Sugar Glider Laws: Where are they Legal?

 

Sugar glider’s are not legal everywhere due to the fact that they are an exotic animal. I have done my best to research where sugar gliders are legal however laws change constantly so I suggest you contact USDA Animal Care and make sure nothing has changed. I will not be responsible for any state requirement that has not been updated. Looking at the map above, see which region your state falls in. Here are the numbers you can contact for updated laws according to the map above.

Alabama: Unknown

Alaska: Illegal

Arizona: Legal

Arkansas: Legal

California: Illegal

Colorado: Legal

Connecticut: Unknown

Delaware: Unknown

Florida: Legal

Georgia: Illegal

Hawaii: Illegal

Idaho: Unknown

Illinois: Legal

According to Illinois Compiled Statutes (520 ILCS 5/2.2 ), any animal that 
is not protected by the Wildlife Code cannot be imported into the state without 
a letter from the Director granting permission for the importation to occur. 
This law was developed to prevent disease contamination of wildlife populations 
or livestock, and to prevent the release of an animal into an environment where 
it may cause a nuisance.  Public, research, and zoological institutions are 
exempted from these provisions.   Also, animals that are exempted by 
administrative rule do not have to have a letter authorizing the importation. 
However, an administrative rule has not been promulgated at this time. 
    What does this mean for the importation of sugar gliders?  Well, any 
individual who wants to legally  import a sugar glider into Illinois must obtain 
a letter from the Director of DNR to allow the importation.  When requesting to 
obtain a letter to import a sugar glider into Illinois, you must provide a 
veterinarian health certificate that states the animal is disease free and a 
statement that every attempt is made to assure the animal does not escape into 
the wild.   An authorization letter may be obtained by writing the Division of 
Wildlife Resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 524 S. 2nd St., 
Springfield, IL 62701-1787. 

Indiana: Legal

Iowa: Legal

Kansas: Unknown

Kentucky: Legal

Louisiana: Legal (Except for East Baton Rouge Parish )

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries does not regulate exotic 
species (those not native to Louisiana).  There are permits required to 
import and keep exotic species in Louisiana, but those permits are 
issued by the Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry.  There may 
also be a permit required from the USDA Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service. 
Contact the LDAF at 225/925 3980, and USDA at 225/389-0436. 
The La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries only regulation concerning 
exotic mammals deals with the importation and release of these animals. 
Sugar gliders do not fall under our jurisdiction. An exotic animal of 
this type would be regulated by the La. Dept. of Agriculture and 
Forestry. I called Doctor Cox with that Dept. and was advised that sugar 
gliders were not prohibited in the state per se, but, for instance, are 
banned in East Baton Rouge Parish. Evidently, each individual Parish 
(County) has the right to pass ordinances concerning the possessing of 
exotic animals within its own legal boundaries .I hope this information will be of some benefit to you.

Maine: Legal

You would need a Wildlife Propagator’s license in order to own a sugar glider in the State of Maine.  If importing from out of state, you would also need a 
Wildlife Importation Permit.  There would be special cage/health requirements 
for any species held in captivity in the State of Maine.  If you would like me 
to send you the necessary applications, please send me your full name and 
mailing address. If you have questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me again at your convenience. 
Sincerely,                     email address :  Wendy.bolduc@state.me.us 
Wendy L. Bolduc 
Information Center

Maryland: Legal

Massachusetts: Illegal

Michigan: Unknown

Minnesota: Unknown Statewide (is illegal in St Paul due to city ordinance 12/26/2007)

Missouri: Legal

Mississippi: Legal

Montana: Unknown

Nebraska: Legal

Nevada: Legal

New Hampshire: Unknown

New Jersey: Unknown

New Mexico: Unknown

An Importation permit is required to import any wildlife into New Mexico 
for any purpose.  To receive a importation permit application, people 
must contact the Law Enforcement Division and request one be mailed to 
them.  The Department will consider all aspects before granting an 
individual a importation permit.  Things considered are: public safety, 
disease potential — humans, wildlife and livestock, possibility of 
outcompeting with native wildife (if there was an accidental release), 
etc.  Currently, each permit application is reviewed independently, so I 
can not give a blanket answer for any animal.

New York: Legal

North Carolina: Legal

North Dakota: Legal

Ohio: Legal

Oklahoma: Legal

Oregon: Legal

Pennsylvania: Legal (with permit)

Rhode Island: Unknown

South Carolina: Legal

South Dakota: Legal

Tennessee: Legal

Texas: Legal

Utah:

SUGAR GLIDERS CAN BE POSSESSED IN UTAH ONLY AFTER OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION.  BEFORE AN INDIVIDUAL CAN APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE, THEY MUST OBTAIN A LETTER FROM LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL ALLOWING POSSESSION OF A SUGAR GLIDER IN THE LOCALITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE.  SALT LAKE COUNTY DOES NOT ALLOW POSSESSION OF SUGAR GLIDERS OR ANY ANIMAL THAT IS NOT NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA.  REQUESTS FOR SUGAR GLIDERS ARE APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: 
1.  HOLDING FACILITY WILL NOT BE LESS THAN 18 INCHES X 24 INCHES PER ANIMAL HOUSED.
2.  HOLDING FACILITY MUST BE HIGHER THAN LONG WHERE POSSIBLE. 
3.  HOLDING FACILITY MUST BE INSPECTED BEFORE SUGAR GLIDERS ARE AQUIRED
4.  HOLDING FACILITY WILL BE INSPECTED YEARLY AND BE AVAILABLE TO SPOT
INSPECTIONS AS DEEMED NECESSARY.
5.  NO BREEDING OF THE ANIMALS IS TO TAKE PLACE.  (POSSESSION BOTH MALES   AND FEMALES NOT ALLOWED.) 
6.  NO ANIMALS ARE TO BE RESOLD FOR ANY REASON. 
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE WILL BE GROUNDS FOR FORFEITURE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. 
COST OF CERTIFICATES ARE $5.00 HANDLING FEE AND $50.00 CERTIFICATE FEE FOR THE FIRST YEAR.  RENEWABLE THEREAFTER FOR $25.00.

Vermont: Unknown

Virginia: Legal

Washington: Legal

West Virginia: Legal

Wisconsin: Legal

Wyoming: Legal