Which unusual animals you can keep at home, and what permits they take.
Unusual pets fall under each state's wildlife and exotic-animal rules, and those rules are built differently: some states list banned species by name, some require a permit for any animal not on an approved list, and some regulate only animals they consider dangerous. That is why the same animal can need no permit in one state and be banned next door. Each map here takes one animal and shows the rule that decides it in every state.
14 Prohibited15 Permit required14 Legal, no state permit7 Unclear
The most common answer is “Permit required”, in 15 states. A private individual keeping a live armadillo (usually the nine-banded armadillo) as a pet. Zoos, researchers, exhibitors, and wildlife rehabilitators are excluded.