Please note that this is correct at May 24th 2023. The law evolves and changes albeit slowly so it might not be correct in the future.
I can keep this fairly short although the Tennessee law on keeping exotic pets is rather sparse. It could do with a bigger list of species! You’ll see what I mean.
In outline only, the relevant law is found on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency webpage. The state of Tennessee classifies certain wild animals as ‘inherently dangerous’ for which a license to possess is required.
Their classification of wildlife – meaning those animals considered to be inherently dangerous – is found at TCA-70-4-403 of the Tennesse Code for Exotic Animals. This is the full title of that section of the law:
2010 Tennessee Code
Title 70 – Wildlife Resources
Chapter 4 – Miscellaneous Regulations
Part 4 – Exotic Animals
70-4-403 – Classifications of wildlife.
Section (1)(A)(ii)(c) states that lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars (all species) are dangerous requiring a license to possess them. The rules on applying for a license and maintaining it are found under section: Tenn. Code § 70-4-404. They look onerous.
But as you have no doubt spotted already, you won’t need a license to keep a caracal in Tennessee because this athletic, medium-sized wild cat species is not listed as inherently dangerous.
Therefore, the answer to the question in the title by implication but not directly stated (which I would have much preferred) is YES!
And even if a license was required (which it is not) they’d be legal if held under a license.
Note: I have presumed that the question in the title is being asked by a citizen of the state of Tennessee and not a bona fide zoo.
Note 2: there are many other pages on the legality of owning a caracal in various US states. Please click on this link to see caracal articles.
