Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Missouri?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Missouri with no state permit. The Wildlife Code's confinement permits target native species and dangerous exotics (large carnivores, venomous reptiles); African pygmy hedgehogs are neither.
What Missouri law says
Missouri's Wildlife Code (3 CSR 10-9) requires permits for holding native wildlife and listed dangerous animals; hedgehogs are not covered, so they are kept like ordinary pets.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Missouri
No state agency regulates hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Missouri — 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; Wildlife Code violations are misdemeanors with fines.
Local city and county rules
St. Louis, Kansas City, and other municipalities have their own animal codes — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Missouri
- Sugar Glider in Missouri — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Missouri — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Missouri wildlife permit for a hedgehog?
No. Hedgehogs are non-native and not on Missouri's regulated species lists, so no Conservation Department permit applies.
Sources
More animals in Missouri
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Missouri?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Missouri?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Missouri?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Missouri 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.