How Many Animals Can You Own In Texas

Melissa cares for a variety of exotic animals and has completed a certificate in veterinary profitable and a bachelor'south degree in biology.

Kangaroos are legal to own in Texas.

Photo by Marker Stoop on Unsplash

What Are the Laws on Exotic Animals in Texas?

Everything is bigger in Texas, and so they say. While the massive state may accept garnered a reputation for doing things their ain fashion and for having a big population of ranchers, larger exotic pets such as large cats and bears are not legal for the general public without a permit. However, overall, the land of Texas has relatively lax laws regarding exotic pets. In that location are still enough of unique and exotic pets that you can own without a license in Texas. Many of these species should remain legal because they pose little or no threat to public safety.

What to Know Before Getting an Exotic Pet

Hither are some things to recall about earlier getting an exotic pet of any type.

• It could be hard to find a vet: It is not likely that you will exist able to take your exotic animal to your local veterinarian. Your typical vet will probably have no idea how to intendance for your brute. You'll have to find a specialist who can offering proper medical care. This will likely be challenging, and at that place may not exist a qualified vet near you.
• These animals require a particular diet: As there is piffling or no research achieved with many non-domesticated pet species, you should pay special attention to nutrition, get advice from exotic brute veterinarians and go along up with whatever current research.
• Know your local laws: You should e'er check your local city or county laws regarding pet ownership since they may differ from country laws. You should e'er check exotic pet laws since you may need a permit where you lot live. Yous may not even be able to ain an animal you're interested in.

1. Lemur

• Natural habitat: Madagascar
• Size: Can range from 1.1 oz to 20 lbs depending on the species.
• Diet: Varies between species, but they mainly eat plant material.
• Lifespan: Larger species can alive over 30 years.

Primates are illegal in almost states. However, in Texas, you can own any species of lemur. The near common is the ring-tailed lemur, made famous from the movie Madagascar. There are other species out in that location, such as the ruffed and brownish lemur. These animals actually exercise rather well in captivity. In zoos, they are said to be i of the easiest mammals to keep happy, and they perform niggling or no stereotyping behavior (pacing and other repetitious sequences that are supposed to indicate boredom or stress).

They can be relatively skillful-natured for primates, and this is certainly of import for an animal that possesses biting capabilities. Still, all primates are considered enervating and are not pets for people who aren't willing to middle their lives effectually their needs. All lemurs are endangered. Because of this, they cannot be sold across state lines.

two. Sloth

• Natural habitat: Tropical rainforests of Due south and Central America.
• Size: Can range from 7.9 to 17 lbs, depending on the species.
• Diet: Typically eats leaves, fruit, and insects.
• Lifespan: A two-toed sloth can alive for twenty years in the wild, and 30 years in captivity.

Texas is a sloth-friendly country. These popular animals are in a unique family that includes the tamanduas. They tend to not be illegal as oftentimes as other exotics because they are simply left out of bans that only listing primates, bears, big cats, wolves, and other species people are more familiar with. Sloths are known to be extremely sensitive to stress and crave stringent dedication to their environment. Should they exist illegal? Of course not. They are unfortunately viewed as beautiful and cuddly, just they are i of the last species you lot will want to handle frequently. Luckily, they are not readily bachelor and the pricing for babies starts effectually $6000, so they are unlikely to be an impulse buy for about people.

three. Kinkajou

• Scientific name: Potos flavus.
• Natural habitat: Sierra Madres in Mexico to southeastern Brazil.
• Diet: Generally eats fruit, figs in particular.
• Size: Can be sixteen-24 inches in length. Can weigh between 3-10 pounds.
• Lifespan: 23 years in captivity.

This animal resembles a monkey, but it is really related to raccoons. These unusual animals have a prehensile tail and a taste for sweets that they obtain with the use of their long tongue. The kinkajou is a nocturnal animal. Unfortunately, these animals can have aggressive tendencies that are unpredictable. Therefore, a large infinite is needed for them to fire off energy. Otherwise, they are said to exist quite sweet to their owners. Unlike monkeys, they as well take a sweet odour. Kinkajous are legal in Texas and a few other states, such as New York and North Carolina.

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4. Capybara

• Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris.
• Natural habitat: Forests of South America, typically near bodies of water.
• Size: 3.48-4.40 feet in length. 20-24 inches in height. Can weigh between 77 to 146 pounds.
• Diet: They mainly consume grass and aquatic plants.
• Lifespan: 8-10 years in captivity.

The capybara is a giant rodent with webbed feet. It's as legal in Texas as its close relative, the Guinea pig. These dog-sized animals honey to swim and require a deep water source to satisfy this demand. Capybaras beloved their owners, and well-socialized individuals tin can fifty-fifty walk on a leash like a domestic dog, exploring pet stores and public parks.

