You can own a zebra in California but not a hedgehog. What other animals aren’t allowed?

Dominique Williams
·3 min read
4

Pets are great companions, but not every animal makes a great pet. In fact, not every animal can be a pet in California.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates which animals residents can own, and which can cause a big hole in your wallet in fines, or even jail time.

Here are the restricted animals in California, and what can happen if you’re caught with one:

Animals you cannot own as pets in California

There are thousands of species on the department’s list of restricted animals that are illegal to own in California.

While some of these wild and domesticated animals are legal to have as pets in other states, California generally prohibits residents from owning any that are not native or are a threat to the state’s ecosystem.

Here are some of the animals you cannot own as pets in California, according to the department:

  • Wild birds including crows, jays and magpies

  • Hedgehogs

  • Bats

  • All species of hamsters except domesticated golden (or Syrian) hamsters

  • Wild fish including bass and herring

  • Alligators and crocodiles

  • Crayfish

  • Slugs and snails

  • Raccoon

  • Squirrels

  • Monkeys

  • Ferrets (illegal only in California and Hawaii)

Why are these animals illegal?

Not only are the listed non-native species illegal to own, but they’re not a good idea, either, the department says.

One of the reasons these animals may be restricted is that some are endangered, according to the department.

They can also be restricted if they pose a threat to California’s native fish and wildlife, agriculture or public health and safety.

If California allowed residents to own one species, like hedgehogs, the department said it’s likely there would be similar requests for many other non-native species, putting California’s rich wildlife diversity at risk.

Penalties for owning illegal animals

Owning an illegal animal in California is a misdemeanor.

Aside from getting the animal taken away, California residents who own a pet illegally will have to pay for the animal’s care, including food and medical costs, for at least 30 days.

A civil penalty of $500 to $10,000 is also possible, as well as a possible criminal penalty of six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Surprising animals you can own in the state

While California’s “cannot own” list is quite long, the list of animals the state does allow residents to own is quite interesting.

Keep in mind, though, that restrictions may be different within city limits.

The line between “could” and “should” is a bit muddled, but here are some animals you may be surprised to know you can own as pets in California, listed by the World Animal Foundation and crossed referenced with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s restricted list. The law allows only specific species of some of these animals, including zebras and camels:

  • Zebras, with the stipulation that owners must have worked with exotic animals (including zebras) for two years. Members of the Equidae family are not restricted

  • Monitor lizards

  • American bison

  • Second-generation wolf dogs (if a wolf and a dog mated, then one of their pups had a litter with another dog)

  • Camels

  • Toucans

  • Ostrich

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