinches
Tiger salamanders
Amphiumas
Giant salamanders
Hellbenders
American giant salamanders
Asian salamanders
Shovel-nosed salamanders
Waterdogs
Firebelly newts
European Mountain or Brook salamanders
Caucasus or spine-tailed salamanders
Red-spotted or Eastern newts
Chinese newts
Warty newts
Ribbed newts
Fire salamanders
Roughskin newts
Alpine newts
Crocodile newts
Sirens
Fire-bellied toads
True toads
Midwife toads
Painted frogs
Cricket frogs
European tree frogs
Cope’s gray tree frogs
Green tree frogs
Mediterranean tree frogs
Gray tree frogs
Chorus frogs
Australian froglets
Australian swamp frogs
Barred frogs
Spadefoot toads
Asians clawed frogs
African bullfrogs
Siberian frogs
Khabarovsk frogs
Crawfish frogs
Swedish swamp frogs
Asian frog
Rio Grande leopard frog
Plains leopard frogs
Caucasus frogs
Inkiapo frogs
Toudaohe frogs
Green frogs
Spring frogs
Dybowski’s frogs
River frogs
Stream frogs
Pig frogs
Turkish frogs
Iberian frogs
Agile frogs
Italian agile frogs
Kokorit or Taipa frogs
Brusa frogs
Nikko frogs
Pickerel frogs
Mink frogs
Wood frogs
Tago frogs
European common frogs
Tasushia frogs
Carpenter frogs
Snapping turtles
Chinese pond turtles
Pond turtles
Painted turtles
European pond turtles
Blanding’s turtles
Map turtles
Asian pond turtles
Pond sliders
Common musk turtles
Common mud turtles
North American soft shells
Slow worm
Armored glass lizards
Sand lizards
Jeweled lizards
Iberian Mountain lizards
Meadow lizards
Iberian emerald lizards
Balkan emerald lizards
Emerald lizards
Viviparous lizards
Erhard’s wall lizards
Iberian wall lizards
Crocodile lizards
Brown tree snakes
Cape cobras
Copperheads
Cottonmouths
Puff adders
Lanceheads
Palm pit vipers
Rattlesnakes
Mid-east vipers
Pygmy rattlesnakes
Asian pit vipers
Wagler’s palm vipers
Sand vipers
Bowfins
Piranhas
Caribes
Walking catfish
Oriental weatherfish
Ides
Rudds
Asian carp
Black carp
Snakeheads
Round goby
Ruffes
Sanders
Pike-perch
Pikes
Pickerels
Muskellunges
Asian clams
Zebra mussels
Quagga mussels
Japanese oyster drills
Chinese mystery snails
Japanese mystery snails
Chinese mitten crabs
Blue crabs

State Statutes (Laws):

Pennsylvania

Category: L

Summary of Law: No person may keep exotic wildlife without first receiving a permit from the wildlife commission. Exotic wildlife includes, but is not limited to all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves, and any crossbreed of these animals, that have similar characteristics in appearance or features.

Citation: 34 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. §2961 and §2963 58 Pa. Code §137.1.

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not specifically list any exotic pets that are legal to own without a permit.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not specifically list exotic pets that are illegal to own.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Pennsylvania: You must have an Exotic Wildlife Possession permit to have an exotic pet, which includes:

Bears
Coyotes
Lions
Tigers
Leopards
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Cougars
Wolves
Hybrids

Timber rattlesnakes and Eastern copperheads may be kept as pets only if legally collected from the wild and require a Venomous Snake Permit. Pet owners are limited to one Timber Rattlesnake.

State Statutes (Laws):

Rhode Island

Category: L

Summary of Law: No person may possess, without first obtaining a permit from the department, animals of the following orders, families, and genera: Primates, Carnivores, Amphibia, Reptilia, Canidae, and Insecta. All person obtaining a permit must demonstrate they have both adequate facilities, and adequate knowledge of animal health and husbandry to ensure both public safety and health.

