Exotic pet legality check
Enter a common name, nickname or scientific name to see whether a species is listed under CITES and what paperwork keeping one involves.
Scope: CITES appendix status is international and applies everywhere. The protection levels shown are China's national list — if you are outside China, treat CITES as the baseline and check your own national and state/provincial rules separately.
Currently 39 commonly kept species: 17 keepable · 13 permit required · 9 not keepable. Data is still being expanded — not finding a species does not mean it is legal.
What the three verdicts mean
Not on a protection list and not CITES-listed; captive-bred individuals are legal to keep. Note that nearly all of them are non-native species — releasing one is unlawful, and taking one on means seeing it through.
The species itself is regulated. Keeping one depends on the animal having a lawful, traceable captive-breeding origin plus the accompanying paperwork. Check the documents before you pay, and walk away from any “papers to follow” or “it's through a friend” framing. When unsure, ask your wildlife authority.
A nationally protected species or a CITES Appendix I listing — it cannot be kept as a pet. Unlawfully taking, buying, transporting or selling endangered wildlife is a criminal offence in most jurisdictions, China included.
What if it's not listed here?
- Confirm the scientific name first. One common name often covers several species with completely different legal statuses.
- Search that name on the official CITES appendices.
- Check your own country's protected species list, plus any state or provincial rules that apply where you live.
- Still unsure? Ask your local wildlife authority directly — far more reliable than asking the seller.