Is it legal to own a wallaby? A state-by-state guide
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
Wallabies are smaller relatives of the kangaroo, hopping marsupials from Australia and nearby islands. The red-necked wallaby lives in the coastal forests of eastern and southeastern Australia and weighs roughly 14 to 19 kilograms as an adult, with males bigger than females. It's mainly active around dawn and dusk and grazes on grasses and herbs. People ask about owning one because baby wallabies look cuddly and the animals are a familiar sight in zoos and wildlife parks. Rules differ by state.
Banned 11Permit needed 6Depends 4No state restriction found 24Not verified yet 6
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 | Wallabies are not named in Alabama's prohibited lists and no state permit is required under the rules read. | Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.26(1) |
| Alaska | Banned | Wallabies are not on Alaska's clean list, and the state issues no permit to keep game animals as pets. Private pet ownership is barred.Only clean list species may be kept; no permit is issued for pets | 5 AAC 92.029(a), (c) |
| Arizona | No state restriction found | Wallabies and other Macropodidae are not on Arizona's restricted mammal list, so no state license is required. | Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-406 |
| Arkansas | Depends | Only the red-necked (Bennett's) wallaby is on the permit-required list, so it can be bought from a permitted dealer. Other wallaby species are not listed and are prohibited until evaluated.Red-necked wallaby only. Buy from a Commission-permitted Wildlife Breeder/Dealer or import under a Wildlife Importation Permit; keep acquisition records; vet certificate of freedom from diseases and parasites; separate sexes or neuter (Code 09.02). | AGFC Code Addendum R1.02 (Permit Required Cap... |
| California | Banned | Wallabies are marsupials, and all marsupials are restricted. The only permits are for specified purposes such as exhibiting, breeding or research, so there is no pet permit. | 14 CCR 671(c)(2)(C) |
| Colorado | Depends | Only three wallabies are on Colorado's unregulated list: dama (tammar), swamp and Bennett's (red-necked). Those need no licence. Any other wallaby species is regulated wildlife and not available to pet owners.Dama, swamp and Bennett's wallabies only | 2 CCR 406-11 #1103(B) |
| Connecticut | Depends | Many wallaby groups (rock, pademelon, swamp, nail-tailed, hare, forest wallabies, quokka) are barred. Bennett's, parma and other Notamacropus wallabies are not named in the list. Species matters, so ask DEEP before buying.Depends on species; named genera prohibited, Notamacropus not named | Regs. Conn. State Agencies 26-55-6(a)(3)(B)(v... |
| Delaware | Permit needed | A wallaby is a nonnative wild mammal, so it needs a Delaware Individual Exotic Animal Permit, one per animal, with a $25 fee. The Department may inspect the premises.Individual Permit (Dept. of Agriculture), $25 fee, valid 3 years, one per animal | 3 Del. C. 7201, 7202; 3 DE Admin. Code 903 se... |
| 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 | Permit needed | Wallabies are not listed as Class I or II, so they are Class III. A private owner needs a no-cost personal-use wildlife permit and approved caging.Class III personal-use permit, no fee, age 16+, approved caging | Fla. Admin. Code 68A-6.003(8); 68A-6.002(1)(c... |
| Georgia | Banned | Georgia lists all kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos as inherently dangerous wild animals needing a licence and insurance. Georgia wild animal licences go only to wild animal businesses and public exhibitors, so a pet owner cannot get one.Licence and liability insurance required; not issued to pet owners | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-8-.04; O.C.G.A. 27... |
| Hawaii | Banned | Hawaii lists every Macropus species and many other wallaby genera on its research and exhibition list. A few species also appear on the private and commercial list, but the state says Part B animals cannot be imported as pets.Part A research and exhibition only; Part B animals not allowed as pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2)-(3); HDOA Plant Quarantine... |
| Idaho | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Idaho's rule for this animal yet. Ask Idaho State Department of Agriculture (deleterious exotic animals) and Idaho Department of Fish and Game (captive wildlife) before you buy. | |
| Illinois | No state restriction found | Wallabies and other marsupials are 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 | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Indiana's rule for this animal yet. Ask Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife before you buy. | Agency page |
| Iowa | No state restriction found | Wallabies and other marsupials 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 wallaby 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 wallabies 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 | Wallabies 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 | Banned | Maine lists kangaroos, wallabies and relatives (Family Macropodidae) as a Category 1 Restricted Species. Only exhibitors, wildlife rehabilitators, USDA-registered laboratories and accredited research facilities may hold Category 1 species, not private pet owners. | 09-137 CMR ch. 7, secs. 7.06(3)(A), 7.18(2)(F) |
| Maryland | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Maryland's rule for this animal yet. Ask Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service before you buy. | |
| Massachusetts | Banned | The wallaby is not on the state exempt or domestic lists, so a state licence is needed, and licence applications to keep animals as pets are denied. Ordinary owners cannot keep it. | 321 CMR 9.01(1); 9.02(2)(c); 2.12(9)(a); M.G.... |
| Michigan | No state restriction found | Wallabies 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 wallaby 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 | Mississippi does not require a permit to own a wallaby. The Board of Animal Health treats kangaroo-type animals as other exotic animals. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Other Exo... |
| Missouri | 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) |
| 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 | No state restriction found | Wallabies are named on the list of wildlife that may be imported, and they are not a native wild mammal, so no captive wildlife permit applies under the rules read. | 163 NAC 4-008.08A |
| Nevada | No state restriction found | Nevada lets people keep marsupials, which includes wallabies, without an NDOW license. Marsupials are not on the prohibited list.No NDOW license needed; animals may not be released into the wild | NAC 503.140(1)(o) |
