Exotic Pet Laws by State: What Animals Can You Own? (2026)

Quick Answer

Exotic Pet Ownership is illegal in 2 states as of 2026. and restricted in 48. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

0 Legal

48 Restricted

2 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Exotic Pet Ownership Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	RESTRICTED	In Alabama, ownership of certain exotic pets is restricted under the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division ...	Details →
Alaska	RESTRICTED	Alaska restricts ownership of many exotic animals under Alaska Statutes Title 16 and regulations by the Alaska Departmen...	Details →
Arizona	ILLEGAL	Arizona Revised Statutes Title 17 prohibits possession of many exotic animals listed as 'restricted live wildlife' witho...	Details →
Arkansas	RESTRICTED	Arkansas restricts exotic pet ownership under Arkansas Code Title 15, Chapter 44. Certain exotic animals require permits...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	California has some of the strictest exotic pet laws under the California Code of Regulations Title 14 and Fish and Game...	Details →
Colorado	RESTRICTED	Colorado regulates exotic pet ownership under Colorado Revised Statutes Title 33. Certain species require permits, and s...	Details →
Connecticut	RESTRICTED	Connecticut restricts exotic pet ownership under Connecticut General Statutes Title 26. Certain species require permits,...	Details →
Delaware	RESTRICTED	Delaware regulates exotic pet ownership under Delaware Code Title 7. Certain exotic animals require permits, and some sp...	Details →
Florida	RESTRICTED	Florida has detailed regulations on exotic pet ownership under Florida Statutes Chapter 379 and Florida Administrative C...	Details →
Georgia	RESTRICTED	Georgia regulates exotic pet ownership under Georgia Code Title 27, Chapter 3. Certain exotic animals require permits, a...	Details →
Hawaii	RESTRICTED	Hawaii prohibits the possession, importation, and sale of most exotic pets to protect its unique ecosystem. Under Hawaii...	Details →
Idaho	RESTRICTED	Idaho allows ownership of some exotic pets but restricts dangerous species under Idaho Code Title 25, Chapter 35. Certai...	Details →
Illinois	RESTRICTED	Illinois restricts ownership of exotic pets under the Illinois Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/). Certain species like primate...	Details →
Indiana	RESTRICTED	Indiana regulates exotic pet ownership under Indiana Code Title 14, Article 22. Certain species such as large carnivores...	Details →
Iowa	RESTRICTED	Iowa restricts ownership of certain exotic animals under Iowa Code Chapter 481A. Dangerous species such as large cats, p...	Details →
Kansas	RESTRICTED	Kansas regulates exotic pet ownership under Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) 32-1001 et seq. Certain species like prim...	Details →
Kentucky	RESTRICTED	Kentucky restricts exotic pet ownership under Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 258. Certain species such as prima...	Details →
Louisiana	RESTRICTED	Louisiana regulates exotic pet ownership under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 56, Chapter 6. Certain species including...	Details →
Maine	RESTRICTED	Maine restricts exotic pet ownership under Maine Revised Statutes Title 12, Chapter 905. Certain species such as primate...	Details →
Maryland	RESTRICTED	Maryland regulates exotic pet ownership under Maryland Code, Natural Resources Article § 10-101 et seq. Certain species ...	Details →
Massachusetts	ILLEGAL	Massachusetts prohibits the possession, import, or sale of most wild animals without a permit under M.G.L. c. 131 and 32...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Michigan regulates exotic pet ownership under the Michigan Wildlife Conservation Order and the Exotic Animal Act (MCL 28...	Details →
Minnesota	RESTRICTED	Minnesota regulates exotic pet ownership under Minn. Stat. §§ 97A.401 and 97A.475. Certain species such as large carnivo...	Details →
Mississippi	RESTRICTED	Mississippi regulates exotic pet ownership under Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-1 et seq. Certain exotic animals, including larg...	Details →
Missouri	RESTRICTED	Missouri regulates exotic pet ownership under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 578.010 and 578.020. Certain exotic animals, including l...	Details →
Montana	RESTRICTED	Montana regulates exotic pet ownership under Mont. Code Ann. §§ 87-5-101 et seq. Certain exotic animals require permits ...	Details →
Nebraska	RESTRICTED	Nebraska regulates exotic pet ownership under Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 37-101 to 37-107. Certain exotic animals, including lar...	Details →
