Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Nevada?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Nevada with no state permit. NAC 503.110 bans certain invasive and dangerous species, and Nevada is otherwise one of the most permissive exotic-pet states — hedgehogs are unrestricted.
What Nevada law says
Nevada Administrative Code 503.110 lists species prohibited from private possession; hedgehogs are not included, so no NDOW permit is required.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Nevada
No state agency regulates hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Nevada — 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 an actually-prohibited species is a misdemeanor with fines and confiscation.
Local city and county rules
Clark County and Las Vegas have their own animal codes — verify locally before buying.
Legal alternatives in Nevada
- Sugar Glider in Nevada — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Nevada — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Is a permit required for hedgehogs in Nevada?
No. Hedgehogs are absent from NAC 503.110's prohibited list, so they can be kept without a state permit.
Sources
More animals in Nevada
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Nevada?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Nevada?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Nevada?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Nevada 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.