⚖️ State Law Guide — Tennessee
Tennessee Reptile & Bird Laws
A complete reference to Tennessee's wildlife ownership laws covering reptiles, amphibians, and birds — including what's legal, what requires a permit, and what's prohibited under TWRA regulations. Updated to reflect 2024 legislative changes.
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This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change — always verify current rules directly with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) before acquiring any animal. Local county and city ordinances may be more restrictive than state law.
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Primary legal authority: T.C.A. §§ 70-4-401 et seq. and TWRA Rule 1660-01-18. Last significant update: July 1, 2024 (2024 Tenn. Acts ch. 636 and ch. 1056).
🏛️ Who Regulates Wildlife in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is the state agency responsible for regulating the possession, importation, sale, and breeding of wildlife in Tennessee. The TWRA works in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture on matters involving livestock and disease risk.
Tennessee classifies all wildlife into five classes (Class I through Class V). Your rights as an owner — and your permit requirements — depend entirely on which class your animal falls into. The TWRA has authority to conduct inspections, issue cease-and-desist orders, confiscate illegally owned animals, and impose civil and criminal penalties.
Federal laws including the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and CITES also apply on top of state law. Always check both state and federal requirements.
🏷️ Tennessee Wildlife Classification System
All wildlife in Tennessee is assigned to one of five classes. The class determines permit requirements and who can legally possess the animal.
Class I — Inherently Dangerous
Species considered inherently dangerous to humans. Private ownership is prohibited. Only zoos, circuses, and licensed commercial propagators may possess Class I wildlife.
Includes: Big cats, bears, wolves, great apes, venomous reptiles, large constrictors (listed species), adult alligators and crocodiles, gavials. Note: Dwarf caimans are permitted under state law with a permit — see Reptiles section for details.
No Private Ownership
Class II — Native Wildlife
Native Tennessee wildlife species. Possession requires a TWRA permit. Breeding/propagating Class II animals requires microchipping or tattooing (per 2023 rule amendment).
Includes: Native nonpoisonous reptiles and amphibians indigenous to Tennessee, native birds not otherwise classified, native game species.
Permit Required
Class III — No Permit Required
Non-native species that pose minimal risk. No TWRA permit required for possession (though USDA/agriculture permits may apply for some species).
Includes: Non-venomous non-native reptiles and amphibians (except caimans/gavials), most common pet birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, ferrets, and many other common pets.
No Permit Required
Class IV — Zoo/Rehabilitator Only
Native species that may only be possessed by accredited zoos and TWRA-authorized wildlife rehabilitators. No private ownership permitted.
Includes: White-tailed deer, American black bear, wild turkey, and morphologically indistinguishable relatives of these species.
Zoos & Rehab Only
Class V — Injurious/Invasive
Species designated as injurious to the environment. May only be held in zoos under conditions preventing escape or release. Private ownership prohibited.
Includes: Quaker/Monk parakeets, Nandaya/Black-hooded parakeets, certain invasive fish and aquatic species.
Zoo Only
💡 Hybrid Rule: Hybrids involving two species from different classes are regulated as a member of the least restrictive class involved, unless otherwise specified by TWRA. For example, a hybrid between a Class II and Class III animal would be regulated as Class III.
🦎 Reptile & Amphibian Laws
Tennessee's reptile laws hinge primarily on two factors: whether the species is native or non-native, and whether it is venomous or non-venomous.
✅ Legal to Own (No Permit)
- Non-venomous, non-native reptiles and amphibians — ball pythons, corn snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, blue-tongued skinks, chameleons, etc.
- Non-venomous, non-native frogs, toads, salamanders, axolotls
- Tortoises of non-native species (sulcata, Russian, Hermann's, etc.)
- Non-native monitors and other large lizards (non-venomous)
- Dwarf caimans — permitted under Tennessee state law for private ownership
- Native nonpoisonous reptiles and amphibians — with a Class II permit
❌ Prohibited / Restricted
- All venomous reptiles — rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, cobras, mambas, all vipers and elapids — Class I, private ownership banned
- Adult alligators and crocodiles — Class I, no private ownership
- Gavials — Class I, no private ownership
- Large caiman species, crocodiles and American alligators are prohibited (see allowed list)
- Native turtles — all native turtle species including box turtles require a Class II permit; possession without permit is illegal
- Native nonpoisonous reptiles without a Class II permit (corn snakes and kingsnakes native to TN require permits if wild-caught)
- Any species listed as state or federally threatened or endangered without proper documentation of legal origin
- Class V invasive species — certain listed aquatic reptiles
🐢 Important Tennessee Turtle Note
Native TurtlesAll native turtle species in Tennessee — including box turtles and aquatic turtles — are classified as Class II wildlife and require a TWRA permit to possess. This applies to both native AND non-native tortoise and turtle species per TWRA officer interpretation in many cases. If in doubt, contact TWRA before acquiring any turtle or tortoise.
