Can Squirrels Be Pets In California

Can you have a squirrel as pet in california may 19 2020 admin illegal as pets in california squirrels as pets a really bad idea exotic pets they re like family but 10 exotic pets that are legal to own in.

Can squirrels be pets in california. If the species of squirrel you want to keep is legal in your state then yes. In many states it s illegal to keep them as pets some states require licenses and in other states people are required to have wildlife rehabilitator training. Because the process is not guaranteed to be effective and even simple mistakes can lead to an animal causing serious injury as it matures i am not comfortable recommending them as pets. They usually include several different species of wildlife such as fish reptiles birds and yes sometimes even squirrels.

The answer is yes and no. Inexperienced people trying to raise squirrels will feed them what they believe is healthy food assuming that because the animals are eating they are doing fine. At least one species of squirrel is legal in most states. Bear in mind that ground squirrels can live for six years sometimes longer and need a fair amount of space and care.

Squirrels and other wild animals make lousy pets for numerous reasons. Prepare yourself with long pants a long sleeved shirt and a pair of sturdy gloves. Exotic pets are usually defined as any pet that is not a dog cat or farm animal. Can squirrels be pets in california.

In the event you are adopting from an animal sanctuary only adopt wild caught or timid squirrels if you have considerable experience these are not pets for the first timer. It s usually illegal to try to domesticate exotic pets and keep them as pets. Some types of squirrels such as flying squirrels can be domesticated but it takes a great amount of time and care to acclimate them to humans. Squirrels won t bite but their nails can be long and scratch you as you re letting them out of the trap.

All species of squirrels require a lot of room relative to their size. Hawaii and california are exceptions and there are probably others. It is rare for a reason. So here is mine for what it s worth.

Given the prevalence of wild squirrels in california it may surprise you to learn that keeping one as a pet is illegal. However squirrels have extremely sharp nails and teeth and unlike domesticated mammals no chew inhibition reflex. However comparison with the healthy baby squirrels in the bottom right shows that these squirrels are actually starving.