Exotic Pet Laws by State: Can I Own It?

Exotic pet laws change from one state to the next. Choose a pet to see the rules in every state, choose your state to see which pets are legal there, or choose both for the exact rule: legal with no state permit, permit required, restricted, or banned. Every result shows its source and the date we last checked it.

What the results mean

• Legal: no state permit needed. State law does not require a permit. Your city or county may still have rules.
• Permit or license required. You need approval from a state agency before you get the animal.
• Restricted. Allowed only under conditions, such as import permits or documentation of where the animal came from.
• Banned as a pet. State law does not allow private ownership as a pet.
• Unclear: check with your state. Our sources do not give a clear answer, often because state law does not name the animal. Ask your state wildlife or agriculture agency.

Check a pet

Hedgehogs · Sugar gliders · Ferrets · Axolotls · Finger monkeys and other monkeys · Otters · Wombats · Bearded dragons · Hamsters · Gerbils · Chinchillas · Bats · Servals, caracals, bobcats and lynx · Big cats

Exotic pet law guides

List of exotic pets: 12 popular exotic animals sorted by how easy they are to own legally.

Can you own a hyena, giraffe, hippo, kangaroo, ostrich or moose? Short answers with the state laws behind each one.

Florida exotic pet laws: the Class I, II and III system, which pets need no permit, and how to get the free Class III permit.

Exotic pets you can own without a license: six pets that need no state permit in most states, and the states that ban each one.

Frequently asked questions

Is this legal advice?

No. It is a summary of published sources to help you research. Laws change, and cities and counties can be stricter than state law. Confirm with your state wildlife or agriculture agency, and your local animal control, before you buy.

Why does my state say “unclear”?

Many state laws regulate “wild” or “exotic” animals in general without naming specific species, and the answer depends on how the agency interprets them. Rather than guess, we mark these as unclear and point you to the agency.

How often is this updated?

Each pet shows the date its rules were last checked. If you spot a change in your state, contact us with the source and we will update it.

Why can’t I keep a wombat anywhere?

Wombats are protected wildlife in Australia, which does not allow them to be exported as pets, so there is no legal way to get one in the US. See can you have a wombat as a pet?

Is it legal to own a bat as a pet?

No, not anywhere in the US. Native bats are protected wildlife, and the CDC does not issue permits to import bats as pets. Fruit bats of the genus Pteropus (flying foxes) are also banned as injurious wildlife under federal law. California, Georgia, Kentucky, Montana and Texas name bats in their own laws too. Permits exist only for wildlife rehabilitators, zoos, researchers and educators. See the rules for bats in every state.

Can you own a lion, tiger or leopard?

Not as a new pet anywhere in the US. The federal Big Cat Public Safety Act has banned private ownership of lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars and their hybrids since December 20, 2022. Owners who registered existing cats by June 18, 2023 may keep them but cannot breed or replace them. See big cats in every state.

Which states allow servals, caracals or lynx?

Small wild cats fall outside the federal ban, so state law decides. About 17 states ban them as pets, about 15 require a permit, and a handful, including Nevada, Wisconsin and South Carolina, have no state permit. Cities and counties often add their own bans. Check servals, caracals, bobcats and lynx in your state.