Is it legal where you live?
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
Check an animal
Runs in your browser. Never paste a permit number or personal data. Confirm with your state wildlife agency.
Every animal, all states
- Axolotl
- Capybara
- African pygmy hedgehog
- Ferret
- Sugar glider
- Fennec fox
- Serval or savannah cat
- Wallaby
- Chinchilla
- Tarantula
- Raccoon
- Red fox
- Skunk
- Pet monkey
- Kangaroo
- Big cat
- Bobcat
- Prairie dog
- Kinkajou
- Otter
- Lemur
- Alligator or other crocodilian
- Venomous snake
- Giant constrictor
- Tegu
- Bear
- Wolfdog
Every state, all animals
Start from exotic pet laws by state.
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
- Does a result of no state restriction mean I can buy one today?
- No. It means the state rule we read does not ban the animal or require a state permit. County and city rules, federal law, sale and import rules, your landlord and your insurer can still stop you. Call your state wildlife agency and your county.
- What does Not verified yet mean?
- It means we could not read or confirm that state's rule for that animal. It does not mean the animal is allowed. Ask your state wildlife agency.
- Does this change wild status?
- No. An allowed pet can still be Critically Endangered in the wild.