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.
Table of Contents
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.
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):
- Alabama Code Title 9 Conservation and Natural Resources sections 9-2-7 et seq., 3-1-3, 9-11-324
- Alabama Department Of Conservation And Natural Resources Administrative Code sections 220-2-.26, 220-2-.154
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):
- Alaska Statutes Title 16. Fish and Game sections 16.05.902 et seq.
- Alaska Administrative Code. Title 5 Fish and Game. Chapter 92, sections 29 et seq.
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):
- Arizona Revised Statutes Title 17. Game and Fish section 17-306, 17-320
- Arizona Administrative Code Title 12 Natural Resources. Chapter Game and Fish Commission 4R12-405
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):
- Arkansas Administrative Code, Game and Fish Commission, sections 09.01 et seq., section 09.14
- Arkansas Code Title 20. Public Health and Welfare sections 20-19-501 et seq., 20-19-504, 20-19-602
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):
- California Fish and Game Code – Title 14, section 4700
- Department of Fish and Wildlife, Restricted Species Law, Manual 671
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):
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):
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):
- Florida Statutes Title XXVIII. Natural Resources; Conservation, Reclamation, and Use section 379.3762; 379.3751
- Florida Administrative Code sections 68A-.001, et seq.
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):
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):
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Division 1. Government section 150A-6.2
- Hawaii Administrative Code Title 4. Department of Agriculture. sections 4-71-3 et seq., 4-71-6.5, 4-71-6.5 Part B, 4-71P
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):
- Idaho Regulations. Department of Agriculture Chapter 27 sections 100 et seq.
- Idaho Administration Code Department of Fish and Game Title 1 Chapter 8 section 13.01.1013.01.10
- Idaho Statutes Title 36 Fish and Game. Chapter 7, sections 701 et seq.
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):
- Illinois Statutes Chapter 510. Animals section 5
- Illinois Statutes Chapter 515. Fish section 90
- Illinois Statutes Chapter 720. Criminal Offenses Section 720-5/48-10
- Illinois Administrative Code Title 17. Conservation section 805
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):
- Indiana Code Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources sections 14-22-26 et seq.
- Indiana Administrative Code Title 312. Natural Resources Commission sections 9-11-1 et seq.
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):
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):
- Kansas Statutes Chapter 32. Wildlife, Parks and Recreation sections 32-1301 et seq.
- Kansas Administrative Regulations Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism section 115-18-10
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):
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Title IX. Counties, Cities, and Other Local Units section 65.877
- Kentucky Administrative Regulations 2:082 sections 1 et seq.
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):
- Maine Revised Statutes Title 12. Conservation sections 12151 et seq., 12801
- Rule Chapters for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Chapter 7 sections 1 et seq.
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):
- Maryland Code, Criminal Law section 10-621
- Maryland Health Code section 18-219
- Maryland Code, Natural Resources section 4-902
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):
- Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government Chapter 131 sections 23 et seq., 77 et seq.
- Code of Massachusetts Regulations Title 321 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Chapter 2 et seq, section 9.001-02
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):
- Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 287. Animal Industry sections 287.1101 et seq., 287.731, 287.1001 et seq.
- Michigan Fisheries Order 224.17 Regulations on the Take of Reptiles and Amphibians
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):
- Minnesota Statutes Animals and Property section 346.155
- Minnesota Statutes Game and Fish section 97A.105
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):
- Mississippi Code Title 49. Conservation and Ecology sections 49-8-1 et seq.
- Mississippi Administrative Code Title 40, Part 2, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks – Chapter 8
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):
- Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders section 578.023,
- Missouri Rules of Department of Conservation Division 10—Conservation Commission Chapter 4—Wildlife Code: General Provisions section 10-9
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):
- Montana Title 87. Fish and Wildlife sections 87-4-801 et seq.; 87-5-705 et seq.
- Montana Title 81. Livestock sections 2-701 et seq.
- Montana Title 50. Health and Safety section 50-23-101
- Admin. Rules of Montana. Fish, Wildlife and Parks, section 12.6.2205
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):
- Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 37. Game and Parks sections 37-477 et seq., 37-245, 37-246
- Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 54. Livestock section 54-701.03
- Nebraska Administrative Code Rules & Regulations. Title 163, Ch. 4 sections 1-8
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 Hampshire Revised Statutes Title 18 Fish and Game. Chapter 207. Import, Possession, or Release of Wildlife section 207:14
- New Hampshire Code Administrative Rules. Fish sections 804.01 et seq.
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 Jersey Administrative Code Title 7. Department of Environmental Protection sections 7:25-4.3 et seq., 7:25-4.6 et seq.,
- New Jersey Statutes Annotated Title 23. Fish and Game, Wild Birds and Animals, section 23:4-63.3
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 Mexico Statutes Chapter 77. Animals and Livestock section 77-18-1
- New Mexico Administrative Code section 7.4.2.12
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):
- North Dakota Admin. Code sections 48.1-09
- North Dakota Century Code Title 36. Livestock section 36-01-08.4, 36-01-31, 36-01-08.2
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):
- Ohio Revised Code Title XV. Conservation of Natural Resources section 1533.71
- Ohio Revised Code Title IX. Agriculture Animals Fences sections 935.01 et seq., 935.02, 935.03 et seq.
- Ohio Administrative Code section 1501: 31-25-04
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):
- Oklahoma Administrative Code. Title 800. Department of Wildlife Conservation. Chapter 25. Wildlife Rules 800-25-25-3
- Oklahoma Statutes Annotated. Title 29. Game and Fish, Chapter 1, Article 4, section 4-107, Article 2, section 2-109.2, 2-149.1
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):
- Oregon Revised Statutes Animals sections 609.305 et seq., section 609.345
- Oregon Administrative Code sections 635-044-0480 et seq.
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):
- Pennsylvania Statutes Title 34 Pa.C.S.A. Game sections 2961 to 2963
- Pennsylvania Admin. Code Title 58, Part II, Subpart B, Chapter 79
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):
- Rhode Island Administrative Code Title 250 Dept. of Environmental Management, section 250-RICR-40-05-3
- Rhode Island General Laws Title 4. Animals and Animal Husbandry section 4-18-1, Title 20 section 20-16-3
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):
- Texas Health and Safety Code – Health & Safety section 822.101 – 116
- Texas Local Government Code – Local Government section 240.001 – .002(a)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Code – Parks and Wildlife section 65.005
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):
- Vermont Statutes Title 10. Conservation and Development, section 4709
- Importation & Possession Rules Unrestricted Wild Animal List
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):
- Washington Revised Code Title 16. Animals and Livestock section 16.30.005, 16.30.010 et seq.
- Washington Administrative Code section 220-400
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):
- West Virginia Code Chapter 19. Agriculture sections 19-34-1 to 19-34-9
- West Virginia Code Chapter 20. Natural Resources section 20-2-51
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):
- Wyoming Statutes Title 23. Game and Fish section 23-1-101, 23-1-103
- Wyoming Rules and Regulations 040.0001.52 section 5
- Wyoming Rules and Regulations. Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. Possession of Wildlife. Chapter 10. sections 1 to 5
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.
