Is it legal to have possums as a pet in Illinois?

Answer 1

Coatimundi are legal in IL, but they are a lot of work. They require constant attention, so someone would have to be home 24.7 They have wonderful personalities though so they would make great social pets. Just childproof the house because they act like 3 year olds haha

Answer 2

It's probly legal there but that would be a really weird pet to have...

Actually, Kate, it is not a weird pet to have at all; they can be very sweet, cuddly, affectionate; it's all about what their experiences have been with humans. You can raise a domesticated opossum; see all the opossum groups alone on Facebook. Opossums are also our nations only marsupial (carries babies in the pouch).

I've heard that opossums are now legal pets in some states, but I don't think so in Illinois. I happen to live in Illinois also, and I'm pretty sure you have to have a permit to own one (get these through the state of Illinois). I think they should be legal though.

Edit. I've searched online and cannot find anything saying it's illegal in Illinois. But Opossums are not domesticated (that is with the exception of the gray short-tailed Opossum) so they might not be a very sweet and cuddly thing. However, just like people, ever opossum is an individual and personalities differ. Your best bet would be trying to find an opossum raised by people.

Answer 3

The proper term is coati, not coatimundi which refers only to the male. While they may be legal to keep as pets in some states I must note that they do NOT make good pets. Take this from a person who has worked with wildlife for over 40 years and has held numerous coatis for a wildlife rescue group. The worst bites I have received from all the animals I have held have come from coatis - supposedly tame coatis. You can take the coati out of the wild but you can not take the wild out of the coati.

Answer 4

Yes you just need a permit Google it