The animals listed below are examples of the exotic species
regulated under Georgia Law. The Department should be consulted
before any exotic animals which are not normally domesticated in
Georgia are acquired. Hybrids or crosses between any
combination of domestic animals, wildlife, or regulated wild
animals and all subsequent generations are regulated in Georgia and
may not be held without a license. The exotic species listed below,
except where otherwise noted, may not be held as pets in Georgia.
This list is not all inclusive.
Marsupials (wallabies, kangaroos, sugar gliders, etc.); all
species
Note: Sugar gliders are legal as pets if the owner
possesses valid documentation that the animal originated from a
source inspected and regulated by the United States Department of
Agriculture.
Insectivores (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, tenrecs, etc.); all
species
Flying lemurs; all species
Bats; all species
Primates (monkeys, apes, etc.); all species
Sloths, armadillos, etc.; all species
Pangolins or scaly anteaters; all species
Rabbits and hares; all species except those normally
domesticated
Rodents (capybaras, cavies, prairie dogs, degus, etc.); all
species except those normally domesticated in Georgia such as
hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs
Whales, dolphins, etc.; all species
Carnivores (weasels, ferrets, foxes, cats, bears, wolves,
etc.); all species.
Note: European ferrets are legal as
pets if neutered by 7 months old and vaccinated against rabies.
Wolf hybrids are not a legal pet in Georgia. Most exotic cat
hybrids, such as a savannah cat, are not a legal pet in
Georgia.
Aardvark; all species
Elephants; all species
Conies; all species
Manatee, dugong; all species
Ungulates (hoof stock); all species except American bison,
water buffalos, and llamas
Rhinoceros
Wart hog
Hippopotamus
Hawks, eagles, vultures, etc.; all species
Turkeys; all species except those normally domesticated
Monk parakeet (a.k.a. Quaker parakeet)
Note: The Georgia Department of Agriculture has determined
the Quaker or Monk Parakeet and the Java Rice Bird are
prohibited from entry into the State of Georgia due to being
capable of breeding in the wild and, if established in the wild,
presenting a threat ofbeing detrimental to the agriculture industry
of this State.
Cuckoos; all species
Owls; all species
Sky larks
Bulbuls; all species
Thrushes; all species of genus Turdus
White eyes; all species of genus Zosterops
Yellow hammers
Sparrows; all species of genus Passer except English
sparrow
Cape weaver
Baya weaver
Queleas; all species
Blackbirds, grackles, etc.; all species of genera Molothrus,
Quiscalus, Agelaius
Note: The Georgia Department of Agriculture has determined
the Quaker or Monk Parakeet and the Java Rice Bird are
prohibited from entry into the State of Georgia due to being
capable of breeding in the wild and, if established in the wild,
presenting a threat ofbeing detrimental to the agriculture industry
of this State.
Starlings, mynas, etc.; all species except European starling
and Hill mynas
Crows, ravens, etc.; all species
Crocodiles, gavials, etc.; all species
Alligators and caimans; all species
Cobras, coral snakes, etc.; all species
Adders, vipers, etc.; all species
Pit vipers; all species
Venomous colubrid snakes; all species
Gila monsters and beaded lizards; all species
Giant and Marine toads
Banded tetra
Piranha; all species
Grass, Silver and Bighead carp
Air-breathing catfishes; all species
Parasitic catfishes; all species
Giant walking catfishes; all species
Snakeheads; all species of genera Ophicephalus and
Channa
