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no. great white sharks are a protected species in the waters where they are found. if captured, they must be released immediately. it is illegal to fish for these animals.

because they are open water fish and must continuously swim in order to breathe, great white sharks do not do well in captivity. adult great white sharks require a diet that is difficult to provide in captivity. attempts by aquariums to house great white sharks have either led to their eventual release or their death.

what kinds of sharks can people own?

though great white sharks are illegal to own, some sharks can be kept in captivity. here is a list of sharks that you can keep in freshwater fish tanks:

  • rainbow sharks.
  • roseline torpedo sharks.
  • bala sharks.
  • harlequin sharks.
  • red-tail black sharks.

if you have a large saltwater tank, these bigger sharks can be kept:

  • marbled catshark.
  • coral catshark.
  • gray bamboo shark.
  • white-spotted bamboo shark.
  • california horn shark.
  • brown-banded bamboo shark.
  • epaulette shark.
  • japanese wobbegong.
  • blacktip or whitetip sharks.

the largest shark on this list can grow to nearly 5 feet in length, so you will need at least 1,000 gallons of water to safely keep them.

there are federal, state and local laws about keeping wild, exotic, and domesticated animals as pets. generally, federal laws ban ownership of endangered and protected species throughout the country.

other unusual pets may be prohibited on the state or local level to prevent invasive species and deter pet owners from releasing an unwanted animal into the wild. for example, ferrets are illegal to own in california and hawaii. some exotic pets require usda, state, or local permits. to find out what is and is not legal in your area, contact the local animal control agency. they may be able to tell you about the pet laws in your community or point you in the right direction. if you cannot find the information you need, or have a specific question, you can reach out to arocket legalpro™for help.

are fish protected by animal cruelty laws?

no. the federal animal welfare act does not protect fish. fish are not protected under the humane slaughter act and other federal animal welfare laws. some states may have laws that protect fish, and every state requires a fishing license, but under federal laws, fish have little protection. notably, while sharks may not have these protections because sharks are fish, sea mammals, like dolphins, manatees, whales, penguins, and seals, are protected by federal laws.

do i need a pet trust?

if you decide that a shark or other exotic pet is for you, or you have a dog, cat, or another type of pet, apet trustcan help ensure your animal companion gets the care it needs if you cannot provide it anymore. a pet trust is a legal document that allows a pet's owner to designate a trustee or caretaker, and to set aside assets for the trustee to ensure the pet is cared for properly during its lifetime.

if you have more questions about setting up a pet trust, or anything legal when it comes to pet ownership and care, reaching out to a2022世界杯32强抽签时间 attorneyis an easy and reliable way to get affordable legal advice. getting legal questions answered is even easier with the2022世界杯32强抽签时间 app.

please note: this page offers general legal information, but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. 2022世界杯32强抽签时间 incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. for further information on this topic, you canask an attorney.


written and reviewed by experts
written and reviewed by experts
this article was created, edited and reviewed by trained editorial staff who specialize in translating complex legal topics into plain language.

at 2022世界杯32强抽签时间 , we believe legal information should be both reliable and easy to understand—so you don't need a law degree to feel informed. we follow a rigorouseditorial policyto ensure every article is helpful, clear, and as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

about this page:

  • this article was written and reviewed by 2022世界杯32强抽签时间 editorial staff
  • this article was last reviewed or updated on jul 03, 2024

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