Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A couple of years ago I let my Flordia license to sell reptiles expire since I wasn't planning on breeding anything and didn't have anything to sell. Well, now that I will have some babies to sell I need to renew it. I went to the web site to download the application and it's different than the last time I filled it out. So I'm confused which to use. My old application (which I hav a copy of) says "License to Possess Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale" and the number is EPB-241 for eleven or more animals. Now I'm seeing two different applications, one is ESC License to possess Class III Wildlife for exhibition or public sale, cost $50. I'm thinking it's this one as the other is for Class I and II animals, which I don't have. But I can find a description of what counts as a class III animal so maybe that doesn't apply either. Can any of you guys in Florida help me out? I really appreciate any advice.

you are correct in the type of permit you are seeking. Here is the description of class 1 and 2 animals as found on the FFWC website:

CAPTIVE WILDLIFE REGULATIONS

Structural Caging Requirements for Class I, II, and III Wildlife

(1) In addition to the standard caging requirements set forth in Rule 68A-6.004,F.A.C., Class I and Class II animals shall be caged in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) A fence sufficient to deter entry by the public, which shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in height, shall be present around the premises wherein Class I or Class II animals are housed or exercised outdoors.

(b) All cages or enclosures of Class I and Class II animals except paddocks, approved open air habitats, or outdoor reptile enclosures shall be equipped with a safety entrance. A safety entrance is defined as a protected, secure area that can be entered by a keeper that prevents animal escape and safeguards the keeper, or a device that can be activated by a keeper that prevents animal escape and safeguards entry. Such entrances shall include: A double-door mechanism, interconnecting cages, a lock-down area, or other comparable devices, subject to Commission approval, that will prevent escape and safeguard the keeper. Safety entrances shall be constructed of materials that are of equivalent strength as that prescribed for cage construction for that particular species.

(c) All cages or enclosures constructed of chain link or other approved materials shall be well braced and securely anchored at ground level to prevent escape by digging or erosion. Cages shall be constructed using metal clamps, ties or braces of equivalent strength as the material required for cage construction for the particular species.

(2) Additional requirements for specific species shall be as follows:

(a) Group I -- Chimpanzees (over 50 pounds), gorillas, orangutans.

1. Outdoor facilities -- Cage construction materials shall consist of steel bars, two-inch galvanized pipe, masonry block or their strength equivalent.

2. Indoor facilities -- Potential escape routes shall be equipped with steel bars, two-inch galvanized pipe or equivalent in rooms where the wildlife is maintained.

(b) Group II -- Chimpanzees (up to 50 pounds), drills, mandrills, baboons, snow leopards, jaguars, tigers, lions, bears.

1. Outdoor facilities -- Cage construction materials shall consist of not less than nine-gauge chain link or equivalent.

2. Indoor facilities -- Potential escape routes shall be equipped with wire or grating of not less than nine-gauge or equivalent.

(c) Group III -- Rhinoceros, elephants, hippopotamus, cape buffalos.

Indoor and outdoor facilities -- Construction materials shall consist of steel bars, masonry block or equivalent.

(d) Group IV -- Crocodiles, gavials, alligators, caimans, komodo dragons.

Outdoor facilities -- Bounded by a fence at least five feet in height of not less than 11 ½-gauge chain link or equivalent.

(e) Group V -- Gibbons, siamangs, patas monkeys, howler monkeys, uakaris, mangabeys, guenons, bearded sakis, guereza monkeys, celebes black apes, indris, macaques, langurs, proboscis monkeys, spider monkeys, woolly monkeys, and capuchin monkeys, leopards, cougars, clouded leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, servals, lynx, bobcats, caracals, African golden cats, Temminck's golden cats, fishing cats, wolves, coyotes, Asiatic jackals, Indian dholes, African hunting dogs, binturongs, and Old World badgers.

1. Outdoor facilities -- Construction material shall consist of not less than 11 ½-gauge chain link or equivalent.

2. Indoor facilities -- Potential escape routes shall be equipped with wire or grating not less than 11 ½-gauge or equivalent.

(f) Group VI -- Wolverines, honey badgers, American badgers, and hyenas.

1. Outdoor facilities -- Cage construction materials shall consist of not less than nine-gauge chain link or equivalent.

2. Indoor facilities -- Potential escape routes shall be equipped with wire or grating of not less than nine-gauge chain link or equivalent.

(g) Group VII -- Ostrich, cassowary.

Outdoor facilities -- Bounded by a fence of at least six feet in height of not less than 11 ½-gauge chain link or equivalent.

(h) Group VIII-Class III mammals (except spider, woolly, and capuchin monkeys) and Varanidae (except Komodo dragon)

1. Outdoor facilities--Cage construction materials shall consist of not less than 14-gauge wire or strength equivalent material.

2. Indoor facilities--Rooms may serve as enclosures provided that:

a. Construction materials equal or exceed the strength equivalent for outside caging.

b. Potential escape routes are secured, or the animal is supervised to ensure against escape.

c. The size of the room(s) equals or exceeds that required for cages and enclosures in Rule 68A-6.004, F.A.C.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec 9, Fla. Const., 372.921, 372.922, F.S., History New 8-1-79, Amended Amended 6-1-86, 7-1-90, 7-1-92, 2-1-98

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For More Information
Contact the Division of Law Enforcement’s Investigation Section
620 S. Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 488-6253

Thanks Russ. So I just need to apply for the Class III Wildlife permit and I'll be all set, right?