Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Mississippi?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Mississippi with no permit. State law requires permits only for 'inherently dangerous' wild animals (big cats, bears, primates, wolves); hedgehogs are not on the list and are unregulated.
What Mississippi law says
Miss. Code §49-8-5 lists inherently dangerous wild animals requiring a permit; hedgehogs are absent, so they may be kept without MDWFP involvement.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Mississippi
No state agency regulates hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Mississippi — 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; keeping an inherently dangerous animal without a permit is a misdemeanor with fines.
Local city and county rules
Jackson and other cities may restrict exotic pets by ordinance — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Mississippi
- Sugar Glider in Mississippi — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Mississippi — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Is a permit needed for hedgehogs in Mississippi?
No. Hedgehogs are not classified as inherently dangerous wild animals, so Mississippi requires no permit.
Sources
- Miss. Code §49-8-5 — Inherently dangerous wild animals
- Are Hedgehogs Legal in My State? (50-State Guide)
More animals in Mississippi
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Mississippi?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Mississippi?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Mississippi?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Mississippi 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.