Citation: R.I. GEN. LAWS §4-18-3; 1994 R.I. PUB. LAWS 12 020 030

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Rhode Island

The following animals may be kept without a permit, including:

Alpacas
Common coturnix
Domestic camels
Domestic cats
Domestic cattle
Domestic chickens
Domestic dogs
Domestic mallard ducks
Domestic equines
Domestic goats
Domestic guinea fowl
Domestic hamsters
Domestic rabbits, except European and San Juan rabbits
Domestic sheep
Domestic swine
Domestic turkeys
Domestic water buffalo
Domestic yaks
Guinea pigs
Lab mice
Lab rats
Llamas
Mongolian gerbils
Peafowl
African pygmy hedgehogs
Captive-bred chinchillas
Deer mice
White-footed mice
Degus
Egyptian spiny mice
House mice
Jerboas
Norway rats
Pacas
Common captive-bred hamsters
Sugar gliders
Non-native, exotic amphibians, if kept securely indoors
Most exotic turtles that aren’t specifically prohibited
Red-eared slider turtles, if kept securely indoors
Most invertebrates, unless specifically prohibited
Aquarium trade fish that aren’t specifically prohibited
Exotic boas and pythons that don’t specifically require a permit
Shield-tale snakes
Sunbeam snakes
Worm snakes
Thread snakes
Asian rat snakes
Bird snakes or puffing snakes
Brown and redbelly snakes
Glossy snakes
Gopher and pine snakes
Green snakes
House snakes
Kingsnakes
Milk snakes
Mole snakes
North American rat snakes
Texas indigo snakes
Tropical rat snakes
Water snakes
Western hognose snakes
Skinks
False club-tailed lizards
Girdle-tailed lizard
Plated lizards
Rock lizards
Most teiids that don’t specifically require a permit
Acanthodactyls, Galliotia, Podarcis, and Psammodromus lacertid lizards
Alligator lizards
Glass lizards
Slowworms
All geckos except Big Bend geckos
Basilisks lizards
Collard and leopard lizards
Common or green iguanas
False or spring-tailed iguanas
New World chameleons
Spiny lizards
Tree and bush lizards
Zebra-tailed lizards
Water dragon lizards
All night lizards except Utah night lizards
Old World chameleons
Blue or button quails
Pigeons
Doves
Waxbills and allies
Finches and allies
Most weaver finches, unless they specifically require a permit
Parrots and allies
Toucans
Anacaris
Toucanets
Most starlings, unless they specifically require a permit
Mynahs

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Rhode Island

Rhode Island specifically prohibits some animals from being pets, including:

Wild carnivores and hybrids for which there is no USDA licenses rabies vaccine
Non-human primates
Mute swans
Mudpuppies
American bullfrogs
Zebra mussels
Spiny waterfleas
Fishhook waterfleas
Non-indigenous crayfish
Asiatic clams
Grass carp or white amurs
Rudds
Walking catfish
Snakeheads
Black carp
Round gobies
Tubenose gobies
Ruffes
Eastern American toads
Eastern red-backed salamanders
Eastern spadefoots
Four-toed salamanders
Fowler’s toads
Gray treefrogs
Marbled salamanders
Northern dusky salamanders
Northern green frogs
Northern leopard frogs
Northern spring salamanders
Northern two-lined salamanders
Pickerel frogs
Red-spotted newts
Spotted salamanders
Spring peepers
Wood frogs
Eastern box turtles
Eastern musk turtles
Eastern painted turtles
Eastern snapping turtles
Northern diamond-backed terrapins
Spotted turtles
Wood turtles
Common ribbonsnakes
Common watersnakes
Eastern gartersnakes
Eastern hog-nosed snakes
Eastern milksnakes
Eastern ratsnakes
Northern black racers
Northern brownsnakes
Northern red-bellied snakes
Northern ring-necked snakes
Smooth greensnakes
Timber rattlesnakes
American beavers
American minks
Big brown bats
Black bears
Bobcats
Common muskrats
Eastern chipmunks
Eastern cottontails
Eastern coyotes
Eastern gray squirrels
Eastern moles
Eastern red bats
Fisher bats
Gray foxes
Hairy-tailed moles
Hoary bats
Little brown bats
Long-tailed weasels
Masked shrews
Meadow voles
Moose
New England cottontails
Northern long-eared bats
Northern short-tailed shrews
Porcupines
Raccoons
Red foxes
Red squirrels
River otters
Short-tailed weasels
Silver-haired bats
Small-footed bats
Smoky shrews
Snowshoe hares
Southern bog lemmings
Southern flying squirrels
Southern red-backed voles
Star-nosed moles
Striped skunks
Tri-colored bats
Virginia opossum
Water shrews
White-footed mice
White-tailed deer
Woodchucks
Woodland jumping mice
Woodland voles

