Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It has been recently reported in a number of media venues that Pennsylvania State Senator Richard Alloway (R-33) would introduce legislation that would ban many reptiles in PA. There has been much talk over the social networks and forums speculating about a possible reptile ban. USARK CEO Andrew Wyatt engaged the Senator's office and provided facts in order that a more informed decision regarding potential legislation could be made.

It is important to understand that Senator Alloway is a good and honorable man trying to do the right thing for his state. There is absolutely no ideological bias in his perspective. He is pro small business and pro animal agriculture. His office was gracious in entertaining USARK's Best Management Practices as an alternative to a ban.

Following a conversation this morning between Andrew Wyatt and key staff in Senator Alloway's office the decision had been made to put the proposed bill on "HOLD". At this point there is no intention of introducing a bill. If at some future date a bill is proposed it will be in consultation with USARK.

Again USARK has engaged the process and come away with positive results for the Reptile Nation! There are no current plans for a reptile ban in Pennsylvania!

JOIN USARK! There is Strength in Numbers… Protect Your Rights!

Questions:
Andrew Wyatt
president@usark.org
252-207-1041

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USARK

I like that Andrew. All the insults and hatred directed at State Rep Hilderbran sure did turn him around...lol
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

You attract more flies with honey JC.....
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USARK

No Reptile Ban in Pennsylvania??? There has been a reptile ban in Pennsylvania since 2005. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has prohibited the breeding and the sale or purchase of Pennsylvania Native Reptiles. If I live in Pennsylvania, I cannot purchase an eastern box turtle from out of state. If I bred native Pennsylvania reptiles in Pennsylvania, I cannot sell them out of state, so effectively putting me out of business. It has become illegal to breed native reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania.

The state of Pennsylvania now prohibits the breeding or purchase of Pennsylvania native reptiles from out of state and additionally, they make it illegal to breed Pennsylvania native reptiles. Isn't this a reptile ban?? No garter snakes, no snapping turtles, no painted turtles, etc.

The rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission are blatantly illegal, yet they will stand if not challenged by some organization that cares about preserving individual rights in this country.

I am a staunch supporter of USARK, however, this Pennsylvania situation needs to be challenged.

I will not buy a house in Pennsylvania because I would not be able to keep native reptiles. I live in NJ and currently keep native reptiles through the NJ permit process. Pennsylvania refuses to develop a permit process probably because of regulatory arrogance.

Yeah, there is already definitely a ban on reptiles in Pennsylvania.

My state WI, and many others have similar laws on native species. In light of the big picture, it seems like a small thing since very few of the northern state species are of economic importance. I cant keep bullsnakes native to WI, so I keep Northern Pines. I cant keep ornate box turtles, so I keep eastern box turtles, eastern fox snakes, eastern painted turtles, etc. Whatever there is in my state that I may like to keep, there is always something similar from another region that is equally as nice, so I dont feel that petty govt. rules seriously impact my life and interests (at this point in time).

If my memory serves correctly, with regards to the regs in WI, you are allowed to keep and sell any atypically colored or patterned specimen of a native WI species that is not endangered or threatened in the state. In other words, it would seem that albinos, and other morphs are allowed, but not normal animals.

"No Reptile Ban in Pennsylvania??? There has been a reptile ban in Pennsylvania since 2005."

That is very true. We had previously been allowed to keep these animals (not buy or sell them) that are now on the *no touch* list - for example Eastern Box Turtles, Spotted turtles, and Wood Turtles. Eastern Hognose snakes are also on that list.

We can still keep some PA natives - The Painted Turtle and Eastern Milk snake for example, can be taken from the wild and 1 animal may kept per PA resident (like to PA rules below)

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/repamp.html

"If I live in Pennsylvania, I cannot purchase an eastern box turtle from out of state."

Which makes no sense. Thats why I had mentioned micro-chipping below. Even if we were not allowed to breed the animals, (which I know, makes no sense) I don't see how an animal documented from coming from another state would be a problem. Just keep your receipts.

"If I bred native Pennsylvania reptiles in Pennsylvania, I cannot sell them out of state, so effectively putting me out of business."

