How Can I Legally Own A Hedgehog In California?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Hedgehogs are illegal to own

, not only in California, but also across the entire conterminous United States. To own one, you must get a Federal permit, and also a permit issued by the state in which you reside.

How do I get a permit to own a hedgehog in California?

If you still want to pursue a permit,

call the California Department of Fish and Game

. They have all the applications and can tell you what's involved.

Can I have a hedgehog as a pet in California?

There are at least 17 known species of hedgehogs.

All species are restricted from possession as pets in California

primarily because they can become pests where introduced into the wild where they don't naturally occur. … Permits are not issued to import or possess any wild animal for pet purposes.

What happens if you own a hedgehog in California?

Nevertheless, the quills can still penetrate skin and

hedgehogs can transmit diseases such as ringworm and salmonella to humans

. Like ferrets, however, the main reason hedgehogs are illegal in California, however, is due to the risk escaped and abandoned hedgehogs pose to native wildlife.

How can I own a hedgehog?

Hedgehogs are small nocturnal animals. They have a prickly coat and are naturally found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are considered exotic pets and are

illegal to own in five states in

the U.S. Before buying a you'll need to find out if they're legal in your state or county.

Can you adopt a hedgehog?

Hedgehogs Aren't Social

They are solitary creatures that need time to trust their owners. They will often bite if they're not used to getting cuddled. This is a mistake many people make when adopting a hedgie. If you want one that enjoys being held, you should get it from a breeder very early in its life.

How much is a hedgehog in California?

Prices will typically be

upwards of $200–300

. Keep in mind if you get a hedgehog and they get sick, only certain exotic animal vets can care for them.

How long do hedgehogs live as pets?

Dr. Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live

about five years

, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.

Are Axolotls legal in California?

The possession of Axolotls or any Ambystoma species is

a crime in the state of California

. It does not matter what your local pet store says, or that you bought them from out of state.

Are Kinkajous legal in California?

Question: Are Kinkajous allowed in California? Answer:

No.

How much is a pet hedgehog?

The average cost to buy a hedgehog can run

between $100 to $300

. The cost will depend on the age of the hedgehog, how friendly they are, and their coloring. The cheapest hedgehogs will be either salt and pepper or cinnamon and “pinto” hedgies will be in the mid-price range.

How big do pet hedgehogs get?

African pygmy hedgehogs stretch

between 6 and 8 inches long

and weigh about 1 pound on average. They reach maturity in roughly two to eight months.

Do Hedgehogs recognize their owners?


Hedgehogs do bond with their owners when they get used to their owners scent

. Baby hedgehogs bond quicker than older hedgehogs, who require more time and attention to get used to their owners. … This relaxed state, allows hedgehogs to become more inclined to bond with their owners.

Do hedgehogs need a heat lamp?

Hedgehogs need a heat lamp called

a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) to keep warm

, as they explore and feed in their cage. The CHE only emits heat and not light, as any light at night could confuse hedgehogs into thinking it was day time, stopping them from coming out to feed.

Are hedgehogs cuddly?

In the wild, hedgehogs are solitary animals and they spend most of their time alone except during mating season. They tend to be shy and wary of people. It takes patience and a gentle hand to form a trusting bond with a pet hedgehog. Once a bond is established hedgehogs can be

quite playful and occasionally cuddly

.

Do hedgehogs have fleas?


Hedgehogs can acquire external parasites

; however flea infestation is not a common problem. Fleas are a small insect parasite that may take up residence on your hedgehog, especially if exposed to fleas outdoors or in a house with dogs, cats or other animals who themselves have fleas.

Does PetSmart sell hedgehogs?

Unfortunately,

PetSmart does not sell hedgehogs in-store or online

as of 2021, however, PetSmart does sell a range of products for hedgehog owners. Customers can visit local breeders and animal shelters to buy hedgehogs but should make sure their state does not restrict hedgehog ownership.

Why hedgehogs are bad pets?

Some regions have banned the practice of keeping hedgehogs, as some carry the

highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease

. They can also transmit salmonella bacteria as well as viral and fungal diseases, and their sharp spines can puncture skin and cause infections.

Are hedgehogs high maintenance?

Like we said earlier, they're

pretty low-maintenance

! A lot of owners give their hedgehogs dry and moist cat food since it has the fundamental nutritional properties that they need. … Hedgehogs love to snack and these additional foods will help round out their diet to keep them happy and healthy.

