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COMMERCIAL LICENSE & SPECIAL
PERMIT >
Laws Related to Native Wildlife Select a quick link

By Georgia Law, most native species of wildlife cannot be held without permits or licenses. These licenses
are not issued for the purpose of holding native wildlife as pets. These restrictions apply to the various
species of animal, regardless of the origin or morphology.

Navigate to Page:
Exceptions A Guide to Legal Pets
Georgia Law allows the taking of certain native species; namely rats, mice, armadillos, coyotes,
groundhogs, beaver, freshwater turtles, poisonous snakes, frogs, spring lizards, fiddler crabs, freshwater Laws Related to Native
Wildlife
crayfish, freshwater mussels, and nutria; because of their status as a nuisance or other reason. State
regulations prohibit the holding of live armadillos, coyotes, groundhogs, and beaver without the proper Exotic Animals
permits or licenses. Certain freshwater turtles, mussels, and other species on Georgias Protected Wildlife
List cannot be possessed or collected without proper licenses.

The following list of species native to Georgia may not be held as a pet regardless of its origin or Buy a Tag!
morphology. Although extensive, this list does not include all native wildlife that is prohibited. If there is any You Give, They
doubt about the legality of possessing any species, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Live.
Special Permit Unit. Support Georgia
Wildlife
Mammals -
BUY YOUR TAG >
Armadillo

Bats, all species

Gift for Wildlife
Black Bear
Donate to the
Bobcat NonGame
Wildlife Conservation
Chipmunk Fund MORE INFO >
Cottontail Rabbit

Coyote
Go Fish Education Center
Cougar
Is Now Open.
Flying Squirrel
LEARN MORE >
Fox Squirrel

Gray Fox

Gray Squirrel
LICENSES - 3 Ways to Buy
Groundhog
1. Phone 1-800-366-2661
Marsh Rabbit 2. Online - HERE
3. Retail License Vendor listing -
Mink
HERE
M l
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Mole

Muskrat

Opossum

Pocket Gopher

Raccoon

Red Fox

River Otter

Skunk

Swamp Rabbit

Weasel

White-tailed Deer

Reptiles and Amphibians -

Alligator

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Black Racer

Bog Turtle

Box Turtle (Eastern, Florida, Gulf Coast, Three-toed)

Brown Snake

Coachwhip

Corn Snake

Crayfish Snake (Glossy, Striped)

Crowned Snake (Southeastern, Central Florida)

Diamondback Terrapin

Earth Snake (Rough, Smooth)

Fence Lizard

Flatwoods Salamander

Florida Worm Lizard

Garter Snake

Georgia Blind Salamander

Glass Lizard (Eastern, Island, Mimic, Slender)

Gopher Tortoise

Green Anole

Green Salamander

Hellbender

Hognose Snake (Eastern, Southern)

Indigo Snake

Kingsnake (Black, Eastern, Mole, Scarlet)

Map Turtle (Alabama, Barbour's, Common)

Milksnake

Mud Snake

One-toed Amphiuma

Pigeon Mountain Salamander

Pine Snake (Florida, Northern)

Pine Woods Snake

Queen Snake

Rainbow Snake

Rat Snake (Black, Gray, Yellow)

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Redbellied Snake

Ribbon Snake

Ringneck Snake

Rough Green Snake

Scarlet Snake

Sea Turtle (Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Ridley)

Six-lined Racerunner

Skink (Broadhead, Coal, Five-lined, Southeastern Five-lined, Ground, Mole)

Spotted Turtle

Striped Newt

Water Snake (Banded, Brown, Florida Green, Northern, Redbelly)

Worm Snake

Birds and Fishes

All species of birds encountered in the wild in Georgia are protected by state and federal laws except
English sparrows, European starlings, and pigeons. All species of fish native to the waters of this state are
protected.

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Georgia DNR Home Contact Us

2070 U.S. Hw y. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025

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