Exotic pet laws in Missouri
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what Missouri law says about keeping it as a pet. Each row links to the rule it rests on; animals link to their own state-by-state guide.
Animal by animal in Missouri
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skunk | Banned | Skunks are not on the approved list for Class I breeder permits and are excluded from the hobby permit, so private pet ownership has no permit route in Missouri. | 3 CSR 10-9.420; 3 CSR 10-9.230; 3 CSR 10-9.10... |
| Bear | Banned for new owners | Black bears are Class II wildlife and the permit now covers only bears legally held before August 30, 2021. New owners cannot get one. Owners also must register with county law enforcement.Grandfathered animals only (held under Class II permit before Aug 30, 2021) | 3 CSR 10-9.351(1); RSMo 578.023 |
| Raccoon | Permit needed | A raccoon can be held only under a Wildlife Hobby Permit (one game mammal, bought from a Missouri breeder) or a Class I Wildlife Breeder Permit.Wildlife Hobby Permit ($11, one animal from a breeder) or Class I breeder permit | 3 CSR 10-9.105(7); 3 CSR 10-9.420 |
| Red fox | Permit needed | A red fox can be held only under a Wildlife Hobby Permit (one game mammal, bought from a Missouri breeder) or a Class I Wildlife Breeder Permit.Wildlife Hobby Permit ($11, one animal from a breeder) or Class I breeder permit | 3 CSR 10-9.105(7); 3 CSR 10-9.420 |
| Pet monkey | Permit needed | Missouri lists nonhuman primates as dangerous wild animals. A pet monkey may be kept outside a zoo or similar facility only if registered with the county law enforcement agency.Registration with local law enforcement in the county | RSMo 578.023 |
| Big cat | Permit needed | Lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and mountain lions are dangerous wild animals. Outside a zoo or similar facility they must be registered with county law enforcement. New mountain lion permits are closed.Registration with local law enforcement; mountain lions only if held under a Class II permit before Aug 30, 2021 | RSMo 578.023 |
| Bobcat | Permit needed | A bobcat needs a Wildlife Hobby Permit or Class I breeder permit, and the owner must also register it with the county law enforcement agency under the dangerous wild animal law.Hobby or Class I breeder permit plus county law enforcement registration | RSMo 578.023; 3 CSR 10-9.420; 3 CSR 10-9.105(7) |
| Lemur | Permit needed | Missouri lists nonhuman primates as dangerous wild animals. A lemur may be kept outside a zoo or similar facility only if registered with the county law enforcement agency.Registration with local law enforcement in the county | RSMo 578.023 |
| Venomous snake | Permit needed | Any deadly, dangerous or poisonous reptile must be registered with county law enforcement. Native venomous snakes (copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnakes) also need a Class II Wildlife Breeder Permit.County law enforcement registration; native species also Class II breeder permit | RSMo 578.023; 3 CSR 10-9.240 |
| Otter | Depends | A river otter needs a Wildlife Hobby Permit or Class I breeder permit. The Asian small-clawed otter is not native to Missouri and needs no state permit.River otter: hobby or Class I breeder permit; Asian small-clawed otter: none | 3 CSR 10-9.105(7); 3 CSR 10-9.420; 3 CSR 10-9... |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Depends | Alligators are not native to Missouri, so the Conservation Department needs no permit. The dangerous wild animal law requires county registration of any deadly or dangerous reptile but does not define the term. Ask local law enforcement.County registration if the animal counts as deadly or dangerous; term undefined | RSMo 578.023; 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Giant constrictor | Depends | Missouri requires county law enforcement registration of any deadly or dangerous reptile, and the law does not define which snakes count. The Conservation Department does not otherwise restrict nonnative snakes.County registration if the snake counts as deadly or dangerous; term undefined | RSMo 578.023; 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Axolotl | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep an axolotl without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Capybara | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a capybara without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| African pygmy hedgehog | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep an African pygmy hedgehog without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Ferret | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a domestic ferret without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Sugar glider | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a sugar glider without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Fennec fox | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a fennec fox without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. Foxes are not on the dangerous animal list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Serval or savannah cat | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a serval without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. Not named in the dangerous animal law. Savannah cats: no Missouri hybrid rule found. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Wallaby | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a wallaby without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Chinchilla | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a chinchilla without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Tarantula | No state restriction found | Missouri's Wildlife Code does not cover invertebrates except where it says so, and it does not mention tarantulas. No state permit is needed. | 3 CSR 10-4.110(1) |
| Kangaroo | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a kangaroo without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Kinkajou | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a kinkajou without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Tegu | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep an Argentine tegu without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. Tegus are not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Prairie dog | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Missouri's rule for this animal yet. Ask Missouri Department of Conservation before you buy. | Agency page |
| Wolfdog | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Missouri's rule for this animal yet. Ask Missouri Department of Conservation before you buy. | Agency page |
Who regulates exotic pets in Missouri
Missouri Department of Conservation is the agency to ask. Nonnative amphibians, reptiles and mammals may be possessed without a state permit except species in 3 CSR 10-4.117 and Class II wildlife. RSMo 578.023 requires county law enforcement registration for listed dangerous animals outside zoos and similar facilities. The Wildlife Code does not apply to invertebrates unless stated.
The main texts:
- RSMo 578.023 Keeping a dangerous wild animal
- 3 CSR 10-9.110 General Prohibition
- 3 CSR 10-9.105 Approved Confined Wildlife Species List
- 3 CSR 10-9.420 Wildlife Hobby Permit
Before you buy in Missouri
- Ask the state agency above, in writing if you can, and keep the answer.
- Ask your county and city: local ordinances can ban an animal the state allows.
- Check your lease, homeowners or renters insurance and any homeowner association rules.
- Buy only from a seller who can show the animal is captive-bred and legal to ship to Missouri.
See every state in exotic pet laws by state, or test one animal in the legality checker.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Missouri?
- Permit needed. A raccoon can be held only under a Wildlife Hobby Permit (one game mammal, bought from a Missouri breeder) or a Class I Wildlife Breeder Permit.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Missouri?
- Permit needed. Missouri lists nonhuman primates as dangerous wild animals. A pet monkey may be kept outside a zoo or similar facility only if registered with the county law enforcement agency.
- Is it legal to own a fox in Missouri?
- Permit needed. A red fox can be held only under a Wildlife Hobby Permit (one game mammal, bought from a Missouri breeder) or a Class I Wildlife Breeder Permit.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in Missouri?
- Banned. Skunks are not on the approved list for Class I breeder permits and are excluded from the hobby permit, so private pet ownership has no permit route in Missouri.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Missouri?
- No state restriction found. Missouri lets people keep a domestic ferret without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in Missouri?
- No state restriction found. Missouri lets people keep a capybara without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in Missouri?
- Start with Missouri Department of Conservation. Then ask your county and city.