Exotic Animal Laws by State 2026

Exotic Animal Legality

Comprehensive ban

Licensure scheme

No ban

Partial ban

Each state’s exotic animal laws tend to fall into one of several possible categories:
Comprehensive bans: These states broadly prohibit private ownership of animals labeled as dangerous, such as wild cats, large carnivores, reptiles, and non-human primates.
Partial bans: These states ban only specific exotic animals, rather than banning all non-domestic species.
Licensure schemes: Exotic animals are generally prohibited but may be privately owned with a license or permit, often requiring registration, proper housing, fees, and liability insurance.
Limited or indirect regulation: These states do not directly regulate exotic pet ownership but may require things like health certificates or import permits.
State-level exotic animal laws and regulations are often complex, may be species-specific, and may change at any time. Moreover, exotic pets may be further regulated at the county or municipal level even in states in which they are broadly legal.
In light of these complexities, prospective pet parents are advised to confirm legality of potential pets with local authorities before adopting.
For additional information, search for specific animal types, such as Pet Skunk Legal States, Ocelot Legal States, Pet Monkey Legal States, and Pet Alligator Legal States.

Other Categories