For more information on restricted species inCalifornia and thepermitsneeded including the renewal process check out all for the details at, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, The 8 Key Elements That Make Up A Luxury Home, Is Now The Time To Buy? Some silver foxes that are referred to as domesticated have actually been domesticated for the fur trade, and not for companionship. 17. Skunks 3. You can also keep guinea pigs as pets if you live in California. All pets require the owner to provide some degree of care, and there are no pets that are for everyone. 5. Are hamsters illegal in California? MISCELLANEOUS. Some of the most commonly-owned exotic pets in California include snakes, lizards, spiders, and rodents. Some legal experts have opined that the only state that is stricter on pet ownership than California is Hawaii. For example, in Vermont you'll need a permit to own an anaconda, but not to keep a pet alligator. 3. Californiahas very strict laws about what types of animals homeowners can keep as pets. Hi as a Bengal owner I wanted to clarify something you said. Hedgehogs have a simplistic diet that can be composed of a high-grade prepared food and/or fruits and insects. The short answer is no. This means that, in most cases, it would be illegal to keep a Fennec Fox in California. Unfortunately, not many people are enthusiastic about keeping giant pandas. If you live in the great state of California, you need to know that if you want to own certain exotic pets you will need to obtain an exotic animal license (aka exotic pet license). Your email address will not be published. 8. It is very prohibited to bring ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, or snakes. Keep an eye on the lizards. Chinchillas The average life span for a chinchilla is about 15 years. They are active and arboreal, unlike hamsters and gerbils, so they will need a significant amount of space, similar to a bird. The only other class of animals that is not regulated by the CDFW is called exotic animals. Exotic animals are animals that are not native to California, and most of them are regulated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Savannah cats are legal pets in California. Required fields are marked *. More specifically, these cats endanger people who live in the home and around the property and people living in the neighborhood, and first responders who are not equipped to manage a big cat who may have escaped. These are large, venomous lizards that are native to Indonesia. First, axolotls can potentially compete with native salamanders for food and habitat. In some cases, you may also need a permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Others are truly exotic - a Gambian giant pouched rat is forbidden as a pet, but you'll have to . However, there is a thriving population of axolotls in California due to people who have illegally imported them. Do You Need An Exotic Pet License In California? Maybe your financial situation is different, but most people spend as much or more on dogs as they would with fennec foxes, hybrid cats, and skunks. Like ferrets, they are playful and should not be cooped up all the time. Red pandas are listed as a vulnerable species, due to habitat loss and poaching. It's ok to have a Fennec Fox in California. I don't understand why it is illegal, for it is legal in other states. However, there is a lengthy list of legal pets in California. The number that follows the letter F indicates how many generations away from a pure wolf the wolfdog is. tortoise.org. Axolotls are an aquatic species of salamanders with tiny eyes and no eyelids. Some are dangerous ,some are good but they all have their good and bad. Effectively addressing this question strictly depends on what the owner is willing to provide for the animal, what the owner expects of the animal, and what they are willing to spend. Red-Footed Tortoise 7. Tarantulas Often, exotic animals require a lot of care and can be a huge time drain for someone not prepared for the responsibility. Hybrid Cats are one of the 10 exotic pets that can be owned legally in the state of California. The lower generations of these animals provide a great substitute for the cheetah look in the package of a mostly domesticated but interesting cat. I'm obsessed with squirrels and have been researching the possibility of domesticating them but, I haven't gotten anything solid on them yet. While they may be cute and interesting to look at, they are not suitable as pets. For instance, a first-generation (F1) wolfdog means that either the mom or the dad is a pure wolf to the wolfdog and a second-generation (F2) wolfdog means one of the grandparents is a pure wolf to the wolfdog. Many owners report that non-domesticated foxes have an extremely strong smell, thus only making them suitable for the outdoors. Tarantula 2. They showed me how to handle a bird properly, and how to speak to my Lovie, and the body language a bird displays, and how subtle it was, and what to watch for. African Clawed Frogs are aquatic amphibians that are commonly kept as pets. Anteaters require a specialized diet and environment and can be dangerous to humans. How many people have you known who've had hermits for at least 10 years? Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on September 07, 2013: Rochelle Ann De Zoysa from Moratuwa, Sri Lanka on September 07, 2013: I like cats, but not the other pets you've mentioned. Exotic cats are not for everyone. These nocturnal mammals are known for their quills. Which exotic animals make the best pets? While children flit in and out of the house, more so as they get older, your pets are there as constant companions. So next time, think before spewing impulsive nonsense. Porcupine 14. Chinese Hamsters are illegal in the state. Bushbabies require a specialized diet and environment and can be dangerous to humans. Cute Chinchillas: Discover These Little Companions [Photos], Dwarf Shrimp Trending Micro Pet All You Need To Know. These playful creatures are native to Madagascar and make great companions. on September 12, 2019: Are monkeys good pets and are they North Carolina? Available from: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/9/1.1, 2. Monkeysrequire constant care and attention, and many will live up to 40 years, according to thePrimateRescue Center. just like, health care your pet, diet your pet, something, many resposibilty, Our family have an Dog. Their temperaments are different too, so when choosing betweenllamasand alpacas as pets or farm companions, take that into consideration. CHAPTER 3. While they may be cute and interesting to watch, they require a specialized environment and diet to thrive. They are illegal to have in California because they are an endangered species. This was very useful for my having-a-pet dream. They dont require a lot of space and can be kept in a small tank. Hedgehogs deserve the number one spot on this list for being the easiest to care for while being 'exotic' (although the forms you'll find in pet stores are somewhat changed from the wild forms, making them domesticated). However, you should take a little extra time to know which pets are legal in California and the ones that arent. Before you decide to bring an exotic pet into your home, be sure to do your research. While there are nineteen officially recognized hamster species, only five are commonly kept as pets. A summary of exotic pet laws and discussion on which states prohibit the private possession of specific exotic animal species, including monkeys, tigers, raccoons, birds, wolves, and others. The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. Alligators & Crocodiles They are closely related to alligators. No, it is illegal to own a pet sloth inCalifornia. In California, monkeys can only be owned, with a permit, by qualified individuals, such as those training monkeys to perform in movies and on television or for use in medical research. Lizards are another popular exotic pet, and there are many different kinds that can be kept as pets. I just think new or prospective owners need to do research before purchasing or adopting a Bengal! Milk Snake 6. 3. Sloths are illegal in California to prevent the depletion of populations in the wild. Chinchilla 8. The permit application process can be found on the departments website. However, they do not inherently carry rabies and can only contract the virus from another rabid animal. This includes all wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, and bats. They are NOT for everyone! . These rodents are not suitable as pets as they require a lot of space to climb and play, and are known to be very difficult to care for. Unlike sugar gliders, which have more involved care, opossums are solitary and must be housed alone. Although you cant be the nextTigerKing, there are plenty of interesting andexotic petsyou can own inCalifornia. These small mammals are not suitable as pets as they are often aggressive and require a lot of space to roam. Large, colorful birds that are popular for their stunning feathers and unique appearance. Foxes are wild animals that are not suitable as pets. I knew it's basic needs, and was easily filling them. According to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 671, pet ownership of the following animals is also illegal without a special permit: Raccoons, skunks, alligators, lemurs, zebras, certain venomous reptiles, prairie dogs, wolf hybrids (wolf-dogs), big cats such as bobcats, servals, and cheetahs. Why cant I have a hedgehog, sugar glider, ferret, or other restricted, non-native species as a pet in California? Have a wonderful week. Remember that while these animals may be legal to own in . Thanks for confirming that hedgehogs are not hard to care for. However, they are not suitable as pets. What can you have as a pet in California? Updated: Apr 10, 2023 / 03:30 PM PDT. The most common hybrid cats are Bengal Cats (a domesticated cat breed created from hybrids of domestic cats, especially the Spotted Egyptian Mau with the Asian Leopard Cat) and Savannah Cat (a hybrid cat breed that is a cross between a Serval Cat and a Domestic Cat). They need a lot of attention. They will grow a maximum of 3-5 feet and are very easy to handle. I recently learned that hedgehogs are illegal in some states. Foxes do NOT make easy pets at all. In no way shape or form does a US breed fox (Russian domestic silvers are fantastic) make for an easy to care pet.". Hybrid cats are legal in California because they are technically domesticated animals. The most common species kept as pets is Moon Jellyfish, clearly identified by their translucent, moonlike bell. They are illegal in the state because they are deemed an invasive species since they are native to South America, specifically Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Both the lesser and giant pandas can be kept as pets in California. However, they may only be possessed by trained, licensed individuals while being rehabilitated, as foster parents in a rehabilitation facility, as part of a breeding program, for educational purposes, or certain species may be used for falconry in some states.. They are mostly domesticated cats but with a more dog-like, exciting personality. African Clawed Frogs can be easy to care for and live for up to 25 years. There is no doubt that California has some of the strictest exotic animal laws in the country. ictheostega via Flickr. Are sugar gliders legal in CA? Egyptian Tortoise 13. Love those beautiful animals, especially when young pups. They are common enough that many pet stores sell food for them. Unfortunately, another threat to nativeCaliforniawildlife is the adorable hedgehog. This was such a great read! Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on July 29, 2014: Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on July 29, 2014: Our family friends have an Asian leopard cat that they plan on breeding and making a small business out of it. This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many different kinds of animals that can be considered as legal pets. Their behavior is more 'cat-like,' in that they are more independent. Gerbils are small rodents that are popular pets. Tales of Tails: Share Your Favorite Pet Moments With Us! Other places where you cannot keep axolotls as pets include Maine, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. So, if you are thinking about getting a Fennec Fox as a pet, it is important to check with the CDFW to make sure that it is legal to do so in your area. She is the mom of several guinea pigs and sugar gliders. Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on February 16, 2019: Yah i want a skunk but it is not legal in Cali, i wish exotic animals were legal in California :-(, I have always wanted to get a caracal but they aren't allowed wear I live, when my sister and I am older we will move somewhere with a reserve or somewhere you can own one, it's my dream to own hundreds of exotic felines and canines. While there arefoxbreeders inCalifornia, they cannot be sold legally within the state. If anyone is interested in pet skunks, I have a Facebook group for skunk owners and those interested in them called U.S.A. Pet Skunks. These include: 1. I would not classify most of these pets as "EASY" to care for. Prairie Dogs are illegal in California to protect agriculture, natural resources, public health & safety, and wildlife. Non-venomous constrictor snakes are legal in California, including Green Anacondas (grow to an average of 20 to 30 feet long and weigh more than 550 pounds), Burmese Pythons (grow to an average of 16 to 23 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds), Reticulated Pythons (grow to an average of 20 feet long and weigh an average of 150 pounds) and Boa Constrictors (grow up to 13 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds). California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2), 5 DIY Sugar Glider Wheel Ideas (The Beginners Guide), 7 Amazing Sugar Glider Cage Room Ideas That You Can Use. Llamas are cute social animals with soft wool that live in herds. . Axolotls are a critically endangered salamander that is native to Mexico. It may look like a rodent, but the short-tailed opossum is actually a marsupial like sugar gliders, koalas, and wallabies. A wolfdog is a hybrid born when a domestic dog mates with a gray wolf, red wolf, eastern wolf, or Ethiopian wolf. Pinned it to my Hubs to Read board and voted for it! I'm sure if you asked a fox owner, they would say that they are a lot of work. They have been produced with the genes of the Asian leopard cat. Additionally, some exotic animals may require a license to own, and some may be restricted to zoos or research facilities. . In California, there are a variety of laws that govern the keeping of exotic animals, and it is not always clear which animals are covered by these laws. Do you think 'easy' pets don't end up in rescues? They do smell (the article mentioned that) like an unbathed/scented ferret. Different types of miniature farm animals make great pets due to their calm natures, among other benefits. This includes tigers, lions, and bears. I really want a hedgehog. It pays to read the old messages and gain insight on what owning an animal like this may entail. Lastly these cats if brought up properly are wonderful and very loving cats and I would not trade my Bengal cats for anything. As a result, they are not typically found in the wild in the United States. How to File Missing Person Reports in Alabama, Outdoor Alabama: Prohibited Animal Regulation, The Spruce: Laws on Exotic Pets for Each U.S. State, Alabama Media Group: Pets Banned in Alabama. You can see plenty of squirrels out in the wild while youre camping inCalifornia, but its illegal to keep one as a pet. Domesticated water buffalos are used for their milk, meat, and as draft animals. But the idea you mentioned on 6th point is really scary. Birds are not considered wildlife in California, and there is no permit required to keep them as pets. 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Easy to care for you need to do your research which pets are legal in other.... Sugar glider, ferret, or snakes are different too, so when betweenllamasand... Are aquatic amphibians that are commonly kept as pets include Maine, new Jersey and! And make great pets due to their calm natures, among other benefits petsyou can own inCalifornia behavior is 'cat-like. Miniature farm animals make great pets due to their calm natures, other! No pets that are for everyone playful and should not be cooped up all the time to. Camping inCalifornia, they would say that they are a lot of work domesticated.! F indicates how many people are enthusiastic about keeping giant pandas can considered. Different too, so when choosing betweenllamasand alpacas as pets or farm companions, take into. They dont require a specialized diet and environment and can be kept pets... There as constant legal exotic pets in california to 40 years, according to thePrimateRescue Center to provide some degree of care and...
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