| New Hampshire | Banned | New Hampshire lists the wallaby as a controlled species, but only exhibitors can hold a permit for it. Private pet owners cannot legally keep one.Permit available only to exhibitors (permittee category 5) | N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.05, Table 800.2; Fis... |
| New Jersey | Permit needed | The wallaby 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.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 | Banned | Wallabies are in group IV of the Director's Species Importation List. Group IV is closed to the general public, and possessing a group IV animal needs a department permit that pet owners cannot get.Group IV; permits only for science, zoos, qualified experts | Director's Species Importation List, group IV... |
| New York | No state restriction found | The wallaby 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 wallabies. The state captivity licence rule covers only native wild animals, and wallabies 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 | Not verified yet | We could not confirm North Dakota's rule for this animal yet. Ask North Dakota Department of Agriculture, State Board of Animal Health (State Veterinarian) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Ohio | No state restriction found | Wallabies are not on Ohio's dangerous wild animal list and are not native wildlife. No state permit was found. | ORC 935.01(C) |
| Oklahoma | No state restriction found | Oklahoma names wallabies 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 | Oregon names kangaroos and wallabies (all Macropodidae species) on its noncontrolled list, so no state wildlife permit is needed to keep one. | OAR 635-056-0060(1)(h)(B) |
| 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 wallabies.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 | Permit needed | The wallaby is not on the exempt list, so a Department exotic animal possession permit is required, issued at DEM's discretion after inspection and a health certificate.Exotic animal possession permit from DEM Division of Agriculture | 250-RICR-40-05-3 3.17(A), 3.9(B)-(D) |
| South Carolina | 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;... |
| 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 | Marsupials are listed as Class III wildlife, 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)(J) |
| Texas | No state restriction found | Wallabies are not named in Texas dangerous wild animal or other state possession rules, so no state permit applies. | Tex. Health & Safety Code 822.101(4); Tex. Pa... |
| Utah | Permit needed | Wallabies and other Macropodidae are controlled. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration before keeping one.Certificate of registration (controlled species) | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1; R6... |
| Vermont | Banned | The wallaby is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Virginia | No state restriction found | Virginia has no state ban or permit for wallabies. Unlisted nonnative animals may be possessed, purchased and sold. | 4VAC15-30-40(H) |
| Washington | No state restriction found | Wallabies 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 wallaby 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 | Permit needed | Wallabies need a Game and Fish importation and possession permit in Wyoming. The Department guide lists kangaroos and wallabies as permit species. Some rare wallaby species are federally listed and barred.Chapter 10 permit; federally listed species (for example Parma wallaby) cannot be permitted | Wyo. Game & Fish Comm'n Ch. 10, Sections 3, 1... |
Federal law
- Endangered Species Act. A few wallaby species, such as the Parma wallaby, are listed as endangered, which bars interstate sale of those species without FWS authorization. The red-necked wallaby is not on the list. 50 CFR 17.11(h); 50 CFR 17.21(f)
Why states regulate it
Places that restrict wallabies usually point to a handful of general concerns. Escaped zoo and park animals have formed free-living groups in several countries, including the Isle of Man, France and the UK, so escapes are a real worry. Captive wallabies can also suffer from lumpy jaw, a dental disease that is often fatal and has been linked to soft, low-fibre diets and overcrowded enclosures. Meeting the needs of a large grazing animal at home is simply difficult.
Before you buy
- A red-necked wallaby can weigh up to about 18.6 kilograms, so plan for a large, secure outdoor enclosure and not a spare room.
- Wallabies are grazers, and soft, low-fibre, high-sugar diets have been linked to reduced tooth wear, a factor in lumpy jaw.
- Lumpy jaw is often fatal in captive macropods, so ask whether a vet near you actually treats kangaroos and wallabies before you buy.
- Overcrowded enclosures have been suggested as a risk factor for lumpy jaw, so more animals in less space is not a safe plan.
- This is not a beginner animal. Ask any seller about the animal's origin and health records, and expect a long commitment.
Sources for the facts about the animal: animaldiversity.org, en.wikipedia.org, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.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: kangaroo, sugar glider, capybara.
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 wallaby in California?
- Banned. Wallabies are marsupials, and all marsupials are restricted. 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 wallaby in Texas?
- No state restriction found. Wallabies are not named in Texas dangerous wild animal or other state possession rules, so no state permit applies.
- Is it legal to own a wallaby in Florida?
- Permit needed. Wallabies are not listed as Class I or II, so they are Class III. A private owner needs a no-cost personal-use wildlife permit and approved caging.
- Is it legal to own a wallaby in New York?
- No state restriction found. The wallaby 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 wallaby 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 wallabies.
- Is it legal to own a wallaby in Illinois?
- No state restriction found. Wallabies and other marsupials are 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 wallaby in Ohio?
- No state restriction found. Wallabies are not on Ohio's dangerous wild animal list and are not native wildlife. No state permit was found.
- Is it legal to own a wallaby in Georgia?
- Banned. Georgia lists all kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos as inherently dangerous wild animals needing a licence and insurance. Georgia wild animal licences go only to wild animal businesses and public exhibitors, so a pet owner cannot get one.
- Is wallaby legal in every state?
- No. In our data it is banned in 11 states and needs a permit in 6. 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.