Is It Legal to Own a Raccoon in Texas? Exotic Pet Laws Explained
Short answer
No. You cannot legally keep a raccoon as a pet in Texas. Raccoons are classified as fur-bearing animals under Parks and Wildlife Code § 71.001, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) says they cannot be kept as pets, and a statewide rabies quarantine in 25 Texas Administrative Code § 169.34 restricts moving them. Some other exotic pets are legal.
Last verified October 28, 2026 against current Texas law
Is it legal to own a raccoon in Texas? No, and that surprises people, because Texas allows many exotic animals that other states ban. The state treats a raccoon as wildlife, not a pet, and foxes, skunks and native otters fall under the same rules. Ferrets, small monkeys and kangaroos are handled differently, and a short list of big cats, bears and apes can be kept only with a registration certificate. This page sorts out which animal falls where, using Texas statutes, the Texas Administrative Code and TPWD guidance.
| Pet raccoon | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Skunk or North American fox | No lawful route to a pet (same fur-bearing and rabies rules) |
| Lion, tiger, bear, cougar, baboon, chimpanzee and other “dangerous wild animals” | Allowed only with a certificate of registration and $100,000 in liability insurance, plus any stricter local rule |
| Ferret | Not prohibited by state law |
| Monkeys other than baboons | No state registration, but local bans are possible and federal import limits apply |
| Main laws | Parks and Wildlife Code §§ 63.002, 63.102, 71.001; Health and Safety Code ch. 822, subch. E; 25 TAC §§ 169.22, 169.34 |
| Agencies | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Texas Department of State Health Services (rabies rules); city and county animal control |
Is it legal to own a raccoon in Texas in 2026?
No. Texas lists the raccoon in its definition of a fur-bearing animal, in Parks and Wildlife Code § 71.001, alongside the skunk, fox, otter, beaver, mink, opossum, muskrat, nutria, badger and ring-tailed cat. Chapter 71 regulates fur-bearing animal licenses and does not provide a pet permit.
TPWD issues fur-bearing permits for particular activities such as nuisance relocation and imports, not for keeping pets. The agency says on its fur-bearing permit page that it will not issue propagation permits for foxes, skunks, coyotes or raccoons, citing the rabies quarantine rule. In November 2025 a TPWD spokesperson told reporters that someone may not legally own a raccoon as a pet in Texas.
The statewide rabies quarantine
A second rule closes the gap for animals bought elsewhere. 25 TAC § 169.34 sets a statewide rabies quarantine covering live foxes, skunks, coyotes and raccoons that are native or naturalized to North America. Transporting them from, to or within Texas is illegal, with exceptions for peace officers, animal control working in an official role, zoo employees, permitted rehabilitators and educators, holders of a TPWD nuisance relocation authorization, and licensed pest management professionals.
The health department has a reason for the strictness. Its rabies rules in 25 TAC § 169.22 name skunks, bats, foxes, coyotes and raccoons as the animals with a high probability of transmitting rabies.
Trapping or killing a nuisance raccoon is a separate question governed by TPWD and local ordinances, so ask before acting.
Is it legal to own a fox or a skunk in Texas?
No, for animals native to North America. Foxes and skunks sit in the same fur-bearing definition and the same quarantine as raccoons, so they cannot be transported into or within Texas, and TPWD will not issue a propagation permit for them. In practice that leaves no lawful route to a pet red fox, gray fox or skunk.
The quarantine wording covers foxes “native or naturalized to North America,” so an imported species such as the African fennec fox is outside that rule. It is also not on the state dangerous wild animal list, but a city or county can still restrict it, so check local animal control before buying one.
Is it legal to own a monkey in Texas?
Partly. Texas does not regulate monkeys as a group. The only primates named in the dangerous wild animal law, Health and Safety Code § 822.101, are baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas, and keeping any of those requires a certificate of registration. A capuchin, macaque or spider monkey is not on that list, so state law does not require registration for it.
That does not make a pet monkey safe to buy. Cities and counties can pass their own animal ordinances, and local rules about wild or exotic animals can be stricter than the state list. Federal law adds a limit: the CDC says monkeys and other nonhuman primates may not be imported as pets under any circumstances.
Which exotic pets are legal in Texas?
