Is it legal to own a hedgehog? A state-by-state guide
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The African pygmy hedgehog is a small, spiny, insect-eating mammal from Africa, where it lives in desert dune and scrub habitat. Adults are roughly 7 to 9 inches long and weigh around 600 grams. It's solitary and nocturnal, so it sleeps through the day and forages at night. In the U.S., many pet hedgehogs are sold by breeders. People ask whether they can keep one because they look like an easy apartment pet. Rules differ by state, so check yours first.
Banned 5Permit needed 1Depends 2No state restriction found 39Not verified yet 4
State by state
Tap a state name for every animal we cover there. The source link on each row goes to the rule itself.
| State | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No state restriction found | Alabama's possession rules do not name hedgehogs and no permit is required under the rules read. Check with the state wildlife agency if unsure. | Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.26(1) |
| Alaska | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are on Alaska's clean list and may be kept, bought and sold without a state permit. They may not be released.Clean list species; may not be released into the wild | 5 AAC 92.029(b) |
| Arizona | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are expressly not restricted in Arizona. Other hedgehogs (European) are restricted.Genus Atelerix only | Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-406(F)(6) |
| Arkansas | No state restriction found | The African pygmy hedgehog is on the state's unrestricted list, so it needs no Commission permit to keep, breed, sell or import. | AGFC Code Addendum R1.01 (Unrestricted Captiv... |
| California | Banned | Hedgehogs fall under the restricted insectivore order, so private pet ownership is not allowed. The only permits are for specified purposes such as exhibiting, breeding or research, so there is no pet permit. | 14 CCR 671(c)(2)(D) |
| Colorado | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are on Colorado's unregulated wildlife list, so no state licence is needed. Other hedgehog species are prohibited.African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) only | 2 CCR 406-11 #1103(B) |
| Connecticut | No state restriction found | State law says hedgehogs of the genus Atelerix are not wild mammals, so the wildlife possession permit rules do not apply to African pygmy hedgehogs. | Conn. Gen. Stat. 26-55(a) |
| Delaware | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are named as exempt from the Delaware exotic animal permit requirement. No state permit is needed. | 3 DE Admin. Code 903 sec. 6.1.1 |
| District of Columbia | Banned | DC bans possessing or giving as a household pet any living animal that is not on a short exception list, including captive-bred animals. This species is not on the list. | D.C. Code 8-1808(j)(1) |
| Florida | No state restriction found | Florida names hedgehogs among animals that need no permit for personal use, unless another FWC rule regulates the species. No other rule covers African pygmy hedgehogs.No state permit needed for personal use | Fla. Admin. Code 68A-6.003(14)(b) |
| Georgia | Banned | All hedgehogs need a wild animal licence in Georgia. Georgia wild animal licences go only to wild animal businesses and public exhibitors, so a pet owner cannot get one.Wild animal licence required; not issued to pet owners | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-8-.05; O.C.G.A. 27... |
| Hawaii | Banned | African pygmy hedgehogs are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list. Only one other hedgehog species appears, on the research and exhibition list, so pet hedgehogs are barred.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| Idaho | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are named as conventional pets in Idaho and need no state permit. Only the European hedgehog is on the deleterious exotic animal list.Not intended for release into the wild; European hedgehog (Erinaceus) is listed separately | IDAPA 13.01.10.010(06) and 13.01.10.200(06)(b) |
| Illinois | No state restriction found | Not named in any Illinois restricted list I read, so no state permit is needed. Local rules were not checked. | 720 ILCS 5/48-10; 520 ILCS 5/2.2 |
| Indiana | No state restriction found | Indiana does not name the African pygmy hedgehog. Mammals not named in the rules are exempted wild animals and no state permit is listed for it. | 312 IAC 9-3-20 |
| Iowa | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are not on Iowa's dangerous wild animal list and no state permit applies. Check local rules. | Iowa Code ch. 717F (not covered) |
| Kansas | No state restriction found | Kansas treats the African pygmy hedgehog as exotic wildlife, which may be possessed and bought without a state permit if legally obtained where it came from and kept confined.Legal origin required; must be confined at all times | K.A.R. 115-20-3(a), (d) |
| Kentucky | Depends | Kentucky does not ban hedgehogs by name. A transportation permit is required before receiving one shipped from outside Kentucky. Only a short list of animals is exempt from possession permits, so ask Kentucky Fish and Wildlife about in-state purchases.Transportation permit needed to receive from out of state; in-state purchase rules unclear | 301 KAR 2:082 Sections 1, 2, 4, 7, 10(5) |
| Louisiana | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are not named on any Louisiana prohibited or permit list I read, so no state permit applies. | LAC 76:V.115(C); LAC 76:XV.101(K); LAC 76:V.701 |
| Maine | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are on Maine's Unrestricted Species list, so no state possession permit is needed. Other hedgehog species are not listed, and unlisted species may not be possessed.African pygmy (four-toed) hedgehog only | 09-137 CMR ch. 7, secs. 7.06(1), 7.06(4); Unr... |
