Can You Own a Capybara in Oklahoma in 2024

As I already told you many countries don’t allow their citizens to keep capybaras as a pet such as Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, etc., and countries like Australia.

Whereas there are many in the US itself that do allow to own a capybara but with a permit like Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, etc.

If you live in Oklahoma and wondering if can you own a capybara in Oklahoma you are at the right place.

Being a Capybara owner I’ll tell you Is it legal to own a Capybara in Oklahoma, Do you need a permit or a license to own them, and other related questions.

Why Capybaras are Legal in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma State is not strict when it comes to keeping a capybara or any other exotic pets you just need a permit or a license in some cases which is discussed later in the section.

Unlike Australia and other such countries where it’s almost impossible to keep a capybara as a pet, you can easily own a capybara in Oklahoma.

Why I’m saying you contact the authorized department in Oklahoma is because there might be some area in the state that doesn’t allow its citizens to keep capybaras as a pet.

Now let’s understand the laws and if there is any requirement for a permit to own a capybara in Oklahoma.

Laws and Regulations to Own a Capybara in Oklahoma

As I told you you may need a permit to own a capybara in Oklahoma and other exotic wildlife animals or venomous animals.

In Oklahoma, you can own almost any pet except a native bear or a native large cat species.

You will need a permit or a license to keep venomous reptiles but other exotic animals such as ferrets, hedgehogs, primates, large cats and many other exotic animals that are not native to the state do not require any permit.

But if you are importing a capybara or other animals from another state for any purpose then you need a Certificate of veterinary inspection.

Now let’s understand how can you apply Certificate of veterinary inspection to own a capybara in Oklahoma.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to Own a Capybara in Oklahoma?

To own a capybara in Oklahoma a permit is not required but as I already said, you should contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation or any other local authorized department to know if there is any specific requirement in your area.

And if you are importing a capybara from another place then get a certificate of veterinary inspection to own a capybara in Oklahoma.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is generally required if you are travelling from one state to another whether you are going for a vacation or moving to a new destination.

For the same purpose, you will need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection if you are getting your capybara from another state.

You need to find USDA-accredited veterinarians in your area as the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) authorizes your veterinarian to regulate the movement of animals from state to state based on the presence of any diseases in the animals.

You can then get the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from them after the proper check of your capybara.

They may check for any disease in your capybara such as rabies or distemper and then give you a certificate.

This is how you can get a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to own a capybara in Oklahoma.

Is The Climate Good to Own a Capybara in Oklahoma?

To understand whether the climate to own a capybara in Oklahoma is good or not you need to know the temperature throughout the year in Oklahoma and the Capybara’s ideal temperature to be healthy.

In Oklahoma, temperature usually varies from 30°F to 94°F and is rarely below 17°F or above 102°F.

Whereas capybaras can bear temperatures as low as 40 °F easily and as high as 90–100 °F. This means there won’t be any issue regarding the climate for capybaras to be kept as a pet in Oklahoma.

Make sure to provide properly heated shelter with bedding such as straw, hay, or mulch and lighting facility for their well-being.

Where to Find Capybara in Oklahoma?

To own a capybara in Oklahoma you can either adopt one from someone already having capybaras or you can buy them from a breeder in Oklahoma or import them from another state or country.

Whatever option you choose make sure to research properly about the owner and the health of the capybara.

How to Adopt a Capybara in Oklahoma?

If you are going to adopt one, check for the person breeding them, their parents, their habitat, care they are getting, health conditions, and vaccination details, You can also take it for a check-up to a veterinarian for better clarification.

To adopt a capybara in Oklahoma you need to find a good breeder in your neighborhood or a known person as there is no information available as of now for a capybara adoption in Oklahoma

How to Buy a Capybara in Oklahoma?

To buy a capybara in Oklahoma, again you should check if the breeder is good and authentic, the health condition, or any certificate from a veterinarian if you are importing your capybara from another state or country.

If you are purchasing a capybara from a breeder check for a breeder certificate and make sure to purchase them legally.

You can check Capybara Breeders and Exotic Animals for Sale, but make sure to do your research correctly.

Can You Keep Capybaras Inside Your Home in Oklahoma?

Yes, you can keep capybaras inside your home and it is completely legal. But make sure to let them go outdoors as well because they need ample daily outdoor time to exercise, play, and potty.

Capybaras are social animals and keeping them inside your home will make them happy and mentally healthy.

Can You Keep a Wild Capybara You Found in Oklahoma?

There is no such issue in keeping a wild capybara in Oklahoma but you cannot keep them for commercial purposes.

For that, you need a commercial wildlife breeder’s license from the department.

Also, if you find a wild capybara, inform your nearest local wildlife authority first and get a permit if required to save yourself from any issues in the future.

If you really want to keep the capybara, vaccinate them first and consult a veterinarian near you.

Requirements to Own a Capybara in Oklahoma

As a capybara owner, it’s your responsibility to provide proper care to your pet. Capybaras are very friendly and can be your best friend if you give them the care and love they need.

Capybaras are the most giant rodents in the world and they may need extra care.

Here are the basic requirements if you want to own a capybara in Oklahoma:

• Pool:
  • Capybaras are semi-aquatic animals and they like to spend their time in the water.
  • You need to set up a pool or you can buy it from the market big enough to fit them and can have fun.
• Space and Enclosure:
  • Capybaras are giant in size and they need space both indoors and outdoors.
  • Set up a suitable habitat with proper shelter, heat, and lighting facilities for their good health.
  • Do proper fencing for their safety.
• Nutrition:
  • Capybaras are herbivores and have a good diet to meet their daily nutrition requirements.
  • Provide them with a good herbivore diet.
  • You should know what capybaras eat their likes and dislikes.
• Vaccination:
  • Do regular checkups for their health, vaccinate them to safeguard yourself, and maintain their good health.

These are some of the responsibilities that you should fulfill from your side to be a good capybara owner.

To Wrap Up:

Now you must have got your answer to Can you own a capybara in Oklahoma? It is legal to own a capybara in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma State is not strict in keeping an exotic or other animal as a pet. But still, for your safety contact the relevant authority for better information as it may depend on area to area.

If you have any queries you can ask in the comments below, I’ll try to answer them.