Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Tennessee?
The short answer
Yes. Hedgehogs are legal in Tennessee without a state permit. Tennessee's captive wildlife law (T.C.A. §70-4-403) reserves permits for dangerous Class I species and native Class II species; non-native hedgehogs fall outside those classes and are kept freely.
What Tennessee law says
Tenn. Code Ann. §70-4-403 classifies wildlife for private possession; hedgehogs are not Class I (dangerous) or Class II (native), so TWRA requires no permit for them.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Tennessee.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for simple ownership; illegal possession of classified wildlife is a Class A/B misdemeanor depending on species.
Local city and county rules
Local governments can restrict exotic pets — check city and county ordinances.
Legal alternatives in Tennessee
- Sugar Glider in Tennessee — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Tennessee — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Does TWRA regulate pet hedgehogs?
No. Hedgehogs are not in Tennessee's regulated Class I or II wildlife categories, so no TWRA permit is needed.
Sources
- Tenn. Code Ann. §70-4-403 — Classifications of wildlife
- Are Hedgehogs Legal in My State? (50-State Guide)
More animals in Tennessee
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Tennessee?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Tennessee?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Tennessee?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Tennessee 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 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.