Some of the animals on California's banned-as-pets list are familiar: alligators, raccoons, skunks, hedgehogs, chipmunks and squirrels. Some are predictable: No African lions, caimans or gars, please. Others are truly exotic – a Gambian giant pouched rat is forbidden as a pet, but you'll have to find one first.
Is it legal to own a porcupine in California?
Here's why non-native animals like hedgehogs, sometimes desired as pets, are not a good idea or legal under current regulations: ... 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.
Can you own an emu in California?
Emus are legal in California .
Are ball pythons legal in California?
If you think an exotic animal is a pet you would like to keep in your California home, make sure you know exactly what your city's or county's laws are on legal pets before purchasing one. ... Most apartment buildings will not allow pets like pygmy goats or ball python.
Is it legal to own a fossa in California?
California: All exotic pets are banned . However, hybrids are allowed since they are considered domestic animals under California law. Delaware: A permit is required for wild cats, including hybrids. ... Mississippi: The state allows the ownership of small cats like ocelots and servals.
What pets are illegal in California?
- Monkeys. While monkeys are allowed as pets in neighboring Arizona and Nevada (with a license in the former), they are illegal to keep as pets in California. ...
- Hedgehogs. ...
- Ferrets. ...
- Chinese Hamsters. ...
- Quaker Parakeets. ...
- Animals That are Legal. ...
- Penalty for Keep an Illegal Animal.
What birds are illegal in California?
Most birds are also legal in California. The only illegal parrot is the invasive monk parakeet (or Quaker parrot). Corvids such as crows and magpies are illegal, as well as birds of prey (falcons, hawks, eagles) and vultures.
Can you own a sloth in California?
While states like Nevada and Texas have extremely lenient rules about exotic pet ownership, the Golden State is known for its strict regulations relating to game and wildlife. ... One animal that is clearly restricted is the sloth.
Is it illegal to feed squirrels in California?
Just don't be tempted to feed them. Feeding a wild animal — even a squirrel — is considered animal harassment under section 251.1.of the California Fish and Game Code. ... While it is against the law to feed a squirrel , however, it is legal in some counties to hunt California tree squirrels in season.
Why are Axolotls illegal in California?
According to California law, axolotls are not prohibited because they are endangered, but rather because they pose a threat to native wildlife , as they are seen as “detrimental animals”. ... This includes a ban on all salamanders, and this includes axolotls.
Can I own a caracal cat?
The caracal is a very distinctive large wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and dry areas in northern India and Pakistan. ... While many people are not familiar with caracals, some people do keep them as pets. It's legal to keep a caracal as a pet in several states and against the law in others .
Can you own a kangaroo in California?
It's more common to need a permit, like in Washington and Texas. But, in news that will come as no surprise to anyone, it's illegal to own a kangaroo as a pet in the majority of the United States of America.
Are capybaras legal in California?
For some examples, capybaras are banned as pets in California and Georgia. However, they are legal to possess in Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York. Even if a state allows it, some cities may not. Capybaras are considered illegal pets in the five boroughs of New York City.
Can I own a Fennec fox in California?
Foxes may not be kept as pets in the state of California. Luckily for New Yorkers, fennec foxes are the only species from ‘The Big 5' that are legal to own in the state . There are breeders of foxes in the state of California, but they have to sell out of state. ... It is not legal to have a fox as a pet in most states.
What is the most exotic pet?
- Leafy seadragon.
- Fanfin Angler.
- Japanese macaque.
- Pink dolphin.
- Liger.
- Atelopus frog.
- Pangolin.
- Fennec fox.
How much is a finger monkey?
The initial investment in a single finger monkey, including the necessary cage and supplies, is between $1,500 and $8,000 . Keeping finger monkeys as pets is costly in money, time, attention, space, and research.