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Rhode Island: Ferrets may be kept as pets so long as a permit is acquired within two weeks of acquiring the animal. Certain exotic animal species require an Exotic Animal Possess Permit, including:

Argentina or Chaco tortoises
Gopher tortoises
Pancake tortoises
All venomous snakes
Emerald tree boas
Green tree pythons
African rock pythons
Reticulated pythons
Anacondas
Gila monsters
Beaded lizards
Monitors
Brown waters teiid
Earless teiids
Rough teiids
Snake teiids
Spectacled teiids
Worm teiids
Big Bend geckos
Red-billed finches
Black-fronted finches
Sudan dioch finches
Monk parakeets
Pink starlings
Rosy pastors
Native and exotic cervids

State Statutes (Laws):

South Carolina

Category: N

Summary of Law: It is unlawful to possess wolves or coyotes within the state. It is also unlawful to possess wildlife indigenous to the state without a permit. Specifically, one can not possess members of the Cervidae, Suidae, Tayassuidae (peccaries), Bovidae (bison, mountain goat, mountain sheep), nor can they possess coyotes, bears, turkeys, and furbearers. However, no state laws govern the possession of non-domesticated felines, primates, reptiles, and other wildlife not listed above.

Citation: S.C. CODE REGS. §50-11-1765 and §50-16-20

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in South Carolina

Ferrets may be owned as pets.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in South Carolina

Certain exotic animals cannot be kept as pets, including:

Lions
Tigers
Leopards
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Snow leopards
Non-native bears
Chimpanzees
Gorillas
Orangutans

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in South Carolina: Prohibited animals may be grandfathered in if they were registered with Animal Control by 01/01/2018.

State Statutes (Laws): South Carolina Code of Laws sections 47-2-10 et seq., 50-11-1765, 50-16-20

South Dakota

Category: L

Summary of Law: A permit is required to possess any non-domestic mammal, or any hybrids thereof of the following orders: Carnivora (Felidae — non-domestic, Canidae — non-domestic, Ursidae — bears, Mustelidae, and Hyaenidae); Artiodactyla (hoofed animals); Perissodactyla (Tapiridae and Rhinocerotidae). In addition, all animals (including those listed above and non-human primates and reptiles) must be examined by a veterinarian and be free of any contagious, infectious, epidemic, or communicable disease. No person may possess non-domestic pigs or raccoon dogs.

Citation: S.D. ADMIN. R. 12:68:18:03 and 12:68:18:03.01; and S.D. CODIFIED LAWS ANN. 40-14-2

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in South Dakota

Some domestic mammals that can breed with free-roaming wild elk, sheep, and goats may only be kept east of the Missouri River. These include:

Red deer
Sika deer
Sambar
Pere David’s deer
Axis deer
Mouflons
Argali
Urials
Blue sheep
Auodads
Barbary sheep
Hybrids of any of the above

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in South Dakota

Raccoon dogs and free-roaming wildlife may not be kept as pets.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in South Dakota: A Possession Permit is required for non-domestic animals, including:

