A Wild Animal as a Pet
Fla. Stat. 379.3762 — Class I never, Class II by a paid permit, Class III by a free one
No one may possess wildlife, native to the state or not, without a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and wildlife is sorted into three classes.
Who handles this in Florida: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Florida directory.
| Class | As a personal pet |
|---|---|
| ClassClass I | As a personal petNot allowed: wildlife that by its nature, habits or status may not be kept as a personal pet |
| ClassClass II | As a personal petWildlife that is a real or potential threat to human safety, by a permit of $140 a year |
| ClassClass III | As a personal petAll other wildlife, by a no cost permit |
Which animals fall in which class is set by the commission, not by the statute, and dealers and exhibitors have their own permits. Whether a particular animal can be kept is a question for the commission or a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Fla. Stat. 379.3762 — Personal possession of wildlife
- Fla. Stat. 379.3761 — Exhibition or sale of wildlife; classifications
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.