Nevada	RESTRICTED	Nevada regulates exotic pet ownership under Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 503.010 et seq. Certain exotic animals, including large c...	Details →
New Hampshire	RESTRICTED	New Hampshire regulates exotic pet ownership under RSA 212:1 and related rules. Certain exotic animals, including large ...	Details →
New Jersey	RESTRICTED	New Jersey regulates exotic pet ownership under N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 23:4-1 et seq. Certain exotic animals, including larg...	Details →
New Mexico	RESTRICTED	New Mexico classifies exotic animals into four groups, with Group IV animals illegal to possess and other groups requiri...	Details →
New York	RESTRICTED	New York State restricts exotic pet ownership under the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 11 and 13, which pr...	Details →
North Carolina	RESTRICTED	North Carolina regulates exotic pet ownership under the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission rules (15A NCAC 10B...	Details →
North Dakota	RESTRICTED	North Dakota regulates exotic pet ownership under ND Century Code Chapter 20.1-01 and administrative rules. Certain exot...	Details →
Ohio	RESTRICTED	Ohio regulates exotic pet ownership under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1531 and Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31. Certain e...	Details →
Oklahoma	RESTRICTED	Oklahoma regulates exotic pet ownership under Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife ...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Oregon regulates exotic pet ownership under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 498 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 635-...	Details →
Pennsylvania	RESTRICTED	Pennsylvania regulates exotic pet ownership under Title 34 PA Code Chapter 13 and the Game and Wildlife Code (34 Pa.C.S....	Details →
Rhode Island	RESTRICTED	Rhode Island regulates exotic pet ownership under R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-1-1 et seq and the Department of Environmental Man...	Details →
South Carolina	RESTRICTED	South Carolina regulates exotic pet ownership under South Carolina Code of Laws Title 50, Chapter 11 and regulations by ...	Details →
South Dakota	RESTRICTED	South Dakota regulates exotic pet ownership primarily through the South Dakota Codified Laws § 41-6-1 to § 41-6-10, whic...	Details →
Tennessee	RESTRICTED	Tennessee regulates exotic pet ownership under Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-101 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain dan...	Details →
Texas	RESTRICTED	Texas regulates exotic pet ownership under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 43.001 et seq. Certain exotic animals, includ...	Details →
Utah	RESTRICTED	Utah law (Utah Code Ann. § 23-13-1 et seq.) restricts ownership of certain exotic animals and requires permits for other...	Details →
Vermont	RESTRICTED	Vermont regulates exotic pet ownership under 10 V.S.A. § 4711 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain wild animals wi...	Details →
Virginia	RESTRICTED	Virginia regulates exotic pet ownership under Va. Code Ann. § 29.1-509 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain wild a...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Washington State regulates exotic pet ownership under RCW 16.30 and WAC 220-400, prohibiting possession of certain dange...	Details →
West Virginia	RESTRICTED	West Virginia regulates exotic pet ownership under W. Va. Code § 20-5-1 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain wild ...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Wisconsin regulates exotic pet ownership under Wis. Stat. § 169.01 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain wild anima...	Details →
Wyoming	RESTRICTED	Wyoming regulates exotic pet ownership under Wyo. Stat. § 11-6-101 et seq., prohibiting possession of certain wild anima...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Exotic Pet Ownership legal in the United States?

Exotic Pet Ownership is illegal in 2 states as of 2026. and restricted in 48. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

How many states allow exotic pet ownership?

As of 2026, exotic pet ownership is legal in 0 states, restricted with conditions in 48 states, and illegal in 2 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with exotic pet ownership in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with exotic pet ownership?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If exotic pet ownership is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. This applies to driving, flying, and shipping.