Felidae family
Canidae family
Ursidae family
Mustelidae family
Hyanidae family
Tapiridae family
Rhinocerotidae family
All artiodactyla
African elephants
Asian elephants
Primates

State Statutes (Laws): South Dakota Legislative Rules Code section 12:68:18:03, 12:68:18:03.01

Tennessee

Category: B*

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess Class I wildlife unless they were in possession of the animal(s) prior to June 25, 1991. Class I wildlife includes the following orders: Primates (gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, gibbons, siamangs, mandrills, drills, baboons, Gelada baboons only); Carnivores (all wolves, all bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars); Proboscidia (all elephants); Perissodactyla (all rhinoceroses); Artiodactyla (all hippos and African buffalos); Crocodylia (crocodiles and alligators); Serpentes (all poisonous snakes); and Amphibians (all poisonous species). However, the state does not regulate private possession of species not listed above, such as monkeys and small non domesticated cats (ocelots, servals, etc.).

Citation: TENN. CODE ANN §70-4-401, §70-4-403, and §70-4-404

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Tennessee

Class III animals do not require any special permits or paperwork to be kept as pets, including:

Nonpoisonous reptiles and amphibians, except caimans and gavials
Gerbils
Hamsters
Guinea pigs
Rats
Mice
Squirrels
Chipmunks
Rabbits
Hares
Moles
Shrews
Ferrets
Chinchillas
Llamas
Alpacas
Guanacos, vicunas
Camels
Giraffes
Bison
Avian species not otherwise listed, excluding North American game birds, ostriches, and cassowary
Semi-domestic hogs
Sheep
Goats
All aquarium fish
Bovidae not otherwise listed
Marsupials
Common domestic farm animals
Equidae
Primates not otherwise listed
Bobcat and domestic cat hybrids
Captive-bred elk not within the eastern grand division of the state
Cervidae, except for white-tailed deer and wild elk
Hybrids resulting from a cross between a Class II and a domestic animal or Class III species

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Tennessee

Class IV animals may not be kept as pets, including:

Black bears
White-tailed deer
Wild turkeys
Hybrids of a Class IV species, other than a bobcat

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Tennessee: Tennessee separates animals into classes. To have a Class I pet, you will need to provide information to the state and obtain a permit. Class I animals include:

Wolves
Bears
Lions
Tigers
Leopards
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Cougars
Elephants
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamuses
African buffalo
Crocodiles
Alligators
All poisonous snakes

Tennessee considers all native animals not listed in any other class to be Class II animals. Pet owners must have papers providing the wildlife supplier and the date of acquisition.

State Statutes (Laws): Tennessee Code Title 70. Wildlife Resources section 70-4-401, 70-4-403 et seq.

Texas

Category: L

Summary of Law: No person may possess a dangerous wild animal without first obtaining a license (certificate of registration). Dangerous wild animals are defined as lions, tigers, ocelots, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, bobcats, lynxes, servals, caracals, hyenas, bears, coyotes, jackals, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, or any hybrids of the animals listed. However, there are no requirements for a person to possess all other animal not listed above, such as monkeys, wolves, etc.

Citation: TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 822.101-116; TEX. LOC. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 240.002(a) and § 240.0025

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Texas

If an animal isn’t banned or required to have a permit, it can be held as a pet. However, no person can possess more than six of any kind of animal and no more than 25 nongame wildlife animals at any given time. Captive-bred coatimundi may be kept as pets, but proof of legal acquisition is required. Permits are not required in any county west of the Pecos River with a population under 25,000.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Texas

Endangered species cannot be kept as pets. Invasive species of fish and shellfish are banned. Some pets are banned in Texas, including:

Wolves
Bats
Diamondback terrapins
Indigenous birds

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Texas: Owners must have a Certificate of Registration (CPR) to own “dangerous wild animals,” including:

