Can You Own a Sugar Glider in New Mexico? What the Law Actually Says

Sugar gliders have become one of the more popular exotic pets in the United States, and New Mexico residents are no exception when it comes to curiosity about owning one. Before you start searching for a breeder or setting up a cage, though, you need to understand exactly where New Mexico law stands — because the answer is not as simple as a flat yes or no.

New Mexico sits in a middle category that many prospective owners overlook: the state neither bans sugar gliders outright nor allows you to bring one home without any paperwork. Some states allow sugar gliders as pets but require a permit or formal approval before ownership, and New Mexico is one of those states. This guide walks you through the state rules, the permit process, local ordinances, potential penalties, and what you should have in place before committing to one of these animals.

Important Note: Exotic animal laws can change, and sources sometimes conflict on whether a permit is required or whether sugar gliders are fully unrestricted in New Mexico. The safest step is always to contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish directly before acquiring any non-domesticated animal.

Is It Legal to Own a Sugar Glider in New Mexico?

The short answer is: sugar gliders are not banned in New Mexico, but ownership is conditional. Sugar gliders are marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea and are classified as exotic in the United States. Because they are non-domesticated animals, they fall under New Mexico’s importation and wildlife regulations rather than ordinary pet ownership rules.

Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are small, nocturnal marsupials that glide between trees using a membrane stretching from their wrists to their ankles. In New Mexico, they are not listed among the animals that are flatly prohibited — such as large cats, crocodilians, or primates — but they are also not in the permit-free category reserved for semi-domesticated animals. You can explore different types of sugar gliders to understand the species before deciding if one fits your household.

Even in states where sugar gliders are permitted, strict regulations often apply, including requirements for exotic pet permits in places like New Mexico. Owning sugar gliders is illegal in states like Alaska, California, and Hawaii due to ecological risks non-native species pose to local wildlife. New Mexico’s approach is more permissive than those outright bans, but it still carries legal obligations you must meet.

New Mexico’s Laws on Sugar Glider Ownership

The primary regulatory framework governing sugar glider ownership in New Mexico comes from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and its importation regulations. The relevant regulation is NM ADC 19.35.7, last checked as of March 2025, and it covers persons who desire to bring wildlife species into the state of New Mexico.

The stated objective of this regulation is to provide consistent criteria for the importation of live non-domesticated animals into New Mexico and to protect native wildlife against the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases, undesirable species, and to address human health and safety issues. Sugar gliders, as non-domesticated animals, fall within the scope of this rule.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish maintains a list of animals that are legal and illegal to own. The animals are placed into one of four importation groups: Group I covers semi-domesticated animals not requiring a permit; Group II covers live non-domesticated animals not known to be invasive or dangerous; Group III covers animals presenting minimal or manageable concerns that require specific provisions before an importation permit is issued; and Group IV covers animals considered dangerous, invasive, undesirable, or state or federally listed as threatened or endangered.

Additionally, New Mexico statute NMSA 1978 § 77-18-1 states that the sale, purchase, trade, and possession with intent to keep as a pet of any subhuman primate, skunk, raccoon, fox, or other sylvatic carnivore may be regulated by the health and environment department for the protection of public health and safety. Sugar gliders are marsupials, not carnivores, so they are not directly targeted by this statute — but it illustrates the broader regulatory environment in the state.

Key Insight: New Mexico’s four-tier importation group system is the main tool for determining whether a specific exotic animal is legal, permit-required, or prohibited. Always check the NMDGF’s current Director’s Species Importation List for the most up-to-date classification of sugar gliders.

Permits or Requirements to Own a Sugar Glider in New Mexico

Under 19.35.7.8 NMAC, it is unlawful to import any live non-domesticated animal into New Mexico without first obtaining appropriate permits issued by the director, except for those animals identified within the species importation list Group I. Since sugar gliders are not semi-domesticated animals, they do not qualify for the permit-free Group I category.

According to New Mexico law, it is illegal to possess or transport any exotic animal without a valid permit from the department. The permit must be obtained before bringing an exotic animal into the state or purchasing one from out of state. This means you cannot buy a sugar glider from a breeder in another state and transport it to New Mexico without going through the permit process first.

The permit application itself carries specific documentation requirements. Any applicant requesting an importation permit for non-domesticated animals must submit a containment or confinement plan indicating where and how the species will be maintained, as well as a current and valid certificate from an accredited veterinarian certifying that each animal or rearing facility of origin has been inspected and is in good general health and disease free.

Permits are only issued when all application requirements and provisions have been met. You can find the permit application and current fee schedule through the NMDGF Special Use Permits page, which references Importation Regulation 19.35.7 NMAC and License/Permit Fee Regulation 19.30.9 NMAC. If you are curious how neighboring states handle this, see how Arizona approaches sugar glider ownership and how Colorado’s rules compare.

