Exotic pet laws in Texas
Every animal in our directory, checked against Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) / Texas DSHS rules and Texas statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | Tex. Parks & Wild. Code ch. 71 | 2026-07-02 |
| Monkey | Partly Legal | Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 822, subch. E (§822.101) | 2026-07-02 |
| Serval | Permit Required | Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 822, subch. E (§§822.101–822.116) | 2026-07-02 |
| Fennec Fox | Legal | Not restricted: outside TPWD fur-bearer rules and Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 822 | 2026-07-02 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | Not restricted under Texas law | 2026-07-02 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | Tex. Health & Safety Code §822.101 (hedgehogs not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | Tex. Health & Safety Code §822.101 (ferrets not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Texas
- Raccoon — Fur-bearing animal — cannot be kept as a pet; no pet permit exists
Permit-required animals in Texas
- Serval — 'Dangerous wild animal' — legal with county registration, $100k insurance, and caging standards; some counties prohibit
Partly legal in Texas (local restrictions apply)
- Monkey — Most monkeys legal at the state level — but baboons and apes are regulated 'dangerous wild animals,' and many cities ban all primates
Legal without a permit in Texas
- Fennec Fox — Legal at the state level — not a native fur-bearer and not on the dangerous wild animal list; county rules vary
- Sugar Glider — Legal statewide — no state permit required
- Hedgehog — Legal — not a 'dangerous wild animal' and not on TPWD's prohibited lists
- Ferret — Legal statewide — not a dangerous wild animal; no TPWD permit
How Texas regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) / Texas DSHS. Statewide statute sets the floor; cities and counties frequently layer stricter bans on top, so always check your municipal code as well as the entries above.
Research directory, not legal advice. Verify current rules with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) / Texas DSHS before acquiring any animal.