Lions
Tigers
Ocelots
Cougars
Leopards
Cheetahs
Jaguars
Bobcats
Lynx
Bears
Coyotes
Jackals
Baboons
Chimpanzees
Orangutans
Gorillas
Hybrids

Pet owners must have a Residential Controlled Exotic Snake Permit for the following snakes:

Exotic venomous snakes
African rock pythons
Asiatic rock pythons
Green anacondas
Reticulated pythons
Southern African pythons

Keeping a pet alligator requires a special permit from the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

State Statutes (Laws):

Utah

Category: B

Summary of Law: A person may not possess live zoological animals that are classified as prohibited. Prohibited animals include, but are not limited to, the following families: Ursidae (bears), Canidae (all species), Felidae (all species except non-domesticated cats), Mustelidae (all species), Non-human primates, and certain species of reptiles, etc. However, in rare circumstances a person may possess these animals as a “pet” if the person obtains a certificate of registration from the Wildlife Board. Generally, exhibitors and educational and scientific facilities only obtain these registrations. A certificate of registration is not required for non-controlled species which alligators and crocodiles fall under.

Citation: UTAH ADMIN. R. 657-3-17, R. 657-3-24, R. 657-3-25, and R. 657-3-27

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Utah

Some domestic species of animals may be kept without any permits, though there may be limits on the number of pets kept, including:

Alligators
Aquarium fish purchased from a legal source
Brine shrimp, within certain rules
Alpacas
Asses or donkeys
American bison
Camels
Cassowaries
Domestic cat breeds recognized by The International Cat Association as Preliminary New, Advanced New, Non-championship, and Championship breeds
Cattle
Chicken
Chinchillas
Domestic dogs, including hybrids between wild and domestic species and subspecies
Domesticated ducks morphologically distinguishable
Domesticated elk
Emus
Ferrets or polecats
Fowl
Foxes that are privately owned, domestically bred, and raised
Domesticated geese
Gerbils
Goats
Hamsters
Hedgehogs
Horses
Llamas
American minks
House mice
Mules and hinnies
Ostriches
Peafowl
Guinea pigs
Pigeons
European rabbits
Norway and black rats
Rheas
Sheep
Sugar gliders
Domesticated swine
Tenrecs
Privately owned, pen-raised domestic turkeys
Water buffalo
Yaks, zebus, or brahmas

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Utah

Certain animals cannot be kept as pets, including:

Tigers
Lions
Cougars
Jaguars
Leopards
Cheetahs
Ocelots
Lynx
Servals
Bison
Bighorn sheep
Elks
Mule deer
Moose
Pronghorn antelopes
Rocky mountain goats
Albert’s squirrels
Prairie dogs
Merriam kangaroo rats
Desert rats
Ringtails
Cottontail and snowshoe rabbits
Weasels
Skunks
Martens
Minks
Black-footed ferrets
Banded Gila monsters
Desert iguanas
Glen Canyon and Western chuckwallas
Desert glossy snakes
Mojave Desert sidewinders
Mojave rattlesnakes
Sonoran lyre snakes
Speckled rattlesnakes
Utah milk snakes
Utah mountain kingsnakes
Desert tortoises
Coyotes
Wolves
Dingos
Foxes
Jackals
African wild dogs
Bears
Bats
River otters
Badgers
Primates
Venomous fish
Piranhas

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Utah: A Certificate of Registration is required for certain “prohibited” or “controlled” species, including:

Desert night lizards
Mojave zebra-tailed lizards
Utah banded geckos
Utah night lizards
California kingsnakes
Great Plains rat snakes
Mojave patch-nosed snakes
Utah blind snakes
Western rattlesnakes

State Statutes (Laws): Utah Administrative Rule sections 657-3-2 et seq.

Vermont

Category: B

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess exotic animals, such as large felines, bears, wolves, poisonous reptiles, and non-human primates as “pets.” Persons may possess exotic animals for exhibition and educational purposes if they obtain a permit. Please note that the state statute says a person may not bring into the state or possess an exotic animal unless they obtain a permit. However, no personal possession permits for “pets” are issued to individuals.

