Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Arizona?
The short answer
Yes. African pygmy hedgehogs are legal in Arizona without a permit. Arizona Game & Fish's restricted live wildlife list (R12-4-406) covers many exotics, but pet-trade hedgehogs are not on it.
What Arizona law says
Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-406 enumerates restricted live wildlife; African pygmy hedgehogs are excluded, so no AZGFD license is needed to keep one.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Arizona
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Arizona.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for lawful pet hedgehogs; possessing actually-restricted wildlife without a license is a misdemeanor.
Local city and county rules
Cities such as Phoenix and Tucson follow state law, but always confirm your municipal code.
Legal alternatives in Arizona
- Sugar Glider in Arizona — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Arizona — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Are hedgehogs restricted wildlife in Arizona?
No. AZGFD's restricted list in R12-4-406 does not include African pygmy hedgehogs, so they may be kept without a special license.
Sources
- Ariz. Admin. Code Title 12, Ch. 4 (Game & Fish rules)
- Are Hedgehogs Legal in My State? (50-State Guide)
More animals in Arizona
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Arizona?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Arizona?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Arizona?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Arizona page, or compare every state on the pet hedgehog laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-13 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.