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.
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.
Can I own a pet deer in California?
“A deer is a wild animal, not a pet,” said Janice Mackey of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. …
It is illegal in the state of California to have a deer as a pet
.
Can you own a primate 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
. As is the case with most of the banned-animals list, the reason monkeys are a no go is because of the damage they can do to Californian wildlife and agriculture.
Are muntjac deer legal in California?
“Muntjac deer are an Asian species and a popular exotic pet. …
Keeping Muntjac deer as pets is illegal in California
. If an animal services organization is able to find the animal it will likely be offered to a zoo or taken out of state to a warmer climate.
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.
How many pets can you legally own in California?
How many dogs or cats can I have? Each household may only have
four (4) dogs or cats over the age of four months
. If you have five (5) or more you are required to obtain a special permit.
Why are sugar gliders illegal in California?
Why can't I have a hedgehog, sugar glider, ferret, or other restricted, non-native species as a pet in California? … 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
.
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.
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.
Is it legal to own a tiger in California?
The California Fish and Game Code makes it
a misdemeanor
to keep as a pet any animal that is endangered or which the department considers a threat to public health and safety or to native fish, wildlife, or agriculture. Many of these restrictions seem obvious – such as prohibitions on owning lions, tigers or bears.
Are foxes legal to own in California?
Intelligent like a dog, foxes have been bred to live as house pets — but there are not fully domesticated. Pet foxes are legal in up to 15 states, but
not in California
. … While there are fox breeders in California, they cannot be sold legally within the state.
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.
Are pet sloths legal in the US?
As of 2019, it was legal to own a two-toed pet sloth in Florida (with a permit), Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota (with health certificate), and Texas. Other states may allow sloths, but
their state laws do not explicitly state it
.
Has a sloth ever killed a human?
This opens in a new window. Stories like Pinky's are common. Over the past two decades, sloth bears have
mauled thousands of people
, killing hundreds.
Do sloths bite you?
Sloths are not dangerous to humans if left alone in their natural habitat. If threatened they can lash out with their long claws which could cause damage.
They can bite
, and they can carry diseases harmful to humans. They carry creatures in their fur such as mosquitos which could pass on to humans.
