Laws & permits

Lacey Act: injurious wildlife

50 CFR Part 16 · USFWS

Species listed as injurious can't be imported into the U.S. or shipped to or from Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the territories without a USFWS permit (issued only for zoos, education, medicine or science). The list includes the Burmese, Indian, reticulated and African rock pythons, four anacondas, the brown tree snake, mongooses and meerkats, flying foxes, raccoon dogs, multimammate mice, Java sparrows, red-whiskered bulbuls, snakeheads, walking catfish, several carps, the yabby, and, since 2016 and expanded in January 2025, dozens of salamander genera (including Ambystoma, so axolotls and tiger salamanders) to keep out the Bsal fungus. Since USARK v. Zinke (2017), the federal rule doesn't cover shipping between the 49 continental states, but many states ban these animals themselves.

31 species on this site are flagged.

Sources 177189

Endangered Species Act

50 CFR 17.11 · USFWS

Owning a listed animal isn't banned by the ESA itself, but selling or shipping one across state lines in the course of commercial activity, importing and exporting all need permits, even for captive-bred animals. Breeders of non-native endangered species can register in the Captive-Bred Wildlife program. All lemurs are listed as endangered; the American alligator is listed as threatened because it looks like endangered crocodilians.

11 species on this site are flagged.

Sources 179

CITES

International treaty · USFWS permits

Controls international trade only. Appendix I species can't be traded commercially across borders; Appendix II and III need export documents. It doesn't affect buying a captive-bred animal from a breeder within the U.S., but keep your records.

Sources 173186

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

50 CFR 10.13 · USFWS

Protects over 1,100 native bird species. Keeping one usually needs a federal permit (falconry, raptor propagation, education or rehabilitation), alongside a state permit. One big exception: captive-bred, properly marked waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) bought from a permitted breeder can be kept without a federal permit, though Muscovy ducks have special restrictions. Domestic ducks, geese and pigeons, and non-native pet birds, aren't covered.

1 species on this site are flagged.

Sources 178181187180

Big Cat Public Safety Act (2022)

USFWS

Private individuals may no longer own or breed lions, tigers, leopards, snow and clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars or their hybrids. Owners who registered by June 18, 2023 may keep their existing animals. Exhibitors must be USDA-licensed and may not allow public contact.

Sources 185

Animal Welfare Act

9 CFR Parts 1–3 · USDA APHIS

Dealers (including many breeders who sell wholesale or sight-unseen) and exhibitors of warm-blooded animals (including encounters and paid programs) generally need a USDA license and inspections; some small-scale breeders and retail sellers are exempt. Keeping your own pets doesn't. Reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates aren't covered; most birds have been covered since USDA's 2023 bird standards.

53 species on this site are flagged.

Sources 184

CDC and FDA public-health rules

42 CFR 71 · 21 CFR 1240.62

Nonhuman primates can be imported only for science, education or exhibition, never as pets. Rodents from Africa have been banned from import since 2003. Civets can't be imported, and bats need an import permit. Turtles and tortoises under 4 inches can't be sold as pets (a Salmonella rule).

7 species on this site are flagged.

Sources 188183182

USDA plant pest rules

USDA APHIS PPQ

Giant African land snails are prohibited outright. Moving many live non-native insects, snails and other potential plant pests across state lines needs a PPQ 526 permit.

3 species on this site are flagged.

Sources

Marine Mammal Protection Act

NOAA Fisheries · USFWS

Whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, walruses, manatees, sea otters and polar bears may be held only by permitted public display, research or rehabilitation facilities.

Sources 137