Is it legal to own a hedgehog in New Jersey?
The short answer
Yes, with a permit. Hedgehogs are legal in New Jersey but are not on the exempt-species list in N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.4, so keeping one requires an Individual Hobby Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Possession Permit from the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The permit costs $10 per year for mammals and is routinely issued to pet owners.
What New Jersey law says
N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.4 lists species exempt from permits (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.); hedgehogs are absent, and N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.5 requires a possession permit for any non-exempt exotic mammal.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in New Jersey
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDEP) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in New Jersey.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
Yes — the Individual Hobby Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Possession Permit, issued by New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDEP) ($10 per year (mammals)).
Penalties and enforcement
Possessing a non-exempt exotic animal without a permit can bring civil penalties, fines, and seizure of the animal.
Local city and county rules
Municipal animal ordinances may add requirements on top of the state permit.
Legal alternatives in New Jersey
- Ferret in New Jersey — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
How do I legally own a hedgehog in New Jersey?
Apply for the Individual Hobby Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Possession Permit from NJ Fish & Wildlife ($10/year for mammals) before or promptly upon acquiring the animal.
Sources
- NJDEP Fish & Wildlife — Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Permit Applications
- N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.4 — Exempted Species (official PDF)
More animals in New Jersey
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New Jersey?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New Jersey?
- Is it legal to own a serval in New Jersey?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New Jersey 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 Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDEP) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.