State law bans only a few animals outright and conditions a few more. The table covers the animals people ask about most.
| Animal | Texas status | Basis and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Not allowed as a pet | PW § 71.001; 25 TAC § 169.34 |
| Skunk, native fox | Cannot be lawfully transported or bred under a TPWD permit | Same fur-bearing and quarantine rules; no lawful route to a pet |
| Otter | Regulated as a fur-bearing animal | “Otter” is named in PW § 71.001, which does not separate native from imported species. Confirm with TPWD and your city before buying. |
| Ferret | Not prohibited by state law | Treated like dogs and cats for rabies observation in 25 TAC § 169.22 |
| Monkey (not a baboon) | No state registration | Local bans possible; CDC bars importing pet monkeys |
| Baboon, chimpanzee, orangutan, gorilla | Registration and insurance required | HSC §§ 822.101, 822.103, 822.107 |
| Lion, tiger, cougar (mountain lion), leopard, cheetah, jaguar, bear | Registration and insurance required | Same dangerous wild animal law |
| Wolf | Not allowed | PW § 63.102(a) bars possessing a live wolf, with narrow exceptions for state or county officials and licensed circuses, zoos or menageries |
| White-tailed or mule deer | Only under a permit the code authorizes | PW §§ 63.001, 63.002 list deer as game animals and bar possessing one for any unauthorized purpose |
| Kangaroo or wallaby | Not named in state law | Not on the dangerous wild animal list; check local rules |
| Capybara | Not named in state law | Not on the dangerous wild animal list; check local rules |
| Axolotl | Not on TPWD prohibited aquatic list | That list covers fish, shellfish and aquatic plants |
“Not named in state law” is not the same as “approved.” It means the lists in the Parks and Wildlife Code and the Health and Safety Code do not mention the animal. Zoning, homeowners association rules, city ordinances and federal rules can still apply.
What counts as a dangerous wild animal in Texas?
The Texas dangerous wild animal law covers lions, tigers, ocelots, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, bobcats, lynx, servals, caracals, hyenas, bears, coyotes, jackals, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas, plus hybrids of those animals. The definition sits in Health and Safety Code § 822.101.
Anyone who owns, harbors or has custody or control of one of these animals must hold a certificate of registration from the local animal registration agency, which is municipal or county animal control or, where there is none, the county sheriff. Under § 822.103, the certificate cannot be transferred, lasts one year, and the agency may charge up to $50 per animal and $500 per person, however many animals the person owns. The owner must also carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance for each occurrence under § 822.107.
Exemptions under § 822.102 are narrow. They cover governments acting officially, accredited zoos, federally licensed research facilities, rehabilitators caring for injured or orphaned animals, and a few others such as traveling circuses and film productions. A private pet owner is not exempt.
Penalties for dangerous wild animal violations
| Violation | Offense | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
Owning one without a certificate (§ 822.103(a)) | Class C misdemeanor | $500 |
Failing to display the certificate at each premises (§ 822.106) | Class C misdemeanor | $500 |
Failing to report an attack or an escape (§ 822.110(a) or (b)) | Class C misdemeanor | $500 |
Knowingly selling or transferring one to a person without a certificate (§ 822.113(b)) | Class C misdemeanor | $500 |
Each animal and each day of a violation counts as a separate offense under § 822.113(a), so the charges can add up quickly. The $500 ceiling for a Class C misdemeanor comes from Penal Code § 12.23. The statute also provides for civil penalties and injunctions.
Local rules: Corpus Christi and other cities
State law sets a floor, and cities and counties may go further. Health and Safety Code § 822.116(b) expressly allows a municipality or county to prohibit or regulate the ownership, possession and care of dangerous wild animals by ordinance.
In Corpus Christi, Animal Care Services issues $100 annual permits to businesses such as grooming shops, pet stores, kennels, stables and zoological parks, and a $100 short-term permit for circuses, rodeos and animal exhibitions. Those permits are for businesses and do not govern pet ownership, so ask the city about its animal ordinance directly. If you live in Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin or Fort Worth, call city animal control and ask for the current ordinance before you buy any exotic animal. Your HOA may add its own limits.
Real situations: what the law means for you
You find a baby raccoon in your yard
Do not take it in. The quarantine in 25 TAC § 169.34 lets permitted wildlife rehabilitators care for raccoons, and ordinary residents are not exempt. Call a TPWD-permitted rehabilitator before you move the animal, and wash and report any bite to a doctor and your local health department right away.
You find an exotic animal for sale online
The seller’s state law does not decide what is legal in Texas. A raccoon, fox or skunk native to North America cannot lawfully be transported into the state, and a dangerous wild animal needs your certificate of registration before you take custody. A seller who knowingly transfers one to a buyer without a certificate commits an offense under § 822.113(b).
