Why are hedgehogs illegal in California? What you need to know

Many people with dog or cat allergies still want to become pet parents, and for those people, a furry friend may be the way to go instead. Creatures like hedgehogs have very little pet dander and are small enough that even someone living in an apartment can care for them.

Hedgehogs are considered exotic pets and are illegal in California because they pose a threat to California's native wildlife.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's website, “There are many concerns when exotic animals are introduced into the wild, including competition with native species, predation, and the potential for disease transmission.” thing.

You can legally own a hedgehog if you have a restricted species permit. According to the California Department of Fish and Game, those eligible to receive such permits include “qualified individuals or institutions who import or possess wild animals for limited purposes such as research, exhibition, education, and conservation. No permits will be issued to 'and wildlife.

The exotic pet trade is not only harmful to both the animals and their owners, but can also create a huge number of exotic species. People abandon pets if their exotic pets are “too much” or if the pet's parents think they are doing the animal kindness by releasing them.

Marine biologist Andrew Lyne explained: scientific american People believe that released pets “live happy and productive lives.” However, the external environment is not a happy place for these animals to live, especially if they are not out of the habitat where they are released. [these] The species is severely damaged and becomes extinct in the wild. ”

Invasive species, introduced as pets, are a major problem for states such as Florida. Burmese pythons and black-and-white tegus roam there, even though they are native to South Asia and Argentina.

Other invasive species resulting from the exotic pet trade include alligators (from Chicago and Long Island, for example), Xenopus frogs, American bullfrogs, and green iguanas, according to the University of Texas at Austin Biodiversity Center.

California also has California Fish and Game Act 2118, which lists all species that are illegal to “import, transport, possess, or release live into California.” Some of the animals included in the list are:

• squirrel
• ferret
• monkey
• Crow
• rabbit
• terrestrial snail