10 animals you cannot own as pets in India

Let’s explore 10 animals that are protected by law and cannot be kept as pets in India.

Spiny-Tailed Lizards: Native to western India and crucial for local ecology, these lizards are a protected species and cannot be kept as pets.

Jungle Cats: Though sometimes sold as house cats, jungle cats are protected in India and cannot be kept as pets.

Parakeets: Species such as rose-ringed, Alexandrian, and plum-headed parakeets are banned from being kept as pets in India due to legal protections.

Owls: Species like barn owls and spotted owlets, are essential to ecosystems and are protected by law, making it illegal to keep them as pets.

Munias: Species like the scaly-breasted munia, despite being sold as pets, are legally protected and cannot be kept as pets in India.

Bonnet Macaques: Known for their challenging behavior, bonnet macaques are legally protected and cannot be kept as pets in India.

Snakes: Despite their popularity in the pet trade, many snake species, including the red sand boa, are prohibited from being kept as pets due to legislative protections.

Star Tortoises: Known for their beautiful shell patterns, star tortoises are prohibited from being kept as pets under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Jackals: As protected animals, jackals cannot be owned as pets in India, even though they are often linked to myths of bad luck.

Slim Lorises: Despite their small size and cute appearance, slim lorises are prohibited from being kept as pets under Indian wildlife laws.