Asian Leopard Cat

Drew Avery CC-BY 2.0 Via Flickr

5. Asian Leopard Cat

• Scientific name: Prionailurus bengalensis.
• Natural habitat: Can be found throughout South, Southeast, and East asia.
• Size: Is roughly the same size equally a domestic cat.
• Diet: Mostly eats minor casualty like rodents.
• Lifespan: Upwardly to 13 years in captivity.

This is a non-domesticated species of cat that, different large cats, is legal in Texas. These cats are exotic, but they exercise non exceed the size of a regular housecat. That being said, these are still challenging animals to own and can be leery of human interaction. There are medium-sized cats such as servals that accept a college tolerance for homo interaction (mainly their owners, unless they are very well-socialized).

Asian leopard cats were the species used to create the popular Bengal true cat breed. This cat breed has extremely watered-downwardly levels of so-chosen wild blood and is non comparable to owning an ALC.

Kangaroo

"Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)" by Ron Knight is licensed under CC BY 2.0

vi. Kangaroo

• Natural habitat: Commonwealth of australia.
• Size: Varies past species, can be equally large at 6'7" and weigh 200 pounds.
• Diet: Varies by species but all are strict herbivores. Most commonly graze on grass.
• Lifespan: Varies past species, some can alive over 20 years in captivity.

Kangaroos are legal to own in Texas. They require a large and grassy area to roam, then don't even consider getting a kangaroo if yous lack space. Adequate fencing is required to keep them contained. They tin can bound over 4 feet loftier and leap 15 feet in distance. They tin can not be house trained and don't exercise well with domestic animals. Ideally, they would have the visitor of another member of their species.

Callitrichid

"Common Marmoset" by Christina Gallivan is licensed under CC BY 2.0

• Natural habitat: Forests of South America.
• Size: The largest species is the aureate-mantled tamarin. It can abound over nine inches and weigh upward to 14 oz.
• Diet: Insects, fruit, and sap.
• Lifespan: Varies by species, the average is effectually 10-20 years in captivity.

Some monkey species are allowed as pets in Texas. I case is the minor New Earth monkey called the callitrichid. This biological family consists of marmosets and tamarins. Even cotton fiber-topped tamarins, which are critically endangered, are legal and produced by several breeders. However, they cannot be sold exterior of the state. Due to their small size, these animals are among the well-nigh popular primate species to go along. Go on in mind that all primates are relatively challenging. Unfortunately, these minor rodent-sized monkeys are messy and have a strong odor that will brand them a poor choice as indoor pets for most people.

Spotted Genet

Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA two.0) Via Flickr

viii. Spotted Genet

• Scientific proper noun: Genetta genetta.
• Natural habitat: Native to Africa, north of the Sahara and in southern Africa. Has been introduced to southwestern Europe.
• Size: 17-22 inches in length. Can weigh up to 4.4 pounds.
• Nutrition: Has a varied diet of insects, birds, fruit, and small mammals.
• Lifespan: Up to thirteen years in captivity.

This small-scale, exotic pet resembles a feline, simply it is non ane. This sometimes makes information technology legal in states where exotic cats aren't. They take the shape of a mongoose, the spotted patterns of a leopard, and the ringed tail of a lemur. They are similar in appearance to the illegal (in Texas) and native Southwestern ring-tailed cats, which also aren't cats despite the proper noun. Genets come in different sizes and seem to be mixed with dissimilar subspecies in captivity. They honey to climb trees but as well come down to search the basis for modest animals. Spotted genets have a limited number of owners that can successfully care for them for the duration of their 20+ year lifespan. They aren't pets that similar to caress and can be extremely skittish.

Coatimundi

"Coati closeup!" by Kenneth Lu is licensed under CC BY 2.0

9. Coatimundi

• Natural habitat: Range extends from the southwestern US to northern Uruguay.
• Size: xiii-27 inches in length. 12 inches tall at the shoulder. Can weigh between iv.4 and 17.6 pounds.
• Diet: Ground litter, invertebrates, and fruit.
• Lifespan: Up to 16 years in captivity.

This unusual animal is native to Central and S America. There are different species of coatis in the pet trade: the mountain coati, white-nosed, and South American carmine coati. These are medium-sized animals (most the size of a big house cat) with big enclosure requirements, only they have the benefit of being interactive and entertaining pets. The state of Texas has no problem with yous owning this animal, just it volition require some paperwork since they are protected by the country.

10. Bushbaby

• Natural habitat: Africa.
• Size: The largest species is the brown greater galago. It is over 12 inches in length on average and can counterbalance betwixt 2.6 and 3.3 pounds.
• Diet: Insects, fruit, and tree sap.
• Lifespan: Tin live upwards to 12 to 16 years in captivity.

