Hedgehog laws · 50 states + DC
Are hedgehogs legal in your state?
Five US states + Washington DC + New York City prohibit hedgehog ownership. Four states require a state-issued permit before you can buy one. The rest are generally permissive at the state level — but local municipal codes can still apply.
51 jurisdictions reviewed · last updated May 2026
Illegal · 8
Illegal
Private hedgehog ownership is prohibited. No personal pet permit pathway.
- AlaskaAK
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in Alaska under state wildlife regulations.
- CaliforniaCA
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets statewide in California.
- District of ColumbiaDC
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in the District of Columbia — DC uses a closed allowed-pets list and hedgehogs aren't on it.
- GeorgiaGA
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets statewide in Georgia.
- HawaiiHI
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in Hawaii under strict invasive-species laws.
- MassachusettsMA
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in Massachusetts under state wildlife rules.
- PennsylvaniaPA
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets statewide in Pennsylvania.
- West VirginiaWV
Hedgehogs may be illegal in West Virginia under state Code of State Rules prohibiting Insectivora — verify directly with WV DNR before purchase.
Permit required · 6
Permit required
Legal with a state permit before you acquire the animal. Allow time to apply.
- FloridaFL
Hedgehogs are legal in Florida but a Class III wildlife permit is required for ownership.
- MaineME
Hedgehogs are legal in Maine but require an Importation Permit through the state's wildlife department.
- New JerseyNJ
Hedgehogs are legal in New Jersey but require an Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Species Possession Permit.
- Rhode IslandRI
Hedgehogs are legal in Rhode Island but require an exotic-animal possession permit through the state's Department of Environmental Management.
- VermontVT
Hedgehogs are legal in Vermont but require a possession permit through the state's wildlife department.
- WyomingWY
Hedgehogs are legal in Wyoming but a permit through Chapter 10 of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department regulations is required.
Legal — local exceptions · 2
Legal with local restrictions
Legal at the state level but specific cities or counties prohibit ownership.
Generally legal · 35
Legal
Permitted at the state level. Always verify local municipal codes before purchase.
- AlabamaAL
Hedgehogs are generally legal to own as pets in Alabama with no statewide permit required.
- ArizonaAZ
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Arizona without a state permit.
- ArkansasAR
Hedgehogs are generally legal to own as pets in Arkansas with no statewide permit required.
- ColoradoCO
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Colorado with no statewide permit required.
- ConnecticutCT
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Connecticut with no statewide permit required.
- DelawareDE
Hedgehogs are generally legal to own as pets in Delaware with no statewide permit required.
- IdahoID
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Idaho with no statewide permit required.
- IllinoisIL
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Illinois with no statewide permit required.
- IowaIA
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Iowa with no statewide permit required.
- KansasKS
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Kansas with no statewide permit required.
- KentuckyKY
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Kentucky with no statewide permit required.
- LouisianaLA
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Louisiana with no statewide permit required.
- MarylandMD
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Maryland with no statewide permit required.
- MichiganMI
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Michigan with no statewide permit required.
- MinnesotaMN
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Minnesota with no statewide permit required.
- MississippiMS
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Mississippi with no statewide permit required.
- MissouriMO
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Missouri with no statewide permit required.
- MontanaMT
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Montana with no statewide permit required.
- NebraskaNE
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Nebraska with no statewide permit required.
- NevadaNV
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Nevada with no statewide permit required.
- New HampshireNH
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in New Hampshire with no statewide permit required.
- New MexicoNM
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in New Mexico with no statewide permit required.
- North CarolinaNC
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in North Carolina with no statewide permit required.
- North DakotaND
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in North Dakota with no statewide permit required.
- OhioOH
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Ohio with no statewide permit required.
- OklahomaOK
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Oklahoma with no statewide permit required.
- OregonOR
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Oregon with no statewide permit required.
- South CarolinaSC
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in South Carolina with no statewide permit required.
- South DakotaSD
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in South Dakota with no statewide permit required.
- TennesseeTN
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Tennessee with no statewide permit required.
- TexasTX
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Texas with no statewide permit required.
- UtahUT
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Utah without a state permit — Atelerix albiventris is explicitly named as an exempt household pet.
- VirginiaVA
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Virginia with no statewide permit required.
- WashingtonWA
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Washington State with no statewide permit required.
- WisconsinWI
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Wisconsin with no statewide permit required for personal pets.
Important note
We are not lawyers. This guide is based on the best publicly-available information at the time of last update. State and municipal laws change, and enforcement varies. Always verify the current status with the relevant state wildlife or agriculture agency before purchasing a pet hedgehog. The agency contact is linked on each individual state page.
If you spot incorrect information on any state page, email hello@myhedgehogcare.com with a link to the source and we’ll update within a week.