Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have any info regarding the laws of keeping reptiles in Tennessee,particularly venomous snakes? Are gila's able to be kept there? Permits?
Thanks,
Shane Mader

Hello--
No venomous & I'm not sure about permits and gilas--however, I doubt it. Reptiles are regulated by TWRA (State of TN Wildlife Resource Agency), and you can find some information on their website.
Walter Cook is the name of the man who heads up this division, and I believe he is headquartered in Jackson, TN. His office can answer questions. Perhaps someone else here on the forum can give you more detailed info, but I hope that this helps.
rgds,
althea

About four years ago I called the aforementioned TWRA folks about keeping venomous snakes. They mailed me a packet of info about guidelines for keeping "exotic" animals, including venomous snakes. To make a long story short, you would basically need to have a zoo to keep vens. Laws include having a free standing building specially for keeping the snakes, and the building has to be so many yards from the nearest human dwelling. I remember there also being something about getting a permit for each animal, and getting a permit required years of apprenticeship and a hefty fee. I have, however, met one herp keeper that had timber rattlers without the permit. If he gets caught I'm sure the state will make him pay dearly. In Tennessee, its best to get used to only having colubrids (There are even laws in my city about getting permits for snakes over 6' in length!).

Shaky,
Even colubrid keeping has it's quirks. Anything indigenous cannot be kept, even if cb. Although I saw some recently at PetCo, corn snakes cannot be legally sold in the State, even if they are screaming neon orange. It's also advisable to keep receipts for colubrid species not indigenous, such as kingsnakes not found in TN. It seems that the laws recognize species, and not subspecies. So, it's the herper's responsibility to prove that his pyro kingsnake is not an indigenous species. It's also illegal to keep any type of chelonian--turtles, tortoises, terrapins. Fortunately TN borders on many states--most of which are much more herp friendly. It's always a challenge. . .
rgds,
althea

Hey there Althea. Seems I heard that all native species are illegal too. The receipt idea is a good one, thanks. I guess I'm just a renegade citizen as I have ratsnakes and kingsnakes. I've caught black ratsnakes and prarie/mole kingsnakes (they look similiar to me) in my yard and neighborhood, thought about keeping them but turned 'em loose. It really peeves me that the government tries to forbid me from having captive bred cal kings, yellow ratsnakes, etc. Fortunately, their imposition seems to be hard for them to monitor and back up. They need to focus on bank robbers, child molesters, and killers and leave us herpers alone. Sorry for the rant.

I made a mistake. Although we can legally have the cal kings and so on, it still bugs me that the State is so invasive.

I have many thoughts on this subject, most of which I'm not willing to post on an open forum such as this. I understand both sides on some decisions concerning herps, while I'm left shaking my head in wonder at others.

For example: to field herp, you need a fishing/small furred animal license. The only legal way to keep what you catch is to kill it, since you can't keep live indigenous specimens in captivity. Other legal option: release it. However, don't be caught by a ranger with a snake hook in your hand unless you have the license. I take my hook, my camera and my license with me when I'm out and about.

I try to be as responsible a herper as possible with my captive animals, and (knock on wood), haven't had any escapes or problems in the years I've lived in TN. I suppose just being a herper here makes a person a bit of a renegade--given the circumstances, it comes with the territory.

rgds,
althea

The irony is that we're having this discussion in the venomous forum (LOL). I spend a lot of time looking here, and hanging out in the herpetarium at the zoo in order to get my "venomous fix". Be good!
rgds,
althea

Yeppy, some of the laws are crazy. I'm in East TN and we have the Knoxville Zoo and a place in Seveirville (of Dollywood fame) called Rainforest Adventures. RA has a good variety of vens (mambas, rattlers, cobras and the like), lizards, frogs, alligators, spiders, and some furry critters too. I'd volunteer there just to get access and experience if I weren't already too busy. Oh well, maybe someday.

what about rear fangers like hognose snakes and vine snakes????are they leagal?