Your exotic pet escapes and hurts a neighbor
For dangerous wild animals, § 822.110 requires the owner to report an attack and any escape and makes the owner liable for recapture costs. For other animals, an injured person may have a civil claim against the owner. See our injury and accidents guides for how those claims work.
Myths vs. facts about exotic pets in Texas
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “A TPWD fur-bearing permit lets me keep a raccoon.” | TPWD will not issue fur-bearing propagation permits for raccoons, foxes or skunks because of the rabies quarantine. |
| “I bought it from a licensed breeder, so it is legal.” | A seller’s license does not override Texas law. A raccoon bought out of state still cannot be moved into Texas. |
| “Every exotic animal is illegal in Texas.” | Ferrets, many monkeys, kangaroos and capybaras are not banned by the state lists, though local rules can be stricter. |
| “A pet monkey can be imported from overseas.” | The CDC says monkeys may not be imported as pets under any circumstances. |
What to do if you already have a raccoon or other exotic animal
Do not release the animal into the wild. For a wider view of banned pets, see our guide to what animals are illegal to own in Texas. Contact TPWD’s Wildlife Conservation Permits office at (512) 389-4800 or WPoffice@tpwd.texas.gov and your city animal control, and ask what lawful options exist. For a dangerous wild animal, contact the local animal registration agency about getting a certificate. If you have already been cited, speak with a Texas-licensed criminal defense attorney before your court date.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to have a pet raccoon in Texas?
Yes. Raccoons are fur-bearing animals under Parks and Wildlife Code § 71.001, a TPWD spokesperson said in November 2025 they cannot be kept as pets, and the statewide rabies quarantine in 25 TAC § 169.34 bars moving them. Permitted rehabilitators and a few other officials are exempt, but ordinary owners are not.
Is it legal to own a monkey in Texas?
Often, under state law. Texas names only baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas in its dangerous wild animal law, so a capuchin or spider monkey needs no state registration. Local ordinances may still restrict them, and the CDC bars importing monkeys as pets.
Is it legal to own an otter in Texas?
Probably not, and you should ask first. Parks and Wildlife Code § 71.001 names the otter as a fur-bearing animal and does not separate native from imported species. Otters are not on the dangerous wild animal list, so confirm with TPWD and your city animal control before buying one.
Are ferrets legal in Texas?
Yes. State law does not prohibit domestic ferrets, and 25 TAC § 169.22 gives them the same 10-day rabies observation period as dogs and cats. Check your city and your lease or HOA rules, because those can restrict pets that state law allows.
Is it legal to own a fox in Texas?
Not a fox native to North America. Foxes are fur-bearing animals under Parks and Wildlife Code § 71.001 and are covered by the rabies quarantine in 25 TAC § 169.34. An imported species such as a fennec fox is outside that rule, but local ordinances may still apply.
Is it legal to own a kangaroo in Texas?
State law does not name kangaroos or wallabies on the dangerous wild animal list or the fur-bearing list, so no state certificate is required. Cities, counties and zoning rules can still restrict them, so confirm with local animal control and your city planning office first.
Is it legal to own a capybara in Texas?
The state lists reviewed for this page do not mention capybaras, so no state registration applies. Local ordinances, zoning and HOA rules are the main limits. Call city animal control before you buy one, since many ordinances ban wild or exotic animals in general terms.
What exotic pets are legal in Texas?
Texas bans few exotic pets outright. Raccoons, skunks, native foxes and wolves are off limits, otters are regulated, and big cats, bears and some apes need a certificate and $100,000 insurance. Ferrets, many monkeys, kangaroos and capybaras are not restricted by state law, but local rules vary.
What changed on this page
October 28, 2026: First published. Verified against Parks and Wildlife Code chapters 63 and 71, Health and Safety Code chapter 822 subchapter E, 25 Texas Administrative Code sections 169.22 and 169.34, and TPWD fur-bearing permit guidance.
If this affects you: if you hold or are thinking of buying an exotic animal, call TPWD’s Wildlife Conservation Permits office and your city or county animal control first. If you have been cited or had an animal seized, speak with a Texas-licensed criminal defense attorney. This guide is general legal information, not advice for your situation. Browse more in our everyday life, property and your rights guides, read how we research every guide in our editorial policy, or report an error.
