"California banned the owning of hedgehogs because of they have a law that makes all animals not listed as ‘legal’ under State law as ‘illegal’ by default not until the Department of Fish and Game of California is willing to consider them as legal in status. Until then, they will be confiscated and banned as pets". (Knowswhy.com)

Hedgehogs are considered illegal by default in the state of CA simply because they are not on the list of legal animals in this state. There isn’t really a reason for hedgehogs to be illegal in California. Hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rats are acceptable pets, so why aren’t hedgehogs? California’s warm climate is the perfect environment for a hedgehog to live. Hedgehogs are quiet, friendly, low-maintenance animals that would make great pets. Unlike the other small animals that are legal here, hedgehogs do not have dander and are actually hypoallergenic and would make great pets for people that want a small animal but suffer from allergies. Hedgehogs are already legal in numerous states and should be legal pets in California too. Overall, there are no downsides to letting Californians own hedgehogs.