Bushbabies, also known as galagos, are actually nocturnal primates. Withal, they are not monkeys; they are more closely related to lemurs. These animals are relatively small as the proper name implies; however, the much smaller lesser galagos do not seem to be bachelor in the pet trade in the Us. The greater galago is commonly seen for sale. They possess the unfortunate habit of rubbing themselves with their ain urine, which unsurprisingly produces a musky odor. Similar monkeys, they will need a lot of room in their enclosure.

What Exotic Pets Are Legal in Texas?

The quick answer is that pretty much all animals are technically legal nether state laws, but but if you start a USDA-licensed facility. Animals like tigers, bears, gorillas, and cheetahs can technically be owned if you are able to get a certificate of registration. Here is a list of summaries of state laws regarding exotic pet ownership.

How Do Yous Get an Exotic Pet Let in Texas?

You tin get a permit from the city or county animal control department. If your county does not have a department, you can get a let from the county sheriff. You generally demand to show that you can safely intendance for and comprise the animal. The owner also must have at least $100,000 in liability insurance for the animal. The animal control or county sheriff must be immediately notified if the animal attacks a human being or escapes. Failure to register an exotic animal is a Class C misdemeanor. Owners will incur daily fines for the failure to annals an animate being.

How to Rehome an Exotic Pet

If, after getting your exotic pet, you realize that the care of your called species is more than involved than you've predictable, information technology is not wrong to consider re-homing it. You might come to the realization that, despite your best efforts and intentions, you merely can't take care of this beast. This is a common occurrence; it frequently occurs with traditional pets, too.

I option is to call an animal sanctuary. They oftentimes take exotic pets from owners who discover that they tin't care for them. Many people opt to post the animal up for re-homing on Craigslist. Be advised that you should thoroughly screen prospective adopters. Information technology is as well technically a violation of the Animal Welfare Human activity to "sell" an animal if you aren't USDA licensed. Going to Facebook and finding a group of owners that specialize in your species may be valuable in finding leads for a slap-up new home.

Questions & Answers

Question: Is information technology legal to own a finger monkey in Texas?

Answer: "Finger monkeys" are small-scale monkeys, so yes.

Question: are hedgehogs legal in Texas?

Reply: Yes.

Question: Is it legal to own a fox in Texas?

Respond: No.

Question: Is it legal to own an otter in Texas?

Reply: They are probably considered furbearers so no, otters are not probable legal in Texas.

Question: Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Texas?

Answer: No, unfortunately.

Question: Is it legal to ain a wallaby in Texas?

Answer: Yep.

Question: Is information technology legal to take an arctic fox in Texas?

Answer: Foxes are illegal in Texas.

Question: Can y'all own a toucan in Texas?

Reply: Yep.

Question: Is legal to own a hedgehog in Texas?

Answer: No.

Question: Is it legal to own a bat in Texas?

Answer: No.

Question: Is it legal to ain a chimpanzee in Texas?

Reply: No, and chimps are non actually obtainable anymore.

Question: Is information technology legal to have a raccoon in Texas?

Answer: No.

Question: Is it legal to own a deport in Texas?

Respond: You lot would need a let in Texas, just they are not given to pet owners.

Question: Is information technology legal to ain a chinchilla in Texas?

Reply: Yep.

Question: What is a furbearer?

Answer: Animals traditionally trapped for their fur, such as raccoons, mink, otter, and bobcats.

Question: Are you allowed to own alpacas in Texas?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is it legal to own capuchin, monkeys or gibbons?

Answer: In a pocket-size number of states. Those are all legal in Due north Carolina and Nevada.

Question: Tin I keep an opossum as a pet in the state of Texas?

Answer: Probably non, since they are native animals and furbearers.

Question: Is information technology legal to ain any large cats similar tigers and bears in texas?

Respond: Permits are not given to 'pet owners' in TX.

Question: Where can you get an Asian leopard cat?

Answer: Locate breeders online. A pet store in Florida had them recently.

Question: Is it legal to own a muntjac leaf honey?

Answer: If you tin find one and if information technology is legal in your land.

Question: Is it legal to ain an Iguana in Texas?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is it legal to ain an elephant in Texas?

Answer: No.

Question: Can I own a otter in Texas?

Answer: Probably not.

Question: Is it legal to own a mongoose in Texas?

Respond: Perchance a cusimanse. Most mongooses are illegal in the country.

Question: Is it legal to ain a koala bear in Texas?

Answer: They are not legal to import from Australia. No 1 has them.

Question: Tin can I own a band tail true cat (A.K.A miners cat) in Texas?

Answer: I don't think then.

