Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Minnesota?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Minnesota with no state permit. The regulated-animal statute covers big cats, bears, and primates only, and the DNR does not restrict captive African pygmy hedgehogs.
What Minnesota law says
Minn. Stat. §346.155 defines 'regulated animals' (large cats, bears, primates); hedgehogs are outside the definition and require no registration.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Minnesota
No state agency regulates hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Minnesota — 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; local ordinance violations carry fines.
Local city and county rules
Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other cities maintain their own animal codes — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Minnesota
- Sugar Glider in Minnesota — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Minnesota — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Minneapolis?
Minnesota state law allows hedgehogs; Minneapolis has generally permitted them, but confirm the current city animal ordinance.
Sources
- Minn. Stat. §346.155 — Possessing regulated animals
- Are Hedgehogs Legal in My State? (50-State Guide)
More animals in Minnesota
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Minnesota?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Minnesota?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Minnesota?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Minnesota 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.