Being one of the cutest, most playful and most curious animals on earth, Otters seem tempting to own as pets. But Unfortunately, these fluffy carnivorous mammals are illegal to keep as pets in many US states. As of January 2024, only eighteen states allow their residents to keep Otters as pets. In some of these states, residents need to obtain a permit or license in order to keep an Otter as a pet.
In Florida, for instance, you need to obtain a Class III permit to own an Otter. Nebraska residents need to obtain a Captive Wildlife Permit to own an Otter while North Dakota residents need a Non-Traditional Livestock Permit. So, in this article, you will discover the states in which Otters are legal to keep as pets as well as whether or not Otters make good pets.
Otters are Legal To Own in:
California
Florida
Indiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
Not all species of Otters are allowed to be kept as pets in the states listed above. In Missouri, for example, river otters are allowed as pets with a permit. Asian-clawed otters are allowed in all states where otters are legal to keep as pets because they are not marine animals and are not federally protected. In North Carolina, Asian otters are considered exotic and are unregulated without a permit.
There are also some requirements to meet such as caging and facility in order for a permit to be issued for private ownership of Otters in those states. Florida residents, for instance, must pass a caging inspection before a Class III permit or license will be issued. In addition, substantial experience may also be required. In Michigan, an enclosure that is at least 10’ x 8’ x 6’ is required to keep a pet otter.
It is Illegal To Own Otters in:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Otters as Pets
Do otters make excellent pets? To begin with, otters are incredibly intelligent wild animals and are not recommended as pets even if your state allows them. Nevertheless, small-clawed otters are increasingly becoming popular as pets around the world. You might perceive pet otters as being cute and affectionate when you see them in YouTube videos.
However, otters need the right type of habitat and enough room or else they can become bored and noisy. Known for their playful behavior, these cute creatures, which often socialize in groups, do well when kept in pairs. Moreover, owning a pet Otter in a state where they are legal can be very expensive. Acquiring an otter in a legal state can cost you around $3,500 to $5,000.
Otters need to be kept in secured spacious enclosures because they have sharp claws and are highly skilled at climbing and escaping. As such, they can become aggressive and use their claws and strong teeth to defend themselves if they feel threatened. Furthermore, Otters can act aggressively toward their owner if they are kept in unsuitable conditions or in an enclosure that is too small. Naturally, Otters do not live with domestic animals like dogs and cats. However, a YouTube video shows a pet otter who can not sleep without holding a cat.
As cute as otters look, they can smell bad and can not be trained as dogs or cats. As a result, your pet otter is likely to leave poo and smells around the house. According to the National Wildlife Federation, Otters can live for up to 21 years in captivity. The oldest otter ever on record was a female named Etika, who lived to be 28 years old. A 23-year-old otter named Rosa is currently the oldest known living sea otter.