It was, (at least that I know of), never legal to breed and sell PA reptiles an amphibians, even prior to 2005. We were prior to the change in 2005 allowed to possess 2 of each of the non threatened native species. I don't think they specifically said no breeding before then, but you were not allowed to sell, barter or trade any of the animals you would have produced off, or posses more then your alloted 2 animals per, so I think that was a way of saying no breeding...

I know I was told that albino specimens of the native animals and other color mutations don't count by a couple of PA Fish and boat officers, and by others that they count just the same as normal wild colored animals. Its very confusing, apparently to the people who are supposed to be enforcing the rules as well.

I know initially the ban was aimed to ban subspecies as well as species, making ALL garter snakes, ALL king snakes, and ALL box turtles among others, illegal. It only refers to the native subspecies as I understand it - meaning that Honduran Milks snakes & Three Toed Box turtles are legal to sell, trade and breed, while Eastern Milks and Eastern Boxes are the only ones banned,

"I am a staunch supporter of USARK, however, this Pennsylvania situation needs to be challenged."

"I live in NJ and currently keep native reptiles through the NJ permit process. Pennsylvania refuses to develop a permit process probably because of regulatory arrogance."

I completely agree with the above.

Texas now has some rather arcane and cumbersome, somewhat frivolous rules and regulations in that regard.

The intent, I was told was told, was to head off the "unscrupulous" reptile dealer.

Sad, but true.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Jeez arpk, how about a little less drama. As a reptile keeper, but also a believer in conservation, I think the PA regulations are perfectly fair. You can keep 1 of any native, non-protected (i.e., not endangered, threatened, or special concern species) for personal enjoyment, but not 2 because they don't want accidental breedings. The goal is to prevent unscrupulus people from poaching large numbers of native herps and selling them for a quick buck. If this limitation is putting you out of business, you must have been selling massive numbers of animals to the Asian food market, because as wireptile put it, there really isn't anything of commercial value in PA. And unfortunately Ravenspirit, buying a PA native from out of state with a receipt doesn't help from a regulatory standpoint... I can get Grandma from out-of-state to write me a fake receipt if I want (easy to forge).

PA regulations have been pretty relaxed, and we should be thankful. But without some level of regulation, some people would be taking every snake they could find to make a measly $5. People are just too greedy to self-regulate.

I disagree with your comments...lots of negative stereotyping of the Herp community...punishing the many for crimes of a few...always the negative inflection with regard to reptile keepers and their sinister motives...nothing but false pretense for your entire argument.
Nothing what so ever regarding the ineptness of "Authority" and their complete lack of interest in true regulation and proactive conservation.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I'm a reptile keeper, I'd love it if there were no need for any regulation, but you live in la-la land if you don't think that there are enough herpers with "sinister motives" to cause the need for regulation. Yes, there is alot of negative stereotyping, but streotypes exist because there is some degree of truth to them. I've gotten to know some herpers who seemed decent on the surface, but were dirt as I got to see their actions. Join the real world.

You're obviously new here. No need to tell me to join the real world. Your idealistic neophyte comment betrays you.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

"And unfortunately Ravenspirit, buying a PA native from out of state with a receipt doesn't help from a regulatory standpoint... I can get Grandma from out-of-state to write me a fake receipt if I want (easy to forge)."

That is why I suggested the being allowed to have animals purchased from out of state who were micro-chipped, thus showing the animals on the receipt (microchip number) and the animal in question (with microchip) are one in the same.

NJ (among others, MD I think is the same way) allows ownership of native animals purchased out of state with receipts, no micro-chipping required.

Stop by the USARK Booth at the Northwestern Berks Reptile Show in Hamburg Pennsylvania. That's right USARK is coming to Pennsylvania for the first time! Denise Readinger puts on one of the best reptile shows in the country year after year! This will be USARK's first visit to the Northeast! Andrew Wyatt, USARK CEO, will be on hand to talk about the significance of our most recent victory in PA... NO PA REPTILE BAN!!! Please thank Denise for supporting USARK and the Reptile Nation!!!

Northwestern Berks Hamburg Reptile Show

When: February 26, 2011

Where: Field House, 127 South Fourth St, Hamburg, PA 19526

Time: Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
http://www.hamburgreptileshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=54

Come party with us in Hamburg and support the Reptile Nation!

WHAT??????.......PARTY IN HAMBURG, PA????......YOU BETCHA WE'LL BE THERE.......OOOPAAAA!!!!!!