These Animals Are Illegal to Keep as Pets in Texas

For many Texans, pets aren't really pets at all — they're family.

Dogs and cats are the most common furry family members, but people have kept just about everything imaginable as a pet over the years. Fish, turtles, rabbits and other unusual animals can make great companions depending on the animal and the circumstances.

But before you decide to bring home an unusual new pet, there's something you should know.

Not every animal can legally be kept as a pet in Texas.

I can remember my sister having lots of animals as we were growing up whether it was fish or a turtle or even a smelly rabbit. None of them were around for long periods of time, except for our dogs and cats.

But there are so many other choices for having a pet and most animals are allowed in Texas. But there are certain animals that could cause some danger which is why they are not allowed as pets in Texas.

Are All Animals Legal to Own as Pets in Texas?

Animals that are not allowed as pets in Texas include the Texas horned lizard, Bald eagle, Whooping crane, and Woodhouse toad. There are some exotic snakes that require a permit in Texas, click here for those details. There is also a wide variety of exotic animals that are allowed in Texas but only with the proper permit.

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Let's Look at Some of the Animals You Can't Simply Keep as Pets

Here is a look at the pets that are banned in Texas, although some would be allowed if you got the correct permit.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany