Exotic pet laws in Maryland
Every animal in our directory, checked against Maryland DNR / local animal control (Crim. Law §10-621) rules and Maryland statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 (raccoon named) | 2026-07-03 |
| Monkey | Banned | Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 (all primates) | 2026-07-03 |
| Serval | Banned | Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 (non-domestic felines) | 2026-07-03 |
| Fennec Fox | Banned | Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 (foxes named) | 2026-07-03 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | Not listed in Md. Crim. Law §10-621 | 2026-07-03 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 (hedgehogs not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 (ferrets not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Maryland
- Raccoon — Named in Maryland's prohibited-pets statute — no permits
- Monkey — All nonhuman primates named in §10-621 — banned as pets
- Serval — 'Any other non-domestic feline' — banned by the wild-cat clause
- Fennec Fox — Foxes named in §10-621 — all species banned
Legal without a permit in Maryland
- Sugar Glider — Not on the §10-621 list — legal statewide
- Hedgehog — Legal — hedgehogs are not on Maryland's prohibited pet list
- Ferret — Legal — not on Maryland's prohibited-pets list; rabies vaccination required
How Maryland regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Maryland DNR / local animal control (Crim. Law §10-621). 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 Maryland DNR / local animal control (Crim. Law §10-621) before acquiring any animal.