Owning an exotic or wild animal can be thrilling, but in Georgia, the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prohibits many species as pets. Whether due to ecological risk, public safety, or welfare concerns, certain animals are strictly off-limits unless you hold a special license or permit.
Why Are These Animals Banned?
Georgia law bans “wild animals not normally domesticated in the state,” meaning nearly all non-domesticated species—from native wildlife to exotic imports—are prohibited as pets.
- Ecological threats: Animals like invasive fish or escaped reptiles can harm Georgia’s ecosystems or agriculture. Examples include snakeheads, bighead carp, and freshwater stingrays—species now on the prohibited list to avoid decades-long ecological damage.
- Public safety concerns: Large carnivores, venomous reptiles, and wild primates can pose serious health and injury risks to owners and communities if not handled professionally.
- Animal welfare: Many banned species, such as primates and large exotic mammals, have complex physical and social needs that private owners typically cannot meet.
New rules introduced in late 2022 expanded the banned list for the first time since the 1990s, requiring liability insurance for owners of non-domestic cats and enforcing tagging and registration for certain reptiles already in private hands.
Key Categories of Prohibited Species
A. Mammals: From Bears to Elephants
Georgia prohibits nearly all wild mammals, including:
- Bears, elephants (all species), aardvarks, pangolins, sloths, armadillos, mongooses, manatees, and wart hogs.
- Wild canids and felids: wolf hybrids, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, mink, servals, bobcats, lynxes, and exotic cat hybrids like savannah cats.
- Primates: all species of monkeys, apes, lemurs, and tarsiers are strictly prohibited .
Note: European ferrets are allowed if neutered early and vaccinated against rabies—but wolf hybrids or exotic cat crosses are not permitted.
B. Birds
Most wild bird species are illegal, including:
- Raptors (hawks, eagles, vultures, owls)
- Crows, ravens, starlings, mynas, cuckoos, thrushes
- Monk parakeets and Java sparrows—both banned due to potential agricultural impact.
Domesticated birds—like budgies, cockatiels, and English sparrows—are allowed.
C. Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish
Popular but prohibited species include:
- Crocodiles, alligators, vipers, coral snakes, pit vipers
- Burmese and Indian pythons, reticulated pythons, and other large constrictors
- Nile monitors, Argentine black-and-white tegus, Gila monsters, marine toads, venomous reptiles
- Freshwater stingrays, piranhas, snakehead fish, carp species (bighead, silver, black), air‑breathing catfish, parasitic catfish, etc.
Some reptile owners who had these animals before rule changes had until December 4, 2023 to tag and register them with DNR, and must cease any breeding or new imports thereafter.
D. Other Exotic Creatures
- Insectivores such as hedgehogs, shrews, and tenrecs are banned in Georgia.
- Flying lemurs, marine mammals (dolphins, whales), sloths, prairie dogs, capybaras and rabbits not normally domesticated in Georgia are also illegal.
Recently Added Restrictions
In November 2022, following concerns over invasive species and public safety:
- Mongooses were banned outright.
- New restrictions applied to mosquitos, crayfish (marbled crayfish), snail species, and exotic fish like wels catfish.
- Owners of reptiles like tegus and monitor lizards need a license or must register their animals by the deadline.
The expansion marked Georgia’s first update in decades and reflects growing ecological risk awareness.
Consequences of Violating the Rules
Keeping illegal species can result in:
- Fines, criminal charges, and confiscation of the animal.
- Animal distress or injury, particularly if the owner cannot meet its needs.
- Ecological and agricultural harm, especially if an exotic species escapes or breeds in the wild.
Georgia law enforcement and animal agencies advise surrendering prohibited pets rather than releasing them into the environment.
Exceptions and Legal Pet Species
Allowed with Permit or License
Some banned animals may be legally owned if:
- Tagged and registered (and owned prior to rule changes)
- Used for permitted work such as research, public exhibition, or educational purposes—and only with official wild animal licenses and liability insurance.
Common Legal Pets
You may legally own:
- Domesticated dogs and cats
- Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, chinchillas
- Rabbits that are normally domesticated in Georgia
- Non-venomous, commonly kept fish and reptiles (that do not fall under banned categories).
Ferrets are permitted under specific conditions, but most exotic hybrids like savannah cats and wolfdogs are not allowed.
Thinking About an Exotic Pet? Steps to Take
- Check the DNR prohibited list to confirm your species is not banned.
- If it’s on a conditional list (e.g. reptiles or non-domestic cats), check tagging, registration, and insurance requirements.
- Contact Georgia DNR directly if you’re unsure or need clarification on licensing options.
- Avoid buying an illegal species, even secondhand—penalties and surrender obligations still apply.
Summary Table
| Category | Common Banned Examples |
|---|---|
| Mammals | Bears, elephants, primates, foxes, wild cats, mongooses |
| Birds | Raptors, crows, monk parakeets, Java sparrows, cuckoos |
| Reptiles & Fish | Pythons, tegus, alligators, crocodiles, stingrays, piranhas |
| Other Exotics | Hedgehogs, sloths, pangolins, capybaras, marine mammals |
Georgia takes wildlife protection and public safety seriously—and its long list of prohibited animals reflects that mandate. Before considering any pet that seems unusual or exotic, verify it’s legal—don’t gamble with fines, ecosystem impacts, or animal welfare. Always check the most up-to-date DNR rules or reach out directly if you’re unsure.