Exotic pet laws in Michigan

MCL 287.1102(f), 287.1103(a), 287.1104(1)

any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: a lion, a leopard (including a snow leopard or clouded leopard), a jaguar, a tiger, a cougar, a panther, or a cheetah; or a bear of a species that is native or nonnative to Michigan, whether wild or captive bred.

The Large Carnivore Act names every bear, native or not, wild or captive bred. § 1103 bars owning one except in compliance with the act, and § 1104 allows possession only of animals held on July 7, 2000, whose owners applied for a permit within 90 days. The black bear is not on the captive game list either.

Existing owners: Individual animals held on the act's effective date, July 7, 2000, whose owner applied for a local permit within 90 days and obtained one. Not transferable except by inheritance.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Michigan splits this across three bodies of law: the Large Carnivore Act, the Wolf-dog Cross Act, and Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. Penalties run to misdemeanor charges, fines up to $2,000 per animal and forfeiture.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

Fisheries Order 224.25, § 2

Reptiles and amphibians designated as endangered or threatened by the Department in R. 299.1024 and R 299.1025 under authority conferred on the Department by the Michigan Endangered Species Act, Part 365 of 1994 PA 451, shall not be taken from the wild and possessed except as authorized under a permit for scientific research, conservation, or educational purposes from the director. These include: ... Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina)

The eastern box turtle is on Michigan's protected list, which means it may not be taken or possessed at all except as the DNR Director authorizes, and the Director's authorizations run to scientific and zoological purposes rather than pet keeping. The sale prohibition closes the other route, since reptiles and amphibians may not be bought or sold here. A Terrapene that is not a Michigan native, such as the ornate box turtle, is outside the order because it reaches only a state reptile from the wild.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The order that actually governs herps in Michigan, and the one most summaries miss because it sits in the fishing rules rather than the wildlife rules. Its reach is the phrase "any state reptile or amphibian from the wild", so it binds native species taken here and leaves captive-bred non-native pets alone. Michigan.gov blocks automated access, so this was read from the official guide as published by the state's regulations publisher.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1027(1); NREPA Part 365

The following mammal species are included on the state list of endangered species: Felis concolor Cougar Lynx canadensis Lynx Microtus ochrogaster Prairie vole Myotis sodalis Indiana bat

The Large Carnivore Act does not name the lynx, but Michigan lists Lynx canadensis as state endangered, and Part 365 bars possessing a listed species without a DNR permit, which is issued for scientific, zoological and conservation purposes rather than to keep a pet. It is federally threatened as well.

How this rule works: Michigan's state list of endangered and threatened mammals under NREPA Part 365, amended effective March 20, 2023. Lynx canadensis is on the endangered list, with the cougar, the prairie vole and the Indiana bat. Part 365 bars taking, possessing, transporting or selling a listed species without a DNR permit, which serves science, zoological and conservation purposes. Read from Cornell LII's copy of the rule.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

MCL 287.1102(f), 287.1103(a), 287.1104(1)

(f) "Large carnivore" means any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: a lion, a leopard (including a snow leopard or clouded leopard), a jaguar, a tiger, a cougar, a panther, or a cheetah; or a bear of a species that is native or nonnative to Michigan, whether wild or captive bred.

The cougar and the panther are both named as large carnivores, wild or captive bred. MCL 287.1104(1) lets a person possess a large carnivore only if they owned that individual animal on the act's effective date and applied for a permit within 90 days, so no new animal can be acquired. Federally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. § 3372(e)) bars any person outside a licensed exhibitor, sanctuary or state institution from breeding or possessing a cougar unless the animal was born before December 20, 2022, and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, so no new pet is lawful anywhere in the country whatever the state rule says. The Florida panther subspecies is also endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Existing owners: Only a person who owned the individual animal on the act's effective date and applied for a permit within 90 days may keep it; the permit covers only those animals and passes on only by will or descent.