Do hedgehogs stink?

Hedgehogs are naturally pretty odorless animals. This means if you remove any environmental factors, they

‘ll never make much of a stink

. This isn't to say you won't smell anything if you get close to them, but we would never consider it a “bad” smell. Instead, it's more of a comforting organic scent.

Do hedgehogs spikes hurt?

The quills tend to lay down flat along the back and sides of the hedgehog, all pointing towards their rear end, so as long as you don't push against the sharp tips of the quills (pet them backwards)

they pose no problems or chance of being poked

.

Are salamanders legal in California?

It doesn't look like

salamanders are illegal to keep in California except for native species

. Native species are protected by a separate bill so I would stay away from them. All Axolotls are illegal in California as well.

What happens if you get caught with a axolotl in California?


You can be prosecuted

. It is a crime. This is true even if you were able to purchase an Axolotl in California or bring them in from out of state.

Why can't you own an axolotl in California?

According to California law,

axolotls are illegal there NOT because they are endangered

(most pet axolotls are raised and bred in captivity), but because they are “detrimental animals” “because they pose a threat to native wildlife, the agriculture interests of the state or to public health or safety.” The law does not …

Can you own a possum in California?


Opossums are not native to California

. It's a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets.

Can I own a fox in California?

Pet foxes are legal in up to 15 states, but not in California. Rules vary departing on the breed, the most common being the fennec fox. While there are fox breeders in California,

they cannot be sold legally within the state

.

How can I own a monkey?

You

can freely own or sell monkeys as pets

in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Some states such as Texas and Florida, require you to hold a permit.

How much is a monkey?

Typical costs: Monkeys cost

between $4,000 and $8,000 each

, depending on the monkey's age, rarity and temperament. Younger, more rare and friendlier monkeys tend to cost more.

Can hedgehogs learn their name?


Hedgehogs do not recognize their names

like dogs and cats do. However, if you give them names and call them often, they will respond and give you their attention because the name or your voice is familiar. They will even respond to different names as long as your voice is familiar to them.

Why are hamsters illegal in California?

While the underlying reason that Chinese Hamsters are banned is the same—harm they could cause to wildlife—it's because they like

California's climate

that they pose such a threat. The idea is that escaped Chinese Hamsters could potentially set up colonies that could even damage crops.

How do you own a raccoon in California?

Keeping Raccoons as Pets

In California, it is a misdemeanor to own a raccoon. Penalties include:

$500 to $10,000 civil fine

, with additional costs for removing the animal and its care.

Why is my hedgehog hissing?

Generally, hissing is a

defensive behavior that hedgehogs use to indicate that they are scared or anxious instead of being aggressive

. It's not uncommon for a hedgehog to hiss whenever it's in a new environment and overwhelmed by the new changes it experiences.

Do hedgehogs get along with dogs?

While dogs are much larger than hedgehogs, hedgehogs have a great defense mechanism in their quills. To ensure that your pets get along, it is important to watch all initial interactions and separate the animals should the need arise. If you do it properly,

dogs can live with hedgehogs without incident

.

What is a black hedgehog?

Algerian Blacks have

cream colored and heavily banded quills full of black and rust tones

. Their shoulder skin is jet-black. So is their nose, mask around the eyes, limbs, and spots on the belly.

How much is a small hedgehog?

The average hedgehog price is usually

between $100-$300

.

What kind of cage is best for a hedgehog?

The cage should be large enough to allow the hedgehog to move around.

2 x 3 feet (61 x 91cm)

should be the minimum floor space provided. Walls must be high enough to prevent escape, as hedgehogs are good climbers. A glass aquarium or smooth sided cage is a reasonable choice for many owners.

Do hedgehogs poop a lot?

Hedgehogs poop a lot.

They poop all the time

. Young hedgies are quite fond of pooping while doing their chores like while roaming around or playing on their wheel. But, as they grow older, they tend to hold much better and can be trained to litter in the right areas.

What do u feed hedgehogs?

What should I feed hedgehogs? Hedgehogs will relish any combination of

meat-based wet dog or cat foods

, or dry cat/kitten food, as these are high in the protein that they need. Just remember, they will be getting most of their food from insects and worms in the wild, and this food is only supplementary.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.