Exotic pet laws in Maine

Every animal in our directory, checked against Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) rules and Maine statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.

All animals: status at a glance

AnimalStatusStatuteVerified
RaccoonPermit Required12 M.R.S. §121522026-07-03
MonkeyBanned12 M.R.S. §121522026-07-03
ServalBanned12 M.R.S. §121522026-07-03
Fennec FoxPermit Required12 M.R.S. §121522026-07-03
Sugar GliderLegalIF&W Rule Chapter 7 Unrestricted List (Petaurus breviceps)2026-07-03
HedgehogLegal12 M.R.S. §121522026-07-13
FerretLegal12 M.R.S. §121522026-07-13

Animals banned in Maine

  • Monkey — Primates are restricted; no pet possession permit available
  • Serval — Exotic cat treated as restricted; no pet permit issued

Permit-required animals in Maine

  • Raccoon — Restricted native wildlife — possession permit rarely issued for pets
  • Fennec Fox — Not on Unrestricted List; restricted-species permit required

Legal without a permit in Maine

  • Sugar Glider — Listed on Maine's Unrestricted Species List — no permit
  • Hedgehog — Legal — hedgehogs are on Maine's Unrestricted Species List (no permit since 2017)
  • Ferret — Legal — on MDIFW's unrestricted species list; no permit needed

How Maine regulates exotic pets

Primary authority sits with Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W). Statewide statute sets the floor; cities and counties frequently layer stricter bans on top, so always check your municipal code as well as the entries above.

Research directory, not legal advice. Verify current rules with Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) before acquiring any animal.