How this rule works: Michigan splits this across three bodies of law: the Large Carnivore Act, the Wolf-dog Cross Act, and Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. Penalties run to misdemeanor charges, fines up to $2,000 per animal and forfeiture.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

MCL 287.1102(f), 287.1103(a), 287.1104(1)

(f) "Large carnivore" means any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: a lion, a leopard (including a snow leopard or clouded leopard), a jaguar, a tiger, a cougar, a panther, or a cheetah; or a bear of a species that is native or nonnative to Michigan, whether wild or captive bred.

The lion is the first cat named as a large carnivore. MCL 287.1104(1) lets a person possess a large carnivore only if they owned that individual animal on the act's effective date and applied for a permit within 90 days, so no new animal can be acquired. Federally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. § 3372(e)) bars any person outside a licensed exhibitor, sanctuary or state institution from breeding or possessing a lion unless the animal was born before December 20, 2022, and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, so no new pet is lawful anywhere in the country whatever the state rule says.

Existing owners: Only a person who owned the individual animal on the act's effective date and applied for a permit within 90 days may keep it; the permit covers only those animals and passes on only by will or descent.

How this rule works: Michigan splits this across three bodies of law: the Large Carnivore Act, the Wolf-dog Cross Act, and Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. Penalties run to misdemeanor charges, fines up to $2,000 per animal and forfeiture.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

MCL 287.1102(f), 287.1103(a), 287.1104(1)

(f) "Large carnivore" means any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: a lion, a leopard (including a snow leopard or clouded leopard), a jaguar, a tiger, a cougar, a panther, or a cheetah; or a bear of a species that is native or nonnative to Michigan, whether wild or captive bred.

The tiger is named as a large carnivore. MCL 287.1104(1) lets a person possess a large carnivore only if they owned that individual animal on the act's effective date and applied for a permit within 90 days, so no new animal can be acquired. Federally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. § 3372(e)) bars any person outside a licensed exhibitor, sanctuary or state institution from breeding or possessing a tiger unless the animal was born before December 20, 2022, and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, so no new pet is lawful anywhere in the country whatever the state rule says.

Existing owners: Only a person who owned the individual animal on the act's effective date, July 7, 2000, and applied for a local permit within 90 days may keep it; the permit covers only those animals and is not transferable except by inheritance.

How this rule works: Michigan splits this across three bodies of law: the Large Carnivore Act, the Wolf-dog Cross Act, and Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. Penalties run to misdemeanor charges, fines up to $2,000 per animal and forfeiture.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

MCL 287.1002(p), 287.1003(1), 287.1004(1)

A person shall not possess 1 or more wolf-dog crosses unless all of the following apply: (a) The person owns the wolf-dog crosses or has temporarily been given possession of the wolf-dog crosses by the owner. (b) The owner was in possession of those individual wolf-dog crosses on the effective date of this act. (c) The owner applies for a permit for those wolf-dog crosses within 4 months after the effective date of this act, and obtains a permit for those wolf-dog crosses.

Michigan's Wolf-dog Cross Act is a ban with a closed grandfather. It also bars breeding, transferring or receiving one, and its definition reaches "A wolf-dog cross with a dog", so no generation of dilution takes an animal out. An owner who has represented a canid as a wolf-dog cross is presumed to have one. Only animals held on June 29, 2000, and permitted within four months may be kept.

Existing owners: Individual wolf-dog crosses held on the act's effective date, June 29, 2000, whose owner applied for a local permit within four months and obtained one; sterilization was a condition of the permit.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: A ban with a closed grandfather. § 1003(1)(a) bars possessing a wolf-dog cross except in compliance with the act, and § 1004(1) allows possession only of individual animals held on the act's effective date, June 29, 2000, whose owner applied for a local permit within four months. § 1002(p) defines a wolf-dog cross to include a cross of a wolf-dog cross with a dog, so the definition runs to every generation, and § 1003(3) presumes a canid is a cross when its owner has represented it as one. § 1004 was read on legislature.mi.gov and agrees with the animallaw.info reproduction.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

