A Wild Animal as a Pet
12 M.R.S. § 12152 — importing or keeping wildlife takes a permit, with a small exception for native frogs and snakes
No one may import wildlife into the state or possess it here without a permit, unless the species is on the department's public list of unregulated species. Each day of violation is a Class E crime with a minimum fine of $50 plus twice the permit fee.
Who handles this in Maine: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maine directory.
| Caught wild here, if native and not protected | May be kept without a permit |
|---|---|
| Caught wild here, if native and not protectedAmphibians | May be kept without a permitUp to 5 of each species |
| Caught wild here, if native and not protectedReptiles | May be kept without a permitUp to 2 of each species |
| Caught wild here, if native and not protectedInvertebrates | May be kept without a permitNo limit |
Those animals must be kept away from animals not found wild in the state, released where they were caught, and never sold or bred without a permit. Whether a particular animal needs a permit is a question for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or a licensed Maine attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- 12 M.R.S. § 12152 — Permit to possess wildlife in captivity
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.