Here is the response I got from the CA Dept. of Fish and Game regarding the question of whether a license is required just to own or "possess" native herps in California. It verifies that a license is NOT required to keep up to the legal limit of native reptiles in your home. You may want to save a copy of the letter in case you ever run into a situation where there is any doubt--I know I plan to keep it on file.

Thanks,

Angus

Here's the letter I got:

Angus;

Our license requirements are:

Anyone 16 years of age and older must have a fishing license to take
any kind of fish, mollusk, invertebrate, amphibian or crustacean in
California, except for persons angling from a public pier in ocean or
bay waters. A license is required to take reptiles, except for
rattlesnakes. The exveption is on free fishing days when a license is
not required.

Take is defined as "Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish,
amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or
attempting to do so." However, you are not required to possess a fishing
license to have a legally taken limit of fish or reptiles in your home.



Dennis P. Lee, Supervising Biologist
Fisheries Programs Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
1701 Nimbus Road, Suite C
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Field Station (916) 358-2833
FAX (916) 358-2857
Cellular (916) 952-6915
dlee@dfg.ca.gov

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