Prairie dogs may seem cute and harmless, but to the government they are a potential source of disease. Soon, individuals will need written permission from the Food and Drug Administration to capture, transport, sell, barter or traffic these animals.

Illegal wildlife trafficking rakes in an estimated $10 billion a year, according to the US State Department. But for animal lovers not looking to break the law, the regulations to own exotic animals are often confusing. Read on to learn more about selected exotic pets you can and cannot purchase without a permit.