Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Rhode Island?
The short answer
Yes. African pygmy (four-toed) hedgehogs are legal in Rhode Island without a permit. DEM's wild animal regulation lists them first among mammals exempt from the exotic animal possession permit in Appendix A of 250-RICR-40-05-3.
What Rhode Island law says
250-RICR-40-05-3.17 (Appendix A) exempts the four-toed (African pygmy) hedgehog from R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 4-18 permit requirements, so no DEM possession permit is needed.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Rhode Island.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for exempt species; possessing non-exempt wild animals without a permit brings fines and confiscation.
Local city and county rules
Providence and other cities can layer on local animal rules — verify your municipal code.
Legal alternatives in Rhode Island
- Sugar Glider in Rhode Island — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DEM permit needed for a hedgehog in Rhode Island?
No. The African pygmy hedgehog is expressly listed as an exempt exotic animal in Appendix A of DEM's wild animal regulations.
Sources
- 250-RICR-40-05-3.17 — Appendix A: Exempt Exotic Animals
- RIDEM — Importation and Possession of Wild Animals rules
More animals in Rhode Island
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Rhode Island?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Rhode Island?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Rhode Island?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.