If you have ever watched a squirrel dart across a Maryland backyard and wondered whether you could keep one as a pet, you are not alone. These quick, clever animals are easy to admire up close. But admiring them and legally owning one are two very different things in the state of Maryland.
Maryland takes a firm position on native wildlife possession, and squirrels fall squarely under that framework. Before you pursue a pet squirrel, it pays to understand exactly what the law says, which agencies enforce it, and what the real consequences are for getting it wrong. The sections below walk you through each piece of the picture.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Maryland?
The short answer is no. It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Maryland. The state treats squirrels as native wildlife, and that classification carries serious legal weight under Maryland’s natural resources and criminal codes.
According to Maryland state law, you cannot possess, import, breed, sell, barter, or trade wildlife, including squirrels. This prohibition is not limited to animals caught from the wild — it extends to captive-bred animals as well. Squirrels are not allowed as pets and the practice is considered illegal. Squirrels are classified as nuisance wildlife in the state, meaning they interfere with human activities and damage human property.
Maryland law declares that it is in the public interest to ensure public health and safety by strictly regulating the possession, breeding, and importation of certain animals that pose risks to humans. The primary statute governing this is Maryland Criminal Law § 10-621, which sets out a list of specifically prohibited species and the conditions under which permits may be issued for others.
There is one narrow exception worth knowing about. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allow residents to rehabilitate squirrels for 180 days under special circumstances. That window exists strictly for wildlife rehabilitation — not for keeping a squirrel as a companion animal. Once the rehabilitation period ends, the animal must be released or transferred to a licensed facility.
Important Note: Even if you find a baby squirrel and nurse it back to health, Maryland law does not grant you the right to keep it permanently. Ongoing possession without a rehabilitation license puts you in violation of state wildlife statutes.
The disease factor also plays a role in the state’s reasoning. Another reason squirrels are prohibited as pets is because they carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tularemia, and ringworm, which are transmittable to humans. Public health considerations reinforce the legal restrictions already in place.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Maryland?
None of Maryland’s native squirrel species are legal to own as pets. Understanding which species live in the state helps clarify just how broadly the prohibition applies. Maryland is home to five species of squirrels: the Eastern Gray, Red squirrel, Eastern Fox squirrel, Southern Flying squirrel, and the Delmarva fox squirrel. Every one of them falls under the state’s wildlife protection framework.
The Eastern Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is by far the most recognizable. It is a common sight in Maryland with a gray fur coat and a large bushy tail. The coloring camouflages it within the woods, hiding it from predators. Some Eastern Gray squirrels are blonde, white, or black. This species typically exists in open woodlands, especially hickory and oak forests.
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) occupies a very different habitat. The Red squirrel has a thick coat of reddish-gray fur on its upper side and a cream or white belly. They are less common than gray squirrels and smaller, weighing only 5 to 9 ounces and measuring 11 to 15 inches long. Red squirrels live mostly in Western Maryland and prefer evergreen trees and coniferous forest areas with high elevation.
The Eastern Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and the Southern Flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) round out the more common native species. You can learn more about the flying squirrel’s unique traits and habits in this overview of flying squirrels. For a broader look at squirrel diversity across North America, the guide to different types of squirrels covers the full range of species.
The Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) deserves special attention. In 1967, this squirrel was federally listed as a threatened and endangered species in Maryland. It was removed from the list in 2015 thanks to conservation efforts. Even with its delisting, it remains a protected subspecies under both state and federal oversight. Possessing one would trigger not only Maryland DNR enforcement but potentially federal wildlife law as well.
Maryland law defines “forest game birds and mammals” to include fox squirrels (excluding the Delmarva subspecies), gray squirrels, and red squirrels. That classification places them under the jurisdiction of the DNR’s hunting and wildlife management programs — not the exotic pet framework — which means no private possession permit pathway exists for them.
Permit and License Requirements in Maryland
Maryland does not issue pet or personal possession permits for squirrels. Maryland issues no licenses for squirrel possession except for rehabilitation and education purposes. This places Maryland firmly among the most restrictive states in the country when it comes to captive squirrel ownership.
Any person desiring to possess, import, export, breed, raise, protect, rehabilitate, hunt, kill, trap, capture, purchase, or sell any wildlife native to Maryland must first obtain a permit or license from the Department. The key word there is “any.” The requirement is not limited to rare or dangerous species — it covers all native wildlife, and squirrels are native wildlife.
The two permit categories that do exist — wildlife rehabilitation and scientific/educational collection — are narrow and specific. Maryland’s centralized licensing portal at onestop.md.gov allows you to find and apply for state wildlife permits, including the Scientific Collection Permit required for educational and research institutions holding otherwise-restricted species. Neither of these pathways is available to a private individual who simply wants a squirrel as a companion.
Pro Tip: If you work for an accredited educational institution or wildlife sanctuary, contact the Maryland DNR directly to determine whether a scientific collection or rehabilitation permit applies to your specific situation. Private individuals do not qualify under either category for squirrel possession.
Individuals who wish to own or exhibit exotic animals must obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which includes providing proof of adequate housing, food, sanitation, veterinary care, and security measures to prevent escapes. The DNR also conducts yearly inspections of facilities where exotic animals are kept or exhibited to ensure compliance with state regulations. These requirements apply to permitted facilities, not to private homes — reinforcing that squirrels are simply off the table for household ownership.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Maryland
There is no legal channel through which a Maryland resident can obtain a pet squirrel for personal possession. Maryland laws prohibit its citizens from selling or acquiring squirrels as pets. That prohibition applies to in-state sellers, out-of-state breeders shipping into Maryland, and any informal transfers between private individuals.
