Exotic pet laws in South Carolina
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what South Carolina 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 South Carolina
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fennec fox | Banned | State law makes it unlawful to possess a live fox unless DNR permits it, and the text does not limit this to native foxes. The permits found are for hunting enclosures and trappers, not pet owners.DNR permit only; text does not say native foxes only | S.C. Code 50-11-2605; 50-11-2640(A) |
| Red fox | Banned | State law bars possessing a live fox unless the DNR permits it. The permits are for hunting enclosures and licensed trappers, not pet owners. DNR also says it issues no permits for private personal possession of wildlife.DNR permit only | S.C. Code 50-11-2605 |
| Big cat | Banned | State law bars private individuals from owning lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, cheetahs and hybrids. Only animals owned before 2018 and registered with local animal control are grandfathered. USDA licensees are exempt.grandfathered pre-2018 animals only; USDA licensee exemption | S.C. Code 47-2-10(2)(a); 47-2-30 |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Banned | The American alligator is a state threatened species and may not be possessed without a DNR permit. State permits cover propagation, scientific and special purposes, not pet owners. I found no state rule on caiman or other crocodilians.American alligator only; other crocodilians not addressed | Regs 123-151.4(A); Regs 123-150.2; S.C. Code... |
| Tegu | Banned | Black and white tegus are restricted nonnative wildlife. After the 2021 registration period, possessing one needs a DNR permit, and new permits are for scientific and special purposes only. Only animals registered in 2021 are grandfathered.only tegus registered with DNR in 2021 are grandfathered; permit, microchip, no breeding | S.C. Code 50-15-55; Regs 123-152(B), (C), (D)(1) |
| Bear | Banned | Non-native bears are banned for private owners. Native black bears may be held in captivity only under a DNR permit, and DNR says it issues no permits for private personal possession of wildlife.DNR permit for black bear; non-native bears banned outright | S.C. Code 47-2-30; 50-11-430(E)(6) |
| Venomous snake | Depends | I found no state ban or permit for keeping nonnative venomous snakes. Native venomous snakes cannot be sold, bought or traded. Check with SC DNR before buying.nonnative: no state rule found; native species cannot be sold or bought | S.C. Code 50-15-15; Regs 123-151.3(A) |
| Axolotl | No state restriction found | South Carolina has no state rule I found that bars or permits pet axolotls. Amphibians are not on any prohibited list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Capybara | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names capybaras or large rodents. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| African pygmy hedgehog | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names hedgehogs. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Ferret | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are treated as pets under the state rabies law. They must have current rabies vaccination, renewed annually, and sellers must give buyers a bite warning notice.annual rabies vaccination | S.C. Code 47-5-50; 47-5-20 |
| Sugar glider | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names sugar gliders or marsupials. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Wallaby | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names wallabies or marsupials. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Chinchilla | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names chinchillas. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Tarantula | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names tarantulas or spiders. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Pet monkey | No state restriction found | The state ban covers great apes, not monkeys, and no rule names monkeys. State law does bar possessing species on the federal endangered foreign list, which includes some monkeys. Check the species with SC DNR.species on the federal endangered foreign list barred | S.C. Code 47-2-10(2)(c); 50-15-30(C)(3) |
| Kangaroo | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names kangaroos or marsupials. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Prairie dog | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names prairie dogs. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Giant constrictor | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names giant constrictors or large snakes. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| Serval or savannah cat | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Raccoon | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Skunk | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Bobcat | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Kinkajou | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Otter | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Lemur | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Wolfdog | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Carolina's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you buy. | Agency page |
Who regulates exotic pets in South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the agency to ask. Rabies law: normally wild carnivores may not be sold as pets, domesticated ferrets exempt with annual rabies vaccination (47-5-50). Permit needed to import furbearers, bears and others for release or introduction (50-16-20). Releasing nonnative wildlife from captivity is unlawful (50-15-55). DNR rehab page states no permits are issued for private personal possession of wildlife.
The main texts:
- S.C. Code 47-2 large wild cats, non-native bears, great apes
- S.C. Code 50-16 importation of wildlife
- S.C. Regs 123-152 nonnative wildlife
Before you buy in South Carolina
- 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 South Carolina.
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 South Carolina?
- We could not confirm South Carolina's rule yet. Ask the state wildlife agency before you buy.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in South Carolina?
- No state restriction found. The state ban covers great apes, not monkeys, and no rule names monkeys. State law does bar possessing species on the federal endangered foreign list, which includes some monkeys. Check the species with SC DNR.
- Is it legal to own a fox in South Carolina?
- Banned. State law bars possessing a live fox unless the DNR permits it. The permits are for hunting enclosures and licensed trappers, not pet owners. DNR also says it issues no permits for private personal possession of wildlife.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in South Carolina?
- We could not confirm South Carolina's rule yet. Ask the state wildlife agency before you buy.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in South Carolina?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are treated as pets under the state rabies law. They must have current rabies vaccination, renewed annually, and sellers must give buyers a bite warning notice.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in South Carolina?
- No state restriction found. No state rule I found names capybaras or large rodents. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in South Carolina?
- Start with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Then ask your county and city.