| Maryland | No state restriction found | Maryland's wildlife rabies rule expressly says it does not prohibit importing or possessing hedgehogs, and hedgehogs are not on the state prohibited animal list. | COMAR 08.03.09.03C |
| Massachusetts | No state restriction found | The four-toed (African pygmy) hedgehog is on the state exempt list and may be kept without a permit. | 321 CMR 9.01(12)(a)1 |
| Michigan | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are not on any Michigan prohibited or permit list that I read. Local rules may differ. | MCL 324.41301(1)(k) and (o) (Part 413 lists);... |
| Minnesota | No state restriction found | Minnesota does not list the African pygmy hedgehog as a protected wild animal, a regulated animal or a prohibited invasive species, so no state permit or ban was found. | Minn. Stat. 97A.015 subd. 39 and 53; 97A.501... |
| Mississippi | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no general exotic pet permit applies. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Missouri | 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) |
| Montana | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Montana's rule for this animal yet. Ask Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks before you buy. | Agency page |
| Nebraska | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Nebraska's rule for this animal yet. Ask Nebraska Game and Parks Commission before you buy. | |
| Nevada | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are named on Nevada's list of animals that may be kept without an NDOW license. Other hedgehog species are not named.No NDOW license needed; animals may not be released into the wild | NAC 503.140(1)(rr) |
| New Hampshire | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are named as non-controlled in New Hampshire, so no possession permit is required. | N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.02(b) |
| New Jersey | Permit needed | The African pygmy hedgehog is an exotic animal that is not on New Jersey's exempt list, so a state possession permit is required. The Individual Hobby permit is the pet route. Only the European hedgehog is named, but the general rule covers it.Individual Hobby permit from the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife; $10 per year, expires December 31 | N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.5; 7:25-4.2(a); 7:25-4.6(a) |
| New Mexico | No state restriction found | The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix) is in group I of the Director's Species Importation List, the semi-domesticated group. No importation permit is needed, and the possession permit rule covers only groups II to IV.Group I | Director's Species Importation List, group I;... |
| New York | No state restriction found | The African pygmy hedgehog is not on New York's dangerous animal list or covered by the state wild-animal pet ban, so state law does not restrict it. | 6 NYCRR 180.1(b); ECL 11-0103(6)(e) |
| North Carolina | No state restriction found | North Carolina has no rule naming hedgehogs. The state captivity licence rule covers only native wild animals, and hedgehogs are not native. A separate import permit rule for live wild animals may apply to out-of-state purchases; ask the Commission. | 15A NCAC 10H .1401(b), (d)(13), (d)(16) |
| North Dakota | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are listed as Category 1 nontraditional livestock, which needs no license. Owners must still follow the board's other rules, such as import health paperwork.Category 1 | N.D. Admin. Code 48.1-09-01-02(1) |
| Ohio | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are not on Ohio's dangerous wild animal list and are not native, so no state permit was found. | ORC 935.01(C) |
| Oklahoma | No state restriction found | Oklahoma names hedgehogs in its list of animals exempt from wildlife import permits and breeder licences, so no state permit is needed to keep one. Check the Wildlife Department for any other rule. | OAC 800:25-25-3(a) |
| Oregon | No state restriction found | The African pygmy hedgehog (four-toed hedgehog) is on Oregon's noncontrolled list, so no state wildlife permit is needed. Eurasian hedgehog species are prohibited, so check the species when buying.Eurasian hedgehogs (Erinaceus) are prohibited | OAR 635-056-0060(1)(i) |
| Pennsylvania | Banned | Pennsylvania bars importing, possessing or selling any wild animal, meaning any mammal other than horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, that is held in captivity or captive bred elsewhere. The rules name no pet permit for hedgehogs.Exotic wildlife permit definition does not name this animal; a permit would need 2 years hands-on experience at an approved facility | 58 Pa. Code 137.1(a)(11); 34 Pa.C.S. 102 (wil... |
| Rhode Island | No state restriction found | The African pygmy hedgehog is on the exempt list, so no exotic animal possession permit is needed. | 250-RICR-40-05-3 3.17(A)(6)(a)(1) |
| South Carolina | 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;... |
| South Dakota | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Dakota's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Dakota Animal Industry Board (captive nondomestic animals) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Tennessee | No state restriction found | Not named or restricted. A nonnative mammal not listed in another class falls in Class III, which needs no TWRA permit. The state agriculture department may have its own import rules.Class III; no TWRA permit | Tenn. Code 70-4-403(3) |
| Texas | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are not named in any Texas state possession rule, so no state permit applies. | Tex. Health & Safety Code 822.101(4); Tex. Pa... |
