It's Illegal to Have These Animals As Pets in Minnesota

After seeing some recent headlines about the irresistibly adorable “dire wolf” making the rounds online, naturally, that sent me spiraling into a rabbit hole or in this case, a full-blown den of curiosity.

What kinds of animals can you actually have as pets in Minnesota? If you’ve been dreaming of adding something a little more exciting than a goldfish or guinea pig to your household, pump the brakes and check out this list!

It's Illegal to Have These Animals As Pets in Minnesota:

A surprising number of animals are actually illegal to keep as pets in this state. Some bans make total sense (no one wants a backyard lion situation), but a few were definitely unexpected.

Pure Wolves:

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Wolves are are classified as an endangered and regulated species and illegal in every in the US, according to WolfEducation.

Skunks:

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No Pepe Le Pew for you! You can not have one of these adorable yet stinky little thing as a pet in Minnesota. A skunk as a pet is actually illegal in most states.

Deer:

MaZiKab

It feels like I have a few pet deer with how often I see them in my backyard, but actually taking one in is not allowed in Minnesota.

Wild Snakes:

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According to MN DNR, wild snakes are considered protected wild animals in Minnesota.

All members of the Felidae family:

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You will not and cannot become the next tiger king while living in Minnesota. This includes, but is not limited to, tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, and servals. Exceptions: domestic cats and breeds recognized by national or international multibreed cat registry associations.

Bears:

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All non-human primates:

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This includes: lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins.

After watching Chimp Crazy, it’s easy to see why people are drawn to them. They’re undeniably cute and have so many human-like traits, but they also deserve space, freedom, and a natural environment that most people just can’t offer.

Raccoons:

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However adorable they are, they are also known to be biters and at times, aggressive. They can also carry diseases.

Bats:

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Can't say I have heard of a single soul that would be interested in having a pet bat, but in case you're that person, think again. You are not allowed to have a pet bat in Minnesota.

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Squirrels:

Zheka-Boss

Squirrels are considered protected game species, and owning them for educational or research purposes requires a permit, according the MN DNR.

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LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state including Minnesota

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation...and the cuties you're not allowed here.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany