Are Tenrecs Legal in Your Country or State?
Before you even think about habitat setups, diet, or enrichment, you need to know if you’re legally allowed to keep a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec. Laws vary widely across countries, and sometimes across states, provinces, or even cities. Many places also distinguish between native hedgehogs (often protected wildlife) and non-native species like tenrecs. Getting this wrong can lead to confiscation, fines, or worse. This lesson gives you a practical map of where tenrecs are generally allowed, restricted, or prohibited, plus exactly where to verify the rules.
Quick orientation: what kinds of rules apply?
- National frameworks set the baseline (e.g., import rules, protected wildlife, “positive lists” of allowed mammals).
- Sub-national rules (states, provinces, regions) can be stricter.
- Local bylaws (cities, municipalities) sometimes add extra prohibitions.
- Trade & transport rules (import permits, health certificates) may apply even where ownership is legal.
Country snapshots (with official references)
Netherlands
Since 1 July 2024, the Huis- en hobbydierenlijst (“house & hobby mammals list”) replaced the old positive list. You may only buy, keep, sell, or breed the mammals listed there. Tenrecs are not on the list; that means no new acquisitions. If you already owned one before 1 July 2024, you can keep it under grandfathering (no breeding). Check the list and the exceptions/permits pages before making any decisions.
What this means: In practice, new pet tenrecs are not permitted in NL; existing, pre-2024 animals can stay with their owners but cannot be bred or newly purchased.
United States (varies by state & city)
Federally, importing hedgehogs and tenrecs requires meeting USDA APHIS conditions (e.g., originating from countries free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease), and some origins are outright barred (e.g., New Zealand). Crucially, some states and municipalities prohibit possession/import, explicitly listed by APHIS are California, Georgia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and all five NYC boroughs. You are responsible for checking state and city laws before import or purchase.
What this means: Tenrecs are legal in some states, illegal in others; even within “legal” states, cities can ban them. Always verify both state wildlife regs and city animal codes.
United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland)
The UK does not use a mammal “positive list.” Tenrecs are not on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA) Schedule, so a DWAA license typically isn’t required for private keeping (standard welfare and seller licensing still apply). The Animal Welfare Act sets care duties; commercial sales need local authority licensing. The UK government also issues export health certificates that explicitly mention hedgehogs and tenrecs, indicating lawful trade under conditions.
What this means: Private ownership is generally permissible under welfare law, unless a local council imposes additional restrictions. Native European hedgehogs are protected wildlife; that protection does not automatically extend to tenrecs.
Belgium
Belgium pioneered the EU approach with a national positive list for mammals: only listed species may be kept by private owners; any mammal not on the list is prohibited. Tenrecs do not appear on that allowed list, so private ownership is not permitted.
What this means: Tenrecs are effectively illegal to keep as pets in Belgium.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg adopted positive lists via its 2018 Animal Welfare Act; only listed species are allowed without special authorization. Keeping a mammal not on the list requires ministerial approval, which is not guaranteed. Tenrecs are not standard companion animals on these lists.
What this means: Expect a no by default unless you secure a formal authorization.
Australia
Australia’s national biosecurity regime is among the strictest globally. Only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected birds can be imported as pets; no other vertebrate pets are approved. Tenrecs therefore cannot be imported or kept as pet mammals.
What this means: Tenrecs are not legal as pets in Australia.
New Zealand
New Zealand allows only a tiny set of pet imports beyond cats and dogs (chinchillas from the UK; rabbits & guinea pigs from Australia). Most other mammals (ferrets, hamsters, hedgehogs, etc.) are prohibited; zoos may apply under separate rules. Tenrecs are not permitted for private import or ownership.
What this means: Tenrecs are not legal as pets in NZ.
Germany
Germany has no federal “positive list” for mammals. Exotic pet rules flow from the Animal Welfare Act, the Federal Nature Conservation Act (including EU wildlife/trade rules), and various state-level dangerous or venomous animal ordinances. Native European hedgehogs are specially protected wildlife (not pets). Tenrecs are non-native and not specifically banned federally, but keepers must still meet welfare, proof-of-origin, and any state/municipal requirements; some local authorities can restrict exotics. Always check your Land (state) and city bylaws.
What this means: Tenrecs may be possible to keep in some areas under strict welfare and documentation rules, but you must verify at state/municipal level.
How to check your exact situation (step-by-step)
- Start nationally.
Look for a positive list (if your country uses one). If a species isn’t listed, assume not permitted unless a specific exemption applies. (NL, BE, LU examples above.) - Check sub-national rules.
In federal systems (US, DE, CA), states/provinces can ban or permit tenrecs. In the US, APHIS explicitly flags several banned jurisdictions (CA, GA, HI, PA, DC, NYC). Then verify your state wildlife code and your city’s animal bylaw. - Consider import/transport rules.
Even if ownership is legal, import may require permits and veterinary certificates—or be blocked from certain origins (e.g., New Zealand → USA). - Document provenance.
Where allowed, keep proof of legal origin (breeder invoices, permits). Some countries/regions can demand evidence that your animal is captive-bred and legally acquired (common in EU/DE contexts). - When in doubt, ask the competent authority.
For example:- NL: RVO / Ministry of Agriculture page for the mammals list and exemptions.
- UK: Local council licensing and DWAA schedule (if relevant).
- US: State wildlife agency + city animal control; APHIS for import.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Confusing hedgehogs with tenrecs. Native hedgehogs often have special protection (e.g., UK, DE), which doesn’t automatically apply to tenrecs, but local bans can still cover both.
Assuming “legal to own” = “legal to import.” Import health and origin rules are separate and can be stricter than pet-keeping rules.
Missing city bylaws. In the US and Canada, cities sometimes prohibit species that a state or province allows (e.g., NYC).
Bottom line (as of August 12, 2025)
Generally prohibited or practically not possible: Australia, New Zealand.
Prohibited for new ownership via positive lists: Netherlands (post-1 July 2024), Belgium, Luxembourg (unless specially authorized).
Potentially permissible with conditions: United Kingdom (welfare & seller licensing; DWAA not applicable to tenrecs), parts of the United States (but several states/cities ban them), parts of Germany (subject to federal welfare/traceability plus state/local rules).
Sources
RVO “Huis- en hobbydierenlijst” (checked 30 June 2025); Rijksoverheid overview page.
USDA APHIS import pages (updated July 30, 2025) and state/city prohibitions; CFR import-permit reference.
DWAA Schedule (legislation.gov.uk); peer-reviewed overview of UK exotic pet licensing; UK APHA export health certificate for hedgehogs & tenrecs.
Government/NGO summaries of the federal mammal positive list.
Government communication on positive lists (2024) and Eurogroup news (2018).
Dept. of Agriculture—“Unique or exotic pets” (biosecurity import policy).
MPI—“Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs)” (approved species only).
AAP overview on the lack of a federal positive list and state-level rules; municipal/provincial materials on hedgehog protection illustrating the difference between protected natives and non-native exotics.