Citation: VT. STAT. ANN. Tit. 10, §4709

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Vermont

Vermont keeps an Unrestricted Wild Animals List containing animals that can be kept as pets without permits, including:

Sugar gliders
Agoutis
Domestic cat hybrids F4 or later
Hamsters
Gerbils
Domesticated mice and rats
Captive-bred African pygmy hedgehogs
Pigeons
Alligator lizards
Collared lizards
Tegus
Monitors
Geckos
Many kinds of boas and pythons

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Vermont

Some pets are prohibited, including:

Feral swine
Wild boars
Wild hogs
Wild swine
Feral pigs
Feral hogs
Old world swine
Razorbacks
Eurasian wild boars
Russian wild boars

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Vermont: Permits are required to keep wild birds and certain animals, including:

Mole salamanders
Hellbenders
American giant salamanders
Northern dusky salamanders
Eastern newts
Canary Island lizards
Water pythons
Anacondas
Russell’s sand boas
Burmese pythons
Reticulated pythons
Brown tree snakes
False vipers
False water cobras
Eastern milk snakes
Crayfish
Hobo spiders
Recluse spiders
Bark scorpions
Five-keeled gold scorpions
Yellow-legged creeping scorpions

State Statutes (Laws):

Virginia

Category: B*

Summary of Law: No person may possess nonnative exotic animals that are classed as predatory or undesirable as a “pet.” Nonnative exotic animals include, but are not limited to: bears, wolves, coyotes, weasels, badgers, hyenas, all species of non-domesticated cats, alligators, and crocodiles. Persons may possess these animals if they are a licensed exhibitor, i.e. commercial, educational or scientific uses. However, there are no state requirements for a person possessing non-human primates.

Citation: 4 VAC 15-30-10; 15-30-40

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Virginia

Domesticated animals may be kept as pets without permits, including:

Dogs, including wolf hybrids
Cats, including hybrids with wild felines
Horses, including hybrids
Asses
Burros
Donkeys
Cattle
Sheep, including hybrids with wild sheep
Goats
Swine, including pot-bellied pigs and excluding any wild swine
Llamas
Alpacas
Camels
Hamsters
Minks, where adults are heavier than 1.15 kilograms or their coat color can be distinguished from wild mink
Guinea pigs
Gerbils
Chinchillas
Rats
Mice
European rabbits
Chickens
Turkeys
Ducks
Geese
Pigeons
Guinea fowl
Peafowl
Native or naturalized albino amphibians or albino reptiles

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Virginia

Virginia does not specifically prohibit any animals from being pets. However, permits may be difficult to obtain.

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Virginia: A permit is required for certain exotic animals, including:

Pigs
Hogs
Wild dogs
Wolves
Coyotes
Jackals
Foxes
Bears
Raccoons
Weasels
Badgers
Skunks
Otters
Ferrets
Mongooses
Hyenas
Aardwolves
Bats
Prairie dogs
Alligators
Crocodiles
Caimans
Gavials
Brown tree snakes
Cane toads
African dwarf frogs
African clawed frogs
Mole salamanders
Monk parakeets
Mute swans
Modoc suckers
Warner suckers
Darters
Round goby
Piranhas
Walking catfish
Swamp eels

State Statutes (Laws): Virginia Administrative Code sections 4VAC15-20-50 et seq.

Washington

Category: B

Summary of Law: No person may possess or breed a potentially dangerous animal after July, 2007. A potentially dangerous animal includes but not limited to Large cats, wolves, bears, hyenas, non-human primates, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, water monitors, crocodile monitors, and various species of venomous snakes.

Citation: WASH. REV. CODE §16-30

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Washington

Washington does not specifically list any allowed exotic pets but lists prohibited pets.

