Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does any one know what i'll need to rehabilitate captive and wild reptiles (just reptiles and amphibians actually)

It really depends on what you mean.

Do you mean what types of supplies?

If so, for turtles, you will need large (50 gallon or larger) tubs for them to swim in.

For most other animals, aquarium tanks, from 5 to 40 gallons will work well.

You also are going to need a variety of foods some of which are crickets, fruit flies, springtails, earthworms, waxworms, mealworms, slugs, mice, rats, and various fishes (make sure you get those fish that don't contain thiaminase, like largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, bluegill, trout, perch, salmon, and pumpkinseeds; if you feed the regular feeder fish from pet stores the animals that eat them can get neurologic problems because those fish contain thiaminase). That that's just for carnivores. For herbivores you are going to need a variety of green leafy vegies, like dandelions and various types of lettuce (not iceberg though). Make sure you take the dandelions from an area that hasn't been exposed to herbicides or pesticides.

You are also going to need things like papertowels, water bowls, spray bottles (for both misting the cages and for cleaning), a disinfectant like chlorhexidine, heat lamps and/or undertank heaters, plants (live or fake) for the animals to hide in, and various medical supplies, like gauze, betadine, neosporin, etc.

Gloves are going to come in handy too because many of the animals aren't going to want you handling them. For example, I just rehabilitated a watersnake not too long ago that I think got cut by a lawnmower. It was very defensive and bit me several times. Regarding snakes in particular, a snake hook and a snake bag will come in handy as well.

You are probably going to want to get an incubator as well. To either just keep a sick animal warm or to hatch eggs.

Your question is very vague, and I know I forgot a lot of stuff, but hopefully this will give you some of the info you wanted.

i dont mean supplies, i can get supplies any where, i mean a license or permits or any thing. i will be taking in wild and captive reptiles and amphibians. (the wild animals that go back to good health will be released)

There is more than likely a Wildlife Rescue/Rehabilitation in your area. They will train you according to your local laws with fish and game and so forth. Then will allow you to take animals home to rehabilitate. Some programs are even well off enough to help you out a bit with cost and supplies.

If you are set on doing it yourself. Well then you will have to do just that, and unfortuantely that means being willing to take the time to research necessary permits and so forth. It all depends on your state law.

Each state is a little different but some states don't require any permits for turtle rehab if you don't plan on dealing with any threatened or endangered species. Some states require some kind of permit if you are going to have in your posession over a certain number. You need to call your state's Department of Parks & Wildlife or Conservation Depart. It's called something different in every state. Some states give out permits and some don't. If you plan on handling the threatened or endangered species, you will need to contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and see about getting a federal permit. Depending on the state you live in will depend which federal area would regulate you. In Texas the federal office of the US Fish & Wild. Ser. is regulated from Albuquerque, NM. Phone # is 505-248-7882. Kamile there can probably tell you what office would be for you. Texas requires a state permit for rehabbing any protected species of animal. I have a state and federal permit because I rehab protected birds and on occasion the Texas Tortoise. The rehabbing I do for unprotected turtles is not regulated. Now I mostly rehab unprotected turtle species, RES, cooter, mud, musk, snapper, boxes. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Just for fun, I've attached the link to the GCTTS which I belong to. See my page on "What to do if you find an injured or ill turtle."
Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society