Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We are busy collating data from the site both for our response and to make it available for members of our community and in the process could use a hand gathering data from some off site resources.

What we need to know is this. What restrictions, if any, does your state have on the ownership of boas & pythons.

The answers would need to fall into the following 3 options:

What I need to know is, specifically, if your state has the following:

No Restrictions at all (Not addressed by state law)
Restrictions (State requires permits on some boas or pythons)
Prohibited (state prohibits ownership/possession of some boas & pythons)

If you know the answer for your state for certain, please reply here with the state name and one of the 3 answers above.

We still need information on the following states:

Arkansas
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Massachusetts
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennesee
Washington
West Virginia

We don't need to know about your city or county laws, just your state laws. Please note that rosy and rubber boas are not included in this survey.

Also, if you know where on the net the text of the states law can be located, please include a link.

Edited on April 15, 2008 at 12:19:19 by jeffb.

Edited on April 17, 2008 at 12:46:41 by jeffb.

North Carolina has no state level restrictions at the moment.

Chris

WI - Restrictions
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Ethans Den

>>WI - Restrictions
>>-----
>>Ethans Den

I have been all over the Wisconsin DNR web site and have been unable to confirm any restrictions. I don't suppose you have any specifics on these restrictions?
Wisconsin DNR

>>>>WI - Restrictions
>>>>-----
>>>>Ethans Den
>>
>>I have been all over the Wisconsin DNR web site and have been unable to confirm any restrictions. I don't suppose you have any specifics on these restrictions?
>>Wisconsin DNR

There are no specific reptile restrictions confirmed with DNR today. You are required a health permit to bring any animal across state lines, but they do not check or confirm this unless you are importing to re-sell. Any reptile regulations are handled at local levels.

There are state laws in regards to natives, however they do not fall under this request as we have no native boids.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

There are no state regulations pertaining to simple in-state possession of Boas, Pythons, or other nonnative herps in Wisconsin, except that a veterinary health certificate is required to move any animal of any species, including all herps, into Wisconsin. There are lots of local ordinances restricting possession of herps and wild and exotic animals in various municipalities but these are all city or county ordinances.
Ed Stone, WI Herpetological Society Legislative Coordinator

No Restrictions at all (Not addressed by state law)

NJ has restrictions and permits are needed for any python.

Exotic and Nongame Species Requiring a Permit for Possession
The following information is in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.3.

(a) Exotic species and nongame species requiring a permit for possession include, but are not limited to the following:

I. BIRDS

Red-fronted Parrot - Amazona viridigenalis
Turquoise-fronted Parrot - Amazona aestiva
Yellow-cheeked Parrot - Amazona a. autumnalis
Half-moon Conure - Aratinga canicularis eburnirostrum
Jenday Conure - Aratinga jandaya
Sun Conure - Aratinga solstitialis
Nanday Conure - Nandayus nenday
African/Timneh Gray Parrot - Psittacus erithacus
Macaws - Ara spp. & Anodorhynchus spp. (Except endangered forms)

II. MAMMALS

Ferret - Mustela pertorius furo
Kinkajou - Potos flavus
European Hedgehog - Erinaceus europeaus
Dwarf Hamster - Phodopus spp.
Chinchilla - Chinchilla spp.
Sugar Glider - Petaurus breviceps
Exotic Sheep - Ovis aries
Exotic Goats - except Capra hircus

III. REPTILES

Pythons - Family Pythonidae
Rat Snakes - Elaphe spp.
Boas - Family Boidae (other than Boa Constrictor)
King Snakes - Lampropeltis spp.
Racer - Coluber spp.
Ringneck Snakes - Diadophis punctatus
Green Snakes - Opheodrys spp.
Collared Lizard - Crotaphytus collaris
Monitor - Varanus spp.
Skinks - Family Scincidae
Ameiva - Ameiva spp.
Chuckwalla - Sauromalus obesus
Alligator Lizard - Gerrhonotus spp.
Geckos - Family Gekkonidae (other than Tokay Gecko)
Armadillo Lizard - Cordylus cataphractus

IV. AMPHIBIANS

African Clawed Frog - Xenopus laevis
Poison Dart Frog - Dendrobates spp.
Argentine Horned Frog - Ceratophrys ornata
Green Treefrog - Hyla cynerea
Cuban Treefrog - Hyla septentrionalis
Red-eyed Treefrog - Agalychnis callidryas
White's Treefrog - Litoria caerulea
Firebelly Toad - Bombina bombina
Firebelly Newt - Cynops pyrrhogaster

(b) The Department may issue a permit for the possession of the above exotic mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, or nongame species provided the applicant has satisfactorily met the criteria contained within N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.7.

