Curious about what exotic pets are legal in South Carolina? 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 South Carolina
Here are the actual laws exotic pet laws for the state of _____. 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.
Why is South Carolina not a safe state for exotic pets?
Although many species of exotic pet are legal in South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) themselves point out that SC is not a safe state to keep exotic pets.
This is due to the fact that there are no approved rabies vaccines for exotic pets, including domestic/wild hybrids, and South Carolina sees this as a huge risk. In South Carolina, if someone so much as comes in contact with your exotic pet (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your animal will be euthanized. This also goes for if there is any chance at all your exotic pet could have come in contact with a rabid animal, or if anyone makes the claim that it did.
We live in a cruel world and have heard time and time again of people having their animals taken and euthanized due to false reports. It is better safe than sorry, which is why we would not recommend keeping an exotic pet in South Carolina.
Are Pet Foxes Legal In South Carolina?
Kind of. Technically speaking, there are a few species of fox you can legally keep as pets in South Carolina, but it is complicated. For more information on individual species, please read below.
Are Arctic Foxes Legal In South Carolina?
No, pet arctic foxes are not legal in South Carolina. You cannot keep an arctic fox as a pet in South Carolina.
Are Red Foxes Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet red foxes are legal in South Carolina.
If the red fox was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Red foxes may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a red fox even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet red foxes. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet fox (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet fox will be euthanized.
Are Fennec Foxes Legal In South Carolina?
No, pet fennec foxes are not legal in South Carolina. You cannot keep a fennec fox as a pet in South Carolina.
Are Pale Foxes Legal In South Carolina?
No, pet pale foxes are not legal in state. You cannot keep a pale fox as a pet in South Carolina.
Are Gray Foxes Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet gray foxes are legal in South Carolina.
If the gray fox was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Gray foxes may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a gray fox even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet gray foxes. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet fox (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet fox will be euthanized.
Are Tanuki's/Raccoon Dogs Legal In South Carolina?
No, pet raccoon dogs/tanukis are not legal in South Carolina, or an any other state. Read more information on why raccoon dogs are illegal everywhere here.
Are Mink Legal in South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet mink are legal in South Carolina.
If the mink was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Mink may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a mink even if it was born in captivity. This also means mink coming from fur farms are illegal in South Carolina
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet mink. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet mink (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet mink will be euthanized.
Are Raccoons Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet raccoons are legal in South Carolina.
If the raccoon was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Raccoons may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a raccoon even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet raccoons. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your raccoon (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet raccoon will be euthanized.
Are Coyotes Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet coyotes are legal in South Carolina.
If the coyote was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Coyotes may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a coyote even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet coyotes. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet coyote (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet coyote will be euthanized.
Are Coydogs Legal In South Carolina?
Yes, pet coydogs are legal in South Carolina. You do not need a permit to keep a coydog as a pet in South Carolina.
Please note that South Carolina is not a safe state for exotic pets like coydogs. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet coydog (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet coydog will be euthanized. SCDHEC is specific in mentioning wild/domestic hybrids when it in their rabies laws, and does not consider rabies vaccines to be effective for coydogs.
Are Lynx Legal in South Carolina?
No, pet lynx are not legal in South Carolina. You cannot keep a Lynx as a pet in South Carolina.
Are Bobcats Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet bobcats are legal in South Carolina.
If the bobcat was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Bobcats may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a bobcat even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet bobcats. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your bobcat (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet bobcat will be euthanized.
Are Wolfdogs Legal In South Carolina?
Yes, pet wolfdogs are legal in South Carolina. You do not need a permit to keep a wolfdog as a pet in South Carolina.
Please note that South Carolina is not a safe state for exotic pets like wolfdogs . This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your wolfdog (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet wolfdog will be euthanized. SCDHEC is specific in mentioning wild/domestic hybrids when it in their rabies laws, and does not consider rabies vaccines to be effective for wolfdogs .
Are Servals Legal In South Carolina?
Yes, pet servals are legal in South Carolina. You do not need a permit keep a serval as a pet in State.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet servals. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your serval(or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet serval will be euthanized.
Are Savannah Cats Legal In South Carolina?
Yes, pet Savannah Cats are legal in South Carolina. You do not need a permit to keep a Savannah Cat as a pet in South Carolina.
Please note that South Carolina is not a safe state for exotic pets like Savannah Cats. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet wolfdog (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet Savannah Cat will be euthanized. SCDHEC is specific in mentioning wild/domestic hybrids when it in their rabies laws, and does not consider rabies vaccines to be effective for Savannah Cats.
Are Asian Leopard Cats Legal in South Carolina?
Yes, Asian leopard cats are legal in South Carolina. You do not need a permit keep an Asian leopard cat as a pet in South Carolina.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet Asian leopard cats. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your Asian leopard cat (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet Asian leopard cat will be euthanized.
Are Bengal Cats Legal In South Carolina?
Yes, Bengal cats are legal in South Carolina. You do not need a permit keep a serval as a pet in South Carolina.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet Bengal cats. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your Bengal (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet Bengal will be euthanized. SCDHEC is specific in mentioning wild/domestic hybrids when it in their rabies laws, and does not consider rabies vaccines to be effective for Bengal cats.
Are Skunks Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet skunks are legal in South Carolina.
If the skunk was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Skunks may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with your pet skunk even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet skunks. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your skunks (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet skunks will be euthanized.
Are Opossums Legal In South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet opossums are legal in South Carolina.
If the opossum was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Opossums may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with an opossum even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet opossums. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your opossum (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet opossum will be euthanized.
Are Bats Legal In South Carolina?
Yes, non-native species of bat in South Carolina. You do not need a permit keep a nonnative species of bat as a pet in South Carolina.
You cannot keep a native species of bat as a pet in South Carolina.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet bats. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your bat and contacts SCDHEC, your pet bat will be euthanized.
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!