Some residents look to USDA-licensed breeders in other states, assuming that a captive-bred animal from a licensed source might sidestep the restriction. It does not. Maryland’s prohibition is based on the species and its status as native wildlife, not on where the animal was born or how it was raised. Importing a captive-bred squirrel into Maryland for personal possession still violates state law.
If you are genuinely passionate about squirrels, Maryland does allow you to observe and feed them in your backyard without any legal issue. If you live in Maryland and want a pet squirrel, you will have to settle for being a squirrel watcher and feeding them from your backyard — it is not illegal to feed squirrels in Maryland. For those who want to discourage squirrels from certain areas of their property, this resource on plants that repel squirrels offers practical, legal options.
You might also explore other small mammals that are explicitly permitted under Maryland law. Maryland’s health regulations explicitly do not prohibit the importation or possession of gerbils, hamsters, domesticated rats and mice, chinchillas, European ferrets, domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders. These animals are widely available in pet stores and can be kept as household pets at the state level without a DNR permit.
Housing and Care Requirements in Maryland
Because private squirrel ownership is not legal in Maryland, there are no official housing or care standards published by the DNR for household squirrel keepers. The standards that do exist apply only to licensed rehabilitation facilities and permitted educational institutions.
For licensed wildlife rehabilitators, regulations require sanitary housing and any other conditions necessary for the humane, safe, and healthy possession of wildlife. Rehabilitators must also comply with conditions governing when captive wildlife may be released back to the wild. These are institutional standards, not guidelines for home care.
It is worth understanding what caring for a squirrel actually involves, even in states where it is permitted, so you can appreciate why Maryland’s restrictions exist. In states that do issue permits, wildlife agencies typically require enclosures that allow for natural climbing behavior, species-appropriate diet, enrichment items for gnawing and foraging, and regular veterinary oversight from a vet experienced with exotic wildlife. Finding a vet in Maryland willing and qualified to treat a squirrel — an animal you cannot legally own — adds another practical barrier on top of the legal one.
Squirrels carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tularemia, and ringworm that are transmittable to humans. Tularemia is a bacterial disease transmitted through a bite from an infected animal and can cause swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, and fever. These health risks factor into why Maryland does not offer a pathway for private ownership, regardless of how well-intentioned the keeper might be.
Maryland’s wildlife is rich and varied beyond squirrels. If you are curious about other native species you might encounter in the state, these guides to woodpeckers in Maryland and types of owls in Maryland offer a closer look at the state’s wildlife without the legal complications of ownership.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Maryland
Maryland’s statewide prohibition on squirrel possession means that local ordinances rarely need to add anything further — the state law already closes the door. However, local regulations matter in a broader sense when it comes to wildlife management and exotic animals generally.
Just because an animal is legal to own in the state does not mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep and which are not. For squirrels, this layering is largely academic since state law already prohibits them — but it becomes relevant if you are researching other animals.
Exotic pets in Maryland are governed by laws that went into effect in October of 2006. These laws aim to protect wild animals from being bought, bred, sold, and held domestically because it is both potentially dangerous and cruel. Individual counties, including Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore County, maintain their own animal control ordinances that can impose additional restrictions beyond state law.
If you rent your home, the complexity increases further. Even if an animal were somehow legal at the state level, your landlord’s lease agreement and local housing codes may independently prohibit exotic or non-traditional animals on the premises. The bottom line for Maryland squirrel ownership at every level — state, county, and municipal — is the same: it is not permitted.
Maryland’s wildlife scene extends well beyond squirrels. The state hosts a fascinating range of native species, from hawks and bats to frogs and snakes — all protected under the same framework that covers squirrels.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Maryland
The consequences for illegally possessing a squirrel in Maryland are real and enforceable. Maryland does not treat wildlife violations as minor administrative infractions — they carry criminal weight.
Violation of Maryland’s wildlife possession chapter is a misdemeanor punishable under the Natural Resources Article. At the individual level, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 if an individual, or a fine not exceeding $10,000 if the violator is an organization or entity.
Beyond the fine, you lose the animal. Violation results in a fine and seizure of the animal or animals involved. Once seized, a Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer may seize every bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian unlawfully caught, sold, offered for sale, transported, or possessed. The Department may dispose of any seized species of wildlife at the Department’s discretion. In practice, that can mean the animal is transferred to a licensed rehabilitator, placed in a sanctuary, or euthanized depending on its condition and available resources.
Enforcement authority is broad. The provisions of Maryland’s exotic animal statute may be enforced by any state or local law enforcement officer, or by the local animal control authority for the jurisdiction where the violation occurs. Maryland Natural Resources Police officers also have the authority to execute search warrants for wildlife held in violation of state law.
Individuals found guilty of violating wildlife laws may face legal consequences such as monetary fines, suspension or revocation of permits or licenses, and even criminal charges in severe cases. Repeat offenders may experience escalated penalties, leading to more substantial fines or harsher legal actions.
Important Note: Maryland is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, meaning a wildlife conviction in Maryland can affect your standing in other member states as well. A misdemeanor wildlife record is not something that stays local.
In Maryland, strict liability is the law of the land in cases involving exotic animals. This means that if you are the owner of such an animal and the animal injures someone or damages their property, you can be held liable for damages even if you are not at fault. This legal exposure is a serious consideration beyond just the permit question.
If you find yourself in a situation involving a squirrel — whether you have found an injured animal or are uncertain about your legal standing — the safest step is to contact the Maryland DNR Wildlife Problems line at 1-877-463-6497. They can connect you with a licensed rehabilitator and keep you on the right side of the law. You can also explore the broader world of squirrels through this overview of squirrel behavior and biology or read about the animals that eat squirrels to better understand their place in Maryland’s ecosystem.
Maryland’s wildlife laws exist to protect native species and public health. Squirrels are fascinating animals worth appreciating — just best appreciated from the other side of a window or a backyard feeder rather than inside your home.