Turtle Health RegulationsTurtle regulations regarding public health are set and controlled by the Tennessee Department of Health. They recommend no handling of turtles or tortoises by children, and thorough hand sanitizing after any and all interactions with turtles or tortoises due to Salmonella risk.
Federal 4" RuleFederal law (FDA regulation) prohibits the commercial sale of turtles with a carapace length under 4 inches — with few breeder exceptions (NOT resellers). This federal rule applies in Tennessee regardless of state classification.
Captive-BredCaptive-bred non-native reptiles purchased from licensed breeders are generally Class III and require no TWRA permit. Always get documentation of captive-bred origin.
🐍 Venomous Reptiles — Class I
Private PossessionCompletely prohibited for private individuals. No permit available for personal possession of venomous reptiles.
Who Can Have ThemOnly zoos, circuses, and licensed commercial propagators with approved Class I facilities may possess venomous reptiles.
TransportContainers with venomous reptiles must be locked and labeled "Danger — Venomous Snakes" or "Danger — Poisonous Reptiles" with owner's name, address, phone, and species list.
Included SpeciesAll rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins, coral snakes, all cobras, mambas, bushmasters, all vipers (Viperidae), all elapids (Elapidae).
🦜 Bird Laws
Bird ownership in Tennessee is governed by both state TWRA regulations and federal laws including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Endangered Species Act. Most common pet birds are legal with no state permit required — but there are important exceptions.
✅ Legal to Own (No State Permit)
- Parrots — macaws, cockatoos, African greys, amazons, conures, lovebirds, caiques, etc. (captive-bred, not wild-caught)
- Cockatiels and budgerigars (parakeets) — common pet species
- Canaries and finches
- Doves and pigeons (non-native/domesticated)
- Softbills — toucans, mynahs, etc.
- Chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese (domestic poultry)
- Peafowl, pheasants, guinea fowl (non-native game birds)
- Most non-native avian species not otherwise listed in a restricted class
❌ Prohibited / Restricted
- Quaker/Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) — Class V, illegal to own, sell, breed, or import in Tennessee
- Nandaya/Black-hooded Parakeets (Nandayus nenday) — Class V, illegal to own
- All native wild birds — protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Cannot be captured, possessed, sold, or killed without federal permits
- Bald eagles and golden eagles — additionally protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
- Ostriches and cassowaries — explicitly excluded from Class III; require TWRA permit
- North American game birds (wild turkey, ruffed grouse, etc.) — Class IV or protected, no private possession
- Any CITES Appendix I listed bird species without proper CITES documentation
- Wild-caught native songbirds, raptors, or waterfowl — federal MBTA prohibition
⚠️ Quaker Parakeet Ban — Important for Bird Owners
StatusQuaker parakeets (Monk parakeets) are classified as Class V wildlife in Tennessee — designated as injurious to the environment. They are illegal to own, sell, breed, import, or transfer in Tennessee.
Why BannedQuakers are considered an invasive species risk due to their ability to establish feral colonies and damage crops and infrastructure with their large communal nests.
EnforcementTWRA can confiscate Quaker parakeets found in private possession. If you acquired one before the ban and are unsure, contact TWRA for guidance.
Similar Species OKOther parakeet species (alexandrine, Indian ringneck, Bourke's, lineolated, etc.) are legal in Tennessee.
🦅 Raptors — Falconry
General RuleAll native raptors (hawks, falcons, owls, eagles) are protected by the MBTA and cannot be possessed without federal and state permits.
FalconryFalconry is legal in Tennessee with both a TWRA falconry permit and a USFWS federal falconry permit. Three levels: Apprentice, General, Master. New rules effective April 8, 2025.
Permit RenewalFalconry permits expire June 30 of the third year from issuance. Applications due by August 15 each year.
Captive-Bred RaptorsEven captive-bred native raptors require permits. There are no permit-free exceptions for captive-bred hawks or owls.
