legal exotic pets in california
17. Non-venomous constrictor snakes are legal in California, including Green Anacondas (grow to an average of 20 to 30 feet long and weigh more than 550 pounds), Burmese Pythons (grow to an average of 16 to 23 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds), Reticulated Pythons (grow to an average of 20 feet long and weigh an average of 150 pounds) and Boa Constrictors (grow up to 13 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds). Exotic cats are not for everyone. She loves to give affection, and has on occasion tried to preen the inside of my nose and ears. The 12 Exotic Cat Breeds That Are Legal to Keep as Pets in USA 1. Rats, mice, and gerbils are considered to be exotic animals, but they are not regulated by the CDFA. Hedgehogs deserve the number one spot on this list for being the easiest to care for while being 'exotic' (although the forms you'll find in pet stores are somewhat changed from the wild forms, making them domesticated). Thanks for confirming that hedgehogs are not hard to care for. In California, most wild animals are considered to be in a class called wildlife. Wildlife is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and it is illegal to keep, possess, transport or release any wildlife without a permit from the CDFW. Marcy J. Miller from Arizona on May 31, 2014: Excellent overview, as I always expect from your hubs! It is important to understand the laws regulating these animals before you decide to purchase or keep one as a pet. These birds are not suitable as pets as they require a specialized diet and are not meant to be kept in captivity. Fennec Fox 16. Large, powerful bovines native to North America that are famous for their meat and as a symbol of the American West. If you live in the great state of California, you need to know that if you want to own certain exotic pets you will need to obtain an exotic animal license (aka exotic pet license). While the above may sound enticing, California has strict laws on which animals are NOT to be kept as pets. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 31, 2014: Beth Perry from Tennesee on May 31, 2014: Some of those varmints sure are cute! Being an exotic mammal, the skunk as a pet is not legal in every state because they are rabies vectors. Savannah cats are a hybrid of the serval and the domesticated cat. A hyper kitten and a teething puppy make up an adult domesticated fox. Since I live in an apartment with a secure entrance door, and have a knee that is prone to dislocation, a pet that I had to bring outside all the time was not a good idea. The Syrian or golden hamster is also allowed as a pet in California. However, you should take a little extra time to know which pets are legal in California and the ones that arent. These pets are also wonderful for scaring conventional people. Hybrid Cats are one of the 10 exotic pets that can be owned legally in the state of California. But I had never had a bird before. Apart from the usual pets, below is a list of all the legal pets in California as of 2023. Chinchillas The average life span for a chinchilla is about 15 years. Some, though labeled exotic, are actually native to North America! They are very playful and so do best in large cages however they are small and fragile so may bite if held or cuddled too tightly. Spiders are another popular exotic pet, and there are many different kinds that can be kept as pets. This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. There are a number of exotic animals that are legal in California. This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many different kinds of animals that can be considered as legal pets. However, other exotic animals may be possessed without a permit or license. They are in a subfamily known as Erinaceinae (originally known as insectivores.) Yes, axolotls are legal in California. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Large, colorful birds with unique bills that are popular as exotic pets for their stunning appearance. You can also keep guinea pigs as pets if you live in California. Llamas are cute social animals with soft wool that live in herds. There are many legal pets in California, some that are understandable, like pygmy goats, miniature horses, and a chinchilla, and some that are utterly shocking, like zebra, bison, and ostrich. 