Exotic Animals You Can Legally Have As A Pet In Florida That Might Surprise You
As far as pets go, most of us will opt for fluffy puppies and kitties, maybe a hedgehog if you're extra wild. But Florida animal laws allow you to have some pretty exotic animals as your cuddly companions. We've all seen those headlines about people's pet gators escaping, but they aren't the only unexpected wildlife you can keep in the Sunshine State.
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Some exotic animals in Class II and Class III categories can be kept as personal pets — most will require you to have a permit showing you have the proper facilities and the experience necessary to care for them. Before you pick out a name for your new giraffe roomie, remember that just because you can legally have any of the adorable animals below, doesn't mean you they would be a good addition to the family. It's important to make sure these critters get the homes they deserve with someone who has plenty of knowledge on their care and keeping.
It's also worth noting that Florida law prohibits certain species of animals from being caught and kept from their wild habitat. You must obtain them legally from the proper people and channels.
Wolves, Coyotes And Jackals
Class II animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
Of course, if you don't think you're up to owning one, you can let them love on you at this Florida animal sanctuary.
Ocelots
Class II animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
Ocelots generally have a tan coat with black spots and stripes.
Giraffe And Okapi
Class II animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
The okapi is generally much smaller than the African giraffes you know and love, featuring dark coats and striped legs.
Langurs, Douc Langurs And Howler Monkeys
Class II animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
A few monkey species can be kept as pets in Florida under a Class II animal permit.
Bats
Class III animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
You can see them fly out into the sunset if you aren't too sure about keeping one at a pet.
Foxes
Class III animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
Owning one is a lot of work so why not get up close and personal with them at this animal sanctuary?
Sloths
Class III animal
Permit: Required. You can find more information and obtain Florida permit applications here.
If you're not ready for that kind of responsibility, you can get up close and personal with sloths and rhinos at this Florida park.
Sugar Gliders
Class III animal
Permit: Not required and they can be purchased in a number of pet shops.
Be prepared to stay up late if you get one of these adorable nocturnal marsupials
Squirrels
Class III animal
Permit: Not required
Florida is one of only a handful of states where you can have a pet squirrel, including chipmunks, red squirrels, flying squirrels and more exotic species like Prevost squirrels.
Who knew, right? And this is only just a handful of all the exotic pets you can own legally in the state of Florida.
Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website for more info.
