Arkansas offers more flexibility than many states when it comes to exotic pet ownership, but navigating the regulations can feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re drawn to colorful reptiles, unusual small mammals, or native wildlife species, understanding what’s legal and what requires permits will save you from costly mistakes and potential legal trouble.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission oversees most exotic animal regulations, and staying compliant means knowing which species fall under unrestricted, permitted, or prohibited categories.
Examples of Exotic Pets Legal (or More Easily Permitted)
Domestic and Semi-Domesticated Small Animals
You can keep traditional pocket pets without any special permits in Arkansas. Hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, and rats remain popular choices for families and individuals seeking low-maintenance companions. These animals don’t fall under Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations since they’re fully domesticated species bred specifically for pet ownership.
Pro Tip: While these animals don’t require state permits, some cities and counties impose additional restrictions on the number of animals you can keep or housing requirements for multi-pet households.
Non-Native Reptiles and Amphibians
Arkansas allows numerous non-native reptile and amphibian species, provided they’re not on the prohibited or restricted lists. Bearded dragons, Chinese water dragons, veiled chameleons, monitor lizards, iguanas, tegus, and caimans are legal to keep as pets in Arkansas. Ball pythons (Python regius), also known as the royal python, are admired for their behavior of curling into a tight ball and are the world’s most popular pet python.
The key distinction lies in whether your chosen species appears on the Unrestricted Captive Wildlife Species List found in Code Addendum R1.01. Species on this list don’t require Wildlife Importation Permits or Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permits for personal ownership. However, you must still obtain animals from legal sources and maintain proper documentation.
Corn snakes, king snakes, and many gecko species fall into the unrestricted category, making them excellent choices for reptile enthusiasts. When selecting a non-native reptile, verify its status with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before purchasing, as regulations update periodically to address invasive species concerns.
Non-Native Small Mammals
Several non-native small mammals can be kept as pets with varying requirements. Ferrets may be kept as pets in Arkansas without a permit, making them highly intelligent companions that form strong bonds with their owners. Pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) can be kept as pets in Arkansas – these solitary, nocturnal animals require moderate care and make excellent pets for busy people.
Other permitted small mammals include chinchillas, sugar gliders (where allowed by local ordinances), and certain domesticated rabbit breeds. The distinction between unrestricted and permit-required species depends on whether the animal poses potential risks to native wildlife if released or escaped.
Important Note: Males and females must be kept in separate pens unless they have been neutered to prevent reproduction, and animals must have been purchased from a Commission-permitted Wildlife Breeder/Dealer, brought into Arkansas with a Wildlife Importation Permit, or purchased from a legal owner who registered the sale with the Commission.
Native Wildlife Species Under State Rules
Arkansas allows limited ownership of certain native wildlife species captured from the wild under strict conditions. Up to six individual animals from an approved list taken by hand from the wild may be kept per household, including opossums (Didelphis virginiana), rabbits, raccoons (Procyon lotor), and squirrels.
Hand-captured native non-game wildlife is permitted except for birds, bats, alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii), ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata), hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), Ouachita streambed salamanders, collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris), troglodytic species (cave dwellers), or animals defined as endangered species. This provision primarily serves educational purposes and wildlife rehabilitation, though some residents keep these animals as pets.
Grandfathered species also exist under Arkansas law. Deer captured by hand prior to July 1, 2012, and bobcat (Lynx rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) captured by hand prior to July 1, 2022, may be retained until their death. However, no new wild captures of these species are permitted for personal pet ownership.
Commercially Bred Native Wildlife
Beyond wild-caught animals, you can purchase commercially bred native wildlife species for pets. Individuals may purchase and own up to six per household of captive-born, commercially obtained native wildlife species as personal pets, though restrictions apply to certain species listed in Code Addendum R1.03.
This category opens opportunities for species like captive-bred red foxes, provided you obtain them from licensed sources. Red foxes can be kept as pets when acquired from Commission-permitted Wildlife Breeder/Dealers or brought into Arkansas with a Wildlife Importation Permit. Contact AGFC Licensing at 833-345-0325 for specific permit requirements.
The six-animal limit applies to the total count of native species, not per species. If you wish to possess more than six native wildlife pets, you must obtain a Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit.
Unrestricted Non-Native Wildlife
Perhaps the most expansive category involves non-native wildlife species listed as unrestricted in Arkansas’s captive wildlife codes. These animals don’t require special permits for personal ownership, import, or breeding. The unrestricted list includes numerous parrot species, many lizard genera, various snake species, and select exotic birds.
Over 85 exotic bird species can be bred, sold, and imported without permits following regulation updates in February 2019. Popular parrot species like blue-and-gold macaws (Ara ararauna), African grey parrots, and cockatoos often appear on the unrestricted list, though Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) and rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) require permits because escaped birds have shown the ability to establish wild populations in North America.
Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae), the second-tallest living birds, can be kept as pets in Arkansas, are pretty docile, and live up to 10 years in the wild and up to 35 years in human care. Other unusual but legal options include peacocks, which are legal in all 50 states, and certain species of camels and buffalo.
Key Insight: The unrestricted species list changes periodically as biologists evaluate risks to Arkansas ecosystems. Always verify current status before acquiring any exotic animal.
Conditions, Permits, and Restrictions
Permit Requirements for Non-Native Wildlife
Many non-native wild animals require permits even when ownership is legal. Limitations exist on ownership of certain exotics including mountain lions, large carnivores, primates, and other species listed in Code 9.02 and Code Addendum R1.03.
The permit structure includes several types:
Wildlife Importation Permits allow you to bring specific animals into Arkansas from other states or countries. These permits ensure animals meet health requirements and don’t introduce diseases to native populations.
Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permits are required for anyone breeding exotic animals for sale or operating as a dealer. In recent years, importation permits have shown an upward trend, escalating from 66 in 2021 to 74 in 2023, and Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permits have also risen.
Venomous Reptile Possession Permits apply to medically significant venomous species. A Venomous Reptile Possession Permit under Code 09.17 is required to keep medically significant venomous reptiles, which must be kept in accordance with caging and transportation requirements found in Code Addendum F1.08.
Permits for venomous creatures require proof of experience and proper containment measures, with enclosures that must be escape-proof, clearly labeled, and maintained to minimize human contact.
Prohibited Species Categories
Arkansas completely prohibits private ownership of certain exotic animals due to public safety concerns and ecological risks. Prohibited species are those which pose an extreme risk to humans, domestic animals, or native wildlife, or those where collection from the wild could contribute to declines or extinctions within their native range.
Large carnivores represent one major prohibited category. Under Arkansas law, large carnivores are defined as bears, lions, and tigers, and can only be possessed by individuals who owned them on or before August 12, 2005, and obtained grandfathered permits. No new private ownership of these animals is permitted.
Certain primates face restrictions or outright bans. Under AGFC Code 09.10, ownership of certain non-human primates is restricted, particularly larger species like chimpanzees, baboons, and macaques, which are prohibited due to their strength and intelligence. Smaller primates like marmosets may be allowed under specific conditions with proper permits.
Bats are explicitly prohibited. You cannot keep a bat as a pet in Arkansas, primarily due to rabies concerns and the protected status of many bat species.
Breeding, sale, and importation of prohibited species is not allowed, and no permits will be issued by the AGFC except for special circumstances such as accredited zoos.
Documentation and Proof of Legal Ownership
Regardless of whether your exotic pet requires a permit, maintaining proper documentation protects you from legal complications. Owners must maintain records of proof of legal ownership including licenses, bills of sale, bills of lading, receipts, invoices, and copies of Wildlife Importation Permits or other satisfactory evidence.
The date of acquisition, place of origin, and the name, address, and telephone number of the person from whom the wildlife was acquired must be recorded, and owners must provide these records to the Commission upon demand.
When purchasing exotic animals, ensure your seller provides complete documentation. Legitimate Wildlife Breeder/Dealers in Arkansas undergo inspections. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission conducts inspections to examine cages, aquariums, and enclosures to ensure they’re appropriately sized, humane, and clean.
Common Mistake: Purchasing exotic animals from unlicensed sellers, even if the species is legal to own, can result in confiscation of your pet and legal penalties. Always verify your source holds proper permits.
Housing and Care Requirements
Beyond ownership legality, Arkansas enforces welfare standards for exotic pets. The separation requirement for breeding-age animals applies broadly. Males and females must be kept in separate pens unless they have been neutered to prevent reproduction.
This regulation serves dual purposes: preventing uncontrolled breeding of exotic species and ensuring owners don’t inadvertently become wildlife dealers without proper permits. Although breeding of pets held under this regulation is illegal, owners may sell up to 20 individual animals per calendar year without obtaining a Wildlife Breeder/Dealer permit, though such sales must be registered with the Commission.
For venomous species, housing requirements become more stringent. Enclosures must prevent escape, protect the public from accidental exposure, and meet specifications designed by wildlife veterinarians and biologists.
Local Restrictions and Additional Regulations
State law represents only one layer of exotic pet regulation. Even if state law allows a species, local city or county laws may ban or more tightly regulate exotic pets. Major cities often impose restrictions beyond state requirements, particularly for animals perceived as dangerous or nuisance-prone.
Before acquiring any exotic pet, contact your local animal control office or city clerk to determine whether additional permits, licenses, or prohibitions apply in your municipality. Homeowners associations may also restrict exotic pet ownership regardless of legal status.
Federal regulations add another consideration. The state enforces the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to possess hawks, owls, and specific waterfowl without a federal permit. The Lacey Act prohibits transport of illegally obtained wildlife across state lines, which can create complications if you’re relocating to Arkansas with exotic pets.
Compliance Inspections and Enforcement
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission maintains authority to inspect exotic animal facilities and private collections. Game wardens, animal control officers, and law enforcement can verify compliance with captive wildlife regulations.
Under Arkansas Code 5-62-127, unauthorized possession of restricted species can result in misdemeanor charges with fines ranging from $100 to $5,000 per offense, and repeat violations or cases involving particularly dangerous animals may lead to felony charges.
The AGFC has authority to confiscate any unlawfully possessed animal, which are typically relocated to licensed sanctuaries, zoos, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. You won’t receive compensation for confiscated animals, regardless of how much you paid for them.
Getting Started with Legal Exotic Pet Ownership
If you’re ready to pursue exotic pet ownership in Arkansas, follow these steps to ensure compliance:
- Research your desired species thoroughly using the AGFC website and species-specific codes to determine its legal status
- Contact AGFC Licensing at 833-345-0325 to clarify permit requirements and obtain necessary applications
- Verify local regulations by contacting your city or county government offices
- Identify legal sources such as Commission-permitted Wildlife Breeder/Dealers or licensed out-of-state sellers
- Prepare appropriate housing that meets or exceeds Arkansas’s requirements before bringing your pet home
- Maintain complete documentation from purchase through ownership, including all permits and transaction records
The exotic pet community in Arkansas continues growing. Interest in exotic pets has surged in recent years, with veterinarians expecting continued growth as more owners provide proper homes for these animals. With proper research, legal compliance, and commitment to animal welfare, you can responsibly enjoy the unique experience of exotic pet ownership in Arkansas.
