Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Louisiana?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Louisiana with no permit. LDWF's exotic and injurious wildlife rules focus on big cats, bears, primates, wild hogs, and injurious aquatics — hedgehogs are unlisted and unregulated.
What Louisiana law says
Louisiana's wildlife rules (La. Admin. Code Title 76 and R.S. 56:6) restrict listed dangerous and injurious species; hedgehogs are not listed, so no LDWF permit applies.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Louisiana.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for simple ownership; possessing restricted species carries class violations with fines.
Local city and county rules
New Orleans and parish governments may have their own animal codes — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Louisiana
- Sugar Glider in Louisiana — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Louisiana — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an LDWF permit for a hedgehog?
No. Hedgehogs are not among Louisiana's regulated exotic species, so no permit is needed.
Sources
More animals in Louisiana
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Louisiana?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Louisiana?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Louisiana?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Louisiana 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 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.