Gila Monster Legal States 2025

Legal with permit
Illegal
14
Legal
Unclear
1
Legal with conditions
State
Pet Gila Monster Legality
Additional Info
Connecticut Flag
ConnecticutUnclearIllegal to own “dangerous animals”, though venomous lizards are not listed as dangerous animals
Alabama Flag
AlabamaLegal with permit
Alaska Flag
AlaskaLegal with permit
Arizona Flag
ArizonaLegal with permit
Colorado Flag
ColoradoLegal with permit
Georgia Flag
GeorgiaLegal with permit
Indiana Flag
IndianaLegal with permit
Louisiana Flag
LouisianaLegal with permit
Maryland Flag
MarylandLegal with permit
Massachusetts Flag
MassachusettsLegal with permit
Michigan Flag
MichiganLegal with permit
Minnesota Flag
MinnesotaLegal with permit
Missouri Flag
MissouriLegal with permit
New Mexico Flag
New MexicoLegal with permit
New York Flag
New YorkLegal with permit
North Dakota Flag
North DakotaLegal with permit
Oklahoma Flag
OklahomaLegal with permit
Pennsylvania Flag
PennsylvaniaLegal with permit
Rhode Island Flag
Rhode IslandLegal with permit
South Carolina Flag
South CarolinaLegal with permitThe laws require a permit, but are not enforced since they are vaguely written. Venomous reptiles are sold openly at reptile shows
South Dakota Flag
South DakotaLegal with permit
Tennessee Flag
TennesseeLegal with permitA permit is required. Additionally, the owner must be at least 21 years of age and have two years experience in handling the reptile. Owners must also have a full time caretaker for the Gila monster, and a written plan in place for what to do if it escapes.
Texas Flag
TexasLegal with permitLegal with a permit everywhere except Houston.
Utah Flag
UtahLegal with permitLegal with a permit, but permit requires both written permission from the city where the animal will live and a hearing, which costs $200 and at which the owner must prove that the reptile will serve an educational facility, zoo, circus, research facility or similar institution.
Vermont Flag
VermontLegal with permit
Virginia Flag
VirginiaLegal with permit
Florida Flag
FloridaLegal with conditionsYou must have 1,000 hours experience with a venomous animal as well as two reference letters in order to own one with a permit.
Arkansas Flag
ArkansasLegal
Mississippi Flag
MississippiLegal
Montana Flag
MontanaLegalIllegal to import without a permit, but no permit required if captive-bred in the state
Nebraska Flag
NebraskaLegal
North Carolina Flag
North CarolinaLegal
Ohio Flag
OhioLegalOwnership of venomous reptiles requires a permit and antivenom must be kept on hand
West Virginia Flag
West VirginiaLegal
Wisconsin Flag
WisconsinLegal
Wyoming Flag
WyomingLegal
California Flag
CaliforniaIllegalAll but a few endemic reptiles species are protected in California, including the Gila monster.
Delaware Flag
DelawareIllegal
Hawaii Flag
HawaiiIllegal
Idaho Flag
IdahoIllegal
Illinois Flag
IllinoisIllegal
Iowa Flag
IowaIllegal
Kansas Flag
KansasIllegal
Kentucky Flag
KentuckyIllegal
Maine Flag
MaineIllegal
Nevada Flag
NevadaIllegalThe Gila Monster is a protected species in Nevada
New Hampshire Flag
New HampshireIllegal
New Jersey Flag
New JerseyIllegal
Oregon Flag
OregonIllegal
Washington Flag
WashingtonIllegal
  • Laws regarding exotic pets may change with little notice. Moreover, even in states where pet gila monsters are legal at the state level, they may be further regulated at the county, municipal, or local levels.
  • In light of these uncertainties, prospective gila monster parents are encouraged to confirm legality with local authorities before adopting.