© 2017 Melissa A Smith

Dave on Baronial 31, 2020:

Is it legal to own a woman

alissa on Baronial 17, 2020:

i have always wanted a coyote as a pet in TX but i now actually want a kangaroo

Fennc trick Aficionado on August 17, 2020:

Awww I hate that we can't have Fenix foxes in Dallas I have looked it up multiple times and half of them say aye and half of them say knows I'm so dislocated

Creature lover on Baronial 07, 2020:

I really want to fennec fox until I discovered this website and so now I want a lemur

joy on August 04, 2020:

is it legal to ain an American alligator in Texas

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on July 26, 2020:

Jess: Sure

Melissa A Smith (writer) from New York on July 26, 2020:

Mathayus: Call them, probably not.

Jess on July 08, 2020:

Is it legal to own a peacock as a pet in Texas?

lay lay on July 06, 2020:

Is information technology legal or ilegal to take a sugar glider in Texas?

brittany on July 06, 2020:

is it legal to own a monkey in texas?

Mathayus on June 30, 2020:

Is it legal to own a pine marten in Texas

Melissa A Smith (writer) from New York on June 28, 2020:

Olivia: They are illegal.

A weird person on June 27, 2020:

Can yous ain a hedgehog in Texas?

Matthew Tovar on June 25, 2020:

Is it legal to own a coyote in Texas

Olivia on June 25, 2020:

i accept a raccon infant is it illegal to have him alive in Austin? Where tin I take him to get the vaccines? Please assist

Liz on June 18, 2020:

Do I need a permit to have a finger monkey in Texas?

Unknown on June 13, 2020:

Is it legal to own a wolf in Texas?

Elizabeth on June 05, 2020:

Can we own a cadger in Texas?

Some random girl on May 14, 2020:

Dang it I Wanted a fox guess I have To wait till i motility

how-do-you-do on April 18, 2020:

Texas rules because you tin can own almost any pet

Winnie on March 30, 2020:

Is it legal to own a squirrel in Texas?

Vickie Reed on March 28, 2020:

I have always wanted a pocket monkey I'chiliad alone a lot by myself and I forgot this would exist so much company for me we used to have chimpanzees when I was little merely I wouldn't want None that size does anyone know where you tin discover the pocket monkeys in Texas and the cost because I'one thousand non into any scams I'm too former for all that

Yottabyte on March 23, 2020:

Can yous ain a wolf in Texas and can y'all train a wolf life a dog

ajsha on March 17, 2020:

When I turn 18 i might get an exotic creature when I move out, can't make up one's mind which i. Thinking a giraffe? or mayhap sick go small.

Dullard on March 14, 2020:

Texas sucks because they don't permit you to have a cheetah me: to Texas

Non ganna put existent name on February 29, 2020:

I want a pet monkey when I grow upwards

rae on February 05, 2020:

i'k a big bat fan and i wanted to know if information technology's legal to have any type of bats in the land of texas?

Hdhdjdjd on Jan 14, 2020:

I wish I lived in Texas

me on November 17, 2019:

Can I own a ferret in T.X (I already do)

mj on October 28, 2019:

Are sables legal to ain as pets in Texas?

can i on Oct 20, 2019:

so can i have a monkey

Tyler Tx on Baronial 31, 2019:

Is it legal to own an egyptian fruit bat in Texas?

Austin tx on July 25, 2019:

What about a mink?

Spoonbills4Ever on June xi, 2019:

Can you have spoonbills in texas

BB on June 06, 2019:

I think theism folio actually helped me and I'thousand trying to enhance the population in cheetahs there are simply 6,800 left in this world and I feel was go on losing 150 a year past hunters we might have a future with no cheetahs and that is merely said how they'd Been running on the earth before we were all born.

L on Jan 04, 2019:

Yes you can have a raccoon in texas but you lot have to get it when it is a infant and paperwork on it and license on them. I had one and she had infant and she got stolen from me

T on December 29, 2018:

Why can't we take a raccoon when we can have a kangaroo

AP on Dec 18, 2017:

*4-eyed opossum. I wrote this from my tablet and it was autocorrected without me noticing.

AP on December 18, 2017:

The biggest surprises In what Texas allows without a license are probably venomous snakes and bats. Both of those are banned or restricted even more often than primates but are completely unrestricted in Texas.

Nosotros also license rather than ban nigh "dangerous" animals (though we really only worry nigh unsafe mammals): the only animals banned here are furbearers (due to a misinterpretation of the law by the TDPW this also includes fennecs) and armadillos, both due to affliction concerns from issues unrelated to pets (fur farms and food respectively).

Since I want a iii-banded armadillo, ringtail, and iv-year opossum what we *practise* ban miffs me a bit, merely Texas is yet definitely ane of the better states for exotics.

ManNewt on Dec 12, 2017:

Thankfully bushbabies aren't a victim of the ESA

Source: https://pethelpful.com/exotic-pets/Exotic-Pets-Legal-In-Texas

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