Curious about what exotic pets are legal in Tennessee? 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 Tennessee
Here are the actual laws exotic pet laws for the state of Tennessee. 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.
Are Pet Foxes Legal In Tennessee?
All species of fox are legal to keep as pets in Tennessee, but some may require permits. For more information on individual species, please read below.
Are Arctic Foxes Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet arctic foxes are not legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep an arctic fox as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Red Foxes Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet red foxes are legal in Tennessee.
It is legal to keep a red fox as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The foxes must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet red fox in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a red fox from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born red foxes in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a red fox from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
Are Fennec Foxes Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet fennec foxes are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit keep a fennec fox as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Pale Foxes Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet pale foxes are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a pale fox as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Gray Foxes Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet gray foxes are legal in Tennessee.
It is legal to keep a gray fox as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The foxes must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet gray fox in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a gray fox from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born gray foxes in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a gray fox from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
Are Tanuki's/Raccoon Dogs Legal In Tennessee?
No, pet raccoon dogs/tanukis are not legal in Tennessee, or an any other state. Read more information on why raccoon dogs are illegal everywhere here.
Are Mink Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, pet mink are legal in Tennessee.
It is legal to keep a mink as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The mink must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet mink in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a mink from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born mink in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a mink from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
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Are Raccoons Legal In Tennessee?
No, pet raccoons are legal in Tennessee.
It is legal to keep a raccoon as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The raccoon must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet raccoon in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a raccoon from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born raccoon in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a raccoon from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
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Are Coyotes Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet coyotes are legal in Tennessee
It is legal to keep a coyote as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The coyote must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet coyote in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a coyote from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born coyote in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a coyote from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
Are Coydogs Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet coydogs are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a coydog as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Lynx Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, pet lynx are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a Lynx as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Bobcats Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet bobcats are legal in Tennessee.
It is legal to keep a bobcat as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The bobcat must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet bobcat in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a bobcat from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born bobcat in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a bobcat from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
Are Wolfdogs Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet wolfdogs are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a wolfdog as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Servals Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet servals are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a serval as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Savannah Cats Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet Savannah cats are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a Savannah cat as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Asian Leopard Cats Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, pet Asian leopard cats are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep an Asian leopard cat as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Bengal Cats Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, Bengal cats are legal in Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a Bengal cat as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Skunks Legal In Tennessee?
No, pet skunks are not legal in Tennessee. You cannot keep a skunk as a pet in Tennessee.
Are Opossums Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet opossums are legal in Tennessee.
It is legal to keep an opossum as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The opossum must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet opossum in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing an opossum from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born opossum in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase an opossum from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
Are Bats Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, pet bats are legal in Tennessee as long as they are of species not native to Tennessee. You do not need a permit to keep a non-native species of bat as a pet in Tennessee.
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