| Utah | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix) are listed as domestic, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit. Other hedgehog species are controlled and need a certificate of registration.Listed as a domestic animal, so not governed by the Division's certificate of registration rule | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Vermont | Depends | The African pygmy hedgehog is on Vermont's Unrestricted list, so no state permit is needed, but only U.S. captive-bred animals qualify. Captive-bred animals must come with a statement of origin or veterinary certificate.U.S. captive bred only | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
| Virginia | No state restriction found | Virginia has no state ban or permit for African pygmy hedgehogs. Unlisted nonnative animals may be possessed, purchased and sold. | 4VAC15-30-40(H) |
| Washington | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| West Virginia | No state restriction found | Not on West Virginia's dangerous wild animal list, and not a native mammal under the wildlife possession law, so no state permit is required. | W. Va. Code R. 74-1-3; W. Va. Code 20-1-2 |
| Wisconsin | No state restriction found | The African pygmy hedgehog is a nonnative wild animal that is not on Wisconsin's harmful list, so state law requires no licence to keep one as a pet. | Wis. Stat. 169.04(4)(b) |
| Wyoming | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Wyoming's rule for this animal yet. Ask Wyoming Game and Fish Department before you buy. | Agency page |
Federal law
- APHIS import rules for hedgehogs. Anyone importing a hedgehog, including the African pygmy hedgehog, needs an APHIS import permit and a health certificate. Imports from foot-and-mouth regions and from New Zealand are barred. Buying one inside the US is not covered. 9 CFR 93.701, 93.704, 93.705
Why states regulate it
Hedgehogs aren't dangerous to people in the way big cats or primates are, so the reasons for restricting them are narrower. The clearest one is disease. The CDC investigated a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to pet hedgehogs that sickened 54 people in 23 states, and a hedgehog can carry the germ while looking healthy and clean. Cleaning and handling habits matter, and the CDC says small pets like hedgehogs are not recommended for households with young children, older adults or people with weakened immune systems.
Before you buy
- Hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal, so you'll mostly see yours in the evening. The Royal Veterinary College says they should be housed on their own.
- Lifespan figures vary. A veterinary college puts the average at 3 to 5 years with 10 recorded, so ask a breeder what their animals actually live to.
- They need steady warmth, about 24 to 30 degrees Celsius according to the Royal Veterinary College, plus the largest enclosure you can manage. Wire floors injure their feet, and a wheel is advised.
- Find an exotics vet before you buy. Tumours (described as very common), dental disease, heart disease and the neurological condition called wobbly hedgehog syndrome are all reported in pet hedgehogs.
- Wash your hands after touching the animal or its cage, and skip the kisses. Think twice if a child under 5, an adult over 65 or someone immunocompromised lives with you.
Sources for the facts about the animal: animaldiversity.org, rvc-web-app01.live01.azure.rvc.ac.uk, archive.cdc.gov.
Check your own state
The legality checker shows one animal in one state with its source, and exotic pet laws by state lists every state we cover. Related guides: ferret, sugar glider, chinchilla.
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 hedgehog in California?
- Banned. Hedgehogs fall under the restricted insectivore order, so private pet ownership is not allowed. The only permits are for specified purposes such as exhibiting, breeding or research, so there is no pet permit.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Texas?
- No state restriction found. African pygmy hedgehogs are not named in any Texas state possession rule, so no state permit applies.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Florida?
- No state restriction found. Florida names hedgehogs among animals that need no permit for personal use, unless another FWC rule regulates the species. No other rule covers African pygmy hedgehogs.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in New York?
- No state restriction found. The African pygmy hedgehog is not on New York's dangerous animal list or covered by the state wild-animal pet ban, so state law does not restrict it.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Pennsylvania?
- Banned. Pennsylvania bars importing, possessing or selling any wild animal, meaning any mammal other than horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, that is held in captivity or captive bred elsewhere. The rules name no pet permit for hedgehogs.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Illinois?
- No state restriction found. Not named in any Illinois restricted list I read, so no state permit is needed. Local rules were not checked.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Ohio?
- No state restriction found. Hedgehogs are not on Ohio's dangerous wild animal list and are not native, so no state permit was found.
- Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Georgia?
- Banned. All hedgehogs need a wild animal licence in Georgia. Georgia wild animal licences go only to wild animal businesses and public exhibitors, so a pet owner cannot get one.
- Is African pygmy hedgehog legal in every state?
- No. In our data it is banned in 5 states and needs a permit in 1. The table above shows each state.
- Does 'no state restriction found' mean I can buy one?
- No. It means the state rule we read does not ban it or require a state permit. County and city rules, federal law, sale and import rules and your landlord can still stop you.