The bobcat is on the closed list of game that may be held under the DNR's Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, so a keeper needs that permit. It covers captive-bred animals only, so one taken from the wild cannot be brought under it. The Large Carnivore Act's cat clause names lion, leopard, jaguar, tiger, cougar, panther and cheetah, so it does not reach the bobcat.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

Squirrels are on the closed list of game that may be held under the DNR's Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, so a keeper needs that permit. It covers captive-bred game only, so a squirrel taken from the wild cannot be brought under it.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

Squirrels are on the closed list of species that may be held under a permit to hold game in captivity, so Michigan's native flying squirrel needs one. Two limits matter. The permit authorizes captive-bred game, so an animal taken from the wild cannot be brought under it, and the permit is issued for the species rather than as a general exotic pet license. This is the opposite of the answer for the non-native rodents on this map, which need no permit at all.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

The raccoon is on the closed list of game that may be held under the DNR's Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, so a keeper needs that permit. It covers captive-bred animals only, so one taken from the wild cannot be brought under it. Importing one needs an MDARD certificate of veterinary inspection, and local ordinances may prohibit it.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

The red fox is on the closed list of game that may be held under the DNR's Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, so a keeper needs that permit. It covers captive-bred animals only, so one taken from the wild cannot be brought under it. This is the line the fennec fox cell draws: the native red fox needs the permit and the non-native fennec does not.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

The striped skunk is on the closed list of game that may be held under the DNR's Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, so a keeper needs that permit. It covers captive-bred animals only, so one taken from the wild cannot be brought under it. The list names the striped skunk specifically.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

NREPA Part 427, MCL 324.42701 et seq.

badger, bobcat, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, squirrels, striped skunk, woodchuck, opossum, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, ducks, geese and wild turkeys

The opossum is on the closed list of game that may be held under the DNR's Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, so a keeper needs that permit. It covers captive-bred animals only.

How this rule works: Michigan's route for keeping a native mammal or game bird, and it is a closed list of species rather than a general exotic pet permit. It authorizes captive-bred animals only, so a wild-caught animal cannot be brought under it. Non-native species are outside it entirely, which is why a native red fox needs this permit and a fennec fox does not.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

MCL 287.952(f), 287.955(1)

A person shall not possess cervidae or engage in a cervidae livestock operation unless he or she obtains from the department a cervidae livestock facility registration or unless otherwise exempt by rule or law.

Michigan routes every captive deer through the Privately Owned Cervidae Producers Marketing Act, whose registration the DNR issues for a cervidae livestock facility, and the act's definitions take in deer of every kind. That is a farm registration with record-keeping and facility standards, not a pet license, and it is the only route. A deer is not on the Permit to Hold Game in Captivity list.

How this rule works: § 287.955(1): "A person shall not possess cervidae or engage in a cervidae livestock operation unless he or she obtains from the department a cervidae livestock facility registration or unless otherwise exempt by rule or law." § 287.952(f) defines cervidae species to include deer, elk, moose, reindeer and caribou, and (g) makes the department the DNR. Accredited zoos are exempt.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

MCL 287.891 et seq. (1994 PA 358), MCL 287.893

Hobby breeder" means a person who owns 4 or fewer ferrets that are at least 6 months of age or a litter of ferrets that is less than 5 months of age on a temporary basis for personal recreational purposes

Keeping one is unrestricted, but breeding needs a permit, with an exemption for hobby breeders holding up to four ferrets aged six months or more, or a litter under five months kept temporarily for recreational purposes.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Regulates ferret breeding rather than keeping. A hobby breeder, someone with 4 or fewer ferrets at least 6 months old or a litter under 5 months held temporarily for shows or breed improvement and registered with a national ferret registry, may breed without a license or permit if the Act's housing, veterinary care and sale conditions are met.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

Fisheries Order 224.25

Reptiles and amphibians may not be bought, sold or offered for sale.

