Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Maryland?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Maryland with no permit. The state's exotic-pet statute (Crim. Law §10-621) bans foxes, raccoons, skunks, primates, and big cats as pets — hedgehogs are not on the list.
What Maryland law says
Md. Code, Criminal Law §10-621 enumerates the species banned from private possession; hedgehogs are absent, so ownership is lawful statewide.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Maryland
No state agency regulates hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Maryland — authority rests with local animal control. See the state wildlife agency for related rules.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for simple ownership; possessing a banned species carries fines up to $1,000 per animal.
Local city and county rules
Counties like Montgomery and Prince George's have their own exotic-animal rules — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Maryland
- Sugar Glider in Maryland — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Maryland — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hedgehog on Maryland's banned pet list?
No. Md. Crim. Law §10-621 bans several mammals as pets, but hedgehogs are not among them.
Sources
More animals in Maryland
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Maryland?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Maryland?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Maryland?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Maryland 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 your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.