Alabama allows certain exotic animals to be kept as pets. These include animals that are not listed as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. All species of Tegu are restricted in Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Also, all poisonous reptiles that have never naturally existed in the wild in Alabama are restricted. Without further ado, here are the top ten exotic animals you can legally own as pets in Alabama.
While these animals are legal to own at the level, you should check with your local authorities for any specific requirements. The City of Huntsville, for example, requires all exotic pets to be registered for free with the City. According to the City's website, this is an effort to know the types of exotic animals that live in Huntsville and where they can be located. Additionally, the registration will benefit public safety should an emergency arise.
1. Capybara
- Price: Ranges for $1,000 to $3,000
- Life expectancy: They can live up to 12 years in captivity
Keeping a capybara as a pet is legal in Alabama. Despite being the largest living rodent, the capybara is generally known to be a friendly creature. Capybaras are intelligent and can be trained to some degree. By all accounts, capybaras enjoy interacting with humans and can recognize humans and feel comfortable when scratched. However, it's important to remember that they aren't domesticated, meaning they are still wild animals. Nevertheless, capybaras are rising in popularity as pets. They're systematically taking over social media with their adorable and quirky appearance.
Often described as giant guinea pigs, capybaras are known for their calm demeanor, which can appeal to people looking for a sense of tranquility. Capybaras are very social mammals. As a result, it is inhumane to own only one capybara. Capybaras thrive when they are kept in pairs. Plus, they are semi-aquatic mammals, meaning they spend a lot of time in water and on land. Pet capybaras require a large outdoor space with a suitable fence. Additionally, they need to be provided with a large pool equipped with a filtration system.
2. Serval Cat
- Price: From $3,000 to $10,000
- Life expectancy: Up to 20 years in captivity
At the state level, it's legal to own a pet serval cat in Alabama. However, certain municipalities within the Yellowhammer State may still require permits. You can contact your local animal control authorities to determine the requirements for owning a serval in your city or county. As you may already know, the serval is a slender, medium-sized wild cat native to Africa. They aren't domesticated, so keeping them as pets can be challenging for an inexperienced owner. As aloof, active predators, serval cats have specialized housing and dietary needs. They will need to feed on whole prey and raw meat to be healthy, although they can do ok with a "commercial" diet.
Furthermore, serval cats require vet care from an experienced exotic vet. These beautiful felines' specific needs and behaviors make them unsuitable as household pets. In the U.S., there have been several incidents involving serval cat attacks. At an exotic pet store in Huntsville in 2022, a serval cat attacked a young girl. In the attack, which gained national attention through social media, the girl sustained puncture wounds and scratches, according to WHNT. In 2023, in Vernon Hills, Illinois, an escaped pet serval cat chased and cornered a neighbor walking their dog. The owners helped police capture the cat but unfortunately, the feline died from injuries sustained during capture, CBS News reported then.
If the serval is too wild for you, enter the savannah cat, a hybrid cat developed in the U.S. from crossing a serval with a domestic cat. All in all, Savannah cats are domestic cats, particularly f3, f4, and f5 savannah cats.
3. Caracal
- Price: From $1,500 to $20,000
- Life expectancy: Up to 17 years in captivity
Although Alabama prohibits many exotic animals from being kept as pets, it does not prohibit the ownership of caracals. As mentioned earlier, Alabama restricts the personal possession of any species listed as "injurious wildlife" under the Lacey Act. The caracal isn't included in that list, making it legal to own without a license at the state level. However, the municipality in which you live may have its own requirements regarding caracal ownership. Alabama Game, Fish and Wildlife Law does require a permit for the ownership of caracals for public exhibition purposes.
However, a permit isn't required if you're not keeping the caracal for public exhibition purposes. The same law applies to serval cats as well. Like the serval cat, the caracal is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa. Characterized by a robust build, long legs, a short face, and long tufted ears, the caracal is known for its agility and speed. According to Africa Geographic, caracals can take down animals an astonishing two to three times their size. By all accounts, caracals do not make great household cats.
