Jan 16, 2025

10 animals you cannot keep as pets in India

Siddhartha Jana

Star tortoises are often sought after as pets due to their beautiful shell patterns, however it is prohibited to keep them in India because of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Source: Canva

Indian law prohibits the keeping of parakeets as pets, including well-known species like rose-ringed, Alexandrian, and plum-headed parakeets.

Source: Canva

Despite their huge demand in the pet trade, many snake species—including red sand boas—are prohibited from being kept as pets in India due to legislative protections.

Source: Canva

Since jackals are protected animals, it is unlawful to own them in any way, including as pets, despite the fact that they are frequently connected to myths concerning bad luck.

Source: Canva

Despite their diminutive size and adorable appearance, Indian wildlife rules prohibit the keeping of slim lorises as pets.

Source: Canva

Often purchased as infants and subsequently discarded because of their difficult behaviour, bonnet macaques are legally protected and cannot be kept as pets.

Source: Canva

While some munia species, such the scaly-breasted munia, are often sold as pets, they are prohibited from being kept as pets in India due to legal protections.

Source: Canva

Owls, such as barn owls and spotted owlets, are protected by law and are essential to the upkeep of healthy ecosystems; therefore, it is unlawful to own or keep them as pets.

Source: Canva

In India, it is illegal to keep jungle cats as pets, despite the fact that they are sometimes sold as house cats to unwary people.

Source: Canva

Native to western India and essential to the local ecology, spiny-tailed lizards are protected species and are prohibited from being kept as pets.

Source: Canva

10 deadliest animals with the highest human kill count