Exotic Animals
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
- Java sparrow (a.k.a. Java Rice Bird, Java Rice Finch)
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
- Fresh-water stingray; all species
