Is it legal to own a hedgehog in New Mexico?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in New Mexico and no state possession permit is required. New Mexico regulates the importation of live nongame wildlife, so an out-of-state purchase may involve routine Game & Fish import paperwork that breeders typically handle.
What New Mexico law says
New Mexico's importation rules (19.35.7 NMAC) govern bringing live nongame animals into the state; hedgehogs are not on a prohibited list and possession itself is unpermitted.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in New Mexico.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for simple ownership; importing wildlife without required paperwork is a misdemeanor.
Local city and county rules
Albuquerque and other municipalities have their own animal ordinances — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in New Mexico
- Sugar Glider in New Mexico — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in New Mexico — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Can I own a hedgehog in New Mexico?
Yes — no possession permit is required, though importing one from out of state can involve routine NMDGF import paperwork.
Sources
More animals in New Mexico
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New Mexico?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New Mexico?
- Is it legal to own a serval in New Mexico?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New Mexico 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 Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.