If the species you are searching for is not on this list, the Exempt Species list or the Potentially Dangerous Species list, please contact the Exotic and Nongame Permits Office with your questions at (908) 735-5450 or email EXOTICPERMITS@dep.state.nj.us.
Exotic and Nongame Species Requiring a Permit for Possession in N.J.

Oklahoma has no state restrictions on Boas or Pythons.

Vermont
Vermont by Fish & Wildlife regulation #881 enacted in January 2008 forbids or requires a special permit for the following Boas and Pythons:
Water/Papuan Python
Anacondas
Indian Sand boas
Russells sand boas
Olive Python
Scrub/Amethistine python
Oenpelli python
Indian/Burmese python
Reticulated Python

>>Vermont
>>Vermont by Fish & Wildlife regulation #881 enacted in January 2008 forbids or requires a special permit for the following Boas and Pythons:
>>Water/Papuan Python
>>Anacondas
>>Indian Sand boas
>>Russells sand boas
>>Olive Python
>>Scrub/Amethistine python
>>Oenpelli python
>>Indian/Burmese python
>>Reticulated Python

Now that - is silly - Is there even any sand in Vermont?

>>Vermont
>>Vermont by Fish & Wildlife regulation #881 enacted in January 2008 forbids or requires a special permit for the following Boas and Pythons:
>>Water/Papuan Python
>>Anacondas
>>Indian Sand boas
>>Russells sand boas
>>Olive Python
>>Scrub/Amethistine python
>>Oenpelli python
>>Indian/Burmese python
>>Reticulated Python

Thank you. I was able to locate the link on their site(see below) and have added this to the dbase as well
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/library/Forms_and_Applications/Importation_ Application/Species/Unrestricted_Wild_Animal_List.pdf

Edited on April 14, 2008 at 23:30:26 by jeffb.

Here are the ones listed in NY State Currently.

The five largest of the python family-boa family, which is the Burmese Python, African Rock Python, Reticulated Python and two types of Anacondas. Then, the five largest of the Monitor Lizards. All Crocodilians, which are alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharials and all venomous reptiles.

And as stated in the Law itself.....

Follow link or read below..

http://scalesandtails.com/pdf/Law.pdf

(5) All reptiles that are venomous by nature, pursuant to department
regulation, and the following species and orders: Burmese
Python (Python m. bivittatus), Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus),
African Rock Python (Python sabae), Green Anaconda (Eunectes maurinus),
Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), Australian Amethystine Python (Morelia
amethistina and Morelia kinghorni), Indian Python (Python
molurus), Asiatic (water) Monitor Varanus salvator), Nile Monitor
Varanus nilocitus), White Throat Monitor Varanus
albigularis), Black Throat Monitor Varanus albigularis
ionides) and Crocodile Monitor Varanus salvadori), Komodo Dragon
(Varanus komodensis) and any hybrid thereof,

Thanks, Andy Federico

AJF Reptiles

...

NY State Law

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I have data on 21 states so far... please keep it coming

Jeff,

Wyoming currently has no restrictions or regulations covering boas or pythons.
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Gerald Keown
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
www.southwesternherp.com

NY

bans the sale of burmese, retics, amethystine, and anacondas as well as some large monitor lizards. I believe if you already posess one of these you can file for a permit aka, "grandfathered in", but these can no longer be bought/sold in NY.

"any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long" must be registered with the local law enforcement.

Missouri

Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders. Chapter 578. Miscellaneous Offenses.

578.023. Keeper of dangerous wild animals must register animals, exceptions--penalty

1. No person may keep any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long, in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific, or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuge, unless such person has registered such animals with the local law enforcement agency in the county in which the animal is kept.

No restrictions on boas or pythons at the state level.

The state only regulates native herps, all crocodilians, and venomous snakes of the following family groups: Crotalidae, Viperidae, Elapidae, and Hydrophidae.
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DP

In Montana you cannot sell, or breed any of the big five, and you need a permit to keep them. BCC, and BCI are legal.

Washington state:

No Restrictions at all (Not addressed by state law)

No Restrictions at all (Not addressed by state law)

california
No Restrictions at all (Not addressed by state law)

california restricted species list
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg1518.pdf
Link

in nj you need a permit for all pythons, all boas except boa constrictor species. no permit is needed for boa constrictor species. anacondas are prohibited.

Indiana

None. The attempt to push the HSUS and Peta supported bill failed to the best of my knowledge.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/regs.htm

Steve

Please see my above post.

Minnesota- No state law
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps

Other than the native rubber boa (which I know you are not considering) there appears to be no restrictions on boas or pythons in the state of Utah.

