• Mississippi requires a permit to own certain exotic animals considered “inherently dangerous,” such as hippos, big cats and bears.
• Permit applicants must be at least 21, have experience with the species and carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 per animal.
• Annual permit costs vary by species, ranging from $75 for canids to $300 for animals like elephants and tigers.
• It is illegal in Mississippi to keep wild native species, such as deer or raccoons, as pets.

If you want a hippopotamus for Christmas, there are some hurdles to legal and responsible pet ownership in Mississippi.

There are plenty of exotic species, like birds, reptiles and rodents that are considered safe pets. They can be bought next to cat and dog supplies at pet stores and exotic animal shows.

But some people, only a hippopotamus will do. Baby hippos, like Fiona and Moo Deng, can make the species look cute and, well, manageable. (The same can be said of many species that can grow up to be a menace, like baby big cats.) And as much as the song pleads, a garage isn’t the best home for a hippo hero.

Mississippi has laws about owning pets that are considered inherently dangerous, like monkeys or wild dog species. If you’re planning to get an exotic animal as a pet, it helps to know which animals are on the list. If you want to give an unusual species as a Christmas gift, be sure the new owner can meet the criteria so they won’t end up in a tricky legal situation.

Colt Mooney, Exotic Species Program leader of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said animals on the list aren’t totally banned in a previous interview with the Clarion Ledger. But owners have to apply for a permit and meet several requirements.

And permitting isn’t a one-and-done process. There will be an annual follow up, and it could get expensive over the lifetime of the animal. That’s not even accounting for the costs of specialty veterinary care.

Here’s what to know about which dangerous animals you need a permit for in Mississippi, whether you can own a wild animal native to the Magnolia State and what the permitting process requires and costs.

Can I own an exotic pet in Mississippi?

Yes, but you have to have a permit for certain species, like big cats, bears and primates.

It’s illegal to sell, give, deliver, or transfer an animal on the state’s list of dangerous animals unless the recipient has a permit or is an exempt organization.

“It’s mostly due to their ability to inflict damage if something goes wrong,” Mooney said. “The potential is always there.

“They’re not pets. All it takes is one slip-up, one moment, to cause a life-threatening incident.”

What exotic animals do I need a permit for in Mississippi?

The state defines several animals as “inherently dangerous,” including elephants, rhinoceroses, African buffaloes and, yes, hippopotamuses.

If those sound like large pets, there are plenty of small primates and carnivores on the list too. (Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!)

Carnivoras:

• Wolves, including crosses between wolves and domestic animals
• Jackals
• Dingos
• Red dogs
• African hunting dogs
• Bears (all species)
• Wolverines
• Hyenas (all species)
• Lions
• Tigers
• Jaguars
• Leopards
• Cheetahs
• Cougars (all sub-species)

Primates:

• Gibbons
• Orangutans
• Chimpanzees
• Siamangs
• Gorillas
• Macaques
• Mandrils
• Baboons

What do Mississippi exotic animal permits cover?

Each permit is good for one year, according to information from the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. It’s only for the species specified, and a permit is needed for each animal.

At base level, applicants must:

• Be at least 21 years old with no convictions involving wildlife offenses or cruelty to animals within the past 3 years
• Have 2 years of experience with care and handling of the species or be able to pass a DWFP test on biology, diet, health care and habit needs
• Have a plan to quickly and safely capture the animal if it escapes, including how to put it down or kill it if it can’t be caught