14 animals that are surprisingly legal Exotic Pets and Where They Are Legal to Own Size: one size large medium small Universal XXXL XXL XL L M S XS EUR46 EUR45.5 EUR45 EUR44.5 EUR44 EUR43 EUR42.5 EUR42 EUR41 EUR40.5 EUR40 EUR39 EUR38.5 EUR38 EUR37.5 EUR37 EUR36 EUR35.5 EUR35 Yellow-Bellied Slider 5. They are NOT for everyone! I had no idea about half of the animals on here were thought of as pets! Different types of miniature farm animals make great pets due to their calm natures, among other benefits. Like ferrets, they are playful and should not be cooped up all the time. Also, California views Quaker Parrots as an agricultural threat because they can breed quickly. I waited for a while to make sure it wasn't just a passing phase, or that I just wanted one because it was so cute, and wasn't ready for the responsibilities of an animal. It pays to read the old messages and gain insight on what owning an animal like this may entail. However, "exotic pets" are so popular across the country many states have had to ban them. Although you cant be the nextTigerKing, there are plenty of interesting andexotic petsyou can own inCalifornia. Your email address will not be published. Check out this comprehensive guide to learn about the 29 exotic animals that are legal to own and the 35 that are illegal. Prairie Dogs are illegal in California to protect agriculture, natural resources, public health & safety, and wildlife. Your email address will not be published. Illegal pets are those considered to pose a threat to public health & safety, agriculture, or native wildlife. They are active and arboreal, unlike hamsters and gerbils, so they will need a significant amount of space, similar to a bird. Best Exotic Pets 18. Almost all animals other than cats and dogs are illegal, and any pet entering the state must be quarantined. Be sure to take a look at our handy quick list table below for a helpful overview of legal and illegal exotic pets in California! Sloths are illegal in California to prevent the depletion of populations in the wild. Exotic pet owners dread this state because it has some of the strictest exotic animals laws out there. They are legal to own all over the country except a few states like Washington, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nevada. How Long Do Pet and Wild Chinchillas Live? Despite being exotic, some ungulate species are legal in California, with most of them being domesticated. Small, social rodents that are popular as pets for their docile temperament and friendly personalities. These rodents are not suitable as pets as they require a lot of space to climb and play, and are known to be very difficult to care for. Each animal has its own specific needs, and its important to make sure you can meet those needs before you bring the pet home. You can actually keep rats as pets but will definitely need more attention than large pets such as cats, dogs, and gerbils. But the idea you mentioned on 6th point is really scary. All the rest of the animals are less expensive. Connor M. CTTC Californias Permit System for Desert Tortoises [Internet]. Domestic animals are regulated by local animal control agencies, and most of them require a permit to keep as pets. . Permits to Own Exotic Animals In addition to prohibitions and restrictions on exotic pet ownership, the majority of states have some sort of permit, license, or registration requirement to possess certain animals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. First, the CDFW does not consider a Fennec Fox to be a wild animal if it is kept in captivity and does not have the ability to escape. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Milk Snake 6. Non-human primates are extremely high-maintenance socially and psychologically. These are not aggressive, have living requirements that are easier to accommodate, and have simple diets (supplemented insects.) If youre not interested in owning them yourself, you can visit one of thesealpaca farms in SouthernCalifornia. Small rodents that are popular as pets for their cute appearance and ease of care. Guess what, they just die fast, or prematurely. They showed me how to handle a bird properly, and how to speak to my Lovie, and the body language a bird displays, and how subtle it was, and what to watch for. ALL popular species have a presence in rescues. Caimans are one of several species of reptiles from Central America and South America. I have owned almost all of these animals at one time or another, so this is coming with personal experience. Some are dangerous ,some are good but they all have their good and bad. They are originally from northern Syria and southern Turkey and have a lifespan of 2-3 years. Why are axolotls illegal in California? Are axolotls legal in California? Monkeysrequire constant care and attention, and many will live up to 40 years, according to thePrimateRescue Center. Here are 10 exotic animals that are legal to own in the state of Texas. Some of the exotics you include here are require levels of care equal to, or even far less, than certain common domestic pets -- a scorpion is vastly easier to tend than a dog, and a hedgehog much easier to tend than any of my horses. There are a number of legal exotic pets in California. My Pet name is "Rocky". Those of us that can see past the nuances of skunks become lifetime owners and love them deeply! Some might say alpacas are more like cats, whilellamas are like dogs. If you still want the pet after that, then you can get it. One should steer clear of these more difficult but undeniably interesting animals if they are not willing to put up with the undesirable instincts of wild species. To protect public health and safety, agriculture, wildlife, and natural resources, California's restrictions apply to many kinds of wild and domestic animals that are legal pets elsewhere, including hedgehogs, gerbils, degus, prairie dogs, sugar gliders, fur-ranch foxes, monkeys, and Quaker parakeets. Llamafiber, on the other hand, is commonly made into rugs. They are considered "exotic animals" under California law, meaning that they are not native to the state and are not "commonly kept as pets." But that doesn't mean that they are not legal to own in California - as long as you have the proper permits, llamas are allowed in the state. Ferrets, pygmy hedgehogs, and chinchillas are sometimes considered, Lower house destruction potential (or lack of need to free roam in the house), Non-excessive social needs (most birds and mammals will need, Many other qualities that make it simpler to provide them sufficient well-being, Reasonable caging requirements (no outdoor or large cage requirements), Little or no destructive tendencies (house manners). Arachnids with a venomous sting that are popular as exotic pets for their unique appearance. African Clawed Frogs are aquatic amphibians that are commonly kept as pets. =/ =o Answer? You could also choose a sloth, a hedgehog, or a sugar glider. The more uncommon your pet is, the more you will likely spend on vet care from a veterinarian that specializes in exotics and 'wildlife.'. If you are thinking about keeping a pet, it is important to check with your local city or county government to make sure that there are no restrictions on the type of pet that you can keep. They love water and will play in their water dishes. Like other Bengals, she's very vocal and requires almost constant human attention or she'll get lonely and cry. Can I own a monkey in California with a permit? Hybrid cats are legal in California because they are technically domesticated animals. They are very small animals, and they need a lot of attention and care in order to stay healthy. They have been produced with the genes of the Asian leopard cat. There are so many pets around and most people would prefer something different from the standard. Dogs are the most popular pet in America and . However, some of the most exotic legal pets include snakes, spiders, and lizards. Wolfdogs A wolfdog is a hybrid born when a domestic dog mates with a gray wolf, red wolf, eastern wolf, or Ethiopian wolf. They are amazing, and make the upkeep of the birds SOOOOO much simpler. In California, you are allowed to keep any domesticated animal as a pet. FIND HER ON: FACEBOOK and LINKEDIN and. Lastly these cats if brought up properly are wonderful and very loving cats and I would not trade my Bengal cats for anything. The answer to this question is yes, finger monkeys are legal in California. It may look like a rodent, but the short-tailed opossum is actually a marsupial like sugar gliders, koalas, and wallabies. Ostrich According to the Legal Information Institute(1) (LII), an exotic animal is defined as any animal not identified in the definition of animal provided in this part that is native to a foreign country or of foreign origin or character, is not native to the United States, or was introduced from abroad. They weigh about 20-40 pounds, which makes them about the size of a medium dog. While they may look cute and interesting, they are not suitable as pets. I suggest your think. Non-domesticated felines (with the exception of some hybrids) often spray indoors and destroy furniture, requiring an escape-proof enclosure. They are mouthy which can be a put off to people. Red-Footed Tortoise 7. Among other popular exotic animals that you should steer clear of (without a special permit) according to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 671, including raccoons, skunks, deer, alligators, lemurs, zebras, several venomous reptiles, prairie dogs, wolf hybrids, and large cats such as bobcats, leopards, jaguars, servals, and cheetahs. If brought up properly are wonderful and very loving cats and dogs are most... 29 exotic animals that are commonly kept as pets are in a class called wildlife animals than... Bovines native to North America that are legal to own and the 35 that are popular as pets mouthy. A monkey in California to protect agriculture, or a sugar glider owned... Their good and bad the animals are considered to pose a threat to public health safety! Agricultural threat because they are very small animals, and website in this browser for the next time I.... 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The legal exotic pets in california messages and gain insight on what owning an animal like this may entail SouthernCalifornia...
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