The administrative rules governing reptile possession in Utah are promulgated by the Division of Wildlife Resources under the Department of Natural Resources. The administrative code to reference is R657-53 (www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r657/r657-053.htm).

Prior to May 2007, this administrative rule stated that any species not listed in the table of restricted animals was "non-controlled" (a misnomer to be sure, as there is regulation exerted over "non-controlled" ). Hence, all boas and pythons (including rubber boas) were non-controlled.

After May 2007, the regulation wording does not define un-listed species as "non-controlled". There does not appear to be any regulation classifying or otherwise addressing the possession of boas or pythons (other than rubber boas).

In Utah, we have both ballpythons.com (Sutherlands) and boaconstrictor.com (Stone) conducting business.

No Restrictions at all (Not addressed by state law)

For a link that should have all city and state ordinances-
http://www.amlegal.com/

NM Game and Fish only regulates native endangered species; e.g. it is illegal to own Gila Monsters in NM.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/apps_permit/index.htm

Most major cities require a exotic animal permit to maintain boids (and carnivorous lizards over four feet) obtainable by contacting that city's Animal Control Division.
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1.0 Tiger Retic
1.0 Burm
0.1 Coastal Carpet
0.1 Ball Python
1.1 Suriname/Guyana Shelf BCC
1.1 Albino BCI
0.1 Salmontine BCI
1.1 Dumeril
1.0 Green Anaconda
1.0 African House
Black Throat Monitor
Alligator Snapper
Common Snapper

New Mexico also requires importation permits for all herps brought in to the state....The animal has to have a vet health certificate as well.

After long conversations with NM game and fish, it appears the importation permit is very subjective. They only enforce it if it is something they don't want in the state. They will not enforce it if its a ball python, but in James Bear's situation they made him out to be a criminal.....Unfortunate....I'm just saying it needs to be the same across the board or get rid of the law..That is the same for herps, fish, birds, mammals, etc.

FL- Restrictions
4 pythons, 1 boa, and 1 monitor species. Have herd they are also trying to add the Water Monitor(and all subspecies/variations of it) and the "Redtail" boa family any redtail that is over 8 feet.

These are the "Reptile's of Concern" (ROC's) for FL

1)Burmese/Indian Python
2)Reticulated Python
3)African Rock Python
4)Amethystine Python
5)Green Anaconda(doesn't say anything about yellow anaconda)
6)Nile Monitor(both subspecies)

You must get a license for any of these reptiles currently listed by FL state law. Inorder to get it you must be 18 yrs old, purchase a $100 license, and have to get the animal microchipped. You had till Jan 08 to get the license and July 08 to get the animal microchipped, the license has to be renewed every yr.

Everything else wiht this information is on http://myfwc.com/permits/Docs/VRC0708.pdf

In Virginia there are no state restrcitions onboas and pythons of any spp, as yet.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not have any laws regulating boas or pythons. Some local laws have size restrictions.

There are no state laws concerning the ownership of boas or pythons at this time. As far as I know, any animal husbandry activities fall under the umbrella of "agriculture" as defined by the Ohio Revised Code:

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/search/animal

And here are the Ohio Administrative Code ordinances on the subject:

http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/901:1

No restrictions at all in S.C.

Here in Montana we have restrictions on the five largest of the pythons, & boas: The Burmese Python, African Rock Python, Reticulated Python and two types of Anacondas. You need a permit to keep them.

Jeff,
Arkansas has no restrictions on pythons.
Randal

Miss. has no restrictions on boas or pythons. The only restrictions in the state are on native species.
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Michelle
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Maine uses a unrestricted species list. Everything not on the list is restricted and needs a permit to own. Permits have not been given out for about 5 years. They are supposedly working on updating the unrestricted list to include more species but as it stands now the only boas & pythons allowed without a permit are:

Notations are the states.

Boa Constrictor (Boa c. constrictor)
Ball Python (Python regius) (CB, due to ticks)
Rainbow Boas (Epicrates cenchrin) ssp
Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)
Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) ssp
Children's Python (Liasis childreni)
Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) (CB)
Rough Scaled Sand Boa (Eryx conicus) (CB)

After reviewing the link I posted in my last message, I noticed a little portion of legislation in the Ohio Admin Code that may be of interest. It basically reads that any animals (including reptiles, as they are mentioned specifically) entering the state are issued an entry permit number, checked by a vet at the place of origin and issued a health certification, and are subject to inspection by a Dept of Agriculture officer.

So, again, no laws regarding possession in Ohio, but there is a law regarding entry of animals into the state.