Does anybody here know if it is illegal to own (or sell) corn snakes in Tennessee? I have been searching the internet for information about this, but I cant find any concrete answers. I live in middle Tennessee, and see them for sale all the time. On the other hand, a pet store in Memphis recently told me that it was illegal to sell them. Are they considered a native species or what? How could a snow corn or creamsicle be considered wild?
If you have any information or links please help me out. Thanks.
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Is it illegal to own or sell corn snakes in Tennessee?
moonpie
Jul 28, 2003 01:24 PM
Replies (5)
moleman
Jul 28, 2003 01:49 PM
It is illegal to keep or sell a snake that is indigenous to Tn.From what I understand though- the TWRA gets riled when they are alerted of a local venomous snake being kept.(copperhead)It is also illegal to kill ANY wild snake in Tn.
draybar
Jul 28, 2003 06:08 PM
No, it is not illegal to own and/or sell corn snakes in Tennessee.
There are certain restrictions and "rules" but it is not illegal.
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Jimmy (draybar)
althea
Jul 29, 2003 12:37 AM
It is illegal to keep indigenous species in TN. The catch in the law is that TN does not recognize captive bred subspecies or morphs. This means that , although california kingsnakes are not indigenous to the state, speckled kings are. The law recognizes "kingsnakes" as indigenous; technically all are illegal to keep. However, so long as you keep your receipts for captive bred nonindigenous subspecies, there usually is not a problem should you be challenged. The same is true for captive bred corn snake morphs, or so I was informed, which are a mainstay of the pet shop trade. I've seen them for sale all over the state. However, I've yet to see a captive bred speckled or eastern kingsnake offered in a pet shop. You've asked a good question, and it's a fine line as to what is acceptable to sell/keep in TN. Hots and turtles are definate no-no's unless you are doing rehab with a turtle in it's native environment and you have a permit and...well, it's another whole discussion.
moonpie
Jul 29, 2003 09:17 AM
Thanks for the replies.
SnakeNutt
Jul 30, 2003 08:41 AM
If you just purchase a snake as a pet, you don't need a permit to keep it. However, if you breed snakes AND sell their offspring, you must have a permit from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville. The permit costs $100 a year. Also, I've been told that in order to buy a snake from out-of-state, you need an importation permit. I believe you can either pay $10 per shipment or, if you intent to import several times, you can get an importation permit for unlimited purchases. To apply for a permit, call Walter Cook (TWRA) at 615-781-6555.
I know this because I'm also a Tennessee resident and am in the process of getting permits myself.
SnakeNutt