4. Pygmy Marmoset Monkey
- Price: From $800 to $1500
- Life expectancy: Up to 18 years in captivity
Alabama does not ban or regulate the keeping of pygmy marmoset monkeys as pets. Pygmy marmosets are popular for their small size. They're considered the smallest living true monkey on earth. All species of marmosets are relatively small. However, full-grown pygmy marmosets only reach a height of around 5-6 inches and weigh from 3 to 5 ounces. For the right owner, a pygmy marmoset can make a great pet. However, virtually all animal welfare organizations are against having pygmy marmosets and monkeys in general as pets. That's because most monkeys are not happy as pets, as they do not receive the care they actually need.
In the wild, monkeys live in social groups, but most people just get one lonely monkey. Given the difficulties of providing for their complex social and physical needs, pygmy marmoset monkeys do not make suitable pets for everyone. Plus, they can live up to 18 years, which is a serious long-term commitment.
5. Hedgehog
- Price: From $100 to $300 (African pygmy hedgehog)
- Life expectancy: Up to 6 years in captivity (African pygmy hedgehog)
You can legally own a hedgehog as an exotic pet in Alabama. There are several species of hedgehog. However, the African pygmy hedgehog, also known as the four-toed hedgehog, is more commonly kept as pets in the U.S. African pygmy hedgehogs require a moderate amount of care and are a good pet for people who have a 9-to-5 job. That's because they're solitary, nocturnal animals, meaning they're active mostly at night.
6. Sugar Glider
- Price: From $350 to $1000
- Life expectancy: Up to 15 years in captivity
Sugar gliders are totally legal to own as pets in Alabama. By all accounts, sugar gliders make good pets. If given enough attention, sugar gliders can bond with their owners. In many ways, sugar gliders are low-maintenance pets. However, they are probably not the right choice for you if you don't have plenty of tender loving care to give them.
7. Box Turtle
- Price: From 150 to $500
- Life expectancy: Up to 80 years in captivity
You can legally own a box turtle in Alabama. However, you can only own one box turtle. As per the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, it's unlawful to possess more than one box turtle except by permit. By all accounts, box turtles are not low-maintenance pets. They are a long-term commitment, as they can live anywhere from 30 to 80 years. Furthermore, box turtles are not very interactive and aren't affectionate.
8. Wallaby
- Price: From $2500 to $5000
- Life expectancy: Up to 15 years in captivity
Wallabies aren't listed as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act, making them legal to own in Alabama. A small or middle-sized mammal native to Australia, the Wallaby is a member of the kangaroo clan. By all accounts, wallabies can be kept as pets but it is hard work. They require a large outdoor enclosure with plentiful grasses for food to be healthy and happy. Wallabies can't be potty trained. As a result, they can not easily be kept inside a house.
9. Peacock
- Price: From $100 to $400
- Life expectancy: Up to 20 years in captivity
Peacocks are legal to own in Alabama, as they are considered game birds and aren't protected under Alabama law. According to the Department of Conservation, all nongame birds are protected in Alabama, except Eurasian collared doves, crows, house sparrows, pigeons, starlings, and other non-native species. Without a written permit from the Commissioner, it is unlawful to keep a protected nongame bird as a pet in Alabama. Peacocks, however, are game birds. As such, they're legal to own in Alabama. However, by all accounts, Peacocks are noisy birds, which can bother neighbors. As such, they aren't recommended as pets in residential areas.
10. Ball Python
- Price: From $200 to $450
- Life expectancy: Up to 40 years in captivity
In Alabama, the personal possession of non-indigenous venomous reptiles requires a permit. Ball pythons are non-indigenous reptiles but not venomous, making them legal to own as pets without a permit in Alabama. Ball pythons are an ideal snake for a novice snake owner. They are generally very docile, easy to handle, and small in size. Ball pythons are one of the most popular pet snakes in the U.S. Adult ball pythons' diet consists of whole, frozen, or pre-killed rodents, such as mice or rats.
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