Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have a link to the law stating that animals (i.e. Albino Black Ratsnakes)native to PA are able to be sold if brought in from another state (ex. OH) where they are legally kept & produced? I have heard different things from different people. Most of the people putting on the Shows have no idea - just a guess. It kills me how they have no problem taking your money for table space but can't provide any accurate info. on what is legal & what is not or even who to call to find out such pertinent info. I realize that most of the blame goes to the "office worker's" who want us to get fined so they can keep gettin' a paycheck and keep their jobs- but damn!! I've looked under the PA Fish & Boat Commission's website (stupid place for laws regarding reptiles) but apparently I am not intelligent enough to find it!! Go figure....the least they could do is provide us with some literature or a uniformed (not undercover) officer to tell us what we can & can't do. I guess that would cut down on their "ticketing power". I have repeatedly heard the (blanket) law covers all native reptiles - regardless of where they come from or what mutation they exhibit. Help!!!

Read below the table and its clear that anything else MAY NOT BE SOLD.
2003 R&A bag limits

I actually missed this excerpt the last time I was on the site:
3. I want to sell reptiles and amphibians. Do I need permit from the Fish and Boat Commission?
There are no permits issued by the Fish and Boat Commission for selling reptiles and amphibians. Our regulations require that with the exception of common snapping turtles, no reptile or amphibian may be taken from the wild in PA for sale, trade or barter. Also, it unlawful to possess, import or export species listed as endangered or threatened by the Fish and Boat Commission. For species not taken from the wild but which may occur in PA, a dealer or purchaser would need to obtain and maintain the proper documentation to show that the origin of an animal was from a legal source and not taken from the wild.
I hope this clears up the question. If you keep the receipt from a breeder, you can keep your Black Ratsnakes (inc. morphs & wild-type). Further speculation, it seems to help if you purchase from someone who has the proper permits to trace the production of the animals. At least some common sense is used by PA lawmakers instead of the norm "blanket" law-making tactics.

I see what you mean, I doubt many states thought it through that far ahead when the regs were drafted (then again, rarely is anything complete the first time around...just look at the constitution). I would call the Reptile and AMphibian person in Lamar for a clarification.

Hey why don't you just email me and I will give you our number that way you can have some show owners let you know what is up with the laws. Beyond_utopia@hotmail.com .We talke to fish and game and everyone else. We were the first house searched in Pa we know what is goin on.