Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Delaware?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Delaware and are exempt from the individual exotic animal possession permit that Delaware requires for many other exotic mammals. No state fees, applications, or inspections apply to pet hedgehogs.
What Delaware law says
Delaware's exotic animal rules (3 Del.C. ch. 72 and 3 Del. Admin. Code 903) require permits for non-native wild mammals but exempt listed common pets, including hedgehogs.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Delaware
Delaware Department of Agriculture is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Delaware.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for exempt species; possessing a permit-required exotic without one carries fines and possible seizure.
Local city and county rules
Wilmington and other municipalities may have their own animal codes — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Delaware
- Ferret in Delaware — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Delaware's exotic animal permit for a hedgehog?
No. Hedgehogs are on Delaware's exempt list, so the individual exotic animal permit requirement does not apply.
Sources
More animals in Delaware
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Delaware?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Delaware?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Delaware?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Delaware 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 Delaware Department of Agriculture and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.