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Washington

Washington prohibits certain animals as pets for different reasons. Washington considers certain animals too dangerous to keep as pets, including:

Lions
Tigers
Captive-bred cougars
Bobcats
Jaguars
Cheetahs
Leopards
Snow leopards
Clouded leopards
Wolves
Bears
Hyenas
Rhinoceros
Non-human primates
Elephants
Elks
Atractaspidae
Dispholidus
Cobras
Mambas
Kraits
Coral snakes
Australian tiger snakes
Sea snakes
Water monitors
Crocodile monitors
Rattlesnakes
Cottonmouths
Bushmasters
Puff adders
Gaboon vipers
Crocodiles
Alligators
Caimans
Gavials

Some animals are banned as pets because they are deleterious to the environment, including:

Mute swans
Mongooses
Wild boars
Javelinas
Chamois
Wild goats
Wild sheep
Wildebeests
Reindeer
Fallow deer

Due to rabies, the following animals cannot be kept as pets:

Bats
Skunks
Foxes
Raccoons
Coyotes

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Washington: Washington does not have possession permits for pets.

State Statutes (Laws):

West Virginia

Category: B*

Summary of Law: A person may not possess most dangerous non-native wild animals. Dangerous wild animals include gray wolves, big cats and hybrids, bears, elephants, rhinoceroses, many primates, and others.

Exotic animals owned prior to June 1, 2015 can be kept, as long as the owner obtains a permit. Accredited exhibitors, nonprofits, animal control agencies, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinary clinics, sanctuaries, researchers, and educational institutions are exempt from these rules.

Citation: W. VA. CODE §19-34-1 to §19-34-9; W. VA. CODE R. §61-30-1

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in West Virginia

Unless an animal is specifically banned in West Virginia, it can be kept without a permit, so long as it isn’t considered a wild animal or wild bird

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in West Virginia

Dangerous animals may not be pets unless grandfathered in. These animals include:

Hyenas
Gray wolves
Lions
Tigers
Jaguars
Leopards
Clouded leopards
Sunda clouded leopards
Snow leopards
Cheetahs and domestic hybrids
Lynxes and domestic hybrids
Cougars and domestic hybrids
Caracals and domestic hybrids
Bears, except black bears
Elephants
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamus
Cape buffalo
African wild dogs
Komodo dragons
Nonhuman primates except:
- Lemurs
- Tamarins
- Night monkeys
- Titi monkeys
- Muriquis
- Goeldi’s monkeys
- Sakis
- Uakaris
- Spider monkeys
- Common wooly monkeys
- Howler monkeys
- Raccoon
- Fox skunk

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in West Virginia: Permits may be obtained for dangerous non-native wild animals owned prior to 06/01/2015. Pet Permits are needed to keep wild animals or birds acquired from a commercial dealer.

State Statutes (Laws):

Wisconsin

Category: N

Summary of Law: To import a wild animal into the state, a person must have an import permit and certificate of veterinary inspection. Certain rodents may not be imported unless the person receives authorization from the Department of Natural Resources. A license is required to breed, sell, purchase, and possess certain native wild animal species, and any nonnative “harmful wild animals,” defined as cougars, members of the family ursidae, wild swine, and feral swine.

Citation: WIS. STAT.. ANN. 169.01, 169.04, 169.08, 169.10, 169.11; WIS. AADMIN. CODE ATCP 10.07, 10.84

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Wisconsin

No permit is required to have some wild animal pets, including:

Arthropods
Chipmunks
Pocket gophers
Mice
Moles
Mollusks
Opossums
Pigeons
Porcupine
Rats
Shrews
English sparrows
Starlings
Ground squirrels
Red squirrels
Voles
Weasels

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Wisconsin

Some animals are prohibited as pets, including:

Cougars
Bears
Wild swine
Mute swans
Wolves and hybrids
Nonnative wild ducks, geese, and swans
Wild or native amphibians
Wild or native reptiles

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Wisconsin: Wisconsin does not have exotic pet permits.

