If you live in the United States and think you would like to have an exotic pet, check the laws of your state before buying a pet. Many states have illegal pet laws that you must follow. Even some animals that are commonly raised as pets in other regions of the world may be illegal animals in the United States.
# 10 Illegal Pets in the USA: Hedgehogs
While hedgehogs may look like ideal pocket pets, it is illegal to own them in many states, including California, Hawaii, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Some cities, such as Washington DC and New York, also have laws against owning them.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so you give up sleeping at night when you have one because their noise will keep you away. When they start to worry, they curl up into a tight ball, and you can easily get hurt if you try to unwrap them. In addition, they often carry foot and mouth disease.
Find out more about hedgehogs in this article.
# 9 Illegal Pets in the USA: Ferrets
Ferret ownership is illegal in California, Hawaii and many individual cities, including Washington and New York. The most common reason for banning them in these states is the changes they can cause in the ecosystem if installed or lost in the wild. Ferrets know how to escape, so this cannot be an unreasonable fear.
When ferrets feel threatened, they often bite. They also bite to get the person’s attention. They also feel bad when changes occur, and during this time they often bite others. These bites can spread germs and rabies. They also need to be cared for regularly, otherwise they have a strong musky odor that many find unpleasant.
If you’re still thinking about getting a ferret, learn more about it here.
# 8 Illegal Pets in the USA: Monkeys
It is illegal to own a monkey in 19 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rod – Island, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming. Other states have a partial ban on owning a monkey as a pet, while others, such as Florida, require you to volunteer to work with monkeys before buying them and take a written exam.
Captive monkeys tend to bond with the person they hold responsible and everyone else is considered an enemy. Monkeys are dirty and often throw feces all over the place. Wearing a diaper is a bad answer because it can stop muscle development or weaken developed muscles. In addition, monkeys carry many diseases that can be transmitted to humans when they decide to bite or scratch you. Before you think about getting it in areas where it is allowed by law, take into account that some monkeys live up to 40 years.
Learn about the different types of monkeys here.
# 7 Illegal Pets in the USA: Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders are a trendy pet that many prefer to have, but ownership is prohibited in many states, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. They are also illegal in some cities such as St. Paul, Minnesota, and New York.
Even if owning a sugar paraglider is legal in your area, you might want to think twice before adopting one as a pet. They are nocturnal and want to be dark during the day. Their food, consisting of special water and nectar drinks, can be difficult to find. Like pets, sugar gliders need regular veterinary care, but most veterinarians don’t take care of them.
Find out more about sugar gliders here.
# 6 Illegal Pets in the USA: Bengals
While it’s obvious why big cats like lions and tigers are banned as pets, it’s also illegal to own Bengal in at least 19 states. Others have strict laws that require you to prove that an animal is at least four generations away from its wild ancestors.
Capturing Bengal tigers and raising them with a domestic cat reduces the animal’s gene population in the wild, further reducing its chances of survival as a species. Most of them are bred in cat factories, where they are hardly looked after. Many of them have health and behavioral problems that make them difficult to control.
# 5 Illegal Pets in the USA: Chausies
Chausies are illegal in at least 19 states. These hybrid cats were created by breeding jungle cats and domestic cats. They are about twice the size of regular domestic cats and are very active. Walking your cat and giving it other exercise takes time, or it can become destructive. Many develop gluten allergies and can be expensive to eat.
It is impossible to convey domestic qualities to an animal that has been wild for thousands of years. Many owners find these cats to be very aggressive. In addition, many say their cats refuse to use the toilet. Because feral cats are inherently lonely, many Chausie are very antisocial.
# 4 Illegal Pets in the USA: Turtles
You cannot own domestic turtles in North Dakota or North Carolina, and in many other states it is illegal to sell them if their shell is less than 6 inches. However, other states prohibit the sale or trade of turtles unless they are certified Salmonella-free. They carry salmonella germs on their outer shell. When someone touches a turtle, they can become infected with germs and become seriously ill or die. Germs can also be in their cages or aquariums, so cleaning them can be hazardous to your health. In addition, other animals such as geckos and bearded lizards can also be carriers.
Read more about river turtles here.
# 3 Illegal Pets in the USA: Skunks
If you thought a pet skunk would be the perfect pet, don’t rush to buy one, especially if you live in 17 US states, including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, where pet skunks are banned. The prohibitions apply to animals that have been domesticated by removing scent glands.
Even domestic skunks often do not get along well with other animals they usually hunt in the wild, such as rodents and birds. Skunks need a quiet environment, so keeping them close to children is often problematic because they get scared easily. Skunk food can be difficult and expensive to find. In addition, skunks need regular medical care, including deworming. Since there is no rabies vaccine for skunks, they can transmit the disease to other animals and people if bitten.
Read here to learn more about skunks.
# 2 Illegal Pets in the USA: Lemurs.
If you think it would be fun to have a lemur, be careful where you choose to live as they are illegal pets in Ohio, Nevada, Florida, and North Carolina. In addition, the sale or transfer of lemurs is highly regulated in many other states.
Since lemurs are social animals, it is cruel to have only one lemur. Females have scent glands on many parts of their bodies, which they use in the wild to attract males. They will mark your home with this smell everywhere, and it is a very unpleasant smell. Lemurs love to make noise, so expect them to sing constantly, often breaking bad. Lemurs are usually quite aggressive, especially during puberty. This animal carries many diseases that can be transmitted to humans, and many of them can be transmitted to lemurs.
Find out more about lemurs here.
# 1 Illegal Pets in the USA: Zebras
Zebra is an illegal pet in Nevada and many other states. It’s impossible to tame a zebra. Their blow can injure or kill a person, and they often use it. It can be difficult to earn the trust of a zebra, even if it was domesticated and looked after as best as possible. Most owners report that they spent many months sitting with a bucket of grain in front of them before being able to even pet their animal. Many are very difficult to keep in fenced areas, as they are always looking for a way to escape. When they do, they often resort to death before allowing the person to coax them back into their place.
Read more about zebras here.
Make sure you check the illegal animal laws in your area before adopting a pet. The one you want may be illegal in your area. There are often good reasons behind the laws, as some illegal animals make bad pets.