From snakes to monkeys, here’s a list of animals that are illegal pets in Georgia

Chelsea Madden
·3 min read

Some people love dogs and cats, while others like snakes and exotic animals.

However, if you’re planning to bring one home and keep it as a pet, there are some ground rules in the state of Georgia.

Illegal pets

The following animals are considered exotic or wild animals and thus, are illegal to own as a pet in the state of Georgia:

  • Marsupials (wallabies, kangaroos, sugar gliders, etc.); all species. Note: Sugar gliders are legal as pets if the owner possesses valid documentation.

  • Insectivores (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, tenrecs, etc.); all species

  • Flying lemurs; all species

  • Bats; all species

  • Primates (monkeys, apes, etc.); all species

  • Sloths, armadillos, etc.; all species

  • Pangolins or scaly anteaters; all species

  • Rabbits and hares; all species except those normally domesticated

  • Rodents (capybaras, cavies, prairie dogs, degus, etc.); all species except those normally domesticated in Georgia such as hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs

  • Whales, dolphins, etc.; all species

  • Carnivores (weasels, ferrets, foxes, cats, bears, wolves, etc.); all species. Note: European ferrets are legal as pets if neutered by 7 months old and vaccinated against rabies.

  • Aardvark; all species

  • Elephants; all species

  • Conies; all species

  • Manatee, dugong; all species

  • Ungulates (hoof stock); all species except American bison, water buffalos, and llamas

  • Rhinoceros

  • Wart hog

  • Hippopotamus

  • Hawks, eagles, vultures, etc.; all species

  • Turkeys; all species except those normally domesticated

  • Cuckoos; all species

  • Owls; all species

  • Sky larks

  • Bulbuls; all species

  • Thrushes; all species of genus Turdus

  • White eyes; all species of genus Zosterops

  • Yellow hammers

  • Sparrows; all species of genus Passer except English sparrow

  • Cape weaver

  • Baya weaver

  • Queleas; all species

  • Blackbirds, grackles, etc.; all species of genera Molothrus, Quiscalus, Agelaius

  • Monk parakeet (a.k.a. Quaker parakeet)

  • Java sparrow (a.k.a. Java Rice Bird, Java Rice Finch)

  • Starlings, mynas, etc.; all species except European starling and Hill mynas

  • Crows, ravens, etc.; all species

  • Crocodiles, gavials, etc.; all species

  • Alligators and caimans; all species

  • Cobras, coral snakes, etc.; all species

  • Adders, vipers, etc.; all species

  • Pit vipers; all species

  • Venomous colubrid snakes; all species

  • Gila monsters and beaded lizards; all species

  • Giant and Marine toads

  • Banded tetra

  • Piranha; all species

  • Grass, Silver and Bighead carp

  • Air-breathing catfishes; all species

  • Parasitic catfishes; all species

  • Giant walking catfishes; all species

  • Snakeheads; all species of genera Ophicephalus and Channa

  • Fresh-water stingray; all species

Why are they illegal?

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division, “Most native wildlife and many exotic animals may not legally be kept as pets in Georgia.”

Here’s why:

  • Young animals undergo dramatic behavioral changes as they mature. They become very aggressive and try to escape, and returning such an animal to the wild will usually result in its death.

  • The dietary needs of most wild animals are different from common domestic pets. Many exotic pets suffer from malnutrition because of their special needs, resulting in a constant state of bad health or death.

  • Many wild animals are most active at night. This normal behavior can be very disruptive when you are trying to sleep.

  • Many diseases which affect people can be carried by healthy animals. Some examples of diseases transmissible to people (i.e. zoonoses) include rabies, tularemia, plague, salmonellosis, and others. Vaccines against these diseases are not approved for use in wild animals.

  • Some animals are very long lived and require extensive care. Monkeys can live more than 40 years. Who would care for the animal should something happen to you?

  • Veterinarians may be unfamiliar with diseases of wildlife or exotic pets. Typically, veterinarians are unwilling to treat animals held illegally for liability reasons.

Georgia DNR advises everyone to do the following when trying to decide if an animal is an appropriate pet.

Ask Yourself:

  • Is what I am doing legal?

  • Am I willing to risk the health, and possibly the life, of myself and my family?

  • Am I willing to risk destroying the animal?

  • Am I willing to change my lifestyle to conform to the animal’s natural and unalterable behavior?

If you cannot truthfully answer “yes” to each question, do not attempt to keep a wild animal as a pet.

Which animal on the list surprised you the most? Comment below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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