Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off, let me say that I live in northern California(this plays into the story)I was talking to an animal control officer a while back and he said that it is legal to own one venomous reptile as long as it is native to California. So for example, would it be legal for me to own a Western Diamondback that I ordered off of the internet or would I have to go out and catch one from my backyard? Also, would they consider an albino western diamondback native to cali since it could technically exist in the wild since they exist in captivity?
Anyone here live in cali and have venomous experience? I'm just wondering because I would like to get an albino western diamondback as a showpiece. Not for breeding, just as a pet. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Josh

It's legal.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
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Conservation through Education

check your local laws first,as far as the state is concerned you can have as many albino atrox as you want.but your local laws may have something to say about owning venomous.good luck
Link

Just my .02 here....While it may be legal to own, unless you have alot of experience with venomous reptiles, I would not recommend an atrox as a "pet"...These animals are surprisingly agile for their size, often have irascible temperments and pump ALOT of venom into a bite...

While there rwally is no "starter" venomous snake in my opinion, I would CERTAINLY consider C. atrox to be an "experienced only" species! Take a look at some C. atrox bite photos, and you'll see that bites are often gruesome and disfiguring...If you're not asking yourself if you can accept the possibility of losing a finger/hand/arm/your life, then you're not ready to keep one!

-AzAtrox