🐦 Migratory Bird Treaty Act — Federal Law
What It CoversThe MBTA protects virtually all native North American bird species. It is illegal to possess, sell, purchase, barter, transport, import, export, or take any migratory bird, their eggs, feathers, or nests without a federal permit.
ExemptionsTruly domestic species (chickens, domestic ducks, domestic turkeys, domestic geese, domestic pigeons, domestic canaries, captive-bred parrots) are not covered by the MBTA.
FeathersEven possessing feathers from a protected species is illegal without a permit — including feathers found on the ground.
📋 Permit Requirements
Class I Permit
Who Needs ItAny zoo, circus, or commercial propagator wishing to possess Class I wildlife.
RequirementsMust pass a Class I Qualification Test at a TWRA Regional office (max 3 attempts per calendar year). Facility must be inspected and approved by TWRA before any Class I animal is placed there.
Facility StandardsStrict enclosure specifications apply. For example, tigers may be held in topless cages only if sides are minimum 16 feet high with the top 3 feet turned inward at 45 degrees.
LiabilityClass I permit holders are personally liable for all costs incurred by any person, city, county, or state agency resulting from escape of their animals.
TransferBefore transferring Class I wildlife to a new owner, the prospective owner must provide documentation of an approved holding facility.
Class II Permit
Who Needs ItAnyone possessing native Tennessee wildlife species (nonpoisonous native reptiles, native birds, etc.).
Breeding RequirementAs of 2023 TWRA rule amendment, anyone propagating/breeding Class II animals must tattoo or microchip each animal for identification purposes.
Permit RenewalAll TWRA permits expire June 30 each year and must be renewed annually.
Importation Permit
Required ForAll interstate movement of live Class I and Class II wildlife. Class III wildlife does not require an importation permit.
ReportingAnimals brought into Tennessee under an annual importation permit must be reported to TWRA within 5 days of importation.
ExemptionsZoos and temporary exhibitors are exempt from importation permit requirements.
Papers RequiredAll bills of lading and shipping papers must be kept and available for inspection by TWRA officers at any reasonable time.
Commercial Propagator Permit
Required ForAny permanent exhibitor engaged in commercial trade of captive wildlife. You cannot commercially breed and sell wildlife without this permit even if you have other permits.
Class III ExceptionClass III wildlife (most common non-native pets) can be commercially bred and sold without a TWRA propagator permit, though federal and USDA rules may still apply.
⚠️ Penalties & Enforcement
Civil & Criminal Penalties
Violations of Tennessee wildlife laws can result in both civil and criminal penalties. The TWRA has authority to confiscate animals, issue fines, and refer cases for criminal prosecution. Fines for Class I violations can reach $2,500 per offense, and some violations carry the possibility of jail time. Each individual unlawful sale, purchase, transfer, or possession with intent to sell is treated as a separate offense.
Enforcement Actions
ConfiscationTWRA officers can seize any wildlife possessed in violation of state law. The owner is not compensated for confiscated animals.
InspectionsTWRA officers can inspect facilities holding permitted wildlife at any reasonable time. All permits and documentation must be available for inspection.
Escape LiabilityClass I permit holders are personally liable for all costs resulting from escape of their animals — including law enforcement, capture, and any damages caused.
State LiabilityThe state of Tennessee assumes no liability for any animal that expires, is injured, or is destroyed while under a TWRA permit.
Federal OverlapTWRA coordinates with US Fish & Wildlife Service on Lacey Act and ESA violations. Federal penalties are separate from and in addition to state penalties.
📞 Contact & Resources
Always verify current rules directly with TWRA before acquiring any animal. Laws and classifications can change through administrative rulemaking without legislative action.
⭐ A note on TWRA leadership: Not sure who the current director is — we have had a few the last few years. Walter and Rusty were easy to work with and we hope the same holds true with the current director.
⚠️ Pet store sales: Some "not exactly legal animals" are seen for sale in pet stores. TWRA has said in the past that this does NOT exclude the buyer from following the laws or obtaining the required permits. Buying an animal from a store does not make it legal for you to own — know the law before you buy.
📋 Disclaimer: This guide was compiled from publicly available sources including T.C.A. §§ 70-4-401 et seq., TWRA Rule 1660-01-18, and TWRA publications as of early 2026. Laws and TWRA classifications change regularly through both legislation and administrative rulemaking. This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements directly with TWRA and consult an attorney for specific legal questions.