Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Oregon?
The short answer
Yes. African pygmy hedgehogs are legal in Oregon with no permit. Oregon's exotic-animal statute covers wild cats, bears, primates, and crocodilians, and ODFW's prohibited species rules do not include pet-trade hedgehogs.
What Oregon law says
ORS 609.305 defines 'exotic animal' (felines, bears, primates, crocodilians) for permit purposes; hedgehogs are outside the definition and are not on ODFW's prohibited wildlife list.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Oregon
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Oregon.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for simple ownership; keeping a true 'exotic animal' without a permit is a misdemeanor.
Local city and county rules
Portland and other cities may have their own animal codes — verify locally.
Legal alternatives in Oregon
- Sugar Glider in Oregon — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Oregon — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hedgehog an 'exotic animal' under Oregon law?
No. ORS 609.305 limits that term to wild cats, bears, primates, and crocodilians, so hedgehogs need no exotic-animal permit.
Sources
More animals in Oregon
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Oregon?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Oregon?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Oregon?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Oregon 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 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.