State Statutes (Laws):

Wisconsin Statutes Police Regulations (Chapters 163 to 177) section 169.01, 169.04, 169.11

Wyoming

Category: B*

Summary of Law: It is unlawful for persons to possess big or trophy game animals. Big game is defined as antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose or mountain goat. Trophy game is defined as black bear, grizzly bear or mountain lion.

Citation: WYO. STAT. §23-1-101 and §23-1-103; WYO. REG. Chapter 10, §5

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Wyoming

Some domesticated animals may be kept as pets without permits, including:

Cage and aviary birds
Chickens
Emus
Greylag geese
Guinea fowl
Mallard ducks
Muscovy ducks
Ostriches
Peafowl
Pigeons
Rheas
Swan geese
Turkeys
Predacious birds
Alpacas
Asses
Burros
Donkeys
Bison
Camels
Cats
Cattle
Chinchillas
Dogs
Ferrets
Gerbils
Goats
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Horses
Ponies
Llamas
Mice
Mules
Hinnies
European rabbits
Rats
Sheep
Swine
Vicunas
Yaks
Coyotes
Jackrabbits
Porcupines
Skunks
Raccoons
Red foxes

Some animals may be taken from the wild without permits and held as pets so long as they are securely confined, including:

Columbia spotted frogs
Wood frogs
Western toads
Wyoming toads
Northern trees lizards
Great Basin gopher snakes
Midget faded rattlesnakes
Black Hills red-bellied snakes
Northern rubber boas
Pale milksnakes
Smooth greensnakes
Plains box turtles
Rock pigeons
Eurasian collared doves
European starlings
Mute swans
American crows taken during open hunting season
Mollusks
Crustaceans
Least chipmunks
North American deermice
House mice
Northern grasshopper mice
Western harvest mice
Virginia opossum
Pocket gophers
Bushy-tailed woodrats
Norway rats
Meadow voles

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Wyoming

Wyoming prohibits possessing certain animals as pets, including:

Wolves and wolf hybrids
Big or trophy game
Black bears
Grizzly bears
Mountain lions
Gray wolves

Special Permits / Licenses Required to Own Exotic Animals Legally in Wyoming: Permits are required to keep any living wildlife as pets that aren’t specifically listed as allowed without permits.

State Statutes (Laws):

Conclusion

Navigating the exotic pet laws in the United States requires an understanding of a multi-layered legal framework. Aspiring exotic pet owners must be diligent in researching and adhering to the regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Above all, the decision to own an exotic pet should be made with careful consideration of both legal and ethical responsibilities.

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Exotic Pet Laws By State in the United States of America (USA)

Table of Contents

Federal Regulations

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State Laws for Exotic Pets

City and County Ordinances

Species-Specific Laws for Exotic Animals

The Role of Permits for Exotic Pets Ownership

Prohibited and Restricted Exotic Animals

Exotic Animal Laws by State in the United States

Alabama

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Alabama

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Alabama

Alaska

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Alaska

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Alaska

Arizona

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Arizona

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Arizona

Arkansas

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Arkansas

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Arkansas

California

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in California

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in California

Colorado

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Colorado

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Colorado

Connecticut

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Connecticut

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Connecticut

Delaware

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Delaware

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Delaware

Florida

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Florida

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Florida

Georgia

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Georgia

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Georgia

Hawaii

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Hawaii

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Hawaii

Idaho

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Idaho

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Idaho

Illinois

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Illinois

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Illinois

Indiana

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Indiana

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Indiana

Iowa

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Iowa

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Iowa

Kansas

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Kansas

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Kansas

Kentucky

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Kentucky

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Kentucky

Louisiana

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Louisiana

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Louisiana

Maine

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Maine

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Maine

Maryland

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Maryland

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Maryland

Massachusetts

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Massachusetts

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Massachusetts

Michigan

Exotic Animals that are Legal to Own in Michigan

Exotic Animals that are Illegal to Own in Michigan