Maryland Statewide Rule

Maryland Bans Possession of Dangerous Wild Animals

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Maryland (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: Md. Crim. Law 10-621
Max fine: $1,000 per animal
Exemptions: AZA zoos, sanctuaries
Enforcement: DNR and local police

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Maryland General Assembly

Summary

Maryland Criminal Law Section 10-621 prohibits possession, sale, breeding, or transfer of specified dangerous wild animals statewide, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, wolves, alligators, and venomous reptiles.

A person may not import into the State, offer for sale, trade, barter, possess, breed, or exchange a live: (i) fox, skunk, raccoon, or bear; (ii) caiman, alligator, or crocodile; (iii) member of the cat family other than the domestic cat; (iv) hybrid of a member of the cat family and a domestic cat if the hybrid weighs over 30 pounds; (v) member of the dog family other than the domestic dog; (vi) hybrid of a member of the dog family and a domestic dog; (vii) nonhuman primate, including a lemur, monkey, chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, marmoset, loris, or tamarin; or (viii) poisonous snake in the family groups of Hydrophidae, Elapidae, Viperidae, or Crotolidae.

Source: Maryland General AssemblyView official code

Full Breakdown

Md. Code Ann., Criminal Law Section 10-621 makes it a misdemeanor to import, possess, sell, trade, breed, or barter any of the listed dangerous wildlife species, including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, mountain lions, bears, hyenas, wolves, foxes, raccoons, skunks, alligators, crocodiles, and primates. Limited exemptions apply to AZA-accredited zoos, sanctuaries, research facilities, licensed exhibitors, wildlife rehabilitators, and circuses. The Department of Natural Resources separately regulates other wildlife under NR Section 10-902. The statute applies uniformly to all jurisdictions in Maryland and preempts permissive local rules.

Violations & Penalties

Misdemeanor; fine up to $1,000 per animal; animals may be seized and forfeited to state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a serval or capuchin monkey in Maryland?

No. Maryland prohibits possession of nonhuman primates and most exotic cats statewide under Criminal Law Section 10-621. There is no permit pathway for private pet ownership of listed species.

Are pet ferrets, hedgehogs, or sugar gliders legal?

Ferrets are legal statewide but banned in some local jurisdictions. Hedgehogs and sugar gliders are not on the Section 10-621 prohibited list, but check local rules and DNR wildlife regulations for additional restrictions.

Sources

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