What Exotic Pets Are Legal in Ohio?

A photo of a farm in Ohio that says "what exotic pets can I own in Ohio?"

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Curious about what exotic pets are legal in Ohio? Then read on! Please note that this is not an all inclusive list, but only includes animals we personally educate about here at Exotic Pet Wonderland. 

Questions about an animal not on this page? Send us an email and we will find out!

Relevant Exotic Pet Laws for Ohio

Below are the actual laws exotic pet laws for the state of Ohio. Please note that exotic pet laws are often unclear, and contacting your state’s game department is always the best bet to clarify. For the purpose of this article, we have personally reached out for needed clarification. 

Ohio exotic pet laws regarding dangerous wild animals.

Ohio exotic pet laws regarding wild animal propagation permits.

Are Pet Foxes Legal In Ohio?

Yes. Several species of pet fox are legal in Ohio. For more information on individual species, please read below. 

Are Arctic Foxes Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet arctic foxes are legal in Ohio. You do not need a permit to keep an arctic fox as a pet in Ohio.

Are Red Foxes Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet red foxes are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. 

Red foxes are legal to keep as pets in Ohio with a permit and when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet fox in Ohio. The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred red foxes in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade red foxes in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade red foxes without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Fennec Foxes Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet fennec foxes are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. You do not need a permit to keep a fennec fox as a pet in Ohio.

Are Pale Foxes Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet pale foxes are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. You do not need a permit to keep a pale fox as a pet in Ohio.

Are Gray Foxes Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet gray foxes are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. 

Gray foxes are legal to keep as pets in Ohio with a permit and when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet gray fox in Ohio. The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred gray foxes in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade gray foxes in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade gray foxes without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Tanuki's/Raccoon Dogs Legal In Ohio?

No, pet raccoon dogs/tanukis are not legal in Ohio, or an any other state. Read more information on why raccoon dogs are illegal everywhere here.

Are Mink Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet mink are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. 

Mink are legal to keep as pets in Ohio with a permit and when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet mink in Ohio.

The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred mink in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade mink in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade mink without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Raccoons Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet raccoons are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet raccoon in Ohio.

The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred raccoons in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade raccoons in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade raccoons without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Coyotes Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet coyotes are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet coyote in Ohio.

The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred coyotes in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade coyotes in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade coyotes without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Coydogs Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet coydogs are legal in Ohio. You do not need a permit to keep a coydog as a pet in Ohio. 

Are Lynx Legal In Ohio?

No, pet lynx are not legal in Ohio. You cannot keep a Lynx as a pet in Ohio.

Are Bobcats Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet bobcats are legal in Ohio as long as you get them from a USDA licensed breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet bobcat in Ohio.

The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred bobcats in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade bobcats in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade bobcats without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Wolfdogs Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet wolfdogs are legal in Ohio. You do not need a permit to keep a wolfdog as a pet in Ohio.

Are Servals Legal In Ohio?

No, pet servals are not legal in Ohio. You cannot keep a serval as a pet in Ohio.

Are Savannah Cats Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet Savannah cats are legal in Ohio. You do not need a permit to keep a Savannah cat as a pet in Ohio.

Are Asian Leopard Cats Legal in Ohio?

Yes, pet Asian leopard cats are legal in Ohio as long as they are from a USDA breeder. You do not need a permit to keep an Asian leopard cat as a pet in Ohio.

Are Bengal Cats Legal In Ohio?

Yes, Bengal cats are legal in Ohio. You do not need a permit keep a Bengal cat as a pet in Ohio.

Are Skunks Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet skunks are legal in Ohio as long as you get them from a USDA licensed breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet skunks in Ohio.

The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred skunks in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade skunks in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade skunks without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Opossums Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet opossums are legal in Ohio as long as you get them from a USDA licensed breeder. 

A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet Opossum in Ohio.

The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive bred Opossums in Ohio. 

It is illegal to sell or trade opossums in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade opossums without a USDA permit as well. 

Are Bats Legal In Ohio?

Yes, pet bats are legal in Ohio as long as they are a non-native species and from a USDA licensed breeder. You do not need a permit to keep a non-native species of bat as a pet in Ohio.

Did you enjoy this list?

If you enjoyed our exotic pet legality list, please consider donating! Exotic Pet Wonderland is a nonprofit 501(c)3 animal sanctuary that requires donations to keep our sanctuary running. We work hard to research these laws and create these lists, and would like to no longer have to rely on ads to keep our site running. If you are interested in helping us further our goal to provide homes for and to educate about captive-bred wildlife, your donation would be greatly appreciated! 

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