Local Laws That May Apply in New Mexico

State law is only one layer of the regulatory picture. Many New Mexico cities have much more stringent exotic pet laws than at the state level. Before acquiring a sugar glider, you need to check the ordinances of your specific city or county — not just the NMDGF regulations.

Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, has its own exotic animal framework. Any person who wishes to receive, purchase, own, or keep 15 or more permissible exotic or wild animals in Albuquerque must first obtain an Exotic or Wild Animal Collection Permit (EWACP). For most private owners keeping one or two sugar gliders, this specific threshold likely would not apply — but the broader ordinance still prohibits keeping any species in violation of federal or New Mexico law.

Even in states where sugar gliders are legal at the state level, local laws may impose additional restrictions on ownership. These rules can vary by city or county and may prohibit ownership within specific jurisdictions. Smaller New Mexico cities like Elephant Butte also maintain their own wild or exotic animal ordinances that reference state and federal regulations. Calling your city or county animal control office before purchasing is always the right move.

While most states have state laws that govern housing exotic animals as pets, there may also be local, city, and county laws that also apply. If you live in a rental property, your lease agreement may also restrict exotic pet ownership regardless of what state or local law permits. Check both your municipality and your landlord’s rules simultaneously.

Penalties for Illegally Owning a Sugar Glider in New Mexico

Ignoring New Mexico’s permit requirements is not a minor oversight — it carries real legal consequences. Violating New Mexico’s exotic animal laws can result in fines, criminal charges, and confiscation of the animal. The NMDGF actively enforces these regulations, and illegal possession of restricted species can lead to immediate seizure. If a violation poses an imminent threat to public safety or native wildlife, law enforcement may euthanize the animal.

Under New Mexico Statutes Annotated 17-2-46, illegal possession of wildlife can result in misdemeanor charges, with fines of up to $1,000 per violation and jail time of up to six months. More severe penalties apply for trafficking, breeding, or intentional release of prohibited species. Repeat offenders or those involved in large-scale illegal operations could face felony charges, particularly if their actions cause ecological damage or harm individuals.

Beyond criminal penalties, the NMDGF has administrative tools as well. The director may declare any applicant or importer who fails to comply with importation conditions as ineligible for future importation permits. The director may also require a certificate of compliance before an applicant becomes eligible to import any live non-domesticated animals, and may impose a cease-and-desist order making an applicant ineligible to apply for an importation permit for up to a year in cases of repeated violations.

First-time offenders who voluntarily surrender their animals may receive leniency, but repeat violations or deliberate attempts to circumvent the law typically result in harsher penalties. The financial cost of non-compliance — between fines, legal fees, and potential restitution — far exceeds the cost of simply obtaining the correct permit from the start.

Pro Tip: The certificate of compliance fee per violation under NMAC 19.35.7 can reach up to $500 per infraction, on top of any misdemeanor fines. Handling the permit paperwork upfront is significantly less costly than dealing with enforcement after the fact.

What to Know Before Getting a Sugar Glider in New Mexico

Once you have confirmed that you can meet the permit requirements and that no local ordinance in your city or county prohibits sugar gliders, there are several practical considerations to work through before bringing one home.

• Find an exotic vet first. Sugar gliders require specialized veterinary care that most general-practice vets cannot provide. Locate a vet experienced with marsupials in your area before you acquire the animal, not after.
• Source from a permitted breeder. Do not assume that if you see a pet locally it is legal, even if it is being sold in a pet store. Ask any breeder or seller to show documentation that their animals were legally imported or bred in compliance with state law.
• Plan for social needs. Sugar gliders are highly social animals and do poorly in isolation. Most experts recommend keeping at least two together, which also means your permit and containment plan should account for multiple animals.
• Prepare proper housing. Sugar gliders are arboreal marsupials that need a lot of vertical space to climb and glide in captivity. An adequately sized cage for a pair is at least 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep.
• Monitor for law changes. Laws for breeding, selling, and owning exotic pets change every year, and laws are subject to change. Sign up for NMDGF updates or periodically check the Director’s Species Importation List to ensure your situation remains compliant.

If you want to see how other states handle this question before making your final decision, it helps to review the rules in states with similar regulatory frameworks. You can read about sugar glider ownership in Texas, what Florida requires, and Washington state’s approach for comparison. You can also review the rules in Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia to get a broader sense of how state-level regulation varies across the country.

New Mexico is not the most restrictive state when it comes to sugar gliders, but it is also not a free-for-all. Going through the proper channels with the NMDGF’s importation permit process protects you legally and ensures that the animal you bring home was sourced and transported responsibly. Taking that step seriously is the foundation of responsible exotic pet ownership in the Land of Enchantment.