Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Arkansas?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Arkansas with no permit. AGFC's captive wildlife code restricts native wildlife and listed large carnivores; non-native African pygmy hedgehogs fall outside the restrictions entirely.
What Arkansas law says
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Code (ch. 09) regulates possession of native and listed wildlife; hedgehogs are not covered, so no AGFC permit is required.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Arkansas
No state agency regulates hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Arkansas — authority rests with local animal control. See the state wildlife agency for related rules.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for simple ownership; AGFC code violations for regulated species carry fines.
Local city and county rules
Little Rock and other cities have their own animal ordinances — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Arkansas
- Sugar Glider in Arkansas — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Arkansas — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas require a hedgehog permit?
No. Hedgehogs are non-native and outside AGFC's captive wildlife restrictions, so no permit is needed.
Sources
More animals in Arkansas
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Arkansas?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Arkansas?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Arkansas?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Arkansas 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 your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.