Are Armadillos Legal To Own as Pets?

Individuals owning armadillos as a pet is usually greatly frowned upon and in most cases is found to be illegal. Although these creatures do not typically appear to show any outward signs of stress in captivity, under the wrong circumstances they have been known to become aggressive from time to time or succumb to the same types of health problems that affect many captive animals.

Armadillos are wild animals. It is for this reason that many state and local governments place restrictions on the keeping of wild animals. It is most likely illegal for you to take an armadillo into your home or to hold it in captivity. In order to know whether it is legal for an individual to own an armadillo or not, said individuals should check with all pertinent state and local officials before they try to own or house an armadillo.

Some individuals may have been given legal permission to do so. If this is the case and you have obtained your animal from an ethical supplier, then you should be good to go. However, keep in mind that these creatures typically do not make ideal pets and are nocturnal beings. They like to sleep when you are awake, and make lots of racket while you are asleep. They often will be found wandering around the house late at night and bumping into things. These creatures also have a musky smell that some people have voiced concern about.

There are a few reports of armadillos being kept as pets in the past; however these reviews are of mixed opinions. Some people said that they enjoyed keeping armadillos as a pet while others said that the odor and other habits of the animal were unpleasant to deal with. One place where armadillos can be found quite often being kept as pets is in certain parts of South America. The sad truth however, is that these pets are also occasionally eaten by their owners.

Keeping an armadillo in captivity without a permit can lead to serious legal trouble in many parts of the country. Permits that are obtained to keep armadillos are not typically issued to prospective pet owners. Checking with your local wildlife department for information on the legal status of these creatures as pets in your area is your best bet if it is something you are seriously considering.