Is it legal to own a hedgehog in New Hampshire?
The short answer
Yes. African pygmy hedgehogs are legal in New Hampshire without a permit. NH Fish and Game's rules expressly list the 'African pigmy hedgehog' among non-controlled mammals in Fis 804.02(b)(7), so no possession permit is required.
What New Hampshire law says
N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.02 designates non-controlled species that need no possession permit; African pygmy hedgehogs are named on the mammal list alongside sugar gliders and ferrets.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in New Hampshire.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for non-controlled species; possessing controlled or prohibited wildlife without a permit is a violation with fines.
Local city and county rules
New Hampshire towns can impose their own animal rules — check locally.
Legal alternatives in New Hampshire
- Sugar Glider in New Hampshire — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in New Hampshire — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an NH Fish and Game permit for a hedgehog?
No. Fis 804.02 lists the African pygmy hedgehog as non-controlled, so no permit is required.
Sources
More animals in New Hampshire
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New Hampshire?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New Hampshire?
- Is it legal to own a serval in New Hampshire?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.