Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Montana?
The short answer
Yes. African pygmy hedgehogs are legal in Montana without a permit. Montana FWP classifies them as noncontrolled exotic wildlife, which may be possessed, bought, and sold without authorization — they are not on the prohibited species list in ARM 12.6.2215.
What Montana law says
Montana's exotic wildlife rules (ARM 12.6.2201-2215) make noncontrolled species like the African pygmy hedgehog free to possess; release into the wild is prohibited without FWP authorization.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Montana.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for possession of noncontrolled species; releasing exotic wildlife or keeping prohibited species is a misdemeanor.
Local city and county rules
Montana municipalities can restrict exotic pets — check your city code.
Legal alternatives in Montana
- Sugar Glider in Montana — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Montana — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need FWP authorization for a hedgehog in Montana?
No. African pygmy hedgehogs are noncontrolled exotic wildlife in Montana and require no permit — just never release one into the wild.
Sources
- ARM 12.6.2215 — List of Prohibited Species
- MT — Exotic Wildlife Sub-chapter 22 (Animal Legal & Historical Center)
More animals in Montana
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Montana?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Montana?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Montana?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Montana 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 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.