Is it legal to own a hedgehog in New York?
The short answer
It depends. Hedgehogs are legal to keep in most of New York State, where they are not on the DEC's dangerous or wild animal lists. New York City is the exception: the NYC Health Code lists hedgehogs among prohibited wild animals, so they are illegal in all five boroughs.
What New York law says
NY Environmental Conservation Law §11-0512 restricts 'wild animals' as pets but does not cover hedgehogs statewide; NYC Health Code §161.01 separately prohibits hedgehogs (insectivorous mammals) within city limits.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in New York.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level. The NYC ban applies only within city limits; the rest of the state is unaffected.
Penalties and enforcement
No state penalty for ownership outside NYC; within NYC, keeping a prohibited animal brings Health Department fines and confiscation of the animal.
Local city and county rules
New York City bans hedgehogs outright — do not keep one in the five boroughs, and check other local codes upstate.
Legal alternatives in New York
- Sugar Glider in New York — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are hedgehogs legal in NYC?
No. NYC Health Code §161.01 lists hedgehogs as prohibited wild animals, even though they are legal in the rest of New York State.
Sources
- NYC Health Code Article 161 — Wild and Other Animals Prohibited
- Are Hedgehogs Legal in New York? — MyHedgehogCare
More animals in New York
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New York?
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New York?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in New York?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New York 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 York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.