The common garter snake is Michigan native and is not on the protected list, so it may be taken, but only on conditions. A fishing license is required, the limit is three a day and six in total across snakes, lizards and turtles combined, and the quoted sale ban means you cannot lawfully buy one in Michigan or sell the one you have. Personal collection is the only lawful route. Note that Butler's garter snake, a separate Michigan species, is on the protected list and may not be taken or possessed at all, so the answer turns on which garter snake you have.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The order that actually governs herps in Michigan, and the one most summaries miss because it sits in the fishing rules rather than the wildlife rules. Its reach is the phrase "any state reptile or amphibian from the wild", so it binds native species taken here and leaves captive-bred non-native pets alone. Michigan.gov blocks automated access, so this was read from the official guide as published by the state's regulations publisher.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

Fisheries Order 224.25

Reptiles and amphibians may not be bought, sold or offered for sale.

The eastern hog-nosed snake is Michigan native and is not on the protected list, so it may be taken, but only on conditions. A fishing license is required, the limit is three a day and six in total across snakes, lizards and turtles combined, and the quoted sale ban means you cannot lawfully buy one in Michigan or sell the one you have. Personal collection is the only lawful route. The western hognose that dominates the pet trade is not a Michigan species at all, so it sits outside this order and is simply legal, which makes the answer depend entirely on which hognose is in the tank.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The order that actually governs herps in Michigan, and the one most summaries miss because it sits in the fishing rules rather than the wildlife rules. Its reach is the phrase "any state reptile or amphibian from the wild", so it binds native species taken here and leaves captive-bred non-native pets alone. Michigan.gov blocks automated access, so this was read from the official guide as published by the state's regulations publisher.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

Fisheries Order 224.25

Reptiles and amphibians may not be bought, sold or offered for sale.

The eastern milk snake is Michigan native and is not on the protected list, so it may be taken, but only on conditions. A fishing license is required, the limit is three a day and six in total across snakes, lizards and turtles combined, and the quoted sale ban means you cannot lawfully buy one in Michigan or sell the one you have. Personal collection is the only lawful route. Michigan protects the black rat snake and the eastern fox snake but not the milk snake, so this one stays on the takeable side of the line.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The order that actually governs herps in Michigan, and the one most summaries miss because it sits in the fishing rules rather than the wildlife rules. Its reach is the phrase "any state reptile or amphibian from the wild", so it binds native species taken here and leaves captive-bred non-native pets alone. Michigan.gov blocks automated access, so this was read from the official guide as published by the state's regulations publisher.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

Fisheries Order 224.25

A fishing license is required to take amphibians and reptiles for personal use.

Not protected, and the only turtle here with an open season. The conditions are specific: the season runs July 15 to September 15, the limit is two a day and four in total, and a fishing license is required to take one. Buying one is not an option, because reptiles and amphibians may not be bought, sold or offered for sale in Michigan, so a snapping turtle has to come from your own lawful take.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The order that actually governs herps in Michigan, and the one most summaries miss because it sits in the fishing rules rather than the wildlife rules. Its reach is the phrase "any state reptile or amphibian from the wild", so it binds native species taken here and leaves captive-bred non-native pets alone. Michigan.gov blocks automated access, so this was read from the official guide as published by the state's regulations publisher.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

Fisheries Order 224.25

Reptiles and amphibians may not be bought, sold or offered for sale.

The eastern tiger salamander is Michigan native and, unlike the small-mouthed and marbled salamanders, is not on the protected list. So it may be taken with a fishing license, up to ten amphibians in total, but it may not be bought or sold, which rules out a shop or a breeder. Check what you are buying, because the barred tiger salamander, Ambystoma mavortium, is a western species outside this order entirely and is the one usually sold in the trade.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The order that actually governs herps in Michigan, and the one most summaries miss because it sits in the fishing rules rather than the wildlife rules. Its reach is the phrase "any state reptile or amphibian from the wild", so it binds native species taken here and leaves captive-bred non-native pets alone. Michigan.gov blocks automated access, so this was read from the official guide as published by the state's regulations publisher.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.