Wildlife FAQ's

For all questions about state wildlife regulations, please go to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website.

Q: May I keep a wild animal, such as a squirrel, as a pet? Do wild animals make good pets?

A: Wild animals do NOT make "good" pets.

• It is illegal to keep most species of wildlife as pets in Georgia.
• As wild animals grow, their behavior may change.
• Wild animals have different dietary needs from common domestic pets.
• Many wild animals are most active at night while you are trying to sleep.
• Wild animals may transmit diseases to humans.

Q: What are the laws related to native wildlife?

A: According to Georgia law, most native species of wildlife cannot be held without permits or licenses. These licenses are NOT issued for the purpose of holding native wildlife as pets. These restrictions apply to the various species of animal, regardless of the origin or morphology.

Q: What native animals may NEVER be kept as pets?

A: The following list of species native to Georgia may NOT be kept regardless of its origin or morphology. Although extensive, this list does NOT include ALL native wildlife that is prohibited. If you have questions about wildlife permits, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Special Permit Unit, 2065 U.S. Highway 278 S.E., Social Circle GA 30025, or call 770.761.3044.

• Mammals
• Armadillo
• Bats, all species
• Black Bear
• Bobcat
• Chipmunk
• Cottontail Rabbit
• Coyote
• Cougar
• Flying Squirrel
• Fox Squirrel
• Gray Fox
• Gray Squirrel
• Groundhog
• Marsh Rabbit
• Mink
• Mole
• Muskrat
• Opossum
• Pocket Gopher
• Raccoon
• Red Fox
• River Otter
• Skunk
• Swamp Rabbit
• Weasel
• White-tailed Deer
• Reptiles and Amphibians
• Alligator
• Alligator Snapping Turtle
• Black Racer
• Bog Turtle
• Box Turtle (Eastern, Florida, Gulf Coast, Three-toed)
• Brown Snake
• Coachwhip
• Corn Snake
• Crayfish Snake (Glossy, Striped)
• Crowned Snake (Southeastern, Central Florida)
• Diamondback Terrapin
• Earth Snake (Rough, Smooth)
• Fence Lizard
• Flatwoods Salamander
• Florida Worm Lizard
• Garter Snake
• Georgia Blind Salamander
• Glass Lizard (Eastern, Island, Mimic, Slender)
• Gopher Tortoise
• Green Anole
• Green Salamander
• Hellbender
• Hognose Snake (Eastern, Southern)
• Indigo Snake
• Kingsnake (Black, Eastern, Mole, Scarlet)
• Map Turtle (Alabama, Barbour's, Common)
• Milksnake
• Mud Snake
• One-toed Amphiuma
• Pigeon Mountain Salamander
• Pine Snake (Florida, Northern)
• Pine Woods Snake
• Queen Snake
• Rainbow Snake
• Rat Snake (Black, Gray, Yellow)
• Redbellied Snake
• Ribbon Snake
• Ringneck Snake
• Rough Green Snake
• Scarlet Snake
• Sea Turtle (Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Ridley)
• Six-lined Racerunner
• Skink (Broadhead, Coal, Five-lined, Southeastern Five-lined, Ground, Mole)
• Spotted Turtle
• Striped Newt
• Water Snake (Banded, Brown, Florida Green, Northern, Redbelly)
• Worm Snake
• Birds and Fishes
• ALL SPECIES OF WILD BIRDS in Georgia are protected by state and federal laws except English sparrows, European starlings, and pigeons. All species of fish native to the waters of this state are protected.

Q: What about exotic animals...what are the regulations?

A: See the list below for examples of the exotic species regulated under Georgia Law. The Department should be consulted before any exotic animals which are not normally domesticated are acquired. Hybrids or crosses between any combination of domestic animals, wildlife, or regulated wild animals and all subsequent generations are regulated in Georgia and may not be held without a license.

• Marsupials (wallabies, kangaroos, sugar gliders, etc): all species
• 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, cats, bears, wolves, etc.): all species
• Aardvark: all species
• Elephants: all species
• Conies: all species
• Manatee, Dugong: all species
• Ungulates (hoof stock): all species exceept American bison, water buffalos, and llamas
• Rhinoceros
• Wart hog
• Hippopotamus
• Hawks, eagles, vultures, etc: all species
• Turkeys: all species except those normally domesticated
• Monk parakeet or Quaker parakeet
• 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
• Java sparrow
• 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
• 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

Q: What if I have other questions?

A: Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division website here; or you may call 770.918.6400.