Pets That Are Illegal in California

One of the best parts about having a pet is choosing which one you want. There are the classic cat and dog options, cute and furry rodents, a colorful assortment of fish and birds, cool reptiles and amphibians, and exotic creatures from around the world. However, for you Californians, these animals are illegal to own as pets, making your job of choosing just a little bit easier:

African clawed frog

African lion

African pygmy mouse

African striped grass mouse (zebra mouse)

Alligator

Arctic fox (blue fox)

Cacomistle (cacomixl),a relative ofthe raccoon

Caimin, a relative of the crocodile

Chimpanzee

Chipmunk

Coatimundi(coati or Brazilian aardvark), also a relative of the raccoon

Degu (trumpet-tailed rat)

Dormouse

Egyptian spiny mouse

Fennec fox

Ferret

Flying squirrel

Gambian giant pouched rat

Garfish

Gerbil

Hedgehog

Jird, a type of gerbil

Monkparakeet (Quaker parrot)

Monkey

Prairie dog

Raccoon

Ring-tailed cat (miner’s cat), a subspecies of the cacomistle

Serval, an African wildcat

Short-tailed opossum

Skunk

Snapping turtle

Squirrel

Sugar glider, a possum that can glide through the air like a flying squirrel

White-eye (zosterops), a yellow bird with a white ring around the eye

Wolf-dog hybrid

It may be a little disappointing if a critter you wanted is on the list, but don’t underestimate your options. There are still many interesting and unique animals you can own. Don’t overlook the excitement and fulfillment of traditional pets either. There are plenty of lonely animals out there that need a loving home like yours. For more information on a veterinary clinic in San Jose, visit this website.