Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Maine?
The short answer
It depends, and it's a long shot. The fennec fox is a non-native species that isn't on Maine's Unrestricted List, so it requires an IF&W restricted-species permit before you can import or possess one. Native-fox rules don't automatically apply, but the default is still 'permit needed,' and approval for pets is uncommon.
What Maine law says
12 M.R.S. §12152 and IF&W Rule Chapter 7 require a permit for any species not on the Unrestricted List; the fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is absent from that list, making it a restricted species requiring a possession/importation permit.
Which agency regulates fennec foxes in Maine
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is the authority for fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) possession in Maine.
Is there a permit for pet fennec foxes?
Yes — the Wildlife Possession / Importation Permit (Restricted Species), issued by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (Application fee applies; varies by permit). Accredited research, exhibitor, and rehabilitation permits exist for restricted species.
Penalties and enforcement
Possessing an unpermitted restricted species is a wildlife violation with fines and seizure.
Local city and county rules
Municipal ordinances can prohibit foxes outright regardless of any state permit.
Legal alternatives in Maine
- Sugar Glider in Maine — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fennec fox banned outright in Maine?
Not expressly banned, but it's off the Unrestricted List, so you need a hard-to-get restricted-species permit.
Do Maine's native-fox rules apply to fennecs?
Not directly — fennecs are non-native, but they still fall under the restricted-species permit requirement by default.
Sources
More animals in Maine
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Maine?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Maine?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Maine?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Maine page, or compare every state on the pet fennec fox laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-03 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.