Answer: No, it is not legal to own a sea otter as a pet.
Read on to find out the exception to this rule…
In the United States, it is not legal to own a sea otter as a pet. Otters are wild animals and are protected by law. The MMPA (The Marine Mammal Protection Act is a federal law created in 1972 in the United States that protects marine mammals and their habitats. The MMPA prohibits the “take” of marine mammals, which includes hunting, capturing, and killing, as well as the import, export, and sale of marine mammal products. The MMPA also prohibits the disturbance or harassment of marine mammals, and it established a permitting system for activities that may affect marine mammals, such as scientific research and oil and gas development.
Additionally, there is the AWA to consider. Under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), it is generally illegal to sell, buy, or transport otters for the purpose of keeping them as pets. The AWA regulates the treatment of animals in commerce, including their transportation and sale, and it is enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
So, if you don’t want to end up as Big Larry’s prison bitch, don’t break the law and don’t try and keep a sea otter as a pet.
The Exception: Asian Otters
Here’s the exception. In some states, you can own an Asian otter, since they are not marine animals, which means they are not federally illegal like sea otters. What are Asian otters, you ask? Asian otters are a group of species of semiaquatic mammals that are found in a variety of habitats across Asia, including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. To be clear, they are not legal to own in every state.
| State | Can you own an otter? |
| Alabama | No |
| Alaska | No |
| Arizona | No |
| Arkansas | No |
| California | No |
| Colorado | No |
| Connecticut | No |
| Delaware | No |
| District of Columbia | No |
| Florida | Yes, with proper permitting |
| Georgia | No |
| Hawaii | No |
| Idaho | No |
| Illinois | No |
| Indiana | No |
| Iowa | No |
| Kansas | No |
| Kentucky | No |
| Louisiana | No |
| Maine | No |
| Maryland | No |
| Massachusetts | No |
| Michigan | No |
| Minnesota | No |
| Mississippi | No |
| Missouri | Yes, with proper permitting |
| Montana | No |
| Nebraska | Yes, with proper permitting |
| Nevada | Restricted. Read here. |
| New Hampshire | No |
| New Jersey | No |
| New Mexico | No |
| New York | No |
| North Carolina | Yes, with proper permitting |
| North Dakota | Yes, with proper permitting |
| Ohio | No |
| Oklahoma | No |
| Oregon | No |
| Pennsylvania | No |
| Rhode Island | No |
| South Carolina | No |
| South Dakota | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | No |
| Utah | No |
| Vermont | No |
| Virginia | No |
| Washington | No |
| West Virginia | No |
| Wisconsin | No |
| Wyoming | No |
Keep in mind, laws change over time, so make sure to research the laws in your state, county, city or municipality. For example, it may be legal in the state, but a city may ban the ownership of otters.
There are some exceptions to the rules on owning otters. For example, it may be possible to obtain a permit to keep an otter as an educational exhibit or for scientific, exhibition, or other specific purposes. However, these permits are generally only granted to qualified organizations or individuals, and they are subject to strict regulations.
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