Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What does one do if they want to buy a black rat snake but live in Ohio? Is a permit necessary? Does the snake need to be pit-tagged?

Thanks,
Dan

The first thing I would look at is what scientific name they use for an Ohio Black Rat. If they are still using Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta, then I think you have to go by their native animal rules, but if they are lumping all the Gray and Black Rats together as Elaphe or Pantherophis spiloidesm, then you might be able to keep one of them without the tag. I found a link to the Ohio laws, and if this link is current, then you can keep Black Rats but at a certain point (18" you have to get them tagged. What a P in the A.

http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1501:31-25-04

You don't need a permit to BUY a black ratsnake in Ohio. Not too many are selling them, due to the stupid laws. I would contact Mike Joliff up in Marion to see what he hatched out this year.

The law states that a PIT tag is required. My personal opinion is that if you are a private owner (not a breeder or someone who otherwise goes "public" with your animals), then it is a matter of personal choice. I honestly don't think you will have too much to worry about keeping one or two black rats & keeping a low profile. It seems that we can still keep the other "obsoleta" without worry. That includes the "greenish" rat, a black/yellow intergrade. Do you go to the All Ohio Reptile Show? There is one next Saturday. Mike doesn't go there as often any more since his rattler bit him. I miss seeing his blacks. I'm sure that if you posted, "Hey, Mike Joliff" on this forum you'd get in touch. Duffy

You have to:

1) give your first born child to the state so they can be trained how to misidentify native animals AND write lots and lots of tickets with disregard for logic - everyone is the enemy.

2) allow inspections anytime - day or night. You will only be permitted five minutes to answer the door - then it gets kicked in. Ten minutes will be permitted for the hours between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. but you have to be able to prove that you were sleeping. You will also be checked at this time to make sure you are wearing clean underwear.

3) get the names and address of all people doing anything illegal and rat them out. This would include all laws listed here:

http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/ohio/

4) cut off either your right foot OR your left hand - you REALLY are free and actually get a choice.

5) after you have completed number 4), you must take an AVID (isn't it against the law to have a monopoly?....but here it is a state requirement??) PIT Tag syringe (which is over half the diameter of an 18" Ratsnake and bigger around than most anything a person is required to be jabbed with for any piercing or medical purpose) jab it in the guts and watch the intestines come out the gaping hole made by the syringe. You might be able to find a Vet. to do this for you but I am currently submitting a request that my brother (Bill-O) be the required Vet. to apply these micro-chips so the procedure will be performed properly. Everyone will have to make a road trip to Xenia and we'll be rich, yeah!!

6) gather necessary name and info. on any person(s) that attempts to purchase said animal(s) and turn them in after spying on them (with a camera) and urinating in their gas tanks. If you can SUCCESSFULLY attach their right foot (or left hand - see 3) back onto your body without it being rejected, you are exempt from needing a permit.

7) donate 23% of all future income to PETA and 18% to the HSUS.

****PLEASE NOTE: Feel free to kill as many of these animals as you want if they are outside your domicile. You will be awarded with coupons for each native snake killed (except for Timbers & Massasaugas - you will be ticketed & fined, for this). The coupons can be later turned in for a prize.

Also.....if you are willing to give up all your personal freedoms, you win the mega prize!!!! BUT, you have to give them up first before finding out what the prize actually is - be very afraid.....give up now~~~~~~~these animals are very dangerous, haven't you ever seen - Snakes on a Plane....we're making - Snakes on a Plain